Stone Rhino (Behemoth)

Stone Rhino (Behemoth)
Stone Rhino (Behemoth)
Production information
Manufacturer	Tokasha MechWorks
Production Year	2847
Class	Assault
Cost	10,512,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Clan BattleMech
Mass	100 tons
Chassis	Star League Monster (Standard)
Armor	Compound 12A1 Standard with CASE
Engine	300 Standard
Speed	54.0 km/h
Jump Jets	Grandthrust Mk. 5
Armament	2x Gauss Rifles 2x Large Pulse Lasers 1x Small Pulse Laser
BV (1.0)	2,626
BV (2.0)	3,001

Description

The Stone Rhino was one of the most remarkable surprises sprung upon the Inner Sphere by the invading Clans. The Inner Sphere named the 'Mech Behemoth. It was apparently derived from the Matar, which was also known as "Amaris' Folly".

Mainly seen in Clan Smoke Jaguar, only a small number of these massive machines have been sighted. No other Clan appeared to field this design, but because it is a venerable design, other Clans are suspected to possess some, widely spread throughout their toumans.

Bringing awesome firepower, these machines cannot be used effectively by commanders because they cannot afford to lose one. The Stone Rhino made use of eighteen tons of standard armor. It could jump up to ninety meters in one bound.

Weapons and Equipment

The design featured Large Pulse Lasers in each arm, twin Gauss Rifles mounted in each side torso, and an almost superfluous Small Pulse Laser located near the cockpit. The Stone Rhino also sported an interesting feature; each arm contained a retractable, shock-absorbing cowl covering the weapon barrels. This allowed MechWarriors to use the arms as battering rams without damaging the weaponry.

Variants

• Stone Rhino 2 

  In order to plug holes in their touman, Clan Goliath Scorpion scientists revisited the Behemoth. Like Clan Smoke Jaguar before them, they upgraded and improved upon the design. This version used an Extra-light Engine to mount a pair of Thunderstroke Series 2b Gauss Rifles along the top of the 'Mech. Each arm carried a Series 4D-2 Heavy Large Laser, a Series 22a Heavy Medium Laser, and a General Systems Heavy Small Laser. It retained the shock-absorbing cowls of the original. Another pair of Heavy Mediums protected the rear of the 'Mech. A head-mounted Shield-3 Anti-Missile System defended against missiles, while an Anti-Personnel Pod in each leg discouraged unarmored infantry. This design had jump jets, nineteen tons of armor, and a meager sixteen double heat sinks. BV (1.0) = 2,531, BV (2.0) = 3,107

• Stone Rhino 3 

  A Clan Hell's Horses variant made use of two Large Pulse Lasers in each arm and two ATM 9s with four tons of ammo in the torso. Two ER Micro Lasers to protect the 'Mech's rear arc, while the other equipment was removed to add heat sinks. BV (1.0) = 2,795, BV (2.0) = 3,072

• Stone Rhino 4 

  A variable range variant, the Stone Rhino 4 uses an XL Engine to provide weight savings for four LRM 10s to lay down impressive long range fire. Backing these up are a pair of Ultra AC-10s for mid-range engagements. From there, four ER Medium Lasers provide a solid short range punch. Lastly, four Machine Guns provide anti-infantry support. These combine to make a solid and well rounded configuration. BV (2.0) = 2,601

• Stone Rhino 5 

  A design based off of early specifications for Amaris's Folly, the Stone Rhino 5 uses a 400XL engine to reach speeds up up to 64.8kph. It is armed with four LB-5X Autocannons mounted in the torsos backed up by six ER Medium Lasers in the arms. BV (2.0) 2,157

• Stone Rhino 6 

  A close combat design based on the Stone Rhino 5, the Stone Rhino 6 is armed with a simple yet effective loadout of 14 Medium Pulse Lasers. These are backed up by a single ER Small Laser. BV (2.0) = 2,981

Related BattleMechs

• Matar - The original failed prototype, the Matar massed over one hundred tons and experienced extreme stresses on its leg actuators that effectively prevented the 'Mech from moving. The project ended when Stefan Amaris had the design staff executed for "treasonous incompetence".

Notes

• Prior to the Battle of Misery, Wolf's Dragoons apparently counted a Behemoth BattleMech in its Alpha Regiment, piloted by a Gordon Zed. This 'Mech presumably used 3025-era technology, but an exact description was never published. Both the 'Mech and its MechWarrior were destroyed on Misery.
• Captain Jeremiah Rose in a Masakari and Antioch Bell in a Banshee faced one of these on Courcheval. They ended up withdrawing from the fight. They later learn the name of the Mech and that the local Clan Nova Cat garrison cluster had "no less than three of the giants, maybe more."
• In German products the unit's proper Clan name was perfectly translated to Felsrhino. The unit's proper Inner Sphere name was altered to Koloss, which means Colossus.

Design Quirks

The Stone Rhino (Behemoth) has the following Design Quirk:

• Barrel Fist
• Protected Actuators
• Oversized
• Poor Performance
• Weak Head Armor (1)

Gallery

• StoneRhino.jpg

  Original Stone Rhino from TRO:3055

• 

  Stone Rhino 2 from TRO:3055 Upgrade

• 

  Iconic Stone Rhino emblazones TRO:3055 cover

• 

  Stone Rhino in action from Jade Falcon Sourcebook

• 

  Stone Rhino with torso-mounted Gauss from BattleCorps

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  Stone Rhino in combat from CCG

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• Master Unit List.pdf
• Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged
• Technical Readout: 3055
• Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade
• Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)
• Jihad: Final Reckoning