MechDB Misadventures, Part 26: BattleMaster IIC?

MechDB Misadventures, Part 26: BattleMaster IIC?

Although the BattleMaster IIC is not actually part of the canonical lore of BattleTech or MechWarrior, a recent update to MechWarrior Online has introduced a BattleMaster variant that's as close to it as you can get: the BLR-1GBc "Red Corsair", based on a Star League-era all-energy variant, but remanufactured with Clan tech. Being a pure energy 'Mech, it can run hot if you're not cautious, but it has no ammunition dependency or explosion issues whatsoever (unless you fit regular AMS and some ammo to feed it, and even then, integral CASE - Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment - in each component will mitigate the effects of AMS ammo detonations), which can be a big plus in long matches. And as with the original BattleMaster, it has an engine cap of 400, allowing you to create surprisingly fast builds for its size, if you're brave enough - the fact that this is a Clan-tech variant (for which XL engines weigh less and require 1 fewer critical slot in each side torso) only sweetens the deal.

One of the possibilities resulting from this energy dependency is a quad ER PPC variant, reminiscent of the Warhawk/Masakari, but with each pair of ER PPCs placed in the side torsos instead of the arms. With a Clan 340-rated XL engine, it can match the Warhawk in speed, and fitting 24 Clan double heat sinks (including those built into, or externally attached to, the engine) gives it more than enough cooling as long as you fire them in pairs. Fit 16 tons of standard armor over an endo-steel frame, add a MkV Clan Targeting Computer, install a Clan Active Probe, and you're good to go.

Above: Emulating the Warhawk/Masakari WHK-Prime on the BattleMaster BLR-1GBC "Red Corsair" by fitting a MkV Targeting Computer and 24 Clan Double Heat Sinks in an Endo-Steel frame encased in 16 tons of Standard Armor creates a 'Mech that, though not as effective as its inspiration due to a lack of weapon-related quirks (or even secondary weapons), can still be a deadly sniper, and may actually be a better option in long battles due to its side torso-mounted dual ER PPCs (two per side torso) being placed high up on the 'Mech, and no ammunition dependency or explosion issues whatsoever.

However, it's also possible to turn this variant into a zombie 'mech by fitting a standard engine and an energy weapon of some sort in the lone center torso-mounted hardpoint. One suggestion with this in mind is as follows:

Above: An all-Pulse Laser zombie 'Mech loadout on the Red Corsair BattleMaster such as this one would be devastating at short to medium range, and crucially, it would remain a threat unless its center torso, head, or both legs were destroyed. Swapping the arm-mounted Medium Pulse Lasers for Small Pulse Lasers to save enough spare mass for a Clan Active Probe or Mk1 Targeting Computer (which would most likely occupy the free critical slot in the head) could be considered, if you want a more heat-efficient take on the same theme.

Using the Red Corsair as an ER Large Laser boat (with six such weapons in total, three in each side torso) with the largest targeting computer available (a MkVII unit) will also give unparalleled accuracy, but with slightly better heat efficiency than the quad ER PPC loadout, albeit with a lower maximum speed, as follows:

Above: Although slightly slower than the quad ER PPC build, the 6x Clan ER Large Laser Red Corsair build with a MkVII Targeting Computer is even more accurate, and easier on your heat gauge.

There are other loadouts that the Red Corsair can accommodate, but these are among the best known.

In short, the Red Corsair Legendary variant of the BattleMaster may not be an actual BattleMaster IIC, instead being closer to the Inner Sphere's Warlord (which also has an all-energy loadout, but weighs 5 tons less than the BattleMaster) in concept, but it takes some of the best bits of both 'Mechs and combines them into an ammunition-independent assault 'Mech that can fulfill many roles.