Adder (Puma)

Adder
Production information
Manufacturer	Assault Tech Industries Sheridan LM-TA 8-10 W-7 Facilities Wolf Clan Site 3
Production Year	3010
Model	Prime
Class	Light
Cost	7,021,688 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Clan OmniMech
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Hooded Endo-Lite endo steel
Armor	Star Lite Ferro-Fibrous
Engine	Great Father 210 Extra-Light
Communications System	Trueborn Ultra 945B
Targeting Tracking System	Adder Special V8.6
Heat Sinks	10 double
Speed	97 km/h
Armament	Primary Configuration 1x flamer 2x ER PPC
BV (1.0)	1,560
BV (2.0)	2,083

Description

Code-named Puma by Inner Sphere forces who first engaged it, the Adder is a light Clan OmniMech that serves as a direct or an indirect fire-support unit in most of its configurations. The Adder is capable of carrying a relatively heavy weapons payload that can surprise an unsuspecting enemy, even at extreme ranges.

The Adder was designed by Clan Star Adder in preparation for the invasion of the Inner Sphere. First produced in 3010, the formidable Adder was actually designed as an OmniMech capable of emulating the weapons configurations Wolf's Dragoons reported as most common for medium Inner Sphere BattleMechs, the 'Mechs most frequently fielded by Successor State armies. Some of these configurations, including B, C, and D, are still used as of 3050. Despite producing such a formidable design, the Star Adders failed to maintain exclusive possession of the Adder; by 3045, the Adder had become common throughout the Clans. The development of the Adder was tied into the restructuring of the Star Adder's Kappa Galaxy to emulate an Inner Sphere force, to provide a training opponent for other Star Adder units. A number of the main configurations of the Adder were designed specifically for Kappa Galaxy, or were based on intelligence provided by Wolf's Dragoons.

The Adder frees up as much weight as possible by using a weight-saving endo steel chassis, carrying six tons of ferro-fibrous armor for protection from enemy fire, and mounting a lightweight 210-rated XL engine, which gives the 'Mech a top speed of 97.2 km/h. This effort to save weight has resulted in a 'Mech that dedicates almost half of its weight, some 16 tons, to pod space.

Weapons and Equipment

The Adder has a flamer in a fixed mount which cannot be removed from the 'Mech. The Primary configuration adds a basic but powerful arsenal of two ER PPCs which are linked to an advanced targeting computer, allowing the Primary configuration of the Adder to strike at long range with deadly accuracy. To help handle the massive heat from the twin ER PPCs, the Adder has an additional double heat sink. Even with the additional double heat sink, the 'Mech must use a volley fire strategy to prevent it from overheating.

Alternate Configurations

• Alternate Configuration A 

  A long range missile support configuration, the Adder A has a pair of LRM-20 launchers, allowing it to bombard an enemy from long range. For close combat, the 'Mech has two small pulse lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,304, BV (2.0) = 1,437

• Alternate Configuration B 

  A long range sniping configuration, the B configuration carries an LB-X Autocannon/5 backed up by a highly accurate large pulse laser for long range engagements. To protect itself at close ranges, the Adder B has a pair of ER medium lasers. This was one of the configurations designed as a result of intelligence from Wolf's Dragoons. BV (1.0) = 1,176, BV (2.0) = 1,422

• Alternate Configuration C 

  Another long range bombardment configuration, the Adder C has two LRM-15 launchers and takes advantage of their lack of a minimum range by carrying a Narc Missile Beacon that can attach homing pods to enemy 'Mechs for increased missile accuracy. For close range defense, the 'Mech has a single medium pulse laser. This configuration was primarily designed by the Star Adders for use by Kappa Galaxy. BV (1.0) = 1,268, BV (2.0) = 1,372

• Alternate Configuration D 

  Another long range sniper configuration, the Adder D has an ER large laser and UAC/5 for long range engagements, with a pair of Streak SRM-2 launchers to finish off any enemies who close with the 'Mech. This was one of the configurations designed as a result of intelligence from Wolf's Dragoons. BV (1.0) = 1,130, BV (2.0) = 1,255

• Alternate Configuration E 

  The E configuration has two ATM-9 launchers which can fire ammunition specialized for long, medium, and short ranges. For close combat, the 'Mech has an additional four micro pulse lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,143, BV (2.0) = 1,272

