Kitsune
Mass: 35 tons
Chassis: OMNI-SF B1.6 Endo Steel
Power Plant: FSF-RELYON 175 Fusion Engine
Cruising Speed: 54 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86 km/h
Fixed Jump Jets: 0
Armor: Forging FF27
Armament:
14.5 tons of Pod Space
Manufacturer: FSF-34, aka Mammoth Line-Zeta
Primary Factory: Babylon
Communications System: FSF Omni Chatter
Targeting and Tracking System: P&P Target Lock
The Kitsune was the second First Generation OmniMech fielded by Clan Sea Fox. Named “Fox” in Japanese, the Kitsune walked off the assembly line in 2859 and stood as a totem for Clan Sea Fox for a few decades. Before 2875 trade and sales for the Kitsune were stifled somewhat by the Clan Sea Fox’s Warriors unwilling to trade their totem, and so most of the Kitsune’s appearing outside Clan Sea Fox before this time were taken as isorla.
Despite the name and tradition, the Kitsune did not even slightly resemble a Sea Fox, nor was it terribly aesthetically pleasing. The Kitsune stood only 7.6 meters from the ground, with chicken legs proximal to small, articulated arms, resembling a short theropod (except the shoulders sat in the mid-back next to the hips). The low profile was potentially awkward for sight-lines in combat, so the cockpit was elevated. If the ‘Mech could stand straight up, the head would protrude from the back near the top of the torso. The ‘Mech had more Pod Space in the left torso due to a fixed right-torso Double Heat Sink, so designers built a large cowling on the left side, dorsal to the engine. The cowl gave the ‘Mech a strange asymmetry or hunched back in all its configurations. The designers learned thereafter cowling has little functional impact and other Omni housings are possible (and even preferable); the cowling provided no benefit (or liability) to the durability of components installed in the left torso. Modern OmniMech design only rarely utilizes this type of cowling. The Kitsune’s OmniMech gyro easily managed the common asymmetry of its configurations: just 2% of all Kitsunes fielded became inoperable due to gyro shearing, and most of these casualties had served for at least 20 years.
Capabilities
The Kitsune was a rugged, Light-class trooper OmniMech, and was most often utilized as such. Though OmniMech construction made the Kitsune more expensive than other Clan Light BattleMechs, like the Horned Owl, Clan Sea Fox determined they could lean on their production to exploit the OmniMechs’ inherent ease-of-repair. Kitsune were preferred dueling and Trial OmniMechs, and DropShips baring spare parts were never distant from Kitsune in whatever role they played. Mechwarriors customarily used default configurations, understanding each was tailored to a particular mission parameter.
Like the later Kit Fox, the Kitsune traded Light-class speed for Podspace and armor. The Kitsune could only manage running around 86 kph, but had 1.5 more tons of armor, and more internal structure, than the Kit Fox. The Kitsune also offered available MASC for MechWarriors for quick redeployment.
Rather than field the Kitsune as a Jack-of-all-trades, the stock configurations specialized in particular fighting styles. The Primary Configuration was a bit of a light brawler, sporting an OmniPod-mounted “Buster” Ultra Autocannon/10, but armed itself with an Active Probe and Machine Guns in case close combat revealed the presence of infantry. Configuration A traded ballistics for missiles, with LRMs, six tubes of SRMs, and an ER Medium Laser. Configuration B was a potent sniper, with paired over-under ER PPCs and an ER Small Laser; since the Kitsune B lacked jump jets, Mechwarriors had to keep a close eye on the ebb of combat to prevent from overheating and being overrun. The main Striker option, Configuration C mounts Jump Jets and paired ER Large Lasers and ER Medium Lasers. Configuration D was a long-range harasser, mounting AC/2 Ultra autocannons and machine guns for point defense against infantry. With C, Configuration E was the primary dueling ‘Mech, combining Jump Jets, 8 ER Medium Lasers, and an ER Small Laser. Duels were decided if the left torso of the Kitsune E was disabled, since all but the ER Small Laser was mounted within the cowl.
Deployment
The Kitsune started to age with the advent of mechanized Battle Armor tactics, since many of the configurations relied heavily on torso Podspace and, in particular the Left Torso cowl. Despite this, the Kitsune only lost market share when its replacement, the Kit Fox, was released by Clan Cloud Cobra in 2890. But Clan Sea Fox maintained production, profiting from their presence in the light OmniMech market.
Unbeknownst the the Sea Foxes, their own Kitsune production had inadvertently prevented a price war in its weight-class (otherwise, they would have increased the price). When Clan Cloud Cobra took Possession by Trial of the Kitsune Mammoth line-zeta on Babylon in 2922 and stopped production, most Clans were shocked, including Clan Smoke Jaguar. The remaining light OmniMech market was now monopolized by Clan Cloud Cobra (Clans Coyote, Ghost Bear, and Ice Hellion were reticent to sell), causing prices for light OmniMechs to skyrocket. Panicking due to the rising costs, Clans like the Fire Mandrills and Hell’s Horses, who were originally content to purchase or barter for their light OmniMech replacements, suddenly issued Trials of Possession for any new and used light OmniMechs wherever they could find them.
