compiled overview of the 85
ton BLR-1G
BattleMaster 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
Even during the
Star League era, the number of manufacturers capable of building a
'Mech like the BLR-1G
BattleMaster was limited. After they won the bid to construct the
'Mech,
Hollis Industries began production of the
BattleMaster in 2830. Designed to be the largest and most powerful
'Mech ever fielded by the
Star League armies, the BLR-1G filled the bill.
The
'Mech's sheer
size required special manufacturing facilities, which meant
Hollis Industries could build the
BattleMaster on only a few planets. The cost and materials for the
'Mech also limited production somewhat.
The firepower that the
BattleMaster can generate in one volley is staggering and more than deadly at close range. The reliable Donall
PPC is its main weapon, with the
laser systems as close support fire.
The
BattleMaster is one of the few
'Mechs equipped with rear firing weapons. It has two
Martell medium lasers providing protection from the rear. The
'Mech is also equipped with
machine guns against
infantry attacks. The bulk of the ammunition for the
SRMs and the
machine guns is stored in one location, however, which at times results in internal explosions.
Even if the
BattleMaster loses all its weapons, it still has its manipulative
hands. In emergencies, it can disengage the Donal
PPC in order to have both hands free.
Though
BattleMasters were not produced in great numbers, their sheer size,
armor, and firepower have left many still functional despite the numerous battles they have fought in their nearly 200 years in the field. Further, the
'Mech's basic design has proved to be
sound and reliable, with few flaws.
The attacks on
Hollis Industries during the
First Succession War brought production of the
BattleMaster to a virtual stop. The fighting Houses each grabbed the finished
'Mechs that were available, incorporating them into their respective forces. As
BattleMasters were rare, it became unusual ever to find them fighting side-by-side.
During the battle for
St. Andre in 2920, the three Houses of
Marik,
Liao, and
Davion faced off. In making their bid to take the refinery stations near the city of Malta, elements of the Davion Guards' heavy regiment were equipped with the massive
BattleMasters. Two
lances, each with one
BattleMaster, led the attack against the heavily defended refinery. Five lances of light
recon 'Mechs fell quickly to the firepower of the two heavily armed attack groups, and Davion took the refinery for the moment.
The Davion planet
Crossing was the site of another historic
BattleMaster confrontation, in which elements of the
NAIS Training Cadre on temporary assignment took on elements of
House Kurita's 2nd regiment of the
Sword of Light. In this case, there were several minor
BattleMaster vs.
BattleMaster encounters. Though the fights were not decisive, the raw firepower of these
'Mechs was truly put to the test in battle against one other.
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