Part 753: Mech Update: Varangian (Dire Wolf)
Alternate-Universe 3032 TRO Entry 3Varangian (Dire Wolf)
Overview:
The Varangian is the largest ‘Mech seen fielded by the Clans. First encountered among the Clan Widowmaker forces in the Rasalhague Prefecture, the Varangian is capable of decimating entire lances of lighter ‘Mechs in a few salvos. A threat at all ranges, the ‘Mech’s only flaw is its relatively low speed. To date, our Blessed Order has recorded no confirmed kills of a Varangian. Engage this unit with extreme caution, but evade it entirely if at all possible.
Capabilities:
The Varangian appears to have fewer variants than some other Clan designs, likely because those variants which do exist seem to excel at all ranges. The variant we have dubbed the ‘Alpha’ is the most commonly fielded. It is extremely versatile and well-rounded for an assault machine. The linchpin of the Alpha’s firepower is a massive Ultra Autocannon 20 mounted in the left arm. This close-range firepower is augmented by a pair of ER PPCs in the right, and a cluster of medium lasers in the torso. Supplementing this firepower is a pair of Streak SRM-6s, and a single LRM-20 provides excellent long-range fire support. Finally, the Alpha mounts a flamer for anti-infantry deterrence.
The Beta variant seems to serve as a direct fire-support design. Appearing commonly only among the forces of Clan Goliath Scorpion, the Beta is capable of leveraging incredible firepower at both long and short range. Its primary armament is a cluster of four ER Large Lasers in the right arm. It also appears to mount enough heat sinks to fire these lasers with minimal heat build-up, provided it remains stationary. Closing against the Beta variant is not recommended, however, as the design packs an LB20-X Autocannon and five medium pulse lasers. Like the Alpha, a Flamer rounds out the Beta’s arsenal and serves adequately as an anti-infantry weapon.
The Gamma variant is far less common, although the Hell’s Horses seem to favor it as a fire-support platform. Mounting a pair of LRM-20s and a Gauss Rifle for long-range fire support, the Gamma has sufficient long-range firepower but likely suffers from ammunition problems. Unfortunately, its secondary armament of three Large Pulse Lasers enables the design to remain in a fight long after its ammunition has been exhausted. Once again, a single Flamer provides the ‘Mech’s only anti-infantry firepower.
The Delta variant of the Varangian is extremely unusual for a Clan design. It has appeared only once to date, among the forces of Clan Steel Viper. Equipped with jump jets for added mobility, the Delta’s entire armament consists of a quartet of Ultra Autocannon 10s. Unlike the other Varangians, this variant also mounts a single ER Small Laser—the only concession it makes to battlefield longevity. The Delta appears to have been designed with urban combat in mind. The Delta appears to have extremely limited ammunition makes it ill-suited to a drawn-out fight.
The final variant of the Varangian has been documented only once, but is worthy of special attention: this variant appears to be piloted by the overall leader of Clan Widowmaker, and may very well be a unique design. Dubbed the “Widowmaker” variant by our analysts, this ‘Mech is an extremely dangerous combatant. The primary armament appears to be a pair of ER PPCs for long-range firepower. This variant mounts a quartet of Large Pulse Lasers as a secondary armament, and appears to have enough heat dissipation to fire nearly its entire armament on the move. As with most of the other variants, the “Widowmaker” also mounts a single flamer.
Deployment:
Most common among the forces of Clan Widowmaker, the Hell’s Horses also make extensive use of the Varangian. It has also appeared among the forces of Clan Goliath Scorpion, albeit in much smaller numbers. Among the invading Clans, only the Steel Vipers appear to disdain this design; apparently preferring lighter and faster designs instead.
Equipment:
Mass: 100 tons
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Walking MP: 3
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Running MP: 5
Jump Jets: 3 (Delta variant only)
Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Jumping MP: 3
Armament: 50.5 tons of Pod Space available
Heat Sinks: 15 [30] (minimum)
Armor Factor: 304
Head Structure: 3
Head Armor: 9
Center Torso Structure: 31
Center Torso Armor: 47
Center Torso (Rear) Armor: 14
Left/Right Torso Structure: 21
Left/Right Torso Armor: 32
Left/Right Torso (Rear) Armor: 10
Left/Right Leg Structure: 21
Left/Right Leg Armor: 41
Left/Right Arm Structure: 17
Left/Right Arm Armor: 34
Standard Equipment:
The Varangian appears to mount no standardized equipment, although a head-mounted Flamer appears on nearly every variant.
Alpha Weapons and Ammo:
ER PPC (x2) – Right Arm
Ultra AC/20 – Left Arm
ER Medium Laser (x3) – Right Torso
LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV – Right Torso
Streak SRM-6 (x2) – Left Torso
Flamer – Head
LRM-20 Ammo (x2) – Center Torso
Ultra AC/20 Ammo (x2) – Left Torso
Streak SRM-6 Ammo (x2) – Left Torso
Heat Sink (x3) – Right Arm
Heat Sink – Left Arm
Heat Sink – Right Torso
Heat Sink – Left Torso
Heat Sink – Right Leg
Heat Sink – Left Leg
CASE – Left Torso
CASE – Center Torso
Beta Weapons and Ammo:
ER Large Laser (x4) Right Arm
LB 20-X Autocannon – Left Arm
Medium Pulse Laser – Left Arm
Medium Pulse Laser (x2) – Right Torso
Medium Pulse Laser (x2) – Left Torso
Flamer – Head
LB 20-X AC Ammo (x2) Left Torso
Heat Sink (x3) – Right Arm
Heat Sink – Center Torso
Heat Sink (x4) – Right Torso
Heat Sink (x3) – Left Torso
Heat Sink – Right Leg
Heat Sink – Left Leg
CASE – Left Torso
Gamma Weapons and Ammo:
Large Pulse Laser (x3) – Right Arm
LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV – Left Arm
Gauss Rifle – Right Torso
LRM-20 w/ Artemis IV – Left Torso
Flamer – Head
Gauss Rifle Ammo (x2) – Right Torso
LRM-20 Ammo (x3) – Left Torso
Heat Sink – Right Arm
Heat Sink – Center Torso
Heat Sink – Right Torso
Heat Sink – Left Torso
Heat Sink – Right Leg
Heat Sink – Left Leg
CASE – Right Torso
CASE – Left Torso
Delta Weapons and Ammo:
Ultra AC/10 (x2) – Right Arm
Ultra AC/10 (x2) – Left Arm
Ultra AC/10 Ammo (x2) – Right Torso
Ultra AC/10 Ammo (x2) – Left Torso
ER Small Laser – Head
Jump Jet – Center Torso
Jump Jet – Right Torso
Jump Jet – Left Torso
Heat Sink – Right Torso
Heat Sink – Left Torso
Heat Sink – Left Leg
CASE – Right Torso
CASE – Left Torso
Widowmaker Weapons and Ammo:
ER PPC – Right Arm
Large Pulse Laser – Right Arm
ER PPC – Left Arm
Large Pulse Laser – Left Arm
Large Pulse Laser – Right Torso
Large Pulse Laser – Left Torso
Flamer – Head
Double Heat Sink (x3) – Right Arm
Double Heat Sink (x3) – Left Arm
Double Heat Sink – Center Torso
Double Heat Sink (x4) – Right Torso
Double Heat Sink (x4) – Left Torso
Double Heat Sink – Right Leg
Double Heat Sink – Left Leg