Cadet Training Program
The Cadet Training Program is a guide for new players to get familiar with what they can expect to see while being taught BattleTech before you spend any money. We understand there is nothing worse than buying something that looks cool and then finding out you hate the game. A new player can expect to play a total of four games with our Catalyst approved program leader and your leader assigned graduation opponent in order to achieve a decent understanding of the basic gameplay rules, afterword the cadet will engage in the community and continue to learn new skills with fellow veteran players.
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AWS-8Q Awesome
The AWS-8Q Awesome is one of the most feared vehicles on the battlefields of the Succession Wars. First built in 2665 by the Technicron Manufacturing Conglomerate under license from Star League, it soon became a popular heavy ´Mech in many regimental assault lances. Based on the design of the STR-2C Striker, the original assault ´Mech, the Awesome soon superseded that aging vehicle as the main heavy assault ´Mech in almost all the Successor States. The STR-2C Striker is almost never seen in front-line ´Mech regiments today. The Awesome is widely used as an initial penetration assault vehicle. Massed Awesome assault lances are sent to destroy a point in the enemy defenses, allowing units that follow to exploit the breach. The Awesome is also used in many defensive situations, where it is usually responsible for the most threatened or important areas of a perimeter.
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The Locust
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The Locust was one of the most produced and common Battlemechs of the fallen Star League. Bergan Industries began production of the ´Mech at eight of their facilities in 2499, and was still in peak production when the Star League fell several years later. Several variants of the ´Mech have been produced and modified over the years, creating quite distinct versions. All modifications involve upgrading the Locust firepower.
Catapult
Hollis Incorporated did things big. When they wanted to test the waters of the BattleMech industry, they did so in grand fashion with a completely new design and a state-of-the-art factory. They shipped out record numbers of Catapults for the three-year contract they had with the Terran Hegemony. When it came time to renew the contract in 2563, however, the Hegemony said that while the Catapult performed adequately, it was not exactly what they were looking for. Hollis had to rapidly fi nd new applications for the facility, which eventually found fame with the BattleMaster seventy years later. With the success of the BattleMaster, the Catapult was completely ignored and its numbers continued to dwindle. This decline reversed when Yori Mech Works was contracted by the DCMS to build replacements for the 'Mech, which served the Combine well. Production (initially focused on the CPLT-K2 model) resumed at Al Na'ir in 3033.
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ARC-2R Archer
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The ARC-2R Archer is one of the best-known designs still in use today. First produced in 2474, the Archer quickly earned respect and popularity among BattleMech regiments that was unequalled by any other type. Star League records show that nearly 100,000 Archers were constructed before the beginning of the Succession Wars. Most of these have now been destroyed or lost to spare parts depots. However, some production of the many Archer variants continues to this day in most of the Successor States. The Archer was designed initially as a heavy-hitting assault ´Mech, able to pound defending units at long range as it approached. Over the centuries, it has also been used in a variety of other roles, ranging from city-busting to indirect fire support.