Valiant (BattleMech)

This article is about the 30-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Valiant.
Valiant (BattleMech)
Valiant
Production information
Manufacturer Johnston Industries[1]

VEST[1]


Wakazashi Enterprises[1]

Production Year 3068[2]
Model V4-LNT-K7[1]
Class Light
Cost 3,271,840 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 30 tons
Chassis Small Bug-B Modified
Armor Valiant Gauntlet
Engine GM 210
Communications System Olmstead 37
Targeting Tracking System Irian 511
Heat Sinks 10 double
Speed 118 km/h (151 km/h with MASC)
Armament
BV (1.0) 742[3]
BV (2.0) 833[4] or
894[1][5]


Description[edit]

The Valiant was developed by Vining Engineering and Salvage Team, one of the many weapon manufacturers on Solaris VII, at the behest of Irian BattleMechs Unlimited. Based on the Scarabus, the Valiant was conceived as a light skirmisher and first saw use during the Solaran resistance to the occupying Word of Blake in 3068. The two remaining prototypes were smuggled off world in 3070, when the design was picked up by Wakazashi Enterprises. Since the destruction of Luthien Armor Works, the heavy industry of the Draconis Combine was diversifying and expanding to keep the DCMS equipped, and the need for a ready-made BattleMech design overwhelmed the traditional Draconian dislike of hatchets. The 'Mech has received a tepid reception, even among the mercenaries that VEST has sold the design to, partly stemming from the design's meager five tons of armor.[6]

Johnston Industries began to produce the design in late 3074 when Margaret Florence became their Chief Design Operator. The former CFO of VEST/Wakazashi and one of the members of the Valiant design team brought the 'Mech with her, along with a new variant. Despite copyright suits pending in the Federated Suns, Lyran Alliance, and Draconis Combine as of 3075, the Valiant continues to be produced by factories in all three nations.[7]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

As a fast skirmisher, the Valiant wields only three ER medium lasers and its hatchet. The configuration's lack of ammo dependency is perhaps the characteristic that potential buyers are most interested in, as the chaos of the Jihad often leaves opportunities for resupply few and far between. MASC gives the Valiant a burst of speed, up to 151.2 km/h, to help it close on targets.[8]

Variants[edit]

  • VLN-3T 
    A newer variant produced by VEST for the Solaris arenas, the 3T also uses a small shield, though at the cost of armor. This variant is produced solely for the arenas, as it has too little armor for actual combat.[1] BV (2.0) = 890[10] or 852[11]

Custom Variants[edit]

  • VAL-NT-JX "Hot Knife" 
    Based on the Valiant J3, this custom one-off variant uses a light engine and supercharger to maintain the quick speed of the standard Valiant. For increased protection it carries six and a half tons of armor. The hatchet has been replaced with a vibroblade equipped with an Actuator Enhancement System, and the armored flange on the right arm has been upgraded to be a small shield. The rest of the weaponry remains the same. BV (2.0) = 995[13]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Valiant has the following Design Quirks:[14]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See: Category:Notable Valiant Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • The Valiant was first introduced in WizKids' MechWarrior: Dark Age collectible miniatures game as a playing piece in its Death From Above expansion set. The 'Mech would later be adapted by Catalyst Game Labs and redefined in the tabletop game once the company advanced the franchise's timeline to the Jihad Era.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Technical Readout: Jihad, pp. 58–59: "V4-LNT-K7 Valiant"
  2. MUL online date for Valiant (BattleMech)
  3. Mercenaries Supplemental Update, pp. 150, 157
  4. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 69
  5. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 126
  6. Mercenaries Supplemental Update, pp. 148–150
  7. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 68
  8. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 69
  9. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 127
  10. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged
  11. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 128
  12. Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1, p. 4
  13. Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators, p. 3
  14. BattleMech Manual, p. 95: BattleMech Quirk Table - Valiant Entry

Bibliography[edit]