One of my favorite BattleTech design approaches since designing my Gauss/ ER PPC variant of the Warhammer which eventually became known as the Stormbringer is to pair a low heat ballastic weapon with a high heat energy weapon. However, even in the early 1990s that was nothing new as the classic Enforcer had done that years before. Even though I am very fond of the concept the Enforcer itself was not one of my favorites as we always trended towards other Mechs in our game play. However, it has grown on me over the years to be one of my favorite Mediums. Twenty-one entries by different seven designers (2 Irose, 9 Abele, 2 Bradshaw, 4 Ice Hellion, 2 drakensis, 1 Takiro, 1 masterarminas) took their best shot at this ballistic/energy weapon combo BattleMech.
PASSABLE
18. ENF-4R D’Aubigny & ENF-5G (Abele)
This one-off custom design serving in the Davion Light Guards which gave birth to a higher tech variant were Gauss approaches to the Enforcer. The original used the old standard chassis, a 200 Fusion Engine (4/6/4), and ten Single Heat Sinks before in true refit package fashion upgrading other components. Eight and a half tons of ferro-fibrous (152 factor) with CASE is a bit questionable because Gauss ammo doesn't explode. This quirk is repeated on the 5G which is harder to believe unless there is a rule, I am not aware of. I do think the balance, which I like in the traditional Enforcer, is a bit off with a massive Gauss Rifle set across from two Medium Lasers (and the Small Laser is back too). The official state lostech refit of the D’Aubigny features an EndoSteel chassis, a 250 XL Engine (5/8/5), and ten Double Heat Sinks. Ten tons of standard armor (160 factor) with CASE (?!) do a nice job protecting the Enforcer. The Gauss Rifle (24) returns along with three Medium Lasers and a Small Pulse but I again miss the balance of the old Enforcer. Personally, I would have loved to see a Gauss/ER PPC combo here but this one is ok too. Unfortunately, there were many good designs here and you just got beat out.
17. ENF-6G (Irose)
This slower version of your 6D Irose is armed with a Gauss Rifle making it quite formidable but I was always looking for the ER PPC here bud. True the ER Large Laser does provide long range firepower but the ER PPC has longer heavier firepower. You did have a little space to play with as I am not sure why this concept needed a CASE. Ferro-Fibrous could have improved the nine and a half tons of standard armor (152 factor) or perhaps equaled it to help bridge that 1.5 tons for the ER PPC. Certainly, the EndoSteel chassis, Nissan 200 Fusion (4/6/4) and ten Double Heat Sinks are already low weight enough although perhaps we could lose a Jump Jet. Ultimately, I would like to have those twin main guns in order to justify a slower medium design like this Enforcer.
16. ENF-4V (Abele)
This ammo free Enforcer for the Capellan March featured a Standard chassis and a larger 250 Fusion Engine (5/8/5). A Triple Strength Myomer (6/9) sort of goes with the all-energy high heat arsenal of two ER Large Lasers and three Medium Lasers. The meager eleven Double Heat Sinks aren't enough to cool this weapon fire but hey you want to activate that TSM, I get it. Eight and a half tons of ferro-fibrous (152 factor) along with a Guardian ECM Suite form the defenses of this Enforcer which isn't bad. This sort of resembles another 'Phoenix Hawk Enforcer' that was submitted but unlike that one I'm not sure that the Capellan March could pull this design off. There is a commitment of resources to combat the Clans which I think would hamstring them and make this design unfeasible at least at this moment.
15. ENF-4P & ENF-4P2 (Abele)
These slight low lostech upgrades from the Capellan March both use the old Standard chassis, 200 Fusion Engine (4/6/4), and Single Heat Sinks (13 on the 4P and 14 on the 4P2). The armament for both variants is a PPC, an Autocannon/5 (20), and a Small Laser which is decidedly lowtech however it is Enforcer like. You could call this the 'baby Banshee' as the armament is identical to that 3025 classic. Of course, the only difference between these two designs would be the jumping ability of the Capellan March Enforcer here. The only real difference is the original features ten tons of standard armor (160 factor) while the second has eight and a half tons of ferro-fibrous (152 factor) with CASE. Sort of a Watchman approach for the Capellan March which isn't a horrbile approach but there were other 'simple' Enforcers I liked better.
