Difference between revisions of "Guardian (BattleMech)"

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==Description==
 
==Description==
Although a [[BattleMech]] by design (and not an [[IndustrialMech]] like most SecurityMechs), the ultralight ''Guardian'' was not made for the military. Instead, it was marketed as a SecurityMech and sold to large corporations and law enforcement agencies. Its relatively small size and low weight allows it to go where other 'Mechs could not, giving it somewhat better mobility in urban environments. However, its slow speed means that it cannot run from even the lightest 'Mechs.
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Although a [[BattleMech]] by design (and not an [[IndustrialMech]] like most SecurityMechs), the [[Category:Ultralight BattleMechs|ultralight]] '''''Guardian''''' was not made for the military. Instead, it was marketed as a SecurityMech and sold to large corporations and law enforcement agencies. Its relatively small size and low weight allows it to go where other 'Mechs could not, giving it somewhat better mobility in urban environments. However, its relatively slow speed means that almost all other 'Mechs can run it down.
  
 
==Armament==
 
==Armament==
The ''Guardian'' is armed with five SperryBrowning [[machine gun]]s, one mounted in each arm, in each torso side and in the center torso. Two and a half tons of ammunition in the right torso provide ample supply.
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The ''Guardian'' is armed with five SperryBrowning [[machine gun]]s, one mounted in each arm, in each torso side and in the center torso, respectively. Two and a half tons of ammunition in the right torso provide ample supply.
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
A frequent field refit for ''Guardian''s was to drop half a ton of ammunition to replace one machine gun with a [[Medium Laser]], to give it at least a chance to stand against other 'Mechs. Yet it remains a poor fighting machine when compared to virtually any other BattleMech.
+
A frequent field refit for ''Guardian''s is to drop half a ton of ammunition to replace one machine gun with a [[Medium Laser]], to give it at least a chance to stand against other 'Mechs. Yet it remains a poor fighting machine when compared to virtually any other BattleMech.
  
 
==Canonicity==
 
==Canonicity==
The ''Guardian'' was only ever described in BattleTechnology #13. Since this magazine is not currently counted among the [[canon]]ical sources for BattleTech, the 'Mech itself does not currently count as canonical either. (An earlier ruling by [[Randall Bills]] declaring all BattleTechnology 'Mechs as present in the BattleTech Universe, if only as unique 'Mechs, was expressly rescinded by his successor as [[Line Developer]], [[Herbert A. Beas II]].)
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The ''Guardian'' was only ever described in [[BattleTechnology#Issue 13|BattleTechnology #13]]. Since this magazine is not currently counted among the [[canon]]ical sources for BattleTech, the 'Mech itself is not currently considered canonical either. (An earlier ruling by [[Randall Bills]] declaring all BattleTechnology 'Mechs as present in the BattleTech Universe, if only as unique 'Mechs, was expressly rescinded by his successor as [[Line Developer]], [[Herbert A. Beas II]].)
  
The legality of the design is arguable, as BattleMech designs below 20 tons were illegal for a time; however under current construction rules ([[TechManual]]), they are permitted again.
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The legality of the design is arguable, as BattleMech designs below 20 tons were illegal for a time; however, under current construction rules ([[TechManual]]), they are permitted again.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
The [[BattleCorps]] short story ''[[Feather Vs Mountain]]'' is a homage to the ''Guardian'', without mentioning it in name. The story was inspired by the ''Guardian'''s combat history against [[Wolf's Dragoons]] on [[An Ting]] as described in BattleTechnology, but the actual 'Mech could not be used for the story as it was not a canonical 'Mech. Hence, the story's protagonist pilots a quadruped GS-54 ''[[Guard]]'' (another 15-ton design with machine guns) instead and the reader is left to wonder exactly what type of machine-gun toting 15-ton 'Mechs "Guardian Company" was composed of; their annihilation is only narrated through radio reports in the story.
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The [[BattleCorps]] short story ''[[Feather Vs Mountain]]'' is a homage to the ''Guardian'', without mentioning it in name: According to the author, the story was inspired by its combat history against [[Wolf's Dragoons]] on [[An Ting]] as described in the BattleTechnology magazine. Hoever, the actual 'Mech could not be used for the story as it was not a canonical 'Mech. Hence, the story's protagonist pilots a quadruped GS-54 ''[[Guard]]'' (another 15-ton design with machine guns) instead. In the story, one "Guardian Company", composed of machine-gun toting 15-ton 'Mechs of unspecified type, is obliterated by infantry ambushes in much the same way as it is described for a company of ''Guardian''s in BattleTechnology.
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==

Revision as of 15:09, 16 October 2011

This article is about the BattleMech. For other uses, see Guardian (disambiguation).
Guardian (BattleMech)
Guardian
Production information
Manufacturer Silver Shield Security
Model GRD-1N
Class Ultralight
Cost ?
Technical specifications
Mass 15 tons
Chassis Shield 1
Armor Duralex Light
Engine Leenex 60
Speed 64.8 km/h
Armament

machine gun

BV (1.0) ?
BV (2.0) ?


Description

Although a BattleMech by design (and not an IndustrialMech like most SecurityMechs), the Guardian was not made for the military. Instead, it was marketed as a SecurityMech and sold to large corporations and law enforcement agencies. Its relatively small size and low weight allows it to go where other 'Mechs could not, giving it somewhat better mobility in urban environments. However, its relatively slow speed means that almost all other 'Mechs can run it down.

Armament

The Guardian is armed with five SperryBrowning machine guns, one mounted in each arm, in each torso side and in the center torso, respectively. Two and a half tons of ammunition in the right torso provide ample supply.

Variants

A frequent field refit for Guardians is to drop half a ton of ammunition to replace one machine gun with a Medium Laser, to give it at least a chance to stand against other 'Mechs. Yet it remains a poor fighting machine when compared to virtually any other BattleMech.

Canonicity

The Guardian was only ever described in BattleTechnology #13. Since this magazine is not currently counted among the canonical sources for BattleTech, the 'Mech itself is not currently considered canonical either. (An earlier ruling by Randall Bills declaring all BattleTechnology 'Mechs as present in the BattleTech Universe, if only as unique 'Mechs, was expressly rescinded by his successor as Line Developer, Herbert A. Beas II.)

The legality of the design is arguable, as BattleMech designs below 20 tons were illegal for a time; however, under current construction rules (TechManual), they are permitted again.

Notes

The BattleCorps short story Feather Vs Mountain is a homage to the Guardian, without mentioning it in name: According to the author, the story was inspired by its combat history against Wolf's Dragoons on An Ting as described in the BattleTechnology magazine. Hoever, the actual 'Mech could not be used for the story as it was not a canonical 'Mech. Hence, the story's protagonist pilots a quadruped GS-54 Guard (another 15-ton design with machine guns) instead. In the story, one "Guardian Company", composed of machine-gun toting 15-ton 'Mechs of unspecified type, is obliterated by infantry ambushes in much the same way as it is described for a company of Guardians in BattleTechnology.

Bibliography