Hedgehog
Sarna News
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). 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.[1][2]
At least one example would accompany 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 Burrock's main enclave until Clan Star Adder cleansed it during the Wars of Reaving.[2]
No further information was provided. It is presumed that this (canonical) mention of the Hedgehog from 2016 refers to the otherwise apocryphal write-up 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 and 2020 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2 is a nod to the otherwise apocryphal tripod BattleMech of the same name that was published in the 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.
| Hedgehog | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Utica Fabrication and Design |
| Production Year | 2602 |
| Model | HdG-2B |
| Class | Light |
| 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 |
| Speed | 132.5 km/h |
| Armament |
1x medium laser |
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.[3]
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).[3]
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.[3]
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.[3]
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.[3]
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 km/h), 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 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, 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.
References
Bibliography
- Interstellar Operations
- Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2
- StarDate Vol. 3 No. 5 (October 1987)