Ostroc Mk II
Sarna News
 | 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. |
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| Ostroc Mk II | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | (unknown) |
| Model | OSR-9C |
| Class | Heavy |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 60 tons |
| Chassis | (unknown) |
| Armor | (unknown) |
| Engine | Pitban 240 |
| Speed | 64.8 km/h |
| Jump Jets | Yes (type unknown) |
| Armament |
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| BV (1.0) | ? |
| BV (2.0) | ? |
Description
Almost nothing is known about the Ostroc Mk II except for its name and design parameters.
The name implies this BattleMech to be a successor to the classic Ostroc, presumably by the same firm. This assumption is also supported by the design's similarity to both the Ostroc and its close relative, the Ostsol, though on the other hand the differences are such that it is no mere variant or modification either. Most notably, the Ostroc Mk II features a reverse-joint leg assebly.
In the scenario accompanying the model kit and stat sheet, a House Davion MechWarrior recounts how he encountered an Ostroc that "had been obviously modified" in the defense of Brittany III against a Kurita invasion. The name of the Ostroc Mk II's pilot is given as DeMici.
The Ostroc Mk II's key difference to the Ostroc is its slower speed; the smaller fusion engine allowed for the installation of four additional heat sinks, half a ton of extra armor, and a jump capacity of 90 meters.
- Of the design's three jump jets, one sits in the center torso while the other two are reportedly mounted in the arms. This fits with the picture and was legal under the earliest design rules from the original Battledroids game, but has been illegal since BattleTech 2nd Edition. Other than that, the design is legal under current construction rules, including the correct mass to the jump jets (1 ton each). The additional armor was allocated to the front torso (4 points to center torso, 1 to each side torso) and legs (1 point each).
Weapons and Equipment
The armament of the Ostroc Mk II is almost identical to that of the Ostroc: One large laser and one medium laser in each torso side, augmented by short range missiles. Instead of the SRM-4 in the Ostroc's right torso, the Ostroc Mk II sports a pair of SRM-2 launchers (one in each side torso) that share a ton of ammunition, stored in the center torso.
Variants
None known. The Ostroc Mk II might arguably itself be a mere variant of the Ostroc.
Canonicity
The canonicity of the Ostroc Mk II is a particularly complicated issue. The design's first and only mention was a model kit set for Battledroids, BattleTech's first incarnation, from Twentieth Century Imports (TCI) that included game stat sheets for the classic MAD-3R Marauder and the OSR-9C Ostroc Mk II (Set 7). The stat sheet shows both a FASA and a TCI trademark from 1985 and 1986, respectively; it remains unclear if it can thus be regarded as a FASA publication.
Advertisements for the model kit set were printed in the BattleTechnology magazine, which itself was considered canon in its time (but is now considered apocryphal).
Unlike all other Battledroids/TCI 'Mechs from the model kit sets (Shadow Hawk, Scorpion, Griffin, Locust, Thunderbolt, Battlemaster, Wolverine, Goliath, Crusader, Archer, Rifleman, Warhammer, Marauder, Wasp, Wasp LAM, Stinger, Stinger LAM, Phoenix Hawk, Phoenix Hawk LAM and the Leopard DropShip), neither the Ostroc Mk II nor its artwork were ever used again in BattleTech.
The picture provided for the Ostroc Mk II, like the entire first batch of BattleMechs, was borrowed from existing designs—in this case, the art from the Regult heavy artillery pod from Macross. Technically, the Unseen issue would thus have applied to the Ostroc Mk II as well.
References
- TCI Set 7: Marauder and Ostroc Mk II (model kit by Twentieth Century Imports with enclosed Battledroids game stat sheet)
- Scan of stat sheet on CBT Forum posting