Difference between revisions of "Pack Hunter"

 
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{{InfoBoxBattleMech
 
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image=packhunter.gif
+
|image = Pack Hunter RGilClan v01.jpg
|name=Pack Hunter
+
|name = ''Pack Hunter''
|manufacturer=[[WC Site 3]]
+
|manufacturer = [[WC Site 3]]
|model= Standard
+
|model = Standard
|production year=3059
+
|production year = 3059
|year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2392/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
+
|year reference = <ref name=MUL>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2392/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
|class=Light
+
|cost = 3,206,840 [[C-bill]]s
|cost= 3,206,840 C-bills
+
|Tech Base = Clan
|introduced=[[3059]]<ref name=MUL>''Master Unit List'', "Pack Hunter introduction dates"</ref>
+
|mech type = BattleMech
|mass=30
+
|introduced = [[3059]]<ref name=MUL />
|chassis=Type AR1 [[Endo Steel]]
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|mass = 30
|armor=Royal-7 Standard
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|chassis = [[Type AR1]] [[endo steel]]
|engine=Light Force (Standard) 210
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|armor = [[Royal-7 Standard]]
|comsys=[[K9 Communications System]]
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|engine = [[Light Force 210]]
|T&T=[[Hunter (3) Dedicated TTS]]
+
|comsys = [[K9 Communications System]]
|heat sinks=10 [[Double heat sinks]]
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|T&T = [[Hunter (3) Dedicated TTS]]
|speed=119
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|heat sinks = 10 [[double heat sink]]s
|jumpjets=210 meters
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|speed = 119
|armament=
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|jumpjets = Unknown
1x [[ER PPC]]
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|armament = 1x [[ER PPC]]
|BV (1.0)= 1,384<ref>''Combat Operations'', p. 119</ref>
+
|BV (1.0) = 1,384<ref>''Combat Operations'', p. 119</ref>
|BV (2.0)= 1,369<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 207</ref><ref name=TRO3060>''Technical Readout: 3060'', pp. 142-143, "Pack Hunter Profile"</ref>
+
|BV (2.0) = 1,369<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 207</ref><ref name=TRO3060>''Technical Readout: 3060'', pp. 142–143: "Pack Hunter Profile"</ref>
}}  
+
}}
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
The '''''Pack Hunter''''' is the first new design produced by [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] on [[Arc-Royal]]. It also represents a new partnership between [[Phelan Kell|Phelan]]'s Wolves and the [[Kell Hounds]], as the armor and communications gear are Kell Hound products, traded to the Wolves in exchange for [[Endo Steel]]. Reflecting their Khan's bias towards light, fast designs, Wolf scientists designed the ''Pack Hunter'' to be fast and have a sharp bite. Though its four tons of armor are light, the [[BattleMech]] is supposed to use its speed and maneuverability to stay out of trouble.<ref name=TRO3060/>
+
Fast and with a sharp bite, the '''''Pack Hunter''''' is the first new design produced by [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] on [[Arc-Royal]].<ref name=TRO3060/>
 +
 
 +
Following their arrival on Arc-Royal in the wake of the [[Refusal War]], [[Khan]] [[Phelan Kell]]'s newly Exiled Wolves quickly set about constructing production facilities to support [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile Touman|their ''touman'']]. Though many Exiled Wolf Warriors pushed for a heavy flagship [[OmniMech]] that would command attention from the other Clans as their first [[BattleMech]], Khan Kell pragmatically realized that a second-line machine was of more immediate usefulness as well as serving as a proof-of-concept for the new production lines, allowing problems to be identified and fixed without the risk of producing a flawed OmniMech. Showing his bias for lighter, faster designs, Khan Phelan Kell directed his scientists to create a 'Mech offering "impressive speed but with a bite. A real pack hunter."<ref name=TRO3060/>
 +
 
 +
Production of the ''Pack Hunter'' also showed the strength of the Exiled Wolves' ties to the Kell Hounds, the 'Mech carrying [[standard armor]] and communication equipment manufactured by the Hounds and purchased as part of a trade agreement for access to [[endo steel]] from an Exiled Wolf orbital factory. While the lion's share of ''Pack Hunter''s were deployed in Clan Wolf-in-Exile's second-line and garrison [[Cluster]]s as fast as they can be produced, the Kell Hounds deployed a few in their own [[regiment]]s.<ref name=TRO3060/>
 +
 
