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Difference between revisions of "Fa Shih"

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| Introduced = [[3062]]
 
| Introduced = [[3062]]
 
| Mass = 1,000
 
| Mass = 1,000
| Top Speed = 10
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| Top Speed = 10.8
 
| Armament =  
 
| Armament =  
 
*1x [[Modular Weapon Mount]]
 
*1x [[Modular Weapon Mount]]
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==Description==
 
==Description==
The [[Capellan Confederation]] bit off more than it could chew when its scientists decided to produce three different [[battle armor]] designs concurrently. Since they did not have any practical experience with battle armor, they realized they could not take on such a large task and reduced their workload to one unit. Even so, it took the help of [[Word of Blake]] before the Capellans could properly implement the environmental containment and life support systems for the suit that eventually became labeled the '''Fa Shih'''.<ref name=TRO3058U20-21>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', pp. 20-21, "Fa Shih Battle Armor Profile"</ref><ref name=FMCC142>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 142</ref>
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The '''Fa Shin''' ("Master of Methods") was the result of the [[Capellan Confederation]] biting off more than it could chew.  With the introduction of [[Battle Armor]] by the [[Clans]] and as other [[Inner Sphere]] powers began fielding their own native suits, the Confederation had decided to produce three different battle armor designs concurrently. Research and development began in April [[3056]], but since they did not have any practical experience with battle armor, they realized they could not take on such a large task and reduced their workload to one unit, an adaption of the [[Inner Sphere Standard]]. Even so, it took several years and finally the help of [[Word of Blake]] before the Capellans could properly implement the environmental containment and life support systems for their suit and begin final testing in [[3060]].  Finalized prototypes became available starting in June [[3061]], with full-scale production starting March [[3062]].<ref name=TRO3058U20-21>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', pp. 20-21, "Fa Shin Battle Armor Profile"</ref><ref name=FMCC142>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 142</ref><ref name=LOS>''LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide'', "Fa Shin", p. 76</ref>
  
The Fa Shih duplicates many of the features of the [[Inner Sphere Standard]] battle armor, including a ninety meter jump capacity and most of the weaponry used. The most notable difference is its use of mines. The Capellans have long used mines in combat, so the Fa Shih comes equipped with mine clearing apparatuses on its arms. Perhaps the most beneficial attribute of the Fa Shih that has made it sought after by [[mercenary unit]]s are the magnetic clamps that enable the unit to travel on any type of [['Mech]]. It paid for this in armor protection, mounting just over two thirds the amount of armor used on the Inner Sphere Standard.<ref name=TRO3058U20-21/><ref name=FMCC142/>
+
The Fa Shin duplicates many of the features of the Inner Sphere Standard battle armor, including its jump capacity and most of the weaponry used. However the suit went against battle armor philosophy at the time by emphasizing defensive capabilities as much as offensive.  The most notable expression of this philosophy is its use of mines. The Capellans have long used mines in combat, so the Fa Shih comes equipped with the ability to lay minefields similar in respect to [[Thunder LRM|FASCAM ordnance]] as well as mine clearing apparatuses on its arms. In keeping with the [[Xin Sheng]] campaign instituted by [[Chancellor]] [[Sun-Tzu Liao]], the Fa Shin's armoring was also modeled along traditional Chinese aesthetic lines.<ref name=TRO3058U20-21/><ref name=FMCC142/><ref name=LOS/>
 +
 
 +
The Fa Shin quickly built a reputation for excellence among the Capellan armed forces; although the Confederation eventually succeeded in its original design goal when the [[Trinity]] series of battle armor debuted, the Fa Shin continued to serve for many years on the battlefield.  During the [[Jihad]] the Capellan Confederation received a boon as the appearance of Clan forces on their borders allowed for the first-hand acquisition of Clan technology.  Using Clan components Ceres Metals refitted several Fa Shin suits in [[3078]] to better match the Ying Long Trinity suit's capabilities and improve their anti-[[BattleMech]] potential. While successful, any further development of these improved Fa Shin suits at the time was stopped until the Confederation could either secure a steady supply of Clan technology or reverse-engineer it themselves.<ref name=XTRO>''Experimental Technical Readout: Liao p. 14</ref>
  
