Hired Steel: A Mech Machinima - Episode Two

[@WatchTMC]

In case you're wondering who did the music, who voiced our Eques Lance or who modelled the vehicles: Check the credits at the end of the video, please! :)

[@nenadmitic1485]

Can you please link the music, if it's available somewhere? I need it on repeat, but without the explosions :D

[@WatchTMC]

@@nenadmitic1485 the music is especially composed for the video. Due to popular demand, Pronobozo is working on single versions of E01 and E02s soundtrack

[@nenadmitic1485]

Can't wait. Everything is masterfully done :)

[@jeroylenkins1745]

I thought I recognized Tex

[@shahinaryan-taasheedaar4516]

Maybe you like this sound too 😉. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYmXoGSllNmJhck

[@AtholAnderson]

"For Amaris' sake shut that alert off..." That line, and to a lesser degree the shark in their insignia, makes me think these 'pirates' are the descendants of Rim Worlds Republic forces that found themselves trapped in the Inner Sphere after Amaris' coup was put down by Kerensky.

[@KillerOrca]

Wouldnt be the first group to suffer that fate.

[@exiledadrian103]

I would think that as well, however, I believe this is set in the Periphery somewhere- not the IS

[@AtholAnderson]

@@exiledadrian103 True, but said survivors probably left the Inner Sphere after things went to shit and as a pirate band it's a lot healthier to then STAY out in the Periphery.

[@exiledadrian103]

@@AtholAnderson That makes sense. I wonder what the unit was originally called?

[@michaelgreenwood3413]

Rim Collection, most likely.

[@leonaquilla2547]

The pirate leaders seemed a bit too professional, but I love that APC soldier yelling "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, AN INVITATION?! FUCK MAN, GET IN!"

[@Bluehairedgirl89]

I have a strong feeling that that is the pirates employer, not their leader. I suspect there is more going on here than a bunch of pirate filth infesting the ruins of a old SLDF base.

[@leonaquilla2547]

@@Bluehairedgirl89 Yeah, who says "for Amaris' sake" like it's using God's name in vain?

[@Bluehairedgirl89]

@@leonaquilla2547 yeah, I found that very odd as well. Maybe it’s a slang in the Battletech world but I’ve never heard it before and it suck in my head. Also, in a unrelated note House Amari’s sigil was a Shark. Odd coincidence that.

[@WilliamSlayer]

That line of the soldier yelling, as well as the shot of a bunch of coffee pots in the radio room drove home this as being super real! Lol.

[@c19gaming43]

None of those look like your average popcult pirate. Makes you wonder the real situation. The propaganda of the employer for this attacking lance. They might be trying a coup d'etat hiring mercs against the official military of a nation trying to get independence. Or competing factions trying to access an SLDF cache, calling the other "pirates" or "raiders"

[@Synthonym]

This is legitimately the best Battletech has ever looked

[@cameronstrathdee1772]

There's so much attention to detail that really sells it. The little AMS perched on Tex's Shad, the Catapult's rotating radar and the way the smoke bursts mid-air, the bear claws and armor paneling on the Hunchback, all these 'mechs are much-loved custom rides.

[@grimos6490]

@@cameronstrathdee1772 Agreed, that's what sells it for me and the acting is phenomenal!

[@stanleycard6867]

not only does it look good it feels like battletech.

[@knowahnosenothing4862]

@@grimos6490 They could bring the cheese levels down IMO but the art is great.

[@foofoo3344]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@Silvarrus]

"You hit a Locust but not a god-damned tank?!" That line is beautiful and hits home far harder than it should...

[@Colonel_Overkill]

Yea, that one hits hard right in the feely bits. Had a highlander in a game that kept missing a stationary thunderbolt and in the same game was dropping scout two at a time, one with the gauss and one with the LRM 20 that save a flier or two always hit a 15 point group to a location. Under 40 tons that hard of a hit tends to be detrimental to continued operational readiness.

[@ignace_karkasy7501]

in all fairness, they are hover tanks and it looked like the one in question was a Pegasus to me, both the locust and Pegasus share max speeds so Its an equal chance to hit either

[@romankvapil9184]

Hitting a Locust is an impressive feat. They may have armor made of rice paper, but good luck trying to hit them.

[@Colonel_Overkill]

@@romankvapil9184 they can be, but I find thermobaric artillery saturation to be quite effective at bug squashing. Locust, spider, cicada, they all go splat when a few dozen long toms are thrown in their general direction.