 +
Intended for obsolescence from the very start, repeated delays and false starts would ensure the ''Pack Hunter'' saw continued production until the introduction not of a new OmniMech, but the updated and upgraded ''[[Pack Hunter II]]'' in [[3077]] instead.<ref name=TRO3085-144>''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 144: "Pack Hunter II"</ref> Amazingly, the original design would reappear over 70 years later during the [[Dark Ages]] thanks to the [[Wolf Empire]]'s capture of the [[Technicron Manufacturing]]/[[Irian BattleMechs Unlimited]] plant on [[Tongatapu]]. Rather than upgrade the Tongatapu ''[[Hermes]]'' 4K line to Clan standards, the Empire instead used it as the basis to reintroduce the ''Pack Hunter''. Though how the Empire acquired the plans is unknown, the decision was intended not as a snub to the Exiled Wolves but an attempt at enticing its survivors to join the Empire following the fall of Arc-Royal.<ref name=RGIV1p13>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1'', p13 "Pack Hunter"</ref>
  
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
The ''Pack Hunters'''s Ripper Series A1 [[ER PPC]], capable of decapitating a foe in a single blast, gives any 'Mech that faces it a good reason to worry. It excels when staying at extreme range and using its speed to keep that distance between it and larger 'Mechs. However, it is hard pressed to defend itself if attacked by multiple opponents, due to its lack of secondary weapons and its light armor.<ref name=TRO3060/>
+
Built around an [[endo steel]] skeleton, standard 210-rated [[fusion engine]] and seven [[jump jet]]s, a max speed of more than 100 km/h and an impressive jumping range make the ''Pack Hunter'' an excellent flanking or vanguard BattleMech. Though lacking the high-powered sensor equipment that would make it an excellent scout, its ability to handle itself in nearly any situation makes up for that perceived deficiency. The use of a standard engine and its internal [[double heat sink]]s make the 'Mech cheaper to manufacture.<ref name=TRO3060/>
 +
 
 +
The ''Pack Hunter''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Extended_Range_Particle_Projector_Cannon#Ripper_Series_A1|Ripper Series A1]] [[ER PPC]], capable of decapitating a foe in a single blast, gives any 'Mech that faces it a good reason to worry. The 'Mech excels when staying at extreme range and using its speed to keep that distance between it and larger 'Mechs, especially with multiple ''Pack Hunters'' acting in unison as its name implies. However, the ''Pack Hunter'' is hard pressed to defend itself if attacked by multiple opponents due to its lack of secondary weapons and its meager four tons of [[standard armor]].<ref name=TRO3060/>
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
*;''Pack Hunter'' 2 : This variant was introduced during [[3065]]<ref name=MUL/>. It adds an [[XL Engine]] to mount eight [[General Systems]] [[ER Micro Laser]]s and an additional [[double heat sink]]. It also carries the maximum amount of [[Ferro-Fibrous]] armor possible. Even with the additional heat sink, the ''Pack Hunter'' 2 is at risk to high heat levels<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'' p. 208 - 'Mech variant's era is Civil War.</ref>. BV (1.0) = 1,464<ref>''Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I'', p. 40</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,598<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 208</ref>
+
*; ''Pack Hunter'' 2 : This variant was introduced during [[3065]].<ref name=MUL/> It adds an [[XL engine]] to mount eight [[General Systems]] [[ER micro laser]]s and an additional [[double heat sink]], and also carries the maximum amount of [[ferro-fibrous]] armor possible. Even with the additional heat sink, the ''Pack Hunter'' 2 is at risk to high heat levels.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 208: 'Mech variant's era is Civil War</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,464;<ref>''Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I'', p. 40</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,598<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 208</ref>
  
*;''Pack Hunter'' 3 : Introduced during the [[Jihad]] in [[3068]]<ref name=MUL/>, this variant of the 2 removes half of the lasers to mount [[MASC]], enabling the ''Pack Hunter'' to move up to 151 km/h in bursts. This has the added bonus of alleviating some of the heat problems of the first variant. BV (1.0) = 1,550<ref>''Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I'', p. 41</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,747<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 209</ref>
+
*; ''Pack Hunter'' 3 : Introduced during the [[Jihad]] in [[3068]],<ref name=MUL/> this variant of the 2 removes half of the lasers to mount [[MASC]], enabling the ''Pack Hunter'' to move up to 151 km/h in bursts. This has the added bonus of alleviating some of the heat problems of the first variant. BV (1.0) = 1,550;<ref>''Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I'', p. 41</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,747<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 209</ref>
  
*;''Pack Hunter'' 4 : Another [[Jihad]] variant introduced [[3070]], this one takes advantage of new advances in Clan technology. The 'Mech has been fitted with lower rate [[XL Fusion Engine]], reducing the 'Mech speed to 90 kph. To make up for drop in speed, the ''Pack Hunter'' is equipped with nine [[Improved Jump Jets]]. The design has been given [[Endo Steel]] and a slight increase in Ferro-Fibrous Armor. For weaponry, the 'Mech has a [[Clan]] [[ER Large Laser]], guided by a [[Targeting Computer]]. In addition, the 'Mech has been given a [[Guardian ECM]]. BV (2.0) = 1,257<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 210 - New Improved Jump Jet variant introduced in 3060u Record Sheets.</ref>
+
*; ''Pack Hunter'' 4 : Another [[Jihad]] variant introduced [[3070]], this one takes advantage of new advances in Clan technology. The 'Mech has been fitted with lower rate [[XL engine]], reducing the 'Mech speed to 90 km/h. To make up for the drop in speed, the ''Pack Hunter'' is equipped with nine [[improved jump jet]]s. The design has been given [[endo steel]] and a slight increase in [[ferro-fibrous]] armor. For weaponry, the 'Mech has a Clan [[ER large laser]], guided by a [[targeting computer]]. In addition, the 'Mech has been given a [[Guardian ECM suite]]. BV (2.0) = 1,257<ref>''Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged'', p. 210</ref>
 +
 
 +
*; ''Pack Hunter'' 5 : This Wolf Empire variant is a much more thorough melding of Inner Sphere and Clan technologies. Built around a few central Inner Sphere-grade components - a 270-rated [[XL engine]], seven standard [[jump jet]]s, and an [[endo steel]] frame - while clad in five and a half tons of Clan-grade [[ferro-fibrous]] armor. Now better armored than the original and capable of a remarkable 151 km/h top speed, the ''Pack Hunter'' 5's sole weapon is the Clan-tech [[ER PPC]] that gave the original model its bite. Though this means the 5 is still plagued by the original's inability to engage multiple opponents, the sheer speed gained in this upgrade makes it ever easier to avoid most return fire. BV (2.0) = 1,644<ref name=RGIV1p15>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1'', p15 "Pack Hunter"</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Design Quirks==
 +
The ''Pack Hunter'' has the following [[Design Quirk]]:<ref>''BattleMech Manual'', p. 93: BattleMech Quirk Table - Pack Hunter Entry</ref>
 +
* [[Reinforced Legs]]
  
 
==Related BattleMechs==
 
==Related BattleMechs==
*''[[Pack Hunter II]]'' - Originally intending to develop an upgraded [[OmniMech]] version of the original ''Pack Hunter'', the desperation of the Jihad resulted in the Wolves-in-Exile refocusing their efforts into merely developing an improved ''Pack Hunter II'' <ref name=TRO3085-144>''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 144, "Pack Hunter II"</ref>
+
* ''[[Pack Hunter II]]'' - Originally intending to develop an upgraded [[OmniMech]] version of the original ''Pack Hunter'', the desperation of the Jihad resulted in the Wolves-in-Exile refocusing their efforts into merely developing an improved ''Pack Hunter II''<ref name=TRO3085-144>''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 144: "Pack Hunter II"</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Notable pilots==
 +
* MechWarrior [[Zane Nova Cat|Zane]] of [[Clan Nova Cat]] piloted the only ''Pack Hunter'' in the [[Clan Nova Cat Touman|Nova Cat ''touman'']]. He named the 'Mech ''Ebony Dragon'', for a vision he had experienced.<ref name=ACtA012>''Path of Glory'', pp. 155–242</ref>
 +
* Wolf's Dragoons MechWarrior, Andrew "Caveman" Roy piloted a ''Pack Hunter'' as part of the Black Wolves company in the novel ''[[Divided We Fall]]''
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
 +
* In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was translated to '''''Rudeljäger'''''.
  
==Notable pilots==  
+
==Gallery==
* MechWarrior [[Zane Nova Cat|Zane]] of [[Clan Nova Cat]] piloted the only ''Pack Hunter'' in the Nova Cat ''[[touman]]''. He named the 'Mech "Ebony Dragon", for a vision he had experienced.<ref name=ACtA012>''Path of Glory'' p. 155-242</ref>
+
<gallery>
 +
Packhunter.gif|Original ''Pack Hunter'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3060|TRO:3060]]''
 +
Pack Hunter RGilClan v01.jpg|''Pack Hunter'' from ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1 |RG:ilClan v1]]''
 +
Clan Ad Hoc Star - Pack Hunter.jpg|''Pack Hunter'' miniature from ''[[BattleTech: Clan Ad Hoc Star]]''
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 47: Line 72:
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
*''[[Combat Operations]]''
+
<div class="desktop-3-col">
*''[[Master Unit List]]''
+
* ''[[Combat Operations]]''
*''[[Record Sheets: 3060]]''
+
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
*''[[Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged]]''
+
* ''[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/dark_age_31.pdf Northwind Highlanders - Tara Bishop's Dossier]''
*''[[Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I]]''
+
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1]]''
*''[[Technical Readout: 3060]]''  
+
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3060]]''
*''[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/dark_age_25.pdf Dragon's Fury - Hitoshi Sato's dossier]'' - Note: Pilots a Pack Hunter 2
+
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged]]''
*''[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/dark_age_31.pdf Northwind Highlanders - Tara Bishop's Dossier]''
+
* ''[[Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I]]''
*''[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/dark_age_4.pdf Dragon's Fury - Miguel V's Dossier]''
+
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3060]]''
 
+
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3085]]''
 +
</div>
  
 +
[[Category:'Mechs]]
 
[[Category:BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:Light BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:Light BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:30 ton BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:30 ton BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Dark Age Mechs]]
 
[[Category:Sniper BattleMechs]]
 
 
[[Category:Clan Wolf-in-Exile BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:Clan Wolf-in-Exile BattleMechs]]
 +
[[Category:German renamed units]]

Latest revision as of 18:48, 11 March 2024

Pack Hunter
Pack Hunter
Production information
Manufacturer WC Site 3
Production Year 3059[1]
Model Standard
Class Light
Introduced 3059[1]
Cost 3,206,840 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan BattleMech
Mass 30 tons
Chassis Type AR1 endo steel
Armor Royal-7 Standard
Engine Light Force 210
Communications System K9 Communications System
Targeting Tracking System Hunter (3) Dedicated TTS
Heat Sinks 10 double heat sinks
Speed 119 km/h
Jump Jets Unknown
Armament

1x ER PPC

BV (1.0) 1,384[2]
BV (2.0) 1,369[3][4]


Description[edit]

Fast and with a sharp bite, the Pack Hunter is the first new design produced by Clan Wolf-in-Exile on Arc-Royal.[4]

Following their arrival on Arc-Royal in the wake of the Refusal War, Khan Phelan Kell's newly Exiled Wolves quickly set about constructing production facilities to support their touman. Though many Exiled Wolf Warriors pushed for a heavy flagship OmniMech that would command attention from the other Clans as their first BattleMech, Khan Kell pragmatically realized that a second-line machine was of more immediate usefulness as well as serving as a proof-of-concept for the new production lines, allowing problems to be identified and fixed without the risk of producing a flawed OmniMech. Showing his bias for lighter, faster designs, Khan Phelan Kell directed his scientists to create a 'Mech offering "impressive speed but with a bite. A real pack hunter."[4]

Production of the Pack Hunter also showed the strength of the Exiled Wolves' ties to the Kell Hounds, the 'Mech carrying standard armor and communication equipment manufactured by the Hounds and purchased as part of a trade agreement for access to endo steel from an Exiled Wolf orbital factory. While the lion's share of Pack Hunters were deployed in Clan Wolf-in-Exile's second-line and garrison Clusters as fast as they can be produced, the Kell Hounds deployed a few in their own regiments.[4]

Intended for obsolescence from the very start, repeated delays and false starts would ensure the Pack Hunter saw continued production until the introduction not of a new OmniMech, but the updated and upgraded Pack Hunter II in 3077 instead.[5] Amazingly, the original design would reappear over 70 years later during the Dark Ages thanks to the Wolf Empire's capture of the Technicron Manufacturing/Irian BattleMechs Unlimited plant on Tongatapu. Rather than upgrade the Tongatapu Hermes 4K line to Clan standards, the Empire instead used it as the basis to reintroduce the Pack Hunter. Though how the Empire acquired the plans is unknown, the decision was intended not as a snub to the Exiled Wolves but an attempt at enticing its survivors to join the Empire following the fall of Arc-Royal.[6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Built around an endo steel skeleton, standard 210-rated fusion engine and seven jump jets, a max speed of more than 100 km/h and an impressive jumping range make the Pack Hunter an excellent flanking or vanguard BattleMech. Though lacking the high-powered sensor equipment that would make it an excellent scout, its ability to handle itself in nearly any situation makes up for that perceived deficiency. The use of a standard engine and its internal double heat sinks make the 'Mech cheaper to manufacture.[4]

The Pack Hunter's Ripper Series A1 ER PPC, capable of decapitating a foe in a single blast, gives any 'Mech that faces it a good reason to worry. The 'Mech excels when staying at extreme range and using its speed to keep that distance between it and larger 'Mechs, especially with multiple Pack Hunters acting in unison as its name implies. However, the Pack Hunter is hard pressed to defend itself if attacked by multiple opponents due to its lack of secondary weapons and its meager four tons of standard armor.[4]

Variants[edit]

  • Pack Hunter
    Introduced during the Jihad in 3068,[1] this variant of the 2 removes half of the lasers to mount MASC, enabling the Pack Hunter to move up to 151 km/h in bursts. This has the added bonus of alleviating some of the heat problems of the first variant. BV (1.0) = 1,550;[10] BV (2.0) = 1,747[11]
  • Pack Hunter
    This Wolf Empire variant is a much more thorough melding of Inner Sphere and Clan technologies. Built around a few central Inner Sphere-grade components - a 270-rated XL engine, seven standard jump jets, and an endo steel frame - while clad in five and a half tons of Clan-grade ferro-fibrous armor. Now better armored than the original and capable of a remarkable 151 km/h top speed, the Pack Hunter 5's sole weapon is the Clan-tech ER PPC that gave the original model its bite. Though this means the 5 is still plagued by the original's inability to engage multiple opponents, the sheer speed gained in this upgrade makes it ever easier to avoid most return fire. BV (2.0) = 1,644[13]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Pack Hunter has the following Design Quirk:[14]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Pack Hunter II - Originally intending to develop an upgraded OmniMech version of the original Pack Hunter, the desperation of the Jihad resulted in the Wolves-in-Exile refocusing their efforts into merely developing an improved Pack Hunter II[5]

Notable pilots[edit]

  • MechWarrior Zane of Clan Nova Cat piloted the only Pack Hunter in the Nova Cat touman. He named the 'Mech Ebony Dragon, for a vision he had experienced.[15]
  • Wolf's Dragoons MechWarrior, Andrew "Caveman" Roy piloted a Pack Hunter as part of the Black Wolves company in the novel Divided We Fall

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was translated to Rudeljäger.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 MUL online date for the Pack Hunter
  2. Combat Operations, p. 119
  3. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 207
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Technical Readout: 3060, pp. 142–143: "Pack Hunter Profile"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 144: "Pack Hunter II"
  6. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p13 "Pack Hunter"
  7. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 208: 'Mech variant's era is Civil War
  8. Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 40
  9. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 208
  10. Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 41
  11. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 209
  12. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 210
  13. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 1, p15 "Pack Hunter"
  14. BattleMech Manual, p. 93: BattleMech Quirk Table - Pack Hunter Entry
  15. Path of Glory, pp. 155–242

Bibliography[edit]