108 replies to this topic

[Kip Wilson]

Hi all,

I'm interested in hearing what you consider "black sheep" or completely worthless Battlelechs, from an in-universe stand point. You know, the kind of design that even a dispossessed Mechwarrior would say "No thanks, I'd rather stay dispossessed than pilot THAT thing!"

Here are a few off the top of my head.

Urbanmech - pretty mich any variant
Blackjack - BJ-1
Banshee - BNC-3E
Scorpion - Primarilly the SCP-1N model

Personally I find it very fun and challenging to pilot these types of 'mechs, so this isn't just another questionaire on 'mech designs you hate but what the lore describes as generally distained by the vast majority of in-universe Mechwarriors.

Edited by Kip Wilson, 17 February 2012 - 08:21 AM.

[Mechteric]

The blackjack isn't all that terrible, I think I recall it being in MPBT 3025 and doing some serious damage against light mechs.

[MaddMaxx]

CapperDeluxe, on 17 February 2012 - 08:28 AM, said:

The blackjack isn't all that terrible, I think I recall it being in MPBT 3025 and doing some serious damage against light mechs.

Quote

"
Description

The Blackjack was designed by General Motors in a bid for a fire support and counter-insurgency 'Mech. The prototype version of the Blackjack was designed to carry Flamers, but were replaced with two light autocannons in the production version of the 'Mech. In long range engagements, the Blackjack has lackluster performance. Where the 'Mech excels is in close quarters combat because its short ranged weapons, jumping distance of up to one hundred and twenty meters, and heavy armor make it a devastating street fighter.
[edit] Armament

The Blackjack carries two Whirlwind-L Autocannon/2s for long range, direct fire support. These autocannons provide excellent reach at the cost of damage capability. For close combat, the Blackjack has four Intek Medium Lasers. These lasers, when combined with the Blackjacks maneuverability, make the 'Mech very dangerous in an urban setting.

Doesn't sound to bad. A tad slow at 64kph perhaps but in Urban, no worries.

[Saurok]

Like others said, Blackjack is great medium mech. Actually I'd rather pilot it over many other mediums.

[Barantor]

Stock Charger.

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Charger

80 ton scout mech with x5 small lasers....

[Hiroshi Tachibana]

I'd rather have the Banshee than the Charger.

Base Variant (CGR-1A1) Is an 80 ton assault with 5 small lasers. Sure, it can top out a 86.4 kph, but seriously, guys.

EDIT: Darn you, Barantor, you beat me by two minutes.

Edited by Hiroshi Tachibana, 17 February 2012 - 08:44 AM.

[Hiroshi Tachibana]

Since I got beat by Barantor, how's about I mention the Cicada?

It's the medium mech that thinks it's a light.

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Cicada

[Rockhound085]

Yea I would definitly take the Kurita modification to the Charger in the Hanmato for the mech to be of any use.

As for the others I would say the Banshee would be okay, the Urbanmech is a role oriented mech so make of that what you will. The Blackjack has always been a good medium mech and the Scorpion I dont know about him but it is a medium with a PPC, so not too undergunned.

[xMarshallx]

The BlackJack is a prime example of what may be true for the table top game doesn't translate into a video game. Taking AC/2 shots scattered around on table top is very minimal - well placed and consistent shots in a video game and it's a very nice 'Mech.

[Saurok]

The Sniper, on 17 February 2012 - 08:49 AM, said:

The BlackJack is a prime example of what may be true for the table top game doesn't translate into a video game. Taking AC/2 shots scattered around on table top is very minimal - well placed and consistent shots in a video game and it's a very nice 'Mech.

Actually it is other way around. I've never seen AC2 do well in PC games. While in TT it is great sniper weapon against vehicles. Not mention the great firepower of four medium lasers which actually are the main armament of the Blackjack.

[ice trey]

Rockhound085, on 17 February 2012 - 08:49 AM, said:

Yea I would definitly take the Kurita modification to the Charger in the Hanmato for the mech to be of any use.

As for the others I would say the Banshee would be okay, the Urbanmech is a role oriented mech so make of that what you will. The Blackjack has always been a good medium mech and the Scorpion I dont know about him but it is a medium with a PPC, so not too undergunned.

... Have you heard of the liao variant? the 1A5, I think it was called?
They downgrade the engine to a 240, strap on an AC20, some SRM6'es, and a smattering of lasers.
It's terrifying. I'm just glad that the SA5 eventually comes to the DCMS, which is more of the same thing, but with an LB-X version of the Autocannon.

[Hiroshi Tachibana]

Agreed, Saurok.

Even with consistent, accurate fire, you'll just make another battlemech angry. AC/2's are best employed as anti-light armor or direct fire support. If you start plinking at a mech with your AC/2's, trust and believe you're going to get a flight of LRM's or a PPC in your near future.

[EDMW CSN]

The BJ-2 3050 variant of the Blackjack ain't too bad though.
Dual large ER lasers and a quad of Streak SRM-2s.

Not much of a long range plinker like the original but decent.

http://www.solaris7....Info.asp?ID=581

Edited by [EDMW]CSN, 17 February 2012 - 09:09 AM.

[Bluey]

BattleTech tabletop never was so popular in Europe
80 tons with 5 small lasers really looks weird.

Edited by Bluey, 17 February 2012 - 09:09 AM.

[Vexgrave Lars]

The Scorps a good little Mech.

The rest I wouldn't drive.

[Leetskeet]

Hiroshi Tachibana, on 17 February 2012 - 08:47 AM, said:

Since I got beat by Barantor, how's about I mention the Cicada?

It's the medium mech that thinks it's a light.

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Cicada

Though the 3F is apparently after the clan invasion, it looks pretty nice as far as I can tell. Two-hundred and forty meters on jump jets is a long damn way, and an ER PPC with two medium lasers is pretty rockin', The stock mech looks pathetic, horrendously so, but some of the variants look perfectly fine. It's only 40 tons, so it essentially IS a light. Not counting the stock configuration, which I have no idea what they were doing with, I'd pilot it.

Edited by Leetskeet, 17 February 2012 - 09:23 AM.

[Felix Dante]

Sentinel.

Uggg.

[Graefin Zeppelin]

Most impressions people have about mechs is from open maps, move into the middle and slug it out. Sure the Urban mech sucks in such an enviroment.
It needs a dense city map for the Urban mech to shine and in those it is an amazing mech.

[EDMW CSN]

Felix Dante, on 17 February 2012 - 09:27 AM, said:

Sentinel. Uggg.

Hey, it can thump it's own chest with it's fist to clear ammo jams
Not to mention bro-fisting.

[Neovenator]

My vote would be for the Ostscout http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Ostscout

In the tabletop game is was fairly useless, it was fast but underpowered (single med laser) and ugly as sin.

Maybe a mech like this would do better in MWO with the electronic warfare system they have planned but I wouldn't hold my breath.