Shootist

Shootist
Production information
Manufacturer	Mitchell Vehicles
Production Year	2621
Model	ST-8A
Class	Heavy
Cost	6,555,229 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	70 tons
Chassis	Dennenbach-Mitchell Mark IV
Armor	MV Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Engine	VOX 280
Communications System	Domman Echo II
Targeting Tracking System	Wayne Marksman
Heat Sinks	13 double
Speed	64 km/h
Armament	1x autocannon/20 1x ER large laser 2x medium pulse laser 1x small laser
BV (1.0)	1,277
BV (2.0)	1,507

Description

The Shootist first saw service in 2621 as a heavily armored, electronic warfare-capable command 'Mech for SLDF Royal BattleMech Regiments. However, the Shootist's upgraded electronic suites proved no match for the cutting edge of electronic warfare of its own time. When the BattleMaster eclipsed the Shootist in its intended role as a command vehicle merely ten years after its introduction, the SLDF changed the Shootist's mission parameters. The Shootist's balanced mix of weapons and speed along with its heavy armor allowed it a new role: juggernaut for close-combat heavy lances. Later it found further use as a bodyguard unit for command lances. However, this role did not prove favorable to the longevity of the Shootist. Since the Succession Wars, this BattleMech is rarely seen outside of the Com Guards, Word of Blake Militia, and ancient Clan Brian Caches.

Weapons and Equipment

The Shootist has a top speed of 64.8 km/h, giving it an average level of mobility for a heavy 'Mech. The 'Mech has thirteen double heat sinks that allow the Shootist to dissipate the waste heat that is produced by its heavy weapons payload. The Shootist carries twelve tons of MV ferro-fibrous armor with CASE to protect the 'Mech in the event of an ammunition explosion.

The Shootist is armed to engage an enemy at various ranges. The only long-range weapon on the 'Mech is a Blankenburg ER Large Laser that has an effective range of five hundred and seventy meters. For medium to close range combat, the Shootist carries a devastating Deathgiver Autocannon/20 which is capable of downing most light and even some medium 'Mechs in a single salvo. Finally, for point-blank defense, the 'Mech has two Blankenburg Medium Pulse Lasers and a Dinatech Mark III Small Laser.

Variants

• ST-8C 

  This new variant removes the Small Laser and upgrades the mediums to a pair of ER Medium Lasers. The weight savings enables the inclusion of a C3i Computer. BV (1.0) = 1,283; BV (2.0) = 1,528

• ST-9C 

  The 9C further modifies the 8C by removing the autocannon and a heat sink to make room for a Gauss rifle, turning the Shootist into a support 'Mech. BV (1.0) = 1,535; BV (2.0) = 1,727

Design Quirks

The Shootist has the following Design Quirk:

• Command 'Mech

Notable Pilots

• Adept Jeremiah Rose piloted a Shootist during his ComStar career until his 'Mech was destroyed during the Battle of Tukayyid.

• Apollyon pilots a heavily and unusually modified Shootist in combat with the 52nd Shadow Division.

Gallery

• 

  Original Shootist from The Black Thorns

• 

  Shootist from TRO:3058U

• 

  A Shootist standing in front of heads of the Unseen on pikes, from TRO:3058

Notes

• A variant of the Shootist was present in the game MechCommander 2.
• Originally, in The Black Thorns, Technical Readout: 3058, Record Sheets: 3055 & 3058, and later in Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades; the ST-8A Shootist's primary weapons were in different locations. The AC/20 was in the left torso (with ammo and CASE in the right torso), the ER Large Laser was in the right arm, and a Medium Pulse Laser was in the left arm. The locations of the Small Laser and second Medium Pulse Laser remain the same. In Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrade Print Edition, and Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League) the weapons locations were corrected to match the artwork.

Bibliography

• The Black Thorns
• Master Unit List
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade