RECOGNITION GUIDE: ILCLAN VOLUME 13

STAR SUCCESSION CLAN LEAGUE WARS INVASION CIVIL WAR JIHAD DARK AGE ILCLAN SampleCATALYST GAME LABS file INTRODUCTION 3

RECOGNITION GUIDE: ILCLAN VOL. 13

SaFactor, Words which once seemed impossible now seem inevitable: the ilClan is nigh. The turbulence of the last two decades has brought several of our fellow Clans to Terra’s doorstep, to say nothing of the Inner Sphere powers which gaze upon humanity’s birthplace with hungry eyes. But we know our people, we know their aggression. One of them will move to take Terra first and claim the mantle of ilClan, however briefly. If they intend to hold it, however, they will need new hardware—and, as ever, we stand ready to deliver. For a price. Contained within these volumes is that hardware. It is an intriguing combination of all-new BattleMech designs and retrofits of existing Inner Sphere and Clan designs with weapons and equipment suitable for modern combat. All are in our inventories or otherwise obtainable, and I have instructed all Merchant Caste personnel under my command above the rank of Point Merchant to familiarize themselves with the contents of these reports and be ready to negotiate terms for any merchandise herein. I hope you will assist me, “old friend,” with their distribution across all Khanates. The wheel of power is poised to spin once more, but we must be the axle on which it revolves. Who winds up atop that wheel, and who is crushed beneath it, matters little as long as we profit from each turn.

—Merchant Colonel Reece, aboard CSF Atlantean, Skate Khanate, 14 November 3150

Welcome to Recognition Guide: ilClan, a supplement offering players exciting new ’Mech variants rooted in the closing days of the Dark Age era and the transition to the ilClan era. Inside, you’ll discover a mix of all-new ’Mechs only recently seen on battlefields of the Inner Sphere, alongside modern refits of long-existing and much- loved units. Each volume of Recognition Guide: ilClan includes full, Technical Readout-style entries on new ’Mechs or significant rebuilds of existing designs; a selection of brief write- ups on existing variants; notable pilots for each ’Mech, and record sheets for immediate game use. Special attention has been given to ’Mechs which were redesigned as part of the BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter, to ensure that these brand-new miniatures have a place in games set in the Dark Age. Many of these units have torn apart battlefields of the Inner Sphere for hundreds of years. With these guides, they will continue to do so for hundreds more. CREDITS FIND US ONLINE Project Development: Johannes Heidler Record Sheets: Dave Nawton, Carl Spain, Matt Wilsbacher Development Assistance: Aaron Cahall, Chris Wheeler [email protected] BattleTech Line Developer: Ray Arrastia Proofers, Core Fact Checkers, and Unit Design: Ray Arrastia, (e-mail address for any BattleTech questions) Assistant Line Developer: Aaron Cahall Étienne Charron-Willard, Matt Cross, Joshua Franklin, http://bg.battletech.com/ Writing: Étienne Charron-Willard, Joshua Perian, Luke Robertson, William Gauthier, Keith Hann, Mike Miller, Joshua Perian, (official BattleTech web pages) Eric Salzman, Lance Scarinci, Paul Sjardijn Luke Robertson, Eric Salzman, Lance Scarinci, Matt Wilsbacher http://www.CatalystGameLabs.com BattleTech Line Editor: Aaron Cahall (Catalyst web pages) Editing: Geoff ‘Doc’ Swift Additional Fact Checkers: Brent Evans, Stephan Frabartolo http://www.store.catalystgamelabs.com (online ordering) Production Staff Special Thanks: To the BatteTech developers and production staff Art Director: Anthony Scroggins —to Aaron, whose planning and insight kept me on track; to Published by Catalyst Game Labs, Assistant Art Director: Ray Arrastia Anthony, who was so gracious in accommodating this project an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC. Cover Design and Layout: David A. Kerber wherever possible; to Dak, the unsung hero who does so very 7108 S. Pheasant Ridge Dr. • Spokane, WA 99224 Illustrations: Alan Blackwell, Matt Plog, Anthony Scroggins much more than “Layout;” and to Ray, again, for being there at every step of the way. 35TR113 Under License From

