Difference between revisions of "Hedgehog"

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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 [[Introduction Year::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.<ref>''Interstellar Operations'', p. 163 - "Tripod 'Mechs (Multiple Eras)"</ref>
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The '''''Hedgehog''''' was the first [[tripod]] (three-legged) [[BattleMech]], devised in the early days of the [[Star League]] (i.e. around the late 26th or early 27th century). 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.<ref>''Interstellar Operations'', p. 163 - "Tripod 'Mechs (Multiple Eras)"</ref>
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No further information was provided. It is presumed that this (canonical) mention of the ''Hedgehog'' from 2016 refers to the otherwise apocryphal writeup of a tripodal 'Mech by the same name from 1987 as described below.
  
 
==Canonicity==
 
==Canonicity==
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|BV (2.0)=?
 
|BV (2.0)=?
 
}}
 
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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.<ref name=SD>''StarDate'' Vol. 3 No. 5</ref>
 
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.<ref name=SD>''StarDate'' Vol. 3 No. 5</ref>
  
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
 
==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).<ref name=SD/>
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Armored with 6.5 tons of standard armor, the ''Hedgehog'' is armed with one [[Medium Laser#Martell|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).<ref name=SD/>
  
 
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.<ref name=SD/>
 
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.<ref name=SD/>

Revision as of 03:06, 8 December 2019

The Hedgehog was the first tripod (three-legged) BattleMech, devised in the early days of the Star League (i.e. around the late 26th or early 27th century). 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.[1]

No further information was provided. It is presumed that this (canonical) mention of the Hedgehog from 2016 refers to the otherwise apocryphal writeup of a tripodal 'Mech by the same name from 1987 as described below.

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.[2]

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).[2]

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.[2]

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.[2]

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.[2]

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

References

  1. Interstellar Operations, p. 163 - "Tripod 'Mechs (Multiple Eras)"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 StarDate Vol. 3 No. 5

Bibliography