Why Do We Love The Pike?

Today we visit the Magistracy of Canopus to spend some time with the Pike.
Pike MF Record Sheet: www.dropbox.co...
Resources: 3025-3026 Record Sheets, 3026 TRO, 3039 TRO, Field Manual 3085, Total Warfare, IlClan Rec Guide 30, Test of Vengeance, Periphery.
Thank you to Dwane Loose, Anthony Scroggins, Matt Plog, Bishop Steiner, Alan Blackwell, Chris Lowry, Dale Eadeh, Harri Kallio, Loston Wallace, and all the other BattleTech artists that have brought the IP to life through their amazing work.
BattleTech imagery and mech info remains the property of Topps.
Concept Art from Mechwarrior Online is owned by Piranha Games.
Some imagery/video from Pixabay
Music: pixabay.com/mu...
#BattleTech #Mechwarrior #CatalystGameLabs #lore

[@Vulpine407]

_"I used to think that a Savannah Master was the most annoying vehicle you could ever encounter. Then I met a Pike."_ -Some disgruntled mechwarrior somewhere.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I cannot hear you over all this AC/2 Fire.

[@richardnicholson3827]

🤣😆​@@MechanicalFrog

[@catboxvideo]

@@MechanicalFrog We are being shot at??!?!?! Damn, I thought it was the weather, hail storm maybe. Alright, do we still have an Arrow IV round left?

[@RobertMooney-g1z]

try a savannah master with 2 clan er small lasers

[@richardnicholson3827]

@user-db1dl5fd4q Can you say nasty, but I like.

[@JasanQuinn]

I love the Pike + Demolisher combo. It feels like the sort of nastiness that's going to trip someone up in a bad way. plink-plink-plink! "Markus, deal with those stupid tanks?" plink-plink-plink! plink-plink-plink! KRA-BOOM! "Finally! Okay, Markus-" plink-plink-plink! "What? Anders, go see what the hell Markus is playing at over there!"

[@RobertMooney-g1z]

that's just sneaky

[@clarkreamer4560]

MFrog had the schematics of the Plasma Pike delivered in a brown paper wrapper. "Plasma Cannon Pike? I'm gonna be in my bunk." -Mech Frog

[@MechanicalFrog]

What people do during bunk time is their business.

[@clarkreamer4560]

@@MechanicalFrog No judgment.

[@ShasOFish]

The Pike shines as an annoying way to trigger motive hits against other vehicles. An immobilized Demolisher is a fancy bunker, and easy enough to drive around. Makes sense as a defensive vehicle to fight off pirates too, since said pirates might not have the supply of mechs that a more formal organization might have

[@MechanicalFrog]

This is a good point.

[@chekovsgunman]

The Pike really said “fuck hovercraft”

[@michaeldenz5196]

I think having some AC/2s in a unit is always useful. They can force larger units out of advantageous positions and into engagement ranges.

[@radwolf76]

Just remember to mount the light on the front to blink once for yes, and twice for no.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Blink.... blink blink...

[@bthsr7113]

What would have made this puppy really slap in the prime loadout would be AA targeting. Still, it's a 60 ton vehicle that barely exceeds 1 million C bills in sticker price and uses inexpensive components. Easy to get, easy to supply, easy to maintain, and easy to upgrade.

[@KageRyuu6]

Pike's make great Gauss carriers, don't even need to upgrade the turret or engine, just drop it down to 4 tons of ammo, then move those SRMs up to the turret, before filling out the rest with Ferro armor.

[@sharlin648]

I remember a battle I had aaaaaages ago against my best mate, we was doing a large scale engagement, Clan's VS Inner sphere and the Clanners had to break through a wall and get off the map and there was defenders, as well as more shot up units coming in randomly. And some of the defenders was a Lance of Pikes. And my mate said he hated those the most due to the fact you can just shoot all the time and even if you need a 12 to hit, there's 8 tons of ammo onboard so you're not gonna run out, and with 12 x AC-2's firing down range, you're still gonna get the odd door Ding and it was them that were the most annoying vehicles I had in that engagement :D

[@Xynar]

I have used the Pike on the regular just to annoy my opponents and for those lucky hits that down a Mech. Priceless when an assault Mech goes down to a Gyro loss from an AC2 crit.

[@morrigancollins2092]

Pikes are an excellent auxiliary addition on the cheap for a defensive engagement. One company of them in a firing line supporting you is quite reliable; 36 AC2 shots per turn is a hell of a back scratcher.

[@wraith7989]

Canopus, my favorite faction. Weird, perverse, yet still able to annoy the great houses.

[@morrigancollins2092]

The Magistracy of Canopus is basically space Vegas. Sure, you COULD crack down on them, but then where would you go to party afterwards? NAIS?

[@joshuaturnquist5538]

Clanner plasma cannon Pike, my beloved. Nothing says "we disrespect infantry" like making a tank capable of killing 3 platoons of infantry from long distance in a single volley.

[@MechanicalFrog]

If they didn't want to be incinerated, they could have stayed home.

[@uroghai3439]

It's a poor man's Partisan, but it's decent enough. The oddest thing is how long it took to produce the LB-X version.

[@MechanicalFrog]

A bureaucratic oversight, for sure.

[@covahredro8370]

The Mech Frog variant is like a 40k tank, with guns on all sides

[@MechanicalFrog]

Want some machine guns? Here have all the machine guns...

[@covahredro8370]

@@MechanicalFrog Yez moar Dakka

[@keebbles]

​@covahredro8370 needs painted red too.

[@covahredro8370]

@@keebbles Red to go faster, yellow for more boom

[@keebbles]

@@covahredro8370 but where do you carry all the squigs to grease the treads?

[@gammaknight2215]

"Inexpressive and available." I feel seen. 😏

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hah. I know, right?

[@catboxvideo]

I had an opponent that LOVED VTOLs, i equipped a lance of Pikes with LBX2's and set them back on the field on a hill in some light cover. put the rest of my forces at the edge of Short Range on the Pikes - brawlers and troopers (we were playing company on company). it was very messy.... rotors hate shotguns....

[@MechanicalFrog]

Helicopters and AC/2s... Going to need double earplugs.

[@derekburge5294]

I think we should all take a moment to applaud Frog for not building a horrid tank with three plasma rifles. Good job, Frog.

[@hermes7587]

I expected something like that but it won´t work due to the 10 heat generated per plasma rifle. There is not enough tonnage for the heat sinks. Perhaps you could do it with a 80-ton Schreck PPC carrier. If I had to do a refit, I would go for a Gauss Rifle or a PPC / LB-10X combo.

[@ero9841]

Ac2 are fantastic on designs like this. Load up on precision ammo and let the good time role.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The specialty ammo really helps.

[@keebbles]

A five pack of triple ac2s firing incindiary rounds would be slightly unpleasant to the recipients. 3 with this ammo and two plasma versions? Time to find a shutdown mech or hill to hide behind.

[@Brigand231]

They're not horrible at flanking or holding static positions. Regardless of the hit rolls at range, the constant rolling of dice against someone can wear on them. It might sound odd to suggest it, but you CAN make someone feel pressured in a turn based tabletop game.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It makes sense.

[@StarlightSocialist]

Why do I love the Pike? Incendiary ammo. If the enemy takes cover in woods, set the hex alight! You can also set fires to generate smoke, either to give your own units cover or to degrade the accuracy of snipers. (You should probably limit the pyrophoria to games played on Megamek, otherwise it's a lot of dice rolling for fire/smoke spreading)

[@MechanicalFrog]

How delightfully incendiary.

[@Gigas0101]

The Pike variants caught my eye. I like the look of these bad boys, and the Pike MF feels like the most logical evolution of the design with the Light AC 5s.

[@scytheseven9173]

Thanks for the video! You did well saying "Magistracy" all those times, i know you were dreading that

[@MechanicalFrog]

I think I'm getting over it.

