Difference between revisions of "Wolfhound"

(german name)
(add quirks and role; cleanup)
Line 6: Line 6:
 
|year reference=<ref name=MUL>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3563/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
 
|year reference=<ref name=MUL>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3563/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
 
|model=WLF-2
 
|model=WLF-2
|class=Light
 
 
|cost = 3,141,180 C-bills
 
|cost = 3,141,180 C-bills
 
|Tech Base = Inner Sphere
 
|Tech Base = Inner Sphere
 
|mech type =BattleMech
 
|mech type =BattleMech
 +
|feet=biped
 
|mass=35
 
|mass=35
 
|chassis=Arc-Royal KH/3
 
|chassis=Arc-Royal KH/3
Line 82: Line 82:
  
 
== Design Quirks ==
 
== Design Quirks ==
* The ''WLF-2H Wolfhound'' variant is subject of the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref name=TRO:Proto/>
+
The ''Wolfhound'' has the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref>[[BattleMech Manual]], p. 95 Design Quirk Table - Wolfhound Entry.</ref>
 +
* [[Easy to Maintain]]
 +
* [[Good Reputation|Good Reputation (1)]]
 +
 
 +
The ''WLF-2H Wolfhound'' variant is subject of the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref name=TRO:Proto/>
 
* [[Cooling System Flaws]]
 
* [[Cooling System Flaws]]
 
* [[Easy to Maintain]]
 
* [[Easy to Maintain]]
Line 109: Line 113:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 +
* ''[[BattleMech Manual]]''
 
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs]]''
 
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs]]''
 
* ''[[Master Unit List: Battle Values]]''
 
* ''[[Master Unit List: Battle Values]]''
Line 126: Line 131:
 
* ''[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/death_from_above_4.pdf MechWarrior: Dark Age's Knight of the Sphere Marcel Thennes]''
 
* ''[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/death_from_above_4.pdf MechWarrior: Dark Age's Knight of the Sphere Marcel Thennes]''
  
[[Category:BattleMechs]]
+
[[Category:Striker BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Light BattleMechs]]
+
[[Category:Lyran Alliance BattleMechs]]
[[Category:35 ton BattleMechs]]
 
 
[[Category:Lyran Commonwealth BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:Lyran Commonwealth BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:Clan Wolf-in-Exile BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:Clan Wolf-in-Exile BattleMechs]]
 
[[Category:German renamed units]]
 
[[Category:German renamed units]]

Revision as of 07:10, 16 May 2020

Wolfhound
Wolfhound
Production information
Manufacturer TharHes Industries
Arc-Royal MechWorks
Production Year 3052[1]
Model WLF-2
Class Light
Cost 3,141,180 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Arc-Royal KH/3
Armor Durallex Medium
Engine GM 210
Communications System O/P Com-22/H47
Targeting Tracking System Digital Scanlok 347
Heat Sinks 10 Double heat sinks
Speed 97.2 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 903
BV (2.0) 1,061[2]


Description

A light, rugged, and dependable design, the Wolfhound made its first appearance in 3028. Following the success of the Hatchetman designed in partnership with the Federated Suns, Archon Katrina Steiner ordered TharHes Industries to produce a BattleMech to address a persistent problem of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces: hunting down and destroying the Panther and Jenner, swift light-weight 'Mechs of the Draconis Combine which had embarrassed the LCAF one too many times. The final design was a light 'Mech with an all-energy weapons payload effective at a variety of combat ranges, the maximum amount of armor for a 'Mech of its weight class, and the use of mostly standard components to keep costs down.[3][2][4]

Due to their fierce loyalty to House Steiner, the Kell Hounds were the first unit chosen to field test the Wolfhound in combat, followed shortly thereafter by Wolf's Dragoons. The design received its baptism of fire during the Fourth Succession War where it exceeded all expectations and performed brilliantly. This was especially true when the Wolfhound faced its intended targets, hitting the Jenner beyond its ability to return fire while closing the distance on the Panther to get within the minimum range of its primary weapon. With the successful end of the war the Federated Commonwealth ordered larger numbers of Wolfhounds to outfit its military and the design was used again during the War of 3039. Wolfhounds suffered far fewer casualties than other 'Mechs during that conflict and a mere handful fell into the hands of the Combine. While impressed with the 'Mech the Kuritans were too prideful to copy it themselves, instead using captured examples to help develop the Wolf Trap to specifically counter the 'Mech.[3][2]