14. ENF-4O (Bradshaw)
You made my day with this Outworlds Alliance stand alone in service with the Thermo Police. Pretty much a stock ENF-4R with a Standard chassis and 200 Fusion Engine (4/6/4) with a few modifications. Gone are the two extra Single Heat Sinks with a tenth ton of standard armor (160 factor) making for a sturdier BattleMech. The LB 10-X AC (20) replaces the old Autocannon/10 as does a SRM-6 (15) replace the Large Laser. Four Machine Guns (100) supplement this main weaponry which is all very cool but all very ammo dependent. It finishes here because I just don't see it as a wider battlefield variant but more of a unique hero 'Mech. I am going to remember this one for sure, nice Bradshaw.
13. ENF-5TC & ENF-5TC-U (Ice Hellion)
I found a Taurian version of the Enforcer an almost impossibility just because of the Davions it represents. However, this Eclipse of the Suns is an intriguing possibility for the Salient Horizon universe. Both variants utilize the Standard Chassis and a 200 Fusion Engine (4/6/4) before going all lostech on us. The Ultra AC/5 appearing on the 5TC is a bit too sophisticated for me and ComStar (or more accurately ROM) losing track of such a lostech shipment seems pretty implausible to me. On a singular basis I could see the concept working but not on the company level as the blessed Order would have acted to eliminate them. Design wise, its pairing with a PPC works well as do the thirteen Single Heat Sinks and nine point five tons of standard armor (152 factor). The ENF-5TC-U is a bit more believable to me with eleven Double Heat Sinks plus nine and a half tons of ferro-fibrous (169 factor) for max protection. The PPC has also been upgraded to Extended Range capabilities and a Medium Laser has been added. This 3050 era upgrade just seems more plausible to me but again would be limited in numbers. Actually, I am all for a singular Taurian Enforcer boogeyman operating on the borders of FedRat space perhaps with other Concordat designs salvaged from the dreaded Davies that are now turned against them. It would be interesting side project to create this Nemesis Company which could soon be a Salient Horizon unit. Great job Ice, sorry other competitors beat you out but real good stuff.
CONTENDERS
12. ENF-4A (Abele)
Perhaps the Outworlds Alliance could have managed to get its hands on a few Enforcers but how? It is a Succession War era Mech that could have been gradually bought from Kurita scrapyards and carefully restored. Perhaps a Davion gesture of goodwill could have seen some older models sold off to the Alliance to combat piracy and stablize the region. You could have included something about the Martial Accords and helping to fight the Clans which I have included House Avellar in. This last story angle could have covered the addition of the CASE which is the only level 2 piece of technology utilized. Since Outworlds Mechwarriors are in such short supply it makes sense that they would want to protect them. Design wise it reminds me of some of the Centurion contest entries but that begs the question where did components like the Large Laser come from? Easy enough on that with Lushann for the Lasers if they are needed but what about the LRM-15s (24 reloads)? You say the Catapult could provide that but the Alliance doesn't have a great deal of those either. Not bad, perhaps our best Periphery design entry but not enough there fluff wise to justify a higher grade.
11. ENF-5T (drakensis)
One of the simpler Enforcer upgrades for secondary defense regions was this entry by drakensis which featured the Standard chassis and the old 200 Fusion Engine (4/6/4). It upgraded the cooling system to ten Double Heat Sinks and provided a half ton more toward armor (9.5 tons which equals a 152 factor). The LB 10-X Autocannon (20) and ER Large Laser are definitely upgrades for the main weaponry. Two Medium Lasers are certainly better than just one Small Laser for the supplemental armament. Not a bad lower tech upgrade for lesser commands out there in the AFFC but in my opinion there were better entries out there that filled this role, sorry bud. Better luck next time!
10. ENF-2R (Bradshaw)
This long lost SLDF variant features an EndoSteel chassis and the same durable 200 Fusion Engine (4/6/4) to provide a solid core for this BattleMech. I like the Ultra AC/5 (40) and the ER Large Laser serving as the main weaponry which has long range firepower even though it may be considered lighter. Two Medium Lasers and a Flamer supplement these main guns nicely while eleven Double Heat Sinks do a good job at cooling this Enforcer. Defensively it relies on ten tons of standard armor (160 factor) with CASE and a Guardian ECM Suite to protect it. Not sure about the whole undiscovered SLDF variant but not bad at all unfortunately there were other design that just beat you out here Bradshaw.
9. ENF-5R-BFG (masterarminas)
The big freaking guns of this Enforcer will force any opponent to ask ‘Am I feeling lucky? Well do ya punk?!’ The biggest ballistic Autocannon/20 (10) you can think of is paired with a double-barreled energy Blazer which is just about the two most powerful weapons the InnerSphere has at this time. Only problem is that you have to get in a little close to let these beauties do their nasty blasting and a 200 XL Engine (4/6/4) isn’t gonna close range quickly. The mobility of the Enforcer does make it an urban nightmare for any Mech unlucky to come across it. Ten and a half tons of standard armor (168 factor) with CASE provide near maximum protection amounts of protection for this fifty-tonner while an EndoSteel chassis provides the tonnage for the BFGs. Only place it comes up a bit short is ten Double Heat Sinks which can’t deal with its weapons fire (23 heat) not to mention movement which will have an effect on its operations. So, while I like the concept a lot it is a little too gimmicky for me here. Perhaps in the arenas of Solaris 7 I could see such a design work and I will keep it in mind. Nice try though!
8. ENF-5P (Abele)
I really liked this 'Baby Marauder' produced by Achernar which featured twin ER PPCs which are backed up by two Medium Lasers. Of course, I was thinking Warhammer when I saw this long-range hitter which is super effective because of its range. While the ER PPCs lack their Clan counterparts striking power they do match their reach which is at least something to match their technological edge. That and the Gauss Rifle would be an excellent combination here and there is something of a negative going away from Davion dakka here. Although the ammo less design is attractive for raiders it can still run a little hot with sixteen Double Heat Sinks. If the Mechwarrior can maintain discipline between jumping and firing his ER PPCs it works out fine. Still not bad though as this approach uses an EndoSteel chassis, a 250 XL Engine (5/8/5), and ten point five tons of standard armor (168 factor) to make it all work. Nice job here Abele, there were just other concepts which beat you out.
NEAR MISSES
7. ENF-5S (Abele)
This Lyran refit of the classic Enforcer envisioned as a deep raider looks to me like a heavier version of the Phoenix Hawk. The Enforcer's Standard Chassis remains unchanged but plenty of lostech goodies join the design. These include a 300 XL Engine (6/9/6), fourteen Double Heat Sinks, and nine tons of ferro-fibrous (161 factor) armor. Two ER Large Lasers and a Medium Pulse make up the armament of this 'Phoenix Enforcer' which is actually a pretty arsenal. While movement and firing rate must be carefully managed there is no chance that this 'Pseudo Hawk' will run out of ammunition. Adding to its raiding capabilities is the Guardian ECM Suite also included within which is a further boon that the PXH-3M doesn’t have. Let’s face it this Mech is better than the Phoenix Hawk and it really was an out of the box ‘Raiding Enforcer’. Probably the worst thing that I can say about this design is that it isn’t an Enforcer but it does fit the role you have crafted for it well. Real good job Abele but this one is just outside the winner’s circle, sorry!
6. ENF-5DK2 (Ice Hellion)
This new Davion AC/20 variant certainly has some close-range pop but narrowly failed to crack the winners circle here. Certainly, an arm mounted AC/20 brings it's own advantages and the 250 XL Engine along with five jumps (5/8/5) provide good movement for this massive gun. Ten and a half tons of standard armor (168 factor) with CASE furnish this Enforcer with near maximum amounts of protection. I wish the second weapon was something more than an ER Large Laser and Small Laser. That being said I'm not sure how that would be accomplished as the advanced EndoSteel chassis and ten Double Heat Sinks pretty much do the most possible in opening up tonnage for weaponry. Still, it’s a pretty good design all in all but just not one that measures up when compared to others here who have longer range. Good try though Ice.
5. ENF-5R (Abele)
This modern take on the old 4R flips the script on the Enforcer’s main guns making the energy weapon into the dominate weapon by featuring a Blazer and going just a bit smaller with the ballistic Ultra Autocannon/5. This is an intriguing concept which adds range and firepower to all of its weapons even the supporting Medium Pulse. Eleven Double Heat Sinks do a pretty good job of cooling this new arrangement but it could run hot depending on movement and rate of fire. An EndoSteel chassis and a 250 XL Engine (5/8/5) are the core weight saving devices here which work quite well with ten tons of standard armor (160 factor) with CASE. The fluff is pretty generic and I could see the Free Worlds League putting something like this together for potential Davion buyers fighting the Clans. This would perhaps be too much of an investment by House Marik into a ‘foreign design’ and could bring back bad memories of the early Succession War sale of Centurions to the Federated Suns. Right now, I am gonna pass just barely on this one but in the future, it might just find a place in the Salient Horizon universe. Real nice job here Abele!
4. ENF-5R (drakensis)
This faster and more mobile Enforcer which is meant to pair with the Centurion was nearly won the whole thing. The 300 XL Engine (6/9/6) and EndoSteel chassis used on the CN9-D enable this Enforcer to not only match its ground speed but jump as far the Phoenix Hawk. This high mobility would certainly add to the operational capabilities of the Enforcer and Centurion team. The firepower of this model is actually improved on from the old 5D as the LB 10-X AC (20) and ER Large Laser remain as its main weaponry with a Medium Laser now replacing the old Small Laser. This arsenal cooled by ten Double Heat Sinks can be fired even while jumping resulting in slight overheating (23 heat) which is manageable by simply alternating movement. Ten tons of standard armor (160 factor) provides excellent protection even though it lacks a CASE. A great concept which pitted it solidly against Ice Hellion's 5DK1 variant for the top spot here. While number three and two are winners here, mainly for filling a niche in the AFFFC, they aren't the main line fighters these two were. So, it came down to speed versus Gauss Rifle for the ultimate Enforcer here. I felt that the Gauss would be a greater equalizer to the Clan threat than the 6/9/6 movement factor. I will also say the other winning models also sporting the LB-X 10-AC do steal a bit of drak's thunder. I'm sorry someone had to lose but thank you for giving me such a great option to join the others here bud. Great job, others were just a bit better IMO.
WINNERS
3. ENF-5R (Takiro)
This Anti-Elemental BattleMech was essentially my vision of an upgraded Technical Readout 3025 Enforcer. I feel like swapping the AC/10 and Large Laser for a LB 10-X AC and a Large Pulse Laser is a sort of natural progression which leads to this Clan invasion tactical niche. Certainly defeating 'Toads' is a priority for the AFFC and this mobile war machine (5/8/5 now thanks to a 250 XL Engine) capable of outmaneuvering them while being armed with another two Medium Lasers which go well with its two primary guns make this Enforcer a great fit. Along with the aforementioned Extra Light power plant an EndoSteel chassis and ten Double Heat Sinks help make this design possible. Ten tons of standard armor (160 factor) which have been augmented with CASE to protect against ammo explosion provide solid defense for this armored infantry hunter. I'd like to redesignate this model the 5S for the Salient Horizon universe which will be manufactured at Defiance Industries on Hesperus II. That will be a call back to the NAIS 4th SW Atlas V1 which mentions the acquisitions of the Enforcer design from the FedCom Alliance. Bronze medal for this entry.
2. ENF-6D (Irose)
Shades of the Watchman but a bit more advanced is how I would best describe this simple, durable, and capable entry. Stripping out the XL Engine of the 5D but maintaining the new standard of greater movement with a GM 250 Fusion Engine minus one less Jump Jet (5/8/4) is largely thanks to weight savings provided by an EndoSteel chassis and ten Double Heat Sinks. Eight and a half tons of ferro-fibrous (152 factor) with a CASE does a pretty solid job at protecting this already hardy BattleMech. For weaponry this inexpensive lostech Enforcer retains the LB 10-X AC (20) and ER Large Laser but features no secondary weaponry. I could definitely see this model as the most common FedCom refit issued to units not stationed on the Clan front or mercenaries. I'd like to redesignate this model the 5R for the Salient Horizon universe which will be manufactured at Kallon Weapons on Talon. Congrats on the silver medal this time around Irose!!
1. ENF-5DK1 (Ice Hellion)
This new Davion Gauss variant is sort of a Salient Horizon preview of the Enforcer III. It uses an EndoSteel chassis and a 250 XL Engine (5/8/5) to compose a high-tech low weight core. While costly this makes room for a Gauss Rifle (16) and an ER Large Laser which is a formidable long-ranged arsenal with real striking power. Cooled by ten Double Heat Sinks this Enforcer is ultra-cool can't over heat from a Jumping Alpha Strike (18 Heat). Protected by ten and a half tons of standard armor (168 factor) for near maximum possible defense. Bottom line this FedCom front line sniper can certainly challenge Clan OmniMechs on the battlefields of the early 3050s. I'd like to redesignate this model the 5FC for the Salient Horizon universe which will be manufactured at Achernar BattleMechs on New Avalon. Great job Ice on the gold medal winner here!!!
