Tian-zong

Tian-zong
Production information
Manufacturer	Hellespont 'Mech Works
Production Year	3090
Model	TNZ-N1
Class	Heavy
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	75 tons
Chassis	Hellespont Type TZ
Armor	Hellespont Lite II Stealth
Engine	Rawlings 300 XL
Communications System	Ceres Metals Model 777 with Angel ECM Suite
Targeting Tracking System	Radcom TXXII
Heat Sinks	12 Double Heat Sinks
Speed	65 km/h
Armament	2x ER Medium Lasers 2x Gauss rifles
BV (2.0)	2,167

Description

The Tian-zong is a post-Jihad design that the Capellan Confederation first developed in 3090. Equipped with thirteen and a half tons of Stealth Armor powered by an Angel ECM Suite, the Tian-zong is a premier "Recon in Force" 'Mech. The 300-rated extralight engine propels the Tian-zong to a top speed of 64 km/h, which can make for a jarring ride given the Small Cockpit. The Tian-zong is one of the first Capellan 'Mechs to use an Endo-Composite skeleton. Twelve Double Heat Sinks dissipate the heat from the Stealth Armor. It is a popular 'Mech with CCAF commanders.

Weapons and Equipment

The 'Mech is armed with a pair of Mydron Concussor Gauss rifles as its main weaponry. Each rifle has two tons of ammunition, keeping it in the fight. For close-in work the 'Mech carries a Ceres Arms Extended Range Medium Laser in each arm.

Variants

• TZN-N2 

  This Tian-zong replaces the standard weaponry with a Light Gauss Rifle in the side torsos and an ER Large Laser in each arm. The Light Gauss Rifles each have a ton of ammunition. All other aspects of the N2 are identical to the N1. BV (2.0) = 1,726

• TZN-N3 

  This variant is based on the N1. It uses the same Gauss Rifles, but they only have a ton of ammunition. Two heat sinks have been removed (leaving ten in the engine) as have the ER Medium Lasers. The freed space and mass allows the N3 to carry a Light PPC in each arm. It is identical to the N1 in all other respects. BV (2.0) = 2,072

Custom Variants

• Tian-zong Jasminda 

  The customized TZN-N3 Tian-zong piloted by Sang-shao Jasminda Xiang of the Sixth Confederation Reserve Cavalry during the Capellan Crusades featured the Light Gauss Rifles of the TZN-N2 variant to save weight to carry ER PPC in the right arm, supported by an ER Medium Laser in the left arm.

Design Quirks

The Tian-zong is subject to the following Design Quirk:

• Command BattleMech

Notes

• The Tian-zong was introduced by WizKids as part of their MechWarrior: Dark Age line of collectible miniatures. It first appeared in their game set release Liao Incursion. In the novel Fortress of Lies, the 'Mech first appeared in action. However, the 'Mech was firing its Gauss rifles from its arms, conflicting with the original figure's physical appearance.

• The TZN-N3 Tian-zong is the variant described in the Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation entry.

Gallery

• 

  MW:DA Tian-zong model

Bibliography

• Fortress of Lies (Novel) - Tian-zong first appears in fiction.
• Jaquelin Pejiko's Confederation Reserve Cavalry Dossier
• Clara Park's House Liao/McCarron's Armored Cavalry Dossier
• Hoa Phiri's House Liao/Warrior House Dossier
• Operational Turning Points: Capellan Crusades
• Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged
• Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation