Unboxing! Star League Command Lance | BattleTech Reviews

Get up close and personal with the Star League Command Lance. Chock full of some brand new 'mechs, variants, and the first ever pre-painted BattleTech mini - this lance is sure to impress. OR IS IT?
Sit back, relax, and hang out with Dan & Aaron as they unbox the latest from CGL.
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[@Warlord9000]

That pre-painted Orion look WAY better than i was expecting.

[@h.a.9880]

I read this comment, I was expecting the Mech to look quite good, and I was _still_ impressed. It's not just good "for a pre-painted" Mech, it's actually good even compared to hand-painted mechs.

[@tengu077]

The box art is from the cover of the Liberation of Terra, Vol. 2 sourcebook. The scene is after Aaron Dechavalier kicks down the palace gates in his Atlas and Kerensky follows in his Orion.

[@WRXSEVEN]

Yeah, I can confirm.

[@moragion]

The gates were smashed by Kerensky, not DeChavilier. It's on page 107 of that sourcebook.

[@moragion]

Great, we got Dan back! And promoted. The image from the box is from the Historical: Liberation of Terra II sourcebook. Kerensky breaking the Palace's doors.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Beautiful - thanks!! I hadn’t seen it before - very cool.

[@phantommauler3602]

The Atlas II does make a return in the Jihad era when Develin Stone uses it as his mech of choice. The Atlas II did exist throughout the succession wars, but was secluded in Clan space on the Clan homeworlds, or in weapons caches across Clan space, as the SLDF pretty much left with all surviving models of the design, leaving only a few original Atlas's back in IS space for the succession wars. So lore-wise, you could probably utilize it in any scenario in Clan space without too many batting an eye. Aaron DeChivaliar was a close friend of General A. Kerensky, the second in command of the SLDF, and a member of Kerensky's command staff. In that poster in the box art depicting Kerensky storming through the fortress wall, you can bet the Atlas looming the the background is DeChivaliar's.

[@AdamWhitehead111]

I came here to say pretty much the same thing. Devlin Stone's variant (of the new sculpt) was actually available from Iron Wind Metals. (Can't find it on the website now, sadly). It was actually brought back into production by the Word of Blake, and kept in production after Stone's alliance captured the factory. It was a popular command mech during the Star League II era. An Atlas II was spotted during the battle of Tukayyid among Jade Falcon's forces. Not directly related, but, Dechevalier's death does lead to one of my favourite pieces of battletech lore... Elizabeth Hazen, massively outnumbered and having lost her battlemech, takes a sword to a gunfight. And wins.

[@samuelbennett3441]

Not just Devlin's but when the Blakists captured Hesparus, they put it into production there, and the lyrans kept making then when the blakists were defeated. There's now a lyrand Dark Age variant iirc

[@WRXSEVEN]

Guys, pick up TRO 3075 (published way back in 2008) and you'll see the Atlas II was put back into production during the Jihad on Hesperus II. Devlin Stone's new and modified Atlas II was heavily featured in products back then. It was on the cover of Strategic Operations (published in 2009) and we got his record sheets in JHS: Terra (published in 2010).

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Love it - I will check it out. The old school TROs are so great!

[@andrewbuhagiar2663]

When I received the box I was pleasantly surprised at the paint on the Orion. Much better than I was expecting.

[@Bhaalspawn]

The "baggie incident" is what got Dan barred from the skywalk at Complex B.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

We are building Dan’s backstory in realtime 😂😂😂

[@Bhaalspawn]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming Secret lore dumps over the course of all your unboxing videos.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

@Bhaalspawn lol

[@madcat3525]

Great review! I like the Star League Command lance, especially the Thunderhawk. I would like Catalyst to make a Comstar Tukayyyid 6 mech pack, from the battle of Tukayyid book.I glad Dan got promoted. Looking forward to Thunderhawk battlytic. Looking forward to more videos.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

THawk Battlytics is a must!!

[@madcat3525]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming Thom if You read this use the Thunderhawk first in a battle report. If not your in Trimble gauss trouble.

[@A88mph]

If you get a 2nd painted Orion, you can modify it to be Theodore Kurita's "Revenant."

[@Joric78]

Painted mech definitely looks like a useable quality. Surprisingly good even. I do agree that they should either sell them individually, sell entirely painted lances/stars/Level 2s, or at the very least have colour charts for the paint jobs in the box.

[@ANIMOUS8]

The box art is of kerensky in his Orion kicking down the gates of the palace to take the Usurper prisoner.

[@AMX0009]

The atlas 2 is a stiener mech, the world restarted production during their cofluffle. When they capture hesperus 2, stiener recaptured the planet and kept in production

[@bovee3718]

They did a great job with the pre-painted Orion. I can’t believe how good it looks. I like that it’s a hero mech so it doesn’t really have to fit in a Lance.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Same - I was really pleasantly excited haha. And good call on the hero mech… I still think they should have sold it as a stand alone, or all painted lance, OR just gimme the paint swatch 😄

[@lesjames2478]

The dark age/ilclan era thunder Hawk with 3 thunderbolt 20s is hilarious both in classic and alpha strike. It's pricey but having weapons that are effectively AC20s that can indirect fire is ridiculous.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

lol I saw that one when I poked around in MegaMek. I am tempted to figure out how to kitbash one. The TBolts are all single giant ass missiles right? I always imagined them like Arrow IV.

[@lesjames2478]

@DeathfromAboveWargaming yes, one giant missile that delivers all of its damage to one location

[@maxgaj3015]

The thunderbolt one is a riot. It has composite structure, an XL engine, and no CASE so it's a crumpling bomb once it starts taking fire, but it's still a very effective way to lob in AC-20 sized holes from behind cover.

[@odstbane]

I had the funniest time with it taking out a penetrator that charging me as he desperately tried to knock down the missiles with his ams. Sure it's got composite structure but the enemies have to poke their heads out long enough to open up your armor for it to be an issue

[@odstbane]

Also it's hilarious every volley is a full ton of ammo

[@jamessmith5666]

I'm really impressed with the Orion paintjob. I would be totally ok with fully pre-painted premium forcepacks. I would buy them.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Samesies

[@Dreadwolf3155]

love the new minis. If they were made literally anywhere but China i'd likely own them all by now

[@AlxParrish]

An atlas ii would be cool because our boy stone. I'm most excited for 2nd star league pack.

[@WRXSEVEN]

I'm looking forward to more of these types of reviews, keep them coming!

[@Ichaerus]

It's Dan! He's back! He's alive and safe! Welcome back, Dan! The Atlas II 'Mechs all left with Alexander Kerensky when he made the exodus with much of the SLDF. Nicholas Kerensky, founder of the Clans piloted one, and at least one made an appearance at Tukayyid on the side of the Clans. Devlin Stone also piloted it. I believe at one point, especially in Hour of the Wolf, Jonah Levin(former Exarch of the Republic) briefly piloted one as well, while the Wolves and Falcons were invading Terra. I am happy for those that like it, but I do not feel that prepainting a single mini justifies the price increase for a lance of 4, or a star of 5. Either all come prepainted, or none come prepainted. That is what I believe should be the case going forward.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Dan never left. He is always with us like an STD. But one that you like having. Maybe a bad analogy… 😂

[@Metalpanzerwolf]

The numbers on the prepaint are painted on with a specialized paint machine per a comment from CGL I saw addressing this issue on another channel. I like the prepainted Orion, and I am keeping mine. I will probably do the rest of my pack in the same scheme.

[@chrishotovec4163]

I love the pre painted mini, its an excellent paint job and whether or not the job goes with my force it can be a commander or an enemy AI character

[@TheBloodedCat]

The Phoenix Hawk shoulder laser mini feels like a jab at harmony gold and Macross DYRL

[@h.a.9880]

_Nomen est omen_ when it comes to the Thunderhawk. What a beast of a machine... and it's paired up with some other really cool Mechs as well here. Personally not a huge fan of the Altas II design in general, but it's a very solid mech nonetheless. I'm very impressed by the Orion's paintjob as well. Hard to tell in just the video, but to me, it looks like it can stand up to hand-painted minis. Sure, there's some artists that will make paintjobs that look much better, but compared to the average paintjob, this is still very good and there's certainly people that aren't into painting that would be very glad to have something like this ready out of the box. At that level of quality, CGL could totally sell pre-painted minis, though I guess the process would be very expensive, so it's questionable if it would be economically feasible. What I wouldn't mind is annual special editions of Lances with one iconic Mech that's pre-painted. Like the IS Command Lance featuring Grayson Carlyle's Marauder or The Wolf's Dragoons with Natasha Kerensky's Warhammer. Stuff like that.

