Editing Corsair (BattleMech)

{{Update Needed|[[MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries#Solaris.Showdown|''MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries - Solaris Showdown'']]}}
{{ApocryphalArticle}}
{{Otheruses|the BattleMech|other uses|Corsair}}
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image=MWO Corsair.png
|name=''Corsair''
|manufacturer=Unknown
|production year=
|model=COR-5R
|introduced=
|class=Assault
|cost=8,435,408 C-bills
|Tech Base=Inner Sphere
|mech type=BattleMech
|feet=Biped
|mass=95
|chassis=Standard
|armor=Standard
|engine=285
|comsys=Unknown (presumably salvage)
|T&T=Unknown (presumably salvage)
|heat sinks=20
|speed=48.6
|armament=
* 1x [[autocannon/10]]
* 1x [[LRM-15]]
* 1x [[large laser]]
* 1x [[SRM-6]]
* 3x [[medium laser]]s
|BV (1.0)=
|BV (2.0)=1,704
}}

"'''''Corsair'''''" is supposedly a generic [[Periphery]] term referring to [[Heavy 'Mech|heavy]] and [[Assault 'Mech|assault]] class [[FrankenMech]]s cobbled together out of desperation as the [[Succession War era]] dragged on, with no specific weight or base chassis. The most successful of these are ninety-five ton brutes modeled on the ''Ravager'', an individual [[Hero 'Mech]] equipped with [[Star League era]] weapons that was piloted by [[Jake Kalmar]] of the [[Oberon Confederation]] until [[3037]].<ref name=MWO-COR-Lore>''MechWarrior Online Corsair'' Lore and Blueprint</ref> This particular series of 95-ton BattleMechs is identified by the COR- alphanumerical code as if it were a regular production model. This is odd insofar as no proper production was known to take place in the Oberon Confederation or elsewhere before it was overrun by the [[Clans]] in [[3049]], nor does a standardized refit program seem plausible, as there are only relatively few 95-ton designs to begin with. Also, assault 'Mechs are invariably considered extremely rare in the periphery.

==Canonicity==
The ''Corsair'' is the third [[BattleMech]] design introduced by and so-far exclusive to ''[[MechWarrior Online]]'' (as opposed to designs taken from established [[Canon]] for the [[BattleTech]] universe). It has also made a showing in ''[[MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries]]'' by the same producers.

While [[Randall N. Bills]] had issued a ruling as [[Catalyst Game Labs]]' incumbent [[BattleTech Line Developer]] to the effect that all [[Hero 'Mech]] background information from MWO is considered canonical for (CGL) BattleTech,<ref>Archived here, with reference: [[Talk:MechWarrior Online#Randall Bills ruling]]</ref> Assistant Line Developer [[Ray "Adrian Gideon" Arrastia]] later expressly clarified that the original designs from PGI are not canonical,<ref>In [https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=63650.msg1464943#msg1464943 this] posting on the official [[BattleTech Forum]] by Ray "Adrian Gideon" Arrastia, regarding the canon status of PGI-exclusive 'Mechs for which [[record sheet]]s had been brought to [[Mech_Con 2018]]: "''Those sheets are not official and those designs are not canon for the tabletop. CGL cannot use the PGI-created designs, no matter what “part” CGL or its employees play in the creation of the designs. When asked for confirmation, Randall and Brent stated that those were provided by a demo agent and they allowed it *this time only* as part of the hype at [[Mech_Con]].''"</ref> regardless of any Hero 'Mechs or Hero 'Mech fluff associated with them. (There had been no original designs by PGI when Randall Bills made his ruling, which Ray Arrastia upheld when initially queried about the canonicity of the new original PGI designs<ref>In [https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=59772.0 this thread] on the official [[BattleTech Forum]]</ref> though he later added the aforementioned caveat.)

As a result, the ''Corsair'' designs (including the ''Ravager'' Hero 'Mech) are exempt from the canonisation of Hero 'Mechs and remain [[apocryphal]].

==Weapons and Equipment==
The COR-designated ''Corsair'' builds are constructed almost entirely out of so-called [[Succession War era]] technology. Clad in sixteen tons of armor, a 285-rated standard [[fusion engine]] propels the ''Corsair'' at 48.6 km/h, putting it in the common Succession Wars era assault 'Mech speed range. Twenty standard [[heat sink]]s offer effective cooling for its highly varied weapons loadout.<ref name=MWO-COR-Lore/><ref name=MWO-COR-Store>''MechWarrior Online Corsair'' Store Page</ref>

Armed with a grab-bag array of weaponry, the ''Corsair'''s primary weapons are an [[AC/10]] and [[LRM-15]] mounted in its right torso, supported by a trio of [[medium laser]]s split between its left and center torsos and an [[SRM-6]] and [[Large Laser]] mounted in its vestigial left arm. Two tons of SRM ammo, three tons of autocannon reloads and two of LRM reloads offer nearly military-grade endurance for a pirate raider 'Mech.<ref name=MWO-COR-Lore/><ref name=MWO-COR-Store/>

