MercTech: Locust

History:
A staple scout mech since before even the creation of the Star League, the Locust is a 20 ton mech that can outrun virtually every other mech in use during the Succession Wars, as such, it has remained in constant mass production everywhere in the Inner Sphere, and even in the Periphery.

Due to its abundant factories, and cheap and rugged design, the Locust is among the most common battlemechs in existence. By the 31st Century there would be a large variety of different Locust models, and would even see new variants introduced throughout the 32nd Century.

LCT-1V:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Standard 4 tons

Engine: Standard 160

Top Speed: 130 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 1x Medium Laser, 2x Machine Guns

Notes:

+ Faster than most other Succession War-era mechs

+ Well armored for its weight

+ Machine guns offer good crit and anti-infantry capabilities

+ Heat isn't an issue

- Still won't stand up under much fire

- Lacks the firepower to stand up against other mechs and heavier vehicles

- MG ammo in the center torso can be a death sentence if hit

This Locust variant is a scout through and through. It lacks the weapons and armor to directly engage against most targets, but it has the speed and enough durability to hit and run. Use the Medium Laser to pry open damaged components and then pour MG fire into the hole to get critical hits, just be ready to quickly get out if needed.

LCT-1E:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Standard 4 tons

Engine: Standard 160

Top Speed: 130 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 2x Medium Lasers, 2x Small Lasers

Notes:

+ Faster than most other Succession War-era mechs

+ Well armored for its weight

+ Offers much better anti-armor capabilities than the -1V

+ Lack of ammo eliminates risk of explosions

+ All the weapons being in the arms means that they can all pitch up and down

- Can be rendered weaponless if both arms are destroyed

- Lacks crit and anti-infantry potential

- Can run a bit hot with sustained firing

This is a fairly well-optimized Locust for its era, with its array of medium and small lasers allowing it to effectively damage other mechs and heavier vehicles. Although its heat sinks might be a bit taxed under sustained fire, its preferred role of hit and run skirmisher makes this a non-issue realistically, as you'll want to disengage after a few salvos to reposition anyways.

LCT-1M:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Standard 1 ton

Engine: Standard 160

Top Speed: 130 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 1x Medium Laser, 2x LRM-5 1t ammo

+ Faster than most other Succession War-era mechs

+ LRMs offer excellent long-range support capabilities as well as indirect fire

+ It can use its speed to keep within a comfortable engagement range for its LRMs

- Its paper armor will get breached under any kind of fire

- Should an enemy be able to close in and stay within its LRM's minimum range, it only has a Medium Laser for fall back on

- The LRM ammo in the center torso can be a death sentence if hit

This is not a mech you want to pilot, but if forced to, use your speed to stay near the LRM's effective range from your nearest opponent, preferably indirectly firing from behind cover. Keep in mind that this mech will crumble should anything get close or be able to use long-ranged weapons against it.

LCT-1S:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Standard 3 tons

Engine: Standard 160

Top Speed: 130 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 1x Medium Laser, 2x SRM-2 1t ammo

LCT-3S:
Structure: Endo-Steel

Armor: Ferro-Fibrous 2.5 tons

Engine: Standard 160

Top Speed: 130 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 1x Medium Laser, 2x Streak SRM-2 1t ammo, CASE

LCT-3V:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Standard 3.5 tons

Engine: Standard 160

Top Speed: 130 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 2x Medium Lasers, 2x Machine Guns 0.5t ammo

LCT-5M:
Structure: Endo-Steel

Armor: Ferro-Fibrous 4 tons

Engine: Extra-Light 240

Top Speed: 194 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 1x ER Medium Laser, 4x ER Small Lasers