[@andrewszigeti2174]

I used to run a three Pikes and an SRM carrier for a cheap support platoon. The SRM carrier could one-shot the light mechs commonly used to go after the Pikes. When my opponents wised up to it and started sending medium and fast heavies instead, I switched to a Demolisher, not realizing it was a Com Guard tactic. When they stopped sending stuff to hunt the Pikes, I started running short platoons of just the Pikes, and used the BV elsewhere in the battle... :D Three Pikes and a Shreck is also a nasty little platoon for long-range fire. Once Star League tech becomes available, Pikes with a simple Gauss Rifle refit with some more SRMs can be a very unpleasant platoon, as four Gauss cannot be ignored, but anything fast enough to get through the Gauss fire will not enjoy the equivalent firepower of an SRM carrier spread across the four Pikes...

[@michaelkimberling7307]

1:12 and some people think that this is Canopus nightlife. Nope that was the 11am feed at the local retirement center.

[@justincase9282]

As a light damage harasser, extended range lrms could be an option for it.

[@calumdeighton]

I'm really liking these Combat Vehicles videos. I'm looking at forming a full Battalion for my Merc outfit. So these videos are really nice/handy for what vehicles to pick out and get.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you like them!

[@h.a.9880]

The Pike seems like a decent counter to fast scouts and VTOLs before LB-X ACs become available. But it does kinda share the same issues that the Mauler does: many AC2s are still just AC2s. A lot of weight for little gain and simply too niche to be used in many roles other than long range harassers and maybe the occasional potshot at a fast scout.

[@bthsr7113]

One advantage that vehicles have is that they don't need heat sinks for autocannons. But overall... yeah, class 2 autocannons need some new tricks to keep up. LAC's not sacrificing range, UAC's and RAC's not jamming/taking special ammo types.... It's an issue we keep coming back to. Still though, it's less severe since you're not forced to allocate wait to heatsinks if you're rocking ICE or fuel cell.

[@h.a.9880]

@@bthsr7113 For mechs, autocannons in general are just a tad too heavy for my tastes. Ton for ton, an AC10 plus one ton of ammo really has trouble standing up to a PPC with 6 heatsinks. The PPC offers better range, no ammo dependency, no risk of ammo-blow-ups and only puts out 1 point more heat when you factor in the heatsinks. Vehicles ignoring Autocannon heat is a neat feature that makes autocannons more worthwhile, but the AC/2 is still just way too anemic to really do much... Speaclized ammo does the trick though and adds some versatility, that makes them more interesting to field.

[@theodoreschott3293]

Make the Pike a troop transport and you have a Bradley IFV!

[@MechanicalFrog]

There is an idea...

[@omegavulture8379]

Because it boldly goes where no tank has gone before.

[@MechanicalFrog]

put put put put...

[@MOrab46019]

LOL. Glad you had fun with this one. I have used Pike with a few tweaks. XL engine(C), LB-2X(C),FF armor(C), and either ER Lasers or SRMs.

[@ITDonker01]

Nice. I just got done painting a Schrek, and I got to say I forgot about the Pike. So this gonna be a good video to relearn.

[@MOrab46019]

Also to make it even more annoying add 0 skill gunners to it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hah

[@scytheseven9173]

my favorites are the LB 5-X and MechFrog variants, they're similar to the original and make good use of tech without breaking the bank. It's a good-looking design, though i can definitely see why the original didn't sell.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The 2/5s autocannons just don't pack enough punch for their weight. It's a shame.

[@theodoreschott3293]

Hey Mech Frog, you keep talking about tanks, I might just have to put a ring on it. Love the tanks, there isn't enough coverage of them. Thank you

[@MechanicalFrog]

The tanks need love too.

[@z3r0_35]

There was one refit of the Pike that I used to surprise somebody once, which basically amounted to replacing the AC/2s and their ammo with an AC/20 and an LRM-5 with six tons and one ton of ammo respectively. Yes, this does basically make it a glorified Hetzer with a turret (or half a Demolisher), but who's going to expect getting headchopped by a Pike?

[@robbybarbera]

Every time I have fought Pikes in MegaMek they are a pain to deal with.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Death by a thousand AC/2 shots.

[@atmosdwagon4656]

Space Las Vegas presents: Sandblasters United, the Musical!

[@harbingerx7793]

Long range hail should never be underestimated if supported well.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Fair point.

[@Yacovo]

Pikes: constantly surviving because there is something more important to shoot at. Thanks for the video.

[@sebastiang.5032]

This one I didn't know. But now I know! And knowing is half the battle!

[@benlubbers4943]

The other half is violence. Brutal violence.

[@andrewszigeti2174]

The reason we love the Pike is because it's a highly accomplished 'plinker', It's great for long-range crit-seeking on other vehicles. A platoon of four is pretty likely to immobilize or kill one vehicle a turn that way.

[@MechanicalFrog]

pew pew pew

[@stephenknizek2651]

1:00 g*d darn it, MechFrog! You pulled a bait and switch. This isn’t a Pike video, you made a Canopus video?! 😅

[@MechanicalFrog]

Dang it... not again!?

[@BoisegangGaming]

6:53 also known as "an absurd amount of rounds down range"

[@JohnDoe-oh7gf]

Never seen it in the field. But I love using tanks as opposition for my players in a campaign. All those shots have to generate a significant amount of floating critcals.

[@lexington476]

1:29 the fish was good, I like that one 🙂.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Can't help myself.

[@sim.frischh9781]

The Pike is the kind of vehicle many would ignore for its low damage output, but underestimate the level of firepower it can put out and it WILL grind you down. And AC2s DO excell in terms of range, to the point where they can effectively act as snipers against light mechs, their limited armor will be shredded away quickly before they can reach close enough to do significant damage with their usually shorter ranged weapons. Light AC5s on the MF version... i´m not exactly a fan of the light ACs, but i do respect their idea, and they DO retain their damage potential.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's just good enough to be a problem, yet not a big enough problem to require immediate attention.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog Depends on how long you leave that problem unattended. There might not be much of your armor left when you finally get to it.

[@Tatsu_of_Liao]

Love the Pike! Thank you, ‘Frog!

[@MechanicalFrog]

You bet!

[@michaelpfister1283]

Pikes and Pos. You can do a lot with them, if you have enough of them. Quantity has a quality all it's own. 🙂 I got snookered in a game by a player who had a bunch of them. I had a lance of medium clan-tech 'mechs with clan pilots. Pretty high BVs on each unit. He put five LANCES of tanks - two of Pikes, three of Pos - in opposition. I killed a lot of them, but not all of them. It was a phyrric victory, but he won the match. And an AC-2 might not have a lot of punch, but having 24 of them concentrated on your 'mech? Scary....

[@MechanicalFrog]

"Sometimes you win just by showing up." A rule that has come into play many times.

[@nathanmcglade-cy8uq]

Love the pike, drove my brother crazy with em, could we get a mad cat video next?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Not next but definitely this year.

[@nukenuked5749]

good morring Frog and i love waking up to one of your videos mate thank you mate

[@irongiant6112]

while I know its probably meant to act like a turret with bottomless ammo, the AC/5 pike feels like it could add some MGs, or upgrade the SRM, instead of having 70 shots per AC/5.

[@KILLRAIN42]

I don't even know what a pike is and I don't play tabletop, but I can present an argument before the video even starts as to why I should love it. Its a tank with 3 big guns. I'm sold. Gimme 30.

[@MechanicalFrog]

This is fair.

[@xampleloginname]

The plasma pike is wild

[@MechanicalFrog]

It has all the fire...

[@yecnay25]

Wooh! the Pike! love these plinky things lol

[@MechanicalFrog]

Good times had by all.

[@wartmcbeighn]

I was thinking there might be a version with RAC/5's...the MF and plasma cannon ones are pretty decent

[@YalelingOz]

Why do I love the pike? It was one of my inroads to understanding the mechanics of the game. After some 30 years of curiosity about Battletech, I started by reading all the unit entries. And to an outsider, the pike seemed like a sensible enough idea. But as I read the rules it started to become clear: it has the range, but stuff-all chance of hitting at that range. Then when it does occasionally hit, that 2 damage doesn't amount to all that much against the most common targets. And after all that, its BV is pretty steep for what it does. So sure I love the pike, but that doesn't mean I'm in a hurry to paint one up.

