Rook (BattleMech)

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

Rook
Production information
Manufacturer	Hessen IndustrialWorks/NHDF New Hessen WorkMechs Precision Weaponry
Production Year	3074
Model	NH-1A
Class	Medium
Cost	3,909,694 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Primitive Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	NHDF-1
Armor	HIW-50 Indyplate primitive armor
Engine	Vlar Classic 200 primitive engine
Communications System	Unknown
Targeting Tracking System	Unknown
Heat Sinks	14 single
Speed	54 km/h
Jump Jets	Chilton 360
Armament	1x PPC 6x medium lasers 1x small laser
BV (1.0)	N/A
BV (2.0)	1,197

Description

The Rook is a new retrotech design which owes its existence to mercenary General Pat Hampton of Hampton’s Hessens. After fighting through the Blake Protectorate the mercenary unit had obtained a copy of the New Dallas Memory Core, and quickly took to analyzing the contained data. After reviewing the core's contents, General Hampton lobbied to have New Hessen's local manufacturers produce the design using local resources, which resulted in New Hessen's defense forces received large numbers of the new 'Mechs. Due to the Rook' primitive design it has a hard time standing up to comparable modern units, but in large numbers it is capable of inflicting heavy damage.

As of 3076, New Hessen defense forces still utilized the design, and it also known to be deployed with Devlin Stone's allied coalition forces. Production continued through the Jihad and beyond, though production on New Hessen was restricted to New Hessen WorkMechs.

Weapons and Equipment

As with many retrotech 'Mechs, the Rook primarily utilizes cheap, easy to manufacture primitive technology in it's construction. A NHDF-1 primitive chassis is powered by a Vlar 200 Classic primitive engine, which allows the 'Mech to move at an exciting 54 kp/h; this lackluster speed is enhanced by three Chilton 360 jump jets, which allow leaps of up to 90 meters. Protection is offered 15 tons of HIW-50 Indyplate primitive armor which, while heavy compared to standard armor, provides solid protection.

General Hampton recommended that manufacturers design the 'Mech with only energy weaponry to keep the 'Mech less dependent on supply lines during a long campaign. As such, the Rook uses a Hellstar PPC for long range combat, supported by six Martell medium lasers, two of which are rear-mounted, and a small laser.

Variants

• 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-2 

  The NH-2 Rook uses cutting edge technologies to create a formidable medium 'Mech. Using a modern DAV 220 fusion engine increases the top speed to 64 km/h, while an advanced compact gyro to make room for six improved jump jets, allowing the Rook to easily traverse the battlefield. Protection is upgraded with standard armor, and the double heat sinks have been installed, allowing the removal of two to save space. The two rear-firing medium lasers are gone, the PPC has been exchanged for an ER PPC, and the small laser has been replaced by a small pulse laser. BV (2.0) = 1,525

• 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. BV (2.0) = 1,746

Design Quirks

The Rook is subject to the following Design Quirk:

• Rugged (1)

BattleMech Gallery

• 

  NH-1B Rook-X from XTRO: RetroTech

• NH-2 Rook.jpg

  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