Difference between revisions of "IIC"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | '''IIC''' ("two-C", | + | '''IIC''' ("two-C", in the sense of "second generation, and of Clan origin") is an [[Inner Sphere]] designation<ref name="TRO:3055p92">''Technical Readout: 3055'', p. 92: "Clan BattleMechs"</ref> for items of superior [[Clan]] technology that have evolved out of certain classic designs or items from which they derive their names. It was coined for certain [[BattleMech]] designs,<ref name="TRO:3055p92"/> but was later also used for superior (Clan-level) technology rebuilds of [[aerospace fighter]]s, [[vehicle]]s, and other equipment that had recognizably evolved out of an earlier namesake, and is now used for a broad range of advanced items. |
| − | + | Many IIC designs have altered the parent design's mass and some actually bear only a superficial semblance to the earlier design or item of the same name. | |
| − | :'' | + | The IIC designation originated with the Inner Sphere,<ref name="TRO:3055p92"/> and is not a Clan term, describing Clan technology from an Inner Sphere viewpoint. As such, the Clans themselves did not use the IIC description initially, referring to IIC units and items by their traditional Star League-era name (without the "IIC" appendix) instead.<ref>''Trial of Faith'', p. 13 provides one example</ref> Later on, around the [[Jihad era]] past the year [[3067]], the Clans seem to have adopted IIC as a designation<ref>''Operation ICE STORM'' Part 2, p. 7</ref> to differentiate the newer IIC designs from their old-fashioned ancestors of the same name which are sometimes still in use in the Inner Sphere. |
| − | + | :''Among the [[BattleTech]] fanbase, "IIC" is also (often jokingly) used very broadly for the concepts of superiority or improvement; it is unclear if the designation is in similarly casual use within the BattleTech universe.''{{cn}} | |
| − | + | Although superior to standard Inner Sphere technology, IIC 'Mechs and fighters do not make use of [[OmniMech|Omni]] technology and were thus already considered obsolete by Clan standards around the time of the [[Clan Invasion]]. With the notable exception of the ''[[Hunchback IIC]]'',<ref name=TRO3058>''Technical Readout: 3058, p. 188</ref><ref name=TRO3058U>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 172</ref> IIC BattleMechs were largely absent from frontline formations, and were initially primarily used in second-line and garrison units.<ref name="TRO:3055p92"/> Still, the concept carries on, and new IIC designs were still devised by [[3095]].<ref>The ''Viking IIC'' was introduced in 3095</ref> | |
== No IIC Spaceships == | == No IIC Spaceships == | ||
| − | + | Even though similar redesigns exist among spacecraft, spaceships of all kinds seem to be a notable exception from the IIC naming scheme if they are larger than an [[aerospace fighter]] (there is at least one IIC aerospace fighter design): | |
| + | *[[Small Craft]] exist in upgraded versions among the Clans, but instead of IIC these simply append "C" to their designation either directly, or separated by a space or a dash, ''e.g.'' [[K-1]]C, [[KR-61|KR-61 C]], [[Mark VII]]-C.<ref name="TRO:3057Rp170+">''Technical Readout: 3057 Revised'', pp. 170–171, 173</ref> It should be noted though that Clan upgrades to Small Craft designs are typically minor, usually limited to an upgrade of their weapons suite to more advanced versions of the same weapons, and/or armor changes. In this fashion, they are actually much closer to "C" variants (see below) than IIC redesigns, although unlike "C" BattleMechs which are stopgap upgrades of obsolete designs, these upgraded small craft seem to be the Clans' baseline production models. | ||
| + | *[[DropShip]]s are either treated like small craft, or received entirely new names: Despite effectively being IIC-style redesigns, the ''[[Union-C]]'' and ''[[Overlord-C]]'' are named thus, even by the Clans themselves, while the IIC-style evolution of the ''[[Leopard]]'' and ''[[Intruder]]'' were named the ''[[Broadsword]]'' and ''[[Sassanid]]''-class, respectively. Despite the differences, initial Inner Sphere reports during the early Clan Invasion often inaccurately reported ''Union-C'' and ''Overlord-C''-class DropShips as ''Union'' and ''Overlord''-class vessels, and ''Broadsword''-class DropShips as ''Leopard''s.<ref>There is an [https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=56035.0 official ruling] to the effect that Clan DropShips described as ''Overlord'' and ''Union'' in early sourcebooks, especially those sourcebooks that predate the introduction of proper Clan DropShips in ''[[Technical Readout: 3057]]'', can be considered to be ''Overlord-C'' and ''Union-C''-class vessels instead; the same is "not definitely" true for ''Broadsword''/''Leopard''-class vessels. It should be noted though that one sourcebook written as an internal [[Wolfnet]] document (''[[The Falcon and the Wolf]]'') lists ''Overlord''s, ''Union''s, ''Leopard''s and ''Intruder''s in Clan ''[[touman]]s'' alongside ''Overlord-C'', ''Union-C'', ''Broadsword'' and ''Sassanid''-class vessels; given that Wolfnet would be aware of the differences this seems to prove that all of those classes were in fact in use among the Clans at least up until ca. [[3057]], when the report was compiled in-universe</ref> | ||