® ©2021 The Topps Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Recognition Guide: IlClan, BattleTech, ’Mech, BattleMech, MechWarrior and Topps logo are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Copyright Owner, nor be Sampleotherwise circulated in any form other than that in which it is published. Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarksfile of InMediaRes Productions, LLC. STINGER 4

are encouraged to gather data and run, preferably to a halt until this latest round was settled. The Regulars light ’MECH into places that a heavier, less maneuverable enemy surrendered Clovis in 3150, leaving the feud unresolved. cannot follow. In addition to pushing for reassignment to a unit with a greater chance of engaging the First Avalon, Benton BATTLE HISTORY is petitioning to have his Stinger upgraded to Clan A student of the infamous Mercer Ravannion, Tai-i standards, to give him the edge when he again faces Marge Sippers improved upon her mentor’s tactics Remaldi’s Locust. by deploying heavier Jenners alongside Stingers and The shell of a weathered Stinger stands in the Wasps. In 3042, Sippers led a raid on Kelenfold against cemetery of St. Cyril’s Last House of Worship on Amity. a Kelenfold TMM supply depot, and to test out her The faded name on the headstone beneath it reads interpretation of the “Charge of the Horde.” Inserted Worthington, but who that was is lost to time. The at night, her highly maneuverable force crossed one ’Mech is notable for weeping a substance resembling hundred kilometers of rough terrain to attack the blood from the corners of its ferroglass view port. No MechWarrior ever hoped to pilot a Stinger, Lyran base from an unexpected direction. Caught flat- Tests reveal this fluid to be a natural byproduct of the but as a contender for history’s most prolific footed, the Lyrans only managed to scramble one lance degradation of an ancient machine, but that has not BattleMech, a plurality of MechWarriors have been of defenders. Unfortunately, it was an assault lance; a stopped pilgrims from laying flowers at its feet, to pray unwillingly jammed into its cramped cockpit. An Banshee, a Striker, and two Zeuses met Sippers’s company for sons and daughters missing in action. Legend holds estimated 200,000 Stingers were built before the of light ’Mechs. Undeterred, Sippers ordered her Jenners that the Stinger first wept on 12 August 2781, the day fall of the Star League, with production continuing to encircle the Lyrans and blast their vulnerable rear the council lords officially dissolved the Star League. unabated through the Succession Wars. By the armor, while the Stingers and Wasps attacked the depot. time of Operation Revival, a mere 5,000 remained. The Stingers were particularly effective at scattering VARIANTS These numbers remind us that wars of our time are enemy personnel with their machine guns before Inexpensive and easy to build, the benchmark STG-5M schoolyard scuffles compared to the early Succession gathering up ammo crates to tote home. In moments, has remained in production since 3050, only seeing a Wars. As armies march on, the Clan Way must guard the depot went up in flames. The Stinger MechWarriors simple upgrade that swaps its weaponry and heat sinks against repeating the brutality of the past. On every then tried to aid the Jenners, initially faring well, though for modern equivalents. These STG-6M Stingers have field where BattleMechs stride, the humble Stinger two Stingers were lost to the Zeuses’ rear-firing lasers. filtered to every unit in Marik space. will be there, fulfilling its role without glory, without Sippers called for a retreat with two enemy ’Mechs still Several G-series chassis are produced across the praise, and often without coming home. standing. Though the raid achieved its objectives, the Sphere, with the most common being the Royal STG- loss of half her company earned Sippers a reprimand 3Gb, built alongside other models at Earthwerks’s CAPABILITIES and generated further derision of horde tactics. Calloway factory. Bergan’s STG-4G and STG-5G were Since its birth at the dawn of the BattleMech age, the In 3147, the world of Clovis became the birthplace early attempts to increase the Stinger’s speed and Stinger has scouted for every known military force. of a MechWarrior feud to rival the most infamous of hitting power, but their heavier weaponry encouraged Every unglamorous job goes to the Stinger, from guard the Succession Wars. Erik Sandoval-Groell’s Operation pilots to neglect their scouting roles for more direct and sentry duty, to long patrols, to helping salvage Perceval left a battalion of the First Avalon Hussars combat, resulting in unacceptable losses. crews with its fine-tuned hand actuators. Earthwerks’s stranded on planet, and in the ensuing three-year The Stinger Cs emerging from the Wolf Empire’s latest STG-6R boosts its speed to a level comparable guerrilla campaign, Chu-i Reginald Benton of the Forty- Keystone factory mirror those of the early Clans. Initially with the Ostscout, but does nothing to upgrade Fifth Benjamin Regulars clashed with Leftenant Anselm developed by the Hell’s Horses as a training unit, other its antiquated sensor array. Though adequate, the Remaldi numerous times. Benton’s Stinger, the Tangerine Clans found the Stinger to be a competent fighter, Dynatec 990 is retained more for low cost and ease Ghost, took more damage from Remaldi than from any especially useful when Trials did not necessitate wasting of manufacture than for effectiveness. Bergan’s STG- other foe, but Benton always lovingly repaired the larger, more valuable BattleMechs. A second model 6G also increases the speed, but mounts an X-pulse Ghost. Conversely, Benton shot Remaldi out of at least created by the Blood Spirits swapped the machine laser. These models are often assigned scout hunting three Locusts, but the wily Davion MechWarrior seemed guns for another laser. The Wolves deploy this variant duties and are particularly effective against hovercraft. immortal, always with another Locust to torment him. as a harasser, reserving the primary version for scouting Neither ’Mech is designed for stand-up combat, as Soldiers on both sides of the conflict began betting on and anti-piracy duties. evidenced by a return to a more traditional weapons who would win their next duel, and on the occasion complement compared to Jihad-eraSample variants. Pilots where the two rivals met, fighting would often come file STINGER 5

