Background
As Khan Vlad Ward sought to rebuild the Wolves battered Tourman during the 'quiet' after the Jihad several projects were afoot, the 70 ton Blood Reaper was one of the fruits of this rebuilding, another was a new Medium Mech to work alongside the popular Stormcrow. Unfortunately for the Wolves, the Stormcrow was becoming rare in their Tourman due to heavy losses and a lack of production facilities. Designed in part with assistance from Clan Hells Horses who would also produce the Mech to help restore their equally mauled Tourman the Mech was designed in the general mold of the Stormcrow although its more angular and aggressive hull and broad shouldered stance led to it being called a 'mini-Blood Reaper'. Unfortunately Khan Ward would not see the Mech enter service as delays in its production and development due to its armour saw it delayed several times and Khan Ward was killed in battle months before the first Battleborne was produced. The death of the Khan nearly also killed the Battleborne, but the joint production work between the Wolves and Horses had already seen the two Clans share the base design of the Mech and the Wolves had in return learned how to correctly forge Ferro-Lamellor armour from the Horses. Plus, with all the investment sunk into the Mech's design, it would have been more expensive to simply cancel it this late in the design and construction process, and so the Battleborne survived.
DesignAt 55-tons the Battleborne is at the top end of the Medium Mech weight scale and like the Stormcrow its 330 rated XL engine lets it hit a top speed of 96kph on even ground. Built around endo-steel bones the Mech's most notable feature and the cause of its repeated delays during development is its armour. Layered with 13.5 tons of the newly developed Ferro-Lamellor armour the Battleborne could take far more punishment than one might expect for a Mech its size. Unfortunately the newly developed armour proved difficult to forge in large quantities and it was the first paring of omni-technology with the new armour type and the gyro system had to be balanced very carefully.
Unfortunately the weight and bulk of the armour does limit the podspace but with no fixed equipment the Mech can still carry 19 tons of weapons or associated system. The initial design could only move at 86kph at full speed, and although this offered 25 tons of pod space, it was refused due to it being seen as too slow as it could 'only' move as fast as typical Clan Heavy Mechs. No Scientists was brave enough to point out to Khan Ward that the Wolves Tourman had slowed considerably thanks to Mech's like the Blood Reaper or Tundra Wolf and that Mech's like the Timberwolf were a growing rarity.
Produced in growing numbers following the formation of the Wolf Empire despite resources being syphoned off to a new Stormcrow that was rumored to be under development the Battleborne became a more common sight in the 3100's.
DeploymentDue to its delayed introduction to service followed by the upheaval of the Wolves moving to Marik Space the Battleborne remains quite uncommon although it will most often be found in Striker Stars as the ride of the Star Commander. In Clan Hells Horses service the Mech fits in well with their interpretation of the Mongol Doctrine and as most variants place an emphasis on energy weapons it can remain in the field for longer than older generation Mechs.
VariantsPrime - Designed to be a skirmisher and general purpose Mech with a balanced mix of weapons for all ranges the Prime's main punch comes from an ER PPC,the same type of weapon used on the Blood Reaper. This gives the Mech a good long range punch and heavy hitter. At shorter ranges a pair of Medium pulse lasers and Streak SRM-6 launchers meshed well together. A threat at long and short range, the Prime can run hot when pushed as the cooling system is altered very little. This is a theme that runs through the various configurations with most of them running warm when pushed.
Battleborne Prime
Clan advanced
55 tons
BV: 2,323
Cost: 15,424,728 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 330 XL
Heat Sinks: 11 [22]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 185/185 (Ferro-Lamellor)
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 PPC LA 15
Streak SRM 6 LT 4
Streak SRM 6 RT 4
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4
Ammo Loc Shots
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Streak SRM 6 Ammo LT 15
Streak SRM 6 Ammo RT 15
!MechView.CarringCapacity!One battle armor squad
A - Built for duels and long running battles the A only carries two weapons but these are an ER PPC and an Improved Heavy Large laser, both of which are tied into a targetting computer. This gives the Mech a ferocious bite at shorter ranges and allows it to make itself known at longer ranges. Popular with Horse Warriors who follow the Mongol Doctrine, they prefer the A's punch and aggression to the more measured approach of the Prime.
Battleborne A
Clan advanced
55 tons
BV: 2,300
Cost: 15,304,603 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 330 XL
Heat Sinks: 17 [34]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 185/185 (Ferro-Lamellor)
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
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 PPC LA 15
Improved Heavy Large Laser RA 18
Equipment Loc
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Targeting Computer RT
!MechView.CarringCapacity!One battle armor squad
B - Originating with Clan Hells Horses the B is built to operate as part of their combined arms approach and engage hostile combined arms forces. A HAG-20 fed by a 3-ton ammunition drum lets it engage targets at all ranges and act as a fearsome AA gun to counter hostile VTOL and aerospace assets. An ER large laser and pair of AP Gauss rifles round out the Mech's armament, making it equally fearsome against armoured and unarmoured targets. The biggest criticism though comes from its limited endurance and its reliance on the HAG.
