The "Royal Hawk" is a Phoenix Hawk model built for the SLDF, and as such an extremely rare machine in the modern era. Finding one on the field is nigh-impossible, and finding one for sale would absolutely require going through black markets or other underground channels.
This is for good reason. The use of superior materials and technology in the PXH-1b makes it unbelievably dangerous, capable of fulfiling the P-Hawk's role with extreme effectiveness. In particular, the use of double heat sinks throughout the design makes the 1b capable of handling much, much more heat than its baseline sibling, while still being just as fast, tough, and deadly -- if not moreso for the latter.
Loadouts[ | ]
The PXH-1b comes equipped with a Large Pulse Laser, two Medium Lasers, two Machine Guns, and a devastating ER PPC. Even for the double-sinked Royal Hawk, this is a lot of energy weaponry, though using all of it effectively is not out of the question. It also has the Vectored Thrust kit that all Phoenix Hawks share. It also comes with a Thermal Exchanger in the center torso, reducing the heat of all its weaponry by a significant amount. Using the Royal Hawk unmodified is entirely viable, though this does mean it will not be fully armored.
Removing the Medium Lasers and Machine Guns to max out the armor will produce a sniper 'mech which basically never needs to be concerned with heat, and which can outrange almost any target thanks to the range of the ER PPC.
Alternatively, the 1b has the hardpoints to mount a disgusting number of Medium Lasers for its weight, though this does require removing its advanced Star League weaponry. With its additional heat-sinking capability, the Royal Hawk can perform the role of a jump-ambusher better than anything else in its weight class.
Strategy[ | ]
Yang's Thoughts: The Phoenix Hawk 1B is a highly advanced ‘mech that was provided only to the SLDF Royal Divisions. It's an extremely rare find, and a powerful striker that can execute devastating flanking maneuvers.
The Royal Hawk can be played in several ways. As with its less advanced siblings, the Royal Hawk can serve as a phenomenal "jump backstabber", leaping in behind enemies to gut them through their thin rear armor with its bonus jump damage and large number of energy weapons, before jumping away to cool. The Royal Hawk differs from them in being able to do this more effectively thanks to its superior heat handling.
Alternatively, the presence of the ER PPC and the Large Pulse Laser make the Royal Hawk a very dangerous sniper, leaping around at extreme range from the fight for bonus damage and evasion chevrons while dishing out heavy hits.
Finally, the Royal Hawk serves very well out-of-the-box in its dedicated role as a skirmisher and flanker, using its heavy weaponry while closing before jumping in to blast with its Med Lasers and MGs and then leaping back out. This versatility is the true value of the Phoenix Hawk 1b, and it can find a role in lances of basically any weight class.
Notes[ | ]
The asterisks in the infobox reflect differences between the 1b's data file and the in-game reality. The cost of the 1b in the data file is marked as 4.91 million C-bills instead of 6.94. However, the 1b is only available via the Black Market, which produces this price increase as well as overriding its "common" rarity of 1.