STG-6G STINGER Equipment Mass Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage Mass: 20 tons Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 1 Medium X-pulse Laser RA 1 2 Chassis: Earthwerks STG II Endo-Steel Engine: 140 XL 2.5 Machine Gun RA 1 .5 Power Plant: Leenex 140 XL Walking MP: 7 Ammo (MG) 100 CT 1 .5 Cruising Speed: 75 kph Running MP: 11 Machine Gun LA 1 .5 Maximum Speed: 118 kph Jumping MP: 7 3 Jump Jets RT 3 1.5 Jump Jets: Chilton 360 Jump Capacity: 210 meters Heat Sinks: 10 [20] 0 Jump Jet CT 1 .5 Armor: Riese-100 Gyro: 2 3 Jump Jets LT 3 1.5 Armament: Cockpit: 3 1 Diverse Optics Type 25PX Medium X-pulse Laser Armor Factor: 69 4.5 Notes: Features the following Design Quirks: Cramped Cockpit, Rugged (1), Ubiquitous. 2 LFN Linblad Machine Guns Internal Armor Manufacturer: Bergan Industries Primary Factory: Ares Structure Value Communications System: Datacom 26 Head 3 9 Targeting and Tracking System: Dynatec 990 Center Torso 6 8 Center Torso (rear) 4 Technology Base: Inner Sphere R/L Torso 5 7 Tonnage: 20 R/L Torso (rear) 3 Role: Scout R/L Arm 3 6 Battle Value: 503 R/L Leg 4 8

STG-6R STINGER Equipment Mass Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage Mass: 20 tons Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 1 ER Medium Laser RA 1 1 Chassis: Earthwerks STG II Endo-Steel Engine: 160 XL 3 Heavy Machine Gun RA 1 1 Power Plant: LTV 160 XL Walking MP: 8 Ammo (Heavy MG) 50 CT 1 .5 Cruising Speed: 86 kph Running MP: 12 Heavy Machine Gun LA 1 1 Maximum Speed: 129 kph Jumping MP: 8 4 Jump Jets RT 4 2 Jump Jets: Chilton 360 Jump Capacity: 240 meters Heat Sinks: 10 [20] 0 4 Jump Jets LT 4 2 Armor: Riese-100 Gyro: 2 Armament: Cockpit: 3 Notes: Features the following Design Quirks: Cramped Cockpit, 1 Diverse Optics Extended-Range Medium Laser Armor Factor: 56 3.5 Rugged (1), Ubiquitous. 2 Ceres Arms Model 8 Heavy Machine Guns Internal Armor Manufacturer: Earthwerks-FWL, Inc. Primary Factory: Calloway VI Structure Value Communications System: Datacom 26 Head 3 6 Targeting and Tracking System: Dynatec 990 Center Torso 6 8 Center Torso (rear) 4 Technology Base: Inner Sphere R/L Torso 5 8 Tonnage: 20 R/L Torso (rear) 2 Role: Scout R/L Arm 3 4 Battle Value: 454 Sample R/L Leg 4 5 file STINGER 6

NOTABLE ’MECHS but CS233 continuously experienced intermittent Leutnant-General was arrested by mutinous soldiers. AND MECHWARRIORS targeting and sensor computer failure long after the Disgusted by these events, von Balthus retired to the Jade Phoenix’s death. It was only months after the Battle private sector, fortuitously escaping the destruction of of Tukayyid that ComStar technicians realized that the Sixth at the hands of Clan Wolf only a few years later. ’Mechs facing CS233 in training scenarios often suffered from the same deleterious effects. Technicians made the decision to strip, conserve, and replace CS233’s computer hardware to prevent the “White Rhino Virus,” Force Commander Johnny Mace: ’Mech Ace. Jon Juan. as it had been dubbed, from potentially affecting allied The thirty-first century Casanova. No matter his attempts BattleMechs in combat situations. Rumors persist that at branding, Mace was little more than an overconfident attempts to weaponize White Rhino led to remarkable Captain Velglarn Kharlan: Kharlan was best known MechWarrior with an underpowered ’Mech. Blacklisted breakthroughs in viral warfare, with the sharp increase as a prominent instructor at the renowned Allison by countless employers due to his constant attempts in post-Jihad civilian communications glitches MechWarrior Institute. Though far from the front lines, at womanizing, a final fateful contract on Shiloh was reinforcing its reputed legacy. for decades Kharlan was widely considered to be one cut short by his imprisonment at the hands of local of the foremost Free Worlds experts on Clan tactics and authorities. Fascinatingly, Mace converted to the Exituri “Galaxy Commander” Xerxes Mard: Xerxes Mard culture. Realizing his worth, SAFE routinely sent him faith during his time in a labor camp, and he eventually was born on Cadiz to an unremarkable family of captured “consultants” to help teach Clan tactics to his volunteered to serve as part of Shiloh’s commitment to MechWarriors. His early life had few defining moments numerous cadets. The 3074 release of a revolutionary the Gryphons regiment. His newfound dedication led beyond establishing him as a generally unsuccessful work documenting Operation Klondike completely him to Bravo Battalion’s command, and “Bravo’s Johnny” con artist. After the Clan Invasion, though, Mard began derailed any plans for retirement. Through the dossier, and his Stinger became renowned for distinguished and presenting himself as a leading Galaxy Commander Kharlan discovered that he shared common heritage resolute service. from Clan Punisher. Preying on the uneducated and with one of the founding warriors of the Not-Named uninformed denizens of minor Periphery planets, Mard Clan. His blunder was to reveal that information to MechWarrior Alex Ward: Many historians know of the threatened, cajoled, or promised his way into “isorla” his formerly-Clan colleagues. Kharlan fought valiantly legendary Natasha Kerensky of Wolf’s Dragoons. Less that he would spend setting up his next swindle. When during the ensuing Trial of Annihilation, but his Stinger publicly known are the handful of other Bloodnamed all else failed, his skill at the controls of his Stinger was could not stand against the combined firepower of his who served alongside her—Alex Ward being one. often enough to bring locals under his sway. Mard three former aides. Dishonored beyond redemption by his constant suddenly disappeared in 3054, but for years afterwards gambling with (and losses to) lower castemen, Ward Periphery inhabitants would speak in hushed voices Corporal Marcus Norman: Lola’s Lights were part leapt at the opportunity to start his life anew with the about the mystery of Clan Punisher. of the Coalition assault on Terra during the Jihad. Dragoons. Some addictions are easier to overcome Shot down over the deep Central American jungle, than others, though, and a string of losses to his Norman was one of the survivors. With no way to commanding officer saw him reassigned to the Black communicate with allied Coalition forces, they Widow Company. His dismal luck fared no better under embarked on a months-long campaign of raids and Kerensky’s command and Ward fell in combat on Benet attacks on presumed Blakist depots. Norman excelled III in 3027. at these strikes. His Stinger’s machine guns tore First Leutnant Matthius von Balthus: Serving in through numerous facilities, and his actions during the Sixth Lyran Guards on Rasalgethi, the paranoia the campaign are still used as prime examples of light of the Civil War saw von Balthus’s Stinger oft-used by ’Mech tactics. Unfortunately, after more than seven his regiment. Used to keep track of the questionable months, the Lights were finally intercepted by another Seventeenth Donegal Guards, von Balthus performed mercenary outfit—and told, after brief fighting, that CS233-STG-3G: This vintage ’Mech, assigned to admirably—that is, until an unusually strong rainstorm the Word of Blake had surrendered months earlier. ComStar’s 104th Division, was piloted by Acolyte gave the Donegal Guards the chance they needed to Norman was torn to learn that he had inadvertently Dylan Dray during the brutal combat on Tukayyid. The launch a surprise attack on the Sixth’s headquarters. killed allied soldiers, and he spent the rest of his career inexperienced MechWarrior’s sole claim to fame was to Von Balthus fought fiercely during the ensuing weeks advocating for humanitarian causes. land the killing shot on Jade FalconSample legend Aidan Pryde, of combat, but eventually stood down when his file STINGER 7

