Thanks for looking wrangler! Can anyone speak to its pro or cons?
This based on my experience using it and re-reading the TROs.
I only played it once, but essentially most models of this thing are Close-In Fighters and spotter. A Fast Assault, which is meant get in the enemy face and get yell "This is Sparta"! It's only long range weapon is it ER PPC, but the 3 Medium Pulses and the Streak 2s has very good chances damaging your target.
Most of the variants retains the basic mentality. N1 which is old version only has single heat sinks, which it was replaced by the base model, the N2. Best of the bunch (Star league wise) is NF. Which swaps the tag for Case to the machine, allowing it to survive to be salvaged. The N3 is a Comstar/WoB variant, with C3I 3 additional Double Heat sinks, the three pulses are changed to ER Medium Lasers, while the antimissile system and ammo were removed to make way for the 3CI.
Pros: N1/N2/NF - Accurate close-range fighter/spotter, with speed to spare 5/8 with good armor. NF being most survivable of the all variants.
N3 = The best spotter with it's C3i network connection and improved range fighting capacities for the ER Medium Lasers.
Cons: N1 - Overheats due to single heat sinks not covering enough of the weapons heat.
N2 - No CASE, vulnerable to ammo hit taking out by either the Anti-Missile System or the Streak Launchers, Not as well armed in comparison to other Assaults (modern ones).
N3 - While better armed, its not as well armed as other mechs's it size.
ALL - Not range fighter, the mech likely to be taken out as it closes with superior armed opponent unless its similar. Anti-Missile system was designed when rules were different, thus ammo lasts longer and likely be vulnerable to being key to the mech being taken out. Streak 2 plinking weapons, sure they will hit if fired but they don't do much damage unless you have opened up your enemy. Biggest Con is the fluff. Only 500 of these bad boys were ever made. Thus by time ComGuards/WoB starting fielding the survivors into battle, you can count on you hands how many were left. TRO:3067 mistakenly mentioned in different Mech's fluff that the Spartan was back into production which has since been say entry wasn't correct. Thus making it sure hard get operating one. If you did and your GM was evil in a campaign setting this thing likely to have a Design Quirk on Exinct (2750) thus parts hard to obtain.