Mech of the Week: Nobori-nin (Huntsman)

[Pa Weasley]

TO: Devlin Stone
FROM: David Lear
November 25, 3083

So to add just one more kink to our goal of integrating our hodge-podge forces into a unified army, I'm getting complaints that personnel sometimes find themselves serving along side unfamiliar equipment. One of my staff suggested that brief primers might be useful for bringing soldiers up to speed. With the large number of Nova Cat warriors that joined our ranks, their Nobori-nin  has become a not uncommon sight. It's a solid medium OmniMech and most of the standard configurations are reasonably effective, sometimes in spite of questionable choices. In view of our relations with the Nova Cats we may consider approaching them to purchase additional chassis.

I've attached the draft my people banged out for your review.

Nobori-nin (Huntsman)

Technical Readout 3058 Upgrade. page 175. Wolfnet. 3070

The Nobori-nin (Huntsman to Clan warriors) was first deployed by Clan Nova Cat in the Inner Sphere at the Battle of Luthien. The war machine's distinctive sail inspired the defending DCMS troops to christen the design “Banner-bearer” from back-mounted banners of ancient Japan. Since the machine was not widespread it lead to some initial speculation that the design carried some dishonor. The reality was that the first examples didn't roll off the lines until the start of the invasion. The Nobori-nin soon became Clan Nova Cat's primarily front-line medium Omnimech. INN went so far as to refer to it as “the quintessential Nova Cat medium ’Mech” in Era Report: 3052 (p. 61).  Part of this prevalence is due to the Clan setting up no less than two manufacturing facilities within Irece Prefecture. The first manufacturing center on Brim was gifted to Clan Cloud Cobra along with the rest of the enclave during the Nova Cat's abjurement. With the current blackout of the Clan Home Worlds the fate of that facility is anyone's guess.

The vast majority of Huntsmans remain in the hands (paws?) of their creators. Outside of our own forces they can be spotted in the ranks of Clan Diamond Shark and the occasional Combine unit. Though we shouldn't be shocked to find the odd example tucked within the touman of the Ghost Bear Dominion, isorla taken during the Combine-Dominion War.

The heart of this work horse is a Consolidated 250 XL fusion engine. While not winning any speed records, the Nobori-nin tops out at a respectable 86 kph with Starlifter M50s jump jets keeping the 'Mech nimble. Matching the weight and movement profile of the Black Hawk (Nova) it's difficult not to draw comparisons to the  older and more widespread 'Mech. While the older Omnimech's designers sought to simplify production the Nova Cats spared no expense. The Huntsman's endo steel internal structure is protected by a chassis-straining nine tons of ferro-fibrous armor, the maximum this fifty-tonner can carry. Fortunately the Technicians in charge of designing the Huntsman were smart enough to ensure that every front location could withstand a direct hit from at least a Gauss slug. (Well except for the head.) The legs and center torso can take a round from the AC/20 and still have protection to spare. The center torso is the only rear location that can absorb a strike from a Clan medium laser. The rear left and right carry just enough protection to withstand an Inner Sphere medium pulse laser.

All that weight saving technology provides the Omni' with plenty of pod space, twenty-three and a half tons to be specific. More than any Clan medium OmniMech except the enigmatic “Pariah” and more than a few heavy and assault ones to boot.  Next will have a quick review of what the Nobori-nin does with all that pod space for the eight known standard configurations.

Nobori-nin Prime – The Prime appears to have be developed from observations of Inner Sphere combat by the Nova Cat warriors who accompanied the first waves of Operation REVIVAL. They saw that not only would they be facing battlemechs, but vehicles and non-battle armor infantry and whatever else those “surats” could muster. The result was a veritable smorgasbord of weapons and equipment. Simply put the Prime has something for every range and target. An Ultra AC-2, Artemis IV enhanced LRM-10, a powerful quartet of ER medium lasers backed up by the crit-seaking capabilities of a Streak SRM-6, a versatile flamer and  two anti-personnel pods, active probe, an anti-missile system and a TAG laser. It's just the type of kitchen sink design than would make a (former) Free Worlds League engineer weep. Needless to say the Prime is going to suffer at the hands of more focused 'Mechs. But if you have no idea what you may find in your crosshairs there's something to be said for versatility. Just watch you heat gauge with this one.

jymset: My 2 cents: essentially, the Prime is a heavy scout. It wins due to BJ-1 syndrome: it balances extremely questionable equipment choices with a quartet of the Clans’ best weapon, the ERML. All in all, this ‘Mech actually has heavy firepower, just not at first glance.

