Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries Medium Mechs

Local Ditch Gaming > Mercenaries > Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries Medium Mechs

ASN-21 Assassin

Many of the purchasing agents for the Star League's military branch seem to have overstepped their authority in the case of the Assassin BattleMech. Although a new light 'mech was not required in great numbers, lobbyists for Maltex Corporation managed to gain several key contracts for the production of this 'Mech. Despite all the politics involved, the Assassin turned out to be a successful 'Mech in combat. Its ample firepower, good armor protection, and speed have made it a popular model. Its mobility seems to be the key to its success in battle.

CDA-2A Cicada

Many small manufacturers entered the BattleMech industry as tensions mounted near the time of the fall of the Star League. In this period, HartfordCo, a known manufacturer of fine communications and targeting systems, began constructing 'Mechs from their home planet of Bryant near Earth. Their single contribution to battlefield technology was the Cicada, which went into limited production in 2840.

With Bergan Industries holding almost a total monopoly on the contracts for small recon 'Mechs, HartfordCo proposed a 'Mech heavier than the Locust made by Bergan. It would be armed with the well proven Magna laser systems, and be as fast as the Locust but weigh twice as much. Most important, the price was right. Star League took a limited contract for the Cicada, shipping it to replace many of the Locusts lost in border areas.

CLNT-2-3T Clint

Andoran Industries began construction of the CLNT-2-3T under the Star League Armaments Act of 2507, which law provided border areas with the latest in battlefield technology. The Andoran Industries project resulted in the construction of over 200 of this class. The original Clint prototypes mounted a heavier autocannon (Armstrong Buster Class) and carried more ammunition. However, the chassis of these models developed stress problems, and the armament was downgraded to its current configuration.

This 'Mech functioned as a recon 'Mech as well as a well-armed, lower-end medium 'Mech. Its history and combat performance shows that it served those purposes well.

STN-3M Sentinel

The Sentinel, a Star League design that Comstar supplied to the Draconis Combine, fought its first battle in centuries during the Kurita counter-thrust at the Davion planet Exeter during the War of 3039. Along with the Crab, the Sentinel played a major role in the Combine's destruction of vast areas of the planet.

WTH-1 Whitworth

The Whitworth was first built in 2610 as a scout 'Mech intended to fill the gap between the light Wasp and the medium Phoenix Hawk. Whitworth's development program soon produced a well-armed, versatile vehicle. Although slower than other scout 'Mechs, the Whitworth made up for it with the protection given by its excellent Durallex Light armor.

The Whitworth was initially armed with Harpoon-6 SRM launchers. Star League defense planners replaced these with Longbow-10 LRMs on most models in an effort to discourage MechWarriors from engaging the Whitworth in close-range combat. Known to critics and admirers alike as the "Tin Woodsman", the Whitworth served throughout the Age of War and then in Star League scout units thereafter.

The Star League's death throes also brought the destruction of many Whitworths, serving as they did in heavy combat zones. Survivors were quickly recruited into the forces of the Noble houses that replaced the Star League, however. In the present Successor States era, Whitworths continue to serve their units well.

VND-1R Vindicator

Much like the old joke about the camel, The VND-1R Vindicator is the product of compromise and not inspiration. As Capellan Confederation designers created this 'mech to fit as many roles as possible, it is capable of fire support, point defense, and offense, though only in lackluster fashion.

The First Succession War had proved disastrous for the Confederation, who lost all but one of its 'Mech-producing facilities. The remaining 'Mech plant, on the heavily industrialized planet of Capella, was limited to the production of 'Mechs of less than 60 tons. Also, because the Confederation had few materials to build 'Mechs, its engineers decided to build a 'Mech that was capable of several roles, yet could be built with meager resources.

The Vindicator was designed and built in 2826, during the lull between the First and Second Succession Wars. The first Vindicators had machine guns mounted on their left arms instead of the small laser seen on current models.

WFT-1 Wolf Trap

The Wolf Trap, the Federated Commonwealth codename for House Kurita's answer to the Wolfhound, is a rubric likely to stick, even though the Draconis Combine will doubtless give it some Japanese name. This 'Mech has been on the drawing boards for years, only recently entering extensive field testing. One of the first completely new designs to emerge since the recovery of Star League technology, it will be a bellwether to see if other realms, such as the Free Worlds League and Capellan Confederation, rush to produce new designs instead of revamping old ones.

CN9-A Centurion

The Centurion was designed and built by Corean Enterprises as an operational partner for the highly successful Trebuchet. Produced from 2801 until the Corean plant on Ramen II was destroyed in 2845, it boasts a poweful Luxor medium-heavy autocannon and two Photech 806c medium lasers. For long-range hitting power, it has a chassis mounted Luxor 3R LRM-10. This cross-section of weaponry gives the centurion a potential damage curve that increases steadily as it nears its target.

Unfortunately, many CN9-As have developed defects in their autocannon loading mechanisms. In many cases, it has been necessary to replace the entire loader. As replacement parts for the Luxor autocannon become increasingly rare, Techs often replace the entire autocannon with another make or decide to mount a different type of weapons system in its stead. No matter which alternative is chosen, it is an extremely complicated and time-consuming operation, as the Luxor system was custom-fit into the Centurion's chassis with no room left for modifications. Although the CN9 is a fine 'Mech when in good condition, the defective autocannons make its future uncertain. In the future, Centurions may adopt a variety of roles, depending which refits they receive.

CRB-27 Crab

The Crab has been well received in Kurita units since Comstar began supplying them to the Draconis Combine. The 'Mech performed well in the War of 3039, surprising Davion units with the weapons hidden inside its claws. In fact, House Kurita would probably make the Crab one of its standard designs if it had the factory to produce its own.

HBK-4G Hunchback

Overview: The HBK-4G Hunchback is a heavy-hitting fighting vehicle. Serving in medium and assault lances of many regiments of the Successor States, it has earned a distinguished fighting record. Designed in early 2572, the Hunchback continues as a popular vehicle both in House Liao and House Kurita regiments. It is also used extensively by House Marik armed forces.

The Hunchback is widely known for its streetfighting abilities in the confined spaces of urban battles. With its massive firepower at close range, it is more than a match for many heavier 'Mechs.

TBT-5N Trebuchet

Corean Enterprises constructed the Trebuchet (or Trenchbucket) from 2780 to 2845 as a main-line medium 'Mech. With the long-range punch of its twin Zeus LRM-15s and the short range power of its three Magna Mk II medium lasers, the Trebuchet is a dangerous opponent at any range.

As it was never intended to operate far from its supply lines, the Trebuchet received only eight reloads for each of its missile racks. This limited ammunition supply can become a serious problem if the Trebuchet is trapped behind enemy lines.