BATTLETECH: The Bushwacker

The face of Technical Readout 3058, and a breakout #Battlemech from #Mechwarrior3, #Mechwarrior4, and #Mechwarrior in general, the #Bushwacker is a fantastic product of the #FederatedCommonwealth, and has a long history of production, and use in the field.
So, let's go over its origins, which surprisingly begin in the #SuccessionWars era, and then into the #ClanInvasion, before heading into the #Fedcom internal conflict, before the #DarkAge and #Ilclan era.
It's an example of peak #Lyran / #Steiner engineering and know-how, and not ironically.
... Even if its successor, the #Gauntlet is not.
#lyrancommonwealth #federatedsuns #Tharkad #Tharhes #JadeFalcon #Twycross #HouseDavion #HouseSteiner #Vulture
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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.

[@B4umkuchen]

I bought MW3 because of the sexy Mad Cat on the cover, but this thing was my very first virtual battle-mech I had the pleasure of piloting. It didn't leave a lasting impression on me, but it was a very good teacher for green Mechwarrior who just crash landed on some god forsaken clan planet...

[@HybriddicAirsoft]

Honestly the canon reason the engineers of the bashwacker kept the old AC/10 should be cuz they were so done with all the electrical issues they went "fuck it I'm not wasting another decade on this damn machine!"

[@Finleymcg]

Maybe it's a weapon they knew well, or it was the only one they had in a plentiful supply? 😜

[@burnttoast.2017]

might be the price increase

[@HundredDaysMusic]

MechCommander 2 starting you off with 2 of these was a powerful statement.

[@Johnpinckney98]

And a Urbanmech for good measure.

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

Ever since MechCommander Desperate Measures I've loved the 'Wacker. My brother and I once built a map that put the player force against a Clan base chock full of heavy and assault Omnimechs. To help balance the scales for the attackers, we had a lance of AI Bushwackers do a drive-by raid on the base to provide a distraction for the defenders. Imagine our surprise when four Bushwackers managed to gut an entire trinary of Omnimechs, a bunch of supporting armor, and a multi-layered set of fixed defenses including layered turrets and walls. It was amazing to watch, but it made the mission far too easy.

[@VengeanceMkII]

The mech that introduced me to Battletech by being the opening mechs in MechCommander 2. Really an extremely flexible and quick machine, its very fun to play.

[@DocktorFurioustank]

Mechwarrior 3 was my introduction to the universe of battletech, and i think in general to giant vaguely humanoid robots with pilots in them. Needless to say I have a soft spot for the bushwacker. Thank you for this wonderful video with all the backstory and mechanical analysis!

[@jamesharrington001]

My favorite 55t IS mech, it took a while, but she really grew on me.

[@empoweredshemphoward]

I remember seeing this in the cartoon and using it in mw3, I remember this being a good functional platform that the champion is envious of. Thanks for the wave of nostalgia red. 😊

[@kathilmechworks4895]

My first introduction to the mech was the first mission in mechwarrior 3 and it was nearly love it first sight. The mech was well armored and had a weapon for every range while maintaining good speed. Do to this when I first started playing battletech in the early 2000's it became one of my first metal minis. Its made it into my post clan invasion lances many a time and was my choice at a local con event I ended up winning with it due to its long range firepower. It get even nastier when you can use smoke and thunder rounds with its LRM 5 launchers which with 2 lets you easily spread light mine fields or one medium field if you need it or 2 hexes of light cover or 1 of heavy cover on command. I'll admit I don't really like most of the variants save for the X4 due to loosing its versatility so much so I only play the X1 and X4 variants. I really don't know what the designers of the gauntlet were doing almost feels like throwing paint on a masterpiece. Its hard to top when you do get such a balance of firepower, speed, armor and heat management.

[@Havocme7]

I like the A-10 Warthog inspired CT and cockpit section. Especially with the jaws/teeth paint combo. The ER Large in the CT rounds out the image.

[@jamesbeard5513]

The Bushwacker, was in love with that thing since I played it on MechWarrior 3. Still think it would have been the FedCom's primary trooper on both sides of the nation had the FedCom continued. As for the newest one, it is amazing general purpose mech and I can see why many mercenaries buy it. While its system is still ammo dependent overall, it also has enough energy weapons to defend itself. Even still, each ammo based weapon has 10-20 rounds of fire which would be enough for most engagements. It can be a striker, harrasser, pursuit, light fire support, light mech hunter, and can probably go toe-to-toe with most mechs its size. The only way the X4 could be better is to use Clan tech in place of all the weapons (save the Plasma Rifle) and/or in the structure of the mech.

[@Tada212]

As the video was going on, I was thinking of what I’d do to the Bushwacker for a custom version. And then I heard about the X4, and I’m absolutely in love. No changes needed, I just need many Bushwackers. I adore this little devil~

[@Emcron]

i like that the BW is very good at being a flexible generalist. in the MC1 xpack and MC2, i kept my starting BWs for quite long, and turned them into backline snipers as the missions got tougher. they still served very well until near the end.

[@ernstbergerbrent]

I just got into your channel. I played mechwarrior 2 and had some battletech toys. I got into 40k a few years ago and am starting to get into battletech lore.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Welcome aboard!

[@EvillBob]

The il-Khan era really brought some excellent designs to the tabletop. The X4 is the perfect Inner Sphere tech stick to beat anything you don't like into the dirt.

[@mikewarden5777]

A well-researched and executed video on the iconic mech from Mechwarrior 3 and beyond. Fantastic work as always, Red.

[@brianhenry152]

The X1 Bushwacker in my mind ticks all of the boxes for an Inner Sphere 3050's design. Unfortunately that also includes the fragility of an XL engine. It's definitely a versatile mech, but you're absolutely right in your assessment: if it's trying to beat Clan mechs at their own game, it'll lose more often than not. I don't have any experience with the Gauntlet, but after seeing the breakdown I cant say I'll go out of my way to field one. This was a great video as always Red! Cheers 😊

[@freeranger00]

I liked the video before even really getting into it. Great video, I love the deep dive into a mech like that. Man, the Bushwacker is a good example of flawed, but still good weapons in Battletech. I don't even particularly like it, but I definitely appreciate it and am glad that it has stuck around.

[@saladinbob]

As an exclusively Mechwarrior (2 onwards) player, I like the Bushwacker for what it is - a good, solid, if uninspiring mech that is good at what it does and does it well.

[@charliemurphy6457]

This has been my favorite medium mech since I was first introduced to it in MW3

[@chaosknight9131]

In my own lore, my own Merc Commander character got so frustrated with the inefficiency of the original Bushwacker, that he started putting anything in place of it, like PPCs he ripped off Panthers, LB10x he bought from the Fedsuns, and even UAC/5s, anything that could help it keep range with the Clanners that he would face regularly. So it's safe to say that this little thing is a bit special to me

[@frocat5163]

As a FedCom player since around '91, and a fan of the Animated Series, I've been a Bushwacker fanboi for 30 years. It was one of the first mechs I 3D printed, actually. As the animated series said when it introduced the BSW-X1, "I'd sure hate to be in the bush it's wackin'."

[@attiladukai2121]

My first ever Mech. MW3 was one of my favorite games of all time.

[@wraith7989]

As a dedicated Merc player, I’m absolutely thrilled that the Lyren’s export this things. It may not be in their own best interests but it makes my life a lot better.

[@JV-lz3jd]

The Bushwacker is a childhood favorite of mine next to my favorite the Axman 2N.

[@e-train765]

This mech was SO many people's first mech (myself included) cause of MW3. Hands down, without a doubt my all time favorite medium mech 🤘

[@Fenris86]

The Bushwacker was my first battlemech when I started with Mechwarrior 3 and I've always been fond of it. It looks appropriately "techy" and digitigrade legs are a favorite of mine.

[@scrooge-mcduck]

Bushawacker. Love it, strangely. Like a Peugeot 206CC.

[@meining-mech4378]

Yes! One of my favorite mediums to field! While I bemoan the ERLL, it is a decent platform, especially the BSW-X2 or S2 variants. I had one nail an Atlas in the head, and thus earned the name "Rattlecan Mike". - The Gauntlet has a cool look, but only the A.Config really brings anything to the table. I remember kitbashing an A.Config once. Wouldn’t mind trying again.

[@ogrehaslayers605]

After TRO's 3025 and 2750, TRO 3058 is my favorite TRO. The Bushwhacker on the cover was a big part of why i bought it! But as i looked up each mech, i had the same feelings about the Bushwhacker. As i looked at the art more, i was baffled about it not having hands, particularly those wierd stumps instead of gun barrels. Over the years, ive fought several Bushwhackers, but never run any myself. I know a lot of folks love it, but ive just never been impressed. That said, i love some truly bizarre mechs myself. So no hate from me. LOL Thanks for the video! It really is great to have people like you Making such her gh quality videos.

[@ShadrackMeduson]

my favorite mech from mechcommander 2. That was not just my first game of the franchise but also my first pc game ever. My favorite striker configuration was AC 20, with SRM,s and PPC while Sniper was Gauss Rifle with ERPPC and LRM

[@ChairmanMo]

A good mech to use in Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries. 2 medium pulse lasers, a LRM 5/10 and an AC 5 autocannon.

[@cobalt968]

Everyone goes on and on about Lyran scout lances full of Atlases, or the Lyran wall of steel. But medium mechs like the Bushwacker serve with great distinction in the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces, giving its forces much needed flexibility.

[@AlphaAurora]

Mech Command 2, intro'd to Btech, and the Bushwacker. Loved the weird looking mech.

[@Executioner9000]

Ever since i saw the bushwacker on the cover of TRO 3058, i have always liked this mech. It's a good general purpose mech, although if in a campaign i will often make the obvious LBX swap

[@BoisegangGaming]

A bushwacker with MMLs is one of my favorite set ups for the mech. Just fun to barf out different types of missiles. I wish its arms looked better, don’t like how wierd they are.

[@KMCA779]

I feel like if they'd used an SRM6 in the one arm and an LBX10 it would have been more useable as a multi-role medium... Still not great but I feel like the added flexibility would have made it more appreciated by pilots and commanders.

[@Lunarice98]

You mean the S2?

[@beskar66]

This video really did wack the itch in the bush THANKS RED

[@alexandruraresdatcu]

I always liked the bushwacker, its the starting mech in mechwarrior 2-3 something... Upgrading to LB10x was the first thing to do when salvaged and then blasting legs...

[@TroySeward]

Nice job cool mech.

[@Alpha_Digamma]

A pair of Bushwackers X1s and a pair of Kintaros KTO-18 or 20s are a nice, relatively fast mix. You cannot afford to ignore any of those mechs and the vast amount of missiles they bring to the table will weaken enemy armor rather fast for AC 10s and Large Lagers to punch through somewhere rather sooner than later.

[@Darkeyesism]

"Hey don't get to close to those bushes they hide Bushwankers"

[@xensoldier]

another great video RED

[@stormcrow28]

Remember Mechwarriors, information is ammunition.

[@ChairmanMo]

The Gauntlet was messed up because the 'Generals' still think that Assault mechs can be used for recon. Even the Hero of Somerset Adam Steiner could not stop the Social Generals. I read one of the later technical readouts that said the Gauntlet was good, but this video is right. The Gauntlet could have been turned into the standard issue Omni Medium Mech that would replace most of the other Medium mechs in the LCAF. But instead they fumbled the bag. Imagine hundreds of Gauntlets taking advantage of the massive pool spare parts and support infrastructure. You have a fleet of Omni mechs but with none of the supply chain issues.

[@Soulfruit260]

Love me the good ol’ bushie. While not perfect by any means, it’s a solid workhorse and/or flex role mech for any lance. Great for skirmish and cleanup. Also the X4 is a nasty lil bugger; wounded mechs beware cause it will devour them

[@Chris_Sizemore]

The Bushwacker is one of the few designs that has a inner sphere Extra Range Large Laser and it would actually be worse if you replaced it with a normal large laser. This mech is actually built around using the ERLL, and for once it has enough heat sinks that you will use it every turn. So many designs from this time period do not handle this weapon so well. It would of been great if variants existed that simply replaced the AC10 with either an LB-10X or an UAC/5. Both weapon systems were widely available in the FedCom and either of them would of been a substantial upgrade that fell in line with the design philosophy of the Bushwacker. My ideal remake of the X1 would drop 1 heat sink, upgrade the AC10 to a LB10X and use the 2 extra tons to add 2 medium lasers to help deal with opponents that close to close range. While this means the Bushwacker can't alpha strike every turn and run without gaining heat, heat should still be easy to manage.

[@georgew5014]

MWO-Rackwaker😅😅 We got hate mail😂

[@jamesgleason5810]

"X-2 hit em change positions,run that Gauntlet you say?"

[@emdeo]

the section on the Gauntlet really just exists to make the X4 even more shiny, huh. I do like the Gauntlet, especially the A, but I will always be sold on any mech bringing 2 PPCs (of any kind) to battle.

[@ero9841]

One my old favorites. I like throwing casless ammo into the first varient. My only complaint is lack of light guass varient that replaces ac10 for one.

[@shaalis]

To me this is the only mech that would work in real life. It's kinda like an apache helicopter chassis with legs, and operate in similar fashion. Move. Hide. SHoot. Move. Hide. Shoot. Move.....

[@russellgilson3536]

Yep not a battleline mech, a skirmisher to make enemy string out and defeat piecemeal.

[@russellgilson3536]

In mw4 i changed to er llaser and bigger engine for speed.

[@spencerjones841]

The only reason I can think of no LBX-10 is that they rushed the development to field it as fast as possible or there where production shortages of LBX-10s at the time

[@BigRed40TECH]

Given every other mech had it? I doubt it. lol

[@kwangsoo515]

@@BigRed40TECHthe way I remember the invasion, prior to the ilkhan dying and the Dragoon summit very few Mechs had recovered tech and from test uses in 3039 it was probably still considered unreliable since even Prince Victor Steiner-Davion was using a non upgraded Victor ‘Mech. Also it was during the Dragoon summit the deal was made for the FWL to crank out upgrade kits for the other states.

[@Kepora1]

Honestly, my High Roller inspired refit looks like it'd be great on tabletop. 3 Mediums or ER Mediums in the left arm, LL in the CT and AC10 in the right arm or LPL/LB10X respectively.

[@lazysponge]

i have to say it the bushwhacker is awesome its my favorite medium probably

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

'SHWACKER! One of my faves out of 3055(8?) :D And one of the few good things to come out of the animated series (with the other being "INFORMATION IS AMMUNITION!" :D :D )

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's TRO 3058 yea. But it appears on battlefields before 3055

[@rubreh6638]

One of my favorite mechs

[@joebyrnes9254]

The funnest build I ever did with this thing in Mechwarrior: Online was to give this thing like several RAC/2s and just BRRRRRRRRRRRT the enemy team down from half way across the map. Fun shit until Id got gaussed. God bless the Dakka Duck.

[@hammer1349]

Did the same thing with mine, its quite an annoying long range fighter. Rac2, 2x LRM10s and a light PPC. Not afraid to get up close and personal with it either

[@FrostyThundertrod]

The bushwacker was my first mech coming into Mechwarrior from wing commander I was not able to understand or appreciate the mech at the time but now I see why it a good anti clan mech since the one thing that IC has over the clan is numbers the Bushwacker cost 1.8 million c-bills vs Stormcrow 14.7 million c-bills 1v1 these mech are competitive with the stormcrow having the advantage but instead it would be 1 stormcrow vs 2 or 3 bushwackers focusing fire to quickly eliminate the stormcrow in the 3 v1 fight the Bushwacker is a threat to Summoners and Timber wolves has well. for a fraction of the cost

[@Dokdiamant]

Hmm, if I had to design the Bushwalker, and had to place it's weapons I would have made it so: The Large Laser would be in the right Arm, not in Center Torso and the LRM 5 from it, would be on the right Torso like it's twin. The Mashineguns would changed with 2 Small Lasers or small Pulse Lasers and ether give the LRM / AC10 one more ton of ammo or, if the internal space would be enough, one more D. heat sink. This would take alot of heat from the Center Torso and would make the design more stable. Also I would put in a LB10X too, or a UAC5 with more ammo for it than only 1 ton. It isn't a bad mech, hell it was the first you have to "drive" in Mechwarrior 3, but it's configuration... I switched some of it as fast as I could in that game. :D (Mostly, take out the MGs and replace them with Med Lasers. In that game it was possible without problems. :D ) The Gauntlet B sounds like an Innver Sphere Version of a Nova... without the ER Tecnology. Bad Trade! :D

[@duanewong1527]

Ah yes, one of the starting mechs of Mechcommander 2, with the other being the razorback

[@cyanidecologne9018]

I was just thinking about this mech and the old mechwarrior games, had to find a mod to add it to MW5 for Ole times sakes

[@malusignatius]

An excellent fast trooper medium, almost a faster Centurion in some regards. Pair it up with some brawlers to control the range and go to town.

[@aepoth1]

20:56 The AC-10 has one redeeming quality over the LBX-10; it can take specialized ammo like Precision, Caseless, Frag, HEAP, Piercing, and AOE rounds while the lbx is limited to just cluster and slug rounds.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Only has 1-ton of ammo. Taking specialist ammo means only 5 shots. That's. Terribad.

[@aepoth1]

@@BigRed40TECH Fair point. That would run dry pretty quick.

[@ChaosTicket]

I have mixed feelings about eh Bushwacker. Its pretty good on the tabletop, mostly functioning as an upgraded Centurion. Its not too much more costly, but it is faster and has better overall firepower. In Mechcommander 2 had some good uses out of it it where you started with a couple on your team. Mostly I remember it from Mechwarrior 4 where I hated using one. It had very limited upgraded potential and limited customization. You had some bays from various weapons but its not like you could carry around a couple of Extended Range Large Laser which was basically the standard for light-medium mechs in that game. I wouldnt want any heavy ballistic weapons when they can barely even carry them. Now in terms of actual design I think its pretty bad. Comically it has mismatched arms with one looking like a door hinge that can only turn, not change elevations. Using an Extralight Engine greatly increases the cost. The BSW-X1 model has an obsolete standard Autocannon-10 instead of at least an LB-X AC-10. It has standard Machine Guns instead of Flamers or advanced Small Pulse Lasers. With its double heat-sinks its actually Overcooled in most situations. This leaves the mech contradicting itself. Its supposed to be an Advanced Trooper but its barely better than a common Griffin

[@Elrigger]

Excellent video. Tho I haven't played the bushwacker much in mwo I see other players do very well with it and there are some builds I try to steer clear of. On tt I've had decent luck

[@fuzztsimmers3415]

i always thought the x2 was for anti light in a support lance can still fire the lrms at long range but then if a light gets close it can defend.

[@paganhorde4463]

No bushes shall go unwacked

[@GeofftheIronwolf]

Personally with the X1 I'd of ditched the AC10 for an UAC5 and 3 tons of ammo and swapped the MGs for small lasers. Then give tle LRMs another ton and a half of ammo Puts the mech far better into reach out and touch the enemy from long range and better endurance. Though the X4, mmm mmm consider me onboard for that.

[@Rick1984FL]

Just now getting around to listening/watching this (Sidebar: this content would be an amazing lore dump podcast!) Couldn’t the clan invasion technically be interpreted as a “fifth succession war” only difference is a literal periphery party inserted itself into the proceedings to asset dominance …or did I just “that’s the joke.gif” myself?

[@MatthewPrice-dq3sp]

I'm a fan of base type ACs due to the availability of specialty ammo, but it does need more ammo tons

[@BigRed40TECH]

Base-AC can work with specilist ammo, but 5 shots for an ac10 is not a winning formula. lol

[@gamemonster436]

What is the mod you used for the bushwhacker

[@Reverb154]

The myth of Steiner-Stupidity is dispelled by the Bushwacker, but revived by the Gauntlet! (SAD!)

[@MrJack556]

It's great as a sniper

[@techpriest3440]

While the Gauntlet is a disappointment, the Bushwacker with Endo instead of Ferro would have been a fantastic basis for a workhorse medium Omnimech for the Inner Sphere. Mobile? Check. Space for weapons? Sure. Good enough armor? Yep. Heat sinks? Good enough. It’s still a great purchase for a merc looking for a solid workhorse battlemech

[@ghoulbuster1]

If only there was a variant with RACs

[@theenigmaticbohammer]

nice

[@brett76544]

To me a simple mech basic weapons and decent speed is what you want. Another one could be the line holder. Still this one is different starting as a computer game mech, then later on becoming a table top mech.

[@MikeJohnson-k8m]

I built 65 ton Bsw-k2 Bushwacker2 , it's has a 325 xl engine, 11.5 tons of ff, 3 DHS , it moves 5/8 , weapons a ppc RA. A Lr-Dfm-5 LA. CT large laser .RT Srm-6 with Tandem charge warheads for ammo. Both missile systems have case in them . Also G.Ecm Rt and Lt 3 M.lasers, My group doesn't bv we like combat drop tons like in mw5, we also use classic BT Master rules and Tactical handbook with max tech to build are stuff. Give it a try for tabe top. Thanks

[@MikeJohnson-k8m]

I Forgot the head s.laser on the right side of the cockpit. Thanks

[@monostripeexplosiveexplora2374]

subvariants beeing the wacker-wacker and the bush-bush

[@robrib2682]

I didn't catch much of this video on the first go-around but it sounds like the "not a madcat" configuration would totally be bought up by the clans as a sort of punishment detail for highly honored mechwarriors that do something massively stupid. Full on "you shot a procurement officer in the face because he offended you, I would have been offended as well but you delayed the military advanced by 3 weeks because of that. You get the shitty timberwolf now"

[@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285]

It's not the hottest shit but it gets the job done. Unlike it's successor design in which *you* will be done.

[@donaldcampbell3043]

A true soldier mech...

[@abaddonblack1294]

Is it just me or does the Gauntlet B seem like someone tried to make a better version of the Nova Prime?

[@fearlessfarless]

Say what you want about the Bushwacker, the AC-10, and MW3, but 15 year old me was in love the first time I pulled that joystick trigger. Good times!

[@IamHattman]

Say what I want? Sure! AC10s are great!

[@Berathan-dnd]

So much nostalgia for MW3 and Mech Commander 2 where you started with these things.

[@Logicon1138]

Coming out of the water onto the beach the first time :]

[@Heatx79]

OG MW4 Vengeance worker also

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

​@@Logicon1138Those poor fishermen and their exploding wooden boats 😅

[@kagetemplar]

The preferred mech of landscapers across the Inner Sphere. Them bushes ain't going to wack them selves.

[@lexington476]

Oh please tell me the next production variant of this design is called the weed wacker 😀😃😄.

[@kagetemplar]

@@lexington476 Weed wacker will be the light mech version. Heavy will be the lawn mower, Assault; the Ride on.

[@DiggingForFacts]

There's dirty Draks hidin' in them there bushes.

[@julianares1343]

@@kagetemplar Heavy will be the lawn mower, and assault will be the Lawn F'ing Mower.

[@missjayspeechley9213]

Now I need to see a green Bushwacker with Jim's Mowing Heraldry

[@MatthewSobotka]

Oh my God, oh my God! The Bushwacker is my introduction to BattleTech! I remember playing the bushwhacker In mech commander two In the starting mission! God bless you, Red!

[@harvestblades]

I love the 'Wacker & was trying to think of when I fell in love with it & I believe it was MC2 as well. It's definitely a mini I need for playing Classic BattleTech.

[@theshatteredsaga3965]

MC2 was a great game with some highly underrated designs. Bushwacker, Hollander II, Shootist, Zeus X, Blood Asp, etc.

[@SulliMike23]

Another mech I first saw in the Battletech Cartoon. One of my personal favorites too.

[@KMCA779]

same... I just wish it was a bit better.

[@mikecampos1193]

​@@KMCA779technically it's Steiner propaganda it's considered Canon.

[@frocat5163]

@@KMCA779 *"I just wish it was a bit better."* The animates series or the Bushwacker?

[@GhostBear3067]

​@@mikecampos1193 the events on the series are not necessarily considered canon, but its existence in universe is canon. Since Adam Steiner is a legitimate character in the franchise I like to imagine he despises that cartoon.

[@GhostBear3067]

I may be misremembering but I swear when they introduced the Bushwacker they had an incident of "getting crap past the radar" when the guy telling the 1st Somerset Strikers about the new mechs makes a reference to keeping bushes trimmed while leering at one of the female characters.

[@bo_shepardttv3639]

So many memories. MW2 was my first game. But MW3 is my absolute favorite and still play it when I can get the game to work. And of course this mech is what makes me smile the most when I start up the game. Now I get to watch/listen to it sweet sweet lore.

[@Chopstorm.]

Do you step on that guy near the beach or do you spare him?

[@Musabre]

@@Chopstorm. I thought that was compulsory, for luck?

[@nathanwheeler2047]

My 8 year old son for Father’s Day painted me black and red Bushwacker!

[@sterner626]

That is such a cool gift ^.^

[@DoubleWhammy]

My absolute favorite medium mech ever, although the Centurion is a very close second.

[@krullachief669]

Th Bushwacker needs more love tbh. It's just a really solid, if occaisionally fragile, 55 ton skirmisher with a frankly nasty armament when combined with its speed tier. Shame that it has MGs.

[@andrewamann2821]

Perhaps, instead of lamenting armament choices due to a limited view of it's holistic scope, you might try to expand your tabletop experience by bringing in some of the poor, bloody infantry, and using them for their intended purpose... Turning infantry bases into paste.

[@krullachief669]

@@andrewamann2821 I do, and when I do turn infantry to paste, I use Small Pulse Lasers, Plasma Rifles, and Flamers as god intended. Because fuck infantry, but also fuck machine guns.

[@baker90338]

@@andrewamann2821having done that, it made me rethink my opinion on the Crusader. Laserboats do nothing…and then an ancient machine whom was probably produced for my great great great grandfather’s era waddles up to the front, sprays the front, and slowly waddles back into the fight

[@krullachief669]

@@andrewamann2821 I do. And my answer to those are called flamers and small pulse lasers.

[@BattletechFACTS]

FACT: The Bushwackers, Butch and Luke, were not from Australia. They were from New Zealand. Big Red-40Trek is rumored to hold New Zealand citizenship. Therefore, this video is proof, beyond any doubt, that Red is paid by Catalyst Games Workshop.

[@lexington476]

Oh lord, the Bushwacker... This is one of those love-hate designs with me. On paper it's a good design, but it was in the cartoon 😀...

[@frocat5163]

Yeah, the animated series was pretty awful...but I was already a FedCom player when it came out, and it led directly to my abiding hatred for the dirty birds, as well as introduced me to the Bushwacker. So I can't be too mad at it. Also, I think it's hilarious that it was written into canon as in-universe propaganda against the Clans, specifically the Emerald Chickens. I've had the _1st Somerset Strikers_ Sourcebook since early '96, and I've been slowly working on printing and painting all of the mechs used in the campaign so I can play through the whole thing with some friends.

[@RecklessInternetting]

Ah, the "Mario" of the setting. The jack-of-all-trades that proves that you can be the master of being average. And somehow, it still works.

[@scytheseven9173]

Thanks for the video! I strongly suspect the X4 variant with its Plasma Rifle is MechFrog-approved 🐸

[@jefferynelson]

my first BT video game was MW3, so the first mech I ever drove was a Bushwhacker

[@Nikotheos]

My favorite variant is, of course, the Manscaper. Great mech!

[@Bomfunker91]

One of the most visually distinct and recognizable machines in the game, you can't help but love it. I have a particular soft spot for the X2 variant; the ER large laser just isn't very good, and I much prefer the spread of missile launchers and lasers.

[@michaelkimberling7307]

Lost this mech the first round it was on the board due to an ammo explosion at a grinder last month. Lucky TAC to the machine gun ammo and I instantly lost the side torso.