2487 replies to this topic

[Will9761]

The Phantom, a Mechwarrior 2: GBL Mech. I had to see what kind of variants it has since it was meant to be a heavier Fire Moth in the Home Clans after the Wars of Reaving. I also wanted to see if the variants it had would be viable for MWO and I gotta be honest, I tried to find some good variants for the Phantom and I am not impressed with what I see. This is what I found.

Phantom
Phantom Prime
HD - N/A
CT - N/A
RT - ECM
LT - ER Small Laser, TAG
LA - LRM 5
RA - ER Medium Laser
360 XL = 151/Kph

Phantom A
HD - N/A
CT - ER Medium Laser
RT - LRM 5
LT - LRM 5, ER Small Laser
LA - 2x ER Small Lasers
RA - 2x ER Small Lasers
360 XL = 151/Kph

Phantom B
HD - N/A
CT - ER Medium Laser
RT - ER Small Laser
LT - N/A
LA - SRM 4
RA - SRM 4
360 XL = 151/Kph

Phantom C
HD - N/A
CT - N/A
RT - Flamer
LT - ER Medium Laser
LA - 4x ER Small Laser
RA - 4x ER Small Laser
360 XL = 151/Kph

Phantom J
HD - N/A
CT - Supercharger
RT - Flamer
LT - ER Small Laser
LA - 3x ER Medium Lasers
RA - *Heavy Medium Laser
360 XL = 151/Kph
* The original TT build has a Improved Heavy Medium Laser, but can be replaced by a Heavy Laser.

Phantom L
HD - N/A
CT - N/A
RT - Flamer
LT - N/A
LA - 3x AP Gauss Rifles
RA - Plasma Cannon
360 XL = 151/Kph

So far, the only good variants are the Prime, A, C and J.

Looking at the Phantom and Pouncer, I'd choose the Pouncer over that machine. At least the Pouncer has more weapons (should PGI choose to add either the F or X variant and throw away the Lance), it is a jumper and with the T variant, it has a Supercharger. So there is more uniqueness with the Pouncer there. In my opinion, the Phantom is just a wannabe Ice Ferret (which it was based on to be fair) with more speed.

[Battlemaster56]

Pouncer is the far best 40 tonner to add, I try looking up other the closets is the Battle Cobra but it weapons is limited into the arms and doesn't boat alot of lasers and alot of variants is pretty similar to one another, even it's IS variants is quite limiting.

[Will9761]

If I could will it (no pun intended) when it comes to both Pouncer variants being in MWO, here's how I'd add both the X and F in that game. I'd make them as add-on variants in an instant.

Pouncer X
Due to the fact that the Pouncer has a Lance, I'd compensate that with a ballistic hardpoint and a Machine Gun in the Right Arm (akin to how the Partisan was given a Ballistic hardpoint to make up for the Hatchet and lack of melee), while substituting the Improved Heavy Small Lasers with the regular ones given the current function of the Heavy Lasers.


Pouncer F
With the Pouncer F, I'd substitute the Heavy Flamers and ER Flamers with the Regular ones. I would also add a Clan Targeting Computer to make up for the lack of a Remote Sensor Dispenser.


Honestly, I'd take the X variant over Oren's Pouncer since it has a more defined loadout.

EDIT: I made a mistake with the F and added IS equipment to the variant and missed a Flamer. So I updated it.

Edited by Will9761, 06 October 2025 - 02:52 PM.

[Will9761]

In regards to the Battle Cobra and Crossbow, I can't see them being in this game. When it comes to the former, it's flaw is the fact that all of the weapons are in the arm, meaning that once you pop them off, it's done. The X variant does have an energy hardpoint in the right torso, but that doesn't save the Battle Cobra. The only unique thing about the Battle Cobra are their IS Omni counterparts. For the Inner Sphere, they suffer the same fate with the arms and go at 81/ kph. The only good variant of the IS Battle Cobra is the 2OA variant which mounts an ECM in the CT. As for the Crossbow, it has the same problem as its inspiration with the arm weapons. The only unique variants for the Crossbow are the J variant, which has a Supercharger, the C variant which mounts an ECM hardpoint in the Right Torso and the H variant, which has Ballistic hardpoints in the Side Torsos.

