Panther

Panther
Panther
Production information
Manufacturer Alshain Weapons[1]

Gorton, Kingsley, and Thorpe Enterprises[2]

Wakazashi Enterprises

Production Year 2759[3][4]
Model PNT-9R[1]
Class Light
Cost 2,485,710 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Alshain 56-Carrier
Armor Maximillian 42
Engine Leenex 140
Communications System Sipher CommCon CSU-4
Targeting Tracking System Cat's Eyes 5
Heat Sinks 13 single
Speed 64 km/h
Jump Jets Lexington Lifters
Armament
BV (1.0) 664
BV (2.0) 769[1][5]


Description[edit]

The Panther is one of the BattleMechs that is most iconic of the Draconis Combine. The design was originally commissioned in 2739 at the behest of the Star League to provide fire support for other light, fast-moving 'Mech units, with the first models going to the Star League Defense Force to fight bandits along the Periphery border. The original PNT-8Z model underwent a revision after the disastrous Battle of St. John in 2759, when it was revealed that its main weapon, a Tronel large laser, was inefficient in both range and firepower for the immense waste heat generated. Luckily the Panther had also proved itself to be both quite hardy, sporting six and a half tons of armor, and maneuverable, thanks to four Lexington Lifter jump jets in the legs for a total jumping distance of 120 meters, thus an attempt to fix its one deficiency was made by League engineers by replacing the laser with a Lord's Light PPC. The swap in weaponry, along with a superior armor composite, gave the PNT-9R Panther a new lease on life, such that it has seen over three centuries of continuous use since its introduction.[4][6][7][8]

The Draconis Combine inherited Alshain Weapons' Panther factory on New Oslo when the Star League dissolved and quickly put the production line to work building new Panthers for the DCMS. Their first large-scale use by Kurita warriors came during the First Succession War in the battle for Quentin, when the Second Legion of Vega used their Panthers to severely maul the slower, heavier 'Mechs of the Forty-second Avalon Hussars while avoiding return fire. Throughout the Succession Wars, the Combine was the only significant user of the Panther, often pairing it with the Jenner in a deadly combination of speed and firepower; though the other Successor States employed Panthers in smaller numbers, these were either the result of battlefield salvage or older League-era 8Z models. The Panther also proved itself a deadly urban combatant, using its mobility to easily navigate the more restricted space of a city environment and take out heavier opponents from rooftop sniping perches with its main weapon. Lyran MechWarriors eventually took to nicknaming the 'Mech the "Alley Cat" for its propensity to conduct dark alley-way "muggings."[4][7][9][10]

Demand for the Panther continued to increase, forcing Alshain to build a secondary factory on Jarett to keep up. In an ironic twist both factories were eventually lost: New Oslo first transferred ownership to the Free Rasalhague Republic following its creation in 3034, ensuring the Panther soon became a mainstay of the KungsArmé. Then during the invasion of the Clans, both Alshain and New Oslo were swiftly conquered by Clan Ghost Bear and another Free Rasalhague Republic Panther plant on Satalice was also lost to Clan Wolf. While Alshain Weapons crash-built a new line on Tok Do in 3053, they could not maintain their pre-Invasion production levels and focused on spare parts and refit kits instead. Eventually Wakazashi Enterprises bought the production license for the Panther and began rolling out new variants from its New Samarkand factory. These have gone on to serve in every DCMS unit since, including the bloody years of the Jihad.[10]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Panther's primary weapon is a Lord's Light PPC mounted in the right arm, boasting one of the highest damage outputs of any weapon. Unfortunately the PPC is also one of the most heat intensive, though many officers see it as a good learning opportunity for raw recruits to spend their first years piloting the Panther and gain experience managing its heat curve with thirteen single heat sinks. The PPC is backed up by a reliable Telos Four-Shot SRM-4 launcher mounted in the center torso, supplied by one ton of ammunition in the left torso. This mix of long and short-range weapons allows the Panther to stay at range and inflict damage on its enemies and close in and use the SRM-4 to make the killing blow.[4][7][10]

Variants[edit]

