12 of the BEST clan mechs! (by role)

[@andrewbuhagiar2663]

You mentioned semi-guided LRM ammo with the Nova Cat B but the Battlemech Manual lists them as being Inner Sphere only. Guess I'll "just" have to live with Clan LRM launchers being half the weight and having no minimum range.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@andrewbuhagiar2663 lol I feel like Clans could pretty easily steal the tech.

[@ObiwanNekody]

​@@TheManyVoicesVA the problem is it breaks Zellbrigen, not that they can't make the tech. So you IS guys would have no problem loading those OP death dealers up in those ammo bins..

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@ObiwanNekody Anything to beat those filthy clanners! War isn't a game. (Despite the fact Battletech is :P) Clans stop using Zell after a while. The IS doesn't deserve the honor.

[@Xeno426]

So, you can use IS ammo in a Clan launcher (and visa versa), but you use the most restrictive rules for them. So using SG ammo in a Clan LRM means you have the 6 hex min range.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 thanks for the heads up! I thought that was the case.

[@clockworkseal2135]

Despite clan culture dictating otherwise, I've always been a member of the cult of the IICs (hunchback not included). Just a bunch of great mechs that are decently armored and punch above their weight, stuff like the Griffin IIC, Shadowhawk IIC, and Conjurer that all scoot around the battlefielf at 6/9/6 with great weapon loadouts, all sitting at the 1600-1800 bv range. To say nothing of bricks lile the guillotine IIC.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@clockworkseal2135 You will like my next video :)

[@Xeno426]

Well, a lot of the older IICs were the more "standard" mechs until the omnis started showingup.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 2nd line mechs are better than omnis in a BV system usually.

[@collynbertin3260]

Always been a fan of the ebon jaguar, the nova, and stormcrow, and fire moth. Either lots of speed or lots of weapons or both :). Who needs armor if they are vaporized before they can do much

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@collynbertin3260 lol the dasher is literally the definition of glass cannon. That speed can keep it alive tho

[@77professional]

Oh my sweet Viper Prime! You have never let me down. It does not even look uniquely special on paper but everything about just works.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@77professional It is a great flanker. The pulse lasers are so sweet heh.

[@Xeno426]

The C is an even better backstabber if you're running Rapid Fire rules for MGs. Also super cheap in BV. Personally, I like the A. Run up, blast with the ERMLs, jump behind a hill to cool off.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 rapid fire MGs can overheat your mech *fast* lol.

[@Xeno426]

@@TheManyVoicesVA That's why you use the 8 jump to hop away.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 oh very true! Jump out of LOS to cool off for a turn. Units like the Dragonfly tend to have to do sort of strafing run attacks anyways lol.

[@AronFigaro]

Warhawk C is still the king of Clan battle line for me.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@AronFigaro that thing is scary hoooooly. 3K BV is *alot* though. But ya that thing is definitely nuts. I guess it's a 4-3-4-3 firing pattern unless you get great shots on your cooldown turn.

[@ObiwanNekody]

The PPCs have a lot to say.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@ObiwanNekody Warhawk says: "RIDE THE LIGHTNING MOTHAF***A!!!"

[@AronFigaro]

@@TheManyVoicesVA Yep. 3K BV is a lot and you definitely have to consider that, because you can't afford to get screwed on initiative.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@AronFigaro Id be more concerned about headshots. Clans are super vulnerable to a lucky headcap or even just a bad seatbelt check. Putting all your points in 1 mech is dangerous.

[@gilbat1]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the black python. Sure, it's very much a "I'm prepared to lose friends for this" mech, but so is the rifleman IIC and that made the cut. A 5/8/5 pulse laser boat with targeting computer is so disgusting you can't help but respect the sheer audacity (and cruelty) of the designer who came up with it.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@gilbat1 it's not available to IS clans in the clan invasion, actually. Only homeworld clans have it. It will be in the next video ;)

[@gilbat1]

@@TheManyVoicesVA Huh, I didn't know that. Though I guess it makes sense given none of the snake clans were involved in the invasion.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@gilbat1 ya it's weird right? Kinda makes me wanna do a homeworlds clan battle.

[@zlvoyevoda]

Timber Wolf S might just be what I need to outmaneuver a bunch of light mechs later this week.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@zlvoyevoda It is a great mech! It's like a massive Wolverine.

[@Xeno426]

@@TheManyVoicesVA Even had a game where my opponent was surprised when I jumped behind him to unleash an unholy load of Acid SRM rounds into his shiny Ferro-Fibrous Mad Dog's back. And no, we weren't using hidden sheet rules. He just hadn't thought to check because no other Timber Wolf has JJs.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 hahaha. The TC variant is nastier and has JJs. It isnt the BV bargain that the Timby S is tho. A 75 ton mech that jumps 5 is pretty surprising tho lol

[@eezaak21]

Personally, I think the best Nova Cat is the 3 x ER LL and 2 x ER PPC version. Yes, I know it runs stupidly hot....but it was so cool in Mechwarrior 4.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@eezaak21 great if you like shutting down lol.

[@jamesc.7216]

What is all this? SRM boat Timber Wolf with tandem warheads? LRM spam Nova Cat? Using a Viper Prime? I have always had a soft spot for the Nova Cat since Mechcommander let me fit one with jump jets, an Improved Heavy Gauss (SLDF Rail Gun), and cERPPCs. Ran around one 'stealth' mission sniping all the guards dead in a single salvo each and dissappearing into the hills before they could catch me. I prefer the Mad Dog A for deleting opponents with SRMs. 36 tandem warheads would almost certainly dissapear a target.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@jamesc.7216 ouch lol. Ya well the Timby has a good mix of mobility, armor, and long-mid-short range weapons. It's deadly as hell at all ranges except long. Great crit seeking, good hole punching, big melee damage, jump jets, it's got it all.

[@briank2633]

The list I consider the best in each of these categories: Back stabber: Dasher H, it's insanely fast and can kill assaults in one or two attacks in the rear arch with its 9 heavy small lasers. It's armor is practically nonexistent but with it's run of 15(20 w/ masc) it can just easily move into safe positions until it's ready to move behind an enemy unit, drop off it's battle armor and blast them in the back. All at 779 BV Cavalry: It's a toss up for me, but I'd say the shadow cat M. It's really fast and as long as you keep the enemy in the far end of medium range of it's clan large pulses, it is next to impossible to hit with it's high tmm while still landing most of it's own shots. Brawler: Easily the Stone rhino 6. It's fairly short range but once it is in optimal range it has a brutal alpha strike with it's 14 clan med pulse lasers. I once cored a fresh highlander with one. Admittedly that many 7s in one set was pretty lucky but still the mech stings real hard. Sniper: It's a toss up for me, either the Super Nova 4 with it's 4 clan large pulses + targeting computer (and long range buff if you play with quirks) or the Kraken 3 with it's 8 clan lrm 15s.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@briank2633 these are all good ones! Thanks for the suggestions :)

[@Mr._Anderpson]

The Galahad can also flip its arms into its rear arc for running & gunning.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Mr._Anderpson it's a rifleman, they all can! Lol. You cannot escape the gaze of the Sombreromen.

[@Willydjable]

I've always liked the Clan Locust with a stealth attachment. Once you hose out the remains of the genetically modified weirdo from the cockpit that is 😂

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Willydjable stealth mechs with high speed are really annoying to deal with lol

[@matthewpena3932]

You have some really neat choices here, great good for thought.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@matthewpena3932 Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@Xeno426]

Gargoyle Prime is also a beast when running with Called Shot rules.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 "have some seatbelt checks."

[@Xeno426]

@@TheManyVoicesVA Was thinking about loading up clusters, putting a 3 or even 2 Gunnery in the seat (possible with that 1500 BV cost), and taking the +3 hit to say "shooting high" so that all your pellets roll on the Punch table.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 hahaha yes. Aim for those headshots! Even better if you can get cluster hitter SPA in a campaign...

[@EdmondHiggins]

Good video again. There are some bangers in there. I would like to see a new Phantom mini, even the 3d prints I have seen are, meh.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@EdmondHiggins it's a nice lookin mech. Sleek and chunky at the same time somehow haha.

[@Andrewlik]

Reccomend me the worst clan mechs for the BV. I want to flex my skills by destroying people with jank

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Andrewlik probably the hellbringer. Or anything with jump jets and MASC like the Shadow Cat.

[@derekburge5294]

I'm partial to the B when it comes to Dragonflies. Bit of a one-trick pony, but what a trick it is!

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@derekburge5294 it's good but it's so expensive lol. Clan ERPPCs with massive modifiers on them end up being like the cost of an IS light mech.

[@NotMyGoogleID]

Valuable info, especially when the Mechwarrior 5: Clans is coming out in few days

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@NotMyGoogleID oooh very true. I feel like slower designs will be better. They were on the IS side in my experience.

[@A88mph]

Fenris D is a favorite of mine: The power and armor of a medium mech with the speed of a Locust.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@A88mph the G is one of my favorites Ice Ferrets. Great budget mech with lots of utility. Many Ice Ferrets are ungodly expensive. 4 medium pulses are pretty nice tho

[@zorhamorningstar3862]

"Kicking" is a dezgra tactic favored by Inner Sphere Barbarians ...

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@zorhamorningstar3862 When in barbarian lands, do as the barbarian does! Lol. The Clans' unwillingness/inexperience at H2H heavy metal combat was one of the things that let the IS win.

[@Xeno426]

Wait until the Dark Ages, when the Jade Falcons start putting Talons on lots of their mechs. The only use of those things is to increase the damage of kicks and DFAs. The Ghost Bears also start putting melee weapons on some designs, even omnimechs. The Karhu for instance has Retractable Blade on two configs, one of which is the Prime.

[@Xeno426]

@@TheManyVoicesVA To be fair, with their advantage of range, that was something they didn't often need to engage with.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 it's more the maneuverability. IS likes to fight at point blank. Their weapons are all shorter range. Clan heavies are often as fast as IS mediums tho.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 talons are super broken OP as well. Kicks are already the best melee attack. Making them stronger is war crime level cheese. Removing legs is among the easiest ways to make a mech nearly useless without actually killing it.

[@andresabourin2423]

I love clan mechs so much :')

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@andresabourin2423 I'm still a sucker for IS designs, but the clans definitely have the edge on tech!

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

The Rifleman IIC for 2307 BV is nasty. Too bad a lot of scenaios wont let you take that much pulse weaponry. That Nova Cat was a decent variant. Not so hot and kinda cheap for the weight.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@MrDmitriRavenoff ya the MRC straight bans some of these designs... for good reason lol. The UAC2 design aint half bad as a heavy cavalry mech though. Lots of armor for cheap.

[@TrailblazerBT]

That Mad Cat illustration is wild, what's it from?

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@TrailblazerBT the Battletech card game lol. It's on Sarna. The only image of the Timby S I could find.

[@TrailblazerBT]

@@TheManyVoicesVA They had some great illustrations for some of those cards and then some crazy ones

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@TrailblazerBT they are definitely very cool :)

[@rmcdudmk212]

Can't argue with this list. All my favorite clan mechs are here. 👍

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@rmcdudmk212 any of them I missed? The Thor or Nova perhaps? Lol.

[@rmcdudmk212]

@@TheManyVoicesVA I always need more Marauder in my life IIc or otherwise. 😂

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@rmcdudmk212 the Marauder IIC is also pretty scary lol.

[@rmcdudmk212]

@@TheManyVoicesVA the fact they consider it a second line mech proves the clans where fighting with one arm tied behind their backs IMO. 👍

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@rmcdudmk212 more like 1 active brain cell... putting honor before victory in war is insane.

[@dennismaddox3869]

I missed the Warhawk C where was it? Cant go wrong with Warkhawk C price is not an issue to toss fifty down town for a lil heat build up.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@dennismaddox3869 it's a little pricey on BV, and is sort of like an Awesome but not as good at heat sinking lol. It's a decent mech though. I will consider it for next time.

[@dennismaddox3869]

​@@TheManyVoicesVAwell if the Rifleman wants to hit on this sweet numbers the Warhawk gets with his LPL's he'll be paying a BV tax and be around 2800. Mechs with TC are like free BV as you know.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@dennismaddox3869 that is true. 4 overheat tho is spicy :/

[@dennismaddox3869]

@@TheManyVoicesVA Its worth it firing at a modified 3/2 with a bargain Clanner behind the stick. Keep the lights off him and wins the shoot out.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@dennismaddox3869 ya it's definitely a nasty sniper. 50 pinpoint damage is pretty nasty.

[@lasombra120680]

No Black Lanner? She's my p4p queen in Clan Mechs. So amazing for it's size and weight. BV reflects such though.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@lasombra120680 the Black Lanner is a dangerous 55 tonner. But yes, the BV is insanely high. Similar to the Shadow Cat.

[@lasombra120680]

@@TheManyVoicesVA I've been playing the battletech game from catalyst with the battle tech advanced mod. Hands down the best reconnocence platform i've ever used. I keep it very simple, C ER PPC and 2x C ER mids. C-ECM and C3I. So good.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@lasombra120680 oooh baby. That sounds super fun! Do u use stealth armor? Stealth snipers seem really strong. I keep meaning to start my new let's play with BTAU, just havent gotten around to editing the 1st couple videos.

[@lasombra120680]

@TheManyVoicesVA I have not tbh. I find that the movement up to 7 evasion pips? Outstanding. That is a downright filthy suggestion and I am writing that down 😆

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@lasombra120680 hehehehe. Doesnt it have bonus evasion as its quirks as well? Just a brutal unit.

[@Based_Lord_Humongous]

12:17 I didn't think Semi Guided could be used on Clan launchers, since it's Inner Sphere ammo so it would have the minimum range?

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Based_Lord_Humongous I'm not entirely sure. I'll have to look into it.

[@ObiwanNekody]

@@Based_Lord_Humongous Clanners don't have Semi guided, it's a cultural thing.

[@Xeno426]

If IS ammo is used in a Clan launcher, it uses the most restrictive values for it (and visa versa). So SG in a Clan LRM will have a min range of 6. If you're running a campaign with CamOps, the ammo is also considered B grade without techs spending ~30 minutes to modify it (and that's 30 min per tonne of ammo). B-grade ammo has a chance of blowing up if your to-hit roll is low enough.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@Xeno426 oh. That is concerning lol

[@Based_Lord_Humongous]

@@Xeno426 I am going to assume all of that came out of Campaign Operations?

[@ObiwanNekody]

I find your lack of PPC disturbing.

[@ObiwanNekody]

(I will admit that the Clan ERRPPC probably isn't great for the BV, especially with the clan mechs speed multiplayers)

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@ObiwanNekody Clan Gauss is kinda nice hehehe.

[@ObiwanNekody]

@@TheManyVoicesVA Clan Gauss: 320 + 40 per ton ammo, so 400 typical. Also that explosion derating... 412 for the Clan ERPPC 317 for IS HPPC 165 for a Snub Yeah, Clan ERPPC is a bit pricey. Two of the most broken BV weapons to compare: 123 IS Large Variable Speed Pulse Laser 265 Clan Large Pulse Laser Considering that the IS LVSPL is the same or better than the IS LPL to 8 hexes and can be used to 15, it seems pretty wrong that it's just 4 BV more. I also never, ever get frustrated that the Snubby is pretty much strictly worse, but costs more BV, than the LVSPL. Nope, this never frustrates me.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@ObiwanNekody the snub PPC is very good IMO. The LVSPL is also very nice. The medium VSP is very good tho. 9 damage at close range on a fast unit is scary AF.

[@ObiwanNekody]

​​@@TheManyVoicesVAlooking it up, the IS Large Laser has the same BV as the IS LVSPL. Seriously game designers? WTF? And yes, I love the Snubby. I think it's BV is probably fairly accurate... At least I don't feel mechs with Snubbys always over perform like clpl or vslpl (I haven't tried vsmpl yet, but it does seem super good for the BV; the two times I have fought against them I mulched the mech that had them first)

[@ObiwanNekody]

Whoops, wrong era Supernova 4 is much better than the Rifleman IIC Standard at keeping friends away. The BV is a fair chunk more tho.

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@ObiwanNekody Budget mechs are a rarity in the Clans lol.

[@Xeno426]

@@TheManyVoicesVA But the C-bill cost is incredible. IIRC, the Ghost Bears build it, which makes their garrisons fucking horrifying to face since they can pump those things out for less than 10 million C-bills worth of labor. I know that doesn't have much impact on actual games, but in-universe that makes the mech a powerhouse for what it costs the clan to make. Combined with the Ursus, Ghost Bear garrisons might be slow moving (only 4/6), but hit like a truck. ...which is why the Mars should have been a Ghost Bear vehicle. Which is what it was when first designed, only being made a Wolf vee shortly prior to publication of the TRO. It doesn't even fit in with the Wolve's doctrine at the time!

[@ObiwanNekody]

​@@Xeno426it also has standard armor, so patching it up isn't particularly expensive either.

[@mathewkelly9968]

Micro pulse lasers in the Clan Invasion era ? I think not that's 3060 tech devious alright although I'd call a spade a spade and call you a cheat

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@mathewkelly9968 the Clan invasion era lasts until 3061. It was introduced in 3061 :P like the Nova Cat it's *technically* a clan invasion mech despite being a late arrival haha.

[@mathewkelly9968]

@@TheManyVoicesVA fair enough , although I'd argue the Clan "Invasion" ended at Tukayyid .

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@mathewkelly9968 I just go by what MUL tells me :P I thought the same actually until I looked it up.

[@mathewkelly9968]

@@TheManyVoicesVA it seems very problematic to me ending it at 61 , just enough for the Clans to get extra toys but cuts off the Inner Sphere response with things like plasma rifles , MMLs , the full bevy of ERs and LB-Xs etc .

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@mathewkelly9968 the end of Clan supremacy marks the end of their era? Seems fitting to me.

[@rabebaer9536]

I hear "ilclan", I close video! ❤

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@rabebaer9536 lol these are all clan invasion era designs. (Some are from 3060ish, but by MUL's definition are technically clan invasion era still) but many of these are good right up to ilclan era. Like I would still use the Phantom or Dragonfly in the 3100s. They're great designs.

[@mathewkelly9968]

All these are pure cheese , if you take them all you should be ashamed of yourself

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@mathewkelly9968 lol yep. They're great designs to win games. Most of these are banned in my play group for most events.

[@ObiwanNekody]

That's the heart of the Clan 😊

[@TheManyVoicesVA]

@@ObiwanNekody They all need regulary coronary bypasses lol.

[@ObiwanNekody]

​@@TheManyVoicesVAnonsense. By the time the cheese catches up to them, they are so old that they are actively courting death. Mid 30's, possibly even older.