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BattleMech 5 - Catapult

by Piranha Games Dec 28, 2011 10:00 AM PST

New Terran Hegemony Heavy Mech Shown Off

The CPLT-C1 - A Catapult for the 26th Century

Hollis Incorporated, Corey, 2561: 

This report is brought to you by Duralex – Ferrocrete Solid, and Ponyt Ale – Start A Friendship!

The Terran Hegemony got a new member today, but it isn’t a system, nor even a planet – the CPLT-C1 Catapult was shown to a select audience as Hollis Incorporated’s winning bid for the three year fire support ’Mech contract. Weighing in at 65 tons, this heavy ’Mech boasts a pair of Holly LRM-15’s, four Martell Medium Lasers, 10 tons of Duralex Heavy armour, Anderson Propulsion 21 Jumpjets for a maximum jump distance of 120 meters, and a Magna 260 engine allowing a speed of 64.8 km/h.

Tests began with a trio of Catapults firing upon a Lance of light ’Mech targets 500 meters away. Within a few quick salvos the light ’Mechs had been reduced to flames and twisted metal. A second test showed a single Catapult jump-jetting from hill to hill, showcasing its agility.

Skeptics, however, are unconvinced the purchase was a wise one. “Ja it’s got jump jets, but sixty-four kilometers is too slow for a ’Mech like this.” Said one visitor from Tharkad. “You always hear claims that ‘oh it’s not going to need to be faster, it’s a support ’Mech!’ Ja well when you’re in ze cockpit of one and it’s your neck on the line, suddenly zat low speed becomes a concern quite fast. However, ve have been shown these Catapults are capable of destroying a lance of Light, un-moving ’Mechs. I can certainly see why speed was not ze focus.” Ending with a chuckle he stated: “I guess it can still outrun ze hover tanks!” A nearby representative from Marik overheard this and supported the opinion: “Saying this thing can sit at the back and fire is all fine and good – until a lance of Commandos breaks through the front lines. What then? Become so much borscht that’s what. Stationary targets just shows how good they are on a parade ground, a gift for byrokrati. Give me a real ’Mech with a good mix of speed and firepower any day.

There was support for the new ’Mech, however, from Sianese visitors who stated: “It is foolish to build all ’Mechs for all situations. If you build something that is unspecialised, it will be mediocre at all things.” A delegate from Luthien gave similar praise: “With so focussed a tool, a man could do great things. There is an elegance to its usage. I foresee a bright future for this machine.

Time will tell who was right with their assertions, but for now it is clear that the purchase of this ’Mech by the Terran Hegemony has caused quite a stir among the dignitaries invited to view it.



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Comments (350)


Parnage on Dec 28, 2011 6:13 PM UTC

Now that, that's just made my day. What a beautiful war machine to rain down death from afar. Looks good, and by far one of my long time favourite Mechs. I am extremely pleased with how well it looks.



In short, I have got to get me one of those.

chewie on Dec 28, 2011 6:10 PM UTC

awww yea, now they showing the good stuff........



lets all pray for all the varients to be available for it (with kurita getting the K2 as a stock mech perhaps :ph34r: )



Sarna lists this as having 13!!!! varients over the course of the BT universe



Who needs a fully customisable mechlab when you can pick between which ever varients would be available in 3048/49 anyway :D



http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Catapult

rollermint on Dec 28, 2011 6:09 PM UTC

First, the design looks pretty good as usual.



Second, I'm guessing the last week surprise for every month is going to be a mech reveal?...hmm how many more months do we have left till summer? hehe (might tell us how many mechs we are gonna see lol)



Third, I don't mean to sound negative, I love what you're all doing but come one, this is a bit of a lukewarm after waiting for quite a bit. Just a single concept art and nothing more? :(

Type-ZERO on Dec 28, 2011 6:08 PM UTC

Sick! I've always loved the Catapult!



Keep up the awesome work guys! =D

Volume on Dec 28, 2011 6:07 PM UTC

Oh my gawsh, that looks freakin' amazing...!



Can't wait to get in this thing.

Deathwatch050 on Dec 28, 2011 6:06 PM UTC

Hehehe, anyone notice the My Little Pony reference at the top? :P



It does look frikkin' awesome though, especially compared to, say, the Mechwarrior 4 Mercs model. Much more stocky and fearsome.

Blackfang on Dec 28, 2011 6:06 PM UTC

Damnit, now which do I choose to specialise in?? Hunchback and Catapult are two of my favourite mechs. Choices choices!!!

TransparenT on Dec 28, 2011 6:05 PM UTC

"Holy 'Flies like a butterfly, stings like a bee' Batman!"



Pretty much is my answer. Amazing art for the Catapult one of my favorite mechs.



Good stuff!

wanderer on Dec 28, 2011 6:05 PM UTC

There's another one of the classics done right- wonder if/when we'll see the -K variant? It's a darn fine heavy, whether it's lobbing LRM's or spraying down someone with PPC fire.

USMCG JarheadEd on Dec 28, 2011 6:05 PM UTC

Oh yeah, LRM love.

DFDelta on Dec 28, 2011 6:03 PM UTC

Nice one.

Glad the Catapult is in, one of my favorite heavies in out timeline.

Cattra Kell on Dec 28, 2011 6:03 PM UTC

Oh goody! Keep up the awesome art FD, and keep on working hard on the game ComStar!

Mchawkeye on Dec 28, 2011 6:02 PM UTC

DOGS BO***CKS.

Lima Zulu on Dec 28, 2011 6:01 PM UTC

Most epic Catapult picture I've ever seen.

Barantor on Dec 28, 2011 6:00 PM UTC

Yay!



I like the nose and how strong the legs look, definitely worthy of the jump jets it possesses.

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