Experimental Technical Readout - Liao.pdf - Technical Readouts - brathac

INTRODUCTION

As I’m sure his Celestial Wisdom realizes the delagration of the conlict with the Word of Blake is not cause enough for us to

lessen our search for more advanced weaponry to defend the Confederation. In concert with the Capellan Science Foundation

and the Ministry of the Military we have identiied a number of project foci that should bear plentiful fruit to the Capellan

Confederation Armed Forces.

Our development of the plasma rile provided us with a powerful new weapon which we put to good use during the

Federated Suns’ unprovoked attack on our worlds, and when combined with the BattleMech Taser ofered our forces a signiicant

advantage. It is this advantage our program seeks to continually revive, and now that the shadow lances are an undeniable asset

it is time to shift our focus.

The Jihad ushered in an orgy of weapons development and, although Stone and his cronies would wish otherwise,

the Maskirovka has gained a considerable trove of technology which is even now being experimented upon at BattleMech

and vehicle manufacturers across the Confederation. New types of armor, new types of structure, even newly-enhanced

engines are being applied to prototypes on Grand Base, Sian, Capella, and Victoria, and thanks to the Strategios’ prescience in

constructing a full-scale experimentation division on Victoria after the damage sufered several years ago—our most recent

successes have come from there.

One law we must be aware of in our tactics and our design philosophies is the newest-toy phenomenon: each of the major

militaries in the Inner Sphere has become overrun with new technologies in very narrow areas. Our development of stealth armor

led to nearly every class of ’Mech produced in the Confederation being redesigned to take advantage of it. The Davions have

retroitted their rotary autocannons onto almost every chassis they ield; the Steiners, heavy Gauss riles and light fusion engines,

and the remnants of the Free Worlds League are overrun with extended-range lasers and more kinds of missile ammunitions than

one has time to count.

In partnership with the CSF, Ceres Metals facilities across the Confederation, but headquartered in the main oice on

Capella, began in 3076 far-reaching research and development projects in all aspects of military technology. Although funding

is beginning to be drawn away from the project to support the burgeoning hostilities along the Tikonov border, many impressive

prototypes and design projects have appeared and are listed here. It is our belief that through experimentation we may uncover

advances unknown to the Confederation’s enemies, and so we beg the Chancellor to continue funding our programs.

Most humbly and respectfully,

Dr. Veronica Baxter, Capellan Science Foundation, 3079

INTRODUCTION

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The ’Mechs, combat vehicles, and i ghters described in Experimental Technical Readout: Liao provide players with a sampling of the various

custom designs that have arisen in the technical divisions of the military manufacturers of the Confederation. The designs featured in this book

rel ect limited-run prototypes and “one-of s” that have yet to reach full factory production—and most likely never will.

The rules for using ’Mechs, vehicles and i ghters in BattleTech game play can be found in Total Warfare , while the rules for their construction

can be found in TechManual . However, the experimental nature of these designs also draws upon the Experimental-level rules presented in Tactical

Operations . Thus, none of the units featured in this volume are considered tournament legal, and their use in introductory games is discouraged.

Furthermore, the extreme rarity of these machines is such that none of them should occur in a BattleTech campaign as a chance encounter, but the

capture or destruction of any one of these prototypes could be potential objective for BattleTech scenarios, tracks and role-playing adventures.

Project Development : Herbert A. Beas II

Development Assistance: Randall N. Bills and Jason Schmetzer

BattleTech Line Developer : Herbert A. Beas II

BattleTech Assistant Line Developer: Ben H. Rome

Primary Writing : Jason Schmetzer

Writing Assistance: Herbert A. Beas II

Production Sta

Cover Design and Layout : Matt Heerdt

Evolved Faction Logos Design: Jason Vargas

Original Illustrations :

Doug Chaf ee

Brent Evans

Chris Lewis

Jim Nelson

Justin Nelson

Factchecking/Playtesting : Joel Bancroft-Connors, Roland

“ColBosch” Boshnack, Joshua “NCKestrel” Franklin, William “Mad

Capellan” Gauthier, Keith “Xotl” Hann, Johannes “jymset” Heidler,

Daniel “DarkISI” Isberner, Chris “Alexander Knight” Marti, Luke “Jellico”

Robertson, Chris “Chunga” Smith, Peter Smith, Chris Wheeler, Patrick

Wynne.

