BATTLETECH: The Phoenix Hawk

[@enderz7593]

The Phoenix Hawk, my personal favorite Medium Mech. And also the Mech that made me realize I don’t hate JumpJets, I just didn’t know how to use them right.

[@BigRed40TECH]

While its not my absolute favourite, it's a super amazing mech.

[@theangryMD]

same!!

[@theangryMD]

@@BigRed40TECH what is your absolute favorite mech?

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@theangryMD It's hard to answer and is era specific, but probably the Wolverine or Warhammer if we're talking Succession Wars.

[@theangryMD]

@@BigRed40TECH i hate to admit this but despite being fan of battletech since about 1994 when i was in middle school i have never played any tabletop; i understand that many of the games are not accurate to the rules of tabletop though i believe harebrained schemes' entry is closer than most. in that game the centurion and phoenix hawk are near and dear to my heart. the game has given me a new and massive appreciation for medium mechs. also, love your content, have definitely watched your videos when things are slow at the hospital about 2 or 3 in the morning.

[@SeedemFeedemRobots]

sure the Atlas and King Crab are iconic mascots for the IS, but to me, the Phoenix Hawk is the mech of the Inner sphere, everywhere and houses has one because it will always find a use in any lance, reinforcing lighter lances, being a spotter for larger ones, hunting down bugs and responding to enemies getting too close as bodyguard, ect. the possibilities are endless. and the clanners, naturally being completely insane, found a way to turn it into a bizzaro assault mech for some reason

[@BigRed40TECH]

Love the PXH-IIC personally, lol.

[@ironboy3245]

@@BigRed40TECH the only useful PHX is the SLDF one in HBS Battletech. Just doesn't have enough tonnage to put out damage without those integral DHS

[@ericwollaston5654]

​@@BigRed40TECHI do also, nice twisty rework of a classic into something else.

[@dwwolf4636]

​@@BigRed40TECHCharger IIC. Look at the Murder Mittens. Now keep in mind. You're a lowly clan scientist/engineer. You have a drink with your buddies and you want to flex on the other teams. What's the epitome of Old League waste of mech tonnage ? That's right... the Charger. Now imagine the flex you get from making something actually usefull from that heap o' trash..... So you get to tinkering....and you put in some double ultra flashy Boom sticks on a reasonably fast chassis with good armor...those dumb brutes in charge will lap that shit right up. But what are you going to call it? Everyone *knows* the charger is a turd. Especially those dumbarses that had to pilot em. Then you have a bright idea....just repackage it as a re-imagined PHX ..the IIC variant infact. ...hell the PHX is a scout right ? This thing is like a Steiner scout mech ... Right ? It fast and jumpy and actually has armor AND big boomsticks. Those dumb idiots will surely buy it. And you get to laugh behind their backs everytime they call it a Phoenix Hawk...... Convince me otherwise....

[@Ostenjager]

The Phoenix Hawk - a 'mech which when I use it is fragile and lacking serious punch, but when an AI or another player uses it, is hard as a coffin nail, and seems to slice away at whatever else I'm using.

[@mikeumm]

Protect the laser... attack the laser.

[@swiftmatic]

Yup, that is my usual situation. If I pilot it, I WILL get waxed sometime during the battle. If I assign it to a lance-mate, the mech gets beat to shit and the pilot (usually) survives. 😂😂😂 I absolutely HATE fighting AGAINST a Phoenix Hawk

[@brianhenry152]

One of my absolute favorite designs in the setting. Fast, nimble, and aggressive, it's a mech the despite its flaws can be used effectively in a wide variety of roles. The Jump Jets are its greatest asset, and though it runs hot, in swift, slashing engagements against enemy Recon mechs, it is absolutely deadly. One of the greatest tabletop victories I ever had was playing a 3K Phoenix Hawk in a 5 player free-for-all. I was the lightest mech by far, but also the fastest and the only one that was jump capable. I came out on top due to better maneuvering, a fair bit of luck, and hubris on the part of my opponents. Needless to say, they learned just how nasty a lighter and faster opponent could be if used right.

[@danieldyer8280]

On my MW5 modded playthrough, I had the Kobolt variant customised so heavily with a Masc, all of the lostech bell and whistles that it was running rings around assault mechs without getting hit once, absolutely love this mech, took it's time to grow on me though.

[@Iknowtoomuchable]

I remember when I was playing BTA 3062, and I encountered one of the more modern Phoenix Hawks. It was dual wielding. Each gun had two barrels. One of the most terrifying things I’ve ever seen.

[@ironboy3245]

Yeah, the base PHXs are unusable due to running way too hot Once you get double heat sinks they become one of the best scouts in the game

[@OptimusJedi]

Love the model and I’ll always think of it from Robotech as the Super Valkyrie. Pretty cool that it was also piloted by both Durant Carlyle and Dan Allard in the Battletech universe.

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

Yeah, I see the Unseen design versions in my old collection and the Robotech theme starts playing in my head. But it's still a cool design and one that lets a Medium pilot strut his stuff.

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

@@observationsfromthebunker9639, I salute a fellow UN Spacey veteran

[@Mamorufumio]

eh i paint mine red and pretend i'm char

[@rickyal9810]

And Shin Yodama

[@algray1195]

LITERALLY MY FAVORITE VIDEO EVER! I ran a PhoenixHawk LAM when the table-top game first became available. The DICE became my future when it became time to procure a new MECH: all by chance. I never strayed away from this design even through ALL the changes that came with game. I’ve played in the basement with all those folks who became lifelong friends, the barracks that I lived in throughout my 20 year military career including the front lines of IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN: and again in my basement designed around the board game along with a lifelong collection of paraphernalia that collected over 40+ years of honored and intrigued interest. Most remarkable life of a MECH throughout the years. I’m a fan! We all are. Don’t stop being the voice of the Battletech.

[@tenchraven]

The Phoenix Hawk is as much an idea as it is a machine. A legend because it was driven by legends, but it also gives any pilot the chance to be a legend. It might be the very definition of "fast trooper", excelling at no one role but filling so many so well and still being able to flank a heavy with ease with enough firepower to exploit the position. Even if the cooling sucks and I do have to wonder if the "phoenix" part had to do with pilots bursting into flames- a little detailing and that cockpit is fine. .

[@Logiwonk]

I prefer the PHX-1D for it's slightly reduced firepower but better heat sinking capability (Succession Wars Era).

[@robertroy7818]

I LOVE using this mech in PC Battletech. The massive jump range means you can always have your guns on rear arcs as long as you are clever in positioning and conserving heat up until the strike. It's a MEAN machine for finishing off mechs that seem safe behind cover.

[@doomslayer4046]

Phoenix Hawk: *exists* Clanners: I can upgrade you

[@BigRed40TECH]

"Just make it 80 tons." "But sir, it's a 45 ton mech based on a 20 ton mech's-" "I said. Make it 80 tons."

[@TheStraycat74]

@@BigRed40TECH see my comment above about the full clan tech rebuild of the 45ton version... you'll thank me :3

[@z3r0_35]

I think I became more aware of this mech's strengths and weaknesses than any other medium mech from having it as my mech in an ongoing Mechwarrior campaign (with MegaMek for the combat). I loved the mobility it offered, but came to loathe how hot it ran...plus its odd armor distribution giving it only six points of armor on the head. This resulted in one particularly unlucky round where I somehow took multiple head hits in a single round from the same unit, failed all my edge checks, and got my character killed. That was so cheap that the GM for the campaign decided by fiat that he was only severely wounded, but the mech was still out of the fight and would've been a loss if the enemy didn't retreat shortly after.

[@nexusdrop7863]

....it was just a flesh wound.

[@z3r0_35]

@@nexusdrop7863 Yeah, basically I took several SRM salvos to the chest and lived. This led to me joking about my character's "glorious Kuritan abs, flexed 10000 times like katana!"

[@kathilmechworks4895]

Love this mech and have a lot of them. Classic for scout and skirmisher lances, and one of those mechs that yes produce heros or dead mech warriors. Surprised after mentioning Jason Youngblood story and the destruction of his lam that you didn't mention his replacement was a factory fresh 3s.

[@kitirena_koneko]

Properly used LAMs can be absolute hell on wheels if you're the one using them, and they can be an absolute nightmare if you're fighting against them. When I play Inner Sphere, I love to use them in hybrid mode to hit and run against enemies. When playing as a Clanner, I _hate_ LAMs because they can be really hard to hit because of their speed and agility. Screw Zellbringen, I am going to swat those shavashri down with a vengeance in preference to all other targets.

[@iFallenAtlantis]

The Phoenix Hawk miniature from Catalyst Games is my favorite miniature out of the few sets I own. I love the Gundam meets Battletech design of it, especially how the jump jets look like 2 massive jet engines strapped to the back. Makes the PGI model look dopey lol

[@iFallenAtlantis]

Reference image is at 10:30 in the video

[@azuaraikrezeul1677]

The head looks like the loto.

