The Mauler MAL-3F "Lancer" is a unique custom variant of the Mauler heavy-class BattleMech, designed specifically for use by the Free Rasalhague Republic (FRR) in 3052. After the Rasalhague KungsArmé suffered devastating losses against the Clan invasion, the Republic sought to augment its remaining frontline units with more flexible and mobile designs. The "Lancer" variant of the Mauler introduces a hybrid weapon loadout to bolster its versatility in a fast-changing battlefield, balancing long-range firepower with potent close-range defense.
BattleMech Profile
Chassis: Alshain 560-Carrier Endo Steel
Weight Class: Assault
Tonnage: 90 tons
Speed: 54 km/h
Engine: Vlar 270
Heat Sinks: 14 Double Heat Sinks
Armor: Maximilian 100 Standard Armor (15.5 tons)
Jump Jets: None
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Era: 3050
Weapon Loadout
The MAL-3F "Lancer" focuses on a mixed ballistic and energy loadout, providing an unorthodox combination that capitalizes on the chassis's wide weapon arcs and heavy hardpoints:
Right Arm:
1x Heavy PPC
Role: Primary long-range weapon; delivers punishing damage with a built-in capacitive field for higher accuracy over long distances.
Left Arm:
1x Heavy PPC
Role: Twin to the right arm's Heavy PPC, providing sustained long-range damage for sniping and breaking through hardened targets.
Right Torso:
2x SRM-6 Launchers
Ammo: 30 shots (2 tons)
Role: Short-range defensive capability; ideal for brawling when enemies get too close or exploiting damaged sections of enemy armor.
Left Torso:
1x LB 10-X Autocannon
Ammo: 20 shots (2 tons)
Role: The LB 10-X provides a flexible damage profile, switching between slug and cluster rounds to engage both heavy armor and lighter units effectively.
Center Torso:
1x Medium Pulse Laser
Role: Defensive weapon covering the forward arc, used to finish off targets or defend against lighter, fast-moving enemies.
Equipment
Head: 1x Guardian ECM Suite
Role: Provides protection against electronic warfare, allowing the "Lancer" to operate more effectively when targeting or against enemy missile locks.
Defensive Systems and Heat Management
Heat Management: With 14 double heat sinks, the Mauler MAL-3F "Lancer" is able to handle the high heat output of its dual Heavy PPCs, though sustained fire will require the pilot to carefully manage their heat levels.
Armor Distribution:
Head: 9
Center Torso: 45 / 15 (rear)
Left/Right Torso: 34 / 12 (rear)
Left/Right Arm: 32 each
Left/Right Leg: 42 each
Battle Value (BV)
The Mauler MAL-3F "Lancer" boasts a Battle Value of approximately 2,250, making it a highly versatile addition to any assault lance, effective at a wide range of combat distances.
C-Bill Cost
Estimated C-Bill Cost: 12,950,000 C-Bills
Backstory
The Mauler MAL-3F "Lancer" was born out of necessity during the desperate days of the Clan Invasion. As the Free Rasalhague Republic's forces were steadily pushed back, many of their heavier assets were destroyed or abandoned. With production facilities in jeopardy, the FRR’s engineers sought to modify existing Mauler chassis to create a more durable and multi-role platform. The “Lancer” variant was the brainchild of Hauptmann Karl Nyberg, a commander who needed a BattleMech that could deliver heavy firepower while still offering flexibility in defensive scenarios.
Nicknamed “Lancer” due to its long-range PPCs and the LB 10-X’s slug rounds, which pierced through Clan armor like a lance through a shield, the MAL-3F became a symbol of Rasalhague resilience. Though only a few of these variants were produced due to limited resources, those that made it to the field proved instrumental in delaying the Clan advance on several occasions. Pilots praised its ability to devastate lighter Clan vehicles at range and its ability to punch through heavy OmniMechs when used in the right hands.
While the MAL-3F “Lancer” did not see wide production, it became a favorite among the remaining heavy lances of the KungsArmé, and many commanders lamented its scarcity. Those few “Lancer” Maulers that survived the war were passed down among elite units, revered as legendary war machines that stood defiant against an overwhelming foe.
