Battletech: Men Shen Mercenary Commanders Thoughts From The Inner Sphere Episode 386

Thoughts from the Inner Sphere: is a series of videos talking about Battlemechs, tanks and tactics in the year 3060 Battletech Universe.
The videos will cover Battlemechs from the 3060 Technical Readout book.
We delve into the Men Shen 55 Ton, a mech that is good for a short- or long-range fight. This mechs damage output is ok at short-range depending on the weapon loadout. It can provide some needed long range support operation for lance on the battlefield if used correctly.
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[@topcatcoast2coast579]

I loved this thing in Mech Commander 2

[@Helcarexe26]

I need to play that game sometime

[@Spartaner251]

The advanced electronics were a god send in a 55t fast mech. Only thing Not so great was the missing jumpjets.

[@Helcarexe26]

@@Spartaner251 No JJ in the video game?

[@Mr._Anderpson]

@@Helcarexe26Mech Commander 2 was very specific as to which chassis could mount jump jets. If you wanted a Capellan craft with jets in that range, you'd go for a Starslayer. One of my favorite playthroughs has been a swarm of medium mech specialists supported by a single heavy mech. Focused on taking out mechs and salvaging them in the field for extra firepower.

[@Helcarexe26]

@Mr._Anderpson OK, that makes sense for the game mechanics to limit the build.

[@mathewkelly9968]

Great for carrying your battle armour , superior Capellan thinking

[@Helcarexe26]

Going with the Battle Taxi for the BA is a nice addition and combined with the MASC allowing it to get into a position for the BA to be useful

[@matthewmarek1467]

Love that OA model. No pulses, all ER. LBX10 for crit hunting or hole punching. Solid spotting tools. A Raven on steroids.

[@Helcarexe26]

@@matthewmarek1467 Exactly what it is an upgraded Raven that can hit much harder

[@kalixascsi66]

IMO, one of the best IS omnimechs and probably one of the best mediums the CCAF has access to. It can outfight what it can't outrun and outrun what it can't outfight. A great hunter killer and an excellent delivery system for things like Ying Long battle armor. I prefer the F personally because paired Snub Nose PPCs linked to a TarComp is good and TAG let's it call down guided Arrow IV artillery.

[@Helcarexe26]

@kalixascsi66 That's what makes it a good mech for your fighting force, you can pick the engagement location

[@Magermh]

Men’shen or Men’shyn is a good omnimech. Yes, I had fun using this mech in Mech Commander 2 and normally opted for the Raven because of weight restrictions on lances. When I did run the Menshin I ran it in pairs and carried the practice over to the tabletop. The best thing about the Menshin vs the Raven is survivable as the Menshin is better armored. Though in games I wondered why the Cappies never considered stealth armor on the Omnimechs. Never had any issues with the mech other than trying to fit it into an augmented lance with battle armor. When the Trinity battle armor was releasing the mech became strongly associated with the “Ying Long.” And the stealth Catapult CLPT-5L being used with the A and B variants. The mech is also considered for Omnimech lances with the Firestarter and Blackjack Omni’s. But most often I encounter it in return with command lances. In the era that the Menshin was available the Capellans had a devastating LB -X line-ups with mechs like the Yu Huang Y-H9G, Emperor EMP-6A, Charger CGR-SA5, Lao Hu LHU-2B, Thunder THR-2L, and Snake. Those line-ups were called Capellan cheese. Understand that Capellan cheese is green, covered in an edible thick white mold, has holes in it, and smells like skat. But it has the best taste south spinward in the Innersphere. These line-ups may still be found and played by older players as they may still be effective. The Command lance mentioned would have two Menshin and a Yu Huang with an Emperor. FYI, arrow 4 cluster munition was carried in those stealth Catapults.

[@Helcarexe26]

@Magermh All of those mechs listed have worked well in the games played. After years of subpar mechs they're starting to provide some good opportunities to advancement

[@mathewkelly9968]

The no CASE is just a Capellan thing you'll see it pop up again and again , hence things like the 1 ton of LRM 15 ammo on the standard model you'll learn to expend that

[@Helcarexe26]

True with only one ton of ammo goes quickly with an LRM15, but I'd like to have a little more ammo for extended operations.

[@kathilmechworks4895]

Like you said a bigger badder Raven, tend to like the A as its a solid skirmisher and artillery spotter. I don't own one, but the Cappellan players in my group love the thing. Its a mech you very much have to respect otherwise its potential as a force multiplier can make your life miserable very quickly.

[@Helcarexe26]

Its an excellent substitute for the Raven on the battlefield, pretty much what the Raven wished it could be!

[@maddermax3775]

For being a filthy cappie toy, they sure nailed it on this guy! Super mech. Lots of fun and good lay outs, being an omni if you need something you can always adapt.

[@Helcarexe26]

@maddermax3775 Every once in awhile the get something right with a well made piece of equipment.

[@Mr._Anderpson]

Unless you're designing a lance which needs indirect fire support, its almost always the better choice to swap out LRMs and a ton or two of ammo for a long-range energy weapon with a few extra heat sinks. Just my preference.

[@Helcarexe26]

@Mr._Anderpson For a good raider I'd have nothing but energy weapons loadout and if you want I'd add a TAG if you're going to be a spotter

[@mathewkelly9968]

The MASC pushes the BV alot so use it

[@Helcarexe26]

Using the MASC every other turn to keep the risk of the damage to the leg actuators, that quick burst of speed can get into a position or flank

[@NewSquallor]

Don't men shen it. 😄

[@Helcarexe26]

@@NewSquallor 🤣🤣🤣🤣 An excellent one 👌