Nobori-nin A – Two large Clan pulse lasers and the heat sinks to use them even while bounding across the battlefield. It's hard to argue with that. Backing up the lasers are an LRM-10 launcher and an LB 2-X autocannon. While the missiles are a reasonable support weapon the autocannon doesn't find much use outside of anti-aircraft and very long range harassment fire. Most warriors choose the A for the pulse lasers and simply curse the Technician who selected the autocannon.

jymset: Exactly. It remains a supremely deadly ‘Mech until this very day due to this. If anything, the LB-X serves to keep BV down. This is pure gold, and never has the maligned light cannon been so singularly good.

Nobori-nin B – Often described as a striker or fast raider, the Huntsman B is well equipped for the job. The ER PPC is one of the most feared weapons on the modern battlefield providing solid hitting power at all ranges. For additional mid-range hole punching an LB 10-X is mounted on the left arm and is equally at home filling those holes with cluster rounds. Backup weaponry is provided by two medium pulse lasers mounted with the PPC. The twin mini-guns are available for point defense and are fantastic for converting infantry into chunky salsa. Unleashing the fully arsenal will start to make things a bit toasty for the pilot though. Fortunately the jump jets can keep the 'Mech mobile even after the safety mechanisms have started to kick in.

jymset: To a veritable Summoner fanatic, this variant never stood out as much as it should have…

Nobori-nin C- On paper the C looks to be a fair long range fighter. A pair of large, long range missile racks supported by an Ultra AC-5 certainly project a fair bit of firepower out to 600 plus meters. Those mismatched LRMs have shallow bins though. Warriors often close to approximately 400 meters to gain accuracy for those few shots as well as bring the ER medium laser to bear. The result is a brutal, all be it brief, barrage. Should the target survive after the LRMs run dry, closing and adding volleys from the Streak SRM-4 and ER small laser should finish it off. A multipurpose flamer is also nestled in the right torso for all your anti-infanty, heat generating, and fire starting needs. Many may gripe over the inefficiency of having both an LRM-20 and an LRM-15 on the same machine, but it gets the job done. The same can be said for the Ultra AC-5.

jymset: Thank you! I never understood the automatic loathing of mismatched missile/ballistic weapons. One doesn’t really impeach on the other, does it? I remember being quite shocked when my Night Gyr F was poorly received on account of its mismatched HAGs. I can blame it for its high BV, sure, but not the HAGs, which have identical range, similarly deep ammo bins, and are located independently of each other on the ‘Mech. Same here, though the shallowness of the bins on the Huntsman C is a worry. In sheer terms of idiosyncracy, this was my favourite of the initial configs, though I used the Prime and especially the A to greatest effect.

Nobori-nin D - The first new configuration seen after the Nova Cats settled in Irece Prefecture is also the first to mount the ATM-6 system (with a full three tons of ammo) that would be seen on most of the more recent pods. Thankfully that also marks to abandonment of the lower caliber autocannons found on most of the previous configurations. In many ways it's a striker configuration in the mold of the B. The centerpiece is a HEAP round spewing Ultra AC-10 fed by two tons of ammo. Ammo independent weaponry comes mainly in the form of two medium pulse lasers. A small pulse laser gives the Huntsman D anti-infantry capability without the danger of an ammo explosion as well as bit more damage within 180 meters. While a more cool running machine than the B, the D lacks a “head capping” weapon. It also has the trade off of having a higher damage potential offset by a greater reliance on dumb luck to make the most of the autocannon and ATM. Then again this configuration was brought to you by the warrior-mystic Nova Cats.

jymset: Compared to the B, this is shockingly inefficient. IMO the 10-class is the single caliber of AC where the LB-X is vastly superior to the UAC. Replacing an ERPPC with an ATM6… uh… And this is a clear case of new toy syndrome, with an excessive amount of ATM ammo for a single rack. IMO this one is a true failboat.

Pa Weasley: I've come to love the D honestly. To me it's another example of the Huntsman working in spite of itself.