Despite the flaws of these two OmniMechs, I'd feel safer going with a Crossbow because the H Omnipods would give me some much needed backup up in the torsos, I could build upon the J variant given the weapons and with the C variant, I can add some ECM to it. As with the Clan Battle Cobra, there is no MASC, Supercharger, JumpJets nor ECM (unlike its IS Counterpart) to keep it relevant in MWO. Though for the Crossbow J variant, I'd give it jump jets in the legs to compensate for the lack of Talons, but that's just me.

The only other problem I'd see with the Crossbow is that it would play too similar to a Hellbringer.

Edited by Will9761, 06 October 2025 - 06:10 PM.

[Battlemaster56]

I kinda skipped over the crossbow as I found it kinda uninteresting and focus more on the 60 tonner cast which sadly pretty underwheleming I haven't had the time to do a deep check in possible builds in stuff since I've been busy, and I only listed the battle cobra because it's the only 40 tonner clan mech to think off the top my head.

The Arctic Wolf II finds itself the same problem as the Griffin IIC as it shares to much with the original design, and only have two viable build being missile boat, the clan 40 ton category is lacking.

The Loki MkII would be a pack to inculde it offer a variety of builds and the D comes with iJJ's if you want to make it a poptart.

[Will9761]

If I could form a Top 9 list of good Clan Mechs that I could see being in MWO and/or MW5: Clans. These would be the ones I could potentially see, given what PGI are trying to find in both uniqueness and to fit in with MW5: Clans timeline. Normally I would say 10, but since the Fire Moth is in, that's a mech marked down for me (so thanks PGI ). This basically came from hearing about other people's thoughts on these mechs and pulling up MegaMek’s MechLab and finding the TRO Record Sheets.

I also gave three categories of mechs variants based on the chassis.
Common - Variants I see based on the rule of three.
Add-On - Other variants I could see being as a part of the mech pack.
Unique - Variants of Mechs that could do things that could either set it apart making it a legendary or hero mech. Or it could be based on unique opportunities that PGI could act on if they wanted to.

So after thinking about it I could see these mechs belong in MWO and/or MW5 for these reasons:

1. Phoenix Hawk IIC - This mech is a “Banshee IIC” in performance, but better. Not only does this mech have “Shield Arms”, and weapon-mounted torsos but it's also quicker and it carries jump Jets, making it a mobile Assault for its tonnage.

Common Variants: 1,2,3

Add-On Variant(s): 5,7,8

Unique Variants: Phoenix Hawk 10 - Hands down the best variant of the Phoenix Hawk IIC. Not only do you have eight energy hardpoints to work off of (with a head and center torso). You also have Jump Jets for the extra Mobility. Although the design has a Hatchet, PGI could swap it out with a ballistic hardpoint just like the Black Knight Partisan hero to make up for the lack of melee.

2. Kingfisher - When it comes to the Kingfisher, I can see why this design could be in MWO. With this being the first Assault OmniMech to hold a STD Engine and with Center torso weapons this thing can zombie its opponents without having to worry about the hassle of carrying an XL engine.

Common Variants: Prime, A,C

Add-On Variant(s): E, F

Unique Variants: G - This variant has a Supercharger and Energy hardpoint in the CT. So not only do you have a zombie mech, but you also have a fast sprinter. That’s both pretty funny and terrifying

3. Grendel (Mongrel) - The Grendel is one of those OmniMechs that I could see as a prime candidate in MWO/MW5 Clans as a medium mech. It is superior to the Ice Ferret in both Firepower and Mobility due to the Jump Jets. It even has good speed going for it. The B variant even has a CT mount that you could work off of and build upon with other variants.
Common Variants: Prime, A, B
Add-On Variant(s): D,J
Unique Variant(s): G -This variant has it all: jump jets, a supercharger and ECM (in the Left Torso) that is if PGI decides to compensate it for the lack of CEW. You also got 9 energy hardpoints from the arms, torsoes, and head.

4. Pouncer - This is a cross between the Adder and the Nova. A Pouncer can be seen as a faster Nova with jump Jets, the real strength is in the speed which makes it go to 97/kph and you also have the A and D variants that could make it a beast.

Common Variants: Prime, A,B
Add-On Variant(s): C,D,G
Unique Variants: X and F - The X has a supercharger and a Lance for Melee, but could be given a weapon hardpoint to make up for it. F has more weapons as well and both could rival or even do better than the Nova in terms of firepower if the omnipods and variants were mixed well.

I also gotta mention the Pouncer Oren. While it does exist as an ECM variant, there is no proper configuration for it. It would be nice to see how PGI handles it. They could make it an ECM Hardpoint.

5. Fire Falcon - This OmniMech is what happens if you decide to take the Locust IIC and turn it into an Omni. While the Fire falcon OmniMech has an equivalent speed to the Locust IIC, it sports a heavier payload with its loadouts and configurations. Also the fact that it is a Jade Falcon design does give it the potential to be in a mw5 DLC for that clan should PGI choose to do so.

Common Variants: Prime, C, F

Add-On Variant(s): H, T -The H variant has two energy hardpoints in the CT that you could build off when you combine it with the prime and the T variant has a Supercharger variant that you can also use. so you have two of the best variants that you can work off of to make this dominant.

6. Black Python (Viper) - For a 75 toner, this is actually a really solid design. good armor, good speed, good armaments across the variants and it has some unique things about it. For a BattleMech, I can see this being a Timber Wolf in BattleMech form.

Common Variants: 1,2,3

Add-On Variant(s): 4,5

Unique Variant: White Raven - While it’s just an upgraded variant of the Black Python, it needs more to it in order to stand out from the Black Python.


7. Stooping Hawk - This is what happened if The Clans took the Shadow Hawk and instead of making a IIC thought, "Hey we should take the Shadow Hawk and make it into an OmniMech." It's one of the Clan Mechs that has a Clan STD Engine and Jump Jets. Like the Grendel, it also has good variants that can help it become versatile. The prime is self is a good variant to work on and you can use the A and B to give yourself some energy and missile hardpoints respectively. The only bad thing I can see with this is that since the Stooping Hawk is a Homeworld design, I don't know if PGI would be willing to add this into MWO.

Common Variants: Prime, A,B

Add-On Variant(s): C,D, F

8. Wolverine IIC/Conjurer (Hellhound) -Thank goodness that the Shadow Hawk IIC does not overshadow the Conjurer. Each variant has some good hard points that you can give it as well as some really unique options that PGI can do to the mech if they choose to take that opportunity to do so. I can definitely see some potential with the conjurer being in this game.

Common Variants: 1,2, 4

Add-On Variant(s): 7

Unique Variants: 6 and 8 - The Mechwarrior 4 version of the Hellhound has been canonized as a new variant of the Conjurer. This variant does have good weapons going for it also, given the fact that this variant had debuted in 3063 it has some very good time wise weapons that could be used. Now if PGI and or Tiy0s decided to model The Conjurer 6 they could have something good going for it. I could see this as a loyalty reward for people who had bought the Conjurer pack. However that is up for them if they decide they want to do something cool like that. Now as for the 8, that variant has not only a supercharger but an Inner Sphere RAC/5 to boot. Along with jump Jets to help with mobility, As a legendary variant, this would be the second clan variant that has mix Tech in it next to the Noble.

9. Horned Owl (Peregrine) - The Horned Owl, in all purposes could serve as a “Spider IIC” in terms of gameplay. It is not a bad mech in general, but there are some good things to work off of despite being a BattleMech.

Common Variants: 1, 2, 3

Add-On Variants: 4

Unique Variants: 7 aka “Shimafukuro” - I could see this being a Legendary variant due to the Partial Wings. In conjunction with the Champion Apache it could act as a support unit for it.

Edited by Will9761, 26 October 2025 - 12:09 PM.

[Danrapx]

Phoenix hawk iic 10 does not have a super charger nor does it go a slower speed it has the exact same 400xl engine as the other phoenix hawk iics, also the phoenix hawk iic is more of a clan victor crossed with a charger than a banshee. The executioner is the clan banshee. Both being intended as 95 tons scouts

[Will9761]

Thank you for clearing that up. I originally thought that the Phoenix Hawk IIC 10, had a Supercharger.