Slowpoke

Production information
Manufacturer	Sian WeaponsCorp, Liao Vehicles Facility
Model	SLP-2U
Class	Ultralight
Cost	840,327
Technical specifications
Mass	10 tons
Chassis	Sian V
Armor	Starshield
Engine	Pitban 20
Communications System	CeresCom Model 2-Rs
Speed	38.8 km/h
Jump Jets	Anderson Propulsion 15
Armament	Medium laser
BV (1.0)	?
BV (2.0)	?

Description

The third Great House to develop an BattleMech (after House Davion and House Kurita), House Liao created the Slowpoke in response to the appearance of the Federated Suns' Junior in the 25th Century. An altogether unimpressive design due to poor planning and implementation of its conception and manufacture, the Slowpoke was built for some two centuries until the 'Mech factories on Liao were destroyed in the First Succession War"First Succession War" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation.. No new Slowpokes were built since.

Armament

The Slowpoke is armed with a single CeresArms medium laser. With a movement profile matching the infamous UrbanMech, its two and a half tons of armor are woefully inadequate even though they provide near maximum protection for a 'Mech of this small size.

Variants

None known.

Notable Pilots

• Maximilian Liao personally maintained a Slowpoke named the Humble Warlord as his auxiliary 'Mech, painted in House colors and kept in perfect condition.

Canonicity

The Slowpoke was only ever described in StarDrive. Since this magazine is not currently counted among the canonical sources for BattleTech, the 'Mech itself is not currently considered canonical either.

Notes

• The maximum ground speed given for this 'Mech is slightly higher than normal for its mass and engine rating (38.8 instead of 32.4 kph), but this has no impact on its game stats.
• The electronics carried by the Slowpoke (CeresCom Model 2-Rs communications and Chamberlain Winesap targeting & tracking systems) are considered obsolete and a technician's nightmare. Because spare parts are almost impossible to find these systems are usually replaced instead of repaired, but replacing them requires delicate circuit modifications that can only be preformed by skilled technicians.
• Since the Slowpoke has become a rare and unusual design, most people are unaware of its roomy engine compartment that is large enough to accomodate some of the pilot's personal effects and lends itself well to smuggling small goods.
• The description of this 'Mech clashes with canon established by later sources, which indicate that BattleMechs were developed first by House Cameron/the Terran Hegemony, then the Lyran Commonwealth, followed by the Federated Suns, Draconis Combine, Capellan Confederation and Free Worlds League in ascending order.

Bibliography

• StarDrive (pp. 8-9)