The Skirmisher battlemech was meant for close range 
fighting favored by many inner sphere warriors.  It 
was designed to replace the venerable Exterminator in the 
 Command Mech Extermination roles.  Although 20 tons 
heavier and slower than the older Exterminator, the 
Skirmisher is well equipped for the job.

While studying the Exterminator blue-prints, Pheonix 
Armaments Limited found that while effective, the 
Exterminator lacked a knock out punch.  To remedy this 
the Skirmisher was designed around a Hatchet mounted in 
the right arm.  To match the ranges of clan weapons 2 ER 
Large Lasers were mounted in the opposing left arm.  
Closer ranges required more firepower than the 2 ER 
Large Lasers could provide, so 8 Defiance D3M Medium 
Lasers were mounted in the Right and Left Torsos.  1 
Chiscomp 2000 Extended Range Small Laser and 1 
Defiance D6M Medium Pulse Laser was added for heat 
management.  

The scouting abilities of the SKR-1B is found in the form of 
a Beagle Active Probe.  This variant serves well in the 
heavy scout role.  Another advantage of the advanced 
electronics that the Skirmisher B carries, is the ability for 
ambushes with the Guardian Electronics Countermeasures 
Suite.  

One look at the weapons of the Skirmisher raises the issue 
of heat, a mechwarriors enemy.  To take advantage of the 
 higher heat levels that this mech produced, Triple 
Strength Mynomers were added to enhance damage and 
speed.  When heated the TSMs bring the Skirmisher to a 
speed of 96kph so it can up close and personal to the 
enemy.

Battle History:
To date the Skirmisher has served in many IS on Clan 
engagements and was instrumental in an Inner Sphere 
victory.  Pilots often use their lasers armaments to heat the 
mech to TSM temperatures just to gain an additional  
11kph.