GRF-1N Griffin


In 2492 Earthwerks developed a new 60-ton mech, the Griffin. This heavy mech was designed as a close assault mech to fill a gap in weight class and function between the 20-ton Wasp and the 100-ton Mackie. It combined significant firepower for its time, but eventually became obsolete in the face of newer designs. Still, it was popular enough that Earthwerks continued the line, reducing its weight to 55 tons and changing its armament to handle long-range Fire support. Its primary weakness was a lack of close ranged firepower, as well as tendency to overheat (though less so than many other mechs).

The Griffin remained common throughout the Succession Wars, being found in the armies of all the great houses and in the periphery. It’s a real workhorse design, one of a trio of 55-ton mechs found everywhere, along with the Shadow Hawk and Wolverine.

GRF-1N Griffin: Size Medium (55 tons), Speed Average, Armor Medium. Particle Projection Cannon (1RA/1RD), Long Range Missile Tube, Jump Jets. 3RA/1RD/1G/2W (2RA/1G/2W in battles with Clan/Advanced Tech)

The original Griffin was slightly larger with less speed, less jump capability, and primitive technology.

GRF-1A Griffin: Size Heavy (60 tons), Speed Slow, Armor Medium. Prototype PPC (1RA/1RD), LRM 5, Jump Jets. 3RA/1RD/1G/2W (1RA/1RD/2W in battles with Clan/Advanced Tech)

The most common variant in the Succession Wars is an attempt to solve the problem of its lack of close-ranged weapons. It uses a smaller LRM rack and replaced the PPC with lasers.

GRF-1S Griffin: Size Medium (55 tons), Speed Average, Armor Medium. Laser Cannons, LRM 5, Jump Jets. 2RA/2RD/1G/2W. (2RD/1G/2W in battles with Clan/Advanced Tech)

There are two upgraded variants used in the time of the Clan invasion.

GRF-1DS Griffin: Large Pulse Laser, Long Range Missiles, Jump Jets. 2RA/2RD/1G/2W. (Advanced Tech)

GRM-3M Griffin: ER PPC (1RA/1RD), Long Range Missiles, Jump Jets. 3RA/1RD/1G/2W. (Advanced Tech)


The Clans also use Griffins in their second-line forces.

Griffin IIC: Size Medium (40 tons), Speed Fast, Armor Medium. ER Large Laser (1RA/1RD), Quad LRM 5, Jump Jets. 3RA/1RD/1G/2W. (Clan Tech)

(On a personal note, the first battlemech lance I ever created used a Griffin for long-ranged fire support.)

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