[@ambientlight3876]

This little tank might be one of the few times that multiple ac2s are worth it.

[@arwing20]

1:10 great I now have this tune stuck in my head and I have no idea who andres campo or what the track even is. Edit: My mistake, its not andres campo. Its a track by Leonell Cassio. Much better artist

[@rednecktek2873]

Still would love to see your take on the Ontos.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Some day.

[@meining-mech4378]

That Plasma Pike sounds downright nasty, though I find the Assault Pike rather interesting for a Davion unit, maybe 1st FedSuns Armored Cav. BTW, what concert was that footage from? Asking for a friend…N-not that I am into EDM…yeah, that’s it (nervous smiles)

[@MechanicalFrog]

The video and music are both from Pixabay. The song is here. pixabay.com/music/pop-leonell-cassio-night-sky-ft-julia-mihevc-118759/

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

This review has given me some new impetus in fielding some Pikes in combat. Yes, the performance to armament ratio isn't good. But against the right opponent it's possible to trigger a reckless charge into the path of something more dangerous. (Point to Comstar on that one.) The AC 2 battery is an equal-opportunity pest, affecting everything on the board at range. And i was surprised to note that none of the variants or upgrades suck. All the variants have something to offer, and still stay with the Pike's purpose of being annoying at range. So a lance of properly handled Pikes could be a good investment.

[@TheStraycat74]

Why do we love Catgirls? I mean, The Pike? Because Majestry, that's why

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm glad people find joy in it.

[@RobertMooney-g1z]

enjoyed the video, my variant mounts 2 ultra 5 ac in place of the 3 ac2's

[@MechanicalFrog]

Invest in earplugs.

[@krissteel4074]

Ah Canopus, probably simultaneously one of the best places to live and also probably the most really annoying I have tried the AC2 variant out and its not real great. But yes, its really cheap and that's definitely a positive considering its not too bad for armour it has. The AC-5 variants will genuinely ruin someone's hopes and dreams and well worth their Cbills. You might be able to swing me on the RAC-2 variant as well, mostly because the tinkling of all those shell casings pinging off the hull and ground would be very musical

[@MechanicalFrog]

Buy plenty of ear plugs.

[@morrigancollins2092]

in 3025 play the ac2 variant isn't that bad; it's basically the Urbanmech of heavy tanks. Sure, 3 AC2 is diddly squat, but at 1 million C bills a pop, you can afford to field a whole lot of diddly. Fully loaded, this thing can just snipe, and snipe, and snipe, uninterrupted, for 75 consecutive rounds with all of its AC2s. You can field 5 of them for the cost of a Griffin. For the cost of a single lance of medium mechs, you can field a company of these plus a wing of aerospace fighters. It's not there to be the lightning bolt, it's there to be a sandblaster, and it's very good at it. Edit: Also, the RAC2 variant isn't worth the money; it jams too frequently and leaves the metal storm lacking in protracted engagements. If you want the extra damage of the RAC2, buy an UAC5 instead, because it has the same range, similar damage and tonnage, and more reliability. But losing out on 25% of your reach weakens the subtle threat of a Pike in the first place. It's role is in its name- when you field pikemen, you field them in large numbers to keep cavalry and field troops at bay and bleed them if they're dumb enough to try and close with you anyway.

[@josephhobbs7957]

i admit i used lrm pikes as artillary support on a megamek save where i tried to use the mechs and vehicles only made by the magistracy unfortunately that game glitched and was not fixable

[@MechanicalFrog]

Darn. I'd like to know how that turned out.

[@josephhobbs7957]

@@MechanicalFrog I was mainly using locusts. Stingers wasps and pike and a few other combat vehicles the heaviest world of Blake mech was 6he shadow hall 2h

[@Doomer1984]

Yahoo! Long range plinking.

