Jump to content

Mech Discussion Thread: Howler

BattleMechs

30 replies to this topic

#1 Requiemking

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Solitary
  • The Solitary
  • 2,480 posts
  • LocationStationed at the Iron Dingo's Base on Dumassas

Posted 11 November 2016 - 12:35 AM

So, if one scans the mechs people have been campaigning for recently, a rather disappointing link appears. Not a single one of those mechs excel at a role that can't be better accomplished with another mech, usually within the same weight class. That Mad Cat MKII that an entire faction of the fanbase wants? Everything it can do, the Marauder IIC or Supernova can do better. Crusader? Archer and Catapult got it beat. However, I am not campaigning for them. I am advocating for a mech that performs within a unique niche, the Howler.

For those of us who don't know about this mech, the Howler(also called the Baboon) is a 20 ton Clan Light Battlemech with an interesting role on the battlefield. If you want an ultralight fire-support unit, you would be hard-pressed to find one better than the Howler. The primary model, the Howler-1, comes armed with three LRM5s and three tons of ammo. It lacks backup weapons, but it runs fairly quick for a fire support with a 140 rated engine. The only other model that could be used in game is the Howler-3. This version swaps the LRMs for an ERPPC and a TC.

The main draws for the Howler in game would be:

1. Cost: Since the Howler makes use of none of the advanced tech that pushes the price of other Clan mechs so high, it would serve as a cheap, easy to get starter mech for the Clans.

2. Weight: The Howler occupies a weight bracket which is empty on the Clan side, 20 tons. This essentially makes it the Clan Locust, but with some differences.

3. Model: The Howler is a mech who's bodyshape and size would make it perfect for long-range combat, especially the Howler 3. It would be wide and squat compared to the Locust, making it a pain to shoot at from the front, but a fish in a barrel should you be looking down at it.

Now, I know the Howler doesn't have many variants, but we could easily theorycraft a few to fill the gaps.

#2 Juodas Varnas

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Ace Of Spades
  • Ace Of Spades
  • 7,537 posts
  • LocationGrand Duchy of Lithuania

Posted 11 November 2016 - 12:47 AM

It's really ugly, though.
Posted Image

#3 TheArisen

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Ace Of Spades
  • Ace Of Spades
  • 6,040 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

Posted 11 November 2016 - 12:52 AM

I disagree with your mech comparisons but the Howler would be unique and fill a tonnage slot for the clans. However the Piranha is more popular and would fill a more conventional and accepted role.

#4 Requiemking

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Solitary
  • The Solitary
  • 2,480 posts
  • LocationStationed at the Iron Dingo's Base on Dumassas

Posted 11 November 2016 - 12:54 AM

View PostJuodas Varnas, on 11 November 2016 - 12:47 AM, said:

It's really ugly, though.
Posted Image

Granted, that giant Catapult ear doesn't do the Howler 1's appearance any favours, but later models weren't that ugly.

View PostTheArisen, on 11 November 2016 - 12:52 AM, said:

I disagree with your mech comparisons but the Howler would be unique and fill a tonnage slot for the clans. However the Piranha is more popular and would fill a more conventional and accepted role.


Except, the Piranha is pretty much a troll mech through and through. The Howler, at least, as a functional role in game.

#5 RestosIII

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The 1 Percent
  • The 1 Percent
  • 7,322 posts
  • LocationDelios

Posted 11 November 2016 - 12:55 AM

Piranha and Fire Moth or bust.

#6 Requiemking

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Solitary
  • The Solitary
  • 2,480 posts
  • LocationStationed at the Iron Dingo's Base on Dumassas

Posted 11 November 2016 - 12:57 AM

View PostRestosIII, on 11 November 2016 - 12:55 AM, said:

Piranha and Fire Moth or bust.

Fire Moth won't get in due to technical limitations, and as I stated before, the Piranha is a troll mech, nothing more, nothing less.

#7 RestosIII

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The 1 Percent
  • The 1 Percent
  • 7,322 posts
  • LocationDelios

Posted 11 November 2016 - 01:08 AM

View PostRequiemking, on 11 November 2016 - 12:57 AM, said:

Fire Moth won't get in due to technical limitations, and as I stated before, the Piranha is a troll mech, nothing more, nothing less.


#1: PGI needs to get its act together with this garbage mess they call an engine at this point anyways, due to how much stuff it limits them on. Still waiting for picture-in-picture for my advanced zoom.

#2: The Piranha is adorable and I won't allow you to besmirch its name.

#3: I mean come on it's called the Piranha!

#8 Appogee

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Ace Of Spades
  • Ace Of Spades
  • 10,967 posts
  • LocationOn planet Tukayyid, celebrating victory

Posted 11 November 2016 - 01:39 AM

LRM Lights...? Seriously, get some self-respect.

#9 Albino Boo

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Shredder
  • Shredder
  • 281 posts

Posted 11 November 2016 - 01:39 AM

A 20 ton lrm boat that's a bit sluggish for a light, no thanks.

#10 El Bandito

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Big Daddy
  • Big Daddy
  • 26,736 posts
  • LocationStill doing ungodly amount of damage, but with more accuracy.

Posted 11 November 2016 - 01:40 AM

View PostRequiemking, on 11 November 2016 - 12:57 AM, said:

the Piranha is a troll mech, nothing more, nothing less.


