Wolfhound

Wolfhound
Wolfhound
Production information
Manufacturer
Production Year 3052[1]
Model WLF-2
Class Light
Cost 5,469,930 C-bills[1]
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Arc-Royal KH/3
Armor Durallex Medium
Engine GM 210
Communications System O/P Com-22/H47
Targeting Tracking System Digital Scanlok 347
Heat Sinks 10 double heat sinks
Speed 97.2 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 903
BV (2.0) 1,061[2]


Description[edit]

A light, rugged, and dependable design, the Wolfhound made its first appearance in 3028. Following the success of the Hatchetman designed in partnership with the Federated Suns, Archon Katrina Steiner ordered TharHes Industries to produce a BattleMech to address a persistent problem of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces: hunting down and destroying the Panther and Jenner, swift light-weight 'Mechs of the Draconis Combine which had embarrassed the LCAF one too many times. The final design was a light 'Mech with an all-energy weapons payload effective at a variety of combat ranges, the maximum amount of armor for a 'Mech of its weight class, and the use of mostly standard components to keep costs down.[3][2][4]

Due to their fierce loyalty to House Steiner, the Kell Hounds were the first unit chosen to field-test the Wolfhound in combat, followed shortly thereafter by Wolf's Dragoons. The design received its baptism of fire during the Fourth Succession War where it exceeded all expectations and performed brilliantly. This was especially true when the Wolfhound faced its intended targets, hitting the Jenner beyond its ability to return fire while closing the distance on the Panther to get within the minimum range of its primary weapon. With the successful end of the war the Federated Commonwealth ordered larger numbers of Wolfhounds to outfit its military and the design was used again during the War of 3039. Wolfhounds suffered far fewer casualties than other 'Mechs during that conflict and as such, a mere handful fell into the hands of the Combine. While impressed with the 'Mech, the Kuritans were too prideful to copy it themselves, instead using captured examples to help develop the Wolf Trap specifically to counter the 'Mech.[3][2]

Eventually Arc-Royal MechWorks was brought in to produce Wolfhounds under license from TharHes, and the recovery of lostech thanks to the Helm Memory Core allowed for a more advanced variant to be produced to combat the Clan Invasion. Unfortunately the necessary retooling of TharHes' factories to produce the WLF-2 model, introduced in 3052, took too long before ComStar brought an end to the invasion with the Battle of Tukayyid. These newer Wolfhounds continued to be produced for both FedCom member states, although following the formal creation of the Lyran Alliance the TharHes factories began producing the newer WLF-3S model. This new variant was shipped only to units loyal to the Lyran state, and thus fought on the side of Katherine Steiner-Davion during the FedCom Civil War. During the Jihad the Word of Blake launched a devastating assault on Tharkad, effectively shutting down TharHes' Wolfhound factory line; in response Arc-Royal increased production and introduced the WLF-4 model to replace the losses suffered by allied forces fighting the Blakists.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

As a "laser boat", the Wolfhound's very basic weapons array frees it from supply lines and allows for superior endurance during extended campaigns. The primary long-range weapon is a Cyclops XII ER large laser mounted in the right arm, which allows the Wolfhound to strike at ranges of nearly 600 meters. As secondary weapons for close combat, the Wolfhound is armed with four Defiance B3M medium lasers, three of which are split between the right, center, and left torso, while the fourth is mounted in the center-rear in case any 'Mech tries to exploit this traditional blind spot.[3][2]

10 double heat sinks allow for superior heat management, while seven and a half tons of armor provide excellent protection. While the majority of the components used in the Wolfhound are Lyran in origin, the use of a Full-Head Ejection System required the help of the Federated Suns. Countless MechWarrior lives have been saved thanks to this system's ability to operate in traditionally hostile environments.[3][2]

Variants[edit]

