V5.00ˆPd King CrabKGC-007û €Ñ£  0UE0UE(BèA`AMA 7 8 7 6 3— 3J,  % % - Z (Unknown)Z (Unknown)G( (Unknown)G (Unknown)Z (Unknown)Z (Unknown)ZGGGGGGG×× ×ZGGGGGGG ×× Z ZZâÿAfter consulting with MechWarriors who piloted the King Crab, ComStar techs learned that the faster Clan OmniMechs never gave the lumbering King Crab a chance to close to the short range it needed to effectively use its massive autocannon. To solve this problem, the techs replaced the Deathgiver autocannon with M-7 Gauss Rifles, the only Inner Sphere weapon able to match the range and damage inflicted by Clan weapons. However after several years in the field it became clear that another revision was necessary. Enemies charging 001 variants while the Gauss Rifles were recharging, found themselves contending with only two Hovertec SRM-2 Streak launchers and a Large Pulse Laser. Commanders also noted that, like their predecessors 001's were virtually useless in fluid battles over rough terrain or urban sprawl, often finding themselves cut off from reinforcements and/or ambushed. And when considering that each machine carries a purchase price of nearly twenty three million C-Bills, many commanders found they could put those resources to better use elsewhere. Help was to be found in a design submitted by MasterTech Tygan Scott when newly appointed to Head of BattleMech Design & Theory at Focht War College. His design has resolved the 'Mech's shortcomings resoundingly and at less than half the previous price! As a result, a record number of requisitions have flooded in, both from commanders with King Crabs and those without. A level of interest not seen since the design's initial unveiling centuries ago.4The King Crab's upgraded weapons have made this 'Mech a terrifying foe, capable of slugging it out with any 'Mech in the armies of the Successor States or the Clans. But the greatest addition both tactically and strategically, is the addition of jump jets. Giving the Crab 'wings' allows 'MechWarriors to relish 'rough and tumble' terrain and city actions instead of dreading them and gives commanders a flexibility they don't usually enjoy with Assault 'Mechs. Although, coming up with a reliable jump system for a BattleMech that was not originally designed with those parameters in mind was no small undertaking and several iterations were discarded before the final result was unveiled. Techs eventually opted for a large number of smaller jets spread around the legs at different angles rather than a few larger ones, giving the 'Mech much greater stability during flight. It's newly relocated twin Gauss Rifles are recessed in the deep side torsos, the barrels cleverly disguised as large heat sink venting ducts located near the arms. Pilots have used this to great advantage by continuing to raise their arms before firing, as standard military doctrine has trained enemy pilots to target a King Crab's arms for centuries. At range MechWarriors are unable to make out the hypersonic slug's true exit point and so continue to aim for the nearly unused arms, most don't survive long enough to learn from their mistake. The five ER Medium Lasers pack almost as much punch as the two Gauss Rifles and the Crab has the heat sinks to use them. Even with both arms and torsos completely destroyed, most of the lasers still remain safely tucked away in the head and center torso. Also, having reverted from the XL to a standard fusion engine, the 'Mech is now extremely difficult to remove from the field of battle. Doubly so when one considers it's new weaponry, their unique positioning and the different angles of attack afforded by the jump jets. The 7 series King Crab variant is one of the deadliest opponents a 'MechWarrior is likely to face and a true King of the battlefield.   ?All 001 variants that served as the backbone of the Com Guards assault units on Tukkayid have been upgraded. Requisitions from other Com Guard units throughout the Inner Sphere are being prioritized to refit existing King Crabs first, which process is nearly complete, and have now begun filling orders for new 'Mechs.Designed by Scott Vasquez 2C:\Program Files\HeavyMetal\Pro\Bmps\King Crab.jpgCosara Weaponries NorthwindVlarAldis XHollis Mark IIDalban CommlineDalban HiRez-B (Unknown)