[@TheCraftyDawg]

maybe he's an xcom operative rather then a Mechwarrior. 😁

[@pjmcmurray5802]

I loved hearing Tex. "Time to earn our money..." indeed.

[@eezaak21]

The shot of the mechs walking through the forest was a great throwback to the Mechwarrior 4 intro cinematic.

[@ShadeAKAhayate]

I believe that was a hommage exactly to that?

[@WatchTMC]

@@ShadeAKAhayate Absolutely

[@warblerrl4759]

Anyone got a few million c-bills to throw these gentlemen for a multi season series? Well fucking done.

[@duanewong1527]

Is there a patreon account to support? I don't want Comstar to take a cut of the transfer fees

[@bbsamik1999]

@@duanewong1527 yeh they have it in the description 👍

[@nick84788]

Some people like this and a true production budget, my gods how good it would be!

[@Ranzarok]

They could always try Kickstarter, just might raise a couple million with these 2 shorts to show off.

[@SaschaCharlieDjuderija]

@@Ranzarok Kickstarter is out of option

[@masterrafa999]

"Holy shit that's Tex" "Wait, this is Baradul, right? RIGHT!!" I would easily pay a whole new streaming service just to watch a complete series of this. Amazing work in every single aspect, congratulations !

[@andrewradford520]

my REACTION as well lol

[@simtechrc]

Baradul voice from Rifleman?)

[@NinjaLayor]

@@simtechrc Baradul was the Rifleman, and we had Mr Paladin on the Catapult. I'm loving this cast

[@ironboy3245]

How did you notice Baradul? I would never have guessed

[@Joseph32547]

Im in for a streaming service

[@AG3624C]

So this is scrombles prior to the brain damage... fantastic as always absolute credit to the franchise and fanbase

[@cliffg.4205]

I can't wait to find out why Scrombles no like Scorpin so much.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

*SCORPIN SMASH!!!*

[@ScorpiusZA.]

That made me laugh out loud

[@DiggingForFacts]

@@cliffg.4205 If you really wanna know, check out the Courtesy Flush Fallout playthrough

[@Solon_The_Lich]

Scrombles even led lances! Then the TBI got him, and now his Merc outfit job application includes nurse labor

[@username.teresa]

Probably the best animated machines and "battle environment" I've ever seen. Even among the best animations, all categories, in my opinion! The details are crazy. The lighting is freaking amazing; the highlights on the helmets visor, the plastic looking tubes/cables on the panel behind the driver, the sparks, the scratched edges on the mechanics that makes it look like brushed steel, the golden touch from the sunset... On top of that the camera angles and cuts between scenes, the direction/manuscript, the dialog and the sound design is sick?! I'm not familiar with Battletech, my boyfriend showed me this. My reaction was astonishment! I mean, I'm no expert at all, but I've watched a lot of animated movies and games and this is certainly something else. Brilliant work, just wow!

[@WatchTMC]

thank you! :)

[@Robloxman01]

Holy shit I love the addition of more modern equipment like APS systems and more realistic bolt-on stuff like ERA and smoke launchers. It really brings the combat to life and makes it feel plausible.

[@witherrose1566]

Smoke launchers are actually an equipment on the ttrpg (known as vehiclular smoke launcher for .5 tons), ERA is also am armor type in the ttrpg, as is AMS (rather than APS). Though some of these are 3062 equipment, which looks like it based on the Shadowhawk having a rotary autocannon (i think?)

[@tanall5959]

@@witherrose1566 They're using the Piranha models, so UA/C's have rotating barrels. It also has 'UAC 5' stenciled on the side from the in-cockpit view.

[@Robloxman01]

@@witherrose1566 I know AMS is a thing but it's closer to CIWS than a hard-kill system like Trophy, which is what we saw here. I dunno, I just think that's cool as hell to see that kind of anti-missile defense mounted on a mech. VGLs are neat, but I don't think I've ever encountered them in tabletop due to their high weight for being single-use, and Reactive Armor is both not a thing until the early 3080s IIRC and not exactly ERA, it's more like an explosive lining sandwiched in the middle of two standard armor plates for all the descriptions and diagrams we've seen of it.

[@everyonethinksyoureadeathm5773]

@@Robloxman01 it's not unheard of to find or use Lostech. Even jeryrigging some equipment onto a mech isn't unheard of either. So the tech in play could just be some experimental tech added on and is being tested or the mechanations of a mechtech thinking 'what if I slap this together and toss it on a mech...who knows maybe I'll make billions of c bills with my idea'.

[@KillerOrca]

@@tanall5959 Plenty of different models of UA/Cs as well so its still canon.

[@CoffeeHobby]

As others have said, seeing the use of smoke, chaff and drones just gives the mechs such a greater sense of believably. The smoke especially was beautiful. I've recently fell in love with BT and I'm glad the likes of Tex and Baradul voice in this. I havent shut up about BT in work for weeks and I've really dove into the universe. Such a rich place to be. Maybe someday i'll be worthy within the community haha. In the meantime, I'll enjoy everything the incredible fans put out there.

[@Baradul]

Hell yeah! I love the result! Nice to be part of it.

[@_ENOVA]

Barely recognized your voice, man.

[@graydawn479]

And you pilot a gauss and UAC Rifleman. It can't get more badass than that. :)

[@mikedittsche]

@@_ENOVA but the laugh was unmistakable.

[@_ENOVA]

@@mikedittsche perhaps. didn't hear his laugh much

[@dantauche7917]

Loved it!!!

[@MathewJC25]

This needs to be a series, I know it’s a lot but 10-15 minute episodes would be amazing. Someone needs to pick you guys up for a contract. You are doing us BT and MW fans proud!

[@wintendo_86]

I'm hoping there will be a super cut at some point.

[@Castillo525]

Id love to, then I remember what happened with Astartes and GW and kinda preffer to wait ×10 times more for a quality product lol

[@gothbricks2000]

Can’t wait, guys. It’s so great having such a talented team working to bring one of our favourite franchises to life. There’s so much 40k etc fan material out there, but BattleTech is ripe for storytelling and has been for decades.

[@WatchTMC]

We're an independend indie team, so I can assure you that as long as Hired Steel exists, we control what happens in it.

[@appelbaum89]

The biggest problem with 40K is GW, Fans would make a much higher level of film but gw does not accept quality free production, so it would be good for Warhammer fans to find battletech and mechwarrior to tell their stories

[@sniffermovies1122]

@@WatchTMC these episodes are awesome I hope part 3 can be made soon and this is 100% the most incredible serious so far who watched the pilot the first episode and now this me and my family

[@sebastianthomsen2225]

@@WatchTMC just subbed!! this is F...ING EPIC ! 🔥🔥🤘🤘🤩🤩👍👍

[@bthsr7113]

@LabRat Knatz I think you've grossly misdiagnosed the problems facing Games "We hate and overcharge fans" Workshop.

[@snrkybrd]

i came here as a loyal pawn of mr tex who knows nothing about battletech, and left a subscriber. I've got no idea who anyone is in-universe or why the big mechs are killing the little red tanks, but I am thoroughly entertained. The animation is great, soundtrack's boppin, the voice actors' work is stellar. Y'all are doing great work out here

[@robertschumacher2707]

A Star League Defense Force base usually means the possibility of extremely valuable tech, usually in the form of BattleMechs and combat vehicles laden with fusion engines and advanced weapons. Especially when it's apparently untouched, as this one is given the fact the doors to the facility haven't been forced open.

[@procrastinatinggamer]

The previous episode established that the red and black guys are pirates raiding an old cache from the days of the Star League (which was a government that was kind of like the Roman Empire in international significance - save that the Star League had a lot of technology that the rest of humanity lost over a few centuries of bombing the shit out of each other).

[@tyutyu9331]

TLDR: Thank you! This is what I imagine when I am reading a Battletech novell or listening to Tex as he talks about Battletech. Long version: Where should I start? -Homage to Mechwarrior 4 intro with the mechs crossing the forest = Love it -Realistic terrain = Love it -Sounds and music = Love it -Realistic actor movement animation when they are angry = Brilliant -Infantry = Battletech videos need more infantry -Textures and lighting = Looks better than real life -Vehicle design and movement = Love it -Mech cockpit view = Love it -Rotating radar, flexing antenna = Brilliant -Smoke = Loved that smoke -ERA armour package on the Centurion (EDIT: Hunchback) = So cool -Mech melee = Just Wow -AMS = Love it -Ammo cookoff = Love it -Subtle lens flare not the Michael Bay cr*p = Best I have seen I tried to find things I didn't like but it was a struggle. Only found 2 things: 1)Pilot body shake in the cockpit is not noticeable, when showing Tex from the front 2)The experience ends after just 3 minutes 50 :) Sad panda.

[@Spore9996]

Centurion? That's a Hunchback. But yes, everything is gorgeous, I love it.

[@tyutyu9331]

@@Spore9996 Ah yes. Thx for the correction :)

[@Spore9996]

@@tyutyu9331 :D

[@noppornwongrassamee8941]

Second on the realistic actor movement and animation. I had to look twice to check if the soldiers were animated or real actors. It's just that good.

[@jnmason6283]

Your comment sums everything up. Absolutely brilliant! I can't wait for the next episode! This is all the realism MW5 should've had! Also like the MW4 target detected ;) Anyhow, this projet should definitely get serious funding! Keep it up!

[@h.a.9880]

This is magnificent! The scene where the Hunchback hits the AMS alone is better than anything I've seen from Hollywood in a decade. I mean it. Keep up the great work!

[@clayendfield4850]

Sheezus... Take a shot every time you recognize a voice. Beautifully directed, animated, and scored. Loving the work.

[@pjmcmurray5802]

I would hospitalize myself.

[@kjohnson9306]

Does this mean we raid Tex's whiskey supply?

[@Troubleshooter11]

Instructions unclear, liver ruined.

[@WayoftheFerret]

The only voice I recognize is Tex, who are the rest?

[@kjohnson9306]

@@WayoftheFerret I think the Catapult pilot does the voice for the Steiner Scout Lance on the BPL channel.

[@benjamintherogue2421]

The Hunchback shot passing through the chaff counter-missile cloud is such an amazing detail. You didn't have to do that, but you did.

[@theblackpantslegion]

That one guy sounds like a jerk

[@axelhopfinger533]

If only the Battletech community had as much dedicated artistic talent as the WH40K community, we could have so much more quality productions like this. And boy, do we deserve it!

[@mill2712]

If GW keeps acting the way it does and battletech/mechwarrior fans keep spreading the word, it will happen.

[@mkang8782]

Love hearing Tex in this! Great job, so far, folks!

[@WatchTMC]

Thanks so much!

[@tplambert]

And Baradul!

[@Grissbane]

The Happiness this brings me in these dark times is immense. Thank you

[@WatchTMC]

[@spectre111]

@LabRat Knatz Times like this make me wonder if we should adopt the Clan system. Imagine Putin and Zelensky fighting a trial of possession over Ukraine. Okay, maybe it wouldn't work out....

[@benvacco8997]

That catapult popping smoke and firing was beautiful, all of it was beautiful but those just, SO good.

[@EricDKaufman]

Did Tex just punch a hovercraft? That was amazing! EDIT - Did AggieLawGirl just punch a hovercraft? That was equally as amazing!!!

[@Edmar_Fecler]

nah, the chick's in the Hunchie. Tex is commanding from the Shadowhawk

[@brunoernesto2824]

tex is in the shadowhawk, the hunchback pilot punched a hovertank, like hunchback pilots usually do.

[@Ridliman]

That was Aggielawgirl.

[@phalanxwarden4124]

"SCROMBLES PUNCH!!!!"

[@EricDKaufman]

@@brunoernesto2824 Tex's team punched a hovercraft

[@Devastish]

The little details on this are great. At 3:20 as the Hunchback pilot hits the AMS (APS? not a weapons expert) you can see the damage loadout for her mech with the left arm badly damaged. Nice touch.

[@stoneglow3887]

Yay, that was great! Just cant wait for next one. Bara as rifleman pilot, and Tex, and others too, amazing voice-act!)) And 3d artists - my regards, its wonderfull work there)

[@WatchTMC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@closedgestalt6878]

Земляк там наш художник, так что даже радость берет, что боетех и у нас имеет популярность :)

[@birthdaytruck]

