Difference between revisions of "Guardian (BattleMech)"
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | The [[BattleCorps]] short story ''[[Feather Vs Mountain]]'' is a homage to the ''Guardian'', without mentioning it in name: According to the author, the story was inspired by | + | The [[BattleCorps]] short story ''[[Feather Vs Mountain]]'' is a homage to the ''Guardian'', without mentioning it in name: According to the author, the story was inspired by the ''Guardian'''s combat history against [[Wolf's Dragoons]] on [[An Ting]] as described in the BattleTechnology magazine. However, the actual 'Mech could not be used for the story as it was not a canonical 'Mech and the story's protagonist pilots a quadruped GS-54 ''[[Guard]]'' (another 15-ton design with machine guns) instead. "Guardian Company", composed of machine-gun toting 15-ton 'Mechs of unspecified type, is obliterated by infantry ambushes in much the same way over the course of the story as it is described for a company of ''Guardian''s in BattleTechnology. |
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
Revision as of 16:44, 27 August 2012
- This article is about the BattleMech. For other uses, see Guardian (disambiguation).
 | Apocryphal This article's subject is only mentioned in apocryphal sources, i.e. official BattleTech products which are not clearly Non-canon but do not meet the current Canon criteria either. For more information, check the Canonicity section. |
| |
| Guardian | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Silver Shield Security |
| Model | GRD-1N |
| Class | Ultralight |
| Cost | ? |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 15 tons |
| Chassis | Shield 1 |
| Armor | Duralex Light |
| Engine | Leenex 60 |
| Speed | 64.8 km/h |
| Armament |
5× machine gun |
| BV (1.0) | ? |
| BV (2.0) | ? |
Description
Although a BattleMech by design (and not an IndustrialMech like most SecurityMechs), the Guardian was not made for the military. Instead, it was marketed as a SecurityMech and sold to large corporations and law enforcement agencies. Its relatively small size and low weight allows it to go where other 'Mechs could not, giving it somewhat better mobility in urban environments. However, its relatively slow speed means that almost all other 'Mechs can run it down.
Armament
The Guardian is armed with five SperryBrowning machine guns, one mounted in each arm, in each torso side and in the center torso, respectively. Two and a half tons of ammunition in the right torso provide ample supply.
Variants
A frequent field refit for Guardians is to drop half a ton of ammunition to replace one machine gun with a Medium Laser, to give it at least a chance to stand against other 'Mechs. Yet it remains a poor fighting machine when compared to virtually any other BattleMech.
Canonicity
The Guardian was only ever described in BattleTechnology #13. Since this magazine is not currently counted among the canonical sources for BattleTech, the 'Mech itself is not currently considered canonical either. (An earlier ruling by Randall Bills declaring all BattleTechnology 'Mechs as present in the BattleTech Universe, if only as unique 'Mechs, was expressly rescinded by his successor as Line Developer, Herbert A. Beas II.)
The legality of the design is arguable, as BattleMech designs below 20 tons were illegal for a time; however, under current construction rules (TechManual), they are permitted again.
Notes
The BattleCorps short story Feather Vs Mountain is a homage to the Guardian, without mentioning it in name: According to the author, the story was inspired by the Guardian's combat history against Wolf's Dragoons on An Ting as described in the BattleTechnology magazine. However, the actual 'Mech could not be used for the story as it was not a canonical 'Mech and the story's protagonist pilots a quadruped GS-54 Guard (another 15-ton design with machine guns) instead. "Guardian Company", composed of machine-gun toting 15-ton 'Mechs of unspecified type, is obliterated by infantry ambushes in much the same way over the course of the story as it is described for a company of Guardians in BattleTechnology.