BATTLETECH: Wolverine

Perhaps no video compromises my position as the writer and narrator as much as this one. Generally I do try to be as impartial as possible, putting together numbers and tactics that I see and displaying them, but I've just got too much history with this mech and design. I've used it far too much, and know it inside and out.
The #Wolverine is the best mech of the #SuccessionWars. #Battletech rarely sees a #Battlemech which can be so dominant in one era. The #Wvr6M, which is the primary model we'll be covering this video, is powerful enough that it has the same Battle-Value as some very powerful heavy mechs, such as the Warhammer and Thunderbolt. There is a reason for this.
#Mechwarrior, prepare yourself, because we are going to enter the realm of a beast so strong, that even assault mechs think twice about engaging with them. The #FreeWorldsLeague / #FWL are so lucky to have this monster during the Succession Wars.
#InnerSphere #SLDF #StarLeague #FederatedSuns #HouseDavion #HouseMarik
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#Battletech #Mechwarrior #HouseKurita #HouseDavion #HouseMarik #HouseSteiner #HouseLiao #Battlemech #SuccessionWars #Mechwarrior #Medium #MediumMechs #MediumBattlemechs #Wolverine #catalystgamelabs #StarLeague #SLDF #AFFS #FederatedSuns #FreeWorldsLeague #FWLM
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.

[@weaselwolf]

It's amazing that the Wolverine and Shadowhawk are practically the same mech, but have such incredible differences in performance. Same move (though more jump), same armor, same heat sinking even mostly the same weapons. Just rather than wasting tonnage on an lrm-5 it invests that into a bigger SRM and a couple JJs It's little choices that make a big difference. That and not putting ammo in your ct

[@andrewboyer7544]

Makes it all the more crazy that I despise the Shadowhawk but adore the Wolverine.

[@xerty5502]

@@andrewboyer7544 I do not hate the shadowhawk it is just a little unimpressive at short range it holds up well in med fights and is decent at harrasing hvys and assaults it's teL problem is the wolverine and griffin exist and individualy do it's two jobs better on the other hand the griffin socks at brawling and the wolverine is nit a good harrasser or if you take every ones favorite wolverine model the marik one it is hopless at harrasing but duper scarry up close. The range differnce between an ac/5 and a large laser is not that big but it really does matter the differnce between a 10 hex med range and a 12 hex one is huge considering the maximum 9 hex range of med lasers and srm's

[@canislupus3655]

I much prefer the Shadowhawk's chassis, but the Wolverine is a generally superior mech. that's why I paint my Shadowhawk models with their LRM5 as an SRM4, and run it as a Wolverine 6R

[@rdrrr]

@@xerty5502 The Shawk is so inefficiently designed though. Oversinked, weird mish-mash of weapons that do unimpressive damage and don't work together well, only 3 JJ... At least it can punch and kick things pretty good, I guess? The "best" 3025 Shawk is the -2K variant with the PPC, and even then it's just a bad knockoff of a GRF-1N.

[@xerty5502]

@@rdrrr it is really not that bad not good you understand just not bad the srm 2 is probaly my vote for worst weapon in the game small lasers and machine guns are not impressive but at least machine guns can tare up infantry and small lasers do not have ammo bins srm 4 and 6 are decent but the 2 is just hopelessly Bad low damage and stupid amounts of ammo. I acualy find the shadow hawk does reasonably well against griffins and wolverine just not the 6m wolverine that thing is easily the best 55 tonner of 3025. The shadow hawk just seems surprisingly tough though that could be the fact that I tend not to brawl with it because it is horrible in a brawl. Also ac/5 are weight to damage ratio inefficient but they are long range and one of the best damage to heat ratio's. If the wolverine 6m varrient was not a thing the shadow hawk would be viewed as average instead of bad the 6m is just so efficient that it makes every thing else look horrible

[@WolfHreda]

Ah, the Wolverine. One of the few battlemechs that none of the great houses can screw up. Doesn't matter who you are or what systems you have on hand, the Wolverine will take it onboard and use it effectively.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I think there late generation models are a bit lacking for the time, but its super solid for so long, its reputation is far from fading.

[@Mikudude1billion]

Challenge accepted.

[@Mikudude1billion]

Challenge complete. Wolverine WVR-The Bad One (SW Era): Standard int. st., cockpit, gyro, 330-rated Engine, 8t armor, Medium laser, AC/2 w/ 1t ammo, SRM-2 w/ 1t ammo, & 10 HS. How bad do *you* think it is?

[@KageRyuu6]

@@Mikudude1billion First you aren't a Great House, second, that's not a cannon design, so your attempt proves nothing. Anyone with a copy of Tech Manual can create a shitty 55t mech and call it whatever they want.

[@Mikudude1billion]

@@KageRyuu6 I was derping around with the TechManual on wafer-thin reasoning that amounts to: fuck it, why not? Calm thyself? And rate my blatant custom on its shitty-ness while your here? Superfluous question mark? Edit: Better question: how would you customize it to make it shittier, if possible? Only limit: retain some of the original Wolverine's flavor.

[@jagaskins]

A mech so dreaded that the clanners fear to even say the name.

[@BigRed40TECH]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIDWc2h3pLB3gMU&ab_channel=K1ZGODTAIL I just put this on another comment for a different reason, but it feels fitting, lol.

[@westonford6774]

@@BigRed40TECHgot claimed by daddy Gordon.

[@gunarliepins]

I'm not quite sure, but I get the impression he kind of likes this mech ;)

[@BigRed40TECH]

I am shocked! Shocked I tell you! A libelous statement if I've ever seen one!

[@bogohothegrand241]

It’s a good mech.

[@arrgylerawrgyle3784]

He in fact does not, he only wants others to so he can win. 4D chess man!

[@gardeth]

I think he might prefer this to the Shadow Hawk by a slim margin

[@zanebarber8688]

No, really? What gave you that impression?

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

Your comments on heat management for the older mechs is true wisdom. I guess everyone has gotten spoiled by double heat sinks these days? In the good old days when men were men and battlemechs generated their own heat mirages, knowing how to manage weapons and movement to handle heat while giving the best performance was a key part of victory.

[@kagetemplar]

The Clans renamed it the conjurer to avoid the mention of the clan that must not be named. The nefarious and hated Clan Voldemort!

[@blue95kun]

Out of all the 55 Ton Trinity, the Wolverine will always be my go to if given the choice.

[@BigRed40TECH]

As it should be. :D

[@Phoenix8492]

Having picked up Mechwarrior 5 in the past month, the Wolverine is a hazard even when you have heavy mechs like a Warhammer in your lance. This is a mech you have to respect.

[@TheDubDisciple]

Due to having an unfortunate number of run-ins with these chucklefucks and their unnatural ability to keep pace with, my favored support mech the Jenner I've realized they have a very easily hit head hit box. Its a lot easier to go for that then anything else because these things have the armor of some 70 ton mechs

[@ianjankus8090]

The 6M is such a step up above the 6R. And the Wolverine in my mind is possibly the best of the 55 ton inner sphere mechs, a cut above the Shadowhawk and Griffin

[@hermes7587]

I agree, the WVR-6M is probably one of the best medium mechs of the sucession wars era. It is an almost perfect mix of speed, offensive power, heat management and protection. The WVR-6R has less firepower and less armor. The slight increase in range and the better heat management are not worth it IMO. For a medium mech lance in the 3025 and 3050-era the Wolverine is an auto-include to me.

[@MarsStarcruiser]

Sadly though, all 3 still get beat out by the humanoid 50 ton mechs in my opinion. Hunchback and Centurion pretty much own the medium class. I suppose Wolverine is the least underpowered of the 55 ton weight group, but most of that group is utter garbage.

[@hermes7587]

@@MarsStarcruiser This completely discounts the far superior mobility of the three "classic" 55-ton mechs compared to the Hunchback and Centurion. A Griffin will kite the Hunchback and pick it apart from a distance and the Hunchback can do nothing. Even a S-Hawk can do this, it just takes much longer. And finally a Wolverine 6M is an absolute beast in a duell. If it loses initiative it can jump for cover and if it wins it can chose direction and range of it´s attack. It only need one or two attacks to the rear of a Hunchback and the Hunchback is finished.

[@MarsStarcruiser]

@@hermes7587 The mobility difference isn’t high enough. Going an extra 20 meters per when weapon ranges are a difference of hundreds of meters. A hunchback can sprint at 210 temporarily to get in range against a back/side pacing griffin doing 140. Unless the griffin is willing to turn his back to do his own sprint for 240, the hunch back will have sufficient time for 3 volleys to its face before he’s out of range again. And if he does turn his back to sprint… most of the 50 ton mech’s can do enough damage to break 55 ton back armor in one go especially the hunchback, but the 55 ton weight group is undergunned/underarmored for that extra 20 meters of mobility, and often cannot do the same in reverse.

[@xerty5502]

@@MarsStarcruiser ..... a hunch back can only sprint for 180 meters ground coverd each hex is 30 meters while the wolverine ermine can backpedle 150 meters or if there is any terrain at all that effects movement it can just jump 150 meters over up or down the terrain. Jumping me ha not needing to pay mp for facing changes is a super big deal hear. Yes in a flat open field the huch back can slow force the range gang on hex at a time. I personally think the standard hunchback is a pile of trash yes the ac/20 is dangous but it'd short range and Hugh fire power means it will get lots of longer range fire power shot at it. A standard huchback can brawl and nothing else but it is still to slow and does nit have the armor to survive at that speed nor does it have the range of mechs like the panther centurion enforcer or vindicator. (Yes I know the panther is technically a light mech but it real is just a small medium performance wise). In my mind these 4 are the best all-around medium mechs there are some specialist mechs that are better on there niche like the trebuchet are for that matter the hunchback(despite how i lothe it is a fantastic brawler if it has some one to protect it's back from jumping shinagins)but all 3 of the 55 toners are solid the wolverine 3m is definitely a good duelist but as a mech in a Lance or company it is acualy kind of lacking if you need a step in brawler a hunchback would be a better pick and the 3m is not particularly good at any thing but that large lasers are solid weapons but the step up in rang from 5/10/15 of the ac10/large laser to the 6/12/18 of the ac5/ ppc is a big deal the short range is irrelevant and the long range bump is nice but does not matter to much but the 2 extra hrs at medium range are a really big deal against the 3/6/9 range of med laser/srm/ and ac20 against say a hunchback when you have a 5/8 movoment that's 3 turns at med range while being out of the hunch backs range versus 1 turn while fading. This matters a lot riding the narrow brcket out side of short range weapons range is the name of the game for mechs that are not set up to brawl.

