204.153.130.90 at 16:56, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T16:56:04Z

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The ''Hedgehog'' was the first [[tripod]] [[BattleMech]], devised in the early days of the [[Star League]]. The counterintuitive structure and controls left tripodal 'Mechs a mere curiosity for centuries.<ref name=IOp183>''Interstellar Operations'', p. 183: "Tripod 'Mechs (Multiple Eras)"</ref>

At least one example accompanied [[General]] [[Aleksandr Kerensky]]'s [[Operation EXODUS|Exodus Fleet]] into exile, its advanced systems being used to good effect by a bandit raiding [[Clan Burrock]] supplies from the hills of Dratha on [[Dagda (Clan System)|Dagda]] during [[Operation KLONDIKE]]. Lured into an elaborate trap by a pair of Burrock ''Ostscout''s and defeated, the wreckage of this ''Hedgehog'' remained on display on the Burrocks' main enclave until [[Clan Star Adder]] cleansed it during the [[Wars of Reaving]].<ref name=RGIV2p4/>

==Canonicity==
* It is generally held that the fully canonical ''Hedgehog'' mentioned in the 2016 ''[[Interstellar Operations]]'' rulebook and 2020 ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2]]'' is a nod to the otherwise [[apocryphal]] tripod BattleMech of the same name that was published in ''[[Stardate]]'' magazine in October 1987, canonizing it at least as an otherwise unspecified tripod BattleMech.
* The detailed write-up from ''Stardate'' remains apocryphal to the extent where it was not repeated or confirmed in a canonical source, i.e. beyond the information given above. No further information was provided. It is presumed that this (canonical) mention of the ''Hedgehog'' refers to the otherwise apocryphal write-up of a tripodal 'Mech by the same name from 1987 as described below.

{{ApocryphalContentStart}}

{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image =
|name = ''Hedgehog''
|manufacturer = [[Utica Fabrication and Design]]
|production year =
|year reference =
|introduced = 2585 (canon)<ref name=IOp183 /><br />2602 (apocryphal)<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326 />
|model = HdG-2B
|cost =
|Tech Base = Inner Sphere
|mech type = BattleMech
|feet = tripod
|mass = 35
|chassis = [[Uticamax III]]
|armor = [[Durallex-Medium]]
|engine = [[VOX 280]]
|comsys = [[Molinox HBD-2a9JJ MaxiPulse Array]]
|T&T = [[Molinox Tri-Plus]]
|heat sinks = 10 [[Heat Sink|single]]
|speed = 132.5
|armament =
* 1x [[medium laser]]
* 4x [[smoke projector]]
|BV (1.0) = n/a
|BV (2.0) = n/a
}}

==Description==
The HdG-2B '''''Hedgehog''''' was ordered by the [[SLDF]] for divisional commanders, and thus equipped with cutting edge communications equipment. In the [[Succession Wars]], all [[Great Houses]] used it as a recon unit and deep raider.<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326>''Stardate'' Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 323–326</ref>

Noted as an ultrafast design with advanced sensors and communication systems to match that of an ''[[Ostscout]]'', although described as a "relatively straightforward" design, the structure and controls were considered counterintuitive and the overall concept of tripod 'Mechs would remain a curiosity for centuries.<ref name=RGIV2p4>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2'', p. 4: "Ostscout"</ref>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The ''Hedgehog'' is armed with one [[medium laser#Martell|Martell]] [[medium laser]] and four [[Krupps-Invicta]] [[smoke projector]]s.<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326/> The advanced comms system is often considered the 'Mech's greatest asset. It has proven essentially impossible to replace, leading to many units being downgraded with simpler comms units,<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326/> however, this requires all weapon systems to be uninstalled to make enough room.<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326/>

==Variants==
*; HdG-2B1 ''Harasser'' : The only known variant, the 2B1 is a [[House Marik]] refit also known as the ''Harasser''. It swaps out the [[medium laser]] for two Entechy [[small laser]]s.<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326/>

==Notable Pilots==
* '''MechWarrior Stasha Piosecka''' has a penchant for jumping over opponents and kicking them with her 'Mech's heavily armored center leg as she lands. A member of the command lance of the Paladin's Chessmen, she keeps her ''King's Nightmare'' in perfect condition with a garish orange and black paintjob.<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326/>
* '''Lt. Torquemada Thompson''' is an independent mercenary who works for the highest bidder. He is obsessed with finding a replacement command radio set for the ''Black Plague'', which is otherwise in good condition.<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326/>
* '''''The Night Stalker''''' is in service to House Marik. A ''Harasser'' variant, its unknown pilot is credited with killing 13 MechWarriors on a single deep raid when it destroyed their barracks.<ref name=SDV3#5pp323-326/>

{{ApocryphalContentEnd}}

==Notes==
* The introductory date in ''Interstellar Operations'' is the only canon statistic of the ''Hedgehog'' while the stats given in ''Stardate'' remain apocryphal. Because of this, the infobox is placed within the apocryphal content section.

* The maximum ground speed given for this 'Mech is slightly higher than normal for its mass and engine rating (132.5 instead of 129.6 km/h), but this had no impact on its game stats at the time of publication.

* The original publication included special rules for three-legged 'Mechs including kicking, and for the smoke launchers. These rules are not recognized as official.

* Following up on the ''Hedgehog'' as published in ''Stardate'' magazine, [[David L. McCulloch]] privately published an unofficial document titled "Three-Legged BattleMech Construction Rules" in 2001. The rules were derived from those originally presented in ''Stardate'', albeit streamlined and simplified. Along with these he published the HDG-3S ''Hedgehog'' within the document, a version with a 285-rated [[XL engine]], [[double heat sink]]s, eight [[jump jet]]s, an [[ER medium laser]], a [[Guardian ECM suite]], and a [[Beagle active probe]]. All of this is [[Fanon]] and without official sanction, however, and does not qualify as apocryphal; it is neither official nor canonical.

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Interstellar Operations]]
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2]]''
* ''[[Stardate]]'' Vol. 3, No. 5 (October 1987)

[[Category:BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Light BattleMechs]]
[[Category:35 ton BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Tripod]]

Hedgehog - Revision history

204.153.130.90 at 16:56, 5 January 2025