[@erikbjelke4411]

Since becoming Reseen, I have grown to appreciate the Phoenix Hawk much more. The new design is great, and it packs a whallop while being fast and agile enough to be hard to hit and tough enough to take a few lucky shots. It fits easily among light 'Mechs as a hard-hitting leader or as the fast recon/striker for a slower medium or heavy lance. I would love to see you do a video about the whole Unseen debacle, it's such an impactful part of the out-of-game lore.

[@The_Captainn]

This mech is what made me fall in love with mechs. 5 year old me couldn't imagine a cooler mech.

[@Burnalot87]

The phoenix hawk is great. With it's speed and agility It can harass, flank and brawl but as pointed out it's also a tomb if used too boldly. It's something I have painfully learned while trying to handle the machine on more then one occation, mostly due to my own recklessnes. You get a painfull reminder about what you are piloting when the paper thin arms pops off due to a SRM/LRM barrage or a few AC10/20 shots. It's usually the moment like those I realize to late that im in way over my head and wish I could kick stuff while going down fighting.

[@ashaide]

There IS something with the PXH that makes Mechwarriors go reckless, af? :D The...need for speed and the thrill of the danger zone. Battletech's very own F-14, I would say :D

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

@@ashaide Based on the guy who used to run my recon lance in my Mechwarrior campaign of my misspent youth, you speak truth! 😄 Dude was capable of calculated recklessness that led his lance (140 tons, P-Hawk, Griffin, Wasp x2) into and out of some desperate situations. As his character increased in skill, his reckless maneuvers paid off more and more. But he was smart enough to evade lances in the 160+ tons range, or lead them back to the fire lance or command lance.

[@RoyHobbs-f4v]

"... there are only three-rules I live-by: be-fast, stay-sexy... and don't get shot. The order is flexible. Oh... and, Kid... if you ever get your back against the Record-Machine, and you can see what I mean: then you might-as-well Jump..." - Diamond Dave; FWL-expatriate -

[@whitewing2]

"It, more than any other mech including the Marauder and Warhammer, enbodies the Era where events outside of the in Canon Universe, left this Machine unseen" I know the story

[@hjorhrafn]

I really need to try a straight 3025 lance of a Shad, a Wolvie, a PHawk and a Griffin, just to see what shenanigans I can get into. The WVR-6M has always been my 3025 medium of choice. Dropping the AC/5 for a LL is something I prefer in almost every AC/5 mech ever.

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

In 3025-3040 terms that would be a boss lance layout! Weight of 210 tons, all the bases covered for firepower, all can jump, can outgun many lances lighter than it and can outrun the lances that can crush it. Definitely worth use.

[@roshee5573]

One of my favourite mechs . “ I feel the need , the need for speed! “ . Love jumping into a mech’s “6” and unloading into its back

[@ashaide]

Nothing like fragging a heavier mech with concentrated laser (and maybe machinegun) fire at their backsides while riding a Phoenix Hawk!

[@faust291]

I had no idea that the PH was once able to turn into a plane... That's absolutely wild. I don't hate the idea.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Not all of them, only the LAM version, to be clear.

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

The LAM series was an attempt to bring some of the Robotech/Macross mecha magic into the Battletech universe. It was a clunky and complicated affair, but I know at least one player who loves the idea and has used them a time or two.

[@magni5648]

The Phoenix Hawk. In 3025 it's so ubiquituous and so good at what it does that "How well can it survive a surprise encounter with a Phoenix Hawk?" is the yardstick by which you measure wether a light scout mech is survivable.

[@tannerdowney2802]

Finding the LAM at the end of the Crecent Hawk's Inception as a kid is my favorite gaming memory.

[@mr6johnclark]

The classic i first met the PHeonix hawk in Battletech: Crecent Hawks inception among the first game i played on PC.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Damn right.

[@TheStraycat74]

wasn't my first PC game, but yeah I played it when it came out

[@mattblom3990]

One of the coolest 'Mechs ever. Not as iconic as Mad Cat but for its weight class? Absolutely.

