The Zeus is an assault Inner Sphere BattleMech. It was designed to be an assault 'Mech that was fast enough to keep up with heavy 'Mechs, and to be easy to maintain.
An attack that broke through the Lyran lines forced them to request the factory send the two Zeus prototypes, since they were all the factory had built at the time. They provided the edge needed to hold off the attack, but the battle revealed a serious flaw with the PPC shielding. With Zeus production needed as quickly as possible, there wasn't time to solve the problem, and an autocannon was used instead, resulting in the ZEU-6S. The problem was eventually corrected with the ZEU-6T.
In lore, the Zeus is a favorite of House Steiner and the Lyran Commonwealth.
The ZEU-5S was one of two prototype designs before the simpler-to-build -6S went into production. An LRM 15 was chosen for the right arm and an Ultra Autocannon 5 was used in the left arm. As a demonstration prototype, it was equipped with Double Heat Sinks and an Artemis IV system.
The ZEU-6T was created after problems integrating a PPC were finally resolved. It replaces the Autocannon in the left arm. Thus, it has no ballistic hardpoints. However, it gains more missile hardpoints.
The ZEU-6T was created after problems integrating a PPC were finally resolved. It replaces the Autocannon in the left arm. Thus, it has no ballistic hardpoints. However, it gains more missile hardpoints.
The ZEU-9S was an upgrade of the -6T using Lostech. The PPC and the Large Laser were replaced with ER versions, and the Medium Lasers were replaced with pulse versions. Ferro-Fibrous armor and CASE was added, and Double Heat Sinks improved heat dissipation.
Despite it's name, the ZEU-9S2 actually has very little in common with the -9S in terms of hardpoints. It's more of a combination of the -5S and -6S. Although it comes with a Gauss Rifle, the quirks are generic, making it a versatile chassis.