| + | *[[JumpShip]]s: The Clans do operate upgraded versions of common JumpShip types with (it is implied) improved onboard electronics and other advanced technologies such as [[HarJel]] hull sealant safety systems, but the overall differences seem to be minor and they are not named differently. | ||
| + | *[[WarShip]]s: There is no IIC [[WarShip]] class, despite many vessels in the Clan fleets having undergone some form of upgrade or refit—sometimes radically so, as there are entire new ship classes that were created by revamping and upgrading an existing class. Such evolutions that were based off older designs were given entirely new names, however. | ||
| − | + | == Difference between "IIC" and "C" designs == | |
| + | IIC BattleMechs are by definition new 'Mech models designed from a namesake parent design to make use of Clan technology. They should not be confused with "C"-style variants of BattleMechs which are typically identified by appending "(C)" to their alphanumerical designation: | ||
| − | + | Somewhat similar to the IIC concept, "C"-type BattleMechs are standard 'Mech designs that feature advanced Clan equipment and components, but are essentially only a variant of their parent design built with better components and not an altogether new design (as opposed to a IIC 'Mech that has been redesigned from the ground up). Frequently, the change is limited to exchanging weapon systems for advanced Clan counterparts, without changing the chassis or other components such as the [[fusion engine]] or [[heat sink]]s. | |
| − | + | These upgraded variants are typically built by the Clans at captured Inner Sphere factories as a stopgap measure to achieve the best possible production result without having to retool the factory for an entirely different 'Mech model. | |
| − | + | {{seealso|Essay: Evolution of the "C" Refits}} | |
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== Known IIC designs == | == Known IIC designs == | ||
| + | :''Note: This list may be incomplete.'' | ||
=== BattleMechs === | === BattleMechs === | ||
| − | *''[[Beowulf IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Beowulf IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Clint IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Clint IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Commando IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Commando IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Conjurer (Hellhound)]]'', confirmed to be the ''Wolverine IIC'' in all but name; five tons lighter than the original ''[[Wolverine]]'' | + | * ''[[Conjurer (Hellhound)]]'', confirmed to be the ''Wolverine IIC'' in all but name, as the Clans would not name a BattleMech like the [[Not-named Clan]]; five tons lighter than the original ''[[Wolverine]]'' |
| − | *''[[Dervish IIC]]'' ([[apocryphal]]) | + | * ''[[Dervish IIC]]'' ([[apocryphal]]) |
| − | *''[[Griffin IIC]]'', fifteen tons lighter than the original ''[[Griffin]]'' | + | * ''[[Griffin IIC]]'', fifteen tons lighter than the original ''[[Griffin]]'' |
| − | *''[[Guillotine IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Guillotine IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Highlander IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Highlander IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Hunchback IIC]]'', the preferred last-chance BattleMech for Warriors destined for [[Solahma|solahma]] units<ref name=TRO3058/><ref name=TRO3058U/> | + | * ''[[Hunchback IIC]]'', the preferred last-chance BattleMech for Warriors destined for [[Solahma|''solahma'']] units<ref name=TRO3058/><ref name=TRO3058U/> |
| − | *''[[Jenner IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Jenner IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Locust IIC]]'', five tons heavier than the original ''[[Locust]]'' | + | * ''[[Locust IIC]]'', five tons heavier than the original ''[[Locust]]'' |
| − | *''[[Marauder IIC]]'', ten tons heavier than the original ''[[Marauder]]'' and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech | + | * ''[[Marauder IIC]]'', ten tons heavier than the original ''[[Marauder]]'' and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech |
| − | *''[[Orion IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Orion IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Ostscout IIC]]'' (prototypes only; project | + | * ''[[Ostscout IIC]]'' (prototypes only; project canceled before entering production) |
| − | *''[[Phoenix Hawk IIC]]'', thirty-five tons heavier than the original ''[[Phoenix Hawk]]'' and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a medium 'Mech | + | * ''[[Phoenix Hawk IIC]]'', thirty-five tons heavier than the original ''[[Phoenix Hawk]]'' and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a medium 'Mech |
| − | *''[[Rifleman IIC]]'', five tons heavier than the original ''[[Rifleman]]'' | + | * ''[[Rifleman IIC]]'', five tons heavier than the original ''[[Rifleman]]'' |
| − | *''[[Shadow Hawk IIC]]'', ten tons lighter than the original ''[[Shadow Hawk]]'' | + | * ''[[Shadow Hawk IIC]]'', ten tons lighter than the original ''[[Shadow Hawk]]'' |
