Men Shen

Men Shen
Men Shen cover
Production Information
Manufacturer(s)Hellespont Industrials[1]
Production Year3060[2]
ModelMS1-O[1]
ClassMedium
Cost16,628,593 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech typeInner Sphere OmniMech
Mass55 tons
ChassisEndo Steel
ArmorHellespont Industries Series 9
Engine330 XL
CommsUnknown
TTSBeagle Active Probe
Heat Sinks10 double
Speed97 km/h (129 km/h with MASC)
ArmamentPrimary Configuration
B.V. (1.0)1,199[3][4]
B.V. (2.0)1,550[1][5]


Description[edit]

The Men Shen is the first OmniMech to come from the Capellan Confederation, and it borrows heavily from the Raven BattleMech for its basic design concept.[6]

As OmniMechs began to rapidly spread throughout the Inner Sphere in the wake of the initial Clan Invasion, the Capellan Confederation largely missed out on the first generation of these flexible and versatile machines. While Capellan-staple Ceres Metals Industries was manufacturing the OmniMech Blackjack under license from Luthien Armor Works, only the St. Ives Compact branch had this ability with production flowing to the St. Ives Military Command and the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth and the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces reduced to fielding exported examples manufactured by Irian BattleMechs Unlimited. [6] [7]

With the Confederation seeking parity with the other Inner Sphere powers as the second generation of Inner Sphere OmniMechs like the Perseus emerged, Hellspont reached a trade agreement with Kali Yama Weapons Industries in the Free Worlds League to access OmniPod technology. Much like the Sha Yu, Hellspont turned to the dependable Raven as the basis of their first 'Mech to employ their newly acquired technology as well as retaining its progenitor's advanced electronics. The resulting 'Mech was named by Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao at its unveiling in 3060, describing that "this new OmniMech will act as a menshen for the Confederation, protecting us from all enemies", comparing it to the divine guardians of doors and gates in Chinese folk religions.[6]

Considered a prestige design, the Men Shen's initial production run went to top-tier CCAF units, a lance delivered to each of the Capellan Warrior Houses with the remainder likely reaching the fearsome Death Commandos. The next production run was expected to go to units stationed on Capellan Confederation borders to be deployed as it name implied.[6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Men Shen is built on a lightweight endo steel chassis and is powered by a vulnerable, but light, 330-rated XL engine that gives it a running speed of 97.2 km/h, which is augmented by a MASC system that allows the 'Mech to be pushed up to 129.6 km/h in short bursts. The Men Shen is sheathed in 11 tons of armor, giving it a respectable amount of protection, and mounts a fixed Beagle active probe on its base chassis, allowing it to serve in a recon role regardless of its configuration. For additional weapons and equipment the Men Shen has 17 tons of free pod space.[6]

In its Primary configuration the Men Shen is a powerful close combat 'Mech and is capable of providing indirect fire support to friendly units. For close-range combat, the primary configuration has four highly accurate medium pulse lasers. To provide both direct and indirect long range fire support, the primary configuration of the Men Shen has an LRM-15 launcher with an Artemis IV fire control system for increased missile accuracy.[6]

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    A versatile configuration, the A configuration has an LB 10-X autocannon that allows it to fire both standard and cluster ammunition. For close combat, the A configuration has three ER medium lasers and a TAG laser designator allowing the 'Mech to call in friendly artillery fire on a target.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,232[3][8], BV (2.0) = 1,529[1][9]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    Intended to act as a long range sniper, the B configuration of the Men Shen carries as its primary weapons a pair of LB 2-X autocannons that allow it to fire either standard and cluster ammunition as well as act as an anti-aircraft 'Mech. For close combat, the B configuration has four ER medium lasers.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,128[3], BV (2.0) = 1,484[1][10]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    A close combat machine, the C configuration carries two highly accurate large pulse lasers as its primary weapons, backed up by an ER small laser. To handle the 'Mech's heat load, the C configuration has an additional double heat sink as well as an ECM Suite to protect against enemy electronic warfare equipment.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,151[3], BV (2.0) = 1,435[1][11]
  • Alternate Configuration D 
    Intended for both long range and close combat, the D configuration of the Men Shen has an ER PPC to provide long range firepower. When it closes with an enemy, it can bring its two SRM-4 launchers and two medium pulse lasers to bear. For added heat dissipation, the D configuration has an additional double heat sink.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,157[3], BV (2.0) = 1,581[1][12]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    Developed during the Jihad, this configuration was developed for anti-infantry missions. For this role, the Men Shen E was equipped with a Machine Gun Array in each arm, each of which were given four light machine guns with one ton of ammunition to share. For its heavier weapons, it been given a plasma rifle with two tons of ammunition and two medium lasers. BV (2.0) = 1,625[13]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    The second configuration conceived during the Jihad, this in role of a brawler. The 'Mech receives a snub-nose PPC in each arm linked to a targeting computer; the 'Mech equipment also includes TAG. BV (2.0) = 1,648[14]
  • Alternate Configuration U 
    This configuration carries a snub-nose PPC, ER medium laser, and a pair of SRT-4s, and also keeps the TAG of the other version. To allow it to move quickly underwater it carries six UMUs. BV (2.0) = 1,725[16]

Custom Variants/Configurations[edit]

  • Men Shen Li 
    Used by Li Hark of Youling Zanshi, this is a standard Men Shen that has improved communications and improved sensors. Unfortunately it also has exposed actuators and is hard to pilot.[17] BV (2.0) = 1,550[18]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Men Shen is subject to the following Design Quirks:[19]

The Men Shen Li variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[20]

Notable pilots[edit]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Raven - The Men Shen, the first Capellan-constructed OmniMech, was based on the cutting edge Raven BattleMech[6].

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Technical Readout: Jihad, pp. 114–115: "MS1-O Men Shen"
  2. ↑ MUL online date for the Men Shen
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Combat Operations, p. 122
  4. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060, p. 159
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 147
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Technical Readout: 3060, p. 102, "Men Shen Profile"
  7. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, pp. 88–89: "BJ2-O Blackjack"
  8. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060, p. 160
  9. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 148
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 149
  11. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 150
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 151
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged p. 152 - E Configuration from RS3060u.
  14. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged p. 153 - 2nd Jihad variant developed during the Jihad for the Men Shen.
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 131
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 84
  17. ↑ BattleTech Dossiers: Youling Zhanshi, p. 5
  18. ↑ BattleTech Dossiers: Youling Zhanshi, p. 20
  19. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 93 BattleMech Quirk Table - Men Shen Entry.
  20. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 93 BattleMech Quirk Table - Men Shen Entry.
  21. ↑ Imminent Crisis p. 136

Bibliography[edit]

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