Trebuchet

Trebuchet
Trebuchet cover
Production Information
Manufacturer(s)Corean Enterprises[1][2]

Irian BattleMechs Unlimited[1]

Kali Yama Weapons Industries[1][2]

Tvastar Enterprises
Production Year2799[3][4]
ModelTBT-5N[2]
ClassMedium
Cost4,293,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech typeInner Sphere BattleMech
Mass50 tons
ChassisCorean Model 9C[2]
ArmorStarshield[2]
EngineMagna 250[2]
CommsCorean Transband-J9[2]
TTSCorean B-Tech[2]
Heat Sinks10 single[2]
Speed86[2] km/h
Armament[2]
B.V. (1.0)864[5]
B.V. (2.0)1,191[2][6]


Description[edit]

The Trebuchet (also jovially referred to as the Trenchbucket) is a mainline medium weight BattleMech considered to be a fine blend of long- and short-range fire support for a unit of its size. Unlike many other pre-Clan 'Mechs, the Trebuchet was designed from the beginning to work as part of a lance instead of functioning as a stand-alone model. The TBT-5N features respectable firepower, ten heat sinks, seven and a half tons of armor and a top speed of 86.4 km/h for good mobility. The main drawback of the design is its endurance: since it was never meant to operate far from supply lines the Trebuchet has a limited amount of munitions for its missile launchers and once these ammunition bins have run dry the 'Mech must defend itself with only its laser weapons, where it is often outgunned compared to other 'Mechs when fighting independently at close range.[7][4]

The Trebuchet first walked off assembly lines in 2780 for the SLDF in the final years of the Star League, between the liberation of Terra from Stefan Amaris and Aleksandr Kerensky's departure. With the onset of the Succession Wars the Trebuchet would become an almost exclusive staple of the Free Worlds League since its manufacturing site on Stewart fell within their territory. However the original TBT-3C models proved to be too difficult to repair and produce with the disappearance of advanced technology, and in 2799[8] Corean Enterprises went back to the drawing board to create the TBT-5N using less advanced technology.[7][4][9]

The Free Worlds League Military often partnered the Trebuchet with the Archer, while lances consisting of an Archer, two Trebuchet's and a Centurion became a common configuration used for siege operations by the Regulan Hussars. However the design also found its way into the hands of the other Great Houses and served with distinction during the Succession Wars in nearly every major operation, with a number of variants created to fulfill various needs. The technological renaissance which swept through the Inner Sphere during the 3030s allowed first Kali Yama and then the Irian corporations to begin producing the Trebuchet as well, culminating in upgraded designs debuting several years prior to the Clan Invasion. As late as 3071 advanced Trebuchet variants would continue to be produced and found themselves used by new actors on the galactic stage, most notoriously the Word of Blake.[4][9]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The primary weapons on the Trebuchet are a pair of Zeus LRM-15 launchers in its right torso and left arm. One ton of ammo per launcher allows it to soften up an opponent, though not truly cripple them, at ranges where they cannot return fire. Backing these up for close range work is a trio of Magna Mk II medium lasers, two in its right arm and one in its left, which provide the Trebuchet with firepower when the LRM ammunition has been depleted. These also discourage lighter 'Mechs from attempting to intercept it, and the ten heat sinks allow the 'Mech to fire these continuously when traveling at a cruising speed of 54 km/h. The Trebuchet is also proficient as a brawler, though its physical blows lack the same weight as heavier 'Mechs.[7][10]

Variants[edit]