[@theronhatfield8854]

Atlas II was put back into production by Defiance Industries, but Sarna doesn't list a date for that.

[@gammafighter]

Phoenix Hawk, Orion, Atlas II and Thunderhawk is a heckuva lance. If I see that walking out of the dropship across from me, I'm climbing back in my dropship and taking off. Whatever we were about to fight over, they can keep it.

[@rburt3]

I was floored by the quality of the Orion. I'm more of a player than a painter, and I kinda hope they offer the faction packs in a prepainted option.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

I would love it. Gimme a full lance of Sword of Light w/ decals. Makes for great gifts too, and lowers the barrier of entry for new gamers.

[@LionFace]

Came for the painted Orion, stayed for the glossy butts. Cheers! I agree on the paint info, pop a card in with the packaging that shows what colors are used where, or closest match for different paint lines. They team up with Army Painter for the battletech branded starter kits, why not show the color matching paints from army painter so someone can pick up those same paints and paint the rest of the box in the same colors? They could even show alternative highlight colors for inspiration and that allows someone to just change one of the colors on the painted Orion to show it can be painted over and make it a bit more unique. More for beginner painters and give people a starting point.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

First off, I’m cracking up at the glossy butts comment. And 100% agree! Great point re: Army Painter!

[@brianhenry152]

Welcome back Dan! I was curious about this pack and the quality of the paint on it. Not sure how much mileage I'll get out of the Thunder Hawk, given how pricey it is in BV, but the others could eadily find a place in my lists!

[@Seeric85]

There is indeed an ilClan era variant of the Atlas II. The AS7-DK-H is a mixtech monstrosity with a 4/6 movement profile and plenty of firepower. The only downside is an Inner Sphere XL engine. It's been sold to all major Inner Sphere powers by Defiance Industries.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Excellent. I may also look into kitbashing one of these Atlas IIs… I now see there are a significant number of variants out there!

[@eoincorrigan3030]

Great review, very helpful! I'm definitely buying this pack.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Awesome! Glad we could help - enjoy!

[@rebelliousrookgaming8601]

I like the pre painted mini it’s just that they are planning to paint some new sculpts not everyone has

[@roewedge]

I have zero issue dropping that Orion with any other units. Plenty of examples of units with different schemes in real life or slightly different colors. Even then there are plenty of explanations. Anyone who would call that out in a game or complain needs to seriously rethink why they play the game

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Oh totally agree - I think for me, I enjoy having cohesive schemes in my army - but you are 100% right that there is no reason NOT to just use it as-is.

[@scottmccool7242]

If I recall, some video showed the base color of the prepainted mechs is actually the plastic color. Not that it couldn’t still be painted over.

[@jasonames145]

So gonna be crucified, but i kinda wanted them all to be painted in star league colors too. but failing that at least a paint Guide for new painters to try thier hand, i agree! Like can some force packs come pre painted without a hot war breaking out? what if all future pre painted mech packs had to only be from sculpts that were already widely available in lovely unpainted grey? would that be the holy middle ground?? i dont know!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

I would definitely down for fully prepainted force theme packs!

[@schoon8654]

Nice review. Thanks, Guys.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Hey, thank you for watching!!

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

The Thunder Hawk is the only thing from this box in which I'm interested. The Atlas II gun arm looks super dumb, and the thing should have been an Atlas variant anyway. I've never liked the Phawk, so the best that I can say for it is that it might do as an okay proxy for the Crimson Hawk with that shoulder gun. The Orion just never appealed to me. As for the box, CGI should have done one of three things: release a colored and a blank version of the box at different price points; release a single box with all of the painted "hero" 'Mechs that they're putting out this year; or release the painted versions as salvage boxes.

[@sebastiang.5032]

I'm in no need of the painted Orion, but it's cool that CGL is trying out new things to spice up the Lance packs. We Europeans will have to wait a few weeks for the pack to hit our stores, though.

[@DukeTodd100]

Thank you for a great review.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment!

[@Heckibrd]

Im really excited for this pack painted up a company of sldf back in January and the shade of green on the orion is pretty close to what i did so itll slip right in

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Spill the beans! What green did you use?? 🙂

[@BrianDonaldson6352]

Catalyst stated that they made sure it was easy to remove the paint jobs on these prepainted mechs

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

I’d probably just prime over rather than strip them?