Posted Image

12 MGs, which translates to 9.6 heatless DPS, is definitely not trolling on a fast Light such as Piranha. In fact, I am fairly certain should Piranha gets released, even comp teams will run it. EmP ran 4xMG Spider-5K to good effect.


View PostRequiemking, on 11 November 2016 - 12:35 AM, said:

For those of us who don't know about this mech, the Howler(also called the Baboon) is a 20 ton Clan Light Battlemech with an interesting role on the battlefield. If you want an ultralight fire-support unit, you would be hard-pressed to find one better than the Howler. The primary model, the Howler-1, comes armed with three LRM5s and three tons of ammo. It lacks backup weapons, but it runs fairly quick for a fire support with a 140 rated engine. The only other model that could be used in game is the Howler-3. This version swaps the LRMs for an ERPPC and a TC.

3. Model: The Howler is a mech who's bodyshape and size would make it perfect for long-range combat, especially the Howler 3. It would be wide and squat compared to the Locust, making it a pain to shoot at from the front, but a fish in a barrel should you be looking down at it.

Now, I know the Howler doesn't have many variants, but we could easily theorycraft a few to fill the gaps.


But we already got wide and squat shaped 35 ton Adder with four missile slots--which is even better fire support.

Edited by El Bandito, 11 November 2016 - 01:44 AM.


#11 Otto Cannon

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 2,689 posts
  • LocationUK

Posted 11 November 2016 - 05:28 AM

Will we get a bright red baboon arse dekkle for it though?

#12 TercieI

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Littlest Helper
  • Littlest Helper
  • 8,170 posts
  • LocationThe Far Country

Posted 11 November 2016 - 07:19 AM

View PostJuodas Varnas, on 11 November 2016 - 12:47 AM, said:

It's really ugly, though.
Posted Image


I believe in Alex.

#13 N0ni

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Nightmare
  • The Nightmare
  • 2,357 posts
  • LocationIn a GTR Simulator Cockpit

Posted 11 November 2016 - 07:26 AM

everything is literally all in the RT though, this is the Zoolander mech that can't poke left

#14 Battlemaster56

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Pack Leader
  • Pack Leader
  • 2,928 posts
  • LocationOn the not so distant moon on Endor

Posted 11 November 2016 - 07:57 AM

Still take the Incubus, be a main contender against the Arctic Cheetos, faster, better high mounts, and more space to play with. Only downside no ecm.


But on the bright side we can name and paint in a succubus theme....

Posted Image

#15 Bombast

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 7,709 posts

Posted 11 November 2016 - 08:04 AM

Posted Image


Tubby little 20 tonner, ain't it?

Of all the potential 20 tonners, I think this is one of the worst. Fluff barren, boring, limited variants and builds, and a non-existent fan base. Pretty much any other 20 tonner I can think of is better.

View PostBattlemaster56, on 11 November 2016 - 07:57 AM, said:

But on the bright side we can name and paint in a succubus theme....
Spoiler



There are no Succubi in Battletech, weirdly enough. No knockers girls allowed I guess.

#16 Juodas Varnas

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Ace Of Spades
  • Ace Of Spades
  • 7,537 posts
  • LocationGrand Duchy of Lithuania

Posted 11 November 2016 - 08:16 AM

View PostBombast, on 11 November 2016 - 08:04 AM, said:


There are no Succubi in Battletech, weirdly enough. No knockers girls allowed I guess.

Are you sure about that?
Posted Image
Erinyes Protomech.
#JustClanThings

#17 Battlemaster56

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Pack Leader
  • Pack Leader
  • 2,928 posts
  • LocationOn the not so distant moon on Endor

Posted 11 November 2016 - 08:23 AM

View PostJuodas Varnas, on 11 November 2016 - 08:16 AM, said:

Are you sure about that?
Posted Image
Erinyes Protomech.
#JustClanThings

I swear half the things I see I swear the people who are making them, are

A:Bored asf
B:On sometype of drugs
C:Both

#18 Bombast

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 7,709 posts

Posted 11 November 2016 - 08:39 AM

View PostJuodas Varnas, on 11 November 2016 - 08:16 AM, said:

Are you sure about that?

Erinyes Protomech.
#JustClanThings


An Erinyes is a Fury, not a Succubus.

This was brought up over in the Battletech forums, I believe. Battletech may be the only fictional universe in which there's an Inccubus, but not a Succubus. Pretty weird, isn't it?

As for the knockers thing, obviously a joke. I mean, there's always been this at the very least (From 1990).

Posted Image

#19 Kasumi Sumika

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Shredder
  • Shredder
  • 1,118 posts
  • LocationFeeding the Fires of Rubicon

Posted 11 November 2016 - 08:47 AM

I only want Incubus and Tiburon for Clan Light

Posted Image Posted Image

#20 Syn Pryde

    Member

  • PipPipPip
  • Mercenary Rank 2
  • Mercenary Rank 2
  • 64 posts

Posted 11 November 2016 - 09:00 AM

regarding the howler: if you can put LRMs in, you can run it with SRMs. i would love a 3 SRM6 20tonner. might even beat the jenner, if you can plant engines. i also would love the Piranha. or the dasher. or the lolcust IIC. we NEED more lights for the clans.

Natasha "Holy ****" Kerensky. yeah ! Nasty rocks !


PS: Incubus & Horned Owl would also rock. but they do not free space in my drop deck.

Edited by Syn Pryde, 11 November 2016 - 09:02 AM.






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users