[@MechaTheSpider]

As a fan of Dougram before discovering Battletech, it makes me super happy to see designs from it and Macross being just so across the board good. Love it.

[@malachai1381]

This is one of my favorite medium mechs, alongside the Shadowhawk, until post clan invasion, where they joined by the Bushwhacker, my first battletech love ever since MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries.

[@jdmmike7225]

Had to put 2 Medium Claws on mine in MW5. Named the mech Logan LMAO.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I named my WVR-6M the first time I used one in an extended megamek Campaign, "Logan" for the pilot. lmao.

[@jdmmike7225]

@@BigRed40TECH Great minds think alike lol. 👍 Would be sweet if you did the Black Knight on August 16th. Would be one of the best birthday presents EVER lmao. Keep up the good work Red.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Can't promise you the date. I will be posting the order they'll be done in this weekend though. So you might have an idea when it's coming.

[@jdmmike7225]

@@BigRed40TECH Sounds good. No biggie on the date tho.

[@johnbrennan8611]

@@jdmmike7225 I'm totally with you on this one Mike, can't wait for Red to grace us with the supreme laser boat that is The Black Knight.

[@Morec0]

The ultimate Mech for resisting Cappelin occupation on a winter world as an adolescent MechWarrior.

[@daniel_f4050]

It was my absolute favorite Mech when we played the Mechwarrior RPG during college. That ball turret below the cockpit just looks so cool.

[@elementz301]

First getting into BattleTech, Shadow Hawk was my favorite mech cause the CGL design looks awesome. After learning about Wolverine tho it really is just a better Shadow Hawk and does look cool in its own way

[@carlk8308]

First mech I ever drove was a 6R, back in the 80's. Loved it. It's 6M brother is now my favorite.

[@elchjol2777]

Dropping the jump jets on the WVR-6R to fit an extra six SRM tubes has made it a risky but fun light and medium deleter in Battletech 2018. Nothing like seeing a scout stumble upon it and get erased by an alpha strike.

[@SeedemFeedemRobots]

the wolverine showing how to do an AC/5 carrying medium right, and despite at first glance looking less powerful then the shadowhawk by only having only 3 weapons, this shows just how powerful a smartly arranged set of armour and jumpjets can make a mech and how a properly built mech is more then just its guns. also another mech with a kuritan variant that removes the jump jet. i love the kuritan variants because you know once they get their hands on something, things are gonna get weird lol

[@Mekcanikel]

Honestly, I love the modern redesigns of the Wolverine almost as much as I love the new designs for the Crab. This thing is an attack dog and it looks the part; it gets in close and somebody is going to have an awful day.

[@KeithCrowe]

It was the first mech I ever played in a CBT game, and it's still my favorite. Such a great balance of weapons, speed, and weight.

[@CRAZYUNCLE117]

This must be clan wolverine's favorite mech. I do have to admit, dealing with lights, other mediums, and some heavies it is hard to find a better option for a medium mech. Plus, due to mediums being so cheap and easy to produce, compared to heavies and assaults, you can put 3-7 to 1 against a heavier class. Making it even more dangerous as it can fight in packs.

[@MrRich2u]

Actually the 55 tonners kinda suck due to their huge engine cost. Plus a 3 ton gyro. A 50 tonner moving at 4-6 has way more fire power for way less.

[@ultralurker7579]

What heavy are u talking about friend? 3-7??? A stalker assault mech is almost the same cost and most heavies are 6-10 mil vs the mediums 4-6mil Maybe u get two possibly 3 vs an expensive option.

[@CRAZYUNCLE117]

@@ultralurker7579 I guess you know the numbers better than I do. My reasoning is still sound. You can build far more mediums faster and cheaper than heavies and assaults and still bring pretty good firepower.

[@revolcane]

When I first played the tabletop game back in 90's I played a Wolverine. My brother kicked my ass with a Warhammer.

[@gabekramer753]

The WVR-7D has gotta be my favorite inner sphere medium mech. Good firepower from the ultra AC/5 combined with high mobility and relatively heavy armor for a mech of its size makes it a goddamn killing machine against other mediums, and it can even go toe to toe with some heavies.

[@EricLinstone]

Yeah, the 6M is hands down, my favorite Medium. There are few stock mechs that are perfect but that is one of them. The first time I ever played Battletech the tabletop, that was the mech I used and even though I lost... it still has a special place in my heart. Later on I started using a custom version with a retractable blade in one hand. Cuz that just felt right. 😉

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

Shank a B!

[@Harbingeruprisingofficial]

I just liked and subscribed. Great job all around! I genuinely appreciate all the attention to detail. I began watching, maybe a week ago and now I’m hooked. Brings back fond memories from when I was younger.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Welcome aboard!

[@pmcollectorboy2929]

I was using the Wolverine for "XYZ happens in X turns" or "stop the escaping ABC" objectives in missions where a Jenner would just get obliterated on the way over there and hot damn did it pull through every time. I prefer the energy focused version to the ballistic focus version as less weight chewed up for autocannons gives it more room for armor. This thing is a lighter Quickdraw.

[@wolfsden]

The Catapult is my most favorite 'Mech of all time, and as I've been playing since '84, that's an awfully long time to have a favorite. However, the Wolverine is right up there with it, especially when I was playing MWO. What you said about it being a right true scrapper was absolutely right and I had nearly as much success with it as I did my Cat. For story purposes, in particular, I've always loved this 'Mech. Thank you for making this video.

[@BigRed40TECH]

No thank you for enjoying it! I'm just glad people appreciate them. :D

[@GeneralAtomics]

For a 55ton mech, it certainly fights like a heavy. Although on the table top game, a memorable Wolverine death was when my youngest brother marched directly into a level 2 residental building and when he rolled for basement he rolled the worst case scenario. His Wolverine fell head first into a level 3 basement having never fired a shot.

[@ChristopherJohnson-np4dv]

Even the best Mech can't survive a bad pilot.

[@kevynhansyn2902]

The Dice overlords were not with him on that day.

[@DIEGhostfish]

Is the wolverine being so good part of why the beginner box is apparently changing from a Griffin vs Wolverine to a Griffin vs Vindicator?

[@BigRed40TECH]

might be lol

[@hammer1349]

Love the wolverine myself, a real trooper of a mech. I've only used the 6R but I say if it ain't broke don't fix it. A 6R tag teamed with a Thud 5S has proven to be quite the power combo. Not having to worry about heat management is also a personal bonus mostly because I get caught up in stuff and sometimes I forget to mark down heat etc. Having a spare arm with a hand is also pretty solid being able to fire all of its weapons and still get a punch in

[@bezyn2291]

And now you basically covered my lance one after another. I tend to hunt down a Wolvie 6m for my lance right after I get a Phoenix Hawk for myself, following it with Shadow Hawk and Griffin. Love this machine, altho I`m not that big on piloting it myself - having one in your lance is great.

[@RidinDirtyRollinBurnouts]

I prefer this mech over the shadowhawk and griffin, by far. In mw5, it's one of the only mediums that can consistently run alongside a heavy lance without issue. For some reason the other 2 can't do that.

[@BigRed40TECH]

In the Tabletop both the 6R and 6M are good for their era, but the latter might be the best mech of ALL of 3025.

[@CraigBrideau]

The Shadowhawk and Griffin are fire support, whereas the Wolverine is a brawler. It's the difference between plinking from the second line or standing up front and giving and taking heavy hits.

[@hatework4282]

Such a good mech. Got mine in a "medium lance" box set with a Locust, Shadow Hawk and the fantastic Crusader. It served in good company.

[@erikbjelke4411]

"Ah, yes, you have Shadow Hawks. But what do we have?" "WOLVERINES!!!" I have steadily grown to like this 'Mech more and more since HBS BattleTech and the Reseen design. It's just fun, and a great tie with what's also becoming my favorite faction, Clan Wolverine.

[@wperdew6078]

A couple friends and I are gearing towards a (simplified/bastardized) campaign, and I put this mech on my list. Along side the Thunderbolt, Warhammer, griffon, Catapult, stalker, centurion, Phoenix hawk, Marauder, and others. Looks like it fits the brawler role. Not sure which variety to use yet, but I can't wait.

[@DIEGhostfish]

6m if you can vit the BV

[@NonApplicable1983]

It took me some time to learn to love this one, but I very much do now. If you can keep it away from melee range, so that the cramped cockpit doesn't come into play, it becomes an extremely dangerous brawler.

[@sim.frischh9781]

Wolverine is a chonky boi in pretty much all the iterations, except for Chris Lewis´ Project Phoenix artwork. But it suits him well, it´s not exactly a sniper but has decend damage over decend range, a solid loadout for closer ranges and if push comes to shove, a pair of massive metal fists. In MWO the mech is sadly quite lackluster, with several of the chassis being very unbalanced in terms of hardpoint placement, but it´s still a machine that is fun to play.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

The third of the 55 ton siblings. Great all rounder.

[@Zeeke01]

The Wolverine is one of those 'mechs that I learned to love and imho it is a better mech than the Shadowhawk. It is a solid 'mech, does it job, messes up 'Mechs and vehicles good, then goes home. Also in one of my tabletop games, the Wolverine did a hilarious "why you hitting yourself?" To another mech(I can't remember if it was a Vindicator or Enforcer) with the enemy mechs own arm... Good times. And imho it is always worth it to get that higher piloting skill to the Wolverine by one or two points to offset that penalty. Anyhoo great stuff like always BigRed40k! Keep up the high quality content!

