Scorpion (BattleMech)

Scorpion
Production information
Manufacturer	Brigadier Corporation Defiance Industries
Production Year	2570
Model	SCP-1N
Class	Medium
Cost	5,201,800 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	Brigadier 800F
Armor	4/Star Slab
Engine	VOX 330
Communications System	Garret 500A
Targeting Tracking System	Garret GRNDTRK 9
Heat Sinks	10 single
Speed	97.2 km/h
Armament	1x PPC 1x SRM-6
BV (1.0)	786
BV (2.0)	1,019

Description

Introduced and built by the Terran Hegemony in 2570 before the technological renaissance that saw a more open view of quadruped 'Mechs, the Scorpion is an example of an idea that was ahead of its time. The 'Mech was originally intended as a stable weapons platform, but as the model came into service it was relegated to an infantry support role. The design itself was shunned by most MechWarriors due to the rough ride of the four-legged gait, but if the design is looked at through an objective standpoint the Scorpion is a very capable 'Mech for its intended role.

At some point there had been an attempt to create a LAM version of the Scorpion, an unworkable project that was abandoned and quite literally buried in a bunker on Hesperus II. The long-forgotten blueprints and prototype remains were found by chance in 3065. Although the Scorpion LAM project as such had been unsuccessful, it had succeeded in streamlining components and redesigning the leg suspension, and applying these modifications alleviated the famously bumpy ride on the -12S and all subsequent variants.

Weapons and Equipment

The quadruped Scorpion is built on a Brigadier 800F chassis and powered by a VOX 330 fusion engine, allowing to move at a top speed for 97.2 km/h, which lets the 'Mech reach good firing positions quickly if pilots can endure the bumpy ride. Protection is provided by seven tons of 4/Star Slab standard armor, and heat is managed by 10 single heat sinks.

The Scorpion carries a very basic, though dangerous, weapons payload. Its primary weapon is an Anderson Armaments PPC which, when combined with the Scorpion's highly stable chassis, makes the 'Mech ideal for close support. For close range combat, the Scorpion carries a Marvel Six-Load SRM-6 which allows the Scorpion to capitalize on any breaches in the enemy's armor. The Scorpion has another, smaller swivel-mount looking tube beneath the cockpit, perhaps intended for a flamer, machine gun, or small laser, but this mount does not actually work and is purely cosmetic; speculation is that it was dropped after the frame was completed and removing it would have slowed down production.

Variants

• SCP-1O 

  The SCP-1O, introduced in 3049, is a very basic upgrade of the design which replaces the PPC with an ER PPC. While this gives the Scorpion greater range, it also increases the heat from the ER PPC by 50%, which greatly overtaxes the 10 single heat sinks. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix shows the SCP-1O with Double Heat Sinks. BV (1.0) = 785, BV (2.0) = 1,054

• SCP-1TB 

  This Scorpion uses a pair of light PPCs as its main armament, backed up by an MML-9. A light fusion engine provides power and a MASC system allows it to put on bursts of speed of up to 120 km/h. BV (2.0) = 1,185

• SCP-10M 

  This post-Jihad version introduced in 3080 uses an endo steel chassis and XL engine to propel the 'Mech at a top speed of 119 km/h. The use of these lighter components, as well as an XL gyro, allows the Scorpion to carry a heavy PPC, LRM-10, and nine tons of armor. 10 double heat sinks keep the 'Mech's weapons in constant use. BV (2.0) = 1,458

• SCP-12C 

  This 3067 version of the Scorpion is similar to the original design. The engine has been upgraded to an extralight engine, it now uses ferro-fibrous armor for protection, the primary weapon has been upgraded to an ER PPC, and the heat sinks have been upgraded to double heat sinks. The SRM-6 was replaced with an improved Narc missile beacon, which allows friendly units to fire missiles at enemies that have been tagged with an iNarc pod with more accuracy. Additionally, a C3i computer has been added to allow other C3 equipped units to share targeting telemetry. This was the first model to include the improvements to the suspension and leg mechanisms derived from the recovered LAM prototype designs. BV (1.0) = 1,058, BV (2.0) = 1,259

• SCP-12K 

  This Scorpion variant uses an XL engine and 10 tons of ferro-fibrous armor. This design is armed with a snub-nose PPC, an MML-9 with two tons of ammunition, and an ER medium laser. Additionally, a C3 computer is included to control a C3 network. BV (2.0) = 1,260

• SCP-12S 

  The 12S variant of the Scorpion is produced by Defiance Industries and is a complete redesign of the 'Mech. The use of an endo steel chassis and a light fusion engine saves enough weight to upgrade the primary weapon to an LB-X Autocannon/10, supported by an SRM-6 launcher. BV (1.0) = 969, BV (2.0) = 1,109

Custom Variants

• SCP-1N Wendall 

  Wendall Puritan's customized standard SCP-1N exchanges the PPC for a large laser. The extra tonnage goes toward additional armor. BV (2.0) = 1043

Design Quirks

The Scorpion is subject to the following Design Quirks:

• Bad Reputation
• Hard to Pilot

Related BattleMechs

• Scorpion LAM - A failed attempt to develop a Land Air Mech version of the Scorpion, this prototype nevertheless led to marked improvements to ride smoothness in later variants of the original.

Notable Pilots

• Wendall Puritan - Noted Scorpion pilot, Puritan left the Lyran Guards after House Steiner announced they were phasing the design out of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, opting to join the Smithson's Chinese Bandits mercenary unit rather than see his family 'Mech scrapped or pilot another design.
• Ju-Lei Marshigama - Commanding officer of Marshigama's Legionnaires.

Notes

• Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Scorpion was among the BattleMechs for which he wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3025, after being given only its name, image, and game stats to work with for the TRO entry.

• The original Scorpion variants and artwork from 3025 were part of the Unseen 'Mech designs. The Scorpion was Reseen in 3067 with new variants using revised artwork.

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Skorpion. The model code was accordingly changed to SKP-1N.

Gallery

• 

  Original Unseen SCP-1N Scorpion from TRO:3025

• 

  SCP-1O Scorpion from TRO:3050

• 

  Scorpion from RG:ilClan v19

• 

  SCP-10M Scorpion from TRO:3085

• 

  SCP-12C Scorpion from TRO:Phoenix'

• 

  SCP-12S Scorpion from TRO:Phoenix

• 

  Scorpion in colors of Oriente Hussars from Camo Specs

• 

  A Scorpion fights a Summoner from Luthien cover

• 

  A Scorpion charging into battle from McCarron's Armored Cavalry

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• Era Digest: Age of War
• Record Sheets: 3025/3026
• Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3085
• Technical Readout: Project Phoenix
• Total Warfare Style Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades