BattleMech
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A BattleMech (aka 'Mech), in the science fiction universe of BattleTech, is a bipedal war machine about 30 to 40 feet tall, and massing from 20 to 100 tons (although recent developments in the fiction mention a Colossus class mech weighing more than a 100 tons). BattleMechs are capable of speeds up to 180 km/h (112 mph). These 'Mechs are powered by fusion reactors and are best suited for ground combat, although they are also capable of limited performance underwater and in outer space. A single 'Mech can easily destroy a city block. A BattleMech's only true equal is another 'Mech — artillery, aircraft, and tanks are disadvantaged against them without BattleMech support or a strong advantage in numbers.
Origins
The first BattleMech ever developed was the Mackie, often described as a 100 ton box with legs. It was developed in 2439 by the Terran Hegemony, first deployed in 2443, and produced throughout the rest of the Inner Sphere after the BattleMech construction plans were stolen in 2455. Throughout the many wars in BattleTech's history, BattleMechs have seen significant development.
By the year 3050, the Houses of the Inner Sphere have been fighting with 'Mech designs that are decades, if not centuries, old; the destruction of the Succession Wars had even made them less technologically advanced than those designs produced during the Star League era. With the invasion of the Clans in 3050, the Inner Sphere got its first look at the potent technology wielded by the followers of Kerensky.
The first official sighting of a Clan 'Mech was that of a Timberwolf by the legendary Phelan Kell of the Kell Hounds. It was nick-named the Mad Cat by the Precentor Martial of ComStar because the Mad Cat sports weapon arms similar to the Marauder, shoulder-mounted missile pods like the Catapult's and a horizontal torso on birdlike legs common to both designs.
Similar naming ideas existed for the initial lines of Clan 'Mechs, such as the Clan Summoner dubbed by Prince Victor Steiner Davion as the Thor, because of its deliverance of "thunder and lightning" by its PPC and Autocannon. This naming approach resulted in a number of 'Mechs having two official names, which is often confusing. It has since been ceased to designate new Clan 'Mech designs with two names.
Chassis Types
Bipedal
Covering the majority of the types of BattleMechs, Bipedal 'Mechs come in two types; humanoid-type BattleMechs are the most commonly encountered model of BattleMech; iconic 'Mechs of this class include the Atlas and Summoner (Thor). Reverse Joint (chicken-walker) 'Mechs are slightly less common on the field of battle, but comprise such famous 'Mechs as the Marauder, Catapult and Timber Wolf (Mad Cat).
Land-Air 'Mech (LAM)
The LAM had the ability to transform into a conventional aircraft and revert to BattleMech mode, enabling it to quickly traverse great distances in a short time. However its weight limit, and real life legal conflicts with Harmony Gold (the LAMs, as well as several other 'Mechs, were based heavily off of mecha designs from television series Super Dimension Fortress Macross and other anime series) would end its official existence within the universe. The Wasp, Stinger and Phoenix Hawk were famous LAMs. These Land-Air 'Mechs can be found in the original edition of Technical Readout 3025, along with the other "lost" or "unseen" BattleMechs such as the Marauder, Crusader, Warhammer, and the non-LAM versions of the Stinger, Wasp, and Phoenix Hawk.
Quad
The quad 'Mech, though much maligned, has experienced a bit of a renaissance in the years after 3060. With the rediscovery of more efficient weapons, internal structure, and armor, the quad 'Mech's stability and ability to carry heavy weapons has much improved. However, the stigma associated with the general design still lingers, leaving the normal dual-legged BattleMech the vastly more common 'Mech. Notable quad designs include the 55 ton Scorpion, 80 ton Goliath, 70 ton Barghest, 95 ton Sirocco, and 85 ton Thunder Stallion.
Classifications
Light
Light 'Mechs are those that weigh between 20 and 35 tons. These 'Mechs are generally used as scout 'Mechs, fire-support 'Mechs, and anti-personnel units. These units are generally quite fast, and mount light weapon payloads. They also can mount significant amounts of electronics to help them as scout 'Mechs. One such design is the Raven. It comes with an ECM suite that both reduces enemy unit range (ECM, or electronic counter-measures) and advanced sensors (the Beagle-Active Probe, or BAP), but due to these electronics, it has a lighter weapons payload.
Not all light 'Mechs are lightly armed, though. Some, such as the Puma, Cougar, and Solitaire, can be strong enough to crack the armor of many larger units. The Puma's dual PPCs are a sizeable threat to 'Mechs of any size.
Iconic Light 'Mechs include the Raven, Cougar, Commando, Wolfhound, and Panther.
Medium
Medium 'Mechs weigh between 40 and 55 tons, and are very versatile. Some, such as the Hellspawn, have significant electronics payloads and are used as scout 'Mechs. As they are heavier, they also have medium weapon layouts, using weapons such as medium lasers and pulse lasers. In the BattleTech universe, the medium 'Mech is the workhorse 'Mech of most armies.
Other medium 'Mechs are used as fire-support units. One that fills this role well is the Rabid-Coyote. It has a pair of ATM (Advance Tactical Missile) racks, which allows it to change missiles during a battle from Extended, Normal, or High Explosive(HE).
