BATTLETECH: The Crockett / Katana

The #Crockett may not be the most recognizable #AssaultMech in #Battletech, but it is one of the more dangerous denizens of #TRO2750. It also has a storied history in terms of its backstory, including some contradictions from various sources.
It let me go into how canon is not always clean. Though I suspect the latter holds true, it doesn't seem like its true, so that's interesting to me.
All the same, #Comstar and the #DraconisCombine have at least acceptable taste by having these ones I think. The #StarLeague and its #SLDF certainly did by creating it in the first place.
Alright #Mechwarrior (s), let's dive into it.
#Comguards #Clans #TheClans #ClanInvasion #Katana #DCMS #HouseKurita #WordofBlake #DarkAge #IlClan #SuccessionWars #Lostech
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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.

[@Irascibanality]

Star League: Yeah, we need an assault-class training mech with some combat capability Blankenburg: Assault mech with some training capability, got it 👍

[@Thud-pq8rl]

This is my go to ComStar command mech. I have slaughtered so many Victors, Awesomes, and even Clan assaults in this baby. On paper she isn't that impressive but in the field she is first rate. Give her a try if you haven't ran one before.

[@brianhenry152]

Agreed! Definitely a potent assault mech!

[@nicolasgodines1129]

On paper it feels like a truly amazing brawler with an intimidating arsenal at all ranges, it just isn't as hyped as the other mainstream Assaults. I let my friend use it in a 3 v. 3 from my last AS match, and even against a Dire Wolf it made the enemy sweat. I'm definitely going to run this in Classic one of these days.

[@Sigil_Firebrand]

Glad I just got one for my Word force then

[@senint]

I think I’ll need to tryout this mech for my sword of light. 🤔 (my 6th Benjamin Regulars cannot access to this high quality mech… 😅)

[@rmcdudmk212]

It's always weird when a mech series like the Crocket/Katana has two names but is still basically the same mech, but it adds a lot of flavor to the universe in my opionon.

[@hexesandheroes]

Reminds me of duplicate cars at Ford of Chev. Same car...slightly different style...but largely same underneath.

[@Dracobyte]

And a non-Clan example.

[@johnbrennan8611]

The redesign is definitely cool looking. I wish this Mech was in MW5.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I think it'd have been a great addition.

[@JazzKazoo0930]

I think some of the DLC mechs should have been in the base game, and the DLC adding rarer ones. Like the longbow in the base game and the Crockett as the dragons gambit addition

[@irishijo1]

Cant wait to see this thing added to MercTech, looks like a pretty simple mech

[@irishijo1]

I should clarify: Simple does not mean bad. Sometimes a simple tool is all you need

[@ChaosTicket]

I like the Crockett. In 3025 the Highlander is more famous, but the Crockett is arguably better built. Its heavily armored, fairly cool with its heat sinks, and mobile due to its jump jets. Its only significant weakness is that it has no long range weapons. Why the Crockett is so solid is because it doesnt try to be too fancy. It doesnt mount a high powered, high cost engine like a Battlemaster or Cyclops. Its designed at the uppermost limit of Heavy(1 ton) Jump Jets which also saves weight. So you have a solid combination of Armor, Firepower, and Mobility. Upgrading it is quite simple, just swap out its weapons for SLDF upgrades. Now the variants are what I like. The original CRK-5003-1 Crockett training mech has much better cooling capacity, longer weapons weapons. Its just better. The CRK-5003-1b Royal is a powerful unit with many energy weapons. Similarly to the above it has a strong direct fire weapons package including a long range Gauss Rifle. While it doesnt look it, its basically a Marauder 1.5

[@thestabbybrit4798]

The Combine removed four tons of armour from this? I guess death by ammo explosion is a quicker death than seppuku.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Ammunition Explosion is a glorious death. lol

[@eddapultstab2078]

The Crockett is the definition of well rounded. It contains decent long range package for handling mechs and a can hurl enough missles that can make any tank sweat. Not only does it have enough heat sinks to handle a confrontation reasonably well, especially the SL version, but jump jets to give it more maneuverability and top it all off with enough armor for a siege.

[@blue95kun]

I for one can attest to how decent the mech is on the field, speaking as one who was on the receiving end of it's weapons. It certainly knows how to make an impression all right.

[@BigRed40TECH]

An 85-ton impression? :)

[@blue95kun]

A big AC 10 sized hole in my Recon Lance. That poor Stinger...

[@kythebengzon8023]

My custom SRM Locust agrees as I literally ran into an NPC one. The resulting collision aged me ten years and the Katana then stepped on me. That encounter oozed Mech commander trailer energy.

[@rotwang2000]

The Crockett works really well with hole punchers like the Awesome, Thunder Hawk or King Crab. After they hosed off the armour, the Crockett moves in and then looks for crits with double SRM's and an LBX. It does pretty well in single fights too. Good all around.

[@Robo-kz3nr]

if I ever get one, I calling him Davy the Crockett

[@BigRed40TECH]

This is the way.

[@RomanvonUngernSternbergnrmfvus]

If you do it must have some of the most comically destructive weapons available with no regard to overheating or safety. In memory of the tactical nuke launcher of the same name

[@upandaljm]

The only mech I actually like an LBX autocannon on. This mech is close to perfect in my opinion. Always loved this thing. Never had one in anything other than war games and I never lost when I had one.

[@shukilevyandbrookesheildsl2638]

I really like the history of this mech. It really got my attention after its redesign in the Clan Invasion Kickstarter. I'm painting up one in SLDF colors and Minnesota Tribe markings.

[@Shark0115]

I actually like the conflicting canonical backgrounds. It's very true to real-life. History can be murky as "history is written by the victors", what we're told is not always true.

[@FrostyThundertrod]

Two large lasers and a AC10 sounds really good to me I however think I would reduce the SRM to 4s for some more heat management

[@dzeclectic2327]

First artwork had a nice look. Like a chunkier Warhammer with a symmetric pairing of srms. Reminds me of my brawler Timber Wolf in MWO which has almost the same load out.

[@hatework4282]

I dont always like Inner Sphere ER Large lasers, except on designs like this. Ones that have the heat sinks to effectively use them, and cooler running weapons for those turns you need to cool the mech down. Also, its got a LB-10X. All the cool kids know its the best autocannon. Overall, a decent mech on paper. Ive never fielded one, so i cant comment on its actual effectiveness.

[@Linkous12]

The -0 variant may be my favorite 85-tonner of the Succession Wars era. It may run a little hot, but removing the small lasers for a extra heat sink helps.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's a solid mech in 3025 definitely.

[@knightvisiongoggles7934]

If I ever score a Crockett, I shall name it Davey!

[@williamjanak2013]

Its interesting seeing your older videos that are no where near as well researched/long as your modern ones. Still a good watch.

[@chaz706]

Blankenburg: Here. Have this trainer mech. SLDF: hmm.... this is good for a trainer mech! But... Blankenburg: But... but what? SLDF: ...we also think it's it's a good combat mech too.

[@impressiveprogressive7343]

The torso of this mech reminds of the original Frankenmech, that alien looking Cataphract.

[@WaltMartin]

As I watched this video, I was laughing, and talking to you about the Crockett. Wonderful design, and well, it is just terrific for what it was created for. Some of the Lore is being fixed. Sort of, so that might help in future videos. Great work here though. I loved it.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Fixes just mean more Retcons XD It fixes nothing! It just makes it more splattered. lol

[@penis0100]

An awesome all around machine. Used with great benefit by Comstar and Draconis Combine. Forefather of the pride of the Northwind Highlanders especially the chassis: the Blackwatch.

[@jdmmike7225]

A great video for my B-day lol. A very cool lesser known Mech. Well done Bear.👍

[@lukedudley5030]

Happy birthday matey :-) the crocket is a great mech to hear about on the auspicious day :-)

[@jdmmike7225]

@@lukedudley5030 Thanks dude. I was hoping my beloved Black Knight would be on my birthday but that was before we knew Bear was gonna be doing an extended vid for it, so I'm more than willing to wait. The extended vids for the Black Knight and Highlander should be DOPE!!!

[@lukedudley5030]

@@jdmmike7225 yep looking forward to them :-) hope your day has gone well :-)

[@jdmmike7225]

@@lukedudley5030 So far so good 👍

[@johnbrennan8611]

Happy birthday JDM. Hope it's a good one.

[@kazekamiha]

It looks like a bigger, bulkier Warhammer. Which isn't a bad thing on it's own, mind you. I could see replacing the large lasers with PPCs. I would like to upgrade the small lasers to mediums, but it looks like a solid mech for it's weight class.

[@mikestrickler4299]

You are simply entertaining! I am fairly new to learning the various mechs. Pleasure to get a history on each, it's capabilities and simply the lore! Well done, again!

[@BigRed40TECH]

Awesome, thank you Mike! :D

[@robertb7293]

That ain't a training mech, now this. THIS is a training mech. ... Ah sorry mate. Wrong pocket. This is just me knife.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I see you've played knifee-mechee before.

[@GnarledStaff]

A mech designed for on the job training!

[@biggussoupius9713]

Deadass one of the top 3 best IS Assaults. Only thing that ever held it back was its scarcity.

[@jefffreese947]

Hysterical to me that somehow Blackenburg created one of the better all-around assault mechs seemingly by accident. ("Better" might be hyperbole, but still a damn good mech!)

[@roshee5573]

I love the redesign of this mech . The original always looked a bit dorky

[@Morachnyion]

Hated the original even if I have two. The new sculpt is all kinds of yes

[@BigRed40TECH]

I owned one.

[@louiskemner3216]

The Crockett always had a “basic but effective” feel in my tabletop games

[@steveharrison76]

Not heard of this chap. I do love the look - it looks like an upscaled vindicator, with that cockpit, so I’m biased (don’t even care, the vindicator is my second-favourite mech and there’s nothing anyone can do about that). The jump jets alone make it attractive to me - you can leap into someone’s rear arc and send twelve April-fools-muffin-baskets into their backside. ERL lasers I like, and an LBX/10 is always welcome. Gotta love shotgunning Kuritans or Capellans off your lawn. (Not that I have a lawn…). To be honest, for utility, I’d probably have put a UAC/5 there with a bit more ammo, as my mercenary heart has one eye on the probability of having to last for a long engagement. Bit more range, more ammo, and you never know - you could de-cockpit someone with it! Hope springs eternal! Nice work - thanks boss!

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's a mean mech-breaking machine. Unless you get the knock-off Combine models. They're not bad. But they aren't so durable. lol

[@jonbezeau3124]

Listening to the review, I recognized the name... why did I never use this machine? And then the original FASA art shows up and reminds me. Woof! What a dog.

[@BigRed40TECH]

100%. The Crockett was a victim of being ugly back in the day.

[@jeffreywilliams8018]

With the possible exception of the Ost-series, no mech benefits from the new art more than the Crockett

[@Chass3urTV]

Nice video on this almost forgotten training mech that need up being put into various battles

[@bryanmcmahon7122]

If I ever get succesful enough in my Megamek Campaigns to get a training Company/Battalion, this is the CO's mech even if I have to go to the DC and take one by force.

[@gammafighter]

I got a Crockett from my first ever Salvage Box today. As a newbie, I wasn't familiar with it, but this video has me excited for it. I was happy enough to get an Assault Mech, but the Crockett seems particularly interesting.

[@OptimusJedi]

Davy 🎶 Davy Crockett 🎶 King of the wild frontier 🎶

[@BigRed40TECH]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqnGg4SbmdR4r7s&ab_channel=warholsoup100

[@SgtPorkchop91]

The first picture made me almost think that this is an Assault mech version of the Cataphract

[@joeromano583]

This is one of the mechs I love because of the lore.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's got great lore. And contradictory lore! BOO HISS! lol

[@decepticonpecock]

@@BigRed40TECH choose your own adventure!

[@Z1pZ1p3r]

There are sooooooo many cool looking mechs that never made their way into the battletech 2018 game. It is such a travesty.

[@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285]

One of the legit "rude surprises" for the Federated commonwealth that the Combine had waiting for them thanks to comstar; even in it's a degraded format it's a solid murder machine.

[@beskar66]

My mind always auto corrects the name to crotchety 🤷😑😮‍💨

[@BigRed40TECH]

Then just call it the Katana. :P

[@dantauche7917]

I do that with the Trebuchet aka the trench bucket

[@angrytigermpc]

Reminds me of the T-38/F-5 jet aircraft of the US air force. Both are essentially the same design, just one is built to be a combat platform.

[@GeneralBlaze1991]

I'm not gunna lie, I overlooked the Crockett at first. However, once I began reading up on it, and seeing its CGL redesign, I started to fall in love with the thing.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I've always liked it, but always thought it was ugly. The redesign has made me much more willing to go with it.

[@terranceroff8113]

One of my old favorites from the table top days.. still potent.

[@joshblack2362]

Nice upload! Keep up the great work!

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thanks, will do!

[@theJellyjoker]

The Crockatana!

[@Jager1967]

All I can say is DAMM! I want a lance of them right now.

[@ericc9321]

The 1 model really is an inner sphere assault sized Hellcat. Considering how much I like the Hellcat, it's a shame I wasn't made aware of the ComStar variant sooner.

[@Morachnyion]

The new art reminds me of a big cousin to a Warhammer. So of course I love it

[@TroySeward]

Great video love Battletech lore.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thank you!

[@kylebarrie2887]

Never seen or heard of this mech but it sounds amazing/awesome!

[@wheturangi]

Solid as a rock. The only change I would do is replace the SRM6s with Streak 2s. Even the Katana isnt bad for what it is. I adore this barrel chested assault. Though it is overshadowed by the Highlander.

[@Dracobyte]

The Crockett: Brutal and cool with its skmplicity!

[@Cha-Khia]

The Crocket is a mech that can take significant punishment , and dish out almost as much as it takes, enemies who underestimate this venerable beast will be left battered and broken. It is among my favorite mechs for my ComGuard forces.

[@CountSpartula]

I always found the idea of an assault training mech to be a bit funny, as if it were ever going to be anything other than a worthy frontline contender? Like when you're making a 'training mech with capacity for actual combat', well you're just making a regular battlemech then aren't you? One optimized for strategic concerns.

[@faithmcclosky4528]

Great video as always Red! I like how you wove the history of the machine into the video, as well as the commentary on its abilities.

[@eopatcjo]

🎵DavEEEEEy Daveeey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier🎶

[@tomarmadiyer2698]

Picked up the Royal in my latest roguerun. Swapped the beans out for 4 ERLL, she's a dream

[@RogueSabre]

As always, absolutely fantastic narriration.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thanks!

[@Ruggedtoaster]

This mech is a prime example of considering soft factors (like how different parts interact) triumphing over hard factors (the overall quality of individual parts). Not to say that the quality is bad but focusing on how the parts of the whole interact under sub optimal conditions

[@michaelkeha]

I always have had a soft spot for this mech

[@rudyvalle9022]

That new redesign is great. It has warhammer and cataphract vibes.

[@acetraker1988]

Been killing lots of these due to being in 3044 between Fedcom and Kuritan space in BT BEX.

[@Chris_Sizemore]

Just as an aside, the U.S. Army had an old defunct project that explored the use of tactical battlefield nuclear weapons. The weapon they came up with was the M-28/29 Davy Crockett, which was briefly deployed but never used. It was a "recoilless riffle" that could send a 20 ton bomb 2km away. The 29 extended the range to 4km. This wasn't a vehicle mounted weapon, this was something infantry could carry and deploy! Everytime someone talks about the Crockett, I think of this.

[@DIEGhostfish]

There are alsonDavy Ceocket warheads in battletech butbusually need a much b>bigger launcher than the real onea

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

wasn't the Davey Crockett Recoiless Rifle the inspiration for the Fat Man Nuke Launcher in Fallout?

[@rochedl]

Cool video, loving the lore of this series, I have a off subject question, in the original house books, the back of the books had a listing of all the mech regiments, their strength, and where they are located, do the newer hose books have these, I have a thought of doing a logistic level warfare of seeing a different playthru of the fourth succession war. But I am not sure if the newer books have those units.

[@jakeraven2741]

this is my fav mech huzzah!!!!

[@CRAZYUNCLE117]

Nice picture. So, who up armored a Warhammer??

[@BigRed40TECH]

That's the Thug, sir. lol

[@CRAZYUNCLE117]

@@BigRed40TECH Nah, the Thug is an up armored Warhammer ON STEROIDS!

[@Direrain72]

Screw Davy, Im gonna name mine Sonny.

[@xerenkeldar]

King of Draconis frontier!

[@BIGred1984]

Love the content, history and your narrative. I had my first experience with the tabletop game more than 20 years ago and recently started playing again. I have a minor note. You're processing images through a program in order to increase the resolution. Doing this can sometimes get you some strange results (like the one above) where it looks like you ran image trace and you have some line work that appears warped. You might be better off just finding a creative way to use lower resolution images rather than creating a vector graphic or computationally upscaling them.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Too many images are low resolution. Like. LOW resolution. Unfortunately to find a more creative way to use them, would be to frankly not use them. Videos with only 1 image don't do as well. The art assets for some mechs are genuinely terrible. If I can do something to get around that, I do.

[@BIGred1984]

@@BigRed40TECH As an illustrator myself I hate to see people's hard work being modified. At the same time as someone that does content editing I understand sometimes sacrifices need to be made. Do the best you can with what you have, and keep producing this content. It's really fun, informative and engaging.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@BIGred1984 Trust me when I say I hate doing it. lol

[@calebharris292]

Finally: a 'mech with cat ears.

[@derrikl12]

Reminds me of a Warhammer.

[@mrbigglezworth42]

It's a good looking mech, and decently armed and armored for an 85 ton Assault mech. I do question the inclusion of small lasers though. If you've already thrown on dual ERLL, just slap on some ER small lasers as well. You clearly have the money for it.

[@BigRed40TECH]

There were no ER Small Lasers when the Crockett was made tbh.

[@marsar1775]

In universe, id be willing to bet it and its variants are easier to learn and pilot owing to their origins as a training mech than a specialist mech of similar tonnage

[@vojtechpribyl7386]

Is that... Mechcommander 1 menu music underneath?

[@DIEGhostfish]

Jeeze, downgrading to 2 srm4 may have been a better place to get heatsinks.

[@harjutapa]

Am I the only one who sees cat ears? The Catana

[@Timberjac]

It must have been disappointing, to have had the instruction with the Crockett and then to have ended some of those dubious Star League "experiments" that came to the combat units. If this mech has a design error, it is to place the small lasers on the arms, with which it is either not used or you do not hit with it (one could stop using a large laser to release "heat" for other weapons and continue to use weapons as efficient as small lasers if they were in any combination of torsos and a punch)

[@BigRed40TECH]

Or being the first Crockett to end up underwater. Level 2 water = ded.

[@Timberjac]

@@BigRed40TECH Possible failures in life support? Upsss... the death of the cadet was due to human error of the pilot, we regret to inform the family that no monetary claim will be possible. Meanwhile in the "ministry of defense and various prevarications in the contracts of mechs": someone who solves that problem now!!!!

[@krieg4017]

Good.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Very good

[@Z1pZ1p3r]

Could it be possible to 3D scan the newest models from the tabletop that went through the redesign and implement them into the game?

[@dantauche7917]

How is this mech not more popular, it's an absolute beast!?! Its packing a TON of firepower and armor, and has good speed and heat dissipation...does it even HAVE any downsides??

[@BigRed40TECH]

No cases...

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

I'm considering getting this from the Comstar Command set 2 to round out my mech stables

[@ThatSlowTypingGuy]

Should have called this thing the Tanuki.

[@bogatyr2473]

Just suck a simple, straight forward design. Nothing fancy, nothing flashy, just solid.

[@TheGreatDayne1983]

When are they doing a Boone mech?

[@CDMJDMHHC]

Not only did the Crocket swim it the butterfly stroke with style aplomb.

[@Chris_Sizemore]

The CRK 5003-1 is a little odd for a trainer. Most trainers have LRMs and SRMs so you can get use to the difference. That said, the Crocket does retain the most important aspect of any training mech: being able to generate a heat problem. While the 5003-1 runs cool at long range, once the opponent closes to medium range the SRM-6s tip the mech into the red. Being able to manage the heat is vital to training a good pilot that can balance aggressiveness with moderation. Personally though, if I ended up with a 5003-1 I'd downgrade the ER Large Lasers to normal larges, then upgrade the small lasers to ER smalls. While this significantly shortens your range, the damage output remains the same and the heat balance massively changes to let you fully alpha strike every opportunity you get to with almost no repercussions. Or upgrade to clan grade ER large lasers, that is worth the added heat over standard large lasers.

[@jonbezeau3124]

If you can't generate a heat problem you don't have enough weaponry! IMO the Stalker is the perfect example here. 20 sinks let you rip with your short range salvo (MLs and SRMs) or the Large Lasers every turn even while running. If your target's at exactly 7 hexes go for it with the LRMs too, you've earned some toast. But it still has that ability to punch its damage output far above most other mechs by going all-in on the understanding that the volley has to prove fatal to the enemy.

[@RyeFields]

"faulty life support" more like a test of honor

[@BigRed40TECH]

Only cowards die when their cockpit floods or they're killed by the vacuum of space.

[@ScanManP13]

how come the 5003-0 Doesnt appear on Sarna?

[@marcintrzepla8743]

my cat name is crocket(krokiet in polish)

[@rosethorn9327]

It clearly became a pilot favorite because it has cat ears.

[@Arvyn992]

For the Crockett mech I wonder if it ever had a pilot named davy

[@jonbezeau3124]

Or Betty. Or Tubbs.

[@stephenknizek2651]

An eighty ton training mech… 🤨

[@BigRed40TECH]

85-ton SIR. lol

[@craigmcleod4002]

I forgot the Crockett existed

[@BigRed40TECH]

Many do. Honestly, if its outside of 3025 or 3050, even when people have seen them, they kinda forget sometimes.

[@hentaioverwhelming]

I suppose the real question is: why did they name a mech production model as "Katana" when it doesn't haven any hands to hold an actual katana with?

[@robrib2682]

is it just me or does the art at the start look like an assault Machie?

[@BigRed40TECH]

It is an assault-mech!

[@robrib2682]

@@BigRed40TECH ok, then the Machie's big brother then xD

[@Ridliman]

Wait, what are you doing being awake? Go to sleep!

[@BigRed40TECH]

NEVER!

[@Paladin-1]

🇦🇺🤓🇦🇺