Marauder

The Marauder was first built by General Motors in Introduction Year::2612 for use as an attack and direct fire support BattleMech. The Marauder was one of the most well-known 'Mechs in existence and originally meant to usher in a new generation of 'Mechs. Unfortunately, with the fall of the Star League, this new generation never quite materialized. On its own merits though, the Marauder was a devastatingly powerful 'Mech, outclassed only by larger machines like the Stalker and BattleMaster.

During the years of the Star League the Marauder was a favorite in the Gunslinger Program thanks to its tremendous firepower, while its advanced electronics endeared it to many battalion and regimental commanders. On the hellish battlefields of the Succession Wars, massed formations of Marauders proved devastating as shock units in breaking through enemy lines. However, the rarity of these 'Mechs (House Liao only fielded several hundred Marauders total in 2828) often meant they had to be paired with other, similar 'Mechs such as the Warhammer and Thunderbolt.

When the Helm Memory Core was recovered, the Marauder was an obvious candidate for lostech upgrades. House Davion were among the first to field an updated variant, but their eagerness backfired when House Kurita captured Quentin - and its Marauder factory - in the War of 3039. With the Kuritans in possession of this first variant, the Federated Commonwealth decided to build a second using a different configuration. Other lostech-inspired variants were also built in time for the Clan Invasion.

A second revitalization of the Marauder occurred at the hands of the Capellan Confederation, though notably they had never before built the 'Mech themselves. On behalf of Ceres Metals Industries, the Chancellor himself, Sun-Tzu Liao, negotiated a deal to acquire the design from General Motors in exchange for allowing HildCo Interplanetary to resume exporting its products to the Federated Suns. While a success, disturbing rumors from the Periphery reported a number of these seemingly backwater realms fielding updated Marauders of their own, with origins suspected to be of a sinister nature.

Weapons and Equipment
Standing at twelve meters tall, the Marauder carried a payload dedicated to long-range firepower in the form of two Magna Hellstar PPCs and a General Motors Whirlwind Autocannon/5. These three weapons all had similar range profiles that allowed the Marauder use them to their maximum effect at long ranges. The PPCs were carried in armored gauntlets, matching the same configuration as the Warhammer, but the arms' versatile ball-and-socket joints provided a faster traverse rate and superior field of fire. Compact enough to be carried in the arms, the Hellstar PPCs were also durable enough to withstand heavy hand-to-hand combat, allowing the Marauder to bludgeon opponents into scrap. Firing a three-round burst of 120mm shells, the autocannon was mounted atop the right torso and fed by one ton of ammunition stored in the left torso. Added as an afterthought, its connection to the main chassis was tenuous and a successful hit could easily disable the system, while the gun itself was often temperamental. If the enemy was able to close the range, the Marauder could rely on its two Magna Mk II Medium Lasers, also mounted in the gauntlets, which provided adequate defense against other 'Mechs.

The once-unique silhouette of the Marauder made it much harder to target than the more common humanoid models. It also originally carried eleven and a half tons of special Valiant Lamellor armor which was less massive and superior at distributing kinetic and thermal energy than other standard armor types. As the knowledge for its manufacture was lost though, many Marauders became a patchwork quilt as sections were damaged and had to be replaced. Sixteen heat sinks easily allowed a competent MechWarrior to keep their waste heat under control, while a powerful nineteen-ton fusion engine gave it a decent cruising speed of 43.2 km/h.

The Marauder was not without its flaws, potent though it was. In addition to the weak linkage between its autocannon and chassis, the rotation rings connecting the chassis with the leg assemblies was a similar weak point in the design. Many Marauder pilots took to mounting improvised armoring around these points in an attempt to protect these vulnerabilities. The powerful HiRez tracking system, located in the forward section of the 'Mech, was also known for impeding the pilot's field of view.

Variants

 * MAD-1R : The earliest version of the Marauder, used by the Royal brigades of the SLDF, the 1R utilized CASE to protect the autocannon ammunition and carried eleven tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor. It was introduced in 2612. BV (2.0) = 1,420


 * MAD-2R : This upgrade of the 1R eventually replaced it in 2760. The PPCs were upgraded to ER PPCs, necessitating a similar upgrade of the heat sinks to double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,630


 * MAD-3D : The 3D Marauder was a modification of the 'Mech introduced for House Davion in 2834 which removed its ammunition dependency. In order to do this, the 3D replaced the Autocannon/5 with a Large Laser. The saved weight was used to add four more heat sinks to the 'Mech to handle the added heat burden from the large laser. BV (1.0) = 1,136, BV (2.0) = 1,470


 * MAD-3L : Built for House Liao in 2905, the 3L attempted to make the Marauder more heat efficient (and make up for a shortage in reliable PPCs) by replacing one of the arm-mounted particle cannons with a large laser. Additionally, two more heat sinks were added to further increase the Marauder's heat efficiency. BV (1.0) = 1,098, BV (2.0) = 1,369


 * MAD-3M : The 3M was introduced in 2873 specially for the Free Worlds League. Because of the abundance of large lasers built by that realm, the 3M model carried two large lasers in place of the PPCs.  While running cooler than the weapons they replaced, the large lasers also caused slightly less damage. Additionally, the 3M added four heat sinks to the design, making the 'Mech much more manageable for pilots who have trouble with overheating their 'Mechs. BV (1.0) = 1,105, BV (2.0) = 1,335


 * MAD-3R (C) : A Clan-tech retrofit of the classic MAD-3R Marauder, designed for use by second-line garrison and solahma forces, the Marauder C replaced some of the Inner Spheroid weaponry with Clan equivalents. The Marauder C swapped the PPCs for a pair of Clan-tech Large Pulse Lasers and the standard autocannon for a Ultra AC/5 model, but retained the IS medium lasers. The munitions for the autocannon were also protected with CASE.  BV (2.0) = 1,616


 * MAD-4X : This experimental variant was made at Ronin Incorporated's facility on Wallis in 3039. Techs removed the standard weaponry from a Marauder and replaced the arm mounted weapons with a Binary Laser Cannon in each arm, while the torso mounted autocannon was replaced by twin SRM-6 launchers backed by one ton of ammunition. The Marauder-4X was also noteworthy because it used a Prototype Endo Steel chassis. To keep the heat under control, technicians installed twelve single heat sinks and six prototype Double Heat Sinks.


 * MAD-5D : The 5D Marauder was the first updated variant to be designed in the wake of the Helm Memory Core recovery, coming off the factory lines in 3051. A direct upgrade of the 3D model, the 5D's engine was replaced with a General Motors 300 XL Engine, retaining the same speed profile at a much-reduced weight, to allow the entire weapons payload to be stripped out and upgraded. The 5D's primary weapons were two Defiance 1001 ER PPCs, carried in either arm, supported by a Sutel Precision Line Large Pulse Laser in place of the autocannon.  The medium lasers were replaced with two Sutel Precision Line Medium Pulse Lasers, while a Federated SuperStreak Streak SRM-2 launcher was also added to the left torso, along with one ton of CASE-protected ammo, for more close-range firepower. The model was protected by fourteen tons of armor, mostly added to the legs and side torsos, and carried sixteen double heat sinks for heat management.  It also had a jumping capability of up to 120 meters thanks to four jump jets mounted in its legs.  When the Kuritans captured Quentin, Independence Weaponry began building the 5D to augment their forces; unwilling to completely let go of the design, General Motors also built the 5D for FedCom forces out of Kathil. BV (1.0) = 1,504, BV (2.0) = 1,787


 * MAD-5L : The 5L variant of the 'Mech was the first natively-produced Marauder variant for the Capellan Confederation. Introduced in early July 3067 and built from the Ceres Metals factories on Warlock and Capella, the 5L removed the entire weapons payload of the original and upgraded its weapons, armor, and heat sinks. Built on a Ceres Metals Lite chassis with a Rawlings 300 fusion engine, the 'Mech was armored with fourteen tons of Ceres Heavy Stealth Armor backed up by a Guardian ECM Suite. The 'Mech carried two Martell ER Large Lasers and two Ceres Arms ER Medium Lasers in its arms and, in place of the autocannon, a Ceres Arms Warrior ER PPC. The heat from the 5L's all-energy arsenal was handled by eighteen double heat sinks. Additionally, the 5L was built using Triple Strength Myomer, allowing the 'Mech to run at speeds of up to 86 km/h when it was operating in its optimum heat range.  The electronics were also replaced with a Ceres Metals Model 666 comms system and Ceres Bullseye tracking system.   BV (1.0) = 1,614, BV (2.0) = 2,286


 * MAD-5M : The 5M variant of the Marauder was introduced in 3051 by Ronin Inc. and Free Worlds Defense Industries for the Free Worlds League. Compared to the original it replaced the standard fusion engine with an XL Engine and completely re-armed the 'Mech with recovered Star League-era weapons. The primary weapons were two Tronel PPL-20 Large Pulse Lasers, backed up by two Magna 400P Medium Pulse Lasers, in either arm. Finally, in place of the Autocannon/5, the 5M carried a Oriente Model O LB-X Autocannon/10. The 5M had a jumping distance of up to one hundred and twenty meters thanks to four jump jets mounted in the legs and carried sixteen double heat sinks. One ton of ammunition for the LB-X was carried in the left torso and protected by CASE. BV (1.0) = 1,391, BV (2.0) = 1,471


 * MAD-5R : The Marauder 5R was an upgrade of the 3R model introduced in 3068. The 'Mech carried an XL engine to save weight and its heat sinks upgraded to double-strength models. The PPCs were replaced with two ER PPCs and the Autocannon/5 upgraded to a Rotary Autocannon/5; the two medium lasers of the original were retained. Also, for added protection, the 5R mounted fourteen tons of armor and a Guardian ECM Suite. The 'Mech also carries a C3 Slave unit that allows the 'Mech to transmit targeting data to its lance mates. BV (1.0) = 1,548 (C3: 279), BV (2.0) = 1,877


 * MAD-5S : The 5S variant of the Marauder dates to the Clan Invasion, introduced in 3051 by Bowie Industries after the Draconis Combine captured plans for the 5D design. The variant was built around an XL engine to save weight and upgraded the heat sinks to double-strength models. Like the 5D, the 5S carried ER PPCs and medium pulse lasers, but replaced the autocannon with a Poland Main Model AGauss Rifle. One ton of ammunition for this powerful, long-ranged weapon was carried in the left torso. BV (1.0) = 1,466, BV (2.0) = 1,799


 * MAD-5T : The 5T variant of the Marauder featured elements of both the 5M and the 5R models when it was introduced in 3068. The 5T was built around an Endo Steel chassis and an XL engine to save weight. The 'Mech carries, as its primary weapons, two large pulse lasers, backed up by two medium pulse lasers and a Rotary Autocannon/5 in the torso mount. The weapons are all linked to an advanced Targeting Computer, making the 5T incredibly accurate. Finally, the 5T is protected by fourteen tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,390, BV (2.0) = 1,750


 * MAD-6L : An upgrade of the 5L introduced in 3070, the 6L replaced the lasers with a pair of Ceres Arms Crusher Plasma Rifles. The particle cannon was also downgraded to a standard Hellstar PPC. The Stealth Armor and attendant Guardian ECM Suite and Triple Strength Myomers were retained, though three less double heat sinks were used. BV (2.0) = 2,322


 * MAD-7D : Another Davion upgrade of the Marauder, the 7D was built in 3068 with an XL engine to save weight. The 'Mech was armed with two ER large lasers and two ER medium lasers, as well as a Rotary Autocannon/5. These were all linked to a Targeting Computer, making the 7D extremely accurate. The 'Mech also carried an ECM Suite for protection against electronic warfare equipment and was armored with fourteen tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,582, BV (2.0) = 1,986


 * MAD-9D : Introduced during the Dark Age, this version of the Marauder carried a Clan-built ER Large Laser in each arm, supported by a Medium X-Pulse Laser. A Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle replaced the old autocannon. To handle the heat load, the 9D carries sixteen double heat sinks mated to a Radical Heat Sink System. To provide weight for all the weapons and equipment, engineers had to use an Endo-Composite skeleton, XL Engine, and XL Gyro. BV (2.0) = 1,967


 * MAD-9M : A departure from the standard Marauder design philosophy, the 3068 9M is built using an XL engine and twelve and a half tons of Valiant Chainmail Ferro-Fibrous armor. The 'Mech carries, as its primary weapons, four ER Large Lasers for long-range combat. In the event that the 'Mech closes, it has two Guided Technologies 2nd Generation Streak SRM-6 launchers. The 9M also carries TAG to designate targets for Arrow IV artillery strikes and an ECM Suite for protection against electronic warfare systems. BV (1.0) = 1,383, BV (2.0) = 1,704


 * MAD-9M2 : This upgrade of the 9M replaces the lasers with a pair of Magna Supernova Heavy PPCs. BV (2.0) = 1,875


 * MAD-9S : The 9S Marauder is built in 3068 with a Light Fusion Engine and an Endo Steel chassis to save weight. The 9S also used double heat sinks to handle its heat intensive weapons payload. The 9S carried two ER PPCs as its primary weapons as well as an LB-X Autocannon/10 for long-range combat. For close ranges, the 9S was equipped with two ER medium lasers and a Flamer. The 9S was also equipped with exceptional electronic systems including an ECM Suite and a Beagle Active Probe. BV (1.0) = 1,403, BV (2.0) = 1,786


 * MAD-9W : This Blakist design carried an ER Large Laser and Medium Pulse Laser in each arm, backed up by a Snub-Nose PPC in the torso. Five Improved Jump Jets allowed it to cover 150 meters at a time, while the Improved C3 Computer could share targeting data with friendly units. To make room for these improvements it used a Light Fusion Engine, while a Heavy Duty Gyro provided significant protection against battlefield damage. BV (2.0) = 1,788


 * MAD-9W2 : Based on captured Word of Blake plans formerly owned by Vicore Industries, the MAD-9W2 carried twin ER large lasers and medium pulse lasers, supported by a single snub-nose PPC. To offset a lower top speed, this Marauder mounted five Improved Jump Jets. A Heavy Duty Gyro enhanced battlefield longevity, while a Guardian ECM Suite and C3 Slave maximized its electronics performance. A Light Fusion Engine provided weight savings to allow all these upgrades. BV (2.0) = 1,868


 * Dual Cockpit refits: The Marauder was one of the Free Worlds League's preferred 'Mechs to install Dual Cockpits. Standard refits usually install the Dual Cockpit on a MAD-3M or MAD-5D, removing one heat sink.

Custom Variants

 * MAD-SD Marauder Douglas : The personal 'Mech of 12th Vegan Rangers Alpha Regiment commander Margrave Sheridan Douglass during the DCMS's Third Succession War invasion of Galtor III, only the arm mounted medium lasers remain, with each PPC replaced by a large laser and the autocannon swapped for a pair of SRM-4 launchers with a shared ton of reloads. The remaining weight and space was devoted to five additional heat sinks and three extra tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 1,459


 * MAD-7D Marauder Von Staskov : The personal 'Mech of Calderon's Commando commander Marshal Vrabel von Staskov circa 3088, an ER PPC and Medium Laser are mounted in each arm, supported by a center torso mounted Light AC/5 fed from a single ton of reloads. Built around a 300 rated Light Fusion Engine and clad in Light Ferro-Fibrous armor, von Staskov's 'Mech is fitted with Double Heat Sinks, Jump Jets and Triple Strength Myomer.


 * Bounty Hunter model (3015) : This unusual variant piloted by the Bounty Hunter featured various lostech equipment: the standard 300 Vlar fusion engine was downgrade to a 225-rated version giving it a top speed of 54 kph. It mounted a standard PPC and a Medium Laser in each arm while another PPC and medium laser were mounted on the right torso; additional medium lasers were mounted in the center and left torso. Sixteen double heat sinks were use to cool this beast down, allowing it to firing all 3 PPCs without even generating excess heat. It featured fourteen and a half tons of standard armor, giving it maximum armor for its weight, and was capable of jumping over 90 meters with three jump jets. It was also painted all green with credit symbols. BV (1.0) = 1,686 BV (2.0) = 1,919


 * Bounty Hunter model (3044) : The Bounty Hunter upgraded his Marauder sometime in 3044. The fusion engine was upgraded to an extra-light version while keeping it at the same rating to save weight, though the increased size meant three heat sinks had to be removed. The standard PPCs were upgraded to ER PPCs, both the left and right torso-mounted medium lasers were removed while the center torso medium laser was moved to the head to make room for a Gauss Rifle on the right torso and two tons of ammunition. This upgrade allowed the Bounty Hunter to engage enemies at a far greater range while still able to continuously operate without fear of overheating. BV (1.0) = 1,788 BV (2.0) = 2,103

Related BattleMechs

 * Bandersnatch - Designed by Felifious Bander, the Bandersnatch was designed with a similar profile and weapons layout to the Marauder, and maintains common components to ease repair and allow an excess of spare parts. The Bandersnatch mounts an LB 10-X AC and a pair of Medium Lasers in each arm.  The 'Mech also mounts a trio of LRM 5s and a pair of Medium Lasers in the torso.


 * Rakshasa - Based upon the Timber Wolf Clan OmniMech, the basic Rakshasa is a modified Marauder with a paired ER Large Laser and Medium Laser in each arm, and Artemis IV FCS-slaved LRM 10s in the side torsos. The Rakshasa also possesses a single Medium Pulse Laser.


 * Dragon Fire - The Dragon Fire is among a series of Star League-era Marauder-series BattleMechs. However, the Dragon Fire never reached full-scale production due to the Amaris Civil War.  The Dragon Fire replaces the energy-weapon heavy Marauder armament with an LB 10-X AC, a Gauss Rifle, and an assortment of torso-mounted lasers.


 * Maelstrom - The Maelstrom is among a series of Star League-era Marauder-series BattleMechs. The Amaris Civil War curtailed the production of the Maelstrom, making the BattleMech rare until plans were rediscovered with the Gray Death Memory Core.  The Maelstrom maintains a heavy array of energy weapons, highlighted by an ER PPC and an ER Large Laser.  The Maelstrom also mounts TAG.


 * Nightstar - The Nightstar is among a series of Star League-era Marauder-series BattleMechs. Production for the Nightstar ceased right after the start of the First Succession War.  The basic Nightstar features arm-mounted Gauss Rifles and Medium Pulse Lasers, along with an ER PPC and a Small Laser.


 * Marauder IIC - One of the 'Mechs the SLDF took with them when they left the Inner Sphere was the venerable Marauder. Their descendants the Clans redesigned it into an 85-ton variant that mounts three ER PPCs, a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers and four ER Small Lasers.


 * Marauder II - Built by a collaboration between GM and Blackwell Heavy Industries exclusively for the Wolf's Dragoons mercenary unit, the Marauder II mates the abilities of the fearsome Marauder to a massively strengthened jump capable 100 ton assault 'Mech chassis.


 * Timber Wolf - When Operation Revival first started, the then-unknown invaders used 'Mechs not recognized by targeting systems. One such instance involved a confused targeting system identifying a Timber Wolf as either a MAD-series Marauder or CAT-series Catapult, due to physical similarities to both. After-action analysis of the data recording resulted in the Timber Wolf being dubbed with the operational name "Mad Cat" by Inner Sphere forces.

Notable Pilots

 * Grayson Carlyle piloted Valdis Kevlavic's Marauder he appropriated during the 'Battle of the University' which concluded the Verthandi campaign, handing his Shadow Hawk off to his XO, Lori Kalmar. Grayson Carlyle fielded the Marauder again on Helm in the Gray Death Legion's Helm campaign in 3027, He continued piloting this 'Mech until he lost it against the Clans on Sudeten.  Grayson would upgrade to a Victor later in his career.


 * First Prince Joseph Davion of the Federated Suns piloted a Marauder up until his death during the War of Davion Succession.


 * The Bounty Hunter famously captured Natasha Kerensky's Marauder, starting a famous enmity between the two elite MechWarriors. It would become the Bounty Hunter's signature 'Mech during the Succession Wars and well into the Clan Invasion, until he eventually replaced it with a Timber Wolf.


 * "Black" Kevin Langstrom retrieved and piloted the Black Marauder; rumors raised questions as to who was piloting whom with the pair as the tales portray the 'Mech as possessed, or an evil demonic entity.

Design Quirks
The Marauder has the following Design Quirks:
 * Command BattleMech
 * Directional Torso Mount (RT)
 * Hyper-Extending Actuators
 * Narrow/Low Profile
 * Exposed Weapon Linkage (AC/5)

The MAD-4X Marauder variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:
 * Combat Computer
 * Cramped Cockpit
 * Difficult to Maintain
 * Improved Cooling Jackets  (Binary  Lasers)
 * No Ejection System