YES YES YES YOU MADE A part 2! I had a very small cited credit of you guys making great machinma with Alex Iglesias' new design in my MWO video. I'm SUPER happy to see more! PART 3 PART 3 PART 3! EDIT: AH YOU DID THIS IN 21:9 YOU SMART BUNCH OF SMARTIES I LOVE IT NOW I CAN FILL IN MY 21:9 ULTRAWIDEEEEE I'm editing this twice to be super specific with compliments. This feels like the best intro cinematic MechWarrior never had. Also: - @ 1:07 you installed the PPC barrel IN the Thunderbolt's arm, as opposed to underslung. That's more in line with the concept art for Alex Iglesias' Thunderbolt and I love it. - You've nailed this sense of scale MWO struggles with, but the Mechs are in the trees, not above them @ 1:39 and it looks fantastic. - @ 1:59 you guys animated the hips rocking correctly - MW4 did a great job of replicating human bipedal hip shifts when walking, but MWO didn't. They often looked like the legs were moving in a simple Y axis, when really it's a combination of both. I see this elsewhere, too, but it's that little detail that absolutely makes it believable. - @ 2:38 you have the ShadowHawk brushing trees aside. That looks so gorgeous. You didn't have to but y'all did. Smoke and chaff are absolutely items that should make it's way both into MWO and MW5. You've protrayed them really well. I also really enjoyed hearing various MW4 sound effects - just that little touch of recognizable nostalgia gravy. Go make this into space Game of Thrones, guys.

[@phantommauler3602]

Been watching your progress on this through Patreon, I'm excited to see this undoubted labor of love your team have been working on finally after so long since episode 1! x)

[@brucesearl4407]

Is it wrong if I watch this about 20 times? Great work everyone! This is a big step up from the first one and that was a big step up from anything that had ever come before it by anyone, ever! Direct Hit!

[@WatchTMC]

Well, we watched this about 5000 times in the past months, so you're fine! Thanks again for lending us your voice.

[@gothbricks2000]

Loved it, guys. Incredibly pro production, mech and vehicle movement is spot on and camera angles are exhilarating. Can't wait for the next instalment.

[@WatchTMC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BlueEyesGaming]

This is pure absolute perfection.. The visuals, PERFECT The movement, PERFECT The sounds, PERFECT The MECHS. OH MY GOD YES PERFECT Every motion and scene is a piece of fucking art. I love how the catapult lower and sort of "braces" itself before it fires, i love the hunchback pilot just going for it, the thunderbolt startup, the hunchie fuckin punchin that hovertank to next week AND you've got MY favourite mech.. and my lancemates favourite mech too! (rifleman and thunderbolt) bravo1 beyond bravo! this deserves patreon money for the absolute BEAUTY of it.

[@lintrichards6007]

And that is what you call quality work.

[@Thndrdome]

Excellent work! My three year old son has 'made' me watch this over and over again. He obviously has good tastes in entertainment.

[@konsyjes]

I think children are the best critics. They acknowledge the intangible.

[@5ccsomat]

I wish you guys the best and a lot more stories. Keep them coming.

[@soapbrush1665]

Incredible. From the graphic to the design, to the Voice acting this is one of the best Fan animations I've ever seen. Keep it up Lads.

[@stormwing9123]

okay so everyone's talking about the visuals and they're right, those are amazing (and I very much want a force org chart later, are those twin SRM-6es I spy on the Shadow Hawk?), but can I just point out the MUSIC? Fuck yeah that's the good shit.

[@WatchTMC]

We'll forward that ;)

[@stormwing9123]

@@WatchTMC seriously though I want to make this battle on the tabletop gib unit specs I mean I can guess for the mechs, that's a stock Thunderbolt 5-S and Locust 1-V, a Shadow Hawk with... twin short-sixes and mediums and an Ultra-5 in the shoulder, a Cattie with long-twenties and quad mediums, a Rifleman with a Gauss, an Ultra-5 and twin mediums, and a really weird Swayback with, what, two mediums, two MGs, and an AC-10 I think, I just don't know ground vics well enough to call it there

[@stormwing9123]

Wait does the Cattie have a Beagle?

[@KillerOrca]

I want that battle song as a single, like right now.

[@KillerOrca]

@@stormwing9123 The two hovercraft are Savanah Masters Im pretty sure, one with a pair of machine guns and one with an SRM...6 pack?

[@alphaone5406]

I love the little details the way the smoke is launched and the way the Catapult bracing as it fires.

[@closedgestalt6878]

Tex, hope you're having a shit ton of fun voicing leader, cause I have a shit ton of fun listening to you. Also, nice cameo, Bara!