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
The Fa Shih uses a modular weapon mount that can house a [[Flamer (Battle Armor)|Flamer]], [[Machine Gun (Battle Armor)|Machine Gun]], [[Small Laser (Battle Armor)|Small Laser]], a [[Light Recoilless Rifle (Battle Armor)| Light Recoilless Rifle]], or a [[Light Target Acquisition Gear (battle armor)|Light TAG]] that can spot for [[Arrow IV Artillery]] or [[Semi-Guided LRM]]s. It also carries a [[Mine Dispenser]] that can lay two minefields of varying types. The Fa Shih can also engage in anti-[['Mech]] attacks.<ref name=TRO3058U20-21/>
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The Fa Shin carries a [[Modular Weapon Mount]] in its right arm that can house a [[Flamer (Battle Armor)|Flamer]], [[Machine Gun (Battle Armor)|Machine Gun]], [[Small Laser (Battle Armor)|Small Laser]], [[Light Recoilless Rifle (Battle Armor)| Light Recoilless Rifle]], or a [[Light Target Acquisition Gear (battle armor)|Light TAG]] to spot for [[Arrow IV Artillery]] or [[Semi-Guided LRM]]s. An [[Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount]] in the left arm allows the Fa Shin to carry lighter weaponry suitable for taking on [[infantry]].  Like the Inner Sphere Standard the Fa Shin is equipped with [[jump jet]]s to make leaps of up to 90 meters at a time and can engage in anti-[[BattleMech]] attacks.  Although they weren't able to incorporate their new stealth armor technology into the design, the Capellans were still able to mount 350kg of standard armor on the Fa Shin, providing above-average protection for a suit of its size and the ability to absorb a hit from a Clan [[ER Medium Laser]] while still keeping the pilot alive.<ref name=TRO3058U20-21/><ref name=FMCC142/><ref name=LOS/>
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 +
As a minelayer though the Fa Shin's most important feature is its [[Mine Dispenser]].  Carried on the back of the suit the dispenser is equipped with two canisters which, when deployed in mid-jump, can cover several hundred square meters of terrain with mines. In addition to laying mines, the Fa Shin can also safely remove them with the addition of [[Mine Clearance Equipment]] to its basic manipulators.<ref name=TRO3058U20-21/><ref name=FMCC142/><ref name=LOS/>
 +
 
 +
Another beneficial attribute of the Fa Shih is that is it equipped with [[Magnetic Clamp]]s located on the knees and underarms.  These magnetic clamps allow the Fa Shin trooper to ride into battle on standard vehicles and 'Mechs in a similar manner to how other battle armors can hitch a ride on [[OmniMechs]].  This feature was considered a necessity due to the fact that the Confederation had only a single OmniMech design of their own at the time, the ''[[Men Shen]]''.<ref name=TRO3058U20-21/><ref name=FMCC142/><ref name=LOS/>
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
*;Support : This variant removed completely the mine equipment to carry enough space for a [[Man-Portable Plasma Rifle (Battle Armor)|Man-Portable Plasma Rifle]] or a [[King David Light Gauss Rifle (Battle Armor)|"King David" Light Gauss Rifle]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 190, "Old is the New New" - Fa Shih</ref> BV (2.0) (King David) = 35<ref>''Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New'', p. 11</ref> BV (2.0) (Plasma Rifle) = 43<ref>''Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New'', p. 12</ref>
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*;Support : This variant, first introduced in [[3074]], completely removed the mine equipment to make enough space for a [[Man-Portable Plasma Rifle (Battle Armor)|Man-Portable Plasma Rifle]] or a [[King David Light Gauss Rifle (Battle Armor)|"King David" Light Gauss Rifle]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 190, "Old is the New New" - Fa Shih</ref> BV (2.0) (King David) = 35<ref>''Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New'', p. 11</ref> BV (2.0) (Plasma Rifle) = 43<ref>''Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New'', p. 12</ref>
  
*;Fa Shih 2 : This experimental variant sheds some of the armor protection and the anti-personnel weapon for a Clan-technology myomer booster, increasing the armor's ground speed and the damage that an armored soldier can do with the battle claws.<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Liao p. 14</ref> BV (2.0)=23
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*;Fa Shih 2 : This experimental variant was a custom refit of the Fa Shin by Ceres Metals in 3078.  Under the supervision of Ogden Isray, four Fa Shin suits were fitted with Clan-technology [[Battle Armor Myomer Booster|myomer boosters]].  This not only increased their ground speed to 32.4 km/h but improved their strength as well, allowed the armored soldiers to tear through more 'Mech armor with their manipulators.  This came at a cost though as the anti-personnel mount and 150kg of armor had to be removed, meaning the suit can only withstand two bursts from a [[Machine Gun]].  Only four of these suits were built due to the limited number of myomer boosters the Capellans were able to acquire.<ref name=XTRO/> BV (2.0)=23
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==

Revision as of 14:46, 19 May 2015

191px
Fa Shih
Production information
Manufacturer Ceres Metals[1]
Hellespont Industrials [2]
Production Year 3062[3]
Use Line Unit
Weight Class Medium
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost 400,000 C-bills
Introduced 3062
Technical specifications
Mass 1,000 kg
Top Speed 10.8 km/h
Armament
Armor Type Standard
BV (1.0) Flamer = 32
Machine Gun = 31
Small Laser = 37
Light TAG = 23
BV (2.0) Flamer = 38[4]
Light Recoilless Rifle = 49[5]
Machine Gun = 38[6]
Small Laser = 44[7]
Light TAG = 30[8]