[@vali6717]

I was ready to dismiss the Wolverine due to finding the 6R a persistent albiet quite underwhelming mech from my experience with and against it but the 6M is a true standout in comparison. I see why you covered it first! The 6M seems to perfectly fit my tactics for a Phawk so I will certainly end up giving that particular variant it's due whenever I field a Wolverine again.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Pixies are food for the 6M, it's so sad. Hell, honestly, 90% of the time one shows up to a game, you might as well start playing this theme if the player knows what they're doing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIDWc2h3pLB3gMU&ab_channel=K1ZGODTAIL

[@Dracobyte]

The mech that shouts "Berserker Barrage!" on every attack.

[@HondaWagovan]

This is my favorite chariot to use in Mechwarrior 5, it does everything good enough and nothing terrible.

[@The6thMessenger]

1:29 - Ha, the pilot looks like one-eyed minion licking the cockpit glass.

[@STSGingie]

This is one if my top five favorite medium mechs!

[@kent1146]

Of course Wolverines are awesome. They are basically baby Orions. And Orions are basically baby Atlases.

[@kazekamiha]

Never used, but a respectable medium mech. Not something you can really ignore.

[@jefaus06]

Man, this mech brings back so many happy memories playing MegaMekNet back in the early to mid 2000s. During my days with House Marik, so many games would be carried by the sheer brutality of the 6M. Many players from other Houses would offer amazing mech trades for the Marik Wolverine. Not that the 6K wasn't a slouch either, but you miss those jumpjets, even with the insane armor of the 6K.

[@BigRed40TECH]

We likely fought on the same side if you're referencing the primary server from that era ;)

[@jefaus06]

@@BigRed40TECH I went by the player name "Nile Ingrams". Those were fun times. The Marik Crew were super tight and great operators back in those days. No wonder why we won so many cycles.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@jefaus06 FUCK! I KNEW YOU NILE! You're the one who got me INTO the WVR-6M! HAH! How crazy is that?!

[@BigRed40TECH]

I was the guy who racked up 40+ kills one season with a WVR-6M. I forget if you were there when I knocked out 3 heavies and an AWS-8R from the Draconis Combine in the greatest single battle I ever had after he knocked out my whole lance, with a WVR-6M. I kid you not, I remember you helping me out forming lances, and I remember just trolling the Combine and the Capellans as much as I could. I was always afraid of running into Doom though. That guy was scary, before he got banned XD

[@jefaus06]

@@BigRed40TECH Wow. And here I was thinking I was just a passing NPC in the Marik ranks.

[@mr6johnclark]

I have one of these in MWO. just ONE.. Maybe i should buy more?

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's better on Tabletop than MWO sadly. But it is functional in MWO.

[@warlordtarzan9850]

I love the Wolverine melee variant in MW5! (only if it has a claw, of course!) I'm about to upload a video on it

[@LowbrowDeluxe]

In MW5 Quarantine is quite possibly the perfect headhunter. 81 mph, enough weight saved with the xl for max armor, slap an LBX-10 on the arm, 3 ML, and when that fails to take the head or you absolutely need an alpha strike SRM 6s. Unless you wait for your lance to engage even standing at range with anything that can mount dual gauss you'll get whittled down faster than Quarantine dodging and weaving and taking heads. The only real issue is it seems like the only mech that the AI knows to target weapons and loses it's right arm far more often than seems reasonable. But if you can avoid that you can run ahead of your lance and leave them to mop up behind you/deal with vtols and clear whole maps/rack up over 1mil on the 'delay as long as possible' missions. Starts getting dicey at 320+ tonnage allowance missions, but even then in it's way it's still superior to Agincourt or the 9 ML Thunderbolt hero.

[@andrewboyer7544]

There is a reason my hanger in mw5 is filled with assault mechs... and a wolverine. Such a good mech.

[@BigRed40TECH]

100%

[@NJSC00]

In batletech is like a Swiss army nife, love it

[@rho1581]

It’s a mech I tend to go after first if fielded even with heavier enemies. As games get long and the armor gets thin the Wolverine gets to many shots in with its jump shenanigans.

[@jacoblitman4866]

