’Mech of the Week: RFL-3N-2 Rifleman II
Rifleman II. Rumored find of Gray Norton, who then used it to game fame and fortune in the arenas of Solaris VII. Star League “Royal” upgrade of the iconic
Rifleman.
Even if it showed up fifty years before the RFL-3N.
Besides rumors in early products, this machine comes to us courtesy of a short blurb in Technical Readout: 3075. A second, personalized variant is also seen in
Historical Turning Points: New Dallas.The original RFL-1N
Rifleman first appeared in 2505, with a standardized version, the RFL-2N showing up in 2556. With both models in use during the Reunification War, they were able proliferate throughout the Inner Sphere. With the SLDF always wanting to keep at least a step or two ahead of the forces of the Houses, somewhere in the next century and a half the idea of updating the
Rifleman must have been put forward. It took until 2720 for that idea to come to fruition.
The
RFL-3N-2 Rifleman II is built around an endo-steel skeleton and mounts a 320-rated extralight engine, giving it speeds equivalent to the earlier (and later)
Rifleman. Twelve tons of standard plate armor give the design 77% of maximum protection, laid out in a 9, 29/10, 20/6, 20, 26 pattern (head, center front/rear, side front/rear, arms, legs respectively). Fourteen double-strength heat sinks provide adequate heat dissipation. Weapons consist of a Class-10 LB-X autocannon and a large pulse laser in each arm and a medium laser in each side torso. Two tons of ammunition feed the autocannons. A Beagle Active Probe allows for spotting hidden units before they can spring nasty surprises.
The
Rifleman II probably was popular with the SLDF. Since records are a bit sparse, it is hard to tell for sure. That said, at least one higher-ranking member did take to the design: Major General Carlos Kataga. The commander of the SLDF training camps on New Dallas, he had his own customized ride, and in late 2766 was called upon to put it to use with the outbreak of the Amaris Coup. He died during that action, and while I’d like to say valiantly, when someone decides to ortillery your base down around your head, I’m not sure if that qualifies.
His
variant swaps the Class-10 autocannons for a Gauss Rifle, placed in the right arm. Two tons of ammunition feed the headcapper. Both large pulse lasers are now in the left arm. The remaining weight is filled with four jump jets, to give the design additional maneuverability. Three tons of armor was added, upping protection to a 9, 39/10, 25/9, 25, 32 pattern.
The Amaris Coup and the Liberation that followed it covered the period where the RFL-3N arrived in 2770. While most
Rifleman IIs went with the SLDF on their Exodus (and may have led to the
Rifleman IIc), at least one appears to have survived in the Periphery, where Gray Norton found it. With the proliferation of the New Dallas Core during the Jihad, the
Rifleman II also may have reentered production. As such, one should keep an eye out for them.
Using one is relatively simple. Use the LB-X autocannons to spread flak at VTOLs, aerospace fighters, and other targets of opportunity. Solid shells are to be used against tougher targets. The pulse and medium lasers are more useful against close-in units. Do keep an eye on your heat, as constant Alphas will cause trouble eventually (having succumbed to that in the past). Kataga’s ride is even easier. Use the Gauss to snipe, the jump jets to maneuver around issues, and the lasers to deal with irritants.
Fighting one is a bit trickier, as it is with most assaults. The old standbys work, so bring high-damage weaponry. Any that enter the modern era can also be fought with targeting computers and specialty ammunition. If you must close with him, use cover as much as possible to reach him. (I find that lucky shots happen a lot more often than they should. For both sides.)
The
Rifleman II is a creation of its time, and as such might be slightly anachronistic in the modern era. Still, it is a dangerous foe and should be kept an eye upon. That said, I am unsure if the WoBbles (or any of the Jihad or post-Jihad powers) put it back into production. Otherwise, it is likely only to be in some of the oldest Brian Caches or in second-line ranks. And there is the possibility one is sitting out there undiscovered in a LosTech cache somewhere.
