’Mech of the Week: BLR-** BattleMaster
One of the most iconic chasses of BattleTech, the 85-ton
BattleMaster has a fearsome reputation. One that has been enhanced by being piloted by such icons as the Red Corsair, Hanse Davion, and “Wacko” Wayne Rodgers. It is also one of most prolific.
Seriously, I was preparing for this article, counted the number of variants and went
Holy Crap!Twenty-five! The only other with that many is the 75-ton
Marauder.
The Game Master of my local group also has used these machines in the past. Unfortunately, his luck with them rivals that of Hellbie with dice rolls. This has left me less than impressed with the design.
Produced by Hollis at its Corey plant, the
BattleMaster reversed the bad fortunes of its manufacturer. At least until the First Succession War turned the plant into a self-lighting parking lot. Entering service in 2633, the BLR-1G remained the baseline up through the Fourth Succession War.
Built using what would now be considered low-tech materials (which since Hollis was still reeling from the
Xanthos debacle is all they had), the chassis mounted a VOX 340-rated engine, the same as the slightly more venerable LGB-OW
Longbow. Fourteen and a half tons of armor grants 88% of maximum protection. This allows for any front location to sustain a Class-20 blast, with the chest able to take two. Rear locations can withstand a large laser hit, while the center rear can take a little more than a PPC shot.
The weapons load consists of a right arm mounted PPC, left arm mounted twin machine guns, a 6-pack SRM on the left shoulder and three medium lasers in each side torso, one of them rear-mounted. Two tons of SRM and one ton of machine gun ammunition are placed in the left torso making that location rather hazardous. Eighteen heat sinks struggle to deal with the heat output.
A limited number of BLR-1G-DC models were produced. These models mounted a command console, removing the rear-facing medium lasers and one heat sink to pay for the added weight. Late in the Star League era five more variants were created. This first, the BLR-1Gc was apparently intended for commanding Regular units. This one ups the heat sinks to doubles, removing one along with the machine guns to install a command console.
The next two were Royal upgrades. The BLR-1Gb uses an endo-steel skeleton, uses seventeen double heat sinks, and is armed with an ER PPC in each arm, a centerline large pulse laser and two medium lasers in each side torso. The other is the BLR-1Gbc, which removes three heat sinks to install a command console.
The final two appear in Era Report 2750. One took part in a battle on Fallon II in 2729, towards the end of the Davion Civil War. Designated the BLR-1Gd, this model removed the machine guns and ammo, exchanged the forward-firing mediums of the BLR-1G for medium pulses, and uses sixteen double-strength heat sinks. The other shows up in the sadistic Hades Event of the Martial Olympiad. For the Gold Medal match, a special BLR-1GHE, or “HellSlinger” uses sixteen double heat sinks, the machine guns and SRM rack removed to put in three 2-pack Streak SRMs (with one ton of ammunition), and two forward-firing mediums were removed to add a second Particle Cannon to the opposite arm. While the description states another half-ton of armor was added after switching the ferro-fibrous, I cannot seem to finagle it on the design.
After the Exodus and the destruction of the First Succession War, the
BattleMaster soldiered on. Two new variants entered service with Houses Steiner and Davion. The first is the BLR-1S, which removes the PPC, machine guns, rear-firing lasers and 6-pack SRM for two heat sinks, a left arm mounted 15-rack LRM, a 2-pack SRM in the right arm, and a 5-rack LRM and 2-pack SRM in the left torso. One ton of each size and type of ammo are allocated. The other is the BLR-1D which removes the 6-pack SRM and rear-firing lasers from the BLR-1G to add six heat sinks and one ton of armor.
One other variant was created during this era. A product of ComStar, the BLR-2C came to light mostly from the mistake of one Precentor when he shipped one batch to the Draconis Combine during the buildup to the War of 3039. Removing one ton of SRM ammo, and the machine guns, to add a Beagle Active Probe and an anti-missile system. (Come to think of it, I seem to recall a BLR-1C model that showed up in the Tukayyid campaign… Think it had double heat sinks.)
Around the time of the Clan Invasion, a factory on Keystone started to produce a new variant, the BLR-3M, using some of the technologies recovered from the Helm Core. This model upgrades the PPC to an ER model, uses double heat sinks, and removes one machine gun for CASE, though the possibility of a catastrophic cascade could still render the pilot extinct. A second variant, the BLR-3S differs from the -1G by removing the machine guns and PPC for four heat sinks and a 20-rack LRM. The lasers are upgraded to pulse variants and an extralight engine was used. Half a ton of armor was removed, taking one point from the center rear and all front locations save the head.