Before the market run, the Merchant-decimated Clan Smoke Jaguar had long procured its light OmniMechs by Trials of Possession. After the market collapse, the Jaguars no longer could easily find inventory to take by Trial. In response, Clan Smoke Jaguar demanded its Scientist Caste provide its Warriors with a domestic and controllable alternative for light ‘Mech combat. Four years later the light OmniMech they introduced, the Mist Lynx, not only ended the supply shortage, but became the premier light OmniMech favored by almost all the Clans:
Kitsune (2859)
BASE
Kitsune
Mass: 35 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X
Production Year: 2859
Cost: 3,089,531 C-Bills
Battle Value: 571
Chassis: OMNI-SF B1.6 Endo-Steel
Power Plant: FSF-RELYON 175 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h (108.0 km/h)
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Forging FF27 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
14.5 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: FSF-34, aka Mammoth Line-Zeta
Primary Factory: Babylon
Communications System: FSF Omni Chatter
Targeting and Tracking System: P&P Target Lock
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 58 points 2.00
Internal Locations: 1 RT, 6 RA
Engine: Fusion Engine 175 7.00
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8 (10)
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Gyro: Standard 2.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 105 5.50
Armor Locations: 1 LT, 6 LA
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 14
Center Torso (rear) 6
L/R Torso 8 12
L/R Torso (rear) 4
L/R Arm 6 9
L/R Leg 8 13
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 30
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 6
6 0 0 0 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
CONFIGURATIONS
================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 4,083,637
Tech Rating/Era Availability: X/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,033
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
Active Probe CT 0 1 1.00
Ultra AC/10 LT 3 4 10.00
2 Machine Guns LA 0 2 0.50
@MG (200) LT - 1 1.00
@Ultra AC/10 (20) LT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 16
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 10
6 2 2 2 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, PRB, RCN, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A Cost: 4,134,262
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,503
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser CT 5 1 1.00
SRM-6 RT 4 1 1.50
2 LRM-15s LT 10 4 7.00
@SRM-6 (15) RT - 1 1.00
@SRM-6 (Inferno) (15) RT - 1 1.00
@LRM-15 (24) LT - 3 3.00
Free Critical Slots: 15
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 15
6 4 4 2 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 2/2/2, IF 2
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B Cost: 4,156,622
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,939
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 12(24) 2.00
Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
ER Small Laser CT 2 1 0.50
2 ER PPCs LT 30 4 12.00
Free Critical Slots: 17
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 19
6 3 3 3 0 1 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Cost: 4,365,450
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,914
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 5 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT 2.50
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 12(24) 2.00
Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser CT 5 1 1.00
2 ER Large Lasers LT 24 2 8.00
ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 13
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 19
6/5j 3 3 2 0 1 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D Cost: 3,763,012
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 869
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
2 Machine Guns CT 0 2 0.50
2 Machine Guns RT 0 2 0.50
2 Ultra AC/2s LT 2 4 10.00
2 Machine Guns LT 0 2 0.50
2 Machine Guns RA 0 2 0.50
2 Machine Guns LA 0 2 0.50
@MG (200) RT - 1 1.00
@Ultra AC/2 (45) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 10
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 9
6 3 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E Cost: 4,293,141
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 2,038
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 4 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT 2.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 15(30) 5.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 1 RT, 2 LA, 2 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
ER Small Laser RT 2 1 0.50
7 ER Medium Lasers LT 35 7 7.00
Free Critical Slots: 8
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 20
6/3j 5 5 0 0 1 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
By late 2870, the Sea Foxes had traded for infantry hardpoints (from Clan Hell's Horses Nova) and reworked the standard configurations of the Kitsune, so far as they could on the already restrictive chassis:
RECONFIGURATIONS (after the debut of the Nova, 2870)
================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime' Cost: 4,123,716
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,166
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
Active Probe CT 0 1 1.00
ER Small Laser CT 2 1 0.50
Ultra AC/10 LT 3 4 10.00
ER Small Laser RA 2 1 0.50
ER Small Laser LA 2 1 0.50
@Ultra AC/10 (20) LT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 16
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 12
6 3 3 2 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A' Cost: 4,049,887
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,503
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser CT 5 1 1.00
SRM-6 LT 4 1 1.50
LRM-15 RA 5 2 3.50
LRM-15 LA 5 2 3.50
@LRM-15 (24) LT - 3 3.00
@SRM-6 (15) LT - 1 1.00
@SRM-6 (Inferno) (15) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 15
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 15
6 4 4 2 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 2/2/2, IF 2
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B' Cost: 4,141,266
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,939
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 12(24) 2.00
Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
ER Small Laser CT 2 1 0.50
ER PPC RA 15 2 6.00
ER PPC LA 15 2 6.00
Free Critical Slots: 21
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 19
6 3 3 3 0 1 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C' Cost: 4,365,450
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,914
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 5 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT 2.50
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 12(24) 2.00
Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser CT 5 1 1.00
ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4.00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4.00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 13
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 19
6/5j 3 3 2 0 1 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D' Cost: 3,711,797
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,140
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
7 ER Small Lasers LT 14 7 3.50
Ultra AC/2 RA 1 2 5.00
Ultra AC/2 LA 1 2 5.00
@Ultra AC/2 (45) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 18
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 11
6 4 5 1 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E' Cost: 4,308,497
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 2,038
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 4 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT 2.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 15(30) 5.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 3 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASC HD - 1 1.00
3 ER Medium Lasers LT 15 3 3.00
ER Small Laser LT 2 1 0.50
2 ER Medium Lasers RA 10 2 2.00
2 ER Medium Lasers LA 10 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 4
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 20
6/3j 5 5 0 0 1 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA