Viewing BattleMech Unit
    Overview |  Distribution |  Battle Value |  Cost |  Availability |  Alpha Strike  | Reviews   
 Units  »  Search  »  BattleMechs  »  Thorn THE-N
Design Overview
Generate in     format     MUL   
                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Thorn THE-N
Designer:           Catalyst Game Labs
Source(s):          Record Sheets: Succession Wars
                    Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged, Clan & Star League
                    Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade
                    Record Sheets: 3050
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            20
Role:               Striker
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Star League / 2549
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Standard
Rules (Year):       Standard
Total Cost:         1,617,120 C-Bills
Battle Value:       546

Chassis:              Chariot Type II Endo Steel
Power Plant:          GM 120 
Walking Speed:        64.8 kph  
Maximum Speed:        97.2 kph  
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Armorscale with CASE
Armament:             
    2 Hellion Spitfire Medium Lasers
    1 Zeus LRM 5
Manufacturer:         Ford Military Limited
    Primary Factory:  Terra
Communications:       Opus I Ultrabeam
Targeting & Tracking: Orion 80

================================================================================================
Overview:
    The Thorn is an older BattleMech design, incorporated into the Hegemony Armed Forces during
    the late 24th Century. It was the first 'Mech to incorporate the Endo Steel II Skeleton. The
    Thorn was unveiled with tremendous hype, but initial reviews were mixed.  Commanders later
    agreed that Endo Steel II had obvious advantages but would not be suitable for all 'Mechs.
    
    The Thorn was designed to serve in front-line combat units.  Its inability to jump was
    not considered unusual for this type of duty, but commanders who tried to use all light
    'Mechs as scouts found the Thorn to be useless.  Once seperated from company mates, the
    Thorn's heavier armor and greater firepower were no match for a quicker opponent.

Capabilities:
    The Thorn has had mixed reviews for the entire length of its service.  Supporters point out
    that the design packs more punch per ton than any other 'Mech and that its armor is also the
    best of its size. In a toe-to-toe slugfest, the Thorn can usually reduce an equal weight
    opponent to scrap in minutes.
    
    Opponents of the design note that a 'Mech cannot hit what it cannot reach. Although the
    120 Class engine allows the 'Mech to run at a respectable speed, its lack of jump jets
    leaves the Thorn in the dust of other light 'Mechs. The Zeus Long-Range Missile system only
    partially offsets this lack of pursuit ability.
    
    This favoring of armor and weapons over maneuverabilty has made the Thorn a favorite of
    front-line light companies.
    
    The weapon placement and ease of maintenance have given the design high marks in every
    technician's manual. The arms and legs are completely accessible, allowing a service crew to
    actually enter the limbs and work on repairs from the inside.
    
    The Thorn's main armament consists of twin medium lasers. These identical weapons
    further imrove maintenance and are extremely efficient.  The design is noted as a "cool
    running" 'Mech, but the placement of one laser directly under the pilot's feet makes the
    Thorn seem to be running hotter than it really is. Extensive cooling is provided in the
    cockpit area, but the lack of an effective venting system for the medium laser makes
    repeated firing uncomfortable for the pilot.
    
    The Zeus Long-Range Missile system is extremely accurate, and the arm mount allows the
    pilot to switch targets quickly. If damaged, the entire system can be replaced in a few
    hours, which is fortunate as the launcher can easily be destroyed if the 'Mech engages in
    hand-to-hand combat. The missile-feed system, which passes reloads from the torso storage
    compartment, is average at best.  If damaged, reloads can become lodged in the upper arm,
    where additional damage has been known to cause detonation, destroying the arm.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 1.00                     
Engine:                                     120 Fusion                 4.00                     
    Walking MP:                                 6                                               
    Running MP:                                 9                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Single):                            10                     0.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  2.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                   69                     4.50                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                       6              8       
    Center Torso (rear):                               4       
    R/L Torso:                          5              6       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  4       
    R/L Arm:                            3              6       
    R/L Leg:                            4              8       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                              H                 1          1.00             
CASE                                                      RT                1          0.50             
LRM 5 (Ammo 24)                                           RT                1          1.00             
LRM 5                                                     RA                1          2.00             
Medium Laser                                              LA                1          1.00             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 18
TP: BM,  SZ: 1,  TMM: 2,  MV: 12"
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 2 / (L) 0*,  OV: 0
Armor (A): 2,  Structure (S): 2
Specials: CASE, IF0*
 
"Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live." - Dorothy Thompson
Copyright © 1995-2024 Scott Bukoski. All rights reserved.
BattleTech, 'Mech, BattleMech, MechWarrior, CityTech, BattleForce, and AeroTech
are registered trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. © 2024 The Topps Company, Inc., All rights reserved.
Code Release 2.24.13 (2024-05-02T16:46:03-04:00)