  • PNT-8Z 
    This was an early version of the Panther built in limited numbers and was first used by the SLDF. It mounted an ancient Tronel large laser, known for heat and maintenance issues, another heat sink, and one ton more armor, along with more advanced communications equipment and a lighter fire-control computer than the later 9R.[1] Conjecture[11] suggests that all -8Z models were upgraded to the same successful configuration as the later -9R model, but retained their different electronics. BV (2.0) = 741[12]
  • PNT-10K 
    The 10K Panther is a high-tech upgrade of the 9R model introduced by Wakazashi Enterprises. The chassis has been rebuilt using endo steel construction techniques and the saved weight used to add an Artemis IV fire control system to the missile launcher, as well as upgrading the original PPC to a Lord's Light 2 ER PPC. Since its introduction the 10K has gone on to replace the 9R as the most common model employed by the DCMS.[10] BV (1.0) = 706, BV (2.0) = 838[10]
  • PNT-10KA 
    The 10KA Panther is a field refit of the Panther 10K. It removes the ER PPC and replaces it with a standard PPC to alleviate some heat problems.[10][17] BV (1.0) = 706, BV (2.0) = 797[18]
  • PNT-12K2 
    The -12K2 Panther is also an upgrade of the -10K, and is almost identical to the -10K2, but has replaced the two SRM-4 launchers with a single MRM-10 and an additional ton of armor. BV (1.0) = 908,[21] BV (2.0) = 930[22]
  • PNT-13K 
    Designed before the Jihad, this version only entered service after that war started. An XL engine increases the 'Mech's top speed to 86 km/h while eight improved jump jets maximizes mobility on the battlefield. An XL gyro allows the PNT-13K to carry an SRM-4 and a plasma rifle. BV (2.0) = 996[24]
  • PNT-14R 
    This Dark Age variant carries an ER PPC and a Clan-spec Streak SRM-4 in the center torso. A standard fusion engine retains the typical speed of 64 km/h, but a supercharger does allow the 'Mech to sprint at 86 km/h. 10 Clan-spec double heat sinks are carried, and protection is provided by carrying the maximum amount of ballistic reinforced armor the endo steel chassis can carry. The Streak ammo is carried in a CASE-protected bay in the left torso. BV (2.0) = 1,291[26]
  • PNT-C 
    The PNT-C is a modification of the -10K model and simply swaps the Artemis IV for a C3 slave. BV (1.0) = 696, BV (2.0) = 833[25]
  • PNT-CA 
    The PNT-CA is a simple weapon swap, using a cooler firing standard PPC is used in place of the PNT-C's ER PPC. BV (2.0) = 787[27]

Custom Variants[edit]

  • PNT-CM 
    Chu-i Akihiro Fernandez, scion of a traditionalist family and potential candidate to the Sword of Light brigade, was a proponent of Theodore Kurita's military reform. He received a new C3 master device as an honorable reward, in the middle of the Clan Invasion.[28] His 'Mech retains jump jets but loses some close combat ability due to the absence of the SRM-4 launcher. The 'Mech still retains CASE. At this moment, it seems there is no record sheet for this vaiant - only MUL.info entry.

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.

From MechWarrior Online Legends:

  • PNT-10P 
    A variant unlike any other Panther, the 10P switches out the ER PPC and Artemis IV FCS-controlled SRM-4 in favor of two autocannon/2s in the right arm and a single SRM-2 in the center torso. Even built on the 10K's weight-saving endo steel frame, a 175-rated XL engine is required to carrying the heavier autocannons while retaining the jump jets. Carrying 10 double heat sinks, two tons worth of autocannon reloads, and one ton of SRM rounds gives the variant moderate field endurance.
  • PNT-KK Katana Kat 
    MechWarrior Online Legends' apocryphal version of the Katana Kat piloted by Minobu Tetsuhara features a large degree of lostech equipment unavailable during his life time. PGI's Katana Kat is armed with a PPC in each arm and retains the normal center torso SRM-4 rack; the addition of a second PPC is made possible through the use of 140-rated XL engine and an endo steel frame. A single ton of reloads and 10 double heat sinks keep the Katana Kat in the thick of battle.[31]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Panther has the following Design Quirks:[32]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Panther Pilots

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 42–43: "PNT-9R Panther"
  2. ↑ Objective Raids, p. 116: "Produced Gorton, Kingsley, and Thorpe Enterprises Components"
  3. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 30
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 114
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 87
  6. ↑ Classic BattleTech Introductory Record Sheets, p. 5
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 28
  8. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 30
  9. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 26
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 28
  11. ↑ According to the Technical Readout: 3025, p. 30, the only difference between the -8Z and -9R models is the electronics, implying the remaining -8Z models to mount the exact same configuration as the regular -9R by 3025.
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 86
  13. ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 94: "Alternate Paths - Amphigean Light Assault Groups: Pack Mentality"
  14. ↑ Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 54: "Kurita Combat Commands - Amphigean Light Assault Group"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Turning Points War of 3039: Vega, p. 33
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 98
  17. ↑ Field Manual: Draconis Combine, p. 160: "Rules - Akuma"
  18. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Inner Sphere, p. 54
  19. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 55
  20. ↑ Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 135
  21. ↑ Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 50
  22. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 99
  23. ↑ Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 102
  24. ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 67
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 136
  26. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 17, p. 14
  27. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 59
  28. ↑ Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 91: "Mechwarriors of DCMS"
  29. ↑ First Strike, p. 24
  30. ↑ Field Manual Mercenaries, p. 33: "Ace Darwin's WhipIts: Natural Selection - The WhipIts"
  31. ↑ MechWarrior Online "Resistance Heroes"
  32. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 93: Design Quirk Table - Panther Entry
  33. ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 70–71

Bibliography[edit]

Retrieved from "https://www.sarna.net/wiki/index.php?title=Panther&oldid=1115652"