| − | *''[[Stinger IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Stinger IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Thunderbolt IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Thunderbolt IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[UrbanMech IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[UrbanMech IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Warhammer IIC]]'', ten tons heavier than the original ''[[Warhammer]]'' and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech | + | * ''[[Viking IIC]]'' |
| − | *''[[Wolfhound IIC]]'', a rebuild of [[Phelan Kell]]'s personal 'Mech and presumably a unique one-off design | + | * ''[[Warhammer IIC]]'', ten tons heavier than the original ''[[Warhammer]]'' and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech |
| − | *''[[Wyvern IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Wolfhound IIC]]'', a rebuild of [[Phelan Kell]]'s personal 'Mech and presumably a unique one-off design |
| + | * ''[[Wyvern IIC]]'' | ||
=== Aerospace fighters === | === Aerospace fighters === | ||
| − | *''[[Chippewa IIC]]'' | + | * ''[[Chippewa IIC]]'' |
=== Vehicles === | === Vehicles === | ||
| − | * | + | *[[Axel IIC]] tank |
| + | *[[Baleena IIC]] submarine | ||
| + | *[[Defender IIC]] conventional fighter | ||
=== Other === | === Other === | ||
*[[Mauser IIC]] assault rifle | *[[Mauser IIC]] assault rifle | ||
| + | *[[Kobold#Variants|Kobold IIC]] battle armor; a Clan upgrade version of an Inner Sphere battle armor design that was created after the Inner Sphere had reverse engineered battle armor technology from the Clans | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 65: | Line 70: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
| + | * ''[[The Falcon and the Wolf]]'' | ||
* ''[[Operation ICE STORM (novel)]]'' | * ''[[Operation ICE STORM (novel)]]'' | ||
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3055]]'' | * ''[[Technical Readout: 3055]]'' | ||
| Line 72: | Line 78: | ||
* ''[[Trial of Faith]]'' | * ''[[Trial of Faith]]'' | ||
| + | [[Category:'Mech classifications|IIC]] | ||
[[Category:Technology|IIC]] | [[Category:Technology|IIC]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:37, 21 February 2023
Contents
Description[edit]
IIC ("two-C", in the sense of "second generation, and of Clan origin") is an Inner Sphere designation[1] for items of superior Clan technology that have evolved out of certain classic designs or items from which they derive their names. It was coined for certain BattleMech designs,[1] but was later also used for superior (Clan-level) technology rebuilds of aerospace fighters, vehicles, and other equipment that had recognizably evolved out of an earlier namesake, and is now used for a broad range of advanced items.
Many IIC designs have altered the parent design's mass and some actually bear only a superficial semblance to the earlier design or item of the same name.
The IIC designation originated with the Inner Sphere,[1] and is not a Clan term, describing Clan technology from an Inner Sphere viewpoint. As such, the Clans themselves did not use the IIC description initially, referring to IIC units and items by their traditional Star League-era name (without the "IIC" appendix) instead.[2] Later on, around the Jihad era past the year 3067, the Clans seem to have adopted IIC as a designation[3] to differentiate the newer IIC designs from their old-fashioned ancestors of the same name which are sometimes still in use in the Inner Sphere.
- Among the BattleTech fanbase, "IIC" is also (often jokingly) used very broadly for the concepts of superiority or improvement; it is unclear if the designation is in similarly casual use within the BattleTech universe.[citation needed]
Although superior to standard Inner Sphere technology, IIC 'Mechs and fighters do not make use of Omni technology and were thus already considered obsolete by Clan standards around the time of the Clan Invasion. With the notable exception of the Hunchback IIC,[4][5] IIC BattleMechs were largely absent from frontline formations, and were initially primarily used in second-line and garrison units.[1] Still, the concept carries on, and new IIC designs were still devised by 3095.[6]
No IIC Spaceships[edit]
Even though similar redesigns exist among spacecraft, spaceships of all kinds seem to be a notable exception from the IIC naming scheme if they are larger than an aerospace fighter (there is at least one IIC aerospace fighter design):
- Small Craft exist in upgraded versions among the Clans, but instead of IIC these simply append "C" to their designation either directly, or separated by a space or a dash, e.g. K-1C, KR-61 C, Mark VII-C.[7] It should be noted though that Clan upgrades to Small Craft designs are typically minor, usually limited to an upgrade of their weapons suite to more advanced versions of the same weapons, and/or armor changes. In this fashion, they are actually much closer to "C" variants (see below) than IIC redesigns, although unlike "C" BattleMechs which are stopgap upgrades of obsolete designs, these upgraded small craft seem to be the Clans' baseline production models.
