Why Do We Love The Ostscout?

[@VickyAmaru]

My beloved Ostscout finally gets some love. The fluff describes it as having to slow down and wave its arms in the air to fully use its sensors, and I like to interpret that as the Ostscout having to briefly stop to dab every now and then.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Doing the funky chicken every little bit.

[@Magermh]

Me too. I would like that we say that this is a good mech and do not explain why it is. :)

[@Magermh]

@@MechanicalFrog Thank you for this content MF.

[@jingizu149]

I'm picturing Kermit the frog's flailing arms. "Yyyyaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"

[@lukedudley5030]

I think it's doing the team america I need help sign personally :-) but I like the dance idea too lol

[@MagNight]

Operation Sneaky-Sneak: Check. Emotional Support Energy Weapon: Check. Discussion of the Ostscout's impressive armaments: Check. I can always count on you, Mechfrog.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The nonsense must flow.

[@TimberWulfIsHere]

Online*

[@mirrorsandstuff]

My headcanon is that Ostscouts should have roadrunner "meep meep" sounds playing at all times they're under fire.

[@MechanicalFrog]

New house rule.

[@SulliMike23]

I LIKE IT!!!

[@77professional]

Too bad Clan Coyote never really made it to the Inner Sphere.

[@douglasbaker4562]

You too!?!? I thought that I was the only one!

[@fix0the0spade]

I imagine them making dial up modem noises over the radio.

[@keebbles]

Had an oscout that carried a 3 ton piece of an I-beam as a cudgel. Pilot refused to leave it behind. The number of kills it got from accidentally coming across hidden units or actually making it into the rear of enemy lines and finding their HQ made the argument that maybe he had a point. By end of campaign his mech sported the best upgrades and gear. Commader didnt want to risk the mech, but was reminded that he owned the mech, paid or earned every bit of tech on it. He'd risk it to get job done. Over 100 kills over half vehicles including 3 pattons captured while lagering and resting. (Crew out of vehicles) . Two HQs destroyed 4 more tagged for arty destruction. Ecm, ff, endo, improved jjs and tag. Wpns were 2 flamers, 2 spl and smoke (IR) 3 shot generator Sensors fcs predator & bloodhound Later clan active light probe. The I beam was originally used as a crutch/walking aid after discovering an old active minefield left from a previous battle. His scout lance then used the new intel to draw in enemy scout lance legging them and preventing comms. The club later was used to spear a Centurion at end of a jump in a desperation move. That started a legend (and an insufferable player at our table, fragger always lived, always profited always got first loot picks) We sold his contract to Davion guard who needed a good scout for a year. We jumped planet as his contract with us was over. As our campaign was over we were gonna do pirate/clan survivors in periphery and build a unit from scratch. (Start of The Salvagers campaign) We had industrial and mining mechs, some technicals, and heavy vtol movers. Used it to actually fly in grab a medium mech lift and fly it out from a pirate repair depot. It only worked once, but it worked. We haunted clan n pirate fights until we were confident of skills and gear that we challenged the clans for two captured leopard drop ships and the infantry/vehicle drop ship. After they had been repaired and refurbished by clan of course.) Fight came down to a bloody chess match. Yeah players and npcs were the pieces. When we first saw elementals as the rooks, we decided to avoid them. Great game master. Made entire 6mo cruise worthwhile.

[@wraith7989]

The Ostscout: if you’re using the laser, you’re using the mech wrong.

[@MechanicalFrog]

"Mistakes were made"

[@Eulemunin]

The best thing for scout is come back with clean guns.

[@tomarmadiyer2698]

That's what you use to poke an Atlas in the eye before *woop woop woop woop* -inb around the corner

[@georgesulea]

I might have missed this, but the old FASA model had the antenna in the arms, which led to comedic situations where the Ostscout was standing around waving its arms while scanning, making it look ridiculous...

[@MechanicalFrog]

Retired mechs can then get jobs at used car lots.