[@visnil5010]

Amazing work. I have loved the Battle Tech series for a long time, granted the BPL has recently filled in a vast amount of lore for me, but back in my younger days playing the MechWarrior games my imagination would always fill in the story/game play/ and opening sequences with HD wonder. all of that childhood wonder and imagination has finally been crafted into a vision i can share with people who never got to experience that awesomeness. i have NEVER in my life been filled with maniacal childhood/nostalgic joy and giggles until today. thank you for making this wonder and for bringing everything I imagined from those awesome days to HD life. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! Please don't stop. You have a wonderful Masterpiece here that shows Your Love and Dedication.

[@RSColddawg]

HEY ANIMATORS! Amazing work on the smoke grenades. Sound guys, great job on them too.

[@WatchTMC]

Hey, thanks! We'll go in depth behind the scenes in the next weeks on our patreon. I'll make sure to include the smoke simulation too.

[@dodobird679]

I never thought I'd say this, but these four minutes were definitely worth the 10 month wait

[@Undeadhalfelf]

My guy you got both Tex and Baradul!! Only way this could be more epic is if you somehow got TTB to be the pilot of that Thunderbolt, that said you did not disappoint

[@ryang256]

I'm hoping for Haven Kendrick as the Thunderbolt pilot.

[@Undeadhalfelf]

@@ryang256 just watched him, dude is def not afraid to use his armor.

[@toddkes5890]

How about B33F for a stealth-armored Atlas?

[@Undeadhalfelf]

@@toddkes5890 that too is an amazing pilot who isnt afraid to use their armor.

[@mrgoob76]

@@toddkes5890 there are STILL two more mechs unaccounted for remember dave said Shark 4, the loucust and the thunderbolt we know about so thats two theres two more out in the bush.... as for B33f... i don't think hes active anymore he hasn't uploaded anything in a LONG time

[@frankb3347]

Great work. Those hover tank pilots where either very brave, stupid, desperate, drunk, or suicidel. Maybe some combination thereof.

[@MegaRazorback]

Well they aren't called the Harasser for nothing, they are MEANT to get that close and harass mechs so that said mechs attention is diverted from the main threat, the harasser's accompanying mech forces. It's what they excel at, getting in there and annoying mechs and if shit goes south their speed (a whopping 162kph) can "sometimes" get them out of trouble but with only a measly one and a half tons of Starslab/2 standard armor it means they pretty much don't survive the engagement anyway...

[@steffenjespersen247]

Yea the Harassers went balls deep too early. Should have waited for heavier units to line up shoots at the distracted mechs. Ohh well they are pirates, I do not think they spend much time reading up on tactics.

[@MegaRazorback]

@@steffenjespersen247 Well to be fair to the pirates they do see vehicles as a lot more expendable than mechs and so in turn they are more than willing to throw them at the mechs over their own mechs first...Plus they probably factored in the price of one as well, for the price of the cheapest 20 ton mech on the IS mech market (the Hornet at 1,441,000 C-bills) the pirates can field nearly 3 full Harassers (Harasser goes for 561,000 C-bills) for almost the same price.

[@steffenjespersen247]

@@MegaRazorback Right but my point being that the best use of cheap vehicles is to take the attention of the Mechs while you can get some "free" shoots in by your heavier, more expensive units. Having the Harassers die for no gain, is just a waste of C-bills.

[@xDM30x]

Incredible. No other word for it. Fantastic work, and I'll be eagerly looking forward to part 3!

[@roberth.4009]

I need so much more of this in my life!! "You hit a Locust but can't hit a God damned tank?!" Tex and cast was epic. Would love to be a part of something like that.

[@simonmorris9877]

Goddamn that is some quality shit dude! I'll be sharing this far and wide. Keep it going.

[@Uacher]

The video thumbnails look like the cover art for a 1980-90s video game, it's got that dynamism that I love about them, and it's awesome!

[@vladimirsagalov7945]

Waiting for it! You guys are truly amazing creators!!

[@kizikucalegon8673]

I love everything about this, but I gotta say, my favourite part is the sheer emphasis Tex put ON "MONEY" - it's such a beautiful touch for a Merc group.

[@therealMike1972]

Well done.....gut gemacht...great voice cast.......mit dem einzigartigen Baradul....with the one and only Baradul....

[@caercadarn3270]

Baradul!? You mean Tex, right?

[@Baradul]

@@caercadarn3270 Or maybe Baradul...and Tex. And a lot of other people!

