Hedgehog

The Hedgehog was the first tripod BattleMech, devised in the early days of the Star League. The counterintuitive structure and controls left tripodal 'Mechs a mere curiosity for centuries.

At least one example accompanied General Aleksandr Kerensky's Exodus Fleet into exile, its advanced systems being used to good effect by a bandit raiding Clan Burrock supplies from the hills of Dratha on Dagda during Operation KLONDIKE. Lured into an elaborate trap by a pair of Burrock Ostscouts and defeated, the wreckage of this Hedgehog remained on display on the Burrocks' main enclave until Clan Star Adder cleansed it during the Wars of Reaving.

Canonicity

• It is generally held that the fully canonical Hedgehog mentioned in the 2016 Interstellar Operations rulebook and 2020 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2 is a nod to the otherwise apocryphal tripod BattleMech of the same name that was published in Stardate magazine in October 1987, canonizing it at least as an otherwise unspecified tripod BattleMech.
• The detailed write-up from Stardate remains apocryphal to the extent where it was not repeated or confirmed in a canonical source, i.e. beyond the information given above. No further information was provided. It is presumed that this (canonical) mention of the Hedgehog refers to the otherwise apocryphal write-up of a tripodal 'Mech by the same name from 1987 as described below.

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

Hedgehog
Production information
Manufacturer	Utica Fabrication and Design
Model	HdG-2B
Class	Light
Introduced	2585 (canon) 2602 (apocryphal)
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Uticamax III
Armor	Durallex-Medium
Engine	VOX 280
Communications System	Molinox HBD-2a9JJ MaxiPulse Array
Targeting Tracking System	Molinox Tri-Plus
Heat Sinks	10 single
Speed	132.5 km/h
Armament	1x medium laser 4x smoke projector
BV (1.0)	n/a
BV (2.0)	n/a

Description

The HdG-2B Hedgehog was ordered by the SLDF for divisional commanders, and thus equipped with cutting edge communications equipment. In the Succession Wars, all Great Houses used it as a recon unit and deep raider.

Noted as an ultrafast design with advanced sensors and communication systems to match that of an Ostscout, although described as a "relatively straightforward" design, the structure and controls were considered counterintuitive and the overall concept of tripod 'Mechs would remain a curiosity for centuries.

Weapons and Equipment

The Hedgehog is armed with one Martell medium laser and four Krupps-Invicta smoke projectors. The advanced comms system is often considered the 'Mech's greatest asset. It has proven essentially impossible to replace, leading to many units being downgraded with simpler comms units. Hedgehogs have been known to replace their comm system with a functionally equal system that however requires all weapon systems to be uninstalled to make enough room.

Variants

• HdG-2B1 Harasser 

  The only known variant, the 2B1 is a House Marik refit also known as the Harasser. It swaps out the medium laser for two Entechy small lasers.

Notable Pilots

• MechWarrior Stasha Piosecka has a penchant for jumping over opponents and kicking them with her 'Mech's heavily armored center leg as she lands. A member of the command lance of the Paladin's Chessmen, she keeps her King's Nightmare in perfect condition with a garish orange and black paintjob.
• Lt. Torquemada Thompson is an independent mercenary who works for the highest bidder. He is obsessed with finding a replacement command radio set for the Black Plague, which is otherwise in good condition.
• The Night Stalker is in service to House Marik. A Harasser variant, its unknown pilot is credited with killing 13 MechWarriors on a single deep raid when it destroyed their barracks.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Notes

• The introductory date in Interstellar Operations is the only canon statistic of the Hedgehog while the stats given in Stardate remain apocryphal. Because of this, the infobox is placed within the apocryphal content section.

• The maximum ground speed given for this 'Mech is slightly higher than normal for its mass and engine rating (132.5 instead of 129.6 km/h), but this had no impact on its game stats at the time of publication.

• The original publication included special rules for three-legged 'Mechs including kicking, and for the smoke launchers. These rules are not recognized as official.

• Following up on the Hedgehog as published in Stardate magazine, David L. McCulloch privately published an unofficial document titled "Three-Legged BattleMech Construction Rules" in 2001. The rules were derived from those originally presented in Stardate, albeit streamlined and simplified. Along with these he published the HDG-3S Hedgehog within the document, a version with a 285-rated XL engine, double heat sinks, eight jump jets, an ER medium laser, a Guardian ECM suite, and a Beagle active probe. All of this is Fanon and without official sanction, however, and does not qualify as apocryphal; it is neither official nor canonical.

Bibliography

• Interstellar Operations
• Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2
• Stardate Vol. 3, No. 5 (October 1987)