BattleMaster

For hundreds of years, the BattleMaster was one of the most feared BattleMechs to walk the worlds of the Inner Sphere. For entire generations of MechWarriors it was the preeminent commander's 'Mech. The names of pilots of these machines are almost endless, but several names rise above the others: Hanse Davion; the Red Corsair; Wayne Waco. The recovery of Star League technological know-how stymied this 'Mech's primacy of place, but a new Lyran variant of the base model may just steal that gleam back.

Lyran engineers have taken a cue from the bad reports extra-light engines have taken over the years and invested technology in their new BattleMaster to make is as sturdy as possible. A newly-designed compact Edasich fusion engine powers the 'Mech at a slower pace than many older BattleMaster jocks may be used to, but makes it much harder to kill. A complimentary heavy-duty gyroscope further enhances this machine's survivability. The eighty-five ton machine is armored to put the assault back in assault 'Mech, and it carries enough heat sinks to devastate its opponents with an insanely high rate of fire. In addition, a pair of the new Defiance-made anti-battle armor pods protect the machine's legs.

In a blatant (and welcome) effort to recall the original model's lustrous reputation, Lyran engineers have returned to the BattleMaster's customary weapons mix. A weapon with a sterling performance record, the Defiance 1001 delivers heavy damage across the field. A massive bank of six extended-range medium lasers is spread across the new BattleMaster's chest, making it tantamount to suicide to close with this behemoth. I'm sure there will be many a Blakist stooge who will charge to his death against this fine 'Mech. Backing all that energy up is a tried-and-true Coventry Streak missile launcher.

In Marik space, Marshall Jeremy Brett has acquired several chassis, as well as the plans to the Kurita K3 variant and modified it for Free Worlds use. A suite of pulse lasers, light PPCs, multi-missile launchers, and a light Gauss rifle protect the C3 master computer in this fearsome new command BattleMech. A reverse-engineered light fusion engine makes this BLR more survivable, a necessary consideration for a command unit in dangerous Tamarind.

Finally, Jimmy D sent me word of a new Falcon BLR coming out of the captured Pandora factories. I'll not bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, it's nasty. HAG and ATMs, and enough lasers scattered around the torso to light up a black hole. All of it tied into a targeting computer so even the Falcon bondsmen can't miss, and enough heat sinks to give it all a go within reason. Be thankful it's up there and we're down here.

The record sheets for the BattleMaster BLR-M3, BLR-10S, and BattleMaster C designs, along with nine other previously-published variants, are included in Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades (available from the BattleShop).