Record Sheets : “BV Smasha!” Sebastian Brocks, Christopher

“Chunga” Smith, “Techno Wizard” Jason Tighe

Special Thanks : Jason would like to thank Herb, for having a sense

of humor.

Rights Reserved. Experimental Technical

Readout: Liao, Classic BattleTech,

BattleTech, BattleMech, ’Mech and the

Topps logo are registered trademarks and/

or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc.,

in the United States and/or other countries.

Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game

Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes

Productions, LLC.

CAT35XT003

STAR LEAGUE

STAR LEAGUE ERA

ERA

CLAN INVASION ERA

JIHAD ERA

Under License From

SUCCESSION WARS ERA

CIVIL WAR ERA

DARK AGE ERA

RVN-3X RAVEN X

Field Testing Summation: Prototype RVN Reit

Producer/Site: Hellespont Industrials, Sian

Supervising Technician: Abel Mencius

Project Start Date: 3078

Non-Production Equipment Analysis:

Type: Raven X

Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)

Tonnage: 35

Battle Value: 1,050

Composite Structure

Equipment

Mass

Apollo Fire Control System

Internal Structure:

Composite

Bloodhound Active Probe

Engine:

210 XL

4.5

Angel ECM Suite

Walking MP:

Medium X-Pulse Lasers

Running MP:

Laser Anti-Missile System

Jumping MP:

Heat Sinks:

10 [20]

Overview

In the 3020s the Raven was a source of great pride for the

Capellan Confederation. One of the few new BattleMech designs

since the fall of the Star League to reach standard production, it

was a jewel in the Confederation’s crown even if it was saddled

with substandard technology. It wasn’t until the CSF was able to

unlock the secrets of the Helm memory core that the Raven was

given the technology it needed to compete on the battleield, but

those secrets also rejuvenated the entire warmaking industry of

the Successor States. Since the 3050s several upgrades have been

performed on the base Raven chassis, but in 3078 Hellespont

Industrials revealed a new prototype Raven that mounted the

most advanced equipment yet found on any battleield.

Built on a cutting-edge composite frame and using an

extralight gyro to free mass, the Raven X is powered by an

extralight fusion engine and continues the Raven -class’ long

tradition of battleield electronic warfare. Outwardly the Raven X is

similar to the stock -3L model made famous on the battleields of

the Liberation of 3057, but the insides are revamped as far above

the 3050 model as it was above the 3025.

An Angel ECM replaces the older Guardian model, while a

more powerful Bloodhound active probe replaces the Beagle.

The standard medium lasers of the -3L are upgraded to medium

x-pulse lasers, and a prototype laser anti-missile system provides

solid antimissile defense. The real treat of the Raven ’s arsenal,

however, is a large twenty-tube medium range missile launcher

mated to a stolen Apollo ire controls system. Given the Raven

X ’s fragility, Hellespont designers wanted to make sure it could

engage any enemy discovered from a distance and still have time

to escape.

Although the speciications of the Raven X are impressive,

Strategios planners have discovered in simulation that the

BattleMech is just as susceptible to damage as the 3025 model.

Its build ofsets its increases in productivity and potential: the

extralight engine is thinly armored, as is the soft composite

structure. Most damning is the Raven ’s speed, which hasn’t

increased since 3025, and is now almost slow compared to

other states’ reconnaissance BattleMechs. It seems unlikely that

the Strategios will approve the Raven X for anything more than

demonstration purposes.