[@crxtodd16]

@@Baradul 👍

[@mrgoob76]

@@caercadarn3270 no he means baradul who is piloting the rifleman

[@caercadarn-9899]

@@Baradul Sheesus Christ!!! How did you end up there? 😁 Congrats and well played/said! 👍🏼

[@BladeLigerV]

Just hells yeah! THat sequence with the Hunchback was PERFECT!

[@Ragnar_Steiner]

it's so god damn awesome to see Baradul and Tex in the same Lance!

[@Ragnar_Steiner]

and if you ever need a Steiner, call me ;)

[@Sumaire_STi]

There is something I wanted to add to my prior critique - a SINCERE compliment that took me awhile to figure out how to express. The whole video is excellent, and the attention to detail is largely *superb!* I especially want to give a shout out for the run-down base design. HOWEVER, there is one single moment that REALLY stands out above and beyond the rest of it - at 03:22 -ish, when the Hunchback deploys countermeasures and fires *through* them. It would have been so easy to just handwave away the impact that the Hunchback's autocannon would have on the smoke created by the countermeasures--but you DIDN'T. You had INTERACTIVE SMOKE EFFECTS! It was such a blink-and-you'll-miss-it thing that I didn't even pick up on it at first, but I knew there was something about that moment I truly LOVED. I *finally* figured out that it was that specific effect that *really* polished that moment above and beyond, and I think as a result, that is arguably THE iconic shot of this episode. WELL. DONE. GUYS.!!! :D

[@WatchTMC]

Thank you very much :)

[@Ninjanoto2]

my excitement is immense. and to quote a certain alien.. "I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED"

[@brianhenry152]

And now it's time to sing the Doom song!!! Doom doom doomy doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom doomy doom....

[@maxparece4155]

For anyone who may be wondering, I’m pretty sure these are the loadouts. Hunchback: 4 Mediums lasers, one in each arm and two with the autocannon, and AC-10, and two machine guns. Rifleman: Two Medium Lasers, an Ultra AC-5, and a Gauss Rifle. Shadow Hawk: Two Medium Lasers, an Ultra AC-5, and two SRM-6s Catapult -Not enough seen to determine, may be a Stock C1. This was such an amazing thing to watch and I can’t wait for more! The fact that someone can determine Battlemech loadouts visually is absolutely amazing.

[@yourlocalcryptid9553]

This was amazing. I so hope we can continue to see this project grow and shape into something even more epic.

[@defrax5999]

Looks like Im going to support someone on Patreon for the first time because this is masterpiece and I love Battletech and Mechwarrior for 20 years!

[@ham_the_spam4423]

This is stunning! So full of details! Hovercrafts with their loud jet engine-like sounds Mechs customized with their own modifications and paint Use of fancy equipment like smoke and APS I love all of it!

[@7thdivision]

just awesome. No Idea why it took youtube almost 2 weeks to recomend it, I've watched the first part dozends of times. The voice acting is spot on, the effects look great and the right ammount of cheese has always been part of Battletech. Thanks for all the effort guys and girls

[@ewhpt0425]

oh its so beautiful. Thank you for this amazing gift

[@WatchTMC]

Our pleasure 😊

[@nenadmitic1485]

"Do you need an invitation?!" guy from the APC makes me chuckle every time :D

[@FrikInCasualMode]

This is brilliant!. I have only one complaint: This is not Steiner Scout Lance! 🤣

[@banditb17]

Once again TMC raising the bar on Battletech Machinima. Fantastic work as always, folks!

[@sniffermovies1122]

I know this is going to be good and you need to support our creators so they can make more of these episodes because this is getting epic

[@kalgrave497]

This warms my soul, the fact that Tex is in here and baradul is just a cherry on top awesome work looking forward to more

[@xPryde]

Probably the best thing Battletech related to ever come out. I mean can you imagine if these guys actually got big time funding? Best fan made creation since Astartes

[@Marco_Mazzoni]

Excellent work guys. I especially love all the extra gear and practical field mods you made on the mechs.

[@thedeathcrepeer]

Sooo good, literally had to watch it three times and I'm still not satisfied, especially after recognizing all the voices. Need episode 3! Nice decal detail reading "UAC-5" (even though it mounts a RAC now)

[@maxparece4155]

It actually is in fact a high ROF UAC-5, the year this place in does not have RACs.