  • WLF-1 
    The original Wolfhound model, produced on Tharkad[5] from 3028 until the introduction of the WLF-2 variant. The pre–Helm Memory Core WLF-1's primary weapon is a standard Setanta large laser, making its striking distance shorter than that of the later model, while its 10 single heat sinks did not dissipate as much waste heat as the newer double heat sinks used on the WLF-2.[3][5][2] BV (1.0) = 736, BV (2.0) = 949[3] or 932[5]
  • WLF-1B 
    Another common field refit, this model repositions the rear-firing medium laser to face forward.[3][5] BV (2.0) = 967[7]
  • WLF-3S 
    The 3S variant, introduced in 3064, sacrifices some of the 'Mech's durability for an increase in firepower. The 'Mech is powered by a light fusion engine, which frees up space on the chassis for new equipment. The ER large laser has been removed and replaced with an ER PPC, extending its range even further, while the medium lasers have been replaced with three forward facing ER medium lasers and a rear facing ER small laser. Finally, the chassis is now built using endo steel and the 'Mech has two additional double heat sinks to help handle the much heavier heat burden.[2] BV (1.0)= 944[12], BV (2.0)= 1,179[13]
  • WLF-4W 
    The 4W is based on the WLF-2 model and is intended as a midrange harasser. Introduced by Arc-Royal MechWorks in 3069 the 4W has an endo steel chassis and carries three light PPCs mounted in the torsos, as well as an ER medium laser and an ER small laser in the right arm.[2]
  • WLF-5 
    A post-Jihad variant produced on Arc-Royal alongside the WLF-4W in 3079, the WLF-5 is built on an endo steel frame and is powered by the larger 245-rated XL engine to increase its ground speed by 20 km/h, capable of almost 150 km/h in short bursts due to the inclusion of MASC. Replacing the armament of lasers with an array of PPCs; a right arm-mounted Hound's-tooth snub-nose PPC is supported by a pair of torso-mounted Defiance 1002 light PPCs.[10] BV (2.0) = 1,290[15]
  • Unnamed Lyran Variant 
    Produced for the Lyran Alliance in the late days of the FedCom Civil War, this variant uses a light engine and carries an ER Large Laser and four ER Medium Lasers. Originating in a pilot dossier for MechWarrior: Dark Age, no record sheet has been provided for this variant.[17]

Custom Variants[edit]

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.

These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • WLF-GR Grinner 
    Rather than a mixed-tech or purely Clan-tech design, MechWarrior Online's version of Phelan Ward's Grinner is an entirely Inner Sphere technology replication of the main features of the Wolfhound IIC - an IS grade ER large laser in the right arm is supported by four forward facing standard medium lasers - two in the center torso and one in each side torso. Carrying an IS standard endo steel frame and just 10 IS double heat sinks free up weight to also mount a Guardian ECM suite.[19]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Wolfhound has the following Design Quirks:[20]

The WLF-2H Wolfhound variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:[8]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Wolf Trap - The Draconis Combine designed the medium Wolf Trap specifically to counter the Wolfhound. It shares the Wolfhound's movement profile, but is far more reliant on ammunition-consuming weapons.[21]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Wolfhound Pilots

List of ones missing article but identified[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • The first appearance of the Wolfhound was in a BattleTechnology, issue 0204, article authored by Michael A. Stackpole with artwork by William H. Keith, Jr. While canon at the time it was published, BattleTechnology is now an apocryphal source. An updated, but shortened, version of this text and artwork later appeared in Wolf's Dragoons. It then featured in Stackpole's novel, Blood Legacy.
  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Wolfshund. The model code was left unchanged.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 MUL online date for the Wolfhound
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 32-33
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 226-227
  4. Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p.28
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 50–51: "WLF-1 Wolfhound"
  6. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 388
  7. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 389
  8. 8.0 8.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 105
  9. Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs, p. 3, 16
  10. 10.0 10.1 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 68, "WLF-5 Wolfhound"
  11. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 101
  12. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 57
  13. Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 169
  14. Starterbook: Wolf and Blake, pp. 28, 95.
  15. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 69, "WLF-5 Wolfhound"
  16. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 17, p. 15
  17. MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards, p. 125: "Marcel Thennes"
  18. Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p.71
  19. MechWarrior Online Resistance Heroes Sale Page
  20. BattleMech Manual, p. 95: Design Quirk Table - Wolfhound
  21. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 52
  22. Blood of the Isle p. 277

Bibliography[edit]