MechDB Misadventures, Part 15: Hellcat

MechDB Misadventures, Part 15: Hellcat

In BattleTech lore, the Hellcat (referred to in the Inner Sphere as the Hellhound II) was a Dark Age-era standard Clan BattleMech derived from the earlier Conjurer/Hellhound (itself based on the Inner Sphere Wolverine that weighed 5 tons more). Even though it's heavily armed for its era and tonnage (50 tons), its XXL engine makes it frighteningly expensive for a Clan-tech design that isn't even an OmniMech. But what if I told you there's another standard Clan 'Mech that's worthy of the Hellcat name - even more so, in fact? As a matter of fact, it may well be better value for money in any engagement than an actual Hellcat will ever be.

The 'Mech in question is the Mad Cat Mk II (a standard Clan 'Mech based on the 75-ton Timber Wolf/Mad Cat OmniMech, but 15 tons heavier), but not just any variant. Specifically, I'm using the Deathstrike, a Hero variant, and not just one of the best non-Omni Clan 'Mechs, but one of the best assault 'Mechs, period. The reason I'm calling this variant the Hellcat is because although it's based on a Mad Cat Mk II, its loadout reminds me of the Hellstar (a 95-ton Clan standard BattleMech that debuted during the Wars of Reaving) - specifically, the original Hellstar 1 and 3 variants - with the resulting Deathstrike build combining the former's quad-ER PPC armament (mounted exclusively in its side torsos) and the latter's advanced sensor accessories (a Clan Active Probe, and a Mk1 Targeting Computer in place of the Hellstar 3's Clan ECM Suite). There are no Jump Jets, though; then again, the Hellstar lacks provision for them in any of its variants (whereas the Mad Cat Mk II can have up to three). Finally, with 17 tons of standard armor over an Endo-Steel frame, it's as well-protected as a 90-ton assault 'Mech should be.

Above: A Mad Cat Mk II Deathstrike configured with a similar loadout to some Hellstar variants (specifically, the quadruple ER PPC setup of the Hellstar 1, and the Hellstar 3's Active Probe, with a Mk1 Targeting Computer instead of that variant's ECM system).

In sharing the same top speed, this variant plays very much like a Hellstar whose weapons are all torso-mounted, leaving the arms free for additional heat sinks. All in all, it's a great variation on the quad-ER PPC Mad Cat MkII theme, but trading some mobility for a bit more ground speed and heat capacity, plus the ability to penetrate ECM fields when necessary.