It wasn’t until the Civil War era that the next variant entered service. Designated the BLR-4S, it was plagued by production delays that ceased shortly before the main plant it was produced at was overrun by the Jade Falcons. As such, while it serves in the Lyran armies (and possibly other Inner Sphere groups), it also has become something to fill out second-line units. First, the rear-facing lasers were turned to front fire. The original front-facing lasers were upgraded to extended versions. The SRM pack gained Artemis IV fire-control. The machine guns were replaces with small pulse lasers. A light engine was used, as well as CASE to protect the missile ammunition. Thirteen double heat sinks struggle with the heat load. This is even though the PPC has been swapped for a Gauss Rifle. And ferro-fibrous was used, adding some armor.
Around the same time, the factory of Keystone started to produce the BLR-5M, which takes the -3M, swaps the PPC for a Light Gauss Rifle, removes the machine gun and SRM pack, turns all the medium lasers forward and makes the extended models and adds an extended-model large laser slung under the big gun. Four heat sinks were removed.
After the Lyon’s Thumb incident, House Kurita experimented on some of its captured
BattleMasters. The first variant, designated the BLR-K3 starts with an extralight engine, retains the ER PPC, puts two extended mediums in the left arm, two more into the center torso in rear-firing position, adds an extended large in each side torso, uses a Streak 6-rack SRM on the left shoulder, and finally a C3 Master. Eighteen double heat sinks struggle against the heat output. All ammunition is CASEd. The right hand has also been removed.
The other variant is the much-maligned BLR-CM. The engine was downgraded to a 255 Standard. Jump jets were installed to allow for some maneuverability. A ton and a half more armor was added. Sixteen heat sinks were used to cool the machine’s ER PPC, twin extended mediums, and 30-pack MRM launcher. Ammo is CASEd. Two C3 Masters round out the equipment. Both hands were also removed.
Then the Jihad happened. A number of variants entered service during this period. The BLR-M3 uses a light engine, twelve double heat sinks, and maximizes the armor protection through the use of heavy ferro-fibrous. The weapons load consists of a Light Gauss Rifle, two Light PPCs, twin medium pulse lasers, and a 5-shot MML launcher, fed by two tons of CASEd ammo. Finally, a C3 Master computer is installed. The right hand is also missing.
The Falcons used their Pandora plant to create a
BattleMaster C model. Utilizing Clan technology, this monster utilizes an endo-steel skeleton, a 340-rated extralight engine, mounts maximum armor, fifteen double heat sinks, and is armed with a HAG-30 (four tons of ammo), a 6-shot ATM (3 tons), and two medium pulse and one medium laser in each side torso. All of the non-missile weapons are tied into a targeting computer.
The third, the BLR-10S is a radical redesign. Built around an Edasich 255-rated compact engine and a heavy-duty gyroscope, this design is meant to take a lot of punishment. Standard plate gives the design maximum protection. Armament consists of an ER PPC on the right arm, three extended mediums in each side torso, a rear-facing extended small in the head, a 4-pack Streak launcher on the left shoulder, with one ton of CASEd ammo, an anti-battle armor pod on each leg, and a Guardian ECM suite in the center. Twenty double heat sinks try to moderate the heat output. The right hand is missing. A subvariant, the BLR-10S2 removes one of the heat sinks to add the hand back, and install a C3 Slave under the PPC.
The final Jihad variant is the BLR-K4. Using a 255-rated extralight engine and a heavy-duty gyro, this design uses fifteen tons of standard plate. Fourteen double heat sinks try to moderate the heat load. Weapons consist of a Gauss Rifle in the right arm, a large pulse and Snub-Nose PPC in the left arm, and an extended medium in each side torso. The rest of the weight is taken up by five Improved Jump Jets, making this likely to give its foes the most surprises.
Two variants have since entered service. The first is a Liao creation, the BLR-4L. This variant uses a Light Gauss Rifle, twin Light PPCs, twin extended mediums, and a 7-pack MML launcher with three tons of ammunition (not CASEd). Finally the design mounts thirteen tons of Stealth armor (the Guardian sits in the left arm). The majority of lost protection comes from the center torso, which can only take two Gauss slugs.
