Blade (BattleMech)

This article is about the 35-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Blade.

Blade
Production Information
Manufacturer(s)	New Hessen WorkMechs Graham-Davis Enterprises
Production Year	3087
Model	BLD-XL
Class	Light
Cost	6,134,018 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Hessen Light Mk I
Armor	StarGuard Ferro Fibrous
Engine	GM 245 XL engine
Comms	Neil 6000
TTS	Octagon Tartrac System C
Heat Sinks	10 double heat sinks
Speed	119 km/h
Armament	1x Rotary AC/5 2x ER medium lasers
B.V. (1.0)	1,088
B.V. (2.0)	1,314

Description

The Blade is a light-weight scouting and raiding 'Mech that employs its fearsome speed to strike at larger 'Mechs, then to escape before their opponents can track them. Well-suited for pack-hunter and swarming tactics, the Blade works well with other fast units such as the classic Locust and the Clan Dasher.

Originally commissioned by the Republic of the Sphere's first Commanding General Victor Steiner-Davion, the Blade was his attempt to standardize and simplify the hodgepodge military hardware as Stone's Coalition became the Republic Armed Forces. The Blade was manufactured from the mid-3080s until around 3096, becoming the signature 'Mechs for Principes Guards, Hastati Sentinels, and elite Knights of the Sphere regiments.

Weapons and Equipment

An excellent close quarters 'Mech, the Blade is built around a Mydron Tornado rotary autocannon/5 supplied with three tons of reloads as its primary weapon, supported by a pair of Diverse Optics ER medium lasers, all three weapons located in the 'Mech's right arm. While critics pointed out the risk of locating all the 'Mechs weapon in a single location, the decision was based on the manufacturer's attempts to achieve an OmniMech level ease of maintenance on a standard BattleMech. Save for the shoulder actuator, ammo, and energy feeds, the entire arm is a self contained system, allowing technicians to quickly and easily detach and replace a damaged arm with an undamaged replacement with relative ease.

Variants

• BLD-XS

  An attempt to further simplify maintenance developed in 3087, the XS mounts a Mydron Model B Autocannon/10 and two Diverse Optics medium lasers in its weapons arm. While easier to support in the field, the heavier autocannon limits it ammo load to a single ton. BV (2.0) = 944

• BLD-XR

  This Dark Age variant is a direct fire support model introduced by the Republic of the Sphere in 3125. It carries a light PPC and light AC/2 in each arm; a small cockpit was needed to fit this equipment in place. It is protected by seven and a half tons of reactive armor. BV (2.0) = 1,101

• BLD-XX

  An anti-aircraft model based on the XS, the XX mounts a Mydron Excel LB 10-X autocannon in place of the standard model. While carrying two tons of ammunition, the designers were not able to adapt the ammo feed to switch between ammo types, forcing the XX to carry either standard or cluster ammunition in battle. BV (2.0) = 1,064

• BLD-7R

  This variant, developed in 3094, was armed with a Mydron Model RC RAC/5, supported by a Bright Bloom ER medium laser and an Exostar Elite ER small laser. This variant uses ferro-fibrous armor and a standard gyroscope. BV (2.0) = 1,227

• "Anti-Liao"

  A rumored model supposedly being developed by on the orders of the First Prince after Fortress Republic, this Blade retains the BLD-XR's reactive armor but features a return to the BLD-XL's more favored Mydron Tornado RAC/5, now supported by a pair of Re-engineered Lasers.

Design Quirks

The Blade has the following Design Quirks:

• Easy to Maintain
• Modular Weapons
• Exposed Weapon Linkage (RAC/5)
• Static Ammo Feed

The BLD-XR Blade variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:

• Easy to Maintain
• Protected Actuators
• Exposed Weapon Linkage
• Static Ammo Feed

Notable Pilots

• Ezekiel Crow was once a Paladin of the Republic of the Sphere. Famous for piloting his Blade during his tenure as Paladin, Crow was actually Daniel Petersen, the Betrayer of Liao. Crow forged a new identity for himself, but his past was unearthed by agents in the employ of Jacob Bannson, who forced him to abandon the Northwind Highlanders while faking his death on Terra. He again fled, taking on the identity of Michael Ritter, but his past caught up with him and he perished attempting to defend the Republic on his homeworld.

BattleMech Gallery

• 

  BLD-XL Blade from TRO:3085Supp
• 

  BLD-XR Blade from XTRO: Republic v2
• 

  Blade from Technology of Destruction

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• By Temptations and By War (novel)
• Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2
• Master Unit List
• MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge
• Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental