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Design Overview
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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Slowpoke SLP-2U
Designer:           Dr. B, Banzai
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  D
Tonnage:            10
Role:               Ambusher
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Star League / 2649
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Advanced
Rules (Year):       Advanced
Total Cost:         758,267 C-Bills
Battle Value:       196

Chassis:              Sian V 
Power Plant:          Pitban 20 20 
Walking Speed:        21.6 kph  
Maximum Speed:        32.4 kph  
Jump Jets:            Anderson Propulsion 15 
    Jump Capacity:    60 meters
Armor:                Starshield
Armament:             
    1 Ceres Arms Medium Laser
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       CeresCom Model 2-Rs
Targeting & Tracking: Chamberlain Winesap

================================================================================================
Overview:
    The SLP-2U Slowpoke was another early experimental design, and perhaps the only one of its
    class designed solely within the Capellan Confederation. Though it was the third House to
    develop an ultralight 'Mech (following Houses Davion and Kurita), the development and
    subsequent manufacture of the Slowpoke were inadequately planned and implemented, coming as
    a direct response to Davion Juniors used along the Davion/Liao border in the late 25th
    century.
    Liao engineers hasty efforts failed twice before leading to a slow but tactically
    maneuverable 'Mech, designed for defense in urban combat situations. After entering
    production, the 'Mech was plagued by mechanical problems during its first few years, and
    select individual units were recalled for modifications and upgrading on at least three
    distinct occasions.
    Designed by Sian WeaponsCorp, the Slowpoke was manufactured in limited quantities on the
    planet Liao for 'almost two hundred years, until the First Succession War ensued. During
    that conflict, every BattleMech factory on Liao (including the Slowpoke plant) was
    demolished by heavy raids and never reconstructed; this destruction also ended the
    vehicle-manufacturing capabilities of Sian, who thereafter limited its production to
    armaments.
    No new Slowpokes have been built since the First Succession War. In light of its ease in
    destruction, the 'Mech has become rare, and certain systems and components (notably the
    tracking computer) are quite difficult to find spares for.

Capabilities:
    In combat, the Slowpoke can be described as unimpressive in every respect. With a top speed
    of less than 40 kph and a single CeresArms medium laser for armament, many say the SLP is
    unable to run or fight. The Starshield armor is not exceptionally thin for its class, but
    because the 'Mech is so slow, it often presents an extended opportunity for weapons fire to
    penetrate, with unpleasant consequences. The Anderson jump jets are one of the unit's few
    saving graces, and their timely use has kept more than one SLP pilot alive in an awkward
    moment.
    The Pitban engine is viewed by many with humor, not because it fails to perform (it has
    given excellent service), but because the heavily-shielded fusion plant is so small there is
    enough room in the engine compartment for storage of some of the pilot's personal effects.
    Even today, the compartment is used now and again for smuggling small goods past
    checkpoints. Many second-rate garrison units, never having seen the Slowpoke before, are
    unaware of its unique features and thus fail to check for contraband.
    Both the CeresCom Model2-Rs communications and Chamberlain Winesap targeting & tracking
    systems are 1) obsolete; 2) almost impossible to find replacements for; and, 3) a major
    nuisance to any technician who tries to repair them. Neither system has been manufactured
    for many years (Chamberlain Communications and Circuitry has been out of business for more
    than a century), and parts are rarely found outside a few Star League depots or off another
    disabled Slowpoke. When damaged, the easiest and most common tactic is to junk the entire
    main module and insert a more modem equivalent. Surprisingly, rewiring is often not required
    on this 'Mech; instead, certain delicate circuit modifications must be made. This makes the
    task of replacement less time-consuming but far more technical than one might otherwise
    expect.

Deployment:
    One engagement in which Slowpoke made a fair showing took place during the Second Succession
    War, when the planet St. Ives was briefly threatened by a small task force from the
    Federated Suns. A lance of Slowpokes, supporting a company of Vedettes, a platoon of
    minelaying trucks, and a battalion of infantry, made up the garrison of Georgetown, a
    moderately-sized industrial city heavily damaged in the First Succession War. In a surprise
    raid begun during very poor weather, a Davion Leopard Class DropShip landed nearby. (Liao
    intelligence later proved it was a minor diversionary attack.) The DropShip's complement, a
    Medium Lance (two Trebuchets, a Centurion, and a Stinger) and a Corsair Air Lance, debarked
    and moved against Georgetown.
    With some advance warning, the Liao garrison had time to organize a hasty defense, despite
    worsening weather. In less than two hours, a sparse minefield had been laid and all units
    were in position. Severe storms, developing during the last hour, forced the AeroSpace
    Fighters to turn back, but the ground contingent pressed on without benefit of air cover.
    Intimately familiar with the streets and alleys of Georgetown, the garrison arranged
    overlapping fields of fire while maintaining maximum cover. As the Davion lance approached
    the city's outskirts and spread out, the infantry opened fire. Their casualties were heavy,
    but the MechWarriors' attention had been diverted and they now expected no other opposition.
    Liao Vedettes then came in from behind, joined by Slowpokes jumping into battle and took the
    attackers completely by surprise. With their escape route cut off and fearing additional
    Liao reinforcements, the Trebuchets and Centurion elected to fight to the death. Only the
    Stinger (the sole Davion 'Mech possessing jump capability) escaped, and even it was badly
    damaged before it finally got away.
    As a result, House Davion did not attempt another raid against Georgetown for over a year.
    The Davion commander, a Major Lindell, was cashiered for his role in preparing the attack,
    and the Liao garrison commander, BattleMech Captain Jason Wah, received a field promotion.

Variants:
    No Known

Notable MechWarriors:
    Capellan Confederation Chancellor Maximilian Liao
    During rare moments of leisure, this ruler personally maintains and pilots (as his auxiliary
    'Mech) a Slowpoke called the Humble Warlord. Beautifully painted in House colors and in
    perfect condition, Liao describes his work on it as "joyous and humbling."

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                          Standard                  1.00                     
Engine:                                     20 Fusion                  0.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 2                                               
    Running MP:                                 3                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 2                                               
Heat Sinks (Single):                            10                     0.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  1.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                   40                     2.50                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              8       
    Center Torso:                       4              6       
    Center Torso (rear):                               2       
    R/L Torso:                          3              4       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  2       
    R/L Arm:                            1              2       
    R/L Leg:                            2              4       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                              CT                1          1.00             
Jump Jet                                                  RT                1          0.50             
Jump Jet                                                  LT                1          0.50             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 6
TP: BM,  SZ: 1,  TMM: 0,  MV: 4"j
Damage: (S) 1 / (M) 1 / (L) 0,  OV: 0
Armor (A): 1,  Structure (S): 1
Specials: ENE
 
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Code Release 2.24.13.1 (2024-09-02T12:52:21-04:00)