• Alternate Configuration H 

  The only true brawling configuration of the Adder, the H has two highly destructive heavy large lasers as its primary weapons backed up only by the fixed flamer. To help dissipate the 'Mech's heat, it has six additional double heat sinks. A Targeting Computer increases the accuracy of the heavy large lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,158, BV (2.0) = 1,453

• Alternate Configuration I 

  The Adder I carries an improved heavy medium laser and four ER medium lasers. An SRM-6 and a ton of ammunition is mounted in each side torso. To handle the heavy heat load, five extra heat sinks are installed, two in each arm and one in the left torso. BV (2.0) = 1,575

• Alternate Configuration J 

  The Adder J carries the new Hyper-Assault Gauss 20 as its primary weapon, giving it a powerful punch. This is backed up by four Anti-Personnel Gauss rifles, which are capable of decimating infantry. This variant was first observed being used by forces from Clan Hell's Horses in action on Paulus Prime. BV (2.0) = 1,222

• Alternate Configuration K 

  The K is equipped with a rotary AC/2 and ton of ammunition in the right arm, while the left arm carries a single ER large pulse laser. Additional protection comes from a laser anti-missile system. BV (2.0) = 1,281

• Alternate Configuration L 

  The L configuration is apparently a light striker variant. Each arm carries a pair of Streak LRM-5s and a ton of ammunition, while the side torsos carry a single ER medium laser. An ECM suite provides electronic warfare support, and six jump jets are installed for a 180 meter jump range. BV (2.0) = 1,738

• Alternate Configuration S 

  The S configuration is an anti-infantry specialist. Each arm carries three machine guns, while each side torso carries five more machine guns, fed by one ton of machine gun ammunition is in each arm. For heavier targets, each arm carries a pair of medium pulse lasers. An ECM suite and active probe suppress radio reports and sensor data from opposing forces while granting situational awareness. BV (2.0) = 1,427

• Alternate Configuration T 

  The T configuration carries an ER PPC with a PPC capacitor in each arm. An extra double heat sink is in the left torso, but to handle heavy heat loads the right torso carries a single coolant pod. This may be a variation of the Prime configuration, but this hasn't been confirmed. BV (2.0) = 2,182

• Alternate Configuration TC 

  The TC configuration was used in the Battle of Tukayyid. It carried five machine guns and a half ton of ammunition in each arm, supplemented by an active probe, small pulse laser, and anti-missile system in the left torso. The right torso carried a large pulse laser for use against hardened targets. The large and small pulse lasers are tied into a targeting computer. BV (2.0) = 1,247

Apocryphal Configurations

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:

• ADR-CN Cinder 

  Reportedly piloted by Dirk Radick, the Adder Hero 'Mech, the Cinder mounts an ER large laser in each arm supported by a machine gun in each side torso, complemented by the head-mounted flamer. Carrying two and half tons of machine gun rounds, five extra double heat sinks maintain a high rate of laser fire.[1]

• ADR-W 

  From the MechWarrior Online loyalty rewards program. Based on the S, the W carries 14 Heavy Machine Guns with seven tons of ammo, located in both arms and torso respectively. An Active Probe is the Mech's only electronic capable equipment available to it. Only a single medium pulse laser is added to the head location. As of this writing, this variant has not seen release in other canonical formats.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks

The Puma is subject to the following Design Quirk:

• Narrow/Low Profile

Related 'Mechs

• Cougar - The Adder was used as a basis for the Jade Falcon Cougar, speeding up development of the slower -- but better armed -- 'Mech.
• Pouncer - It is based off of the Adder, but five tons heavier and adds fixed jump jets.

Notable Pilots

See Category:Notable Adder (Puma) Pilots

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was altered to Natter, which means Colubrid. The unit's proper Inner Sphere name was left unchanged.
• Plastic Adder (Puma) Prime is included in BattleTech: Clan Invasion.

Gallery

• 

  Original Adder from TRO:3050

• 

  Adder from TRO:3050 Upgrade

• 

  Adder (Puma) from RG:ilClan v3

• 

  Adder Prime in motion from CCG

• 

  Adder A in motion from CCG

• 

  Adder B in combat from CCG

• 

  Adder C in combat from CCG

• 

  Adder D in battle from CCG

• 

  Model of Adder from MW4: Mercenaries

• 

  MechWarrior Online concept art of the Adder

• 

  Adder miniature from BattleTech: Clan Invasion

Bibliography

• BattleTech: Battle of Tukayyid
• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List
• MechWarrior Online Clan Heroes Sale Page
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 3
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: Clan Invasion