[@Joshf4phan]

Hah. None of our paint schemes end up matching because when we throw a force together for a game the list ends up being mechs from various color schemes. Got a game Friday where I'm going to go in with the 2nd SoL with two mechs in SoL colors and two in Ryuken-ni. I do feel weird about the Kerensky Orion because even if we end up fielding color-splotch units in actual games, I do like to organize my mechs into lances, stars, companies and so on that are a consistent theme, generally from canon units. And then there sits Alex on my shelf all by himself, currently hanging out next to a company of Skye Rangers.

[@TinBane]

Was in the “no prepainted” mini set, but this looks amazing. I think minimum they should tell us what colours will roughly match. I’m sure someone will work it out. But I’d love to be able to buy more. Guess I’ll have a lance if each SLDF box has one? But singles is a great idea!!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Maybe once we get all 4 boxes we will have one painted lance 😂

[@misterbeeps]

This is CGL's evil plan to make us buy 4 boxes to get a fully painted lance. With that knowledge, it makes complete sense why Aaron and Dan are the perfect co-hosts for this review.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Who doesn’t want a lance of 4 Orions?

[@misterbeeps]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming People who don't want to be cool.

[@HouseDavieMerc]

Thanks for showing these. Great to see Dan get promoted to! For the Phoenix Hawk I find it interesting that they made the Classics to get away from the Robotech art and then added something to this variant that's almost exactly like something from the OG veritechs! Look up some pics of the Robotech VF-1S Strike Valkyrie. On it the top 1/3rd of the starboard thruster has been replaced by a gun mount just like this new variant. The only real differences are it has 2 barrels and the original thrusters. Honestly it's like a secret homage to the mech's ancestry. I love it. VERY cool. I'm getting this set just for this mini. As for the Orion-it's a good paint job with great panel lining, but I'm paying extra for something I don't want and will never use. It'll sit in a storage box or get traded. Paint them all or none at all.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Interesting call out on the homage!

[@shaneflickinger]

Not sure if it's camera color or lighting or what, but the paint job on the Orion looks a little too minty or yellow green to me and not olive drab like I imagined SLDF mechs being. Also agree 100% I want all the minis in the box painted or none. Overall, I really like this pack and will have to keep my eye out for it at my FLGS. Cheers gents.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

It is pretty minty, now that you say that. Thanks for watching!!

[@MarkZX14R]

Great video - couldn't agree more about the paint guide - I think pre paints are great for a beginner but if it comes with one painted mech and a guide on how to achieve the same look with the others it would have been a great opportunity OR it comes with the paints, a brush and the decals - Battletech learn to paint box. Just a thought :)

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Wow I love that idea - definitely a great “starter” type pack for beginners, but good for veterans as well.

[@JosephMitchell-zw3db]

Thanks

[@gavincross2902]

Did you say Star League??? :D The box art is cover art from Liberation of Terra II. Cheers

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thank you good sir!!! Appreciate you watching as always!

[@fighterphoenix5789]

I have to be honest with this one, I really like the Orion, it's my favourite Mech. But I really despise the old model, it's just too asymmetrical, it looks like it runs two canons and a PPC. I'm not a fan of the old arm design and I'm glad they made a new one.

[@mathewkelly9968]

Be nice if they shipped some to Australia , with how you Americans carried on about having to pay for postage for a change . Yous should get everything last for a year .

[@MOrab46019]

The art came from The Fall Of Terra Vol II.

[@kathilmechworks4895]

Its not box one and box two that the painted mech is going to annoy me. Its going to be box three with the Lament and box 4 for the Savage wolf. Both of those two do not want the mechs in star league colors and are going to take dunks in simple green. This one am going to get one, just don't have a lot of uses for what's there. Most of what you use a thunder hawk for I already use a devastator and the Atlas II well I kind of wish they had painted this one up as Stones Lament. About the only thing I'd use a Atlas II for. The phoenix hawk well can always use those.

[@ludvigmauritzson8975]

Great vid as allways. I do think though, that from now on, one dude on the D.F.A -vids neads to be painted in each episode.. But serious I'm also conflicted.. Ofcourse I need Kerensky, but there will be more than 1 Orion bought.. and could you realy paint over the Star League colors? Feels wrong some how..