Nobori-nin E – The most recent standardized configuration, it's arguably a modernized and simplified version of the Prime. The missile racks have been replaced with a single ATM-6 launcher. The anti-missile system, TAG, and active probe have been retained, all be it as the light versions. Many a Nova Cat warrior must have cheered as the Ultra AC-2 was replaced with a large pulse laser. While losing range, it massively improved both damage and accuracy. Two pulse medium pulse lasers and an ER small laser complete the weapon package. The quirk of the Nobori-nin E is the four additional double heat sinks. A pilot has to jump and alpha strike before taking any heat. The configuration was either intended for very aggressive (or inexperienced) warriors fighting in close quarters or against opponents with a love of plasma weapons and infernos. As with the mismatched LRMs of the C, there may have been more efficient choices than spending all that weight on heat sinks. In the end the E is serviceable but leaves some room for tweaking.   

jymset: Problem here is that the Jihad-era upgrade of RS 3058U actually did not have the same directive as RS 3060 (to feature TM or TO/Advanced stuff). This resulted in what was IMO “the boringest” (thank you Mr. Plinkett!) of all new configs.

OTOH, it’s actually pretty durned serviceable, so I guess…                         

Nobori-nin H – The H configuration is the type of flashbulb beast we've come to expect from Clan Nova Cat since the harsh lessons of Tukayyid. Solid long range firepower is provided by paired ER large lasers tied into a targeting computer. Once in knife fighting range, four heavy medium lasers and a small heavy laser give the Huntsman H a substantial short range wallop. No less than six pod-mounted double heat sinks keep this laser boat running cool provided the pilot isn't foolish, or desperate, enough to alpha strike. Completing the equipment package are an ECM suite and an active probe. With the quad heavy lasers and ECM suite, the H was ideal for isolating, then obliterating Blakist C3i spotters. All together, the H is an impressive package whether performing strikes or recon.

jymset: It is one of the few H configs which I like a lot!

Nobori-nin N – A long ranged horror, the N was popularized by Star Captain Calvin Deleportas. Mounting both an ER PPC and an ER large laser slaved to a targeting computer it certainly has plenty of “reach out and touch someone” potential. Even with three pod-mounted double heat sinks, the cooling system is taxed by these two powerful weapons.  ER (or standard) missiles from the ATM-6 can be sent down range with one of the heavy guns to give the heat sinks a break. At more personal distances a heavy medium laser and six tubes of HE ATM rounds with alternating ER weapons dishes out damage with minimal stress on the cooling system. Simply put, the Huntsman N is a powerful configuration capable of being a terror in the hands of an aggressive and experienced warrior.

jymset: [The heavy medium laser] adds another ton of weight to the tarcomp. I find that hard to justify. OTOH, an SSRM2 would weigh just as much, so yeah…

While an unlikely scenario while serving in the RAF, should you go up against a Nobori-nin remember that in the end it's only a medium 'Mech. Even with the maximum amount of armor on every location neither the arms nor side torsos can take repeated hits from the most powerful of modern weapons. Taking the XL fusion engine into account the Omni' can find itself crippled with a few well-aimed shots. This is only exacerbated by the Huntsman's average speed.

Stop by the Master Unit List for more info and Camo Specs has a pair from Gencon dioramas and  several other examples for your viewing pleasure.

Authors note: I wanted to thank jymset for not only letting me take a crack at this MotW article but taking the time to review and provide his comments.

[LastChanceCav]

The Huntsman has always been one of my favorite clan mediums - largely due to the A and B configurations, both excellent at dealing with whatever type of opposition the IS might care to field. I liked it so much I had to design an IS version for the DCMS --> http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,1849.msg38595.html

Cheers,
LCC

[Savage Coyote]

It's a 'mech I've always wanted to like, but it's BV was so high (even in BV1 days) that I avoided it.  As the factions I played pretty heavily (Coyotes, Blood Spirits) didn't have access to it, I usually used their BV-cheaper units and would have better pilots, raining down more hits than the Huntsman (even the A.)  I think it's as much of a faction thing as anything else.  Love the art, miniature, and even some of the oddball configs.  I actually liked the D and used it a few times when it first came out, but man the H looks pretty nice.  Lack of a TC is an issue in close, but then thats heavy lasers for you.

I think being so Nova Cat exclusive you don't see it all that often; I know I've only fought it a few times in twelve years...

[Pa Weasley]

The Huntsman does pop up in the Wars of Reaving Supplemental 3085 RATs, mostly with the Cloud Cobras. But you're right, it's not a very widespread design.

