Battletech/Mechwarrior Lore : The THOR/SUMMONER

Tex Talks Battletech is a new series where Tex talks Battletech, Battletech lore, history, and mech combat in the glorious 31st Century. Avast Clanners, its Fightin' time. No guts. No Galaxy.
Editing Guru - The Mad Asgardian
George Ledoux - www.georgeledoux.com/
Music: EPIDEMIC SOUND ATTRIBUTION
Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound www.epidemicsound.com

[@MagusSartori]

"If you're going to die to ammunition explosions you might as well be seen from orbit" Laughs in Vulture

[@theblackpantslegion]

True. Very true.

[@dubuyajay9964]

Except CASE is standard gear in Clan Mechs?

[@MagusSartori]

@@dubuyajay9964 true. I was just thinking about my favorite vulture load out with so many LRMs packed in there that an alpha strike will take you from cold, past emergency thermal shutdown, and straight to the edge of a core meltdown. All in one pull of the trigger

[@WolfHreda]

@@MagusSartori I built an Annihilator in MechWarrior 3 that turned into a nuclear warhead if I did an alpha strike. 7 ER PPCs. It was amazing.

[@PeferG17]

@@WolfHreda that's like a Direstar but with less PPCs...

[@Symos]

If you thought Malthus's depiction in the cartoon was bad, you should hear how the canon character reacted to the holovid series based on him. Basically challenged the makers to a Trial of Greivence, something FedCom did not acknowledge so attempted a libel suit. He tried issuing a batchal to the judge and did 6 months in a fedcom prison. His career took a major nosedive after that

[@thenugget1991]

@@banthisyoutube4552 yup. The humor is there.

[@Colonel_Overkill]

Well, the majesty metals and manufacturing production PPC is called the Parti-Kill PPC. Just let that one sink in....

[@fanusobscurus4309]

Even better? He actually had a Jade Falcon lawyer with him who was fully prepared to make an actual legal case of it. The moment he leapt at the judge, he just started shaking his head and agreed the show truly did nail him.

[@theduchyofmilanball3157]

Smartest clanner vs dumbest IS citizen

[@katherineberger6329]

​@@Colonel_Overkill For everything from Scotch tape to extended-range particle projection cannons, 3M is there!

[@PerpetualGM]

"Because some of you are Jade Falcons, and don't like anything." Tries to summon outrage..."No, that is pretty much accurate. Carry on."

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

When I was a kid and all I knew about Battletech was from Mechwarrior 2: 31st century combat, I really liked Jade Falcon. Because I liked their logo better than Clan Wolf. I got better.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@thegardenofeatin5965 You mean you got worse and joined Clan Gary Stu? Until the writers realize they don't want the clans running the Inner Sphere? Then they lose their plot armor?

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

​@@dubuyajay9964 Back when I was into Battletech Roleplay I was Clan Coyote. Battletech is such a pulpy, campy, over the top rule of cool ridiculous setting that the term Mary Sue is almost meaningless. Everyone in the setting is either a hypercompetent badass or a mustache twirling megalomaniac. Clan Wolf has basic planning ahead skills among the walking temper tantrums that are the Crusader clans, of course they're going to come out ahead. If there is a Mary Sue in the setting, it's Kai Allard-Liao. He shares the Blood of Kerensky series with such characters as Phelan Kell, Ulric Kerensky, Jaime Wolf, Theodore Kurita, Hanse Davion, but no one gets to stop the story cold and receive tongue baths for ten minutes, not even mother loving Natasha Kerensky. Blood Legacy was just an excuse to get all the main characters and their kids together in one room on Outreach so they could lick Kai's boots.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@thegardenofeatin5965 Tongue baths. Blech. 🤢🤮

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

@@dubuyajay9964 have you read the Blood of Kerensky trilogy?

[@brianhenry152]

7:40 "If you're going to die by ammunition explosion you might as well be seen from orbit!" LMFAO

[@Prich319]

Too bad clan mechs have CASE as standard equipment.

[@realDubb]

Prich319 beat me to it :-)

[@zachelkins1229]

@@Prich319 clan omnis only get it built it, their regular battlemechs still have to buy it. (might be wrong, but pretty sure that's the case under current rules) Still stands for the example at hand.

[@Prich319]

@@zachelkins1229 Nope, clan battlemechs get free CASE too. You might be thinking of CASE II, which does have to be added to a mech regardless of faction.

[@mattk6719]

That's how I roll... apparently.

[@Maddog3060]

"KZbin has declared war on fun". Oh how true that is.

[@NodDisciple1]

Gonna get worse after Dec 10. Because a FTC reg passed to protect kids from grubby advertisers is instead going to backfire and make the plebs suffer...as usual.

[@frankg2790]

Yeah, KZbin is throwing content creators under the bus instead of actually cleaning up their mess.

[@gigaslave]

Someone in KZbin is LARPing as Comstar.

[@kelvincasing5265]

It’s a company run by a bunch of quasi religious fanatics. Comstar’s annoying too.

[@kitirena_koneko]

No, they've just declared war on anyone who isn't a huge corporation making tons of money for them.

[@SheyD78]

I do love to hear an IS fan talk about the Clans. There was one advantage they didn't have though. Size. The inner sphere is really, really big and quantity has a quality all of its own. I love the idea of a Thor entering a city for an objective only to be mobbed by 11 Urbies with AC20's. TRASHCANS UNITE!!!!.

[@mikecampos1193]

I think that probably happened.

[@ShadowknightEX]

It doesn’t hurt that many IS mechs are just… Reliable. Sure you can have something as scary as an Atlas (which is still reliable to be fair) But you got stuff like the Catapult and the Marauder that were easy to maintain and easy to modify to your needs, as well as had weapons that were effective no matter the situation, and the sheer number of inner sphere personnel that could pilot them at any given moment, meant that tech superiority would only hold out for so long. Sure the Mad Cat and it’s relatives are quite frankly very effective at what they do. But one cat can be taken down by a few Catapults or Marauders. Or One Awesome (which costs about a third of the Price of a Mad Cat.) God I love the Awesome.

[@andrewboyer7544]

@@ShadowknightEX It was really well named. It truly is Awesome. I always get excited to swap out the heat sink for doubles and er-ppc and then it's even more awesome...

[@jasongrinstead6269]

@@andrewboyer7544 Double heatsinks on an Awesome are da bomb, indeed. My personal thing has been swapping out for as many ER pulse lasers as I can fit in the thing for, as Tex calls it.. disco death mode. The light show just keeps going until we see which is gonna give out first.. my overheat cutout or their face.

[@andrewboyer7544]

@@jasongrinstead6269 for that role I gotta say the Battlemaster Wubmaster, the Thunderbolt Thunderwub, or the Warhawk... Wubhawk are my go to rave machines. I have used the awesome in that capacity too and I like it, it just feels so good to blast stuff from sensor range in it.

[@Apocal43]

"Model E is chock full of Advanced Tactical Missiles with an ER PPC for backup. When you have an ER PPC for backup purposes, you're talking about a Clan 'mech." 10/10

[@theblackpantslegion]

Its true

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

Aff.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

@@theblackpantslegion Sadly only clanners can afford to use ERPPCs as backup....

[@barrybend7189]

@@sheilaolfieway1885 laughs in VF-17 Nightmare from Macross. Its got 4 beam guns( 2 in the elbows and 2 chest mounted), a Gatling gun with a beam cannon for backup.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

@@barrybend7189 You can't cross universes like that... VOId NULL NULL

[@DarwinsPigeon]

"Clan Coyote Space Magic" is now part of my vocabulary. Thank you.

[@theblackpantslegion]

welcome

[@KylenPhylar]

As a Clan Coyote fan, this is an apt description of Omnimech technology.

[@thepbg8453]

As a mech tech in a BattleTech RP I can say this is a accurate description of how all us inner sphere mech techs feel.

[@ineednochannelyoutube5384]

@@thepbg8453 Oh, please dont pretend the Catapult doesnt exist.

[@chrisjones7594]

Your welcome.

[@arisakathedappergoose4796]

"because any light scout mech needs to die in one trigger pull" I felt that... XD

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

Nicolai Malfus: *He lost a batchall after he successfully destroyed his opponent's mech.* He lost so hard that the entire series ended afterwards, and was retroactively made into Inner Sphere propaganda. It is physically impossible to lose any harder than that, that your defeat effectively undoes your entire existence.

[@Furluge]

And yet he himself did manage to lose harder than that because he then later came back to sue the Tharrkad broadcasting company in court for defamation over the cartoon. And he lost.

[@ungooy]

Wait what??? How??

[@z3r0_35]

@@ungooy He got captured, learned about how lawsuits work, and then tried to issue a batchal to the fucking JUDGE when he lost his temper. At some point he managed to escape from custody, returned to Clan Jade Falcon, and died in battle. Also, by all accounts he mellowed out quite a bit once he returned, because by then he decided to stop abusing Enhanced Imaging.

[@DarthT15]

@@z3r0_35 No, He threatened the judge after the Jurist refused his 'Batchall', and according to Legends, he ended up a far humbler guy before his death.

[@Gigadramon6]

@@DarthT15 Well, "threatened" in the same way that a Trial of Refusal is a "threat." ToR is basically the Clan equivalent of appealing to a higher court.

[@emptank]

Yes Aidan Pryde died fighting Comstar. But to his credit, he pulled so much batshit crazy stunts during the battle of Tukayyid and killed so many soldiers of the comguard that at the end of fight, despite the fact that Jade Falcon hadn't taken any of their objectives, even Fotch himself had to admit that Comstar hadn't beaten Jade Flacon, just survived them. The man was so badass that he turned an outright defeat into a draw.

[@williambryant6175]

Not to mention he went from pariah to paragon solely for the sheer amount of space AT&T ‘mechs he killed while essentially standing still in a messed up ‘mech

[@lornbaker1083]

@@williambryant6175 it was only a draw because Comstar realized if they wanted to truly Crush Jade Falcon they would have to dedicate other forces which were more better purposed in their current battlefields. Kind of like trying to pull away some of your Left Flank Defenders to reinforce your front line even though you know that those your Left Flank Defenders are facing are just as dangerous as those at your Frontline you need to make the choice at which point are you going to get the best benefit for the least amount of material losses.

[@evangilbert5251]

True, but they also couldn't exactly afford much reinforcements in that way; they were socking it Cats and Jaguars at the same time (roughly) and likewise barely ended up *surviving* the fight with Cats, and nearly lost both objectives there. Jaguars they had a solid plan on and that worked well; I think the only places they could really pull reinforcements from would be Bears and Sharks once that wrapped up. And both of those clans largely noped out/weren't exactly playing to win 100% like the Falcons, Wolves, Jaguars, and Cats were. And correspondingly, the Jaguars and Cats basically broke themselves into pieces because they failed really hard at the objectives.

[@OllinWilliams]

Aidan Pryde wasn't a badass, he was a space Nazi marysue.

[@joedoe7041]

@@OllinWilliams I need salt so cry more Surat

[@Vidve]

Aiden Pryde might've gotten stomped by Space AT&T, but he did kill an entire company of them by himself first. That does put him into the Certifiable Badass Mechwarriors department for me.

[@hydewhyte4364]

Without targetting. Being fed coordinates orally over the radio no less.

[@sypoth]

Don't forget he was pushed into it when the life of his Daughter/Niece who he has never known about until that point was in danger. Truly a Space New Jersey Chad. No that wasn't sarcastic he truly is a certified badass, it's just unfortunate that his legacy/successor was the result of the Jersey Past Time.

[@mattk6719]

08:56 "6 SRM-4s Because light scout mechs need to die in one pull of the trigger!" 😂🤣 I was in tears laughing!

[@patrickcoyle5469]

From page 86 of the newly-released BattleTech Legends, the entry on Nicolai Malthus: "Adam Steiner went on to become Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth, and was lionized in a holodrama that depicted Malthus as a screaming, bumbling idiot. In 3063, Malthus demanded a Trial of Grievance against Steiner and the production company, claiming that their inaccurate portrayal of him cost his status as a Jade Falcon. Informed that he would have to file the proper paperwork in Lyran courts to obtain a trial, Malthus inadvertently found himself in the middle not of a Circle of Equals, but a most unusual lawsuit. The case was eventually thrown out of court, and Malthus was detained for threatening the judge after the jurist refused his batchall." Amazing.

[@robrib2682]

That's great, if that's how it canonically went down that would be like a bronze age warrior being thrown out of a modern court for getting mad at the judge and threatening to stab him

[@RaithSienar]

The Timberwolf is the Protagonist mech for everyone but Jade Falcon, hence why Aidan got killed when he piloted one, he became a Red Shirt the second he wasn't in his SUMMONER.

[@dubuyajay9964]

And he ignores that even then, he still killed 100 freebirth mech jocks (1/19 of the enemy force!) first and only sacrificed himself to save his stravag daughter-mere minutes after finding out from his former fuckbuddy/friend with benefits that they conceived her from one night of passion. But, that is why Adian Pryde is a LEGEND! Quiaff?

[@jhousdan]

Redshirt, my ass. How many mechs did he lay low even as his mech was essentially shutting down around him, with an invalid star colonel talking him on to targets from above?

[@Joeofthemasks]

What is this 'Timberwolf' and 'Summoner' you speak of?

[@stormtempterf8058]

@@dubuyajay9964 Dont forget they were part of the same sibko, so thats his incest spawn he was protecting XD

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@stormtempterf8058 But are they blood kin tho? Kek.

[@56bturn]

Malthus is actually real. He got captured in the war, and apparently got upset with his portrayal in the show, and challenged (I forgot who) to a duel over it. He was laughed at, told to get a lawyer like anyone else in the Inner Sphere, and then apparently tried to challenge the Judge. He later died after becoming a bit nicer and laying down his life fighting against The Society during the Wars of Reaving.

[@sypoth]

Tukayid broadcasting and the head of Steiner. It was a trial of Grievance and it landed him in prison for a while which helped cool his head and turn am already skilled and dangerous Mechwarrior into a much better soldier.

[@PeachDragon_]

He had an actual lawyer but he literally couldn't contain himself during the trial and challenged the judge

[@touch_of_cobalt]

Okay, so hearing Duncan Fischer again blew my mind, but I subscribed after the Urban Mech video; a lot of fans tend to skip the light mech videos, and I think that's a mistake. A lot of these videos have heart, which you don't get in a some channels. Every time one goes out it's make or break for this guy, and I admire the heck out that.

[@Tekisasubakani]

Hahah just saw this, I can hear that quote in my mind. Love it!

[@Daytonaman675]

That was perfection. Also long live Duncan Fisher

[@Ghorum]

This was wholesome. Time to start a new MW4 game

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

Let Duncan do the quotes, dude :P. Sometimes the KZbin moderators look at me strangely, Sheila, they say, there's more to life than fun. Frankly it's like they speak a different language, the words make sense individually ,but put them together and it's complete nonsense...

[@shawnadams1460]

11:45 "Before he got Curb Stomped by Space AT&T for not paying his bills" OMG I literally had to get a new keyboard at work because my coffee is everywhere right now.... The Clan Coyote Space Magic was GOLD as well! Look, I have lived and loved the Battletech universe since its inception to the point that we actually had a club to play the tabletop at high school. Aiden Pryde was one of my favorite characters and I still use the Pryde blood name in MWO. Not only that, I got stationed at Great Lakes IL for Bootcamp and A-School while in the Navy back in the mid 90's and they had a Battletech Center there where you got into pods, if you have never seen them they were absolutely fantastic and we played against teams from all over....God I think of how much money I spent there ...anyways great vid and keep them coming, you have a new subscriber!!!

[@theblackpantslegion]

Thanks for sharing, I have a similar experience in terms of battletech. I remember the pods and tabletop well. I remember so many damn fine times, chaos, madness, and clan stomping goodness.

[@Hengebobs]

The pods were awesome, sadly the battle tech center in San Diego went out of business not long after I got stationed at pendleton. Not my fault, pretty much gave them my entire pay check every weekend...

[@shawnadams1460]

@@Hengebobs Yeah i feel you there, that mall between the Pods and the Irish bar on the first floor took our paychecks each weekend too! Never did understand why they went under, it was always packed.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

@@shawnadams1460 rent hikes? Maintenance fees? Owners cashing out?

[@douglasnelson4592]

GENCON has those pods every year.

[@thomascruise4966]

OMFG, I haven't laughed so hard in conjunction with BattleTech in a good while. "You lost, Clanners. You lost. You had every conceivable edge, and you lost." Your voice is golden for this shit! 🤣

[@gigaslave]

Amusingly the Jade Falcon clanners seen in the animated series show genuine symptoms of deteriorating mental abilities because of their EI implants.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

There's a reason wardens didn't really use them that much, despite the benefits... only the protomech pilots and aerospace were able to stave off the insanity longer but they still would succum to it. Then again the animated series is Inner sphere propaganda so they might have overdone the insanity a bit...

[@gigaslave]

@@sheilaolfieway1885 In-universe, actual Jade Falcons admitted that Malthus's portrayal in the holovids was accurate, if uncharitable. Man didn't make many friends even in his own clan. For all the liberties Tharkad Broadcasting took with with animated series I think LIC insisted that they had to leave some of the more important details in accurately.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

@@gigaslave I still think they overdid it for drama sake.

[@JonathanHerz]

The Inner Sphere code name "Thor" comes from the weapons configuration: Lb-10x Left Arm = Thunder ER PPC Right Arm = Lightning Thus, thunder + lightning = Thor, Norse god of thunder, lightning and storms. This was explained in the Michael Stackpole novel trilogy "lethal heritage"...

[@theblackpantslegion]

I didn't read a lot of Stackpole. Because...well, Stackpoling.

[@JonathanHerz]

​@@theblackpantslegion ya those were the only 3 books I ever read of his to be honest... great vid! had to look up "stackpoling" - MW2 had that iirc

[@clintknowlton4589]

BlackPantsLegion he owns the clans

[@paulsim7589]

Your not wrong about that Jonathan H, much like the way the Vulture got its IS name was from standing on ridgelines lobbing missings at anything alive (having bird like reverse leggs helped to). I belive the Thor is often a ridge line hopper especialy in its Prime config.

[@Mugdorna]

And it was often accompanied in Stars with the Loki, so named for its crazy (to IS eyes) primary config.

[@nerowulfee9210]

You dare to refuse my BATCHALL?!

[@theblackpantslegion]

easily.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

YEs Jade Turkey, I Do you shall be the feast for the pack! mmm Turkey!

[@jamesricker3997]

I don't care about your beach ball

[@sasha1mama]

I do. I also mock your bat-chal, because you dingbats never say it right. Probably because your first il-khan was a demented sociopath with daddy issues who never attended gradeschool English. Go bid away your life savings on some Capellan scrubworld. I'm busy. ❄

[@BobMcBobJr]

"Until the birds show up" That's why you have your small laser.

[@stormsurge2103]

. . . And by birds, he means either Freeworlders or Jade Falcons.

[@dayaninikhaton]

God bless George for turning Duncan from lovable announcer into a flat out memelord legend. In both the circles of Battletech, and Alcoholics Anonymous.

[@iamlazycatxP]

undefined ammount of clanners lost their pants in the trial of posession... (Dammit ComStar! I pay my bills! Let me see how much of them lost their pants exactly!)

[@Qardo]

Update: 32 lost. Those who want to keep their pants and are not Clanners: ~4.4K.

[@iamlazycatxP]

@@Qardo Damn, you look away for one brief moment, and there's one more pants-less clanner out there... If that's gonna keep happening, Tex will have to open the second-hand store (or i don't know, donate them to pants-less of Inner Sphere or something...)

[@Grimmwoldds]

@@iamlazycatxP There is that one clanner who downvoted and pinched Tex's ass(wink wink) Tex challenged him to a trial of possession to not take off his pants.

[@iamlazycatxP]

@@Grimmwoldds A clanner that doesn't see the difference between *Trial of NoHomo* and *Trial of Posession of Pants* ? Strange, i thought that it is the base knowledge every warrior *must* know. Btw, that clanner might still considder a purchase of spare pair of pants... Tex not wanting to do anything funny with him doesn't mean he'll not challenge that clanner for pants after previous trial is settled.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

they must have loss a bunch of honor to lose their pants....

[@rylian21]

I would love to hear Tex's take on the King Crab, the mech which makes every clanner shit their pants since Tukkayid

[@joedoe7041]

King Crab pilot notices something off in the distance - "what is that" Elemental lifts up a hand over his optics - "oh that's a Stone Rhino " King Crab pilot - "NANI"

[@ShneekeyTheLost]

Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics. The war between Clan and Inner Sphere surely must be the greatest example of this ancient proverb, because it describes perfectly why, despite overwhelming tech advantage, despite far superior training, the Clan still got their asses handed to them. Because while one Thor is indeed a 'do anything I want and get away with it' mech, it is, at the end of the day, only a single mech. If nothing else, the Inner Sphere will bury it in tonnage until it is overwhelmed through sheer numbers and bodies. Yes, it will return ruinous rate of exchanges. No, Comstar doesn't give a fuck. It is willing to pay that butcher's bill. And by god it did.

[@Nordicscholar]

MOAR! And the fact you got the VA for Duncan Fisher to do the outro is AMAZING. His soothing voice got me through Solaris VII, when my rig just wasn't cutting muster.

[@theblackpantslegion]

Duncan IRL is a really awesome guy

[@kereminde]

@@theblackpantslegion He also did a read of Kerensky's last message, I recall, which was very good.

[@michaelgreenwood3413]

@@theblackpantslegion Met him too at MechCon. Twice.

[@shabmaster7128]

I love they recanonized Malthus as an idiot who lost his Thor seconds into his first battle in the Inner Sphere, and that mech is still stomping around in the Dark Age.

[@andersonbuchanan4503]

"Customize it more than a Jingle truck driver in Afghanistan." Accurately killed me lol

[@Kashban]

George LeDoux is a great voice actor. He even made radio intros for the radio commentators of good old Mechwarrior Leagues Radio back in 2003-2006. DJ Kashban salutes you, Sir.

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

I remember the cartoon. I was young enough that I didn't care what was going on, I just wanted to watch giant robots fighting. I didn't learn about the tabletop game, books, and video games until years later.

[@jamesbuchanan4414]

A lot of us who make fun of it have been taking this game way too seriously since before people who grew up enjoying the cartoon were born. It's not Heavy Metal, but then again, what is anymore? If it opened the door for you to this little thing of ours, then it did its job.

[@legomech1946]

This video was absolutely amazing. I was laughing my ass off the whole time, because it's all so true. But then, suddenly Duncan Fisher shows up. Holy crap, this just went to 11. I play Mechwarrior 4 at least twice a week, just customizing mechs and going a round in Solaris, so hearing that bit was incredible. This is my first video of yours I watched, and I am subscribed and ready to binge the rest now.

[@silverhawk7324]

Play Mechwarrior Online. Has a lot of mechs now and is 99% F2P

[@Tekisasubakani]

Ditto for me, Duncan was just the cherry on top!

[@CM-wv8ns]

@@silverhawk7324 MWO is no way perfect, but I have lots of fun customizing mechs and playong PUGs

[@silverhawk7324]

Find a build that works well on PUG, then you can have a lot of fun carrying. I tend to run SRM boats on my lights and fast mediums. Most of the time you get maps with close quarters combat. @@CM-wv8ns

[@CM-wv8ns]

@@silverhawk7324 yeah, i have a decent drop deck for both clan & inner sphere invasion/faction wars. I ususlly brawl with 2x SRM6 and 4x MPL on a centurion for quickplay serving has support for focus fire. I'm just waiting for the Hatamochi to be available for c-bills after playing with a Battlemaster with 2x ML, 3x ERLL targeting computer mk viii, seizmic senors & BAP for long range targeting support/tanking.

[@midgetydeath]

I like that the Clans are so advanced that even with the recovery of Star League knowledge thanks to Helm, the Inner Sphere still by and large cannot reverse-engineer it because it’s practically in-universe science fiction for how far ahead it is. Really adds a hefty dose of believability and genuine weight to their advantages.

[@kennethcook9406]

Duncan Fisher is the MAN!!!

[@captainspire9094]

He was the best part of the Solaris Matches. I play MW4 Mercs just to hear him.

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

@@captainspire9094 One thing I miss about having a Windows computer around, MW4.

[@scottl9660]

Duncan Fisher.....time to go play MW4 Mercs again.

[@marvinthomas9897]

Have you guys looked up his "outtakes" on youtube? Its solid gold.

[@robertwhite7845]

You know I can totally see AT&T becoming some sort of space Empire in the future🤔

[@yarus5889]

Stellaris I made Verizon a corporate empire

[@kereminde]

They are, they're called "ComStar".

[@davestier6247]

I mean, General Motors still exists 1000 years in the future in this lore, hilarious

[@csmead209]

And Gundam UC timeline even had an Oldsmobile army.

[@rylian21]

The whole evil empire bit seems more a Comcast thing.

[@maramagnus2587]

BIRDS ALWAYS RUIN MEAT MOUNTAIN.

[@RRVCrinale]

Spicy Ramen I'm gonna use that whenever someone asks me to describe Clan Jade Falcon.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@RRVCrinale My burger! *Flies off.* Whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop!

[@shawnadams1460]

"God it's harder than an Elemental's abs on core strength day!"....yup...I am SOOOOO stealing this the next time I pilot one in MWO!!!

[@JakeTheLateCreates]

"OR 30 Elementals and all their honor” Damn right.

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

21 micrograms of it?

[@DokBrass]

The first video I found from you, and this is such a win. Please do more of these, battletech lore is rare, battletech lore with good humor is a goddamn unicorn

[@theblackpantslegion]

There's 4 lore videos so far, more is coming. Just wait. Usually one every 30-60 days.

[@mechwarriornut]

I would just like to point out, the reason it is named 'Thor' in the innersphere, is because the Rassalhaugians who first encountered it were encountering the Prime variant, which boasts an ERPPC and LBX 10. Lightning and Thunder. this, combined with it's [at the time] seeming invincibility and ability to move stupid fast AND jump jet around, caused them to call it after the old norse god of thunder and lightning

[@gunslinger1911a1]

"Remember May 3052. We're coming for you, you Clan bastards." I love it sooo. FED SUNS FED SUNS FED SUNS!

[@Misterunnamed]

I always preferred the madcat. Nothing like launching a literal wall of missiles to ruin someone's day.

[@fearanarchy]

Mad Dog/ Vulture was my go to for that

[@NeroimusIndustries]

@willl 88 Ahem... MAD CAT thanks

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

@@NeroimusIndustries Timberwolf, Freebirth! 2xERPPCs 2xmedium lasers 2xLRm20's Follow up the missiles with a small wall of F**K YOU!!!

[@wayfaringman8418]

The Bane 3 says your Mad Cat missile comment is cute.

[@LtDan-gt6vz]

Awesome, 3 MRMs 20s, 4 Med. lasers, nice mech you got there, shame if anything happened to it.

[@elcamnino7]

"Dirty Clanners are going to call it a Summoner..." Bahahaha

[@z3r0_35]

As much as I'm not a fan of Jade Falcon, they did a damned good job on the Thor, I have to give them that much. It, to me, is the epitome of what an omnimech is meant to be, even more than the Mad Cat is: modular, robust, highly mobile, and versatile. Now, if only they could take all of that, and put it into a cheaper mech... Anyway, I think hearing about Aidan Pryde could be fascinating, along with other prominent mechwarriors, maybe some Solaris champions.

[@severdislike4222]

You know you want to do the space AT&T Grasshopper, because all the flying laser vomit is never enough. A GHR-7K is watching you sleep, right now, awkwardly. A 70 ton wall of snub and lite ppc's pretending to be invisible and accomplishing that task is hilarious.

[@theblackpantslegion]

maybe....maybe...

[@Superschokokeks]

wait, Lore videos with one of the greatest voices? That's pretty awesome

[@theblackpantslegion]

I've done a whole list of em

[@Kampfertum891]

Clannar here - all upvotes here neighbor - you do grand work - respectable work - for an Inner Sphere milk drinker ;)

[@khyronkravshera7774]

Been into Battletech since the 80's and I LOVE your channel !

[@theblackpantslegion]

Thanks!

[@khyronkravshera7774]

@@theblackpantslegion You should do the Locust or the Marauder.

[@NebDaBrush]

Man, I'm buying the Battletech beginner box. Can't wait for it.

[@ScorpiusZA.]

The funny thing is - despite Tex's (and it seems the whole community's) hatred of the Battletech cartoon series, it was literally my first exposure to the whole universe. From there I bought Mechwarrior 2 Mercs, then Mechwarrrior 2, Mechwarrior 2 Ghost Bears Legacy and from there i was hooked. MW2 Mercs and Mechcommander are still my favourite games in the BT universe - until Battletech got released on Steam.

[@america-san]

Always thought the Thor was named as such,because of the lb 10-x and the ppc. Lighting and thunder

[@_zet_zet_]

very very frightening me

[@mattk6719]

I believe it was.

[@watcherofmemelords7967]

I thought it was named for it's ability to find and wreck your shit before you even knew it was on the same planet as you.

[@Michael-bn1oi]

@@watcherofmemelords7967 doesn't have anything to do with the name

[@Kalabajooie]

"ComStar tends not to fuck around." Anyone else remember that time they dressed up as Death Commandos? To raid the NAIS? On New fucking Avalon? While Daddy Davion was home? To destroy a *copy* of the Helm memory core? And failed miserably?

[@TheCptnOfFail]

quick, armored, well armed, and jumpjets. no clue it was that expensive. it was one of my top picks in mechwarrior 3. the only real problem I had with it was the arms, you could walk into battle with anything and be fine except for the arms. they must have has some auto eject function or something.

[@barrybend7189]

I beat the Ragnarok with the Thor( though in its Summoner configuration: right autocannon, left heavy charge PPC, timed magnitised mine launcher and 4 machineguns). That was Mechassault's version.

[@camramaster]

"King of meat mountain!.... Until the birds showed up. Birds always ruin meat mountain." I lost it there.

[@IAmSpectreOne]

That glorious outro made my day. Thank you very much.

[@MADMAN15719]

No matter what side you are on we can all agree KZbin has officially started the war on fun

[@bh1lore688]

They once flagged a fucking cooking channel

[@D_U_N_E]

Was the cooking channel "Hitlers Oven"

[@Houseckat]

I just found this channel as a related from farseer's mechlab videos. I dig it. Never managed to get the hang of a summoner, always felt kinda flimsy compared to an Orion. Tabletop wise.. I managed about 9000 damage from internal ammo explosions, because Mars Assault Vehicle. Visible from space, indeed.

[@theblackpantslegion]

B-E-A-U-Tiful

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

I am not that familiar with Battletech universe, but i played a few mechwarrior games on PC. And those games represent Thor mostly as "that clan mech they always send against my full assault lance and then wonder why it got blown up in one salvo".

[@willdavis3802]

"Model F is sometimes known as the king of Dakka...." - Glares in Annihilator.

[@jhwheuer]

8:30 when you are talking about an ER-PPC for backup.... almost spat my food out. ROTFL

[@mattk6719]

Same.

[@tywren2486]

Thor F the king of daka?! No! Nonononononono, just No! The true king of daka is a second line clan mech called the Bane (aka the Karken). With 10 clan ultra ac2's and 4 machine guns, this thing can loose so much daka that Gork, and Mork are looking at it through a rift in reality, with pure, unadulterated envy.

[@CharlesUrban]

That's a walking flak cannon.

[@MiriOhki]

And I still crack up at the BT forums’ JadeHellbringer fragging 7 of those guns in one turn, then melting that mini in the parking lot after the game.

[@KillerOrca]

@@MiriOhki Wait WHAT

[@MiriOhki]

Killer Orca yeah. Hellbie once locked up over 2/3rds of a Kraken’s Ultra AC/2s in the first round of a game.

[@KillerOrca]

@@MiriOhki Daaamn

[@IronnMan35]

Great video. Loved the George Ledoux / Duncan Fisher part. Already was subscribed to him, but really awesome that you asked the guy AND that he agreed. Great stuff!

[@indegostalker2259]

Stumbled on this channel today, and man.... These videos are great. Thanks!

[@theblackpantslegion]

thanks bud

[@jefbord]

These videos are so funny I do not even mind this freeborn surat taking a dump on our culture

[@Ironhold_Watch]

Yea what a piece of freebirth stravag filth

[@tonyngc]

@@Ironhold_Watch remind me, who won at Tukayyid???

[@2ane]

my favorite Mech in MW4/mercs, 2CERLLas, 2 CLBX-10s and a CSTRK-6 + Jump Jets. Yeah it had to sacrifice some speed and ran hot but once i got close that 360° torso turn range was a great advantage against assault mechs, could basically dance around them all day. Good times.

[@rosethorn9327]

I got to be honest, your bias is why I watch these. Great, great commentary

[@juliomontega2868]

The Summoner is the most flexible 'Mech in the Clan heavy bracket. It is no Mad Cat, and that only makes me love it more. Jump Jets and speed for mobility, suitable armor, an offcenter or torso mounted cokpit perfect for scouting in mountain areas. That all is backed up by an arsenal of weapons that work together on multiple ranges and adapting it to other situations just require one weapon replacement: the missile pod. ATMs or SSRMs give this thing serious threat potential. I never understood however, why the Clans didn't make the Summoner II a 75 ton 'Mech, instead of crippling the base model by ripping out the JJs.

[@killerpeaches7]

Eh, actually most clanners drive one of the base Configs. And are assigned by their commanders. You have to be Bloodnamed or a Ristar to usually be allowed to custom your config.

[@dubuyajay9964]

Can you stuff 2 lrm 20s, 2 ppcs, and one gauss on a Summoner or MadCat?

[@jamesperkins191]

No, the commander just restricts the tonnage, configuration is only set for Trials Of Position. Warriors all ranks can customise their configurations (supply might be limited).

[@jamesbuchanan4414]

Circumstantial. There have been times where Clan commanders pull their heads out of their asses long enough to consider specific circumstances in their loadouts. Clan Wolf at Tukayyid, specifically. Also, there are cases where Mechwarriors were allowed to pick and choose their configurations when facing off in Trials of Position and Trials of Possession.

[@martinkafka9510]

Honestly I never understood why Aidan Pryde should be considered a legend in Jade Falcon. Warrior washout who got a second chance at testing. Said to be reading a lot, yet didnt understand simple things like a family feelings in the Inner Sphere (just look at your freebirth clansmen). And finally died at Tukayyid while his clan barely managed to pull a draw (but losing the battle as a whole). As a matter of fact fighting on Tukayyid was considered a dishonor for those clanners who survived (because it marked them as those who lost against Inner Sphere barbarians), including those who actually won (like Wolves), no matter how good they might have fought. Frankly it would be more fitting for those Way-of-the-Clans-obsessed-Falcons to use him as an example of "you do not want to be like that guy".

[@HerrCherno]

I guess what makes him legendary material is a combination of several factors: His "unusual" career, his leadership of the Falcon Guard that regained it's honor after being disgraced under Alder Maltus on Twycross, him gaining a Bloodname, and his skill as a Mechwarrior, combined with a death fit for a clan warrior: Saving the rest of his unit alone against overwhelming odds.

[@martinkafka9510]

@@HerrCherno If it happened in Wolves or Bears or even Diamond Sharks I would have agreed with you. My problem is not really with players thinking of him as legendary pilot (though it is clear I do dislike him). Problem is Falcons putting him on the pedestal as a hero, which doesnt make sense for that rigid, fundamentalist clan. He certainly fought skilfully at Tukayyid, however he lost to Com Guard "barbarians" nevertheless. Just simply being in that battle was considered great dishonor even in far more forgiving clans, not to mention losing, which would rob him of the honor he would have gained if he died in the same manner fighting another clan. Core of the problem (in my opinion) is Thurston choosing Jade Falcon clan to write about, but not wanting to abide by that clans lore, thus writing himself into a corner (trying to make his characters respected in a clan that would give them no respect no matter how hard they tried - not just Aidan, Kael Pershaw would have been discarded to solahma unit seconds after sustaining his injuries, freeborn warriors being at least slightly accepted only after war with Wolf clan to fill seriously depleted ranks, etc.). That all said, while our opinions might differ on the subject, thank you for your comment. It is always nice to discuss Battletech lore with someone who is passionate about it.

[@doomedwalker6960]

Your videos popped up only a few days ago for me and I am so happy!! Well done sir.

[@theblackpantslegion]

Thank you

[@pottersrevenge]

And here I was thinking I had literally watched all of your Battletech videos...somehow I missed this one. Keep up the amazing work guys!

[@Feiora]

First, Duncan Fisher is fucking awesome, I loved the Solaris fights in MW4:M just cause he made for one hell of an announcer! Secondly, as a Clan Wolf-Canopian, I'd like to apologize for the blind stupidity of the Crusader clans, we wardens try to keep them on a leash but they just wont listen to reason... Also to Tex and other IS citizens, it wasn't really the IS that won, it was Comstar that won with aid from the IS houses and thats only after our leader tipped off Comstar to the Clans ultimate goal of taking Earth, hence the big showdown on Tukayyid and Comstar blacking out all the HPGs that the clans had access to... Also, even as a clanner, theres no love lost when Smoke Jaguar was annihilated, and the rest of us got decimated. Smoke Jaguar were probably the stupidest of the clans with little to show for it except their prowess in battle, and in pushing for this invasion along with Jade Falcon, they bit off more than they could chew and deserved to die! As for the Thor/Summoner, its a take it or leave it thing, as Tex pointed out for 1 Thor you can get ALOT of other things and perhaps those things will work out better for you? But if you're Clanner or Steiner-(Post Invasion) then this is perhaps one of the better omni platforms, as long as you dont mind everyone knowing where your cockpit is and aiming at it...

[@demonlaharldraws6685]

Have you thought about doing an overview/short history of all the clans?

[@theblackpantslegion]

Considered it

[@lolroflroflcakes]

A bunch of folks who ran away from their problems decided that they wanted to go back and make more problems for everyone they left behind?

[@michaelkeha]

@@lolroflroflcakes by ran away from their problems you mean avoided leaving incredibly dangerous tech in the hands of petty houses not ready handle such immeasurable power as you proved by using what tech you did have to smash each other back to the stone age.