Still, other medium 'Mechs have heavy weapon payloads and can be used as front-line units. Some are the Uziel, which mounts a pair of PPCs that have significant range and damage output. Among the Clans, medium 'Mechs such as the Stormcrow (Ryoken) and Shadow Cat designs also make use of weapons that can deal serious damage to lighter units.
Some notable medium 'Mechs include the Centurion, Wolverine, Shadow Hawk, and Griffin.
Heavy
Heavy 'Mechs weigh in between 60 and 75 tons. They are versatile like medium 'Mechs, but generally have much heavier weapon payloads. These 'Mechs are large enough to mount weapons like Gauss Rifles and AC/20 autocannons, but are still light enough to have good maneuverability, as they range from 60 to 90 km/h.
Many famous and well-known designs are heavy 'Mechs, the most well-known of which is the Timber Wolf (Mad Cat). It has a very heavy damage output, mounting a pair of LRM-20s, a pair of ER Large Lasers, and an assortment of smaller weapons including a medium pulse laser and machine guns.
Other heavy 'Mechs are well known for their maneuverability. One such 'Mech is the Thanatos, which has both a significant weapon payload while retaining high mobility and ECM capabilities.
Some of the best pilots in the armies of the Successor States or Clans pilot heavy mechs. One notable MechWarrior is Morgan Kell founder of the Kell Hounds, who piloted an Archer fire-support 'Mech during the Battle of Luthien. Another well-known MechWarrior is Natasha Kerensky, leader of the Black Widow Company of Wolf's Dragoons, who pilots a 70-ton Warhammer.
Assault
Assault 'Mechs are the heaviest class of BattleMechs, weighing in between 80 and 100 tons. Some of these huge 'Mechs can mount up to 50 tons of weapons as well as very thick armor protection. The trade-off is in speed and maneuverability, as assault 'Mechs are generally very slow.
These 'Mechs are often used as command units, heavy assault platforms, and in fire-support roles. Some common Inner Sphere command 'Mechs are the BattleMaster and Cyclops, which both have above average electronics while maintaining heavy weapon payloads.
Iconic Assault 'Mechs include the Dire Wolf (Daishi), Atlas, Marauder II, Jupiter, and the BattleMaster.
Colossal
The Colossal class battlemechs are new and experimental. There are only four "Ares" Colossal mechs in existence, varying in primary weapons. Though the torso and leg weapons are the same for each. The arms and paint sceme are what set the variants apart. Manned by a crew of three, Pilot, Gunner, and Engineer, these mechs top the scales at 135 tons. The variants are "Hades", "Hera", "Zeus", and "Poseidon".
Industrial 'Mechs
Industrial 'Mechs (also known as WorkMechs), though far less glamorous than their war-faring counterparts, are very important in the everyday life of the BattleTech universe. There are ForestryMechs, MiningMechs, AgroMechs and many other types for many different industries. Many of these mechs use an internal combustion engine, usually diesel, due to the high cost of fusion reactors. Industrial 'Mechs have been modified for war when normal 'Mechs are out of reach (most often in the Mechwarrior: Dark Age saga), though the modified WorkMech is still often far less capable than a BattleMech of the same tonnage.
BattleMech Construction
BattleMechs are initially made up of a series of internal structure "bones" which are connected together to form a skeleton of the 'Mech. A muscle-like artificial polymer fiber called myomer - which contracts in the presence of an electrical current - is then wrapped around these bones. This powerful myomer transmission system is what gives BattleMechs their speed and agility in even the roughest terrain.
The necessary electrical current for the myomers is provided by a fusion reactor mounted in the torso. This artificial skeleton and musculature, combined with a powerful gyroscope, provide stability for the BattleMech. The entire system is controlled by a pilot wearing a neurohelmet that effectively links the 'Mech's central computer to the pilot's sense of balance and nervous system. The movement of a 'Mech is controlled by a combination throttle, joystick, and dual pedal system.
Each of the bones features a series of different size and capacity rated hardpoints for the attachment of critical systems such as life support and cooling equipment. In addition, weapons and armor plating is also attached to these points to give the 'Mech its offensive and defensive capability.
Custom Designs
Primary characters in BattleTech stories often use customized 'Mechs. For example, Kai Allard-Liao pilots a unique Centurion called "Yen-Lo-Wang" (highly modified in later books) which features a slightly different weapon configuration from a standard Centurion. This 'Mech was originally modified in 3027 by his father, Justin Xiang Allard, for use on the gladiatorial gaming world of Solaris VII.
Prince Victor Steiner-Davion uses a custom Dire Wolf (Daishi) assault 'Mech named "Prometheus" with a large array of high-caliber weapons, in a more effective configuration than the standard Dire Wolf.
Jade Falcon hero Aidan Pryde piloted a custom jump-capable Timber Wolf as his temporary 'Mech during the Battle of Tukayyid.
Gray Noton piloted a customized Rifleman (normally a fire support and anti-aircraft 'Mech) dubbed "Legend Killer". The normally outclassed design was used by Noton during his reign as Champion of the Solaris VII Games.
Natasha "The Black Widow" Kerensky piloted a modified Warhammer design that was painted to resemble a black widow, and later a customized Dire Wolf.
Finally, Anastasia Kerensky pilots a modified Ryoken II, features twin SRM-6 packs, 2 Medium lasers, and 2 PPCs.
BattleMech Listings
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