  • TBT-5J 
    The 5J variant of the Trebuchet is a tradeoff that sacrifices firepower for mobility. One of the two LRM-15 launchers have been removed and replaced with five jump jets, giving the Trebuchet a jumping distance of one hundred and fifty meters. Additionally, the armor has been increased by half a ton and five heat sinks have been added to the design. It was first produced by the Free Worlds League in 2850 for their mobile regiments and used to surprising effect in their debut against the Capellan Confederation's Chesterton Reserves.[2][7][4] BV (1.0) = 1,034; BV (2.0) = 1,191[11]
  • TBT-5S 
    The 5S variant of the Trebuchet modifies the design from a long-range support 'Mech to a close combat machine. The LRM launchers have been completely replaced with two Thunderstroke SRM-6 launchers and an additional eight heat sinks while retaining the three medium lasers. The Free Worlds League's tremendous success with pairing 5S models with 5Ns in the late 3030s would cause their military planners to consider expanding this concept to other units.[2][7][4] BV (1.0) = 841; BV (2.0) = 948[12]
  • TBT-7K 
    The 7K Trebuchet is a radical departure from the 5N model, a prototype used by the Draconis Combine to test whether direct-fire support was a viable alternative to indirect-fire support. Its entire weapons loadout was replaced with a PPC and an Autocannon/5 as its primary weapons with an SRM-2 for close fire support. Whether the design proved successful or not was lost in the chaos of the 3030s as the proliferation of new advanced technology caused radical shakeups in the Combine's design bureaus.[4] BV (1.0) = 792;[13] (1,097)[14] BV (2.0) = 996[15][16]
  • TBT-7M 
    Upgraded with Star League technology, the 7M variant is built with on an Endo Steel chassis and uses a 250 Magna XL engine, giving it the same performance but allowing the design to mount ten double heat sinks and five Rawlings 50 jump jets for a jumping distance of one hundred and fifty meters. It also allows for the Trebuchet's LRM-15s' ammo to be protected by CASE and for a Octagon Missile Magnet Narc Missile Beacon with two tons of ammo, improving not only the Trebuchet's accuracy but allowing it to share targeting information with other similarly equipped 'Mechs.[1][9] BV (1.0) = 1,206;[5] BV (2.0) = 1,348[9]
  • TBT-8B 
    Kali Yama Weapons Industries began production on this variant in 3071 in an attempt to combine the best features of previous models, using the XL engine from the extinct 3C and jump jets from the 5J. The LRMs are replaced with four MML 5s, two mounted in the left arm and right torso, supplemented by four ER medium lasers on the right arm. Thirteen double heat sinks keep the 'Mech relatively cool, though some heat management is required. It uses an Endo Steel chassis.[9] BV (2.0) = 1,314[17]
  • TBT-9K 
    The 9K variant of the Trebuchet is a field refit of the 7M with a distinctive Kurita feel to it. Built on an Endo Steel chassis and powered by an XL engine, the 9K replaced the LRMs for two MRM-20 launchers with three tons of ammo total. The medium lasers in the right arm are replaced with two medium pulse lasers while the left arm-mounted medium laser is kept, and a C3 slave unit in the left torso allows it to share targeting telemetry with other units. The jump jets are also kept, giving it a jumping distance of one hundred and fifty meters.[9] BV (1.0) = 1,097 (C3: 128);[13] BV (2.0) = 1,329[18]
  • TBT-9N 
    Tvastar Enterprises produced this model for the Principality of Regulus as a lower-cost derivative of the TBT-9R. It uses an XL engine and XL Gyro to save weight. The smaller engine reduces top speed to 97 km/h. It carries a trio of medium variable speed pulse lasers for close in work, but had to reduce the Clan spec LRM-15 launchers to two, instead of three.[19] Three tons of ammunition is stored in a CASE II protected bay. BV (2.0) = 1,550[20]
  • TBT-K7R 
    This variant is a factory refit performed by Kali Yama Weapons Industries based on a custom Trebuchet found in the Periphery. It removes all the standard weaponry, the engine, and the skeleton, replacing them with a Light Engine, Endo Steel skeleton, and a new weapons array. Intended for short range combat, the TBT-K7R carries a pair of ER medium lasers, a pair of ER Flamers, a Streak SRM-6, and a Chain Whip. What makes it most deadly however, is the BattleMech Taser in the left arm. With this weapon the Trebuchet can capture an enemy 'Mech. The Trebuchet also carries Triple Strength Myomer, allowing it to pin 'Mechs as heavy as an Atlas. Ten and a half tons of armor and a 150 meter jump range protect the 'Mech. BV (2.0) = 1,408[23]

Custom Variants[edit]

  • TBT-7MM Trebuchet Merida 
    Debuted in 3140 on The Coliseum Arena and piloted by Kaley Macdonald, this Trebuchet upgrade is actually based more on a Clan Invasion-era model than the older medium support raider. The original 7M’s jump jets were removed to make room for more firepower and armor. The 'Mech trades out the standard fifteen-tube LRM pods for Clan Streak LRM-15 instead. Two ER medium lasers for intermediate range work complete the mix of ranged weapons. A Small Vibroblade was installed for those who try to get even closer still. Ten tons of Reflective Armor and CASE II protect the 'Mech, while ten double heat sinks keep the 'Mech cool. BV2 = 2,028.[24]

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 5: Call to Arms Expansion Pack:

  • TBT-5P 
    Introduced in 3025, the 5P retains the dual right arm medium lasers, but otherwise alters the remaining loadout, downgrading the LRM racks to LRM-10s and moving the left arm launcher to the left torso, also shifting the left arm medium laser to the center torso. The weight reduction is needed to carry a medium mace in the left arm.[25]

From MechWarrior Online:

  • TBT-LG "Loup de Guerre" 
    A Trebuchet named for the largest trebuchet constructed on medieval Terra. Loup de Guerre was piloted by Peter Chandler of the famous Chandlers of Tiber. Serving in the Regulan Hussars, he distinguished himself during the battle on Tellman IV. When he discovered a Thunderbolt had broken through their defensive line and had begun looting their supplies, he promptly pounded it into scrap. When asked later about why he had engaged the much larger 'Mech single-handily, his only response was that "it was what one should expect of a Chandler." Loup de Guerre was handed down through eight generations of the Chandler family before being handed to Devlin Stone's Military Material Redemption Program after the Jihad. The BattleMech is built upon an endo steel structure and powered by an XL engine. It is armed with a medium pulse laser and an SRM-4 in each arm; a Streak SRM-2 is mounted in both side torsos, with an AMS being added to the right torso. Loup de Guerre carries two tons of reloads for the SRM-4s, a single ton of reloads for the Streak SRM-2s, and a single ton of ammunition for the AMS. It is equipped with three class IV jump jets, one in each leg and one in the center torso, and is also equipped with ten double heat sinks to keep it cool.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Trebuchet has the following Design Quirks:[26]

The TBT-XK7 Trebuchet variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[22]

The TBT-K7R Trebuchet variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[23]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Trebuchet Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Ballista. The model code was accordingly changed to BLT-5N. This causes a potential mix-up when in 2013 the medium combat tank Ballista was introduced.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: 3050, p. 114
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 92–93: "TBT-5N Trebuchet"
  3. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 60
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 138
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Combat Operations, p. 121
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 131
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 62
  8. ↑ MUL online date
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 60
  10. ↑ Introductory Record Sheets, p. 14
  11. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 130
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 132
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Combat Operations, p. 125
  14. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 89
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 133: 'Mech model noted as 7K, not 5K
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 215: 'Mech noted as being 7K with BV 2 listed
  17. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Inner Sphere, p. 137
  18. ↑ Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 160
  19. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, p. 13
  20. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, p. 27
  21. ↑ Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 124
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Periphery, p. 4
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 115
  24. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Royal Fantasy, p. 13: "TBT-7MM Trebuchet Merida"
  25. ↑ MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Call to Arms
  26. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 95: Design Quirk Table - Trebuchet Entry

Bibliography[edit]

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