"Red" Reviews: Vindicator VND-5L

Name: Vindicator VND-5L


Mech Class:Medium

Weight: 45 Tons

Tech Base: Inner Sphere

Primary Manufacturer: Capellan Confederation (House Liao)

Olympiad Mechwarrior:
Byron "Peacekeeper" Crais (Rob)

Description:
The Vindicator is one of the most well known 'Mechs from the Capellan Confederation. It was designed to maximize the effectiveness of the Confederation's production capabilities after the First Succession War. The 'Mech was designed to be a jack-of-all-trades. Because of this, the Vindicator does not excel in any one role but can perform a variety of combat roles with varying degrees of success. The 'Mech has a top speed of only 64.8 km/h, which allows it to keep with most heavy 'Mechs and some slower medium 'Mechs. The jump jets give it a jumping capability of up to 120 meters which, while not up to par with the greater distances of 'Mechs like the Phoenix Hawk, allows the Vindicator the ability to outmaneuver most heavier 'Mechs, as well as making it easier to go through rough terrain.

Armament: 
The 5L variant is a recent upgrade to the venerable Vindicator. The 'Mech uses a standard engine, armor, and structure. The changes and advancements come in the weapons, a change to Double Heat sinks freeing up 6 tons and adding Triple Strength Myomer. The 'Mech's new weapons include an ER PPC, two ER Medium Lasers, two Medium Pulse Lasers, a single Small Pulse Laser, and a Small Laser. This varied mix of energy weapons allows the MechWarrior piloting the 'Mech to balance their heat load to keep the Triple Strength Myomer working at its optimum efficiency. In so doing, the Vindicator can deal a fair amount of damage with its Sword.





Saffron's Analysis:   The Vindy 5L is slow for it's size, until it gets the TSM going, then it is just average.  Armor is solid, as is the Short range firepower and Close combat abilities.  Don't let the Sword fool you, this mech can kick with about the same force as and AC20 Shot.    

Keep this Vindy variant at range if possible, it gets much more lethal up close.

Rating: 8.5 of 10








Tech Readout:
http://www.mordel.net/tro.php?a=vt&cat=Upgrades&id=1146