[@thedeathcrepeer]

@@maxparece4155 I think you are right in regards to the Shadow Hawk, which does indeed only have 3 nuzzles. I still think the Rifleman mounts a RAC though, since the model looks distinct, it has 5 nuzzles and it behaves like one (see Episode 1).

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

@@thedeathcrepeer the series is set in 3041, though, and RACs didnt come out till late 3050s or early 3060s

[@DerSpeggn]

This is what I ever wanted Mechwarrior 5 to look and feel like... Damn, what an impressive piece of work!

[@IanDresarie]

Holy fuck. Well done guys! the CHAFF AMS was probably my favourite moment. the Rifleman popping some Gauss cought me off-guard, that's what I get for not paying attention to weapon models :)

[@matteparent2468]

Damn that was an awesome watch. I've been a 'mech fan since 1999 and this felt like going back in time and having my imagination rendered. The MAGIC you guys captured !

[@kethtemplar8989]

YES! YES YES YES! A MILLION TIMES YES! I'VE BEEN WAITING SINCE EPISODE ONE FOR THIS! HAHA! YEAAAASS!!

[@ratatoskrnuts6354]

I saw "to be continued" and my heart dropped. Can't believe the 4 minutes passed so fast, this was awesome

[@MarqFJA87]

Oh yeah, I've dying for an update, and it's as amazing as I had hoped for!

[@marcothommen2484]

Quoting Michael French: "The fans do the best work!"

[@Athlon2736]

Damn already excited for number 3

[@andersonbuchanan4503]

The hover tank hits absolutely blew my mind! Incredible work guys!

[@paypercutts]

Awesome again!!! I hope a future iterations of this turns into a full length movie or series one day

[@telecleez]

Glad to see some good Battletech out there and also happy to hear Tex's voicing the lance commander.

[@inquisitordragon6827]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[@DocKatz]

I NEED more of this in my life!! Lol. Big shout out to you all who invested their time in creating this beautiful piece of entertainment.

[@mickeyali1]

Thanks guys for making this was really looking foward to this thank you and keep up the great work

[@WatchTMC]

We will!

[@ShatteredAce]

Definitely one of the most loving renditions of BattleTech I've seen! Keep it up guys! Loving every minute of these!

[@Volnutt196]

Mr. Paladin and Baradul are part of this?! That's awesome! I hope I get to hear them more in this very cool project.

[@MM22966]

Spectacular. Not just the "Mechs clumped forward shooting cinematically", but that too. Real tactics, and the way the hovertank brewed up at the end was frighteningly realistic. Love the use of passive defenses in a very visual way.

[@crashtestdolphin5884]

Quality work both in theme and attention to detail. Does right by the lore. Shows pirates for what they are: earnest mercenaries with mediocre training and even worse organization. Also I loved the AMS fragmentation rockets on the Hunchback

[@nimay13]

Need to viral this!

[@MrTooncat]

Wow, every part of that looked so amazingly well done.

[@scotth6797]

JESUS THIS is what I DREAM of in Battletech

[@EricDKaufman]

Aaahhh Yeah! This will hold me over until Tex finishes the Warhammer

[@ArawnNox]

I didnt know this existed and it just made my night. Hearing the voices in the BT KZbin world, seeing combined arms, seeing the use of tactics beyond "shoot em", the classic sound effects, it makes this old BT fan very happy.

[@GrumpyCoffeeBean]

If this was a full on series on tv I'd watch the hell out of it...

[@EdmondHiggins]

Combined arms and non-weapons tech on display, to cool. Very well done, editing, render, VA all top notch. Great work!

[@PRC533]

I absolutely love the dash of military realism here with the smoke and chaff countermeasures. Even some of the dialogue (guy in the APC "Hey man you need an invitation or what, Fuck get in!") Also the fact that Pirates with enough resources to operate mechs wouldn't be some ragtag band of eyepatch wearing cosplayers but a fairly serious military force.

[@KillerOrca]

Considering one of their leaders says "for Amaris's sake" its most likely these are Rim Worlds Republic survivors turned pirate.

[@ZOMBIJO]

It is hands down the best Battletech animation I have ever seen, your production quality is amazing, and I’m sure we all are are looking forward to the continuation of this amazing series!

[@MindokInAh]

wtf the details, you can here the tree cracking through the radio at 2:38

[@Sudo_Nimh]

That smoke out and AMS effect dropped my jaw TWICE