I know this is an old video, and I am a spreadsheet/HBS/Meklab warrior who hasn't actually played tabletop, but from my perspective, the WVR-6M does have a few flaws, though it is still a very good mech: 1) I'm given to understand small lasers, flamers and machine guns are important for anti-infantry work, though if one is allowed to mix inferno with standard SRM missiles in the same 1-ton bin, this is ameliorated. 2) No capacity to engage at extreme range, though this can be ameliorated by working alongside Griffins or other fast fire-support mechs, plus most battlefields are not a perfectly flat Iowa cornfield. Not having played TT Btech, I am unsure how well cover works to let shorter-range units close to optimal engagement range. 3) The idea of "LL for long-range engagement, SRM 6 for critseeking and efficient damage-dealing, 1-2x ML for more heat efficiency at short range, well-armored, 5x jumpjets, throw any remaining tonnage into heatsinks" scales down at least to the 40-ton level, and if playing or theorycrafting around C-bill efficiency, a hypothetical 40-ton baby WVR-6M (sacrificing 2 tons armor, 2 heatsinks, and switching an ML for an SL) has roughly 80% of the combat effectiveness for 69% of the cost. What probably makes the WVR-6M tick so well is an efficient usage of tonnage and the 10 "free" engine heatsinks, a design that accepts it cannot have everything and instead leans into that most magical quality: being good enough. It has good mobility, heavy armor, a good mix of primary (LL + 2x ML) and secondary (SRM-6) armament, enough heatsinks to keep most of its weapons firing, and accepts that pushing the envelope any further in any direction compromises something else too much. The WVR-6M exists in a narrow zone of "enough tonnage for good speed, good armor and just enough heat-intensive weapons to utilize the integral 10 heatsinks without needing many supplementary heatsinks". Even if you remove the concerns of critical slots and nonlinear growth in engine mass, bigger Mechs simply can't be as tonnage- or cost-efficient because you're out of free heatsinks: after the first PPC, now you have to choose between "do I want to spend 16 tons on an AC/10 + ammo + 3x heatsinks, or 17 tons on a PPC + 10x heatsinks?" I still wish you could squeeze out a few more tons to upgrade the -6M's LL to a PPC, but that's just not happening with introtech without compromising something else.

[@rh352]

I absolutely agree with your analysis! The Wolverine is my absolute favorite medium mech thus far (though to be fair I haven’t played much beyond the Succession Wars eras on the tabletop). And I agree that the 6M is by far the best variant! SO nasty! Definitely punches above it’s weight class

[@BigRed40TECH]

I think it goes beyond the best variant. I think it just might be the best mech in all of 3025 and its surrounding era. But that's just me. :)

[@rh352]

@@BigRed40TECH Honestly, I wouldn’t argue with you on that. I’m a huge Marauder fan, but I think the Wolverine 6M is more balanced and better optimized than the Marauder, even if it IS 20 tons lighter.

[@da_BemBem]

You should cover the superior Wolverine someday, the Gladiator.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I'm a long way away from TRO: 3075. lol

[@da_BemBem]

@@BigRed40TECH Or age of War retrotech!

[@Gigas0101]

A lovely little machine, and unreasonably durable for its weight!

[@BigRed40TECH]

It's a vicious machine. I love it.

[@lukedudley5030]

A excellent mech :-) every merc should have 1 or more in their company :-)

[@Jaeger_Bishop]

Personally, I'd take the 6M but take out the SRM6 and drop 2 more medium lasers in it, or alternatively put in 2 flamethrowers to burn and thrash enemies at close range.

[@terryhiggins5077]

Without a doubt the 6M is the best introtech Wolverine there is. My first TT game was with a pair of WVR-6M and a CN9-A, after that I fell inlove with the dang things. I'm still sour that it wasn't in the HBS game without mods.

[@BigRed40TECH]

not in mw5 either :\

[@DIEGhostfish]

Yeah but given the huge buff to the autocannon 5 the base 6R outdamages the 6M in HBS Battletech or almost does so. It lacks the 2nd medium laser but the AC5 is doing 9 points and fan fire every turn.

[@cavalryscout9519]

The Wolverine 6R was the first mech I beat an Atlas with 1v1. No lucky hits (unless you count chewing through an entire torso to hit ammo "lucky", I just kept in it's arm or back arcs most of the time, hid behind hills if I lost initiative, moved +3 every turn, and used partial cover or trees whenever I could. Wolverine has enough armor to survive a couple of lucky AC/20 hits, but usually the Atlas couldn't fire more than 2 medium lasers. I generally prefer the 6R over the 6M because I generally prefer to use the Wolverine as a scout and skirmisher, which are better done at longer range if possible. I'd rather use heavy mechs to brawl, but the Wolverine is the sort of "scout" which could stumble into an assault lance and live to tell the tale. The 6R is fine for fighting light and medium mechs, and can fall back and support heavier mechs from a distance. With no limits on 3025 spending, I'll probably end up with 2 Wolverines in my recon lance. I prefer the Wolverine over something lighter, because if I need to reorganize lances to be jacks of all trades, a Wolverine could hang in as the scout for an assault or heavy lance.

[@HaykInWonderland]

Q is carrying me through mw5 as a noob, bub

[@tuomastall5836]

The mech that cannot be mentioned

[@BigRed40TECH]

New clickbait article: CLANNERS HATE IT! Find out secrets to its success within!

[@501isa]

Replacing the large laser with 3 medium lasers and 2 extra heat sinks makes it a absolute terror if you can get in close.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Nasty.

[@501isa]

@@BigRed40TECH it’s a fast mover wasting tonnage on heavy weapons isn’t worth it.

[@TurboWulfe]

Like in real life, a tough wee bugger that's takes some effort to take down, take care and stay safe 😎 🍻 🤘

[@JulianVR4]

MY. TIME. IS. NOW. Yall have no idea how much love I have for the 6M in 3025 ❤ BigRed, I know you made this episode just me, whether you want to admit it or not 😁😁😁❤ #PURPLEPOWER

[@BigRed40TECH]

Yea!... I totally made it for you. *looks around nervously* It's my favourite mech from the period, in all seriousness. I've done absurd things with this mech, including insane achievements like knocking out an entire heavy lance after it curb-stomped the rest of my lance. It's really shocking.