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

It does feel wrong haha

[@derekburge5294]

I just can't get past the prepainted Orion. Yes, it's a perfectly serviceable paintjob, but let's see a quick show of hands... How many people are playing BT during the Amaris Civil War? It's either a shelf piece or you'll end up stripping it.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

I sleep in my Alex Kerensky costume every night, so……. 😄

[@derekburge5294]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming Ya got too much hair to make that look work!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

@derekburge5294 let’s revist this in 5 years lol

[@Grithertime]

Meh. Looks good yes, but too gimmicky, like you mentioned in the podcast going off into the weeds with weird things. Not updating Alpha Strike, 100mm Mad Cat etc... you guys were on point in that discussion.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

🙂 my rant of the year. It is just another weird decision. All. None. But not just one painted ‘mech!

[@HotelCharliHill]

Wait, is this from the kickstarter??? Or direct to retailer?!?!?! HOW DARE THEEeEYYY!!!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

lol! No this is sep from the KS - you can get on CGLs site or (by now I think) other retailers like Aries Games & Minis!

[@Gladius-XC]

Does the Orion need to be stripped?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Good question… I’d prob just spray prime right over it.

[@Gladius-XC]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming That’s good to hear! Means that the pre-painted minis won’t require any extra work for people that don’t want to keep the paint job. OFC, I paint so slowly that I’ll probably never get around to re-painting it.

[@matthewbirdsall9518]

Shocked by the quality of the pre painted Orion. Sad for me this era is among the least played for me. So many more relevant mechs from popular eras. Impossible to juggle all the demand and era but can't say I'll get much use out of this lance pack compared to others.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Well, compounding on that, I get less use out of 100 tonners too - so 2 in one box was also a bad life choice haha

[@matthewbirdsall9518]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming and now for the META I am definitely going to Cheese and run my 3x Gauss T-Hawk, lol in all lists..lol

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

There is no reason not to!! Best thing ever.

[@roshee5573]

Looks like a Steiner scout lance 😂😂😂😂😂

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Swap the PHawk for another assault and we’re gold!!

[@HouseMasterPoDing]

I think you hit the nail on the head with the pre-paints...what do you do with them? It's nice to see the quality of it is so high, I'll give them that. Also, and I'm not done with the video yet, but no hits on the Capellans! Baby steps! ;)

[@jasonrucker4722]

My verdict, painted mech looks better than expected, but why not paint the whole lance??? To Dan's point, this should be a stand alone (maybe premimun mech?). Overall, I am not a fan of this marketing choice. I think Catalyst continues to make marketing decisions in a vacum; who is advising them? Catalyst - put me down for non-painted force packs. To keep Dan in the basement, I am turning off my patreon dono...LOL!!!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Dan nooooooo hahahaha

[@roewedge]

I think it makes perfect sense for catalyst if they are just trying things out . I think they are trying to appeal to a wider market. Hopefully they sell these individually or as a pack together. This would be a great thing to put in like target or to help appeal to newcomers to the game.

[@LanceJohn]

Huh why is my name in the title? Lol jk

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Best name obvs

[@Dazzxp]

I am all for the hate button lol But it's Google/youtube so hating something means you like it, so i guess with hate means 100% of your feed becomes that!!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

hahaha

[@mathewkelly9968]

Me "aarrgghhh thats not a RAC on the Atlas II , its an LB 10-X" and it makes a come back later . And yes Devlin Stone is a loser , fancy claiming that the planet Liao isnt a Capellan Confederation world like omg who are you ?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

That is totally a RAC. There is an Atlas II variant with a RAC. I remain forever convinced. No other lbx (new sculpt) looks like that with multiple barrels. It makes no sense to me!!!

[@mathewkelly9968]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming lol I didn't say it made sense 😅

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Hahah

[@Kim_Jong-un1356]

I have no idea what the point of the pre-painted mini is. One in five mechs is painted and it's not very well painted either. Pretty much everyone, of the pople who paint their minis, will just base spray it and paint it properly. Seems like totally wasted resources.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

The paint job is actually way better than expected (prob painted in Korea and not China) but hard to argue overall.

[@nealshera2693]

Nice unboxing but these guys failed their lore check.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

You failed your comment check.