Hedgehog

The Hedgehog was the first tripod (three-legged) BattleMech, devised in the early days of the Star League (i.e. around the late 26th century, before 2602). 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.

Canonicity

It is generally held that the (fully canonical) Hedgehog as mentioned in the 2016 Interstellar Operations rulebook is a nod to the otherwise apocryphal tripod BattleMech of the same name that was published in the StarDate magazine in October 1987, arguably canonizing it (at least as an otherwise unspecified tripod BattleMech).

The detailed writeup from StarDate remains apocryphal to the extent where it wasn't repeated in canon, i.e. beyond the name and the fact that it was a tripod BattleMech.

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
Hedgehog
Production information
Manufacturer	Utica Fabriaction and Design
Production Year	2602
Model	HdG-2B
Class	Light
Technical specifications
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Uticamax III (tripod)
Armor	Durallex-Medium
Engine	VOX 280
Communications System	Molinox HBD-2a9JJ MaxiPulse Array
Targeting Tracking System	Molinox Tri-Plus
Heat Sinks	10
Speed	132.5 km/h
Armament	1x Medium laser 4x Smoke launchers
BV (1.0)	?
BV (2.0)	?

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.

Weapons and Equipment

Armored with 6.5 tons of standard armor, the Hedgehog is armed with one Martell medium laser and four Krupps-Invicta smoke projectors (special rules for these were provided; under current boardgame rules, they could be represented by vehicular grenade launchers).

The advanced comm system is often considered the 'Mech's greatest asset. It has proven essentially impossible to replace, leading to many units being downgraded with a simpler comm unit.

Variants

The only known variant is a House Marik refit known as the HdG-2B1 Harasser that exchanges the medium laser with two small lasers.

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.

Notes

• 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 kph), but this had no impact on its game stats at the time of publication.
• The publication included special rules for three-legged 'Mechs including kicking, and for the smoke launchers.
• Following up on the Hedgehog as published in the StarDate magazine, David "MacAttack" 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 XL Engine, double heat sinks, eight jump jets, an ER Medium Laser, a Guardian ECM, 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.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Bibliography

• Interstellar Operations
• StarDate Vol. 3 No. 5 (October 1987)