Where’s the Raven light mech?

[Deshiva]

Hey all long time no see, been keeping low since my daughter was born. Poking my head in this brand new forum to check progress, saw one thread with a handy chart showing hardpoints for all mechs. But no Raven? I know there was some issues regarding the ecm equipment mentioned way back, but as i said i haven’t been active online much. Has there been any statements regarding this mech? It shouldn’t be part of the legal mumbo jumbo that HG was/is pulling so it shouldn’t be that.

 

[Lord of Riva]

no its not in the game "until they figure out how the ecm works (in their game)" i asked in their Q&As if its a guarenteed thing for post release stuff but did not get an answer.

Two things to that: as long as its the only one carrying the equipment it may be too much work for its implementation, pointing to a later expansion
secondly the normal hardpoint distribution of the 3025 available mech variant does not allow customisation in the HBS BT hardpoint system. (even though they could always change the hardpoints for that model.)

All this is a shame as i really like the Raven.

 

[Chaon]

Yeah, they couldn't get the ECM system for the Raven to work as well as they wanted so they kept it out until they get it works.

Once they have a ECM system working for it we will probably see it introduced into the game through a patch.

 

[Pineapple Salad]

They could just have used RVN-2X variant, which does not have ECM.

 

[Timaeus]

They could just have used RVN-2X variant, which does not have ECM.

The -2X is considered out of timeline.

 

[Pineapple Salad]

The -2X is considered out of timeline.

So is 3L, so you would have to use 1X, which is trash.

 

[Deaghaidh]

I think the answer is "in secret House Liao R&D facilities. In fact, who told you about the Raven? Seize him!"

 

[Deshiva]

Ah I see, too bad. It's also one of my favorites. Well hoping for a future patch to add it or a DLC, expansion or something

 

[Kereminde]

It's a pity but I'd rather want the Raven in with its secret weapon intact.

 

[KristoffVonK]

I think the raven was built in 3024, and was a complete failure at the time, I highly doubt you would see it in our part of space...and if you did, you might see one the whole game, and it would blow up and you most likely would not get it.

 

[mmurray821]

The Raven was a light-weight electronic warfare BattleMech which, when it first debuted after the end of the Third Succession War, was not just one of the first truly original 'Mech designs produced in centuries, but also represented humanity's refusal to slide back technologically.[3] Originally the Capellan Confederation had attempted to recreate the sophisticated technology once common during the Star League era, specifically the Guardian ECM Suite. While the resulting electronic warfare device was a technical success, it proved too large and bulky to be installed on any existing 'Mechs. Desperate for any force multiplier, the Capellans decided to build an entirely new 'Mech around the electronics, creating the first prototype Ravens.[4]

At first these experimental Ravens were meant as stand-off support units for 'Mech companies, designating targets for artillery and scrambling enemy sensors, but in most cases they were assigned at the battalion level as a temporary fifth member of the command lance. When it finally saw battle however the Raven did not meet its lofty expectations; it simply could not provide a sufficient-enough advantage to influence combat. Many were captured by the Federated Suns during the Fourth Succession War, and the design would languish as just another light 'Mech until the recovery of the Helm Memory Core allowed Hellespont to create a production version, the RVN-3L, equal to the prototype's ambitiousness.[4][2]

While heavily associated with House Liao, the Capellans were also forced to sell a number to the Free Worlds League and Draconis Combine, the larger share going to the former. The Federated Suns and Lyran Alliance also acquired smaller numbers of Ravens through other means including salvage, and a large number of variants were eventually created.[2]

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

I think the raven was built in 3024, and was a complete failure at the time, I highly doubt you would see it in our part of space...and if you did, you might see one the whole game, and it would blow up and you most likely would not get it.

The mech was actually slated to be in the game and was on the approved mech list earlier in the game's development. Unfortunately thought, HBS had to drop it from the game because they needed more time to figure out the best way to introduce it's electronic warfare suite into the game.

I don't doubt that, had it still been included in the game's release, it would have been rare. Another mech developed in 3025, the Cataphract, is in this game as well. I have a feeling that the Raven might have shown up as often as that particular mech (again, had the Raven made it to launch).

 

[Chaon]

And the Raven is a Capellan mech and they are right there in the game with some small portion of their territory.

Testing the Raven in the Periphery against pirates and other low danger opponents would be a good way to test any mech. So that is why it would be possible to come across them in the game.

 

[Malek Deneith]

Truth is HBS sent all of their Ravens on a very important mission: they're busy jamming quads to stop them from coming to the game. Their absence is the price we pay for peace. *salutes brave Raven pilots*

 

[Rustingbooger]

The Raven is not really introduced till 3024, and was not widely seen until much later due to the size and weight of the ECM. Until the re-introduction of the XL Engines, it was pretty slow for a scout. The ones that Davion captured during the 4th Succesion war had been refitted, replacing the ECM with a large laser. Probably wont see a real Electronic Warfare mech till they have the game move somewhere into the 3040 timeline. Well, unless it's lost tech

 

[TaurianMerc]

Truth is HBS sent all of their Ravens on a very important mission: they're busy jamming quads to stop them from coming to the game. Their absence is the price we pay for peace. *salutes brave Raven pilots*

You really think the holy trinity - Scorpion, Goliath and Xanthos - can be held up by mere Ravens?
Poor deluded fool.

 

[KnightCole]

Why not just make ECM cut the detection range of enemy radars down like 20% or something? Basically how it worked in MEchcommander.

Or, barring that, which I could see being quite OP, the ECM simply makes it so the Raven itself cannot be detected until its 50% closer then other mechs.

Or, if it wont affect radar at all, Electronic Counter Measures, sounds like something that should impart a 'To Hit' penalty when firing at a Raven. So, you get a 80% chance vs a non ECM mech, you would get a 60% chance in the same situation vs a Raven.

 

[stjobe]

So is 3L, so you would have to use 1X, which is trash.

The RVN-1X (introduced 3024) was the version that was slated for the game and postponed until they can figure out a way to make its (7.5 ton!) EW equipment work in a meaningful and fun way.

"RVN-1X
The original 3024 prototype of what became the RVN-3L Raven, this was the unit that was pressed into service against the Federated Suns during the Fourth Succession War. With XL engine technology not yet available, the 'Mech mounted a standard Omni 175 fusion engine, giving it a maximum speed of 86 km/h, and was protected by four tons of standard armor. The EW Equipment at the time that this 'Mech was built consisted of a massive 7.5 ton experimental electronic warfare suite that unfortunately did not live up to expectations. The equipment also had the unfortunate side-effect, when damaged, of disrupting other systems, though normally communications and targeting only."
- sarna.net

The RVN-3L is out of timeline for another 23 years (until 2048) and mounts a (1.5 ton) Guardian ECM system.

 

[Justin Kase]

.... Another mech developed in 3025, the Cataphract, is in this game as well. I have a feeling that the Raven might have shown up as often as that particular mech (again, had the Raven made it to launch).

And once they do get the ECM working, we may also see the Cataphract ECM variant

 

[Pachira]

We'll get ravens later, just think of it as none being in our current theater of operations yet.