Battletech: Next Mechs Pt. 2 - Heavy and Assault Mechs

Join me in discussing what mechs are great to add to your collection after the "A Game of Armored Combat" boxed set. This is an opinion piece - I'd like to hear yours! What Heavy and Assault mechs would you add after getting AGoAC - keeping to Inner Sphere, 3025 and earlier.
References: Notes and commentary summarized in support from Sarna.net.
Some pictures courtesy of my gaming buds Alex and Adam!

[@zinc327]

“Never going to be sad to have a thunderbolt” first game it got double crit to the CT n blew out 2 fusion engine components by the catapult in turn 1 😝 love the channel, being a WH40k refugee I’m rly starting to become obsessed with the game n universe!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Welcome! Its good to have you here!

[@funghazi]

If you like jumping around, Guillotines and Highlanders are great heavies and assaults.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Ive been meaning to get my hands on those guys for a while now!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I also played Alphastrike recently against a lance with a Guillotine, holy crap what a great mech!

[@zraal3759]

Archer has a lot of utility than you would expect. With upper and lower are actuators allows for good melee and picking up objects. The archer is also near max armor. Can really surprise an opponent when the support mech charges their flanking mech and kicks its leg off or punches an arm off. This is normally a tactic seen on an awsome, but archer's risk of ammo explosion holds it back from being as optimal in its weight class for this tactic. Though, I am biased. Archer is my favorite mech and I have a lot of fun with it.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I really do love the Archer. It is a great mech. at 70 tons and good armor and weapon redundancy and damage output, it tends to be one of my main go-tos in lists. Plus it just looks so damn cool!

[@Helcarexe26]

The Orion, Grasshopper, Blackknight and Archer are all excellent choices for a heavy lance member. Atlas, Awesome, Highlander and Stalker are all good mechs to add to a lance

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Love it! Hey if Im on the same page as you good sir I must be doing something right!

[@Helcarexe26]

@@CrankyOldGamer This game system has been around for so long and the options for Battlemechs are just as good.

[@Ungeboren1988]

Agree with everything said here. I personally don't like the Orion but I do agree that it is a good mech. Would like to add the Flashman.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@Ungeboren1988 Yeah I was on the fence with the Flashman - enough folks have mentioned it so I think I need to add it to the list!

[@HeadHunterSix]

So many good choices for 3025 heavies - the Grasshopper needs to make best of its high mobility to survive its approach - but once it's in jump range of an enemy, it's lights out. The Orion is ugly and somewhat cumbersome, but hard to kill and powerfully armed. If I see an Orion on the field, it becomes a priority target (along with the Hunchback and the Firestarter). As for assault Mechs, I think the Zeus is a pretty solid option as well.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I agree with all those choices. I do find the Zeus an interesting mech option for Assault, have you had good luck with it?

[@HeadHunterSix]

@@CrankyOldGamer it's not the best, but it's fairly solid. Top of mid-range I guess, but it's also got style.

[@WolfHreda]

The Zeus is a great fire support platform. It's like the Rifleman, kept to its appropriate niche, it's top-tier. Going outside that lane, it suffers some. But that's why I always take the -6T variant. The PPC lets you brawl a bit more effectively, even though you have to watch your heat. That being said, you can lay down a lot of pain in the 7-10 hex range if you need to burn bright and force a PSR on a troublesome target.

[@mr.e1944]

Part 1 and 2 of this series are in valuable. They not only show the pros and cons of these mechs but how to use them on the battlefield. A lot of great advice for the beginner. Thanks!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Glad you've enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@mr.e1944]

@@CrankyOldGamer I like how you discussed tactics and how to use the Mechs together. I am going to re-watch these videos and take notes. Now I might be able to have a fighting chance against the gaming veterans I am going up against.

[@ATurkeySandwichGAME]

My absolute favorite heavy to run is an axeman. Being able to oneshot a mech with an axe makes my day. I usually have a hunchback, marauder, axeman, and a catapult as my main lance

[@danproctor7678]

Thank you! As a new player these recommendations are very helpful. I’m still painting thru Armored Combat, but now I can plan my next acquisitions.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

You're very welcome! Glad it was of service!

[@PlasticraicGaming]

good vid, Nice over view for those getting into the hobby from the starter box set. Seems there a lot of folk either coming back to the hobby or converting over from other games.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Hey thanks! Yes its great to see so much energy coming into the game - I have so many fond memories of playing way back, its great to come back to it and see the enthusiasm!

[@elcamnino7]

I like to use the Archer as a brawler that has really good closing weapons. Shoot the LRMs, 2 the first turn, 1 the next, etc. until you close to the enemy. Then, without regards to facing because of rear mounted medium lasers, get into melee and start pummeling your opponent. Story: I took out an untouched Goliath in one round by punching it in the head twice with my Archer.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I really find the Archer is almost an auto-include. The LRM hate is so delicious, and its also got tools to deal with opponents at close range. And at 70 tons its a great brawler once the ammo hoppers are dry. So good.

[@Magermh]

I recommend the Ostsol and Flashman as heavies. Assaults would be the Highlander, Longbow, and Marauder II. Your right to chose the mechs your recommending first and the ones in the new boxset are good mechs. Thank you.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Its like youre reading my mind! I nearly put Flashman in there, I probably should have. Great mech. I like your assault choices too, those are all great. I hadnt really considered Marauder II on my short list but now thst you mention it maybe I should!

[@hDansRandomCrud]

I have two of the OLD Atlas models, but this new one looks really sweet.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I agree - its really boss. I love how the MWO sculpts really capture the beefiness of the mechs.

[@senint]

@@CrankyOldGamer So true 😂 …just recently when I got to play Alpha strike match, I did put my old sculpt Atlas next to newer sculpt warhammer, and dayum how skimpy 80s sculpt was…! 🤣

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@senint right???

[@brianhenry152]

Glad to see the Crusader as at least an honorable mention! I always preferred the 3D variant with SRM4s and no machine guns so it could get extra heat sinks. I also like the 6D version of the Warhammer that gets rid of all ammo-based weapons to maximize its armor and give it 2 extra heat sinks. These 2 variants work well together in a lance, with the Warhammer acting as the anvil with the crusader hitting from long-range with it's LRM15s until the ammo runs out and then rushing in to brawl at close range. As for Assault mechs, your choices are good, but you should have followed the same format and given honorable mentions for those as well. I'd recommend the Highlander for comparable weapons load out to the Atlas but with added jump capability. I'd also go with the Marauder II which can dish out and take enormous punishment.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Great feedback! I agree on your assessments. I really need to get the Crusader on the table more. And I need to get some table time with the Highlander!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I finally got a Crusader mini, so I'm going to paint him up and get him on the field! Been a while since I've played one.

[@rh352]

I would suggest the Zeus, but not the primary version. I recommend the PPC variant. It’s a good command and fire support mech. It’s a little light on armor, but is meant to stay at long range anyway

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thats a solid choice. I've heard the Zeus referred to as "a poor mans Battlemaster" but Im not sure I agree with that. Its lower battle value, fast, and good damage output at multiple ranges. I think this is a good suggestion. Which variant are you referring to specifically?

[@rh352]

@@CrankyOldGamer The ZEU-6T drops the AC/5 for a PPC and two additional heat sinks, but it otherwise identical to the standard 6S model. Heat management is a bit trickier than the 6S, but I think the increased damage output at long range is worth it

[@rh352]

@@CrankyOldGamer Plus I just really love PPCs! They're one of my favorite weapon systems in the game

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@rh352 I love me some PPC as well! Bringing the pain from DOWNTOWN!

[@WolfHreda]

​@@rh352 I fell in love with PPCs from the first time I fired one in MechWarrior 2, 23 years ago now. Any time I have room for one, it's always a consideration.

[@skavenmatt3904]

I really like the jaegermech And the Gol-1h. Goliath is a great, heavy armored, stable, weapon platform you dont have to worry about heat with. Low damage output for an assault, dor heavy even, sure. But great sniper with excellent heat management.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I'll need to check this guy out! Never played him (yet!)

[@WolfHreda]

I never liked the Jagermech until I got a free one as salvage in the HBS Battletech game. It was my very first heavy, and I dropped with it in every mission until I could field a full heavy lance. Turning mediums and heavies into Swiss cheese at long range is delightful.

[@carlk8308]

The scariest assault mech I ever ran into was a King Crab, with his double AC-20's. During the course of the game, however, this guy had a very tough time getting any shots to hit with those big guns because, A: We were all smart enough to stay at least 10" away most of the time, and B: Every shot he took was at his long range, so he was needing like 10's to hit. . . . BUT, he had a lucky round and blew the head clean off our Warhammer. This mech was painted up really nice as well, so it was a lot of fun.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I absolutely love the King Crab, but the weapon loadout breaks my heart. If there were a variant with PPCs or even AC10's Id be all in. But agreed, if you get mugged by a KC youre going to have a very bad day.

[@zachary5ful]

@@CrankyOldGamer There is the Comstar refit with two gauss rifles that's pretty scary

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@zachary5ful that would be my absolute favorite version. What a beast!

[@dubuyajay9964]

My duo of choice if Inner Sphere when lance building is Archer and Warhammer. Between those two you can gun down a ton of mechs at long range. 3rd choice might be a Rifleman even with it's issues due to points issues and it also gives a lot of long range dakka and provides AA.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I love those mechs too. I wish the stock variant Warhammer had more sinks snd armor but I guess you cant have everything. Archer is beast mode!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Thunderbolt and Orion

[@gaborbolyas5838]

hey there great vid. just one question.where did you order your marauder from?i cant find this particular mech nowhere

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Hey thanks! Check out Strato Miniatures.

[@TymersRealm]

What about the Dragon? In 3025, it's a solid Heavy Cav Mech.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I'll be honest with my hot take asssessment of the Dragon. Love it for lore reasons. I also think it looks really cool. But I think the Dragon really suffers on the tabletop. Why? Overall thin armor but paper thin armor on the side torsos means the AC ammo gets hit pretty easily, meaning goodbye Dragon - you see that explosion from orbit. I think the Grand Dragon (later era) is far superior in almost every way. Now. In a future episode Im going to talk about how we as players should embrace the less great mechs. But in speaking strictly tabletop, I think theres much better choices.

[@hDansRandomCrud]

I haven't fielded one on the tabletop yet, but COG's assessment of them matches my experience in the HBS game. (Which, I know is not the same thing, but....) But having said that, I love that mech's look, and hope to get one some day.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@hDansRandomCrud thanks - this is interesting because I havent played HBS game but want to at some point. Now given what Ive saud - yes,I will absolutely play a Dragon mech. Its just too cool! :)

[@tibour007]

@@CrankyOldGamer I play mostly Alpha Strike these days but I love my dragons. I have put entire lances of them on the table.

[@WolfHreda]

​@@tibour007 I found the Kuritan spy, everyone! 😂 Also, COG, have you played HBS Battletech yet? It starts in the Succession Wars era, and you play a Periphery merc out for revenge. It's great.

[@nemisysone]

Great video! I love that the Atlas' head looks like a skull. I have the figure from the Lance Pack by CGL (you know, the one with 4 mechs and the Alpha Strike cards), but it looks a little different from the one in the video . Where did the video's Atlas come from? AGoAC?

[@CrankyOldGamer]

That feller is an MWO sculpt. You can find it on Warhansa I believe.

[@terrainaholic]

Love the paint job brother:)!!!!!!!!!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thanks man! :)

[@derloco2035]

I just love the Grasshopper: - brutal firepower on short range - average speed with jump jets -> good mobility - don't forget to punch your opponent's mechs (with 70 tons its fists hit really hard) - no heat problems due enough heat sinks (some of my fellow Battletech players call the grasshopper borderline OP XD)

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Yeah we recently had a game with that guy in it - man he took some SERIOUS punishment and laid down a serious whuppin of his own! I'm a fan!

[@thecybersmily4794]

other bonus is that it's max armor. One of the few mechs out there that has that.

[@Aleksandrgrc]

Rifleman is anti air. Usually aerospace does a pass them comes back later after you get a chance to cool.

[@Aleksandrgrc]

With the Atlas I feel it's good to mention for newbs is as timeline progresses the Atlas has variants that can hold up better at long range. Er large lasers gauss weapons.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@Aleksandrgrc 100% agreed! 3025 isn't the best Atlas but it is very much a fun mech. So much armor!

[@dubuyajay9964]

Yeah, that what gets to me when ppl go on about how bad it is. It was originally an AA platform that was forced into a long rangedirect fire role by the collapse of society and the shortage of mechs.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@dubuyajay9964 yes I think as an AA platform its good. When it gets pressed into regular service its not suited for is when there can be issues.

[@darkstorminc]

Good Cav lance in the medium range is Enforcer, Blackjack D, Vindicator, and Catapult.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thats a really good list. I like the Vindicator a lot as well. Catapult is such a good all rounder. I debated putting the Black Knight in this video as well, just so many mecha to cover!

[@darkstorminc]

@@CrankyOldGamer cant wait to see how the new Star League units look from the KS. Getting one of each CS lvl II. The new Crusader looks pretty good compared to the unseen. Waaaay better than the PP version.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@darkstorminc could not agree more. Man its hard doing these videos because Im like, I want dem mechs now!!! :)

[@Aleksandrgrc]

Both the stalker and battlemaster are 85 tons. Lots of good mechs at that weight. As for redundancy I feel plenty of clan mechs in the future are Built to be efficient and certainly effective after half the mech has been shot away. A stalker is just as deadly missing half its weapons, An awesome can't necessary say the same when it's lost its right torso.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Good catch, thank you! I agree, the Stalker is overall a great choice as it has LOTS of weapons redundancy. The only issue I see (and its a nitpick) is that the Stalker has ammo dependency, and its going to take a LOT to burn through all that armor to get to an ammo explosion.

[@ralphiemay8933]

I still don't know why the Archer is better loved than the catapult. Isn't the archer just a less mobile catapult with arms?

[@shaneg9081]

Atlas AS7-D Role: Linebacker and command mech, or scout There, fixed it.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Lol you must play Steiner! 😆

[@darkstorminc]

If you decide on a Stalker get the Stalker II mini from IWM. Its a little more iirc but it looks gorgeous compared to the 3025 mini. As of this post anyway. I dont remember if the Clan Invasion KS includes a Stalker resculpt.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

100% there with you. Get the Stalker II. The original Stalker model looks very, very dated. I find IWM is a little hit or miss wrt design, but there are some good finds in there.

[@Ungeboren1988]

It does include a Stalker. It's part of the Inner Sphere Fire Lance.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@Ungeboren1988 I was pretty sure it did but I didn't want to misquote - thanks for checking!

[@darkstorminc]

@@Ungeboren1988 Yep, that was one of the lances they changed. I am thinking of getting that one for the Longbow. Do you know if a pic of the Stalker resculpt has been posted?

[@Ungeboren1988]

@@darkstorminc As far as I know there has been no picture posted yet.

[@jonwooldridge3766]

With your leaning towards DCMS, why not the Dragon...talk about an iconic Kurita mech. Nevermind that it is really a reskinned Von Rohrs...*shush, we don't mention that name.*

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Its funny - I really want to love the Dragon - but it has so many flaws. Light armor being one of them and a lot of ammo - not my favorite mech. Now, Grand Dragon...

[@lexington476]

I think a stalker could take out an atlas, especially if the stalker could keep the atlas out of nine hexes.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Honestly, as I get more games and experience under my belt, I think in open terrain, an Atlas might be overrated. Lethal at short range and can take a beating, but in a long rangevwar of attrition it will suffer.

[@chadicus9869]

Highlander burial!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I love me some Highlander burial! Never pulled one off but a boy can dream!

[@Darthsabi]

Cgr-1a1! Come at me bro!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

All of the small laser! But you know what, it is a fast assault mech that can crush with physical attacks, honestly I think there is something to the Charger beyond the jokes.

[@lexington476]

19:29 I am shocked shocked...

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Lol right???

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Ostoll and osroc