Battleborne B
Clan advanced
55 tons
BV: 1,961
Cost: 15,296,853 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 330 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 185/185 (Ferro-Lamellor)
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
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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HAG/20 LA 4
ER Large Laser RA 12
AP Gauss Rifle LT 1
AP Gauss Rifle RT 1
Ammo Loc Shots
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HAG/20 Ammo LA 6
HAG/20 Ammo LA 6
HAG/20 Ammo LA 6
AP Gauss Rifle Ammo CT 40
!MechView.CarringCapacity!One battle armor squad
C- Clearly drawing inspiration from the Stormcrow the C armament is mostly energy based although a formidable ATM-9 with 3 tons of ammunition fills out one of its torsos. With the brutal fighting of the Jihad in mind, the C has fully articulated hands and arms if a Warrior needs to punch with the Mech. An ER large laser and a quartet of ER Medium lasers form the main armament and although it is somewhat undergunned by Clan standards, the weapons mix is viable at all ranges and the cooling system allows a Warrior to use their weapons if used wisely, a full alpha strike is not advised due to the heavy heat surge.
Battleborne C
Clan advanced
55 tons
BV: 2,294
Cost: 15,853,206 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 330 XL
Heat Sinks: 13 [26]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 185/185 (Ferro-Lamellor)
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
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 Large Laser LA 12
ER Medium Laser RA 5
ER Medium Laser RA 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
ER Medium Laser LT 5
ATM 9 RT 6
Ammo Loc Shots
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ATM 9 Ammo RT 7
ATM 9 ER Ammo RT 7
ATM 9 HE Ammo RT 7
!MechView.CarringCapacity!One battle armor squad
D - Designed as a support unit, the D's main punch comes from a pair of Artemis V enhanced LRM-15's each with their own 2-ton ammunition bin. These launchers are mounted on the arms to give the widest possible firing arcs. For defensive firepower the Mech has a pair of Improved heavy medium lasers and a pair of ER medium lasers, cooling again is a problem, but only if a Warrior fires everything. Although it lacks a solid knock-down punch, Warriors do appreciate the D's flexibility and long range firepower.
Battleborne D
Clan advanced
55 tons
BV: 2,198
Cost: 16,953,706 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 330 XL
Heat Sinks: 11 [22]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 185/185 (Ferro-Lamellor)
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
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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LRM 15 LA 5
LRM 15 RA 5
Improved Heavy Medium Laser LT 7
Improved Heavy Medium Laser RT 7
ER Medium Laser LT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
Ammo Loc Shots
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LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo RA 8
LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo LA 8
LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo RA 8
LRM 15 (Clan) Artemis-capable Ammo LA 8
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Artemis V FCS LA
Artemis V FCS RA
!MechView.CarringCapacity!One battle armor squad
E - Although undergunned for its size and weight class the E Configuration is designed to hunt down hostile infantry and armoured forces in built up terrain. Although its lack of jump jets can be a disadvantage, the E's electronics let it sniff out hostile forces and then eliminate them with its pulse lasers, AP Gauss and Plasma cannon. Like most Battleborns the E can run hot when pushed, and it is often paired with another Mech to provide heavier anti-mech firepower.
Battleborne E
Clan advanced
55 tons
BV: 1,930
Cost: 15,950,081 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 330 XL
Heat Sinks: 11 [22]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 91 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 185/185 (Ferro-Lamellor)
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------
Clan TAG RA 0
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4
AP Gauss Rifle RT 1
AP Gauss Rifle LT 1
Plasma Cannon LA 7
Small Pulse Laser LT 2
Small Pulse Laser RT 2
Small Pulse Laser LA 2
Small Pulse Laser RA 2
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
AP Gauss Rifle Ammo RT 40
Plasma Cannon Ammo LA 10
Plasma Cannon Ammo LA 10
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Active Probe LA
ECM Suite LT
!MechView.CarringCapacity!One battle armor squad
With the Battleborne I was kind of going for a 'missing link' and testbed all in one. With advanced armour coming more common the Wolves would want to make an 'answer' to the growing number of Mech's with advanced armour as well as being able to see what works and what does not. It could also be a missing link in the development of the Ryoken Skinwalker.
As always, thoughts and comments are most welcome!