The final standard variant is the experimental variant. Designated the BLR-6X, the design is based around an endo-steel chassis, and mounts a 425-rated large superlight engine, the same as on the Sasquatch. Sixteen double heat sinks struggle with the heat load of the weapons load, which consists of a Heavy PPC on the right arm, an ER PPC on the left, an extended medium in each side torso, and a right shoulder mounted Streak 6-pack. One ton of ammo is CASEd.
This leaves the personal variants. While we don’t have the personal configuration of the Fox, Hanse Davion (whether it was a custom job or a standard config and he was just That Damn Good©), we do have that of the Red Corsair. Though this was the Red Corsair from the novel
Natural Selection. The BLR-1G Red Corsair seems to be based on the BLR-1Gbc and with one or two tweaks might actually be a IIc variant of sorts (though not like those in the MechWarrior 2 game). The first change from that variant is the use of a Clantech 340 extralight engine. The weapons are Clantech, and consist of a PPC on each arm, a large pulse laser in the centerline, and three medium pulses in each side torso, one rear-facing. Twenty-one Clantech double heat sinks allow for constant running fire of the PPCs and large pulse. Sixteen tons of standard plate give the variant 97% of maximum protection. It appears that the cockpit, armor and inner structure are the only Spheroid technology on the design, all of which could be made with Clantech for little to no issue.
The second personal ride is that of “Wacko” Wayne Rogers, who got justice from Jaime himself for the crime of attacking the Dragoons. Based on the BLR-3M, Rogers’s configuration differs by removing the machine guns and SRM, shifting one medium laser from each torso to the left arm, and adding seven 2-pack Streak launchers, five in the left torso, two in the right. One ton of CASEd ammunition feeds the launchers. Ferro-fibrous armor was used to boost protection to 98%. Five heat sinks were removed, leaving the design lagging if everything were to fire at once.
The final person with known configurations is Calvin Magdaleno of the reborn Black Widow Company. Actually, he has two. The first is the BLR-4S Calvin. Apparently taken from a Blakist refit yard (which might mean they were in the process of designing their own variant), his differs from standard by swapping the Gauss for a Class-5 Rotary autocannon, which apparently Calvin can unjam the moment it starts to freeze. Two tons of ammo feed the beast. The SRM has been upgraded to a Streak version, dropping the ammunition stores to one ton. The small pulse lasers have been replaced with Light PPCs. Two heat sinks were added. Finally, CASE was installed to guard the volatile autocannon ammunition. The other variant, the BLR-4S Calvin II swaps the standard medium lasers for twin machine guns (fed by a half ton of ammo) and swaps the armor for laser reflective, with the side effect of dropping protection to 85%.
The
BattleMaster is also the inspiration of an offshoot called the
Warlord. If I remember correctly, there was at least one
BattleMaster IIC in the
Mechwarrior 2 video game.
Using one of these machines starts with the simple admonition to watch your heat. Most variants have abhorrent heat problems if you don’t keep an eye on it. Most models are built with the idea of standing off and exchange fire at range, something suitable for a command design. Try to keep from being flanked and being overrun. While you are an assault, you still can be taken. Most variants do CASE their ammo, so aside from a catastrophic cascade, your pilot should live. However every single Gauss variant does not have CASE on the gun side. Take care to protect the rifle as much as possible. If you happen to be lugging around a C3 Master, keep hidden or behind lots of cover. This goes double with the BLR-CM, as you are likely Company Command.
Fighting one starts with preparing yourself for potential losses. You will likely need to shoot him until he stops moving. Since he will likely want to be at range, use things like Gauss Rifles and PPCs. Aside from one variant, those models that carry ammunition weapons tend to have very explosive left torsos, so target those first. The lone exception is the BLR-6X, whose ammo is in the right torso, and since he has a superlight engine, blowing it would be very effective. As noted, Gauss-toting designs tend not to have CASE on that side torso (aside from the Clan model which cheats), and blowing the dang thing tends to make pilots a little loopy, so targeting that is also an option. As for C3 Master-toting designs, the right torso is where one always is. The BLR-CM has one in each side, but I’d probably just target the center and core the bastard.
While I hope this article has been entertaining, I must admit I am exhausted. Even my brain finds it hard to wrap around 25 different variants at one time.