==Variants==
*;COR-6R : The 6R is retains the AC/10, LRM-15 and left arm Large Laser, but swaps the SRM-6 for an [[LRM-10]] and drops the medium lasers for a center torso [[Small Laser]] and a [[Machine Gun]] and [[SRM-2]] in the left torso its armor reduced to fifteen tons. The 6R carries two tons of autocannon and LRM reloads and one ton each of SRM and Machine Gun ammo.<ref name=MWO-COR-Store/>

*; COR-7A : The 7A carries an [[Autocannon/5]] in its right torso and left arm, supported by a [[PPC]] in the right arm and a Large Laser in the left torso. A medium laser in right arm and left torso round out the offensive weaponry. Defensively the 7A carries four [[anti-missile system]]s, one in each arm and side torso, fed from a combined four tons of ammo. Carrying two tons of AC/5 reloads, one less heat sink is carried.<ref name=MWO-COR-Store/>

*; COR-5T : The 5T is built to wear its targets down at range, carrying a trio of [[Autocannon/2]]s in each arm, supported by just four medium lasers spread across its three torso locations. Carrying six tons of reloads for its autocannons, the extra weight required leaves the 5T with just eleven heat sinks.<ref name=MWO-COR-Store/>

*;COR-7R : The 7R is built for close combat, fitted with an [[Autocannon/20]] right torso and twin Large Lasers in its right arm, carrying two [[Rocket Launcher 10]]s in its center torso, a [[Rocket Launcher 20]] in its left torso and left arm, with an additional Rocket Launcher 10 in the head. Seventeen and half tons of armor ensure the 7R can close into range to make full use of the five tons of AC/20 reloads and twenty-two heat sinks it mounts.<ref name=MWO-COR-Store/>

===Custom Variants===
*; COR-RA ''Ravager'': Jake Kalmar's infamous ''Ravager'' was built around a 285-rated [[XL engine]] to save weight to carry eighteen tons of armor and fifteen [[double heat sink]]s. Offensively the ''Ravager'' is armed with a [[Gauss rifle]] in the left arm and an [[Ultra AC/5]] in the right torso, supported by a center torso mounted [[large pulse laser]], a standard large laser in the left torso and right arm, rounded out by a medium laser in the head and each arm. Two tons each of Gauss and UAC reloads gave it good endurance.<ref name=MWO-COR-Lore/><ref name=MWO-COR-Store/> The 'Mech was salvaged by [[Chloe's Cavaliers]] after they tracked Kalmar to [[Sigurd]] in 3037 and killed him there.

*; COR-BR ''Broadside'': The second ''Corsair'' Hero 'Mech, the ''Broadside'' carries a Gauss rifle in its left arm and left torso, supported by twin Large Lasers in its right arm, [[SRM-4]]s in the head and center torso and single medium laser. Carrying three tons of SRM reloads and two tons of Gauss rounds, this Hero 'Mech is powered by a 285-rated XL engine, clad in sixteen tons of armor and fitted with thirteen Double Heat Sinks.<ref name=MWO-HB2018>''MechWarrior Online Corsair'' Holiday Bonus 2018</ref>

*;COR-PVT ''Privateer'': The third ''Corsair'' Hero 'Mech, the ''Privateer'' was piloted by [[Oberon Confederation]] warrior [[Tyler Erickson]]. The ''Privateer'' carries an AC/20 in its right arm, a single LRM-10 and a [[Heavy Rifle]] in the right torso, two [[Large Chemical Laser]]s in the left torso. The Privateer carries a single ton of reloads for the AC/20 and the Heavy Rifle, along with two tons of reloads for the Large Chemical Lasers. This 'mech was made with an XL engine and comes with fourteen double heat sinks to keep the 'Mech cool.<ref name=MW5>''MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries''</ref>

==Notable Pilots==
* [[Jake Kalmar]] - Hailing from the Oberon Confederation, Kalmar's ''Ravager'' with its advanced weaponry ensured him great success but also eventually led to unwanted attention and his demise.<ref name=MWO-COR-Lore/>

==Behind the Scenes==
* During Mech_Con 2018, artist [[Alex Iglesias]] stated that the ''Corsair'' FrankenMech was made up of these BattleMech parts he cobbled together: ''[[Thunderbolt]]'' (uses the missile rack for the right torso), ''[[Stalker]]'' and ''[[King Crab]]'' (the legs of both 'Mechs were used for the ''Corsair'').

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* [https://mwomercs.com/news/2018/11/2179-corsair-lore MechWarrior Online ''Corsair'' Lore and Blueprint]
* [https://mwomercs.com/corsair MechWarrior Online ''Corsair'' Store page]
* [https://mwomercs.com/forums/topic/270407-holiday-bonus-2018/ MechWarrior Online Holiday Bonus 2018]

[[Category:'Mechs]]
[[Category:BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Apocryphal BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Assault BattleMechs]]
[[Category:FrankenMechs]]