[@jabronijones90]

I'm not sure if the opposing mercenary companies that I fight against have some sort of contractual obligation they signed, but these damn mechs make it there MISSION to try and jump and land on my cockpit every time I face them 😤😤😤

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

HERE WE GO, IT'SA ME, MECHWARRIOR

[@AdairCorbin]

I've never played in Dark Ages, but 9 jump sounds so much fun.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's insane. :D

[@magni5648]

You can do some silly things with 3080s or Dark Age tech. Want your opponent to try beating you over the head with the TT rulebook out of sheer frustration? Take a Phoenix Hawk with a normal-sized (IE class 270) XL engine and small cockpit. 12 double heat sinks, 6 jump jets. Then give it stealth armor+Guardian ECM, a partial wing, an ER PPC and a targetting computer. This little bastard jumps 8 hexes with active stealth armor and builds 4 heat when doing so and firing the tarcomp'd ER PPC. And there's a ton and three crits left, so you can add TAG or another DHS. It's absolutely disgusting with a veteran or better pilot that can hit reliably with that ER PPC. Jumps as far as a Spider, has a Phoenix Hawks' full armor and anyone not freakin' Natasha Kerensky or thereabouts just straight up can't hit it at long range. Regular pilots are almost incapable of hitting it at medium range. And may god have mercy on your blackened soul if you bolt a captured Clanner gun into this thing.

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

It was unseen just like we have never seen cars in the street in our lives.

[@GeneralAtomics]

Of Batman was in Battletech, he'd be a Phoenix Hawk LAM pilot.

[@harvestblades]

Wow, do I feel like a chump! While I've known of this mech whether BT or from the little I knew about Robotech I recognized it, but I've never cared for the overly humanoid mechs especially those that carry a weapon or weapons in hand actuators. This has caused me to overlook it. I just purchased the Alpha Strike box primarily for the minis (I needed a Warhammer for me & an Atlas for my son) and at just over $50 it was too hard to pass up. I came here to learn more about the mechs Im less familiar with & glad I did. In the last few months since I started playing Classic the PXH kept popping up in novels including the fan fic "Wild Rose" that features a PXH LAM (it highlights the quirks really well) and several others as well as MW5 (that I have finally had a chance to play). The jump capability alone is impressive especially when combined w/ its armor & the punch it packs really has me taking a serious look at how I can use this iconic mech.

[@ecbrown6151]

One of my favorite artifacts from my childhood is my “Jetfire” Transformer, he’s a Phoenix Hawk. He’s maybe ten inches tall, and has a place of honor on my bar. Wish I still had his L Laser and other weapons, and yes he can be put in hybrid jet/walker mode.

[@nigelsmith7366]

There is good reference to the LAM's in the book Freebirth by Robert Thurston Oh and the fasa 3025 PH is the same design as Jetfire from transformers original series

[@BigRed40TECH]

Not really, it's based on Robotech afaik.

[@nigelsmith7366]

@@BigRed40TECH I said it's same design... Not based on.... But yes original is from Robo tech

[@DonaldWWitt]

@@nigelsmith7366 Actually all of them are based on the original Macross; Jetfire's original Toy was a rebranded Macross 1/55 Transforming Super Valkyrie, where as the design of the Phoenix Hawk was of the baseline VF-1S Valkyrie.

[@rickyal9810]

@@DonaldWWitt Funny story I got the Jetfire Transformer toy for my birthday because I was such a huge Robotech fan.

[@irishijo1]

I appreciate you bringing up the PHX-HK1, its an important part of its development history. Stingers and Wasps were some of the most prevalent battlemechs in all of the sphere, and were also among the only mechs to have LAM Conversion kits, which makes sense that an upgraded Stinger would also have LAM capability kept in mind. Definetly one of my favorite scout/harassers

[@anthonyvogel9328]

The Phoenix hawk is a nice and deadly mech. A great fighter in almost in any area. A hard mech to pin down. I like it. Has good weapons and armor. With a jump jets. It could lead a scouting team and a good mech to protect a flank or hit the enemy flank. 🤔

[@ThudFudgins]

Been on a binge watching your mech lore videos, gotta say you got one of my favorite mechs the catapult, can't wait for you to do the atlas or shadow hawk

[@BigRed40TECH]

Atlas should be coming Sunday or Monday.

[@operkoi8954]

If battletech was a shonen anime the protagonist would pilot a phoenix hawk

[@jefaus06]

LAMs were always fun to play. Particularly against Assaults like the Atlas. My Bro worked a LAM to kill off an Elite Atlas pilot of a friend. Considering how our friend had managed to get that Atlas to 0/0 at the expense of many Warriors that we'd sent into battle against it, I cheered as much as my brother did at that win. Might even still have the model for it somewhere. Ahh the Era of the Seen.

[@g.d.graham2446]

While not my favorite mech in Battletech, when I first played this game on the tabletop, my first medium was indeed the Phoenix Hawk. I'll never forget it or disregard it for that alone.😁

[@224224josh]

The Phoenix Hawk and its 6 laser mounts 3 on each hand varient is the sexiest medium mech in mechwarrior lore, when in that thing it feels like your playing a old school arcane shooter game like doom its just beautiful

[@Cheesedream]

I love the Phoenix Hawk! It was the first mech I piloted in the table top game back in the late 80s. It’s a tough choice between it and the Hunchback as my favorite medium. PXH-1 6/9/6 with a LL at 1041 BV… yes please. Easy to work into a lance.

[@BoisegangGaming]

Battletech and IP Issues, name a more iconic couple. Seriously it's kind of fascinating how long battletech has been running considering what has happened to the IP. Would you be willing to cover behind-the-scenes info on each of the major eras? I find the history of battletech out of universe just as fascinating as the in-universe history, especially considering how the game has remained relatively similar to its origin despite the ages.

[@Lady-Santiago]

Oh shit this was the mech I played in comp for MWO. God I love this thing, between that and the HBS game giving it such a unique perk I've fallen in love with it. I made a Canopus lance just spamming these bad boys for table top, still wip though.

[@vali6717]

The Phoenix Hawk is an incredible mech. There's no medium mech that comes to mind first to me but the Shadow Hawk and Centurion are rarely far behind. The heat management of the Phoenix Hawk can and will force you to be efficient in its application and for that it is a high powered flanker only somewhat matched by the Spider or Griffon in my experience.

[@ashaide]

BEST recon, fast striker, "Recovery", and assassination mech in the UBS game. Also in meta IS the ride for my craziest mechwarriors, as they act as the spotters for the long-range hitters (especially my dual-gauss Annihilator, and the MAD-3R). But the fun discovery I had with the PXH-1 and the -1K was making it a backstabber assassin. Put an Ace Pilot in it, and it can kill most anything just by jumping behind anything. You can spot, fire, and (being an Ace Pilot) jump away to safety. But, yeah, most of my injured mechwarriors are from the Phoenix Hawks. Those effing chance head hits from missiles, and those times the AI hits the mech even with high numbers of evasion points. Also the mech most likely to be in the repair bay after an intense op.

[@mareczek00713]

Phoenix Hawk... Damn, I'd swear those are like the third of what I played against in 3062 which often makes me refuse to field one just to stop looking at those but I gotta say, they are basically the best laser medium for me.

[@malusignatius]

Ahhh the Phoenix Hawk, a sophisticated weapon from a more civilised age... You can have your (f)Atlases and your Orions, give me a Pixie any day of the week. It's not as forgiving as some of the other mediums (eg. the 3 brothers) but it's devastating if you can manage it's heat and time your strikes well.

[@malusignatius]

(and the various Helm core refits are demons... the 3D is my personal fave, but all of them are 'mechs you ignore at your peril)

[@Chris_Sizemore]

Pilots of a Phoenix Hawk have to learn to embrace heat. You can't be afraid of running hot. 10 heat sinks isn't enough to let this mech really perform. You watch your heat and try to keep it in a range where it won't cripple you but you get to squeeze a little extra damage out while trying to maintain enough speed to make your opponent miss a few shots. Then you jump for cover and give yourself a moment to vent heat in relative safety. Let the rest of the lance soften the enemy and then select a new dance partner as you begin to build heat again. Any variant where they remove the MGs for a pure energy weapon build lets you build a lot more heat. You don't want to be close enough to use the MGs anyways.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I disagree. PXH is at its best when it's behind a mech, shooting those MG's and ML's into the target while kicking.

[@Chris_Sizemore]

@@BigRed40TECH Risk vs Reward. Everything is golden until you blow that piloting roll and end up on your back because you decided to kick.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@Chris_Sizemore You don't play the Phoenix Hawk, to play it safe ;)

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

The Phoenix Hawks in my old unit ran so hot their IR signatures could be mistaken for a 55 tonner. But the MGs and left fist were heat-free! The full weapon dump from a rear arc could and did finish many light opponents and leave mediums and some heavies feeling anxious! My old friend and recon lance commander was notorious for staring at an impending shutdown check and then going to DFA mode! "It's alright to shut down if your enemy is crushed!" - a quote

[@christophermzdenek]

My favorite in class, and one of my two favorite of all time (Crusader being the other). Back in the days of maps on dining room tables, I used to love making my friends apoplectic as they marched out an Assault, and I'd pull 1-3 of these out for the same BV. Did the same when they reversed the gambit and brought out 3 20 tonners. I can't explain it, but the dice were always on my side when my 3 unseen minis hit the table.

[@TheStraycat74]

My Full Clan Tech 3050 Rebuild. 45 tons, clan endo steel, XL and DHS, 6 jumpjets, and 8 tons of clanner fero-fiberous, leaving 18.5 pod space in this Omni-mechs. Prime Config gets two Large pulse lasers, two medium pulse lasers, and 4 clan Machineguns divided between it's arms. leaving a flamer in the CT for BBQ duties during off hours. Alt-Config gets two ERLL's, four ERML's hooked to a targeting computer, two Streak SRM-2's in the torso's with a ton of ammo (normal or inferno, pilots choice) and the backup flamer. I need to do a LAM version of "The Big Three' but I haven't gotten to them yet. and I Love LAM's

[@upandaljm]

My favorite piece of fiction about the shadowhawk is that one Mechwarrior who was so good with it that he could effectively mug other mechs in City fighting. Allowed him to the capture them virtually intact.

[@karnovtalonhawk9708]

my fav from when battletech first launched. glad there is a LAM version in rogue tech, hi ping and good fire power, whats not to like

[@SmoocheeWallace]

Awesome mech, just got one myself! Def one of my favorite mediums, reminds me of master chief from Halo

[@bkane573]

Bro, that isn’t awesome. It is like 50 tons lighter.

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

@@bkane573 Ultralight mechs are always so funny.

[@sharlin648]

Definately one of the best Mediums out there, better than the Shadow Hawk and Wolverine thanks to having a useful main weapon rather than an overweight autocannon, fast, agile and freaking sexy looking. As always, great stuff!

[@BigRed40TECH]

The WVR-6M eats Phoenix Hawks, sadly, but by and large what you say is true.

[@sharlin648]

@@BigRed40TECH Oh indeed, the 6M is pretty much the Wolvie that should have been. But the standard version is tough but woefully undergunned.

[@jerrodschumacher9844]

My favorite mech its how I learned to play battletech and got my first AFA kill

[@jerrodschumacher9844]

DFA*

[@lordskorpius1971]

I have like 8 Phoenix hawk models. From original unseen to ironwinds rework, to 3d prints. I fell in love with it the first time I went into battle. Back in the 90s.

[@AZJamieone]

You're definitely one of my favorite youtubers lately, thanks for the awesome Battletech stuff!

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thank you. :)

[@blue95kun]

Phoenix Hawk feels the need. The need for speed. Runs fast, hits hard enough. Shame it's heat generation is a makeshift BBQ pit and armour like cardboard.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's armour's really good for its weight tbh. 128 points on a 45 tonner is impressive.

[@buffewo6386]

It just feels underarmored because it is commonly used against heavier units. If you can use it against lights in a screening action, it is nightmare fuel. Jump to keep range and blow lights to scrap, but fast enough to chase down most survivors...

[@philiphendersonjr1760]

For a lot of reasons, not just Robotech, it's easily my favorite medium mech, thank you for doing it.

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's not my favourite, but it's in my top 3 for 3025.

[@nexusdrop7863]

....lemme guess: Transformers too?

[@philiphendersonjr1760]

@@nexusdrop7863 yeah, still have my Jetfire, actually 3 of them, 2 of which have never seen the light of day

[@philiphendersonjr1760]

@@nexusdrop7863 I will be able thanks for the heads up

[@rhiannongarl-nabarro2953]

If I remember wasn't the Phoenix Hawk, Mad Cat, and a few others that Harmony Gold sued over back in the late 80s or early 90s?

[@BigRed40TECH]

Not the Mad Cat.

[@dj11o9er]

The phoenixhawk served me well in MW5. I never used it myself but it did pretty well. Until I eventually phased out lights and mediums for heavies and assault mechs due to armor and firepower. I may have made bad decisions considering my first contract against Comstar itself

[@kevinmulkey9774]

The workhorse of the Medium weight class. Everything about it is good enough. As pointed out by Tex on the Warhammer, good enough can be amazing.

[@edwardclay7551]

Agreed. Because when its good enough it just somehow works.

[@baker90338]

@@edwardclay7551 and because good enough usually get’s technical support, making it legitimately interesting

[@daniel_f4050]

Waaay back when the Mechwarrior RPG first came out I choose the Phoenix Hawk as my ride. I loved the looks, firepower and mobility. I could always get to the rear flank of any fight, murder Lights, and run like hell if I took a heavy hit. As we played on it just seemed like the natural evolution to move into the Crusader. Never my favorite Heavy, but a damned effective support Mech.

[@gearboxmerc1291]

I love how this channel always leaves with with a greater appreciation for mechs that I often overlooked.

[@accountname9506]

what's the source for the 10:14 picture of the hawk? I really like that one.

[@Dariushellstrome]

Way back in my Jr high days we'd swap those machine guns and ammo out for heat sinks. We wanted big stompy mechs not fighting infantry. We got older and more stratigic and kept them on. I had the LAM as one of 3 metal minis for Battletech I owned. Not sure if I still have it I'll have to dig through some boxes. Still have a ton of cardboard pieces and a bunch have the PH on them

[@a_happyteddy_bear3101]

Well I suppose if Paul Masters is able to make it work then there's gotta be something to the mech. I think he piloted the 3s version but don't quote me on it.

[@jacksonbowns1087]

I like the Phoenix Hawk, in both form and function. It amuses me that it is likely the most similar to its source material in terms of performance out of all the *ahem* LAM-related designs, as it tends to require a very good pilot to really shine. Just stay away from pineapple salads, and you should be fine.

[@Aceman52]

One of my all time favorite mechs. It can do it all and do it well

[@Shinzon23]

Love how with a lot of depictions, despite the laser in its hand being considered "mounted", its very clearly being held in hand manipulators and is essentially a mech sized laser rifle...

[@justanotherrandomgamer1380]

The Phoenix Hawk is one of my signature mechs. I field my Phoenix Hawk in every game I play.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

I have a full orignal Battletech/Robotech LAM set from ebay as well as 1 new Peoxhawks... And let me tell you the acual Robotechs fit right in even with the catlest design. So while it was unseen it never changed nore has been forgotten.

[@malusignatius]

There's one variant though that never made sense to me... The PHX-1K. Why would you remove the Jump Jets? I can sort of see it with the Kuritan Wolverine variant, but with the Phoenix Hawk I feel you lose too much and gain too little.

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

Someone in the Clan Snek Cobra had a real hate-on for jump jets. They didn't do the Kuritans any favors.

[@lukedudley5030]

Great overview of a great mech :-) the perfect scout killer and my personal choice of lead mech in a hunter killer lance....perfectly designed to go after those annoying light mechs and does a great job of clearing the way for your heavier and more vulnerable hard hitters :-) could do with some more heat sinks and a little less firepower but that's just a quibble on a great mech :-)

[@roguerifter9724]

The PHX-(x)D is my favorite Medium Mech variant series. I would love to see a new Davion designed Iclan era all energy weapon Phoenix Hawk. The 1D, 3D, and 6D are great but a 7D, 8D, or 9D would be incredible

[@clpfox470]

I learned to hate fighting these in mw5, they are surprisingly tankey and i always targeted them first

[@Taiko206]

Only one trick to get them down quickly : go for the arms. Once the arms , and thereby it's weapons are removed it's done. That's for me it's greatest weakness.. If it had been me designing that thing i would have either the Medium lasers or the machine guns somewhere in the torso

[@thomasgiles2876]

​@@Taiko206 it's really funny when one has a small laser in the head, I let them run around and witness what I do to their lance.

[@rathburnscape6465]

it is rather ironic... when the ai play them they seem to be very tanky. but when i use it. it seems like my armor is paper mache.

[@TheMajorActual]

I've grown to love the PHX over time. It was initially an afterthought to me, drowned out by the Shad. But now -- it's my go-to for mediums.

[@VelcroSnake93]

Ever since reading Ideal Ear, the Phoenix Hawk had probably been my favorite mech. Seeing the Re-Seen/Nu-Seen design made me sad, but the new sculpt made me happy.

[@VultureXV]

It is hard to find anything wrong with this mech. It was made with many niches in mind, and does good when spec'd out for any of them. The Phoenix Hawk is a graceful warrior that has just the right amount of firepower to be a threat, just enough speed to maintain a range, and just enough tactics to scout or act as a lead mech for smaller lances, and just enough armor to take the hits it needs and survive. Honestly, it feels like a more sleek counterpart to the Shadow Hawk. Where the Phoenix Hawk can just out maneuver an opponent, the Shadow Hawk would be happier pummeling their opponents into grit.

[@yourseatatthetable]

A staple mech for any military force.

[@stephenknizek2651]

Acolytes of the Youngblood family salute your mention of the Phoenix Hawk LAM.

[@scottmccool7242]

Right on through the defense of Luthien. Ah, the good ol’ days

[@ashaide]

The goosebumps with that first time you see "dad's" LAM in the SL storehouse in Pacificon. Sad that you didn't get to use it in combat, though :( Was waiting to give all those Jenners and Urbanmechs that terrorized your lance a good whacking :D

[@knightofberenike9633]

The Phoenix Hawk, thanks to my intro to Battletech being the novel Ideal War, will forever remain my favourite ‘mech in Battletech.

[@bezyn2291]

I like Phoenix Hawk, it`s basically a Gundam in BT universe.