Eventually Arc-Royal MechWorks was brought in to produce Wolfhounds under license from TharHes, and the recovery of Lostech thanks to the Helm Memory Core allowed for a more advanced variant to be produced to combat the Clan Invasion. Unfortunately the necessary retooling of TharHes' factories to produce the WLF-2 model, introduced in 3052, took too long before ComStar brought an end to the invasion with the Battle of Tukayyid. These newer Wolfhounds continued to be produced for both FedCom member states, although following the formal creation of the Lyran Alliance the TharHes factories began producing the newer WLF-3S model. This new variant was shipped only to units loyal to the Lyran state, and thus fought on the side of Katherine Steiner-Davion during the FedCom Civil War. During the Jihad the Word of Blake launched a devastating assault on Tharkad, effectively shutting down TharHes' Wolfhound factory line; in response Arc-Royal increased production and introduced the WLF-4 model to replace the losses suffered by allied forces fighting the Blakists.[2]

Weapons and Equipment

As a "laser boat" the Wolfhound's very basic weapons array frees it from supply lines and allows for superior endurance during extended campaigns. The primary long-range weapon is a Cyclops XII ER Large Laser mounted in the right arm, which allows the Wolfhound to strike at ranges of nearly 600 meters. As secondary weapons for close combat, the Wolfhound is armed with four Defiance B3M Medium Lasers. Three of these are split between the right, center, and left torso, while the fourth is mounted in the center-rear in case any 'Mech tries to exploit this traditional blind spot.[3][2]

Ten double heat sinks allow for superior heat management, while seven and a half tons of armor provide excellent protection. While the majority of the components used in the Wolfhound are Lyran in origin, the use of a Full-Head Ejection System required the help of the Federated Suns. Countless MechWarrior lives have been saved thanks to this system's ability to operate in traditionally hostile environments.[3][2]

Variants

  • WLF-1 
    The original Wolfhound model, produced from 3028 until the introduction of the WLF-2 variant. The pre-Helm Memory Core WLF-1's primary weapon is a standard Setanta Large Laser, making its striking distance shorter than that of the later model, while its ten standard heat sinks did not dissipate as much waste heat as the newer double heat sinks used on the WLF-2.[3][2] BV (1.0) = 736, BV (2.0) = 949[3]
  • WLF-1A 
    A common field refit employed by some MechWarriors, this model simply removes the rear mounted medium laser and adds an extra heat sink.[3] BV (2.0) = 967 [5]
  • WLF-1B 
    Another common field refit, this model repositions the rear-firing medium laser to face forward.[3] BV (2.0) = 967 [6]
  • WLF-2H 
    This is a production model of the WLF-2X described below, introduced in 3082. To ease production, the Actuator Enhancement System has been removed and replaced by an extra heat sink. The Reflective Armor has been replaced by the standard armor available anywhere in the Inner Sphere. The Heavy PPC retains the PPC Capacitor, and the XL Engine retains the Supercharger that allows for impressive speed boosts. A pair of ER Medium Lasers and an ER Small Laser round out the weapons. BV (2.0) = 1,511[7]
  • WLF-3M 
    A post-Jihad field refit of the WLF-3S in use among the states of the former Free Worlds League, the 3M removes two double heat sinks and one half ton of armor to replace the ER PPC and ER Lasers with a right-arm mounted Light Gauss Rifle with a single ton of reloads[9]. BV (2.0) = 786[10]
  • WLF-3S 
    The 3S variant, introduced in 3064, sacrifices some of the 'Mech's durability for an increase in firepower. The 'Mech is powered by a Light Fusion Engine which frees up space on the chassis for new equipment. The ER large laser has been removed and replaced with an ER PPC, extending its range even further. The medium lasers have been replaced with three forward facing ER medium lasers and a rear facing ER small laser. Finally, the chassis is now built using Endo Steel and the 'Mech has two additional double heat sinks to help handle the much heavier heat burden.[2] BV (1.0)= 944[11], BV (2.0)= 1,179[12]
  • WLF-4W 
    The 4W is based on the WLF-2 model and is intended as a mid-range harasser. Introduced by Arc-Royal MechWorks in 3069 the 4W has an Endo Steel chassis and carries three Light PPCs mounted in the torsos, as well as an ER medium laser and an ER small laser in the right arm.[2]
  • WLF-4WA 
    An electronic warfare variant of the WLF-4W model introduced in 3071, the 4WA retains the trio of torso mounted Fusigon Longtooth Light PPCs, but exchanges the arm-mounted lasers for a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (2.0) = 1,050 [13]
  • WLF-5 
    A post-Jihad variant produced on Arc-Royal alongside the WLF-4W in 3079, the WLF-5 is built on an Endo Steel frame and is powered by the larger 245 rated XL Engine to increase its ground speed by 20 km/h, capable of almost 150 km/h in short bursts due to the inclusion of MASC. Replacing the armament of lasers with an array of PPCs; a right-arm mounted Hound's-tooth Snub-Nose PPC is supported by a pair of torso-mounted Defiance 1002 Light PPCs.[9] BV (2.0) = 1,290[14]

