Raven RVN-1X

The Raven RVN-1X is a Light-class 'Mech in Battletech.

Description
The RVN-1X is a light 'Mech designed specifically to carry a new generation of electronic warfare gear. The Raven excels at support and scouting, and its standard component of SRMs and medium lasers allows it to fight well in a pinch.

Loadouts
The RVN-1X has only six tons of equipment room left over even with stock armor. Maximizing armor leaves only a single ton for weapons and is effectively impossible if one wants the Raven to do any fighting at all. It is possible to field a Raven with maximum armor and only a single weapon if all one really values is the unit's ECM capabilities, but this is not advised as it means the Raven is unable to fight back against enemies inside its ECM radius. With four energy and four support hardpoints, the Raven can actually mount a potent (for its size) laser armament.

Dropping the SRM-6 and its ammo for two more medium lasers and four small lasers allows the Raven to deal hefty damage to anything that enters its ECM field, though this refit runs quite hot and can only fire a few times before needing to cool off. This may be exactly what the Raven needs to defend its own ECM radius, as Ravens often do not fire at all if an enemy isn't in their ECM radius.

One could instead opt for a single large laser, allowing the Raven to fire out of its ECM as a hidden sniper. A build with one large laser and a pair of jump jets could find difficult to approach high ground and fire at enemies with impunity, though its damage output will be paltry. LRMs are similarly restrictive - without reducing the 'Mech's armor, the largest launcher one can fit is a single LRM-10 with one ton of reloads, leaving zero room for backup weaponry.

In general, the best option is going to be a blend of medium lasers and support weapons that allow the Raven to retaliate against enemies that close into its ECM field, leaving other lancemates with less restricted loadouts to carry heavier weapons.

Strategy
The RVN-1X is most notable for its X-1 EW Equipment, hardwired to the chassis. All Raven builds revolve around making use of this EW equipment. Despite its nominal role as a "scout" 'Mech, the RVN-1X is best used as a close support unit for your lance, masking your 'Mechs from enemy detection with its ECM. While it can serve as a forward scout, the Raven's relatively low top speed and lack of jump jets leave it almost entirely reliant on its ECM to stay safe in this role; the 'Mech is exceptionally vulnerable to other fast units closing in on it and destroying it. The Raven's relatively weak armament, even when customized, further precludes it from operating far away from its lancemates.

Careful positioning is key with the Raven - you can adjust the 'mech's position to exclude enemies from its ECM zone while keeping your own allies in its fringes, restoring stealth when enemies close in on your team. If your lance is made up primarily of powerful short-range brawlers, this also serves to draw enemies into your lance's optimal engagement range. Be aware that enemy Sensor Locks completely eliminate the benefits of ECM, so destroying enemy recon units takes priority when trying to make use of a Raven.