- DropShips are either treated like small craft, or received entirely new names: Despite effectively being IIC-style redesigns, the Union-C and Overlord-C are named thus, even by the Clans themselves, while the IIC-style evolution of the Leopard and Intruder were named the Broadsword and Sassanid-class, respectively. Despite the differences, initial Inner Sphere reports during the early Clan Invasion often inaccurately reported Union-C and Overlord-C-class DropShips as Union and Overlord-class vessels, and Broadsword-class DropShips as Leopards.[8]
- JumpShips: The Clans do operate upgraded versions of common JumpShip types with (it is implied) improved onboard electronics and other advanced technologies such as HarJel hull sealant safety systems, but the overall differences seem to be minor and they are not named differently.
- WarShips: There is no IIC WarShip class, despite many vessels in the Clan fleets having undergone some form of upgrade or refit—sometimes radically so, as there are entire new ship classes that were created by revamping and upgrading an existing class. Such evolutions that were based off older designs were given entirely new names, however.
Difference between "IIC" and "C" designs[edit]
IIC BattleMechs are by definition new 'Mech models designed from a namesake parent design to make use of Clan technology. They should not be confused with "C"-style variants of BattleMechs which are typically identified by appending "(C)" to their alphanumerical designation:
Somewhat similar to the IIC concept, "C"-type BattleMechs are standard 'Mech designs that feature advanced Clan equipment and components, but are essentially only a variant of their parent design built with better components and not an altogether new design (as opposed to a IIC 'Mech that has been redesigned from the ground up). Frequently, the change is limited to exchanging weapon systems for advanced Clan counterparts, without changing the chassis or other components such as the fusion engine or heat sinks.
These upgraded variants are typically built by the Clans at captured Inner Sphere factories as a stopgap measure to achieve the best possible production result without having to retool the factory for an entirely different 'Mech model.
Known IIC designs[edit]
- Note: This list may be incomplete.
BattleMechs[edit]
- Beowulf IIC
- Clint IIC
- Commando IIC
- Conjurer (Hellhound), confirmed to be the Wolverine IIC in all but name, as the Clans would not name a BattleMech like the Not-named Clan; five tons lighter than the original Wolverine
- Dervish IIC (apocryphal)
- Griffin IIC, fifteen tons lighter than the original Griffin
- Guillotine IIC
- Highlander IIC
- Hunchback IIC, the preferred last-chance BattleMech for Warriors destined for solahma units[4][5]
- Jenner IIC
- Locust IIC, five tons heavier than the original Locust
- Marauder IIC, ten tons heavier than the original Marauder and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech
- Orion IIC
- Ostscout IIC (prototypes only; project canceled before entering production)
- Phoenix Hawk IIC, thirty-five tons heavier than the original Phoenix Hawk and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a medium 'Mech
- Rifleman IIC, five tons heavier than the original Rifleman
- Shadow Hawk IIC, ten tons lighter than the original Shadow Hawk
- Stinger IIC
- Thunderbolt IIC
- UrbanMech IIC
- Viking IIC
- Warhammer IIC, ten tons heavier than the original Warhammer and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech
- Wolfhound IIC, a rebuild of Phelan Kell's personal 'Mech and presumably a unique one-off design
- Wyvern IIC
Aerospace fighters[edit]
Vehicles[edit]
- Axel IIC tank
- Baleena IIC submarine
- Defender IIC conventional fighter
Other[edit]
- Mauser IIC assault rifle
- Kobold IIC battle armor; a Clan upgrade version of an Inner Sphere battle armor design that was created after the Inner Sphere had reverse engineered battle armor technology from the Clans
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: 3055, p. 92: "Clan BattleMechs"
- ↑ Trial of Faith, p. 13 provides one example
- ↑ Operation ICE STORM Part 2, p. 7
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Technical Readout: 3058, p. 188
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 172
- ↑ The Viking IIC was introduced in 3095
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, pp. 170–171, 173
- ↑ There is an official ruling to the effect that Clan DropShips described as Overlord and Union in early sourcebooks, especially those sourcebooks that predate the introduction of proper Clan DropShips in Technical Readout: 3057, can be considered to be Overlord-C and Union-C-class vessels instead; the same is "not definitely" true for Broadsword/Leopard-class vessels. It should be noted though that one sourcebook written as an internal Wolfnet document (The Falcon and the Wolf) lists Overlords, Unions, Leopards and Intruders in Clan toumans alongside Overlord-C, Union-C, Broadsword and Sassanid-class vessels; given that Wolfnet would be aware of the differences this seems to prove that all of those classes were in fact in use among the Clans at least up until ca. 3057, when the report was compiled in-universe