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Vindicator

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Vindicator
Vindicator
Production information
Manufacturer Ceres Metals Industries
Production Year 2826
Model VND-1R
Class Medium
Cost 3,181,083 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 45 tons
Chassis Ceresplex IV
Armor Starshield
Engine GM 180
Communications System CeresCom Model 21-Rs
Speed 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets Anderson Propulsion 30
Armament
BV (1.0) 900
BV (2.0) 1,024[1]


Description

The Vindicator is one of the most well known Capellan Confederation BattleMechs. Designed to maximize the effectiveness of the Confederation's production capabilities after the First Succession War, the Vindicator is a "jack-of-all-trades". Because of this, the Vindicator does not excel in any one role but can perform a variety of combat roles with varying degrees of success.[2][3]

Armament

The 'Mech has a top speed of only 64.8 km/h, which allows it to keep with most heavy 'Mechs and some slower medium 'Mechs. The jump jets give it a jumping capability of up to 120 meters which, while not up to par with the greater distances of 'Mechs like the Phoenix Hawk, allows the Vindicator the ability to outmaneuver most heavier 'Mechs, as well as making it easier to go through rough terrain. [2][3]

The Vindicator carries as its primary weapon a Ceres Arms Smasher PPC. The PPC gives the Vindicator a weapon capable of striking at long ranges and doing a respectable amount of damage. As a secondary long-range weapon, and giving the 'Mech indirect support capability is the Sian/Ceres Jaguar LRM-5. Finally, for close range work, the Vindicator carries a Ceres Arms Medium Laser and a Hessen IX Small Laser.[2][1][4]

Variants

  • VND-1AA - The 1AA version, also known as Avenging Angel, is designed to give the 'Mech better maneuverability making it more easily capable of competing with 'Mechs like the Phoenix Hawk. In order to do this, the armor protection was reduced from nine tons to four and a half tons. The engine was then upgraded to bring the maximum speed up to 86.4 km/h, and the Avenging Angel's jumping distance has been increased by 30 meters. The weapons payload remains the same as the 1R version. [2] BV (1.0) = 835, BV (2.0) = 966[5]
  • VND-1SIC - A standardized modification of Michael Jones St. Ives Blue adopted by the newly formed St. Ives Compact, the VND-1SIC downgrades the PPC to a Large Laser, while upgrading the LRM rack to a LRM-10. [3] BV (2.0) = 1,020[6]
  • VND-3L - The 3L variant is a basic upgrade using recovered Star League technology. The PPC was upgraded to a Ceres Arms Warrior ER PPC and the Medium and Small Lasers have been removed in favor of a single Ceres Arms Model W Medium Pulse Laser. To handle the extra heat from the new ER PPC, the heat sinks have been upgraded to double heat sinks. BV (1.0) = 1,069, BV (2.0) = 1,105[8]
  • VND-3Lr - Extending the 3L variant even more, this version drops all the existing weaponry and replaces it with a Snub-Nose PPC, MML-5, and ER Medium Laser. The ammunition is protected by CASE. [9] BV (2.0) = 1,045[10]
  • VND-4L - The 4L Vindicator is a major upgrade to the design. The engine has been replaced with an extralight engine and the 'Mech's top speed is 86.4 km/h with a jumping distance of 150 meters. The 'Mech uses double heat sinks for its advanced weapons load, which includes an ER PPC and LRM-5 for striking power at long range and an ER Medium Laser and Medium Pulse Laser for short range work. Finally, the 'Mech carries a Guardian ECM Suite and is protected with nine tons of Stealth Armor, making it harder to target at range. BV (1.0) = 1,177, BV (2.0) = 1,493[11]
  • VND-5L - The 5L variant is a more basic upgrade than the 4L. The 'Mech uses a standard engine, armor, and structure. The changes and advancements come in the weapons and a different system for augmenting its movement abilities, Triple Strength Myomer. The 'Mech's new weapons include an ER PPC, two ER Medium Lasers, two Medium Pulse Lasers, a single Small Pulse Laser, and a Small Laser. This varied mix of energy weapons allows the MechWarrior piloting the 'Mech to balance their heat load to keep the Triple Strength Myomer working at its optimum efficiency. In so doing, the Vindicator can deal a fair amount of damage with its Sword. BV (1.0) = 1,104, BV (2.0) = 1,404[11]

Custom Variants

  • VND-1R Vong - The customized Vindicator used by Major Choung Vong in the Third and Fourth Succession Wars moved the head-mounted medium laser to the arm in place of the Small Laser, simply to make the cockpit roomier for its brutally effective but rather rotund pilot. [3] BV (2.0) = 1,024.[12]
  • VND-1R St. Ives Blue - The personal Vindicator of Major Michael Jones and his father before him, St. Ives Blue is easily recognizable for the large silver trumpet painted on its chest and its replacement of the PPC with a Large Laser and LRM-5 with an LRM-10 rack. After his unit succeeded to St. Ives Compact in the wake of the Fourth Succession War the newly formed St. Ives Military Command would ultimately use Jones altered weapons aray as the basis for the VND-1SIC variant. [2] [3]
  • VND-3LD Vindicator Dao - This custom-designed model is piloted by a Capellan bounty hunter. It has been rebuilt using Clan-technology heat sinks, Ferro-Fibrous Armor, and Endo Steel. A Clan ER PPC is the primary weapon, and the 'Mech also carries a BattleMech Taser to aid in capturing targets alive. A Supercharger and an Actuator Enhancement System add to the Vindicator's speed and accuracy. BV (2.0) = 1,814[13]

Related BattleMechs

Gallery

  • VND-1R Vindicator

  • VND-3L Vindicator

  • VND-3L Vindicator in motion

  • VND-Vindicator.png

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 131
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Technical Readout: 3025, p.52
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 130
  4. ↑ Introductory Record Sheets, p. 11
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 115
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 200
  7. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 201
  8. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 51
  9. ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 190
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 73
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 164
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 198
  13. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Liao, p. 4
  14. ↑ Technical Readout: 3055, pp. 38-39

Bibliography

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