Merlin (BattleMech)

This article is about the 60-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Merlin.

Merlin
Production Information
Manufacturer(s)	Alliance Defenders Limited Mountain Wolf BattleMechs Sabanillas Mining Company Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Production Year	3010
Model	MLN-1A
Class	Heavy
Cost	4,911,200 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	60 tons
Chassis	Heavy Star QAT-4
Armor	Longanecker PlastiSteel
Engine	Pitban 240
Comms	Magestrix Alpha
TTS	Magestrix Gamma
Heat Sinks	18 single
Speed	64 km/h
Jump Jets	Pitban LFT 50
Armament	1x PPC 2x medium laser 1x LRM-5 1x machine gun 1x flamer
B.V. (1.0)	1,039
B.V. (2.0)	1,217

Description

The Merlin debuted in 3010 as a product of the rebuilt Mountain Wolf BattleMechs. The Merlin was hailed as a technological marvel at the time of its release, as it was the first completely new design to be developed in over 100 years. What made this 'Mech even more remarkable was the state of the company at the time of its development.

Indeed, the Merlin became the salvation of Mountain Wolf BattleMechs. For centuries, the company was barely a name among 'Mech manufacturers and had been without any production facilities following the destruction of its Vendrell plant in 2945. Two members of the company designed a new 'Mech based on 3010 technology with parts and components commonly produced across the Inner Sphere.

The design, however, was rejected by Mountain Wolf's CEO, Michael O'Leary, despite his focused efforts towards company survival. After his death, his son, Brandon O'Leary, succeeded him as CEO, and upon sealing a deal with Outworlds Alliance President Ronaine Avellar, Merlin production began at the Alpheratz plant. The new 'Mech was so successful that it not only saved the company but was soon produced in a new factory built on Vendrell.

The Merlin became so popular that a member of House Avellar bought one for his niece, Rowan Avellar, in 3029. Even in that year, however, the 'Mech was very rarely seen among Inner Sphere House units. In contrast, it became more prolific among mercenary groups, as it was cheap to buy and capable of serving multiple roles. Wolverton's Highlanders were noted for having the largest concentration of Merlins in a mercenary inventory.

Characteristics

The Merlin uses components that are all reliable and readily available, making it both durable and easy-to-repair. Limited production seems the only obstacle preventing it from becoming ubiquitous. The 'Mech is powered by a Pitban 240 fusion engine that gives it a top speed of 64.8 km/h. The Merlin carries ten and a half tons of armor, which is a respectable amount of protection for its weight. Additionally, the Merlin carries eighteen heat sinks to handle its heavy heat load.

Weapons and Equipment

The Merlin is armed to be able to engage an enemy at any range. For long range combat, the 'Mech carries a Magna Hellstar PPC and a Holly LRM-5 launcher. To protect itself at medium to short ranges, a pair of Martell Model 5 medium lasers provide the Merlin with respectable short range firepower. Finally, to protect the 'Mech against infantry attacks, the Merlin has a Zippo Flamer and a Sperry Browning Machine Gun. Four Pitban LFT-50 series jump jets allow the 'Mech to travel up to 120 meters in the air.

Variants

• MLN-1B 

  The 1B variant introduced in 3053 removes the Machine Gun and its ammunition and replaces them with an additional heat sink to help handle the Merlin's heat load. BV (1.0) = 1,060; BV (2.0) = 1,228

• MLN-1C 

  This field upgrade to the 1B developed by Lushann Industries in 3068 replaces the medium lasers with ER medium lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,051; BV (2.0) = 1,267

• MLN-1D 

  This version of the Merlin keeps the generalist approach of prior models by only upgrading a few systems. Each arm mounted medium laser has been replaced by a Light PPC increasing the Merlin's long range punch while also hindering it up close. The original machine gun has been replaced with a Heavy Machine Gun and a half ton of ammunition. CASE in the left torso protects both the HMG and LRM ammunition. Thirteen double heat sinks do a good job of keeping the 'Mech cool. BV (2.0) = 1,370

• MLN-1E 

  A subvariant of sorts of the MLN-1D this variant drops the Heavy Machine Gun and one heat sink to replace the LRM with an MML-5 and two tons of ammunition protected by CASE II. BV (2.0) = 1,369

• MLN-1P 

  This Merlin variant is a deadly infighter. Only the flamer and LRM-5 remain from its original armament. Each arm now holds a Medium Variable Speed Pulse Laser and the right torso now contains a Large Variable Speed Pulse Laser. These highly accurate lasers give this Merlin a devastating damage capacity up close. Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor covers this variant and thirteen double heat sinks can struggle to keep this variant cool. BV (2.0) = 1,182

• Merlin C 

  This Clan Snow Raven variant completely rebuilds the 'Mech with Clan technology. Survivability of this variant is improved through the use of Ferro-Lamellor armor. The traditional torso-mounted PPC is now a Clan grade ER PPC. Both arm mounted medium lasers have been replaced by Improved Heavy Medium Lasers. A Heavy Machine Gun sits in the left torso alongside the traditional Flamer. A Streak LRM-5 resides in the right torso. Eighteen Clan double heat sinks keep this design cool in most situations. BV (2.0) = 1,870

Custom Variants

• MLN-1B Merlin Porter 

  A uniquely customized Merlin introduced in 3064, which was created by a tech named Porter Romero on Armington. He salvaged the 'Mech from a pirate raid during the 3060s. Using a wrecked militia Bulldog for parts, he replaced the ruined PPC and LRM-5 with the tank's Large Laser and SRM 4 Launcher as well as adding additional armor. BV (1.0) = 909

• MLN-SX 

  An experimental variant of the Merlin which was created by the FedSuns' Sabanillas Mining Company and developed in 3075. Created by retired FedSun Major Caleb Gruber, he used his company to produce three of these modified Merlins. Gruber had the Merlin's internal structured strengthened by installing Endo-Composite Internal Structure and switching out the Standard Pitban Fusion Engine for a lighter version. He then added five tons of Armored Shielding to protect the 'Mech's engine and side torsos. Gruber then exchanged the original 1A's medium lasers for Blakist tech Medium VSP Lasers. He then added ancient or Retrotech Laser Insulators to help cool down the VSP lasers. Lastly, he exchanged the old PPC for a Bombast Laser. The MLN-SX also sports 14 Double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,181

Design Quirks

The Merlin has the following Design Quirks:

• Easy to Maintain
• Rugged (1)

Notable Pilots

See: Category:Notable Merlin (BattleMech) Pilots

Notes

• The Merlin was the first sample 'Mech used to demonstrate the 'Mech construction rules with the Battledroids rulebook, where it appears in a slightly different configuration owing to slightly different construction rules. Like the Chameleon, it was largely overlooked until it finally received a proper entry in Technical Readout: 3058.

Gallery

• 

  Original Merlin from TRO:3058

• 

  Experimental MLN-SX Merlin from XTRO:Boondocks

• 

  Merlin from RG ilClan: vol. 26

Bibliography

• Battledroids
• BattleTech, 2nd Edition
• BattleTech Manual: The Rules of Warfare
• Combat Operations
• Experimental Technical Readout: Boondocks
• Master Unit List
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 26
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs
• Seal the Deal (short story)
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade