Rook (BattleMech)

This article is about the 55-ton BattleMech. For the WarShip, see Rook (Individual Potemkin-class WarShip).

Rook
Production information
Manufacturer	Hessen IndustrialWorks/NHDF New Hessen MechWorks New Hessen WorkMechs Precision Weaponry
Production Year	3074
Model	NH-2
Class	Medium
Cost	7,471,723 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	Hessen Rook Mk II
Armor	New Hessen Laminar Weave
Engine	DAV 220
Communications System	Neil 6000
Targeting Tracking System	Octagon Tartrac System C
Heat Sinks	12 double
Speed	64 km/h
Jump Jets	Rawlings 45i
Armament	1x ER PPC 4x medium laser 1x small pulse laser
BV (2.0)	1,525

Description

The NH-2 Rook is a capable if unspectacular BattleMech. Devlin Stone's delivery of advanced engines during the Jihad allowed the move away from primitive components to a modern machine.

Slow for its weight class at 64 km/h, the Rook upgrades every component of the original to modern standards.

Weapons and Equipment

The NH-2 Rook upgrades almost every component of the original. The chassis, armor, and engine are all modern but affordable, as are the electronics. Two heat sinks were removed but the remaining twelve are upgraded to double heat sinks.

The original PPC is upgraded to a Tiegart Maximum ER PPC. The head-mounted small laser, the design's anti-infantry component, is now a Sutel Precision Line Small Pulse Laser, far more effective at its task. The two rear-facing medium lasers were removed and the four remaining are more modern Hellion-V models.

If the Rook shines in any regard it is the Rawlings 45i Improved Jump Jets that allow it to jump over obstacles at the same speed as it can cover flat ground.

Variants

• NH-1A 

  Developed and commissioned New Hessen MechWorks during the Jihad, the 1A used primitive and obsolete components to produce a RetroTech success story. Mounting HIW-50 Indyplate primitive armor, a Vlar Classic 200 primitive engine, Chilton 360 jump jets, and a standard NHDF-1 chassis, the 1A carried weaponry that was modern if not cutting edge: a Hellstar PPC for long range combat, supported by six Martell medium lasers, two of which are rear-mounted, and a small laser. Fourteen single heat sinks required fire discipline from its MechWarrior. The top speed was a substandard 54 km/h. Production continued through the Jihad and beyond, though production on New Hessen was restricted to New Hessen WorkMechs. BV (2.0) = 1,197

• NH-1B 

  This version of the Rook replaces the primitive technology systems with their Succession Wars-era counterparts. Though it carries less armor than the original Rook, the armor is tougher and lighter. This allowed engineers to install a better engine that is larger and more efficient, allowing the NH-1B to reach a top speed of 64.8 km/h. It is also roomier, allowing the NH-1B to carry 20 single heat sinks, six more than the NH-1A. BV (2.0) = 1,227

• NH-1X Rook-X 

  This upgrade kit was designed by Arica Vasthi and released by Hessen IndustrialWorks for customers who had purchased the original NH-1A. It keeps the same armor protection and speed as the NH-1A, but replaces the weaponry. An ER PPC with an experimental PPC capacitor provides long range firepower, supplemented by two ER medium lasers and a pair of medium lasers, and small laser has been replaced by a pair of ER small lasers. To help manage the increased heat, the Rook-X carries two more single heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,187

• NH-3X 

  This version uses a 330-rated extralight engine with a supercharger to increase the top speed of the Rook to 129 km/h for short bursts, and three additional jump jets have been installed. The PPC is replaced by a binary laser cannon and a small laser is mounted in the head. These modifications cost the NH-3X two single heat sinks and required downgrading to locally produced Hessen Heavy Boosters, which produce the same jumping capacity as the NH-2. BV (2.0) = 1,746

Design Quirks

The Rook is subject to the following Design Quirk:

• Rugged (1)

BattleMech Gallery

• 

  Original NH-1A Rook from JHS:3076

• 

  NH-1B Rook-X from XTRO: RetroTech

• 

  NH-2 Rook from TRO:3085

Notes

• Canon fluff was provided by Herbert A. Beas II on the (defunct) Classic BattleTech board due to exclusion from the initial PDF release in March, 2009.

Bibliography

• Experimental Technical Readout: RetroTech
• Jihad Hot Spots: 3076
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge
• Technical Readout: 3085