This is the sort of thing that makes me absolutely love a chassis, and it’s why I like the Rifleman so much – it’s just that kind of fun. I find it to be a challenging mech to perform in, but that ability is certainly there, and it makes good games that much rewarding. The Rifleman was one of the earliest Battlemechs, eventually replaced by the Jagermech due to lawsuits flaws in its battlefield performance… And in MWO, the Jagermech remains the (largely) superior platform for almost all sorts of builds. You can watch my video review of the Rifleman here, if you like. A second variant, the RFL-3C, replaces both the autocannon and large lasers with a heavier Class-10 weapons and adds a ton of much needed armor.Ironically, the Rifleman is predominantly an energy boat. The RFL-4D replaces the autocannons with PPCs, but despite the addition of three heat sinks, this variant suffers from over-heating problems. Variants : House Davion has attempted several modifications to its Riflemans. Like the D2j, the Garret T11-A communications system is an exceptional piece of electronics, but its distinctive wing-shaped antenna tends to draw enemy fire, which disrupts communications in Rifleman units.ĭeployment : House Davion possesses the largest concentration of Riflemans, and the machines have seen action all across Davion territory. Light armor and a lack of hand and lower-arm actuators leaves it vulnerable in close-combat with other Mechs. Its limited supply of ammunition renders it ill-suited to participate in pro-longed engagements. In other roles, the Rifleman fares less well. The Rifleman frequently acts as an anti-aircraft platform to provide air defense. The Garret D2j targeting system and Imperator autocannon are a deadly accurate combination, especially against airborne targets. Even today, the RFL-3N is regularly found serving with backwater militia, mercenary commands, and even House Regulars at the bottom edge of the supply chain.Ĭapabilities : In its intended role as a fire-support vehicle, the Rifleman excels. Exchanging lasers for autocannons, this version was manufactured for the Star League in massive quantities.Ĭombat losses and an increasing inability to replace the Mech forced the Successor States to deploy the Rifleman as a front-line combat machine. In 2770, Kallon unveiled the heavier RFL-3N Rifleman. The _RFL-2N- corrected some of these issues, but the engineers at Kallon Industries thought they could do better. Overview : Conceived of as a medium fire-support platform, chronic over-heating problems plagued the RFL-1N Rifleman following its debut in 2505. Notes : The Rifleman has a +2 bonus on its “to-hit” chances against aircraft because of its tracking system.īattleTech Tracking Stats : – : 1/2 : y : n : n : 90 : 5 : 31 : 5 : 8 : – : y : n Manufacturer : Kallon Industries, Nanking (Capellan Confederation), Talon (Federated Suns), Thermopolis (Free World’s League) Trellshire Heavy Industries (Lyran Commonwealth) Red Devil Industries (Draconis Combine). Two (2) Magna Mk II Medium Lasers (RT, LT) Two (2) Magna Mk III Large Lasers (RA, LA) Armor : Kallon Royalstar (Armor Factor 120) : 7.5 tons

Battletech rifleman