Jump to content

Do The Battletech Variant Names Follow Any System?


52 replies to this topic

#1 MustrumRidcully

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 10,644 posts

Posted 26 May 2017 - 01:00 AM

So here's a question for the Battle Tech Lore experts.
I like the variant names of mechs like HKB-4G, HBK-4P or CAT-K2 or AS7-D-DC. But what do they mean? Is there a system to them, or was it just made-up to have some "technical looking" meaning. (Kinda like how in the real world, weapons have names like M16 vs M14, G36 bvs G36K).

Do the numbers imply something like HBK-4G means 4th generation HBK design, G stands for a certain weapon loadout? (The AWS-9Q is basically the 8Q with more advanced technology, for example) Or is it all just crazy made up number and letters?

#2 James The Fox Dixon

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Overlord
  • Overlord
  • 2,572 posts
  • LocationEpsilon Indi

Posted 26 May 2017 - 02:01 AM

It usually means which House used them and/or where the mech production plant was located at. Like the AS7-D-DC stands for the Draconis Combine variant of the AS7-D.

#3 Metus regem

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Sureshot
  • The Sureshot
  • 10,282 posts
  • LocationNAIS College of Military Science OCS courses

Posted 26 May 2017 - 06:53 AM

View PostMustrumRidcully, on 26 May 2017 - 01:00 AM, said:

So here's a question for the Battle Tech Lore experts.
I like the variant names of mechs like HKB-4G, HBK-4P or CAT-K2 or AS7-D-DC. But what do they mean? Is there a system to them, or was it just made-up to have some "technical looking" meaning. (Kinda like how in the real world, weapons have names like M16 vs M14, G36 bvs G36K).

Do the numbers imply something like HBK-4G means 4th generation HBK design, G stands for a certain weapon loadout? (The AWS-9Q is basically the 8Q with more advanced technology, for example) Or is it all just crazy made up number and letters?



Generally speaking they do:

IS Designations:

D -- Davion
S -- Steiner
L -- Liao
M -- Marik
K -- Kurita
O -- Omni
OA -- Omni Alt.A
OB -- Omni Alt. B
OU -- Omni Underwater config

Special IS Designation example:

AS7-D-DC; Atlas 7 series, variant Davion, Draconis Combine refit


IS General usage designations:

R
G
Rb -- Star League Royal unit


As for your real world example, there is a convention that is used....

G36 is the model of the rifle:

G36V -- Variant
MG36 -- Machine gun
G36K -- Short; Carbine
G36C -- Compact
G36KC -- Compact Carbine

#4 MustrumRidcully

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 10,644 posts

Posted 26 May 2017 - 07:10 AM

THanks for the replies so far.

So, what does the P in the 4P or the SP stand for? (SP = Steiner + whatever P means?)

#5 Metus regem

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Sureshot
  • The Sureshot
  • 10,282 posts
  • LocationNAIS College of Military Science OCS courses

Posted 26 May 2017 - 07:20 AM

View PostMustrumRidcully, on 26 May 2017 - 07:10 AM, said:

THanks for the replies so far.

So, what does the P in the 4P or the SP stand for? (SP = Steiner + whatever P means?)



From my understanding the P in the HBK-4P and SP stands for Package, this is due to this line from the TRO entry for the unit:

"Dwindling stockpiles of spare parts and personal dislike for a weapon which could easily overheat the 'Mech led many owners to replace the Hunchback's trademark autocannon with another set-up, resulting in a variety of variants collectively known as the Swayback due to the altered nature of the machine's torso."

As all Swaybacks are the following variants in MWO:

HBK-4P
HBK-4SP
HBK-4J

In TT there are upgraded versions in the 5 - 7 series that are all Swaybacks of the three I listed for MWO.

#6 MustrumRidcully

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 10,644 posts

Posted 26 May 2017 - 09:20 AM

View PostMetus regem, on 26 May 2017 - 07:20 AM, said:



From my understanding the P in the HBK-4P and SP stands for Package, this is due to this line from the TRO entry for the unit:

"Dwindling stockpiles of spare parts and personal dislike for a weapon which could easily overheat the 'Mech led many owners to replace the Hunchback's trademark autocannon with another set-up, resulting in a variety of variants collectively known as the Swayback due to the altered nature of the machine's torso."

As all Swaybacks are the following variants in MWO:

HBK-4P
HBK-4SP
HBK-4J

In TT there are upgraded versions in the 5 - 7 series that are all Swaybacks of the three I listed for MWO.

Did you cite the wrong part or did you not mean to write "package" but Spare Part? I can't see a reference to package in the text within the quotation marks. (J wouldn't fit package nor spare part, though.)

#7 Metus regem

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Sureshot
  • The Sureshot
  • 10,282 posts
  • LocationNAIS College of Military Science OCS courses

Posted 26 May 2017 - 09:47 AM

View PostMustrumRidcully, on 26 May 2017 - 09:20 AM, said:

Did you cite the wrong part or did you not mean to write "package" but Spare Part? I can't see a reference to package in the text within the quotation marks. (J wouldn't fit package nor spare part, though.)


No I ment to type what I typed, the Swayback serie Hunchbacks started with the P variant, but was later expanded to include the SP (SRM/6 Packs) and the J type (LRM Packs). Honestly the HBK swaybacks are the most confusing of the lot.

#8 Mechwarrior4670152

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 411 posts

Posted 26 May 2017 - 03:45 PM

View PostMetus regem, on 26 May 2017 - 06:53 AM, said:

D -- Davion
S -- Steiner
L -- Liao
M -- Marik
K -- Kurita

An exception to this, the CN9-AL is the Lyran (IE Steiner) variant

#9 Metus regem

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Sureshot
  • The Sureshot
  • 10,282 posts
  • LocationNAIS College of Military Science OCS courses

Posted 26 May 2017 - 04:39 PM

View PostWence the Wanderer, on 26 May 2017 - 03:45 PM, said:

An exception to this, the CN9-AL is the Lyran (IE Steiner) variant


Wouldn't be a rule with out an exception or two.

#10 SuperFunkTron

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Slayer
  • The Slayer
  • 910 posts
  • LocationUSA

Posted 26 May 2017 - 04:41 PM

What is the "N" designation for? Example being Dragon 1N

#11 Mechwarrior4670152

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 411 posts

Posted 26 May 2017 - 04:49 PM

View PostSuperFunkTron, on 26 May 2017 - 04:41 PM, said:

What is the "N" designation for? Example being Dragon 1N

All I know about that one is that it is the default variant

#12 James The Fox Dixon

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Overlord
  • Overlord
  • 2,572 posts
  • LocationEpsilon Indi

Posted 26 May 2017 - 05:02 PM

View PostSuperFunkTron, on 26 May 2017 - 04:41 PM, said:

What is the "N" designation for? Example being Dragon 1N


N stands for Nykvarn which is a planet in Kuritan space and where Luthien Armor Works produced the Dragon series of mechs.

http://www.sarna.net...r_Works#Nykvarn

Edited by James The Fox Dixon, 26 May 2017 - 05:04 PM.


#13 Karl Streiger

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Wrath
  • Wrath
  • 20,369 posts
  • LocationBlack Dot in a Sea of Blue

Posted 27 May 2017 - 12:13 PM

Guys guys guys

You are kiding me aint ya?

DC -Double Cockpit = Command Console

#14 Mechwarrior4670152

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 411 posts

Posted 27 May 2017 - 12:19 PM

View PostKarl Streiger, on 27 May 2017 - 12:13 PM, said:

Guys guys guys

You are kiding me aint ya?

DC -Double Cockpit = Command Console

I.... had forgotten that.

#15 Metus regem

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Sureshot
  • The Sureshot
  • 10,282 posts
  • LocationNAIS College of Military Science OCS courses

Posted 27 May 2017 - 12:29 PM

View PostKarl Streiger, on 27 May 2017 - 12:13 PM, said:

Guys guys guys

You are kiding me aint ya?

DC -Double Cockpit = Command Console


Myself as well... Seems I forgot too.

#16 Exilyth

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Bridesmaid
  • 2,100 posts
  • LocationTerra

Posted 28 May 2017 - 04:46 AM

The Mechcommander series handled variant designations a bit differently.

In the first mechcommander, all chassis had one or more of up to four variants:
a - 'armor' was usually the defensive variant which had more armor
w - 'weapon' was the offensive variant which had more weapons
s - 'special'/'sensors' had less weapons and armor but better sensors or other special equipment
j - 'jump' was the jump jet equipped variant (usefull for jumping over walls and capturing gate/turret control towers)

If I remember correctly, MC2 followed a similar system.

Most variants were based on variants from TROs, but others took a bit more 'artistic freedom' for the sake of gameplay.

#17 James The Fox Dixon

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Overlord
  • Overlord
  • 2,572 posts
  • LocationEpsilon Indi

Posted 28 May 2017 - 04:56 AM

View PostExilyth, on 28 May 2017 - 04:46 AM, said:

The Mechcommander series handled variant designations a bit differently.

In the first mechcommander, all chassis had one or more of up to four variants:
a - 'armor' was usually the defensive variant which had more armor
w - 'weapon' was the offensive variant which had more weapons
s - 'special'/'sensors' had less weapons and armor but better sensors or other special equipment
j - 'jump' was the jump jet equipped variant (usefull for jumping over walls and capturing gate/turret control towers)

If I remember correctly, MC2 followed a similar system.

Most variants were based on variants from TROs, but others took a bit more 'artistic freedom' for the sake of gameplay.


Great info except MC isn't canon and is excluded from being counted for lore purposes.

#18 Metus regem

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Sureshot
  • The Sureshot
  • 10,282 posts
  • LocationNAIS College of Military Science OCS courses

Posted 28 May 2017 - 05:27 AM

View PostExilyth, on 28 May 2017 - 04:46 AM, said:


Most variants were based on variants from TROs, but others took a bit more 'artistic freedom' for the sake of gameplay.


Like the 55t Centurions....

#19 James The Fox Dixon

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Overlord
  • Overlord
  • 2,572 posts
  • LocationEpsilon Indi

Posted 28 May 2017 - 05:38 AM

View PostKarl Streiger, on 27 May 2017 - 12:13 PM, said:

Guys guys guys

You are kiding me aint ya?

DC -Double Cockpit = Command Console


The Atlas D-DC is not a double cockpit design. It's a command variant of the Davion model that was used by the Draconis Combine. The only Star League mech, from TRO 3025 that had a dual cockpit was the Battlemaster 1G and 3M variant. The Lyran Commonwealth used AS7-D's with a dual cockpit design and it didn't have a command console.

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

#20 Karl Streiger

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Wrath
  • Wrath
  • 20,369 posts
  • LocationBlack Dot in a Sea of Blue

Posted 28 May 2017 - 05:46 AM

Some designations like the N in DRG-1N are simple - DRaGoN
You find this on some other Mechs.
Most later have some meaning most first generation only have the explanation that comes in mind.

G could be juggernaut
Q don't know CQB doesn't fit any historical vehis with Q

Last not least retcon. When they wrote the lore for the AS7-D there was no KGC.
Of course JR7-D and AS7-D interesting isn't it.





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users