Slowpoke
Sarna News
 | Apocryphal This article's subject is only mentioned in apocryphal sources, i.e. official BattleTech products which are not clearly Non-canon but do not meet the current Canon criteria either. For more information, check the Canonicity section. |
| |
| 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 | |
| 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. 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 the 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.
Bibliography
- StarDrive (pp. 8-9)