BalorManufacturer: Shanesse Weapons (Ashburton)The Balor was Fergus O'Cleary's first mech design (or at least the first to reach production), as well as the impetus for the investigation that revealed the shady dealings of those companies he has worked for.
Billed as a medium trooper, the Balor isn't particularly mobile or heavily armed compared to other options in its weight class. It is, however, unbelievably durable, protected by a massive amount of hardened armor that gives it better protection than most assault mechs, as well as a centrally mounted cockpit that allows it to leave the field under its own power even in the case of decapitation. The handling problems normally experienced by units so equipped (such as the Stalker II), are mitigated by the use of advanced actuators in the legs, allowing the Balor to keep its feet as it wades through fire other mechs would crumble under.
The massive protection may actually be a weakness in a way, as inexperienced pilots have been known to put too much faith in all that armor. With the cockpit located in the mech's center mass and lacking an ejection system, far too often when the armor finally does fail, the result is a dead pilot. Commanders would do well to make sure they explain the difference between "durable" and "invincible" to potential pilots.
Shanesse did business primarily within the shattered realms of the Free Worlds League, and as a consequence the majority of Balors can be found there. Following their homeworld of Ashburton's joining of the reborn League, all future production was reserved exclusively for the FWLM. This restriction was further reinforced when League officials, after discovering that Shanesse had sold Balors under the table to unknown parties, forcibly nationalized the company.
Following the nationalization of Shanesse Industries, League officials requested an extensive variant better suited for the needs of the FWLM. Stripping off the hardened armor made room for a significant boost in firepower and a more affordable engine type (while also creating a much leaner silhouette).
Design Quirks: Battlefists, Protected Actuators
Balor BL-4R
IS experimental
55 tons
BV: 1,859
Cost: 9,624,286 C-bills
Movement: 4/5
Engine: 220 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Cockpit: Torso-Mounted Cockpit
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 185/185 (Hardened)
Internal Armor
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Center Torso 18 27
Center Torso (rear) 9
Right Torso 13 20
Right Torso (rear) 6
Left Torso 13 20
Left Torso (rear) 6
Right Arm 9 18
Left Arm 9 18
Right Leg 13 26
Left Leg 13 26
Weapon Loc Heat
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ER Medium Laser LT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
ER Small Laser RT 2
Heavy PPC HD 15
Equipment Loc
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Hardened None
AES LL
AES RL
Balor BL-4M
IS experimental
55 tons
BV: 1,444
Cost: 8,409,990 C-bills
Movement: 4/6
Engine: 220 Light
Heat Sinks: 12 [24]
Cockpit: Torso-Mounted Cockpit
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 184/185
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 18 26
Center Torso (rear) 9
Right Torso 13 20
Right Torso (rear) 6
Left Torso 13 20
Left Torso (rear) 6
Right Arm 9 18
Left Arm 9 18
Right Leg 13 26
Left Leg 13 26
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
Light PPC LA 5
Light PPC RA 5
Medium Pulse Laser LT 4
Medium Pulse Laser RT 4
Heavy PPC HD 15
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Standard None
AES LL
AES RL