Hesperus Harlequin

#108. BRZ-A3 Berserker "Hesperus Harlequin"

My redux of the Battletech Berserker mech [link] and its accompanying apocrypha:

The Berserker is the cumulation of the Hatchetman family. Wile the 65 ton Axeman did well as a simply upscaled version of the 45 ton Hatchetman, the 100 ton gross weight of the Berserker created several problems: Firstly, the weight of an assault hatchet created significant balance issues on standard mech configurations; secondly, no contemporary myoservo had the strength to move such a massive hatchet at a satisfactory velocity; and thirdly, an assault weight mech was deemed too sluggish to close into melee range on most battlefields. In tackling these problems Defiance Industries engineers arrived at an unorthodox configuration. The cockpit of the Berserker is offset to the left in order to accommodate the enormous right arm socket. In addition, the entire torso is offset to the left again to counterbalance the sheer weight of the assault hatchet and its requisite counterweights.
The combination of high torque servos and high power myomers resulted in adequate hatchet velocity against sluggish targets but was regarded as too slow against lighter, more nimble mechs. To alleviate that problem, engineers routed plasma conduits through the hatchet arm to vent out of the hatchet and the shoulder 'tower.' This novel application of jump jet technology not only allows the Berserker to strike faster and harder, but also to reset the hatchet for another strike at speeds comparable to the much lighter Axeman.

There was little Defiance could do to make the Berserker faster as an assault mech beyond fitting MASC¹. The feet of the Berserker are smaller than found on typical assault mechs as the Berserker is a "running" mech. Unfortunately, while it allows for exceptional agility, the Berserker is relatively susceptible to being knocked down by heavy fire. A handful of units have been fitted with advanced gyros in an effort to ameliorate the issue.
A3 units are fitted with two Large Pulse Lasers, a PPC², and a flamer underneath the cockpit. ECM and AMS³ are also standard. This particular unit depicted is fitted with additional tactical armor plates but is otherwise a factory-standard A3.


¹Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry; allows mechs to overload their actuators for a limited duration allowing for bursts of speed and strength.
²Particle Projection Cannon; a hot-running long-ranged ion weapon.
³Anti-Missile System

EDIT: Revised hatchet arm and funny leg flail.