Flamer

This article is about the fusion/fission plasma release energy weapon. For the fuel spitting vehicular flamer, which requires fuel storage, see Vehicular Flamer.
Flamer.jpg
Flamer
Production information
Type Energy (Heat-Inducing, Anti-Infantry)
Tech Base Clan/Inner Sphere
Year Introduced Clan = 2827 CFM

IS = 2025 WA

Technology Rating C
Availability Ratings B/B/B
Technical specifications
Heat 3
Damage 2 + 4D6 vs. Infantry[1] OR 6E/6CS[2]
Minimum Range n/a
Short Range 1
Medium Range 2
Long Range 3
Tons Clan = 0.5
Inner Sphere = 1
Critical Slots 1
Ammo Per Ton n/a
Cost (unloaded) 7,500
Ammo Cost (per ton) n/a
BV (1.0) 6
BV (2.0) Clan = 6[3]

IS = 6[4]



Description[edit]

Introduced in 2025, the standard Flamer taps into a BattleMech's reactor to produce heat in the form of a plasma release.[5] An extremely short-ranged weapon, the flamer is devastating against infantry, however damage done against other 'Mechs and vehicles is negligible, though it can raise the enemy unit's heat levels. The flamer is also often used to set ambient objects such as trees aflame, making it useful for burning forests or cities in order to slow the enemy down or cover friendly movements. A clear example of such weapon usage in a 'Mech is the Firestarter BattleMech.

Models[edit]

The flamer is manufactured on the following planets:

Coventry Volcano[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Hesperus II Defiance Industries Flashman [6]

Firestorm[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Coventry Coventry Metal Works Vulcan [7]
Tematagi Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited Vulcan [8]

Flame Tech K-213[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Fletcher Flame Tech Stinger [9]

Flameshot[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Vandenberg Mechanized Industries New Vandenberg Cadaver [10]

Hotshot[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Coventry Coventry Metal Works Firestarter (OmniMech) [11]
Sterope Sterope Defense Industries Hunter Light Support Tank, MHL-X1 Marshal [12]

Skylight Model 5[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Terra Pandora 'Mech Works Puma (Combat Vehicle) [13]

Zippo[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Furillo Defiance Industries WSP-1S Wasp [14][15]
Hesperus II Defiance Industries Hunter Light Support Tank [16]
Lushann Lushann Industries Limited Hunter Light Support Tank MLN-1A Merlin [17][18][19]

Zippo Model X[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Weigel Armory and Munitions Kwangjong-ni Rampage [20]

Related Weapons[edit]

  • The vehicular flamer is a less advanced version of the flamer and can operate on vehicles and 'Mechs that are powered by internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells, by using volatile fuel as an ammunition source. Besides being usable by such low-cost units, combined with its own very low price point, it lacks any advantages on the modern battlefield and should probably be avoided on 'Mechs which run on fusion engines.
  • The fluid gun (and its weaker civilian-grade cousin, the sprayer) could be argued to be a more versatile evolution of the vehicular flamer, since by being loaded with the right fuel it could easily serve that function.
  • The ER flamer is a more advanced version of the flamer, sacrificing some of its effectiveness at raising enemy heat levels in exchange for a longer range, which could make it useful in some situations.
  • The heavy flamer is, quite simply, a more powerful version of the flamer, with both the advantages and disadvantages that might imply.
  • Both the plasma rifle and plasma cannon could probably be considered to be the pinnacle of heat-inducing weaponry, but they are also both fairly late to the game.
  • Inferno missiles serve a very similar function and role to flamers, except that the heat is delivered to its customer by means of a guided, rocket-propelled warhead; the downside is that the raw explosive damage potential of the missile had to be sacrificed.

References[edit]

  1. Total Warfare, p. 217: "Burst Fire Weapons Versus Infantry Table
  2. A Time of War, p. 211: Anti-Infantry Weapons Table
  3. TechManual, p. 318: "Clan Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
  4. TechManual, p. 317: "Inner Sphere Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
  5. TechManual, p. 218
  6. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 140
  7. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 64
  8. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 64
  9. Technical Readout: 3050, p. 58
  10. Technical Readout: 3145, p. 90: "Cadaver"
  11. Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, p. 114
  12. Objective Raids, p. 161: "Sterope - Sterope Defense Industries"
  13. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 182
  14. Objective Raids, p. 74: "Furillo - Defiance Industries of Hesperus II"
  15. Technical Readout: 3050, p. 60: "Wasp"
  16. Technical Readout: 3026, p. 32
  17. Objective Raids, p. 76: "Hesperus II - Defiance Industries of Hesperus II"
  18. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 163: "Lushann Industrials Limited"
  19. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 142: "MLN-1A Merlin"
  20. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 234

Bibliography[edit]