[Iron Mongoose]

Its definatly the mech the Nova wanted to be, but never was.  It ballances that out a bit by using a lot of low end ACs, but as mentioned it inveriably backs them with some truely excelent weapons (Clan LRMs, ER MLs, LPLs, and so on) which makes thouse some of the best veriants, and not some of the worst.  Of course, the really optomised ones like the N are true terrors, the Periah before there was a Periah (Septacemia? I can never remember the real name).  Yes, it helps that the Nova and Summoner are a bit older, and so they don't benifit from some of the advances in design philosophy that made 3058 a golden era of mech design, but the Huntsman shines as one of the 5/8/5 gems, and a good hard hitting medium.  A few more optomized veriants and no one would never let their opponent take one onto the field.

As to the article's comments, the main one to point to is: "in the end it's only a medium 'Mech."  While true, as the article itself admits, it has maximum armor, its XL is a Clan XL that can survive the loss of one side torso, and not a single veriant lacks a long ranged weapon (most veriants mount a truely extreem ranged weapon like an ATM or AC2).  Even if you've got a Falconer or Jinggau or other heavy cav mech with good range and power, it can be a tricky mech to pin down because it can fight quite nicely from 25 or 27 hexes out thankyou.  The only mechs that can both run it down and still hope to out shoot it are high end Clan mediums like the Stormcrow or Linebacker (which, lets face it, is basicly a big medium anyway).  It never has to sit there and let a good solid heavy or assualt unload on it and expose that medium mech armor.

[Weirdo]

I wonder if the Nova Cats have a history of feuding with folks who really like air support, either prior to the invasion or during the early stages? If so, that might explain why their signature Omni has so many configs with a good AA gun onboard.

[Matti]

Article introduced me several words I had to look up from dictionary and Wikipedia, like Smörgåsbord (misspelled in the article)

[Orin J.]

visually, the "banner-bearer" is a bit of an odd trait in clan omnis. most of the omnimechs found in clan development like to reuse entire component designs from other existing 'mechs, but the Nobori-nin seems to have nothing from earlier or given to later clan omnimechs i know of (feel free to correct me), possibly indicating this 'mech was a design testbed for internal innovations that fell somewhat short of the design team's expectations in combat.

that aside, it's terribly generic for the most part. blocky arms and torso, inset cockpit screen, very basic legs. if it didn't possess a sweet tailfin it would probably be entirely forgettable, but then clanners don't care much for style.  actually, it looks a little like a clan version of the Merlin except for all the podspace kept in the shoulders, but what are the odds the nova cats had a vision that told them to omni-fy and improve that 'mech design before they encountered it?

[Istal_Devalis]

I wonder if the Nova Cats have a history of feuding with folks who really like air support, either prior to the invasion or during the early stages? If so, that might explain why their signature Omni has so many configs with a good AA gun onboard.

Mostly we feuded with the Smoke Jaguars, so draw from that what you will. That said, we DO have a tendency to really like aerospace support, so it could be something we tossed in for internal trials, too.

Personally, I've always liked LB2X's. They're such fun and annoying little plinking guns.

[Weirdo]

Well, Clans do tend to try and prepare to fight against their own strengths instead of their neighbors, so this might make sense. I do think the Cats were described as being historically skilled in the aero/space arena.

[Iron Mongoose]

The Cats gained a strong naval tradition, just in time to fight their show down with the Bears, so I've always taken that with a small grain of salt.  But, they've never really been spoken of in the same terms as the Cobras or Mongeese or anything like that, and their clusters don't seem to have an over abundance of fighters.  They have their hover drop manuver (which the fixed jets on the Hunstman would be perfict for) but that's a dropship/mech thing, and not really fighter centric. 

Honestly, I don't mind the AC2s just for fighting regular old trials.  Yes, its week, but you can strike early and strike often, so it adds up more than you'd think it would.  And of course its murder on tanks, too, which could hint of past feuds with the Horses or Spirits, or simply an adaptation to the Inner Sphere.

[Istal_Devalis]

It's not so much that we focused on fighters or had more of them then (as I suspect is the reason they gave us that 2nd place Naval rating, all those Aegis cruisers). It's that we like air support and thus tend not to get rid of them during bidding like the other Clans do. So if the Cats and another clan were bidding on a goal, the Nova Cats might have one more star of fighters and one less star Elementals once the bidding was done, in comparison.

[Dragon Cat]

nice article Pa Weasley, not my favorite OmniMech but by far the worse one

[Ratwedge]

All those Anti-Air weapons make sense when you consider the Nova Cat's are pro's and/or love to launch their Omnimechs out of a Hovering Dropshisp high in the sky. Long range weapons to keep both their distant ground targets and Aerial enemies honest as they descend to ground level.

[Nightsky]

I always found the Huntsman to be a solid and mobile Medium mech with some really nice standard configs. While it is similar to the Nova in tonnage and movement profile, if you're limited to standard omnipod loadouts then it's quite distinct and does things that the Nova doesn't. For me the Huntsman's best configs make it more of a harasser or long-range fencer role than the Nova (but then that may be because I only ever really use the Nova Prime, H and S and brawl with it).

 

[Neufeld]

I just wonder if they Cat's love of the ATMs over SRMs is due to an older preference for the small-caliber ACs, which are now being replaced by ATMs?

[Istal_Devalis]

If I had to guess, it's a combo of the ER ammo calling to our LR Marksmanship instinct, and the fact that it's one of the things the Diamond Sharks always seem to have on hand.

[Ian Sharpe]

It's a 'mech I've always wanted to like, but it's BV was so high (even in BV1 days) that I avoided it.  As the factions I played pretty heavily (Coyotes, Blood Spirits) didn't have access to it, I usually used their BV-cheaper units and would have better pilots, raining down more hits than the Huntsman (even the A.)  I think it's as much of a faction thing as anything else.  Love the art, miniature, and even some of the oddball configs.  I actually liked the D and used it a few times when it first came out, but man the H looks pretty nice.  Lack of a TC is an issue in close, but then thats heavy lasers for you.

I think being so Nova Cat exclusive you don't see it all that often; I know I've only fought it a few times in twelve years...

The H does have a TC.  Its one of the best H configs around. 

[Pa Weasley]

Really, what makes an ATM look efficient more than a low caliber autocannon.  ::) I can see a fluff excuse being that it take fewer resources to produce a single launcher versus both an LRM and a SRM.

[Savage Coyote]

The H does have a TC.  Its one of the best H configs around.

for some reason I thought it did but missed it in the artical ... have to check that one out again!

[Colt Ward]

I actually liked the D and used it a few times when it first came out, but man the H looks pretty nice.  Lack of a TC is an issue in close, but then thats heavy lasers for you.

The H has a TC, which makes my love for ERLL even fuzzier.  The is about the only one I have used, picking it up on the MM servers was always a thrill since it was one of the few mobile designs with ECM before we started getting Jihad variants.  Even better that ECM was protected a leg making it hard for those freebirths to knock out.

[Ian Sharpe]

The Huntsman just looks cool and sounds cool, which is all the reason I need for it to pop up in my Clan forces.  Its an easy choice over a Nova or Summoner, just for something different.  Its also one of the better minis, and has a great pose.  It looks aggressive.  If allowed a single Clan mech in an IS force, it was always a tough pick between the Stormcrow and Huntsman.  Bonus points as many configs have increasingly useful electronics.

The Prime is a very effective mech.  Not just the ERMLs, but the supporting weapons.  It feels much more like a standard Battlemech than an Omni, but it does a bit of everything.  LRMs, an AC, SSRMs for crits or killing vees, flamer for cover or killing PBI, A-pods...this feels like a variant that reflects experiences in the IS. 

The A is what made me notice the Huntsman.  Twin jumping LPLs and it didn't look stupid like the Black Python?  Plus, again, support weapons useful against IS forces.  High BV was reflected in fair, accurate damage and mobility.  Would have preferred SRMs over the LRMs on this, but the LRMs aren't useless at all. 

The B I overlooked at first, but its probably the Huntsman I field most.  Hits hard, has some pulse backups, MGs for the PBI...the first Huntsman that feels like its not expressly intended to fight IS forces.  Summoner or Huntsman?  Huntsman due to this config.  Higher heat, but more well rounded than several Summoners.

The C is also very Clan with its mismatched launchers and UAC/5 on a support variant.  Meh.  Next.

The D isn't bad, although I would probably have tried a larger UAC.  If both AC shots hit, its pretty brutal at close range.  If not, still not bad given the JJs and MPLs.

The E is pretty nice, but would have liked to see something aside from LPL and MPLs.  That gives it a min-maxed feeling to me. 

The H is one of the better H configs around, with accurate ranged fire and its hard-hitting up close.  Its a great combo of guns and the TC makes it useful even on the move. 