[@kalistowns]

@@michaelkeha By ran away from their problem he means, they ran away from their problems when the Star League needed its defence force the most. Hid in the ass end of the galaxy licking their wounds, instead of dying with honour doing their duty. Clans are actually disgusting, can you imagine if a modern military did what the SLDF did.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@kalistowns Would you rather they left the doomsday weapons of that era be left in the hands of the houses? Did not the nuclear Jyhad of the Word of Blake get the point across of how disastrous that would've been?

[@PatrickOwens-cr3sh]

Such a great preformance by George, Thanks Tex!

[@averageintelligence6822]

I hope one day you do videos on more then mechs I'd love to hear about regular ground-pounding infantry exploits in the battle-tech universe.

[@Pulmonox]

I am LOVING this $#!7! I think I enjoyed the 'endorsement' during the credits more than I did the presentation! You guys clearly love this stuff and put so much heart into it with enough comedy edge to nearly have me in tears! Keep doing what you're doing!

[@bh1lore688]

These videos probably take weeks to make ....

[@thedeadgentleman3188]

Hearing Duncan's voice again was the highlight of my week

[@gadget19k76]

This was the first video of yours I’ve watched, funnel as hell! Subbed! Will be sharing with my fellow Battletech players I game with.

[@darrett1971]

Just wanted to drop a comment, i know these have been out awhile, but I just came across them recently. I love the format and narration, it’s freaking great. I love battletech, and I thought it fallen mostly out of favor. I got into it way back when it came out. Here to my surprise i see you guys and the following. Wish I didn’t live in the styx and could find a gaming group. I certainly hope this makes it to y’all, and at least your hard work is paying off at least on my end. I have watch all of the battletech episodes multiple times. Great job Tex and company.

[@bisonhawk1]

Tex You have to do the Marauder battlemech!

[@DocDelray]

I was about to down vote to accept your challenge, but I respect your Jade Falcon hate too much. Fuck the green space chickens, Clan Wolf for life! Awesome video Tex, keep 'em coming!

[@theblackpantslegion]

Thanks buddy

[@RaithSienar]

Clan Ghost Bear and Diamond Shark >>>> Alll. I can't choose between the Clanner Vikings or the Clanner Jews, it's too hard. Also while the Falcons have their flaws and are huge dicks, they ARE glorious dicks, unlike the Smoke Jaguars who are so prone to war crimes they make the Kuritan's look like innocent babies.

[@DocDelray]

Raith I think we can all agree that the Jaguars got what they had coming. But it's hard not to hate the Falcons. They're like the snooty prep kid in a high school movie. I can picture them talking about how their dad owns a dealership.

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

High-Five sibkin!

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

@@DocDelray in the order of crusader hatred of the Sphere Jaguar ranked the highest Falcons in second till Jaguar was annihilated by Clan wolf and the sphere....

[@TurboWulfe]

Brilliant, thanks again Tex and crew

[@kamikazelookinheads3494]

The way you describe Mech model types alone is the reason why I'm subscribing.

[@purpleboye_]

Specter! He's amaziiing!

[@Karthage922]

I read this in George's voice. All hail George!

[@devinhallsworth5531]

Canon loadouts seem kind of hilariously under powered after you've been laser boating in MWO for a while and all you hear most of the time is the overheat warning.

[@Prich319]

The D is pretty good though, you can fire the large lasers all day at long range, and clan ER lasers already reach out further and hit harder. Upgrade the mediums to heavy lasers, and you have a nasty alpha at close range.

[@jamesperkins191]

The Clans have their own corrupt military-industrial complex.

[@jamesricker3997]

I agree , ballistic weapons in Bate tech are about 25% less efficient for heat/weight/damage

[@lucassmith4524]

Keep on Keeping on, Tex! Love your work!

[@davemilner5504]

One of my favorite clan heavies, nicely covered by Tex.

[@sailingmaster]

This video is made of win. Subscribed!

[@DunedainAkkarin]

I'm a bit weird about mech names. While I identify as IS, I feel that as the clans design and build their mechs, we should use their names for them. That said, it's not too hard to keep both names in your head to pull out as required.

[@bthsr7113]

Late, but I largely agree, though I will use Thor over Summoner as it is a more impressive and fitting name.

[@calico.5588]

CLANNER SPOTTED

[@bh1lore688]

there are a lot of good Battletech channels out there, but this is the best of the best! I have watched these videos more times than I can count.

[@horsemumbler1]

The end was a treat. Awesome stuff.

[@Fenris77]

The clans edge was their technology and their naval "reserves" both of which they managed to screw up badly...

[@steveknight8001]

Loved this. Especially the unapologetic pro-IS take on it. Them Clanners need to be reminded every now and then. XD

[@Tabletop_Epics]

We need a new Battletech animated series. Something like Roughnecks. Make it feel 90's as heck, but have it be written by people who understand what they're doing.

[@pookacara]

Please do more tex talks battletech! You are master of the mech descriptions.

[@jhousdan]

To the best of my knowledge, Aidan Pryde(Jorge) mostly used the Summoner prime configuration, minus his second, freeborn trial of position where he had the SRM-equipped variant that was similar to the prime variant.... was there some other text that discussed his load out choices?

[@rvndmnmt1]

Had a configuration that utilized twin LBX AC20's. Had the armor/speed to get in range and mess your day up. Good mech.

[@bullywag]

Thanks dude...I have not laughed so much in ages. Love your stuff.

[@PaJamB]

I read the books back in the day (the ones you mentioned). I really liked them and fell in love with the battle tech/mechwarrior universe. Played the first games on PC now up to MW5. Don’t have a PC currently but would like to get back into that. Any-who, kudos, these videos are hilarious and informative. Good work, I’m late to the show.