Viewing BattleMech Unit
    Overview |  Distribution |  Battle Value |  Alpha Strike |  Cost |  Availability  | Reviews   
 Units  »  Search  »  BattleMechs  »  Tunneller TNL - 3R
Design Overview
Generate in     format       
                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Tunneller TNL - 3R
Designer:           ZaneOlric
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere (Mixed)
Technology Rating:  F
Tonnage:            100
Role:               Skirmisher
Configuration:      Quad BattleMech
Era/Year:           Dark Age / 3150
Rules (Current):    Experimental
Rules (Era):        Experimental
Rules (Year):       Experimental
Total Cost:         42,335,333 C-Bills
Battle Value:       3,012

Chassis:              Reinforced
Power Plant:          400 XL
Walking Speed:        43.2 kph  
Maximum Speed:        64.8 kph  [108 kph] 
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:             
    5 ER Medium Lasers (C)
    1 Small Pulse Laser (C)
    2 Micro Pulse Lasers (C)
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown

================================================================================================
Overview:
    Etna Industries engineers originally set out to make the Tunneler TNL-3R  a combat engineer
    vehicle, something capable of clearing mines, plowing trenches, and demolishing obstacles.
    Taking their usually elaborate approach to designs, they created someting akin to am
    fusion-powered armored-train on legs that employed triple strength myomer and a supercharger
    to give it an absurd amout of strength.  However, its prohibitive cost quickly saw it
    struggle to find buyers.  It would likely have been another failed concept if not for a new
    clan technology, the Ram Plate.  After successfully "acquiring" a version of it, designers
    immeidately saw its potential on the colossal Tunneler.  Now capable of smashing through
    even the most heavily armored assault mechs with only a partial charge, this mech remains a
    rare but formidable sight on any battlefield it inhabits.

Capabilities:
    The TNL-3R is equipped with 23 tons of Ferro Laminar armor and a Reinforced Structure to
    make it an extremely durable mech against any form of attack.  The combination of its
    special alloy armor and the use of three Inner-Sphere grade Spike supports allows the mech
    to be immune to the damage of its own charges.  These defenses are further supported by the
    employment of a compact gyroscope to reduce the risk that this behemoth gets taken down
    early.
    
    Offensively, the Tunneler employes a battery of five medium lasers to threaten targets just
    outside of its melee range or to reheat its Triple Strength Myomer (TSM) after a charge.  To
    help modulate heat and act as anti-infantry weapons, two micro pulse lasers and one small
    pulse laser are employed.  Lastly, a Supercharger can be combined with the TSM to give a ram
    range on par with fast calvalry units, reaching a staggering 108km/h despite weighing 100
    tons.

Deployment:
    The Tunneler lives up to its name by finding its optimal use in breaching defensive walls,
    both strategically and literally.  It has the armor and durability to resits damage from
    even heavily armed mechs and emplacements to allow for it to charge headlessly into its
    designated target. Once a primary threat is taken care of, it will rely on allies to cover
    its flank as it struggles with protecting its rear armor like most other quad-designs.  It
    can then reset and seek to destroy a second threat with another massive charge.
    
    Most often, the TNL-3R's TSM will cool between charges, requiring heating from its battery
    of ER medium lasers.  This brief respite will also allow the Supercharger to rest and
    decrease the risk of it causing catastrophic engine damage and cripling the mech.  Instead,
    this time should be used to reposition and begin setting up the angle for an additional
    charge.  Making sure to have proper heat management is also critical, though any trained
    pilot should be able to use the pulse laser systems to carefully modulate its heat
    appropriately.  (Rules note: TSM does not double charge damage, just add movement to allow
    for longer charges while also not adding weight like MASC).

Notable MechWarriors:
    Stora Gonzaga: born to rich merchants, Stora enrolled in the Federated Sun mechwarrior
    program in a fit of rage when her parents demanded she settle down and become a desk worker.
    She found the military a good fit and rose in prestige until granted command of the newly
    developed TNL-3R.  She found the stubborn machine a natural fit for her, supporting her
    preference towards calvary based tactics.  She made a name for herself when she smashed
    through a reinforced concrete wall and associated defenses of an anti-air platform
    preventing reinforcements from reaching her lances position.
    
    Note: This Mech has the "Stable" and "No/Minimal Arms" quirks if playing with those rules.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                       Reinforced (C)              20.00                     
Engine:                                     400 XL (C)                26.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 4                                               
    Running MP:                               6 [10]                                            
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Single):                            10                     0.00                     
Gyro:                                        Compact                   6.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  322                    23.00                     
    Type:                               Ferro-Lamellor (C)                                      

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      31             49       
    Center Torso (rear):                              12       
    R/L Torso:                         21             32       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                 10       
    R/L Front Leg:                     21             42       
    R/L Rear Leg:                      21             42       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Pulse Laser (C)                                     H                 1          1.00             
ER Medium Laser (C)                                       CT                1          1.00             
Spikes                                                    CT                1          0.50             
Supercharger (C)                                          CT                1          3.00             
2 ER Medium Lasers (C)                                    RT                2          2.00             
Micro Pulse Laser (C)                                     RT                1          0.50             
Spikes                                                    RT                1          0.50             
2 ER Medium Lasers (C)                                    LT                2          2.00             
Micro Pulse Laser (C)                                     LT                1          0.50             
Ram Plate (C)                                             *                 3         10.00             
Spikes                                                    LT                1          0.50             
Triple-Strength Myomer                                    --                6          0.00             

* Ram Plates occupy 1 critical slot in each torso location

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 58
TP: BM,  SZ: 4,  TMM: 2,  MV: 10"
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 2 / (L) 0,  OV: 2
Armor (A): 13,  Structure (S): 10
Specials: CR, ENE, MEL, TSM
 
"Underneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character." - Oscar Levant
Copyright © 1995-2025 Scott Bukoski. All rights reserved.
BattleTech, 'Mech, BattleMech, MechWarrior, CityTech, BattleForce, and AeroTech
are registered trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. © 2025 The Topps Company, Inc., All rights reserved.
Code Release 2.25.5 (2025-11-01T16:12:58-04:00)