I really dislike the mismatched ERLL and ERPPC on the N.  That doesn't make it bad, though.  The HML is useful when its spitting out HE for the ATM.  Three ATM configs somehow don't feel right for a Nova Cat machine, although none of them are really built around ATMs. 

[JadeHellbringer]

One of my favorite Mechs in this game of ours- the Cats really outdid themselves with this shining example of what a medium Mech can be. Most configs are a bit chaotic, but work well- the exception being the well-planned and devastating 'H', which I'm a huge fan of using to deliver a surprise sucker-punch to a careless assault Mech. It goes without saying, however, that this is a rare sight in the Jade Falcon Clan (we're not on great terms with the Cats- you might have read something about it), so I very rarely have an opportunity to use more than one or two salvaged rides realistically. More the pity- since the Black Lanner is our only home-built medium Omni (and isn't a particular favorite of mine), it makes the Huntsman all the more impressive to me. (Apparently we're building the Nova recently, as I understand it?)

If you haven't given this rare but powerful Mech a try, do so at once. If you don't like it, you're doing it wrong.

[LastChanceCav]

Perhaps the penchant for weapons with anti-aricraft capabilities arises from fact that one of the Huntsman production lines is on Brim with the Cloud Cobras.

Cheers,
LCC

[Fat Guy]

(Apparently we're building the Nova recently, as I understand it?)

Masters and Minions has Olivetti Weaponry building it.

[Wrangler]

I thought this thing had such interesting combination of weapon configurations.  Speedy enough, armored enough, with configs that can throw off someone who fighting you not understanding the potential of this 'Mech.   

One time i was in a game with one these 'Mechs in it, I got that "Its Huntsman" song from Freakazoid in my head.  :D

[Isanova]

The thing always struck me as the mech you assign to your worst starmate, particularly the -A variant. LPL's are good at busting enemy harrassers so the Star can focus more on the glory enemy battlemechs, while the LB-2X deals with enemy VTOLs. The only thing missing is to switch the LRMs for SRMs to deal with annoying enemy BA.

[Arkansas Warrior]

visually, the "banner-bearer" is a bit of an odd trait in clan omnis. most of the omnimechs found in clan development like to reuse entire component designs from other existing 'mechs, but the Nobori-nin seems to have nothing from earlier or given to later clan omnimechs i know of (feel free to correct me), possibly indicating this 'mech was a design testbed for internal innovations that fell somewhat short of the design team's expectations in combat.

The B is a Summoner Prime with MPLs and MGs instead of the LRMs.  And 2 tons of AC ammo!  Which I find awesome, considering the tonnage difference between the two.


As a Coyote, this style of mech(slow, heavily armed and armored) is right up my ally, but outclassed in that area by the Septicemia, which is also (IIRC) more widely available in the Homeworlds, so I don't use it much.

[daeceg]

Huh...I never knew there was a Huntsman besides the "A" config...

I've seen that stupid LB-2X get more golden BB hits...

[Pa Weasley]

Continuing the RS3145 - NTNU contributions bring us to the Huntsman F.  The sole reach beyond 450 meters is provided a right arm mounted  LRM 15 joined to an Artemis V fire control system. The newer FCS does give the rack a handy boost in accuracy and precision, though that can be completely negated the preponderance of ECM suites. Tucked in the adjacent torso are two bins of missiles for fairly reasonable endurance in the field. The bins themselves have been upgraded to CASE II, a handy tool in preventing "sudden torso loss syndrome". The left arm houses the remainder of the Huntsman F's offensive offerings. An improved heavy large laser lends the Omni a nice knockout punch and is accompanied by a pair of famously unpleasant ER medium lasers. All of the lasers a tied to a targeting computer because that trio needed to be just a bit more scary. The remainder of the available pod weight is taken up by coolant systems. Four extra double heat sinks are useful, but only able to keep up with the excess heat generated by the lasers. The rest of the slack can be taken up by the radical heat sink system that shares the right torso with the LRM munitions. Did I forget to mention that the F is mixed tech? The RHS enables continuous running alpha strikes resulting in no excess heat if activated every other turn. That does assumes the system doesn't rupture, but hey, no guts, no glory. Taken as a whole, the Huntsman F makes for a nasty little mid-ranged brawler capable to spamming an average of 42 points of damage a turn without much heat concerns. Assuming the dice gods are on your side.

Fun fact, the Huntsman F is only one of two Clan OmniMechs mounting the RHS in RS3145 - NTNU. The other is the Deimos E. Discuss.