Dig Lord

Dig Lord
Dig Lord
Production information
Manufacturer Achernar BattleMechs

Bristol SalvageWorks

Use Mining
Model RCL-4
Class Heavy
Introduced 3057
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere IndustrialMech
Mass 65 tons
Chassis Dorwinion Industrial 65T
Armor Nashan LD (Commercial)
Engine 195-rated fuel cell engine
Communications System Achernar Electronics GEO-11
Targeting Tracking System None
Heat Sinks 3 single
Speed 54 km/h
Armament

BV (2.0) 599[1][2]


Description and History[edit]

The Dig Lord is a heavy-class mining IndustrialMech which was created by Achernar BattleMechs in 3057. The design was based on an older early Star League Era design known as the Dig King. The design was produced uninterrupted until the FedCom Civil War, when Archon-Princess Katrina Steiner-Davion required the company to produce more military models. Achernar stopped production for a period of two years, but never retooled the line, allowing the design to continue production until the Jihad, in 3077 when coalition forces damaged the main Achernar factory. However, a second production line on Canopus IV in Magistracy of Canopus remained operational.[3][4]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Dig Lord is equipped with a Rock Cutter in its right arm actuator, a Mining Drill in its left arm. The 'Mech has four Fluid Guns with ten tons of liquid storage for them. The design is also equipped with an extended fuel tank for prolonged use in the field. The 'Mech is protected by 8 tons of Heavy Industrial armor to protect it from the hazards of mining and other concerns. Powering the 'Mech is a 195-rated fuel cell engine, giving it power to move at a stately pace, while the engine is fed by an Extended Fuel Tank in the center torso.[3][5]

Cargo[edit]

None

Variants[edit]

  • RCL-4M MiningMech MOD 
    Developed in the Dark Age, this armed variant of the Dig Lord was used extensively on Vega during the Republic of the Sphere era by warlords and criminal elements. It removed the Fluid Guns and their storage bays from the torso and replaced them with a single Autocannon/10 and SRM 4 missile pack. Each weapon was provided with two tons of ammunition. Though they looked like a BattleMech, these modified Dig Lords often fell quickly to their purpose-built cousins. BV (2.0) = 706[6][7]
  • RCL-4M-B MiningMech MOD 
    This Dark Age variant carries four heavy machine guns, an Autocannon/5, and two SRM 4 missile packs, removing all mining equipment beyond the drill to make room. Three extra heat sinks allow for more continuous use of its array of weapons. BV (2.0) = 699[8]
  • RCL-Z1 Armed MiningMech 
    Developed in the Calderon Protectorate to augment their thin defense forces, the Dig Lord Armed MiningMech is protected by eight tons of Heavy Industrial Armor. It also removes the traditional equipment used in the Dig Lord and replaces it with a single MML-5 with two tons of ammunition, a Heavy Rifle mounted in a BattleMech Turret on the left torso, and a Medium Vibroblade in the right arm. The vibroblade is made more deadly with the addition of an Actuator Enhancement System. This 'Mech isn't intended to face dedicated BattleMech forces, but instead support vehicles and infantry against lighter units. BV (2.0) = 698[9][10]
  • RCL-Z1M Deep Lord MilitiaMech 
    Produced by Bristol SalvageWorks in the Magistracy of Canopus, the Deep Lord is a Dig Lord that has been refitted with weapons and armor to supplement regular military forces. The treads, rock cutter, mining drill, and fluid guns have been removed and replaced with a Mace and an SRM-6 launcher in the torso. Additional firepower comes from the Heavy Rifle carried in a BattleMech Turret on the left torso. Though protected by eight tons of Heavy Industrial Armor, the Deep Lord will not last long on the modern battlefield as it's slow, poorly armed, and lacks an ejection seat. However it is likely to drive off bandits and pirates while simultaneously being one of the cheapest units on the battlefield. For that reason it has been sold to many small mercenary commands, city-states, and corporations working in the Periphery. BV (2.0) = 715[11]

Design Quirks[edit]

The RCL-4 Dig Lord has the following Design Quirks:[12]

The RCL-Z1 Dig Lord variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[9]

Related Designs[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • Errata: Revision edition of Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex lists the Dig Lord as having a 210-rated fuel cell engine; however, CGL confirmed that this is incorrect, clarified as a recognized mistake and the unit does have a 195-rated Fuel Cell Power Plant.[14]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Dark Age Turning Points: Vega, p. 25: Old BV was 607, RSVA I&E revised this number.
  2. Record Sheets: Vehicle Annex, IndustrialMechs & Exoskeletons, p. 92: RCL-4 Dig Lord MiningMech - "Current Battle Value for Dig Lord.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex, pp. 214–215: "Dig Lord Profile"
  4. Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised, p. 220
  5. Record Sheets: Vehicle Annex, IndustrialMechs & Exoskeletons, p. 92: RCL-4 Dig Lord MiningMech - "Stats from Record Sheet for RCL-4L".
  6. Dark Age Turning Points: Vega, p. 26
  7. MUL Profile for RCL-4L Dig Lord MiningMech MOD - BV2, Alpha Strike Card, and Era it was introduced.
  8. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 124: "Dig Lord RCL-4M-B MiningMech MOD"
  9. 9.0 9.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Periphery, p. 6: Experimental Armed Dig Lord with prototype weapons.
  10. MUL Profile for RCL-Z1 Armed MiningMech - Includes Introduction year, Alpha Strike Card, and Battle Value.
  11. Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 125
  12. Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised, p. 220: "Dig Lord Profile"
  13. As per official errata published here
  14. The Official BattleTech Forums Errata Thread - Notes Dig Lord's actual Fuel Cell engine type is 195 - 3/22/2015.

Bibliography[edit]