Custom Variants

  • WLF-1 Allard 
    Personal 'Mech of Daniel Allard, commander of the Kell Hounds mercenary unit. With close ties to Clan Wolf-in-Exile, this Wolfhound was built in 3062 using Clan technology. It includes a Clan extralight engine, twelve double heat sinks and Clan weaponry: an ER PPC in the right arm and three ER medium lasers split between the torso, while the rear-center torso mounts an ER small laser. All of these weapons are tied to a Targeting Computer for superior accuracy. BV (2.0) = 1,941[15]

Apocryphal Variants

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • WLF-GR Grinner 
    Rather than a mixtech or purely Clantech design, MechWarrior Online's version of Phelan Ward's Grinner is an entirely Inner Sphere technology replication of the main features of the Wolfhound IIC - an IS grade ER Large Laser in the right arm is supported by four forward facing standard Medium Lasers - two in the center torso and one in each side torso. Carrying a IS standard Endo Steel frame and just ten IS double heat sinks free up weight to also mount a Guardian ECM Suite.[16]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Related Battlemechs

  • Wolf Trap - The Draconis Combine designed the medium Wolftrap specifically to counter the Wolfhound. It shares the Wolfhound's movement profile, but is far more reliant on ammunition-consuming weapons.

Notable Pilots

Famous individuals in the BattleTech universe who piloted Wolfhounds include:

  • Phelan Kell, son of Morgan Kell, also piloted a Wolfhound, which he named "Grinner", after his dog, while serving with the Hounds until it was destroyed before his capture by Clan Wolf in 3049. After being dissected and studied by Clan scientists, when Phelan was granted full warrior status Khan Ulric Kerensky authorized the reconstruction of his Wolfhound to become the aforementioned Wolfhound IIC variant.

Design Quirks

The Wolfhound has the following Design Quirks:[18]

The WLF-2H Wolfhound variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:[7]

Notes

In German products the unit's proper name was perfectly translated to Wolfshund. The model code was left unchanged.

BattleMech Gallery

Notes

References

  1. MUL online date for the Wolfhound
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 32-33
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 226-227
  4. Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p.28
  5. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 388
  6. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 389
  7. 7.0 7.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 105
  8. Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs, p. 3, 16
  9. 9.0 9.1 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 68, "WLF-5 Wolfhound"
  10. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 101
  11. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 57
  12. Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 169
  13. Starterbook: Wolf and Blake, pp. 28, 95.
  14. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 69, "WLF-5 Wolfhound"
  15. Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p.71
  16. MechWarrior Online Resistance Heroes Sale Page
  17. Blood of the Isle p. 277
  18. BattleMech Manual, p. 95 Design Quirk Table - Wolfhound Entry.

Bibliography