compiled overview of the 20
ton Thorn 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
The
Thorn is an older
BattleMech design, incorporated into the Hegemony Armed Forces during the late twenty-fourth century. It was the first
'Mech to incorporate the
Endo Steel II skeleton. The skeleton used an alloy produced by mixing high strength steel with lower density
titanium and aluminum in a
zero-G environment. The resulting alloy was twice as strong per unit of weight as alloys created using conventional techniques, but also bulkier.
The
Thorn's main armament consists of two medium
lasers. The design is noted as a "cool running"
'Mech, but the placement of one laser
directly under the pilot's feet commonly deceives the
MechWarrior into believing the
Thorn is running hotter than the systems indicate. Extensive cooling is provided in the cockpit area, but the lack of an effective
venting system for
the medium laser makes repeated firing uncomfortable for the pilot.
The Zeus long-range
missile system is extremely accurate, and the arm mount allows the pilot to switch targets quickly. If damaged, the entire system can be replaced in a few hours. This is a fortunate feature, because the launcher can easily be destroyed if the
'Mech engages in
hand-to-hand combat. The missile feed system, which routes reloads from the torso storage compartment, is average at best. If damaged,
reloads can become lodged in the upper arm, where additional damage has been known to cause detonation, destroying the arm.
The
Thorn has received mixed reviews throughout its service. Opponents of the design note that a
'Mech cannot hit what it cannot reach. Though the 120 Class
engine allows the
'Mech to run at a respectable speed, its lack of
jump jets leaves the
Thorn at a disadvantage if its target jumps
behind a stand of trees or a convenient hill. The Zeus LRM system only partially offsets the diminished
pursuit ability.
Supporters of the design point out that the
Thorn packs more punch per ton and carries more armor than other
'Mechs in its weight class. In a toe-to-toe slugfest, the
Thorn can usually reduce an opponent of equal weight to scrap within minutes. Front-line units using the
Thorn consider a higher survivability rate an acceptable trade-off for decreased maneuverability. In addition,
sensible weapon placement and ease of maintenance have earned the design high marks from technicians. The arms and legs are completely accessible, allowing a service crew to actually enter the limbs and work on repairs from the inside.
Like the
Hussar, the
Thorn was designed to serve in frontline combat units as a quick-reaction fire support platform, rather than a
scout. Based on this goal, its inability to jump was not considered detrimental. Nonetheless, the many commanders who tried to use all light
'Mechs as scouts found the
Thorn to be all but useless. The close-in ambush engagements that scouts typically face negated the firepower of the Zeus LRMs, and the
'Mech did not have sufficient
speed to quickly break off an engagement.
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