Gyro (XL):

1.5

Cockpit:

Armor Factor (Ferro):

Internal

Armor

Structure

Value

Head

Center Torso

Center Torso (rear)

R/L Torso

R/L Torso (rear)

R/L Arm

R/L Leg

Weapons and Ammo

Location

Critical

Tonnage

2 Medium X-Pulse Lasers

Laser Anti-Missile System

1.5

Angel ECM Suite

Bloodhound Active Probe

MRM 20

Apollo FCS

Ammo (MRM) 12

CASE

VND-3LD VINDICATOR DAO

Field Testing Summation: Custom VND Hybrid Reit

Producer/Site: None

Supervising Technician: Dao

Project Start Date: 3078

Non-Production Equipment Analysis:

often using this unexpected velocity to get near enough to use

his Taser. A laser anti-missile system mounted where a standard

Vindicator carries a medium laser provides close-in defense.

Although he has refused all ofers of purchase for his ‘Mech, the

Capellan Science Foundation urges the Chancellor to require the

Maskirovka to acquire this ‘Mech for disassembly and examination.

Clan Endo Steel Structure

Clan Ferro-Fibrous Armor

Clan Double Heat Sinks

Type: Vindicator Dao

Technology Base: Mixed (Experimental)

Tonnage: 45

Battle Value: 1,814

Actuator Enhancement System

Supercharger

Clan ER PPC

Laser Anti-Missile System

BattleMech Taser

Equipment

Mass

Internal Structure:

Endo Steel (C)

2.5

Overview

The anger amongst Capellan citizens after the withdrawal

and destruction of the Word of Blake is at levels unseen since

the Andurien invasion of the 3030s, and this atmosphere has

bred a massive pool of funds and people seeking restitution

and vengeance wherever they can. In the remnants of the Liao

Commonality especially, a horde of bounty hunters have

appeared, taking contracts to right old wrongs and settle old

scores and proit in the doing. One of them, a former Capellan

national who goes by no other name than Dao, pilots a customized

Vindicator claimed from a renegade MechWarrior. He is good

enough at his job—and proliic enough in taking contracts—that

he’s managed to outit his Vindicator specially for his purposes.

The Maskirovka was able to copy the maintenance logs for this

powerful ‘Mech and extrapolated its design parameters.

Although appearing much like a conventional VND-

3L Vindicator , Dao’s machine is anything but. He’s taken full

advantage of the appearance of Clan technology in the area and

had his BattleMech completely rebuilt. Dao’s Vindicator uses Clan

double heat sinks, endo steel internal structure, and ferro-ibrous

armor in addition to several weapons. This makes it extremely

hard to kill, and his most recent upgrade further strengthened its

near-invulnerability. Stripping parts from a graveyard of Federated

Suns BattleMechs, Dao replaced his engine with a compact fusion

engine and his gyro with a compact gyro—making the actual

target area of his Vindicator much smaller. Penetrating weapons

ire in the Vindicator ’s torso is much less likely to strike valuable

components, making his ‘Mech appear unkillable.

Since many of his contracts are wanted-alive bounties, Dao’s

Vindicator carries a BattleMech Taser in its left arm, which he uses

to shut down enemy BattleMechs and vehicles so he can capture

their pilots. If the Taser fails to cripple his enemy the PPC inside the

Vindicator ’s right battleist is a Clan-made weapon, half-again as

powerful as comparable Inner Sphere weapons—and Dao doesn’t

miss. It was only in the last month that we managed to conirm

actuator enhancement systems on both the Vindicator ’s arms—

making his aim that much more deadly.

Despite its average speed Dao’s Vindicator is an excellent

hunter-killer BattleMech. He retained its jump jets for dealing with

terrain obstacles and has installed a supercharger for burst speed,

Engine:

180 Compact

10.5

Walking MP:

Running MP:

6 [8]

Jumping MP:

Heat Sinks (Clan):

10 [20]

Gyro (Compact):

Cockpit (Small):

Armor Factor (Ferro (C)):

153

Internal

Armor

Structure

Value

Head

Center Torso

Center Torso (rear)

R/L Torso

R/L Torso (rear)

R/L Arm

R/L Leg

Weapons and Ammo

Location

Critical

Tonnage

ER PPC (C)

Actuator-Enhancement Sys. RA

1.5

Taser (BattleMech)

Ammo (Taser) 5

Actuator-Enhancement Sys. LA

1.5

Supercharger

1.5

Laser Anti-Missile System

1.5

Jump Jets

Experimental Technical Readout - Liao.pdf

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