Chu-i Reginald Benton: Reginald Benton is the eldest scion of one of the most reputed MechWarrior families in the Draconis Combine. His great-grandfather, Albert Benton, was once recognized as one of the greatest Stinger pilots in the Inner Sphere, and his progeny took pride in mastering the ’Mech as a rite of passage. Reginald, however, struggled to meet his forebears’ expectations. MechWarrior combat does not come naturally to him; only long hours of study and longer hours of practice have brought him his current skill. Benton’s encounters with Federated Suns MechWarrior Anselm Remaldi have tarnished his hard-earned reputation. His inability to defeat such a baseborn commoner diminished Reginald’s standing in the eyes of his peers. Reginald despises his opponent’s casual expertise at piloting his Locust. He craves nothing more than to see his rival fully broken.

MechWarrior Jakob Denny: Denny is the premier light scout for the First Oriente Hussars. Always first in line for new upgrade packages, his current Stinger is faster than anything he has piloted. This speed was put to good use during an assault on Wallis. Denny’s Stinger literally ran circles around the slower BattleMechs of the Thirty-First Regulan Hussars and was barely scratched by their return fire. The Hussars fell back into the Ronin, Inc. complex, but Denny refused to follow them into its narrow confines—and instead looped behind the Regulans’ positions, where he single-handedly disabled three enemy ’Mechs retreating from the bloodbath within the factories. Sample file