[@brettwerdesheim9767]

First mech i killed with a through armor crit to the MG bin

[@BigRed40TECH]

Ammunition explosions are such sweet sorrow.

[@stormcrow28]

And in its most famous form, the Phoenix Hawk Valkyrie Veritech, it fought off a race of blue and purple skinned aloen giants in 60 ft tall mecha long enough so they could be defeated with the power of Kuritan pop music. Sadly, this battle has gone unnoticed in the Inner Sphere due to corporate propaganda and the secrets of Comstar. Only the whisperings of the battle have come to be known as Macross...

[@jessejohnson9871]

The veritech is pretty iconic for *cough* Battletech *cough*

[@emilmlodnicki3835]

Battletech can have it's Pheonix Hawks, Valkyries, Wasps and Stingers.... just don't put the UN SPACY emblem or the Skull Squadron on them. I mean the sheer laziness of early FASA art is embarrassing.

[@QuestingTruck]

I think there are better mediums but I also have a soft spot for the Phoenix Hawk. That said it's a design I don't use much. In TT the head armor issue makes fielding one a big gamble. I never refuse to field them but any.mech that doesn't have at least 8 head armor I hesitate on. That includes the rifleman which is also a design I otherwise like. In MechWarrior and mwo the head armor isnt as much of an issue but the problem there is how all the weapons are in the arms making it very easy to completely disable. I do very much like the mobility of the phx in TT and am more willing to roll the dice there. In the fps games the advantage of high mobility isn't as pronounced unless you go to extremes and JJs are usually a determent. We can more freely modify designs in the fps games making it a more desirable weapons platform but I tend to prefer sticking close to stock loadouts. As such I shy away from the design in fps games.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Depends on playstyle, I like to drag my enemies into close range brawls, and there is really only one other medium better than it during 3025 at doing that.

[@Dracobyte]

Great video about mechs as always!

[@lexington476]

Great mech. It can be the leader of a light light or the lighter part of a heavy or assault lance.

[@TheStraycat74]

you have the PERFECT ICON for this episode... just sayin

[@lexington476]

@@TheStraycat74 you know I was thinking of making a post that mentioned the Youngbloods piloting Phoenix Hawks, but with this icon, and everyone knows I'm a huge Crescent Hawk fan, it would be a little too egotistical.

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

There are many 'mechs that benefit from double heat sink technology. The P-Hawk is one that almost requires the upgrade to perform its core function.

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

My original Mechwarrior game shut down about the time of the Fourth Succession War, when lostech was becoming cool. I've always wondered what a heat-neutral Phoenix Hawk with 10 double sinks would be like.

[@treevenewson]

I love the PHAWK. My favorite variation is removing the MGs for 2 Heat Sinks. It can take an AC/20 to the CT.

[@dashiellgillingham4579]

Oh, this is that master chief lookin thing that I scrolled past in a video game years ago. I’ll have to check it out, it sounds like the kind of thing I’d use, except for the heat problem.

[@CMDR_Saber84]

"The right mech doesn't need to be loud or flashy; the right mech gets the job done and moves on before it can be hailed as a hero."

[@michaelpfister1283]

The Phoenix Hawk is my all-time favorite machine in table-top. And in honesty, the Project Phoenix artwork is just incredible. More than any other machine, I stick to the Phoenix re-seen design visually. I love using the p-hawk in a cavalry role, supporting heavies and assaults on the flank. 🙂

[@LORDOFDORKNESS42]

I know they're loathed by a very vocal part of the community, but I've always had a real soft spot for LAMs. To me, they're a very neat balance between rule-of-cool, and actual mechanical complexity. Do think the Clan Hell's Horses quad-vee are a more practical take on that concept of 'transforming mech,' though, and I do hope they get explored more by the franchise in the future.

[@Reverb154]

No matter what the Phoenix Hawk will rise, like a phoenix itself, from the ashes to fight again!

[@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285]

It's extremely hard to understate just how menacing this is as medium mechs go; Fast, well armed and able to disengage with relative ease. Underestimate the Phoenix hawk at your peril.

[@Barbariandisks]

If Fasa would have used the strike Valkyrie as the phoenixhawk instead of the Super Valkyrie, harmony gold couldn't of stopped it, since they didn't own the rights to the Macross movies.

[@BigRed40TECH]

They didn't think they'd win.

[@Barbariandisks]

Also HG had no right to the Dougram mecha either or crusher joe mecha

[@faithmcclosky4528]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the -3D, with two of your favorite ER Large Lasers. ;)

[@BigRed40TECH]

Oh yea, what a machine. Better to burn your pilot alive outside of their intended engagement range, am I right? lol