[@joshblack2362]

Great upload!

[@BigRed40TECH]

Big thanks. It was a lot of work.

[@Dmorris556]

Always been aFor some reason most of the time when I use it, Tac to the SRM ammo.

[@malusignatius]

A very solid design in 3025. Though one thing I've always found odd is how different in opinion people are between the Wolverine and the Shadow Hawk... They're both very similar designs.

[@JMcMillen]

Honestly, it's probably that plenty of people find a single LRM-5 kinda underwhelming and that the tonnage would be better spent upgrading the Shadow Hawks to a full 5 jump jets and better weapons. Of the 3, the Griffin is good at medium-long range, the Wolverine is good at short range, while the Shadow Hawk is just kinda meh at all ranges (for the base models of the three).

[@treevenewson]

My favourite Classic 55 ton 'Mech bar none. The Royal WVR-7H version is my favourite medium 'Mech, an excellent zombie 'Mech to pilot.

[@donlindsey5910]

There were FOUR 55 tonners in TRO 3025. Everyone forgets the Dervish!

[@BigRed40TECH]

The Dervish is forgotten so easily because it deserves it :P

[@bryanmcmahon7122]

While I love the Wolverine and its my go to Scout company command mech, I just prefer the Griffon for the Medium roles. My experience on TT and Megamek have reinforced my love for the thing as a Bug hunter, but any time I ask it to shield my fire support, or intercept a hit team on a Commander, it just comes up short. Meanwhile I haven't been let down by the Griffon when called on to plug the gap.

[@johnfisher9692]

Great video I always thought the AC5 was apathetic weapon. Too heavy for the damage it causes as well as the usual twin dangers of ammunition explosions and running out of that. I much prefer the Marik version with a large laser replacing it and using the freed tonnage properly. Always found it amusing how players can design better Mechs than what the game give you.

[@JMcMillen]

That's because the in-universe engineers can't meta-game mech creation and usually have design criteria they have to meet. Plus, there are plenty of mechs meant for narrow or specific rolls that are really good at them, but not as good in a regular stand up fight like most games of Battletech tend to be.

[@DIEGhostfish]

It does feel a bit silly to say "Very fast for its size" when every 55 tonner in 3025 original, and the kintaro from extended are all 5/8/x

[@BigRed40TECH]

it is tho. Just everyone is lmao

[@Scrubwave]

There should be a clan using the same name.

[@mattikuokkanen]

As Red says, WVR-6M is claimed by many the best medium 'Mech of the Succession Wars. But as he also says, it can't fire all its weapons without overheating. The weapons still guarantee WVR-6M can effectively engage variety of targets: lasers are effective against 'Mech armor, and SRMs can score critical hits through broken armor. SRMs are also effective to cripple vehicles (motive hits) and infantry units. Different ammo types provide further variety and efficiency against certain targets. Lyran Commonwealth made GRF-1S makes a strong contender for WVR-6M, and even stronger against base model WVR-6R. Significant difference between WVR-6M and GRF-1S is missile type. In some ways GRF-1S could be argued to be better, as LRM 5 provides longer reach. Because LRM isn't necessarily used at shorter ranges, overheating is less of an issue. Still LRM 5 just mostly scratch the paint on 'Mech, but can be of some use against already weakened targets.

[@BigRed40TECH]

I clearly think the WVR's better, but I'll stress its because I think the 1S is a bit too spread out, comparatively. But I like to stick to people and give them no hope of escape. lol

[@peterhessedal8539]

The wolverine is the mech that should have been in the original Mechwarrior PC game.

[@boneshaman8912]

One thing that kinda confuses me is, why don't all mechs have the ability to bring all weapons to their rear? It only makes sense that a mech like an Atlas that is slow moving would want to have the ability to bring all weapons to bear.

[@TheStraycat74]

3050 full clan tech rebuild of the WVR-8A WOLVERINE. 5/8/5 movement endo-steel, 9.5 tons of fero-fiberous, XL with DHS, and 26.75 tons of pod space. Prime: U/AC-5 with a ton of ammo RA, LB-5X and a ton of ammo LA, two SSRM-6 with a ton of ammo each R/LT, clan MG in H with 0.5t ammo CT. WVR-8B "Kurita version": U/AC-5 or LB-5X (pilots choice) R/LA with three tons of ammo, Streak-SRM-6 RT two tons of ammo, ERLL LA, two ERML R/LT, two ERSL R/LT, three MG's H/R/LT one ton ammo LT WVR-8M "Merrik Version": two LPL R/LA, 2 MPL RT, 2 MPL LT, 6 dhs, mg H, 0.5ton ammo CT.

[@ironboy3245]

No. Just no. You want the Clans. To build a mech named after Clan wolverine?

