http://mwomercs.com/...eavy-mech-poll/
Take off those rose colored glasses and see the Grasshopper for what it really is--a cousin to the TDR-9SE. An energy spamming mech should ideally have Heat Sinks to help control its heat, and lots of armor to win brawls, and that means the Black Knight is better choice.
*The biggest reason why the 85 ton STK-5M is Tier 2 while 80 ton Awesome is Tier 5 is because it tanks better.
Jump Jets mean crap in comparison.
Should PGI derp on the mech size/hitbox and the upcoming Heavy is not XL friendly, it is also better to have the Black Knight slinging PPC shots and shooting lasers out of its eye so at least you can run around in style better than the Grasshopper.
Hell, even Sarna says it.
Quote
The Black Knight is an all energy weapon 'Mech, with a Magna Hellstar II PPC in the right arm serving as its primary weapon. Backing up the PPC are two McCorkel Large Lasers in either side torso that can inflict a great deal of damage as the Black Knight closes with its enemy. Finally, for close range fighting, the 'Mech employs four Maxell DT Medium Lasers, one in either arm and in either side torso and a single Magna Small Laser in the head. The small laser in particular is directly tied-in to the Beagle Active Probe mounted in the center torso, allowing the scanner to piggy-back a low-power laser pulse to travel through any interfering objects. While allowing for a more detailed analysis of objects the limited range of the laser reserves this type of scanning only for nearby targets...
BL-9-KNT
One of the so-called "Clanbuster" refits developed by ComStar in the lead-up to the Battle of Tukayyid, this variant has been equipped with an Vlar 300 XL Engine, allowing it to mount an upgraded and heavier weapons load. The PPC was upgraded to an Magna Sunspot ER PPC, the medium lasers switched to Aberdovey Medium Pulse Lasers, a Aberdovey Large Pulse Laser added to the center torso, and both the small laser and Beagle Active Probe were removed. To handle the heavier heat load, the heat sinks were upgraded to double strength versions. In addition, for close-in work, the Black Knight carries long-sword shaped 5-ton Hatchet in its left hand, allowing it to make devastating physical attacks.
Vote for the Black Knight. At least that mech has a chance to have a sword some day.