BATTLETECH: The Alpha Wolf

The #Clans have had some time to update their technology and designs while in the #InnerSphere. #ClanWolf has in this time, designed several totem #Battlemechs, and this one is the supposed apex of the #WolfEmpire 's design. #Battletech doesn't often see a #mech quite like this, even if it may not be perfect.
#Mechwarrior, prepare yourself, because the #AlphaWolf is on the prowl.
The last of the KZbin Member voted Clan #DarkAge / #Ilclan Battlemechs that I initially promised to cover. The next videos coming up will be back to #TRO2750.
Back to the #SuccessionWars
Let's just hope I've gotten the Advanced Stealth Armour right, as I have minimal experience with it. XD
Join this channel in order to support this content:
/ @bigred40tech
Join us on the free Discord as well!:
/ discord
Note: I am not associated with the Battletech / Mechwarrior IP, and create this under fair-use. Ownership of the Battletech IP resides with several companies at this time. I support all official releases.

[@BazztheBazz]

I love that the bastard gene-son of Victor Davion decided that the choice idea for a new totem mech would be sporting double RACs. Not even Clanner eugenics can filter out House Davion's inherent love of brrrrt.

[@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285]

Oh you only have it half right; Don't forget that his mom was Katherine so technically he's inbred.

[@Alex-pj8nz]

Fed Suns pretty much changed their love over to Clan ER PPC due to the dragon having their damn new armour against Ballistic weapons.

[@schneecoraxx8689]

I share that obsession, this is much better then the original.

[@solidshot7849]

As a Davion player, earlier eras I love some brrt, but in later Eras I do love me some RE lasers

[@drmayeda1930]

Oh, I suppose he would be a bastard technically. Seems that Victor and Omi had a child out of wedlock. I don't know if Victor ever found the child. His sister had a real mean streak in her, killed her mother and Omi Kurita. She is a good mate for Vlad Ward of Clan Wolf. She probably taught him a thing or two about politics.

[@samuelbennett3441]

The Alpha Wolf is so interesting because its so willing to adapt Inner Sphere developed technology in its configurations, stealth armor, rotary autocannons, extended lrms, it seems like there's nothing Clan Wolf scientists and techs won't try.

[@malusignatius]

In fairness, Clan Diamond Shark developed the Clan RAC in the 3070s-80s from memory.

[@Evinthal84]

@@malusignatius But they never went into full scale production like their Inner Sphere counterparts did.

[@TimberWulfIsHere]

cousin clan always have trick up their sleeves.

[@nicolasgodines1129]

There's a reason they took Terra and not Clan Jade Parakeet.

[@Z1pZ1p3r]

Adapt or die.

[@stephenknizek2651]

Clan Wolf was rumored to be so upset about Sea Fox’s theft of their intellectual property that they wanted to establish the Lawyer Caste. XD

[@BoisegangGaming]

*Harmony Gold intensifies*

[@drmayeda1930]

They already have a good method of settling Disputes. One of the khans would announce a challenge to the decision. So, Clan Wolf's khan and Clan Sea Fox's Khan would fight it in a circle of equals.

[@BobTheTrollKing]

Warrior Lawyers seems a lot like the Warhammer universe...

[@dinoduelist2219]

The only caste more feared than elementals

[@Logan912]

“Hi, I’m Saul Goodman. Did you know you have rights? The ilClan says you do, and I say so too!”

[@thestabbybrit4798]

Seems strange to fit stealth armour on a Mech with a weapons package you can hear from orbit.

[@BigRed40TECH]

No counter-battery radar's. that's cheating. :P

[@thelordofcringe]

Stealth armor is more about stopping the targeting systems on a mech from locking on tbh.

[@andrewamann2821]

If the first indication you get is hearing the weapons fire, chances are pretty good that you're in more trouble than you think.

[@malusignatius]

@@andrewamann2821 #Truth.

[@Z1pZ1p3r]

@@andrewamann2821 If you "hear" it you are fucked.

[@Ragnar_Steiner]

"if you die from ammo explosion, why not be seen from orbit." tex

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's your duty to bring joy to people by letting off the fireworks display.

[@Ragnar_Steiner]

@@BigRed40TECH would you knidly make a video about the King Crab?

[@jessamynpratt5068]

Clan Wolf really needs to expand its naming conventions.

[@BigRed40TECH]

No one ever accused them of being creative.

[@ghoulbuster1]

They really like doggies

[@Reoh0z]

It's just a phase, I'm sure they'll grow out of it in another century or two.

[@Lorlic1138]

You had me sold the moment I saw the twin "I Win" Cannons on the arms.

[@chaosknight9131]

At 34,618,000 C-bills (my own calculation) I'd definitely prefer this over the Savage Wolf

[@metalmadness5851]

This was definitely a design that shines with it's variants. The Prime configuration really doesn't seem wise, especially in the Wolves position. The plethora of advanced technology may also prove to be a fatal flaw, since cost and supply issues are sure to strike hard, considering Alaric's reckless expansion.

[@paulbrozyna3006]

That’s just about the most Clan thing about it though.

[@malusignatius]

Stealth on a Clan Mech? That's an interesting development.

[@Alex-pj8nz]

Stealth isn’t that good anymore with the blood hound active probe.

[@malusignatius]

@@Alex-pj8nz You've got to get up close and personal for the Bloodhound to do it's stuff. On a build like the Alpha Wolf Prime, you're probably not going to get a chance to do that. Not to mention, not every 'mech comes with an active probe, nor does any active probe negate the to hit mods.

[@Alex-pj8nz]

@@malusignatius All it takes is one mech with it in a star and………..

[@malusignatius]

@@Alex-pj8nz That 'mech explodes from across the battlefield, and it's probe has no effect, because you've got to get within 8 hexes for it to mean anything.

[@Alex-pj8nz]

@@malusignatius No Clan will break Clan Law and target that mech while engaging another Clan mech. So it’s one vs one. Vs inner sphere, it will have artillery raining down on it.

[@halosammy14]

I like this mech. The funny thing is that I prefer the Jade Falcon mech it was designed to counter, the Jade Phoenix. It’s got less armor and firepower than the Alpha Wolf, especially for its tonnage, but its jets can match the cruising speed of a Timber Wolf. That’s a lot of versatility for an assault. With that said, I do believe that the Alpha Wolf does its job very well; namely kicking Falcon ass.

[@michaelkeha]

It's interesting but I think the Sea Foxes/Diamond Sharks got the Timber Wolf but assault thing down far better with the MK2

[@treevenewson]

Stealth Armor seems a bit dishonorable for Clan 'Mech. I would also like to know how they got Capellan Stealth Armor? The Cappies certainly wouldn't have given it over to them.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Clan Wolf seems a bit dishonourable as a clan.

[@malusignatius]

By that point it had become available to every IS faction (Stealth Armour's about 100 years old when the Alpha Wolf comes on line), so availability I don't see as an issue. The Wolves were always a very practical Clan when it came to warfare, so I'm not surprised they're at the forefront of adapting IS tech to clan purposes.

[@albertko1]

Actually, an overview of stealth/electronic warfare technology in the BT universe as well as it's development history and use would be interesting.

[@samuelbennett3441]

By the Dark Age/ilClan eras what's honorable for the clans has shifted quite a bit, the Alpha Wolf isn't even the least clan-like stealth armored Clan Mech. That would be the Clan Ghost Bear Kontio, a terrifying little 40 ton medium designed solely to rush down other mechs and punch in their cockpits with its claws.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It'll happen eventually.

[@peigeot9906]

I don't know how difficult it would be but could you have what the different configurations have in them as plain text on the screen as well? Would make it easier to follow at for me at least as English isn't my first language

[@arcdraconis9579]

alpha wolf looks JACKED

[@BigRed40TECH]

It is jacked.

[@Sk0lzky]

Fun fact: its name means it's the father to all other wolves. Big brain moment

[@sim.frischh9781]

For a video maker, new mech designs are a bane as they have so little artwork to show. This slide show was almost frustratingly uniform XD What surprises me is the RAC5 of the Clans being so much more compact, 6 instead of 8 critical points. Still same weight though. Overall a fascinating machine, the Wolves certainly know how to make mechs.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's the only piece of art it has XD

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@BigRed40TECH Exactly my point T.T But they should get more over time. Artists like Bishop Steiner do an awesome job, Shimmering Sword/Anthony Scroggins is now a fix part of the official creators, and they have a lot of others working on more. Our task in this is to have patience. Kinda the hardest one.

[@Timberjac]

And also this one is beautiful, both in its legs and in its arms, not like the Mad Cat 2 or the Savage Wolf. Put me a dozen A variants to take urgently.

[@Sigil_Firebrand]

Gotta say I love the Alpha so much that I actually remixed one out of 3d parts for 8 other models and printed it. It isn't perfect but it is mine, and my friends are scared of when they'll have to fight it for the first time.

[@maraudercatt8564]

I feel like the F-35 JSF design teams (or their descendants?) are the Clan Wolf designers of this mech. Maybe on loan from Clan Sea Fox? Can we see the infomercial for this mech design? I do like the brawler variant, especially for initial sniping before wading in. Just a newer and less-sexy version of my Marauders.

[@DIEGhostfish]

Prime really should upgrade from Clan default CASE to CASE2. Needs it WAY more than the B.

[@skyvipers]

A Gauss and 2 LPL's is like a dream, Varient B all the way.

[@SeismicWolf]

I am curious about the Warwolf and Wulfen, I remember collecting the Wizkids Clix Miniatures and was curious on how they would actually operate

[@BigRed40TECH]

Warwolf is vicious iirc, not as informed on the Wulfen.

[@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285]

@@BigRed40TECH I'm not sure how? Like for a 70 ton heavy it seems pretty anemic in terms of firepower.

[@Based_Lord_Humongous]

Wulfen has stealth armor an ATM3 and a Clan LB2X. It's also an omni

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285 If it has a Gauss Rifle, I likes it. lol

[@SeismicWolf]

@@Based_Lord_Humongous and all in a 30 Ton Package

[@bobbrown5460]

Thanks!

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thank you!

[@privatename5788]

Would have been nice with the Skinwalker's interface cockpit.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I think people voted for me to cover the Skinwalker in a couple months... yep, can confirm.

[@Arron-S]

It looks like it has an overbite

[@KageRyuu6]

Do remember that Clan CASE is both weightless and spaceless and automatically present in all sections, effectively already built into the internal structure or ammo bin of each Clan Mech, so substantially less disastrous than an IS mech without CASE.

[@BigRed40TECH]

The reference in this one is specifically to a CASE II. I made no mention of it lacking a case normally.

[@fistan5447]

I'm getting a strong Warhammer IIC vibe from Alt config A. Dont get me wrong though i do love that mech, this one seems better albeit being significantly more expensive both bv and cbill value (cbill cost is legit 40 million, ouch)

[@AGS363]

2:07 This will no longer be a problem, Clan Wolf now represents the Star League. All Hail the IlKhan, rightful Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth and First Lord of Star League! All Hail Alaric Ward! (On an unrelated Note, is there any advancement in Mechdesign or just change? Regarding BV the IlClan modells are not really that much of an improvement compared with their ancestors a century ago.)

[@BigRed40TECH]

The Ilclown of the Ilcircus.

[@NotBCT]

No. Incest Puppy belongs in the crosshairs of a gauss rifle just like the rest of the Space Furries.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@NotBCT They're clowns, not furries, thank you very much.

[@giovanniprovost]

NIce!!

[@adfury]

Silly question. Can you still buy TRO and sourcebook updates physically?

[@BigRed40TECH]

Yes, but some of them are now digital only after their print runs are done.

[@oilysidedown9777]

Thanks for the video Big Red! I do want to ask though, (to anyone who wants to respond) which out of the two 90 ton mechs in the family would come out the victor on average in a one on one face off, the MC mk. II or the Alpha Wolf?

[@BigRed40TECH]

I like the Mad Cat II's weapons more. I dunno if its more survivable though.

[@oilysidedown9777]

Could also throw the Night Wolf in that mix but it’s not from the same family tree I don’t believe.

[@krieg4017]

Good!

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thanks!

[@Chris_Sizemore]

I don't really like the primary loadout. It is a sandpaper, rotary stripping machine. All of its damage is going to be spread out in 5 point chunks with no big single location punches. Yeah, it can drop an impressive amount of damage each turn, but it really needs a partner that can take advantage of the armor it softens. Now after a mech shows a breach, the primary config should be able to find that hole again and again.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I do like the primary loadout, but I recognize how absolutely flawed it is. lol

[@patrickkenyon2326]

Yeah. I tried RACs on a King Crab, but I think I'm gonna switch to UAC 20s. I like the big hits.

[@cameronbird118]

robo murloc

[@kennendo8922]

This thing is seriously mean but the original Timber Wolf is still my favorite wolf.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Love the Timber Wolf.

[@billrich9722]

Uhm… I figured the Dire Wolf was their totem ‘Mech. - Edit - Wait, what the fuck? Why is this being built in the FWL?

[@BigRed40TECH]

The Wolf Empire conquered part of it :(

[@billrich9722]

@@BigRed40TECH I uh... Oh. I guess I've been out of the game for a bit. Your presentation has improved. It's amazing to see all of the excitement around BattleTech.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@billrich9722 Thanks Bill! The more you do stuff, the better you get. Or so I've heard. XD

[@billrich9722]

@@BigRed40TECH I ah... Yeah. Don't tell my boss that. I need my job.

[@schneecoraxx8689]

Clans and their need for symmetry i swear. Run a single RAC with 4 tons of ammo and an erPPC in the other arm.

[@schneecoraxx8689]

nevermind...just heard config b. yea, that works.

[@schneecoraxx8689]

OH. make it the meanest not atlas of all time. 1 gause rifle. 2 large lasers of some kind in the other arm, an lrm 20 in 1 shoulder and an srm 6 in the other. eeeeez

[@paulbrozyna3006]

That is a desperately under armed assault mech. Why do the Clans keep disappointing me like this?

[@thorveim1174]

Just to say, the alpha wolf is NOT a totem mech.. to be one, it would need to have extra frills to make it look like the animal of the clan its from: the kodiak being the earliest exemple of a totem mech, and the closest clan wolf has for a totem mech is likely the warwolf. Also while i love the design.. its weaponry in prime configuration feels unreliable: a lot of ammo that can blow up, RACs that can jam and missiles that have random damage output.. and why the hell does a mech with so much ammo NOT have a CASE II installed to lower the danger of ammo explosions? Same for stealth armor: while it tips odds in your favor, its not as reliable as extra armor or more durable versions like ferro lamellor. Overall, i feel its effectiveness in play could be ruined way harder by bad luck than many other mechs. ironically as a clan wolf fan i do prefer the savage wolf, both for being more reliable and literally being just a timberwolf built with more modern tech. And if an assault is needed.. i'd head more towards the crucible, which is what happens when clan wolf decides the stone rhino needs a boost... 4 Gauss rifles or a bunch of HAGs with large pulse lasers...

[@BigRed40TECH]

"This pushed final development on what should have been the Clan’s third totemic ’Mech back to the start of 3150 In the meantime, the Wolves jump-started production of the totemic Stormwolf with our aid, while full production of the Alpha Wolf only began in the last few months." Just saying how the Recognition guide described it.

[@ShadowknightEX]

Plus clan wolf made the Daishi/ Dire Wolf. Another dangerously effective assault mech

[@thorveim1174]

@@BigRed40TECH weird.. but yeah on sarna its not a recognized totem mech ("To be considered as such a 'Mech is designed to visually resemble some part of the faction fielding them, such as the Eyrie, Mandrill, Kodiak, and Fire Scorpion."); basically physical appearance is the big deciding factor of what is a totem mech and whay isnt... maybe they just meant it was emblematic of clan wolf, which would be very correct ^^

[@horriblypink]

Another Victim to Scrogg's design Ques

[@BigRed40TECH]

I like the way this looks though XD

[@EdmondHiggins]

I really want CGL to do a plastic of this one. The default configuration is a heavy sandblaster.

[@theapostatejack8648]

I will hand it to the Wolves, they have made an impressive monster. That their newest totem mech is designed to be sneaky, may say something about their clan's mindset compared to previous generations. The Wolves have always been adaptable and inventive; but underhanded? That is a new twist.

[@Angel7black]

Theyre not the same Wolves. I think its important to keep in mind that at this point the OG wolves, Ulric Kerensky’s Warden Wolves have been on their death bed basically since Wolf-In-Exile form with the Wolf Empire who were basically built from the ground up by Jade Falcon and lead before Alaric by a heavily warden minded and flat out incompetent(hooking up with and being manipulated for years by Katherine Steiner, really?) Vlad Ward. Not to mention Alaric is literally the sibko incest offspring of two of the Innerspheres most powerful leaders, Katherine Steiner-Davion and Victor Steiner-Davion, not even remotely of Clan blood lineage. Nothing about the Wolf Empire besides adaptability gives me a clan wolf feel. The only real remnant left of what Clan Wolf were are the few remaining Wolfs Dragoons that that im hoping are the ones to actually take down Alaric Ward and maybe bring Clan Wolf back to what it was. Compare them with Ghost Bear who have also changed a lot from how they were but fundamentally the change and merge with rasalhague makes sense for who they were as a clan and how in touch with their humanity and values of family and love. Makes sense that over time they’d be like like “you know these people we conquered are kinda cool and we’ve been kinda intermingling for years now, maybe we can build some kinda union and learn from each other”. You still see the Ghost Bear in the Rasalhague Dominion, while the Wolf Empire just looks like Jade Falcon with a willingness to adapt and Innersphere Great House imperial mindset similar to Katherine Steiner or the Combine in general.

[@19Pyrus70]

@@Angel7black Are you saying that Clan Wolf is led by someone who is part Katrina (conniving) & part Victor (self-righteous) & thinks like a Jade Falcon (by-the-book-with-"honor")?

[@drmayeda1930]

@@Angel7black How did they get giftake from Victor Steiner-Davion. I know wolf scientists were combining Jade Falcon and Wolf DNA but a pure freebirth?

[@thorveim1174]

@@Angel7black wait, I thought the wolves-in-exile still existed since not all of them accepted to join in with the Wolf Empire when they called for unification. Now they gotta be weaker than ever (which considering what the wolves in exiles were, is saying something) but pretty sure they are still around

[@stormcrow28]

The Alpha Wolf is Clan Wolf's answer to the Mad Cat II which has become so popular in the Inner Sphere. Stealth armor, long range sniping configs, and Omnimech tech make it a nasty counter to Jade Falcon Mongol, close in mobility based tactics the Jade Turduckens adapted in the Dark Age.

[@EmperorPylades]

The Prime Configuration is bonkers. Stealth Armour, but LRM 15s and a pair of RAC/5s, because SUBTLETY IS FOR FREEBIRTHS.

[@Reoh0z]

They didn't want it to be sneaky, they just didn't want Freebirths to scratch the paint on their pretty new totem.

[@spartanonxy]

I mean they might be following the second form of stealth as their base. No one can blow your cover if no one is left alive.

[@voidersbeats2011]

Never heard about this one before, but still neat, it got my attention that they mixed inner sphere and clan weapons into one mech. Great video as always.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thanks :D

[@blue95kun]

This is a very strange design, but it's loadout certainly is a certain something. Though the inclusion of stealth armour is still something that confounds me though I will not argue against the Rotary Autocannons because I love me some dakka.

[@androssthered1157]

This certainly is an interesting design. Not sure if a weapon that relies on face time (RACs) go well with armor designed to keep it hidden from sensors but I can see it being a design that introduces a nightmare to enemy forces, especially the A and C variants with their longer range weapons hitting enemies and then fading away to cool down.

[@KageRyuu6]

MWO and MW5 are not indicative of cannon BT mech combat, primarily because the cannon armor and structure values are half what they are in those games. So, a mech capable of putting out up to 90pts (avg 58pts) of damage in a single burst can easily kill most other mechs in that timeframe, max 10 seconds.

[@thorveim1174]

I dont think its much of an issue. Stealth armor messes with sensors and prevents a lock on, a benefit that isnt really lost if you stay exposed. Besides, tis an assault mech, its not gonna dart between buildings anyway.

[@androssthered1157]

@@thorveim1174 exactly, it isn't going to be darting anywhere. Direct fire weapons still affect it. It might be harder to notice but that won't make it any less of a 90 ton mech on the battlefield.

[@ghoulbuster1]

Stealth armors means the enemy doesn't know where the bullets come from, it will be too late when they find out.

[@omegavulture8379]

”There are no alphas in a real wolf pack.” ”I guess we’ll make our own…”

[@malusignatius]

In a regular wolf pack the 'alphas' are the parents of the rest of the pack, and this is certainly one mother of a 'mech.

[@thorveim1174]

@@malusignatius and now i have this picture in my head of a timberwolf, with watery eyes, looking up at the Alpha Wolf and saying "father?"... even if the timby is its grandfather.

[@404cp]

I find it amusing that in games like MWO we have access to a mechlab where anybody can optimize any given mech to the max within it's weight limits but in universe, this kind of thing is nonexistent, not even a paper version, leading to supposedly trained engineers coming out with something like the original Banshee or Charger.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Charger's the best mech in the game. Even in 3152! :P

[@samuelbennett3441]

The MWO mechlab isn't canon, and its version of hardpoints are downright ludicrous. You should not be able to slap a ppc into the same mounting that canonically has a small laser. The other reason is the tabletop game really isn't designed to handle the ridiculously optimized crap you can make with the customs rules. And, in actual canon, custom models are supposed to be incredibly rare.

[@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285]

@@samuelbennett3441 My favorite was when people were jamming gauss rifles into spaces intended for machine guns.

[@SeismicWolf]

Who would ever do something like that? O wait, I put a Snubnose PPC in a Locust.... And an AC20 in a Raven.....

[@williamdobbin7827]

guilty as charged here too@@SeismicWolf.

[@rotwang2000]

Ah yes the RAC, bane of my existence and the second most useless weapon after the OS missile launchers. It would be an OK weapon if it wasn't guaranteed to jam the moment I hit the fire button. Yes I do occasionally make the mistake to believe that maybe I will beat the odds this time, but as soon as I have chosen to fire the RAC, my fate is sealed and it will jam with the same certainty that the sun will rise in the morning, people will say stupid things on Twitter and that it will rain whenever I wear something new.

[@jamesricker3997]

It's an Omni Mech you can replace the RACs with a pair of Ultra AC 10s And hope you don't roll a 2

[@alexhurlbut]

@@jamesricker3997 at least with RAC you can unjam in middle of match.

[@Robo-kz3nr]

truly an alpha wolf grindset

[@purpleboye_]

Idk about tabletop but in mw4mercs the rotary AC5 is nothing special. Certainly not enough damage to justify using on an assault mech as the main weapon. I built a Templar with four rotary AC10s and even that wasn't pushing its damage output past average assault levels.

[@brodypullishy932]

Double RAC 20s are pretty terrifying in that game, very short window of firing before they jam but the output is insane if you can keep hitting the same component. Naturally only heavies and above have the tonnage to mount that

[@ghoulbuster1]

MW4 doesn't give the rotary ACs the RPM it deserves. Rotary ACs can spew rounds at over 200 RPM

[@purpleboye_]

@@ghoulbuster1 ah, so it will jam twice as much in tabletop 👽

[@ghoulbuster1]

@@purpleboye_ I don't know about table top because I don't play it.

[@kythebengzon8023]

Alpha Wolf the Undisputed Wolf Of Clan Wolf until the Ilclown Alaric ordered the creation of the Wolf Wolf Superheavy Omnimech. Lo and Behold fear the Wolf Wolf with it's Extended Range Wolf Large Lasers and Extended Range Wolf PPCs and other Wolf based armaments and configurations. Armored in WolfPlate and carrying Double Wolf sinks truly it is the greatest Battlemech to have ever wolfed.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Seems like you're daring to question the Ilclown. Do you question the Ilclown of the Ilcircus?

[@kythebengzon8023]

@@BigRed40TECH I thought they had to convene in the Council of Carnivals for that though?

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@kythebengzon8023 He has declared himself lord of the Ilcircus, and has declared a new Clown League. Alaric Ward has shown us the way!

[@kythebengzon8023]

@@BigRed40TECH I Dunno giving the title of Ilclown to a man who beat a cryo frozen old man and a weakened Republic isn't really saying much. The Ilclown is going down the path of Honk.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@kythebengzon8023 Honk? HONK!? You dare insult the Ilclown! He is taking us down the path of baloons and tricks! He is the one who liberated Terra! Soon, the whole of the Inner Sphere will be beneath his tent, and those who question the FIrst Clown's rule will be sorely mistaken for their transgressions! To claim he is taking us down the path of Honk is to question what it is to be a clown!

[@kazekamiha]

No Energy Weapons? Yikes. I'd say the ER PPC version might be better suited for most battles. I mean at least add twin medium lasers... Or maybe replace the RAC/5s with 10 Med Lasers and extra D Heat Sinks.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Energy weapons are just Kuritian propaganda!

[@iselfidentifyah64eapache]

Alpha Wolf? More like Armed Chipmunk. There's a chipmunk face right there.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It loses its plot-armour if its a Chipmunk.

[@beskar66]

ALL THE WOLVES!!!

[@KwazyIndian]

Wouldn't a gauss shot or ppc shot KO the pilot with a well placed shot... ?

[@BigRed40TECH]

To almost any mech, except for those with advanced ballistics reactive armour. Maybe with Heavy Armour too.

[@Andrewlik]

Hey Red, would you be able to cover the Cataphract? It's a mech that, while never exceptional, has always found it's way into my hands across both HBS and MW5s campaigns

[@BigRed40TECH]

It will be covered once I get past the 2750 mechs. :)

[@Arnuld15Governator]

Glad to see that Clan Wolf has not learned their lesson with logistical resupply from Tukayyid with the prime design, lol.

[@danwehmeier9717]

Clan wolf was the only clan that heavily optimized for the battle, swapping out ballistics and missiles for energy weapons. They won both of their trial battles. It was the other clans that didn’t listen to Ulrich.

[@mr6johnclark]

i hope this goes on MWO

[@wolfjarlgrbane5771]

Conceals itself because I can not stop laughing. It reminds me of the goggles guy in Atlantis smiling under it's big nose. Sorry but can't look this mech comming at my Custom MAD II configuration and keep a straight face.

[@wolfjarlgrbane5771]

By the way not saying it is abad mech but after watching that movie and then seing the face with the tiny smile just had me rolling in my cockpit.

[@kagetemplar]

First the Savage wolf now the Alpha. KZbin in now recommending me videos about wolfs. This is your fault Bear! lol

[@BigRed40TECH]

GOOD.

[@BoisegangGaming]

I wonder what will happen when Clan wolf runs out of wolf-themed names for mechs. Like, seriously, these guys could give the space Wolves a wolf-run for their wolf-money. "All I hear is wolf wolf wolf wolf" - The Emperor, If The Emperor Had A Text To Speech Device

[@BigRed40TECH]

WOOF WOOF WOOF

[@johnlee7164]

Alpha Wolf IIC

[@SeismicWolf]

I mean, Just and Wolf to the end of the Name and Boom New Mech.... WarWolf ,Wulfen, DireWolf, TimberWolf, SavageWolf ,StormWolf....

[@BoisegangGaming]

@@SeismicWolf This guy wolfs.

[@terrinils3165]

Nah. the new SLDF militias will protect the production facilities.

[@BigRed40TECH]

The army of the brain-dead marching as one grew clown-legion.

[@jamesharrington001]

Ugh that makes me frustrated, she's 5 tons too heavy. The efficient weight would've been 85 tons, then you actually have more free weight then 90 tons, granted it's only 1 ton more, but it's still an extra ton. Only reason I found this out, was when I went back and resigned the Mad Cat II for a buddy in a MW campaign and found out 85t was the perfect weight for it.

[@dilanbrinkley3587]

This baby right here is probably one of my absolute favorites. Across both Clan and I.S. chassis. Sure, she's big...but that's never stopped me before.

[@sardaukerlegion]

That's the point where i got Pissed about MWO and MW5, both restarting the succession war era instead of bringing this era.

[@burnttoast.2017]

They would have to add more Mechs if they did that lol

[@sardaukerlegion]

@@burnttoast.2017 And so we get always the same.

[@SeismicWolf]

Such a thing would make more work for Piranha Games, and they can only Sell...I mean release 1 mech at a time

[@ChaosTicket]

I dont understand the Alpha Wolf. The Mad Cat MKII already exists and the Alpha Wolf is basically just a Omnimech version. I laugh as the Alpha Wolf Prime name because its redundant. Its like naming something Black Wolf Black. As a new mech design I didnt know about the Alpha Wolf until a few months ago. Looking at its equipment its rather mediocre. The reason is because its a speedster for a 90ton assault mech. Combine a large engine with use of heavy ammunition-based weaponry it results in low firepower, and limited ability to exploit the purpose of an Omnimech. Notably i t does have Capellan Confederation Stealth Armor which makes it harder to hit. Its not the first Dark Age+ design that uses Inner Sphere technology. Rotary Autocannons are something the Clans took from the Inner Sphere and Improved upon during the era where the Invader and Homeworld clans were split. The high dependency on ammunition and high chance to jam makes them questionable compared to more reliable Gauss Rifles. Overall I just dont seem much point. The only positive is that the Alpha Wolf has fixed Stealth Armor and ECM. Everything else either has been done before, and other Omnimechs can equip its loadout rather easily. Best I can can figure is that it really is meant to be a Timber Wolf/Mad Cat MKII(OMNI). One thing I will mention is that the Clans did retain the technology of both the Chameleon Light Polarization System and Null-Signature System. Seeing as the Alpha Wolf doesnt use either of them and instead uses Capellan Stealth Armor may be an indicator that those systems really are extinct.

[@CYPRUS008044]

I really like that mech design. I dont know too much about the Battletech universe after the Clan invasion (its what i have the most experience with) but i would like to see this later era mech get a model

[@BigRed40TECH]

They are getting models, slowly, through Iron Wind Metals :)

[@thorveim1174]

@@BigRed40TECH sadly the iron wind ones are on a smaller scale than the new plastic ones if i'm right.. that and metal is a bit of a pain overall when it comes to models. Though they did make a plastic hammerhead, even if it was a premium mech, it shows that we may see mechs from the later eras get models.

[@Demolitiondude]

At least it'll be alpha until ward does some funny business. Crusades are not limited to one faction.

[@shabmaster7128]

The Hollander legs look weird on this, perhaps it's just the angle of the drawing.

[@taranoreilly5101]

"Constructed on the world of Mia Thermapolis, Princess of Genovia"

[@ESC_907]

MECHWARRIOR 2 OST!!! Golden Spade and Umber Wall FTW.

[@rathburnscape6465]

The prime wolf seems like a greater upgrade compared to the MadCat mk2

[@tapioperala3010]

This 'mech looks absolutely brilliant

[@Dameilo1]

Hmmm does it come with a warranty? I thought not! This is why you buy from us not the poor clans! - Seafox merchant probably

[@BigRed40TECH]

Clan Sea Fox has your financial interest at heart.

[@steweygrrr]

"It would only have 10 rounds of fire" That sounds bad but given that a turn in BattleTech is approximately 10 seconds worth of time thats nearly two full minutes of continous dual RAC5 brrrrrt. if there is anything still standing after _that_ then I believe you're gonna need a *much* bigger stick.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It also means it can't switch ammo types on the fly

[@joshuamidgette4846]

It is a clan Nightstar.

[@CMDRFandragon]

From that opening picture: In the words of Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermy "What is that, what the FUCK is that?!" Looks like a Timberwolf shriveled up on a cold day...... Then how did it get 15 tons heavier, yet get WAY less firepower?

[@rpscorp9457]

37 tons of weapons space....you okay bro lol? It has far more FP than the timberwolf.

[@CMDRFandragon]

@@rpscorp9457 Well, 37t, but it runs ballistics, which are way heavier....sooo you wind up with less overall firepower.

[@dantauche7917]

Another excellent video. Outstanding work Big Red!

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thank you Dan! :D

[@Tillman581]

Never even heard of this one.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's a new design. Really recent.

[@ryanh7844]

I love this mech. Such a cool design.

[@canis2020]

I wish we could get a breakdown of the timeline. Brief but gets us caught up to the present.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I'm going back to covering the Succession Wars again for a while after this one. But I do intend to cover a lot of things like that. Just a lot of stuff already on the plate.

[@Jefferow2]

Mw6 needs to take place in this era now.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I doubt we'll get MW6 within the decade :(

[@leosign225]

So I have to ask. Does Big Red Only like Zombie Mechs? Mechs with no XL or XL gyro systems installed I just keep getting the vibe over and over that he only likes High durability over weapons.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I don't like weapons that easily break. There are times when they are useful, 100%, but I like knowing what I'm getting. I field mechs based on what's available in the era and for the faction, so I'll take mechs I don't think give a maximum return, definitely, but I think if you're down and out from a torso loss, or that your gyro is borked very easily, that's not ideal to me. Reliability > Mobility > Firepower > Armour But they're all important of course, that's just how I relatively prioritize them, but different mechs have different objectives.

[@leosign225]

@@BigRed40TECH I can respect that as a personal choice. it does make sense from a force projection longevity point of view. I respectfully disagree however. The pinnacle of your philosophy would be the blakist Archangel. Its a zombie mech without peer. It is also horribly, hilariously out gunned by almost every mech 75 tons or heavier (it being 100 tons). Being reliable is wonderful BUT if your enemy can double or triple your output per fire exchange you're just as dead as if you had an XL. Its a delicate trade but I will always take a hard hitting mech with a damage per turn output of 40 points plus over a zombie any day. Barring a headcapping hit or a very lucky CT crit hit you'll kill any zombie in your weight class long before they get an armor breakthrough in my Table top experience. again against clans this even more important. Clans trade armor for pods with only a few exceptions so you need to drop them as quickly as you can before they can vaporize you as their damage is roughly 50% greater per weight category ton for ton. I mean BV is a great equalizer but it just isn't enough no matter how reliable you are. Post dark age once hardened armor, gyros and engines hit play I admit the equations change it up somewhat. At that point you can literally have enough armor to soak up every point of incoming fire for six to seven turns so I can see the value there.

[@OmniMontel]

​@@leosign225 That is where my personal design philosophy of one big weapon and then medium lasers and heat sinks everywhere comes in... (I constantly with the clans switch between preferring pulse mediums and ER mediums. Also level 2 heavies and above can have 2 big weapons). No one thinks a medium lasers is sexy.... However no one ever tells a nova pilot that a medium laser isn't sexy.