31 replies to this topic

[InnerSphereNews]

Mon. May 7, 3049: As the first new ’Mechs built in over a century, in 3023, DI proudly showcased its upgrade, the HCT-5S Hatchetman.

[Adridos]

People are going to love this. Official word on an actual melee mech.

[DarkTreader]

Introduced in 3023 during the Succession Wars, the Hatchetman was a very distinctive 'Mech because, as its name suggests, it carries a 'Mech sized Hatchet. As well as being the first design to carry one, the Hatchetman itself was the first totally new BattleMech produced in the Inner Sphere in over a century, and was also the first production 'Mech to use a Full-Head Ejection System. Despite being first manufactured in the Lyran Commonwealth, the Hatchetman was actually designed by Dr. Banzai of the Federated Suns' New Avalon Institute of Science. Popular in both realms, following its selection as one of the standard 'Mechs of the Federated Commonwealth and with Defiance Industries unable to keep up with the increased demand for it during the Clan Invasion, the company licensed its production to Johnston Industries to supply units in Davion space.
The Hatchetman's heavier than usual weapons payload and Hatchet, combined with its jumping capability of up to one hundred and twenty meters, makes the design a monster within the confines of a city. While nearly unmatched in this niche, the Hatchetman fares less well on open terrain, clad in a relatively light six and half tons of armor and pedestrian top speed of 64.8 km/h.
Aside from its Hatchet, the Hatchetman carries a Defiance Killer Autocannon/10 supplied with two tons of ammunition as its primary ranged weapon, which allows the 'Mech to be effective in both stand up fights in front line combat and in the concrete jungle of a city. As secondary weapons, the Hatchetman carries two Defiance B3M Medium Lasers.

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HCT-5S - The 5S is an upgrade of the 3F model. The 5S replaces the fusion engine with an extralight engine. The weapons have also been stripped from the chassis and upgraded. The Autocannon has been replaced with a Defiance Disintegrator LB-X Autocannon/10 and the Medium Lasers have been replaced with three Defiance P5M Medium Pulse Lasers. Finally, the Hatchetman has been re-armored with eight and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor and also includes CASE to protect the LB-X Autocannon's single ton of reloads in the event of an ammunition explosion.

Source: Sarna.net

Edit: Including the HCT-5S variant specs.

Edited by DarkTreader, 07 May 2012 - 08:07 AM.

[Evgeny Bear]

Dr. Banzai... how creative...

never was attracted by this model

[Felicitatem Parco]

For a 45-ton medium, it sure has bite. The AC/10 is nice, but it might be hard to get close enough and stick that cleaver into something; the Hatchetman is a 64kph slowbot, just like a Hunchie. I do like its 65-ton big brother, the Axman, though, because its hatchet is more powerful (heavier Mechs have more powerful hatches than smaller Mechs) and the weapons loadout is a real Assault-killer.

Edited by Prosperity Park, 07 May 2012 - 08:13 AM.

[Atlai]

Does this mean its in the game?

[Vertous]

OH YEAH!!!!!! *chop, chop*

[Ghost]

It slices, it dices, it makes julienne fries!

[Felicitatem Parco]

Mason West, on 07 May 2012 - 08:08 AM, said:

Does this mean its in the game?

If all the News Feed content was in-game, then I think it would be the greatest unveil of all time... and about as improbable as making unique maps for every planet. I want "Summer, 2012" to stick... like a hatchet in a tree trunk.

Edited by Prosperity Park, 07 May 2012 - 08:18 AM.

[Jonas]

I really hope that the Hatchetman is the game even if the hatchet is just for show the Mech looks awesome

[Solis Obscuri]

Rather have a Hunchie.

[Fresh Meat]

sigh...

I am legging this mech

Edited by Fresh_Meat, 07 May 2012 - 08:43 AM.

[UrLeftKnut]

Does this mean we'll see the Axeman too? That was around during the time of the Clan Invasion too, at least according to Battletech the Animated Series it was.

[Fomorian]

Oh yeah I hope it makes it in the game for release, will be one of my mechs.

[Seth]

No love for the Merlin huh? The first actual new design in over 100 years was introduced more than a decade earlier than the Hatchetman.

[Kenyon Burguess]

yay! *dances around the office*

[Orzorn]

I'm jumping with joy!

[Hardac]

Does the HCT-5S have the hatchet as well? It mentions its weapons were stripped out but does not mention it in the list of upgrades. ???

A windfall for Hatchetman fans if this is in the game.

Me? I'd rather have the Merlin. At the very least I wouldn't mind seeing FD's reinterpretation.

[guardian wolf]

I wonder what's the skinny behind this plan?

[PropagandaWar]

I've read no melee right now so having it in the game would be a waste of a mech.