Armored Hunter Assault!
HACS-01MG-FU ARMORED HUNTER
The “Full Armor” Hunter, also known as “the armored can,” is one of the rarest Hunter variants of all. The FU program was an attempt to create a new type of Hunter that would be able to survive anything short of the firepower of a tank. Although the resulting armored shell was fairly impervious to Gear-class weaponry, the machine proved to be about as agile as the average herding springer. Its poor perform- ance was a reflection of the extreme weight of its armor. The torso and lower legs were covered with plating that almost doubled in thickness, compared to the old Hunter plates. Both shoulders and generator housings received armored covers, and the skirts were elongated and thickened. A cast metal “helmet” was fitted on the head. The resulting machine was well protected, but it could barely move about. In recalibrating the actuators to support the higher load, the engineers were forced to slow them down to provide the required torque, severely hampering performances. The weapons were also traded for armored versions, namely the M226 armored autocannon and the RP-109A Iron Pepperbox.
The machine was developed in TN 1702, relatively soon after the regular Hunter, and was intended for frontline duties. It was to be assigned to officers when they would spearhead line-breaker attacks, but the high officer casualty rate confirmed that it would make a better sentry machine once equipped with the appropriate weapon payload. Even if it achieved operational status, the FA was almost never used in large-scale battles. It was considered a failure and was retired soon after it entered service. The remaining Armored Hunters are now used as sentinels for quiet outposts or supply depots or as trainers. Because of their lack of combat experience, examples these machines with evolving NNets are often considered “dumb” by experienced pilots and often have multiple “bad habits” picked up from countless rookies. Veterans prefer to stay clear of these machines. Only a few Armored Hunters still exist in their original condition; most were converted to the more useful Bearhunter configuration. In the end, many just simply ended up as spare parts.
Armored Hunters in Heavy Gear Blitz!
These profiles replace the Armored Hunter entry North model list in Heavy Gear Blitz!. These additional profiles are Extended Content.
| Model | TV | Roles | MR | Arm | H/S | A | GU | PI | EW | React Weapons | Mounted Weapons | Traits | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armored Hunter | 6 | GP+, SK, FS | W/G:5 | 7 | 5/1 | 1 | 4+ | 4+ | 6+ | LAC, LVB | LRP, HIM | Hands, Lumbering | Gear | 1.5" |
| Armored Hunter Gunner | 7 | GP, SK, FS | W/G:5 | 7 | 5/1 | 1 | 4+ | 4+ | 6+ | MAC, LVB | LRP, HIM | Hands, Lumbering | Gear | 1.5" |
| Armored Destroyer Hunter | 7 | GP, SK, FS | W/G:5 | 7 | 5/1 | 1 | 4+ | 4+ | 6+ | MBZ, LVB | LRP, HIM | Hands, Lumbering | Gear | 1.5" |
| Armored Hunter UC | 6 | GP, SK, FS | W/G:5 | 7 | 5/1 | 1 | 4+ | 4+ | 6+ | MFC, LVB | LRP, HIM | Hands, Lumbering | Gear | 1.5" |
| Headhunter Upgrade | +1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5+ | - | - | +Comms | - | - |
