Blood Asp (Star Adder)

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Blood Asp (Star Adder)
Blood Asp
Production information
Manufacturer Sheridan LM-TA 8-10
Production Year 3060[1]
Model Prime
Class Assault
Cost 29,416,750 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 90 tons
Chassis Type MAES-90 Light
Armor Forging ZZ7 Ceramic Plate
Engine Consolidated 360 XL
Communications System Series D8 CC-25X
Targeting Tracking System "Hermes" CT-42 Mk. II
Heat Sinks 14 Double heat sinks
Speed 65 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 2,295[2][3]
BV (2.0) 2,654[4]


Description[edit]

Created by Clan Star Adder as an insult to their enemies, Clan Blood Spirit, the Blood Asp has a large amount of available pod space for its size. Based on the Kingfisher, the Blood Asp adds an XL engine, but space constraints forced the replacement of the Kingfisher's ferro-fibrous armor with standard plate. The Blood Asp incorporates sixteen tons of this armor and fourteen double heat sinks in the base chassis. One of the first 'Mechs to field the breakthrough Heavy Laser technology, the Blood Asp proves to be an offensive powerhouse. Delivering incredible damage at all ranges, the Blood Asp makes short work of any enemy regardless of size.[5]

The Blood Asp would fade out and eventually risk extinction in the Inner Sphere after the Wars of Reaving, with no Inner Sphere production and surviving examples largely limited to the Clan Hell's Horses Touman. That is, until that Clan Snow Raven revealed that they had managed to seize plans to manufacture the OmniMech and restarted production using modified Kingfisher production lines in 3142. Seeking to edge into the Sea Foxes' market, the Snow Ravens began aggressively marketing their newly-produced Blood Asps, at times personally sending Blood Asp stars to violently demonstrate the platform's prowess.[6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Blood Asp's primary weapons are a pair of Gauss rifles that can strip off nearly a ton of armor at the range of six hundred and sixty meters, though they do not have a lot of ammunition, so MechWarriors must be sparing with their shots. These are backed up by four Heavy Medium Lasers, a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers, and a Streak SRM-6 for close-range work. To aid in heat dissipation, the primary configuration incorporates four additional heat sinks.[5]

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    This configuration is built for assault. It uses an advanced Targeting Computer to guide a pair of ER PPCs and two Heavy Large Lasers. Eleven additional heat sinks fail to keep this configuration cool, especially with the addition of enough jump jets to leap ninety meters at a time. It also incorporates an ECM Suite to protect itself from enemy electronics.[7] BV (1.0) = 2,901,[2][8] BV (2.0) = 3,452[9]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    This ammunition-dependent version uses a pair of Ultra Autocannon/10s and an LB 20-X AC for close-range duels, which its dearth of ammunition further reinforces. It mounts a lone ER Large Laser for long-range support.[7] BV (1.0) = 1,969,[2][12] BV (2.0) = 2,270[13]
  • Alternate Configuration D 
    The fifth configuration is similar to the primary, though it is more geared to long-range support. It uses a Gauss Rifle, two ER Large Lasers, and three Ultra Autocannon/2s. A pair of Heavy Medium Lasers enable the 'Mech to remain useful after it has run out of ammo.[7] BV (1.0) = 1,977,[2][14] BV (2.0) = 2,396[15]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    This configuration makes use of ATMs in the form of four ATM 3s. A single ton of ammunition for each pair does not allow the weapons to make the most of their flexibility. A Targeting Computer guides paired ER PPCs and Medium Pulse Lasers. Four jump jets enable the Blood Asp E to vault one hundred twenty meters into the air, while additional heat sinks keep heat levels within reasonable levels. BV (1.0) = 3,042,[2][16] BV (2.0) = 3,179[17]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    Developed during the Jihad, this configuration is designed for close-quarters combat. The Blood Asp has been given four Streak SRM-6 launchers with three tons of ammunition, and a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers and AP Gauss Rifles for short range combat. For medium and long range, it mounts two ER PPCs and a single Plasma Cannon with a ton ammo. To cope with the heat buildup, the 'Mech has been given an additional five Double Heat Sinks. BV (2.0) = 2,908[18]
  • Alternate Configuration G 
    Another configuration that premiered during the relentless fighting of the Jihad era, variant G centers around the new Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle technology. A massive Class 40 Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle has been fitted in the left Arm and part of the left torso, along with four tons of ammunition. As its alternative weapons, the 'Mech includes a pair of ER Large Lasers split between its right arm and right torso, and a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers and Heavy Medium Lasers. Its direct fire weapons are backed up by a Targeting Computer for increased accuracy. To help cope with heat, it has also been provided with an additional three Double Heat Sinks. BV (2.0) = 3,192[19]
  • Alternate Configuration I 
    An aftermarket configuration favored by the Federated Suns with their newly acquired Blood Asps, the I configuration carries two Large Re-engineered Lasers, one in each arm. A massive Improved Heavy Gauss Rifle sits in the right torso, with excess volume spilling over into the center torso. A quartet of ER Small Lasers occupy the opposite torso. BV (2.0) = 2,252[6]
  • Alternate Configuration T 
    Created by Clan Snow Raven in 3142, the T configuration is visually identical to the Prime. However, a pair of Inner Sphere Plasma Rifles substitute the Gauss Rifles, while each arm mounts an ER Large and two ER Medium Lasers. The Streak SRM-6 is replaced with a standard non-Streak model, and the weight savings are used to mount a supercharger and additional heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 3,069[6]

Apocryphal Variants[edit]

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 MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf:

  • Blood Asp 
    This design wields two shoulder mounted Plasma PPCs and had 4 machine guns, decimating enemies at higher salvage ranks. Along with this is 4 "Javelin" Long Range Missiles for long range suppression.
  • Star Adder 
    A variant chassis of the Blood Asp, this 'Mech has two shoulder-mounted Plasma PPCs and quadruple Autocannons, mounted in the arms, in addition to a flame thrower for close range combat.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • BAS-RA Rancor 
    The Blood Asp Hero 'Mech is armed with an ER Large and ER Medium Laser in each arm, supported by an ER Large Laser and an ATM-9 in each side torso. The Rancor is fitted with twenty-four double heat sinks and has a combined four tons of ATM ammo.[20]

From MechCommander 2:

  • Blood Asp 
    The standard(stock) Blood Asp wields 2 shoulder mounted Gauss rifles, a pair of Heavy Large Lasers, a pair of heavy medium lasers in the arms, and a Streak SRM rack in the center torso.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Blood Asp has the following Design Quirk:[21]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Blutaspis.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Blood Asp (Star Adder)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Combat Operations, p. 118
  3. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 217
  4. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 274
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Technical Readout: 3060, p. 182
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32 p. 14
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Technical Readout: 3060, p. 183
  8. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 218
  9. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 275
  10. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 219
  11. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 276
  12. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 220
  13. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 277
  14. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 221
  15. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 278
  16. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 142
  17. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 279
  18. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged p. 280
  19. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged p. 281 - G Configuration for the Blood Asp.
  20. MechWarrior Online Blood Asp Sale Page
  21. BattleMech Manual, p. 90 Design Quirk Table - Blood Asp.

Bibliography[edit]