[@fix0the0spade]

Scans on, scans off... scans on, scans off...

[@calebharris292]

​@@fix0the0spade miata-winking with my antennas array

[@Spartaner251]

The perfect little mech to steal containers full of spare parts/los tech/clan weapons without getting caught by the guards. At least variants with hands. Together with the Spider

[@h0shidont35]

I love how Ostscout is built for a speicific niche, and really excels in it. Even if its not good on the tabletop, i love the original version.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Agreed.

[@Vulpine407]

The original Ostscout from the 3rd Succession Wars: The only mech that could actually make an Urbanmech giggle.

[@duncanmackenzie7795]

It has always struck me as one of the paradoxes of the setting that there are a lot of weird and wild specialist units that absolutely make sense in their roles, and would be real force multipliers, but theres not a great way to take that to the wargame. Ive always enjoyed the more rpg ones that allowed for a more granular look with odd machines or tech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thankfully, as newer tech was added to the game, the mechs have been able to come into their own.

[@smc4229]

C3 slave and TAG helped make that more of a reality

[@mikegould6590]

Ah, the Osscout. The Mech that consistently has its lunch money taken by an 8yr old armed only with a sock filled with pennies.

[@scytheseven9173]

It's interesting seeing Ostscouts and Ravens doing some convergent evolution with their electronics packages

[@scytheseven9173]

It's interesting hearing "way back in the olden days of the early 3060s," considering lots of people don't play past the Clan Invasion-but it's true! that was like 90 years before the current present in BattleTech the OstScout IIC is ridiculous, though, but I like the MF variant, it's got quite a few goodies.

[@MechanicalFrog]

"Back in my day, all we had was XL engines or standard... and we liked it!"

[@scytheseven9173]

@@MechanicalFrog wait, they had both XXL and Light Fusion Engines in the early 3060s, though they were pretty fancy and new

[@77professional]

Is the perfect recon mech because it is so non threatening that they will let you get away out of disappointment. Unless you are in an era when Arrow IV’s are around. Then you are going to die. That sensor suite is still pretty sweet though.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I just love the idea that it runs around and those fins are waving around erratically like a meth rabbit.

[@trexman9793]

I have fallen in love with the ostscout, not only because its a cute egg, but I have had it punch heavy and assault mechs out one 2 seprate occasions, once knocked a clan teched crusaders pilot out with hesd hits, and the other pushed a 100ton machine into a river and it kinda just drowned. Has been a go to light ever since

[@bthsr7113]

I'm surprised you covered the IIC. Normally you don't in these videos. But barring an Ilclan overhaul to create the Ostscout IIIC as an actually viable apex of pure recon, it definitely deserved a roast. 5 bad quirks, no direct offense, and a price tag of over 30 million. Though admittedly, it does almost have enough IJJ to leap 400 meters at once.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It was too entertaining to pass up.

[@malusignatius]

@@MechanicalFrog It's also a design that, unlike most of the IICs, can't really justify having an entire video devoted to it.

[@bthsr7113]

@@malusignatius Eh, Frog does rather short ones, so there's juuuuust enough for an extra short one.

[@GraniteGhost778]

I feel like the Ostscout is one of those things that works really well in role-playing, but not as much on tabletop.

[@BK2207]

The Ostscout - when you need an artillery spotter to stay alive once the enemy find them. Or the Mech used by your Scout character in RPG.

[@scytheseven9173]

the Ostscout is a fantastic piece of engineering, with perhaps the best set of quirks in the game-that doesn't necessarily make for a cost-effective 'Mech, though, but if you really need a scout/spotter, it's hard to do better

[@lordilluminati5836]

It's easy to do better: flea or locust

[@scytheseven9173]

@@lordilluminati5836 the Locust is a worse scout, though it's pretty good and extremely cheap-it can't jump, though, and doesn't have as good quirks or the electronics of more advanced models the Flea is not a good scout

[@maikilangiolo]

​​@@lordilluminati5836 cramped cockpit and difficult to pilot make the locust a much worse scouting option. No jumping, so limited to walk speed on pavement, can't jump over swamps or rough terrain (or hills) and if it walks over bad terrain, it has a huge penalty not to fall or get stuck. The locust is suited to open ground dive bombing runs into the back of mechs, thanks to the arm flip, it's one of the most heavily armed mechs at 20 tons (ignoring clans) Edit: to further add, it has no actuators. Getting up from prone, also thanks to the minimal arms quirk, is something like an 8/9+ with a 5 piloting MechWarrior

[@Boseeinsteinshake]

Great work on the MF version here. So much better than the official IIC!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you like it!

[@Yacovo]

Ostscout: The "I'm not touching you" mech. Thanks for the video

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you!

[@welvryn]

I've never had a love for the Ostscout, being as I'm your typical Ghost Bear Clanner who loves to bulldoze with weapons. That being said, the MF version actually looks viable enough for me to give a shot. All in all, great job giving this little mech some love!

[@specificocean2521]

Thanks for covering the OstScout, it's a personal favorite of mine. All I can imagine is the damn thing going "WOOP WOOP WOOP" while trying not to get nailed by a pissed off Steiner's AC-20. A great mech for a special kind of pilot.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It needed its 15 minutes of limelight.

[@MNickolaou]

I am new to Battletech. Great to learn about all these Mechs.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Welcome to the fray, Mechwarrior.

[@WolfHreda]

My favorite part of lore from the original Ostscout design was that its sensors took the place of hand actuators, so it had to run around waving its arms all over to gather data. Makes it even better when it's under fire and has to flee while flailing its arms wildly. 😂

[@milesrost6674]

"..and providing all that valuable intel that battlefield commanders crave, like "mini frog craves cookies." -Mechanical Frog 05/2024 Fun and humanizing the narrative tale. Thanks man!!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you. Have a great one!

[@Ruggedtoaster]

The scout can be very good on the table top, it really shines in missions where you are trying to secure loot or identifying an objective. It always has either improved sensors or some type of probe to help you spot the objective (if you have to identify the objective) and because it doesn’t really do any damage, there’s usually very little downside to using it to pick something up or move to check an objective.

[@robrib2682]

the entire idea that this little thing could bluescreen itself with all the data it can pull in makes me think more then one military base with damaged sensors just got a comically large amount of cables and linked the sensors from this little guy to the base and saved the day that way. they probably even got it on the top of a building too to try and get a better coverage as well if it wouldn't crumple (that said its very easy to detect battlemech reactors so this trick only works when finding out when your attacked, not if)

[@georgesulea]

The Frog is Callin'! Yay!

[@Raist474]

Every night before I go to bed, I check under my bed for Firemoths dropping Elementals off, Canopian Catgirls, and Ostscouts who want to tickle me.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Understandable.

[@franksmedley8619]

Hello Frog. Yeah, it's me again. Yet another good video, my friend. I've always liked the Ost series of Mechs. I've just hated their original artworks though. I have a variant for my Ghost Lions Legions. I took an OTT-10CS Ostscout and removed the Improved C3 system. In its place, I added a Targeting Computer for the pair of ER Medium Lasers, and an Anti-missile system with a ton of ammo. The AMS should provide suitable protection from Light and Medium Mech missile weapons, and the Targeting Computer should allow the pair of ER Medium Lasers to strike more often in combat. Looking at your MF variant, I will just say: YOINK! As I am adding that variant to my forces as well. I have to comment on one thing though. Finally... A Mech that the Frog didn't put a Plasma weapon into it. Although, to be fair, the Ostscout is kinda small for your usual 'go to' tricks. Feel free to yoink my design for yourself. And see if it plays out the way that I think it would on the tabletop.

[@starsiegeplayer]

I look at Ostscout and Spider as two forks from the same road. One goes more for offense (2 lasers, 3.5 tons of armor, no ejection system), the other goes for survivability (more internal structure, 4.5 tons of armor [the same as on an Assassin], and an ejection system).

[@Gigas0101]

I absolutely love the Ostmechs, thank for this look at one of Battletech's premier little guys.

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

Excellent video as always Frog, keep them coming they are absolutely enjoyed. As to the new graphics, I like them. The old "Egg" graphics always put me in mind of Humpty Dumpty, and with armor that thin you'd have about the same life expectancy - 1 fall. Your MF variant is of course a treat and will have to be tested when we have a game in the appropriate era, but it looks like a winner on paper I must say. Why did they never finish the Ostscout IIC? Game breaking performance perhaps? 11 cruising speed, that's a walking speed of only 10kph slower than a Locust at a full run. 17 flank speed, that's almost DOUBLE the running speed of a Phoenix Hawk. 11 jump, PARTIAL wing!!! 330 meter jump distance, are you sure that's not a FULL wing? Or a LAM? Drop in a Watchdog to replace BOTH the Angel and Bloodhound, add a C3 (improved?), and more armor (stealth?) and you have the perfect (well if you discount it being disarmed) scout mech. I guess you could go back to a single ER Medium Clan laser if you have to have a weapon. But what about fisticuffs or charging? Never heard of "Death From Above"? Although in thing's case that might be best described as "Death from ACROSS The MAP". Personally I think I would rather have a NARC than TAG, and let the incoming missiles / artillery take care of it after I am about 3 counties down the road with thing's speed. Or you can get really stupid and add a supercharger for truly LUDICROUS speed, 22 supercharged aka 220kph. In other words you move as far as the longest range of a Gauss Rifle, in a single turn. Anything that can run down a mech at 220 kph and still manage a hit, much less a kill, deserves to get the recognition posted to their record. Yes a Clan warrior would hate this mech duty, but any scout pilot in the IS would happily kill for this mech myself included.

[@malusignatius]

The Project Phoenix reinventions of the design definitely have appeal, it seems like that's the point where the OstScout finally hits it's stride. Next time I'm doing ilClan stuff I'm going to have to give the 8J a spin, that model looks like it would be a great little scout/spotter.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I agree. Of all the Project Phoenix re-imaginings, the Ostscout's is solid.

[@Somewhat-Evil]

In a one-off tabletop game, it good for use in a capture the flag scenario and little else. However, in a campaign when you're looking to find out what's where on the big map it's great to have one in your unit.

[@DrVanBoom]

I really like the MF version. A good IIc version of a classic 3025 mech. Good design job Mr Frog 👍

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you like it!

[@JohnSmith-cw7hb]

Thanks for the video! 2 technical things in the variants: in the 9S you verbally say there isn't a small laser - but the loadout list has an ER small. then in the 11J it lists 8/12/8, but also says it has.. 10? improved jump jets...

[@atmosdwagon4656]

'T-Pose to conduct reconnaissance.' Ostscout all came across as the pacifist brother to the Javelin or Firestarter. It's also noteworthy in that it's probably the only scout mech that works better as a solo operator since its near total lack of firepower necessitates retreating from threats in order to accomplish its mission and grouping scouts up does little but increase their chances of detection. (dead scouts bring no intel) A Clan-Tech variant armed with an CERPPC would make for an obnoxious headhunter, and Clan-tech LRMs armed with FASCAM munitions wouldn't be out of sorts for a sneaky saboteur style mech in the ilClan era where mixed tech mechs are all over the place.

[@Brigand231]

I've never thought much of the Ostscout, but it did get you to say "flummoxed", so there is that.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Each day is a new opportunity to coax life out of the English language.

[@Magermh]

I have had a soft spot for this mech for a long time. I have read content from other players about the Ostscout. The OTT-7J is a good mech in my eyes. Its only threats being pulse laser, precision AC rounds, and another competent player. Last time I played the 3025 mech. I got two kills. One being a Centurion by ripping out its ammo bins and the other a Riflemen by punching off the head. Mines are a major threat to the mech. I would want an active probe on board.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Nice to have one around.

[@FixBot_GER]

Thank you for covering another classic Mech. In Tabletop I would probably use a Spider but storywise the Ostscout is the go to Scout Mech.

[@KeilHubert1]

The kicker analogy is brilliant. Well done.

[@Balevolt]

Can't wait for my Ostscout in the Kickstarter

[@MechanicalFrog]

Looking forward to seeing the paint jobs.

[@davidgrunt]

Perfect scout, it's right there in the name

[@MechanicalFrog]

Fair enough.

[@ursulcx299]

The Ostfrog is the best of the ost series

[@MechanicalFrog]

without doubt.

[@strcmdrbookwyrm]

OK, I've got to admit I didn't think the Ostscout was anything special. But as you described all the variants, every time I thought of something it could use, the next chassis had it: I think it needs a TAG: OTT-7K Alright, but how about some advanced sensors, and ECM? OTT-9CS and -9S Hmm... maybe stealth armor? OTT-12R Wow, the Ostscout has everything I could want, is there one with a ER LL for kicks and giggles? Oh wait, we just covered that! So the Ostscout earns my seal of approval! Though I probably won't be using some of the earlier variants any time soon, I'll definitely try to squeeze them into battles set later in the timeline. (The only thing I could think to try to add to the Ostscout is Narc/INarc (preferably the latter) or a Remote Sensor Dispenser. I think the latter would be more fun, mainly because it feels more in line with the Ostscout's role.

[@GoastLincoln]

RATs blessed me with one of these. Going with the roll.

[@FoxxofNod]

My favorite Ostscout rebuild is endo, ferro, XL engine, DHS, 8/12/8, 5.5 tons of armor, Beagle, large pulse laser and TAG. Beagle+Improved Sensors quirk is awesome, the TAG can win the fight and the LPL makes the knuckleheads think twice about giving chase.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah a LPL should give anyone pause.

[@jasonfarley9025]

The very finest of Mechs with very little purpose in standard Battletech But amazing in the setting

[@TerribleHeresy]

Right before you brought up the IIC version I thought "huh, no partial wing variant. I wonder if MF will include that in his if it fits" With that much jumping power it does start to feel like "we have LAM at home"

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hard to deny the awesome drawing power of leaping around like a grasshopper.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

​@@MechanicalFrog but the Grasshopper doesn't have that many jump- OH THE INSECT

[@covahredro8370]

My first thought were I bet the Frog variant will have a partial wing. The AMS is also a really good addition for this mech, as it increases it survivability while scouting if one happens to run a foul of things like a streak carrying mech.

[@mathewkelly9968]

It starts in Ost thats enough to love it , unfortuneatly people dont use hidden depolyment/play missions that dont devolve into just kill the enemy to make Mechs like this worth taking

[@MechanicalFrog]

Aff.

[@laggybum3218]

This mech reminds me of the Spider. I would pilot a Spider in MWO. It had an er large laser and NO back armor. It was a fast and very jumpy mech. Too bad if you sneezed on it, it would die.

[@ch4osaeternum74]

Ah yes the illusive Ost Scout. Was happy to procure one finally in BEX.

[@HouseDavieMerc]

The Ostscout has a place for people that play scenarios. In many smash and grab scenarios the transporting mech must have hand actuators. If the cargo is light enough the Ostscout does it fast and unlike the Spider it has just enough armor to take hits from a large laser without crit rolls in most locations. In an odd twist during the Clan Invasion era you had to use the older Ost because their weren't any hands on the 3050 version. I wonder how many players modded their minis to put hands on them? I'd say around half of the unseen Ostscouts I've seen in person were modded.

[@darylmolinejr.6166]

Woot, I am running the 10cs this evening. I shall take it as a sign. 😂

[@MechanicalFrog]

Good luck!

[@jameskizer9980]

Thanks for the video. I can see that the Ostscout becomes more useful as they start introducing newer tech to the game but in the 3025 I would choose a lance of Pegasus Scout tanks over a Ostscout for what a single Ostscout would cost.

[@sebastiang.5032]

This one I'm really interested in playing once the Mercenaries Kickstarter drops.

[@mbr5742]

IRL even scout vehicles have at least a .50 or a 20mm gun (Fennek and Luchs in german service for xample)

[@uroghai3439]

Ostscouts are amazing in certain specialized games (forces witg homing artillery and/or games with the double-blind rules), but otherwise usually not worth talking. Still, I've had a whole lot of fun with an up-engined, down-gunned 9CS in the Battletech Advanced 3062 mod for HBS Battletech.

[@ChaosTicket]

I dont know if I do. 3025 has a lot of weak jump jets mechs. The Spider is to me a sucker's mech because it has almost no armor. The Ostscout isnt much different, mostly losing 1 Medium Laser for an extra ton of armor. Now *the lore* behind the Ostscout is more interesting. It was designed as a electronic warfare scout? Not with Lostech. Upgraded Ostscouts with active probes, electronic counter measures, c3 networks, targeting lasers, and so on are very interesting. The OTT-9CS is a good example. Its funny that it apparently has sensors in its arms, so I imagine it has to do the YMCA dance. Light mechs are to me the best mech category to get Extralight Engines. Even with the cost increase theyre still reasonably prices. The weight saved massively improved their armor, firepower, and in cases like the Ostscout the electronic packages.

[@HybriddicAirsoft]

I've been looking for a "spotter" mech for an artillery lance I'm working out. Might have to give this one a try

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

It's absolutely worth the C-Bills, in most cases. Personally I can never have enough high speed C3 in the backfield to support my long range bombardment habit.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hope it works for you.

[@randomnetsurfer]

Mechs I did not expect to see here... Huh. Neat!

[@MechanicalFrog]

All will become Ostscout?

[@randomnetsurfer]

@@MechanicalFrog While I certainly HOPE NOT, I honestly did not expect you to cover such a specialized (and oft-maligned) design. I am pleasantly surprised to be wrong. Good job. Please give mini-Frog a cookie.. on me!

[@AccessAccess]

I know in tabletop you are better off taking a Spider. The problem is it costs more to make a 35 ton mech go 8/12 than it is worth. It should be a 25 or 30 ton mech instead. Even when we did campaigns, Ostscouts were simply never a thing. The real problem was that they had little to contribute to the main battle compared to other recon mechs (this was 3025 tech) which could pose a threat as flankers or just to split fire. Granted some of the later variants may have proven useful when you had things like TAG but that was never the era I had ever played in.

[@jamesbeard5513]

On the 12R it is a yes/no situation on overheating, mainly dependent on if that stealth armor is active. If not active, heat neutral. If active, +10 to heat. Need to stagger fire if stealth armor is active. I respect the original mission of the Ostscout and the upgrades that improved it, however, I also acknowledge the capabilities of those like the 11J and 12R. Honestly, you could make an Ostscout lance that is a solid scout and harrasser unit, and keeping their speed close to the same would do well in keeping them together and able to support each other. Oh, out of curiosity, I copied yours but swapped the Medium Pulse Lasers for ER Medium Lasers. Saved tonnage was used to add one more ton of armor and a TAG, and it still remains heat neutral, surprisngly, as long as it doesn't run into one of your war crime variants.

[@bronsilverstring5874]

Wohooo, new MF vid.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hope you enjoy it. The nonsense must flow.

[@FluffyTheGryphon]

The Ostscout is such a great mech. I just wish there were more opportunities to put its kit to use on the tabletop. I wonder how it fairs with Alpha Strike rules. Also, I only just noticed that the paperdolls on your mech analysis have frog eyes lmao

[@MechanicalFrog]

:D

[@garomcfbgdd3211]

The oats scout.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Part of a balanced breakfast.

[@covahredro8370]

The 12R is definitely the best for the intend purpose of the mech as recon. Its has the mobility, speed and most importantly stealth to get in and out. But it also has firepower for sniping targets of opportunity(without having to get too close)

[@Reverb154]

The Octscout IIC looks like they were going for a LAM-style Mech! THat said, I would have gone for a Medium VSP laser and a TAG for your MF design, because the laser keeps enemy Mechs away, lest they get hit harder the closer they get, and the TAG helps with bringing the rain on your foes (ESPECIALY with the Long Tom coming out this year)!

[@rafale1981]

Nice seeing you get into the more obscure mechs! Ostmann designs hold a special place in my heart, being the closest equivalent to Apple iMechs there are. I wonder though, if you could pull of a „Why we love the Cicada“ vid?

[@csmead209]

You convinced me to hate these damned things by comparison to faulty half assed and expensive Apple products.

[@rafale1981]

@@csmead209 oh no 🫣

[@meining-mech4378]

I’ve used an OTT-7J a few times paired with a Mongoose in one game, and a Scarabus in the other. These were alpha strike games though, not classic BT, so its damage potential wasn’t as accurately portrayed in that those moments I think. - I like its robust look, despite only having one laser to contribute to the fighting with. The 9CS and 9S are certainly more combat effective I think, but I really don’t care for the Project Phoenix art for them, which is no problem because I can just use the CGL remake from IWM, or the plastic one from the kickstarter.

[@TehSquare]

Because I need a speedy little guy to take objectives and spot for LRMs is why I love the Ostscout. That and the 8J’s Angel ECM

[@MechanicalFrog]

Well put.

[@spencerjones841]

i personally prefer the ostsol to this mech but if you see a oscout know its likely the harbinger of artillery striking your position

[@kierdalemodels]

Good video and, as always, beatiful colour plates, MechFrog👏👏👏 In a stand-up flight mission I probably wouldn’t even look at it (I can find cheaper spotters), but for some mission-types it would be great. And playing stand-up fights all the time is boring😆

[@MechanicalFrog]

It could definitely be useful if you have one laying around. :D

[@kierdalemodels]

@@MechanicalFrog Come the KS, I will👍 I foresee adding it to my son’s DCMS for C3 spotting. Plus I think he’ll love the look. The redesign is truly gorgeous.

[@JohnDoe-oh7gf]

Because of MechFrog I'm now a fan of the whole 'Ost' family of mechs. The new look is great, and with the torso mounted weapons it should be very effective, like the javelin, as a melee combatant. A jump, a shot in the back followed by 2 punches is pretty good. Cheers. Still havent encountered it yet, I wonder if Mek Tek will "bless me" with the TAG version ( 0_o )

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh no... what have I done?

[@AnvilSixTwo]

I always try to pair the Ostscout with a Trebuchet and really lean on that indirect fire

[@AnvilSixTwo]

Or a Catapult/Crusader if I can spare the BV

[@lukedudley5030]

We love the ostscout as it dies quite easily if you can hit it :-) the scarabus is a perfect ostscout hunter due to its ridiculous speed...i know i sound like i dont like them but have fought against them so often they feel like an enemy mech for me lol...theyre actually quite useful if you have a tag variant paired with missiles and artillery :-)

[@christopherpurches2774]

I do like the IlClan era versions well enough. Though, I always had good luck with the classic version, too. Nothing like a jump behind, ml to rear, then two punches. Two mods at relatively low cost make the base version devastating: TSM and a Heavy Medium Laser.

[@krissteel4074]

Ostmann Industries is pretty old school and their mechs mostly fell out of use as new and trendier stuff came into play over the years. In terms of the original Ostscout, its a great idea that sort of never had much in the rules for people to take recon mechs and I tend to feel the same way about the Raven- perfectly sensible addition to a battle doctrine. But how much use you get out of that on the tabletop is generally 'not great'. Hence a lot of light mechs sort of ended up being fast skirmish and gun-boats with heavy point blank firepower. Which most people seem to be happy enough with as a role in a lance roster and lets face it, there's not much point in changing it now I suppose

[@MechanicalFrog]

"It is what it is."

[@krissteel4074]

@@MechanicalFrog It does have sci-fi robot antennas, which is always a great selling point

[@rho1581]

This video was Oust-standing… That is all carry on.

[@andrewszigeti2174]

Watching the video, waiting to see how you shoehorn a Plasma rifle into an Ostscout... We love the Ostscout mainly because of the fluff. Until the electronic technology of 3050 comes along, it's really not all that good of a 'mech. The Spider does the same thing with twice the firepower, if somewhat less armor. Once 3050 tech comes along though, it becomes a pretty nasty scout and spotter.

[@Cadiangrunt99]

this video has made me want to give this mech a go... and I ignored it since I was 9 I feel bad for disrepecting it so .

[@MechanicalFrog]

You're not alone.

[@michaelmoolick9419]

Your version is the one that makes the most sense, what were some of those engineers thinking?

[@12crit]

Need to try out a company of MF variants sometime. What would the Camo Specs look like on that?

[@hydewhyte4364]

As I said before ... I lost a lance to one of those damn things

[@jeremysaklad6703]

I have a similar design to your Ostscout MF, except mine is 50 tons, has a movement profile of 6/9/11, and carries four Medium Pulse Lasers enhanced by a Targeting Computer. It also has as much reflective armor as possible without wasting tonnage, and decent electronics. It’s probably the most disgusting thing I’ve ever made.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sounds fun.

[@lloydch]

Just in time before i sleep

[@MechanicalFrog]

Maybe it'll put you right out.

[@Kepora1]

Take the 9CS, remove the C3, upgrade the lasers to medium pulses, upgrade to double sinks. Bam.

[@ogrehaslayers605]

An Ostscout with weapons would be a cooler little Spider.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Since I'm not the biggest fan of the Spider's look, I agree.

[@sim.frischh9781]

I really like the Project Phoenix iteration of the OstScout, though i think it should have HANDS. A mech can do so much more with HANDS. The now new official artwork it great too, but only comes second place for me. On the TT the mech probably suffers from the lack of need for actual scouting and a rare use of artillery.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hands, very useful.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog Yes, very, just imagine having to wipe your ass without them! XD

[@b.s.864]

@@sim.frischh9781 You need to update to a bidet.

[@randyslater199]

MF version, I want it (at least for video game)

[@MechanicalFrog]

It could be nasty.

[@nukenuked5749]

swwet new video before bed thanks frog

[@MechanicalFrog]

Maybe it'll send you right into a comfy sleep.

[@nukenuked5749]

@@MechanicalFrog i hope so just about 2 am and got to be up at 6am

[@hatework4282]

I've never played any of the Ost mechs. They were all pretty goofy looking 30 years ago, but with the redesigns I may give them another try. Yes, I'm that guy. I don't play goofy looking mechs.

[@oldschooltommyim]

You pronounce “niche” correctly, salute

[@MechanicalFrog]

At least I pronounce something right.

[@vixbrabec]

man making video like hotcakes

[@MechanicalFrog]

The nonsense must flow.

[@louiswilkins9624]

Recon

[@beskar66]

I should be asleep BUT MECH FROGS ghost calls to me

[@MechanicalFrog]

*rattling chains* oooohhh...check out the Ostscout....

[@SpaceMarine4040]

I really like the ostscout, but am incredibly suprised that there is no variant featuring standard c3, and either beagle or bloodhound probe. it seems your choice in c3 is improved c3 or nothing. The 8J with angel ecm, bloodhound, and x pulse seems like the closest to my cup of tea. I almost assume the J in that stands for Jam. The 12R however feels like a Hussar undergoing an out of body experience, not a bad mech just doesn't feel like a Ostscout at that point. and finally the IIC, a 385 clan grade xxl engine on a 35 ton mech and only 2 tons of armor? are they going full meme? their only saving grace is not producing it.