Mech Every Day Force Saturday #8: Star League Defense Force Assault Lance


The first Star League was the largest political entity ever created in the history of mankind, and its army - the Star League Defense Force, or SLDF - was the most-powerful fighting force ever seen. At its height, just before the Amaris Civil War, the SLDF boasted thousands of regiments filled with cutting-edge BattleMechs. The naval component of the SLDF had over a thousand active WarShips.

It cannot be overstated just how huge and powerful the Star League and the SLDF were. Even if Alaric Ward succeeds in his plan to conquer the Inner Sphere, the loss of so many planets, factories, and shipyards makes it highly unlikely that such a golden age could ever return. Only time will tell.

Unlike the armies of the Succession Wars, the SLDF tended not to mix different types of 'Mech in any formation smaller than a battalion. Most companies (12 'Mechs) were made up of a single model of BattleMech or combat vehicle, simplifying tactics and logistics. At the command level, and for special missions, this rule was relaxed.

Pictured here is General Jerome Winson's personal Marauder, escorted by a trio of stunningly powerful bodyguard 'Mechs. While it could be classified as a command lance, in practice this much firepower can only be called an assault lance. In this case, the Marauder is the hyper-advanced MAD-2R variant with ER PPCs, double heat sinks, and high-grade armor. It would take centuries to improve on this 'Mech's combat performance.

The Highlander is a staple of the SLDF, a mix of long- and short-range firepower wrapped in heavy armor and given jump jets. This is probably Winson's communications officer. The Cyclops (not pictured) is often used in this role, but the Highlander also has excellent communications gear and is a far more credible fighter.

Flanking these two classic 'Mechs are two rare machines, even for the Star League. The Thunder Hawk mounts three gauss rifles and supporting lasers, making it a superb - if slow - sniper. The Devastator - seen here in its original Star League glory - brings two more gauss rifles and adds a pair of hot, but ammo-independent, PPCs and even more lasers.

Overall this lance is slow, but can maintain a punishing rate of fire that will annihilate many opponents in minutes.

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