[@TheStraycat74]

@@ironboy3245 I'm a Spheroid Merc. I Want C-bills. Clanners make GREAT toys, but forget their foolish 'society'... besides the 'not-named-clan' acted just the same as Care-Bears did after they moved into Rasalhague

[@ironboy3245]

@@TheStraycat74 the clans would never do it, and I doubt the IS has the spare parts to do it. During the invasion that is, I know I was busy taking the clans lunch money

[@TheStraycat74]

@@ironboy3245 really, because I was Shooting them and looting their scrap. Aim Higher :3

[@noteansylvan6051]

It's like if you took the dragon and the shadowhawk and made a mech that actually fackin works. Armor? More than you'd expect. Firepower? Annoyingly painful. Mobility? It can get you pretty much anywhere. It has the staying power of a lighter heavy and enough punch to make it a threat on any battlefield and at the very least an annoyance at any range.

[@jrockoclock7088]

Stock wolvie builds are among the few early medium stock builds that truly function. The other exceptions (barring clans) being the crabs and enforcers and certain centurions. For my money I'd rather have a PHX or a vindy

[@connorriggs1518]

Did somebody say brawling giant robot I heard brawling giant robots let’s go

[@dzeclectic2327]

So it was the wolverine and then the conjurer. What is the Hellhound from mw4? I read somewhere that was the wolverine and got renamed, but the only skin of that mech I've ever seen is in mw4.

[@BigRed40TECH]

hellhound is the Inner Sphere name for the Conjurer. :)

[@dzeclectic2327]

@@BigRed40TECH ok but one of those looks like 55 tons of sex tornado, and the other looks like a fat kid wearing a cardboard box to a buffet.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@dzeclectic2327 The Conjurer's model is very nice, yes. lol

[@Arron-S]

Thank God they redesigned it. N the tiny chin gun looked stupid

[@BigRed40TECH]

I concur.

[@DIEGhostfish]

I didn't mind the looks but it's clearly not a medium laser since in Dougram it was just a machinegun. Could make a decent version with head mounted AMS tonuse the classic blockhear

[@brettwerdesheim9767]

7k is very fun with twin srm6

[@BigRed40TECH]

100% agreed. Probably the best 3050's variant tbh. I felt I needed to cover the 7D more though :(

[@ДмитрийБорисяк-п3п]

When will we get honey badger mech

[@isaacscribellito1110]

I don't know too much about battletech as i have only played MechWarrior 5 but the wolverine-q is absurdly powerful with an srm 6 and 3 medium pulse lasers

[@harveyknguyen]

the tabletop and HBS versions of the Wolverine are also pretty competent mechs

[@wperdew6078]

Ok, running a Lance tomorrow. Stalker 5M, Warhammer 7M, Thunderbolt 7M, and I'm rounding it out with the Wolverine. 6M or 7K? Does the better weapon inventory make up for that XL engine? I figure perhaps the Wolverine us there to body guard the stalker, or support one of the 2 Flankers. Thoughts?

[@BigRed40TECH]

I think the 7K is the better mech personally, but you've gotta be careful with it.

[@wperdew6078]

I used the 6M. It did ok, it blew the leg off of a Jenner (which was a real challenge to hit), and harassed an Awesome. My Thunderbolt on that side of the board took the brunt of my sides damage.

[@BigRed40TECH]

@@wperdew6078 Nice :D

[@dashiellgillingham4579]

Wolverines are good. That's all I have to say.

[@kylebarrie2887]

You are right the 6m Wolverine is one of the better models. The one with the AC-5 is not the best as I find it lacks firepower.

[@ftako9028]

Wolverines!

[@BigRed40TECH]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHaufXZpqJhjg9k&ab_channel=VianWolverines

[@krieg4017]

Best.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Damn right. :D

[@helcarloki1887]

A perfect insult to the clans, surviving wolverines piloting wolverines 😅😅

[@ThatSlowTypingGuy]

Don't get me wrong it's a fine mech, but I'll still take the Shadow Hawk first if I have the choice. I hardly ever get my AC5 blown off that way.

[@BigRed40TECH]

Just take a 6M, you can beat anything with a 6M :)

[@ironboy3245]

Doesn't the shadow hawk have less armor? Also AC5s are bad in terms of damage to weight ratios, you'd be better off with a PPC and heat sinks. My personal shadow hawk has 2 snubs and SRM16+Artemis IV. Admittedly it gives up jump jets and has an XL 280 engine, but it can outfight just about anything, and routinely gets 2+ kills per battle. Bonus points if the LRM boat has already softened it up for the twin hammer blows of the snub PPCs

[@eurocrusader1724]

👍

[@BigRed40TECH]

Thank you Euro! :)

[@KageRyuu6]

Actually, Wolverines are predominantly scavengers tat are capable of smelling frozen carcasses under feet of snow and reaching them with their massive shovel like paws, and ferocious enough to chase even a Grizzly bear off a recent kill. After all, why chase your food when you can dig up a frozen dinner or bully a bear into giving up something fresher?

[@azuaraikrezeul1677]

The blockhead.

[@beskar66]

WOLVERINE!!!!!! Also no favouritism showing through ahlahahah

[@michaelbarclay5016]

6M

[@benlaskowski357]

I hate fighting these. They're annoying. But they're powerhouses. You're in trouble fighting one in a lighter mech.