Description

The Fa Shin ("Master of Methods") was the result of the Capellan Confederation biting off more than it could chew. With the introduction of Battle Armor by the Clans and as other Inner Sphere powers began fielding their own native suits, the Confederation had decided to produce three different battle armor designs concurrently. Research and development began in April 3056, but since they did not have any practical experience with battle armor, they realized they could not take on such a large task and reduced their workload to one unit, an adaption of the Inner Sphere Standard. Even so, it took several years and finally the help of Word of Blake before the Capellans could properly implement the environmental containment and life support systems for their suit and begin final testing in 3060. Finalized prototypes became available starting in June 3061, with full-scale production starting March 3062.[9][10][11]

The Fa Shin duplicates many of the features of the Inner Sphere Standard battle armor, including its jump capacity and most of the weaponry used. However the suit went against battle armor philosophy at the time by emphasizing defensive capabilities as much as offensive. The most notable expression of this philosophy is its use of mines. The Capellans have long used mines in combat, so the Fa Shih comes equipped with the ability to lay minefields similar in respect to FASCAM ordnance as well as mine clearing apparatuses on its arms. In keeping with the Xin Sheng campaign instituted by Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao, the Fa Shin's armoring was also modeled along traditional Chinese aesthetic lines.[9][10][11]

The Fa Shin quickly built a reputation for excellence among the Capellan armed forces; although the Confederation eventually succeeded in its original design goal when the Trinity series of battle armor debuted, the Fa Shin continued to serve for many years on the battlefield. During the Jihad the Capellan Confederation received a boon as the appearance of Clan forces on their borders allowed for the first-hand acquisition of Clan technology. Using Clan components Ceres Metals refitted several Fa Shin suits in 3078 to better match the Ying Long Trinity suit's capabilities and improve their anti-BattleMech potential. While successful, any further development of these improved Fa Shin suits at the time was stopped until the Confederation could either secure a steady supply of Clan technology or reverse-engineer it themselves.[12]

Weapons and Equipment

The Fa Shin carries a Modular Weapon Mount in its right arm that can house a Flamer, Machine Gun, Small Laser, Light Recoilless Rifle, or a Light TAG to spot for Arrow IV Artillery or Semi-Guided LRMs. An Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount in the left arm allows the Fa Shin to carry lighter weaponry suitable for taking on infantry. Like the Inner Sphere Standard the Fa Shin is equipped with jump jets to make leaps of up to 90 meters at a time and can engage in anti-BattleMech attacks. Although they weren't able to incorporate their new stealth armor technology into the design, the Capellans were still able to mount 350kg of standard armor on the Fa Shin, providing above-average protection for a suit of its size and the ability to absorb a hit from a Clan ER Medium Laser while still keeping the pilot alive.[9][10][11]

As a minelayer though the Fa Shin's most important feature is its Mine Dispenser. Carried on the back of the suit the dispenser is equipped with two canisters which, when deployed in mid-jump, can cover several hundred square meters of terrain with mines. In addition to laying mines, the Fa Shin can also safely remove them with the addition of Mine Clearance Equipment to its basic manipulators.[9][10][11]

Another beneficial attribute of the Fa Shih is that is it equipped with Magnetic Clamps located on the knees and underarms. These magnetic clamps allow the Fa Shin trooper to ride into battle on standard vehicles and 'Mechs in a similar manner to how other battle armors can hitch a ride on OmniMechs. This feature was considered a necessity due to the fact that the Confederation had only a single OmniMech design of their own at the time, the Men Shen.[9][10][11]

Variants

  • Fa Shih 2 
    This experimental variant was a custom refit of the Fa Shin by Ceres Metals in 3078. Under the supervision of Ogden Isray, four Fa Shin suits were fitted with Clan-technology myomer boosters. This not only increased their ground speed to 32.4 km/h but improved their strength as well, allowed the armored soldiers to tear through more 'Mech armor with their manipulators. This came at a cost though as the anti-personnel mount and 150kg of armor had to be removed, meaning the suit can only withstand two bursts from a Machine Gun. Only four of these suits were built due to the limited number of myomer boosters the Capellans were able to acquire.[12] BV (2.0)=23

Gallery

References

  1. Technical Readout 3058 Upgrade p.21
  2. Technical Readout 3058 Upgrade p.21
  3. MUL online date for the Fa Shih
  4. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 26
  5. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 28
  6. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 29
  7. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 27
  8. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 30
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 20-21, "Fa Shin Battle Armor Profile"
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 142
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide, "Fa Shin", p. 76
  12. 12.0 12.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Liao p. 14
  13. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 190, "Old is the New New" - Fa Shih
  14. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 11
  15. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 12

Bibliography