[@MechanicalFrog]

pew pew pew pew...

[@jake4753]

Great video!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@riptors9777]

Pike: AA firepower on a budget! What else is there to say? If youre light on cash or Dropship space but expect enemy Aircraft/vtols these things can look like a godsend. Those Karnovs arent so hot anymore when the plinkmachine steps up. That being said... not really good for anything else. If you have the money / weight left over you might go for a Partisan instead. Then again the Pikes can be fielded in greater numbers and thus make any strategic target highly unattractive to aero space or conventional aircraft, employed in such a defensive role it might just so happen that the pike will make the money you spend on it back not by actively fighting, but by passively negating enemy air superiority. Wich any field-base/supply dump commander will be very thankfull for even if the pikes dont fire a single shot. The pike is a vulnerable target though for fast mechs and combat vehicles and desperatly needs bodyguards. Infantry will do for most militia forces, but mercs and house commanders might want something beefier like a bulldog tank or two or even Battle armor (or even the aforemention partisan for AA overkill!).

[@MechanicalFrog]

It is what it is... :D

[@morganmcconal4785]

That's what the Alcorn is for.

[@riptors9777]

@@morganmcconal4785 The alacorn is anything but a AA platform. Its a very squishy glass cannon intended to fight battlemechs and heavy tanks/installations. You dont use gauss rifles to shoot down fast movers.. thats a waste of ammo.

[@kierdalemodels]

As you said, “safety and power in numbers”👍 I checked the AS stats and frowned deeply at first, though the AC5 and missile variants are better. Not great, but ‘better’…though in numbers I can see they’d be quite bothersome. And the assault Pike could do real work👍

[@MechanicalFrog]

Probably fierce in groups of 400

[@bthsr7113]

@@MechanicalFrog Nice dropship you've got there, it would be a shame if it became modern art, why don't you let us take it before such unpleasantness happens?

[@MechanicalFrog]

From my cold dead green feathers...@@bthsr7113

[@robrib2682]

you know, if MW5 let you bring a tank along with your lance, this thing would be amazing at turret & warrior spam duty (something that is an annoying part of the game's balance). Something that lances can struggle with when your running assaults & heavies in your lance.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It would be neat to be able to take more than a single lance of mechs.

[@arrgylerawrgyle3784]

From Patton to pike.. you seem to have skipped the Pegasus!

[@Psychobob2213]

"Sticky" lol

[@MechanicalFrog]

...sticky.

[@EdmondHiggins]

Great variant. LACs do not see enough play.

[@MechanicalFrog]

All the weapons deserve some love. Not just Plasma Rifles.

[@mikegould6590]

Honestly, I would think that its first conversion would be into an AAA battery. Refit the turret such that it can increase its elevation, then rip VTOLs from the air.

[@Ironclockwork]

I can only imagine the sheer amount of annoyance a properly placed formation of Pikes can unleash, no matter the variant employed. Inexpensive and easy to modify and employable at good standoff ranges? Gotta hand it to the good folks of Canopus, they're dab hands at more than just the entertainment/service industry. Imagine what they could've done with access to more forms of weapons tech other than dinky AC/2s.

[@rudyvalle9022]

Cursed tank! Just barely, but yes, it’s a filthy cursed tank.

[@MechanicalFrog]

oh no!

[@jefffreese947]

Pikes were always great anti-vehicle units with the motive critical hits. Ignore at your own peril!

[@MechanicalFrog]

pew pew pew...

[@Kpiozero]

What else do we have to say besides “we like Pike”

[@bartonbrevis3831]

My own variant is rather easy, A straight swap of the three AC-2's (18 tons) for a pair of Star-League/Inner-Sphere Ultra-5's (18 tons). The 5 tons of ammo remain, along with the SRM-2's. Range suffers only slightly, but damage is increased by 67% at normal rate, or 233% at max.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Interesting...

[@Raygathex]

Gods I love rotary Autocannons

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

My version swaps the three RAC/5s for a trio of Hypervelocity AC/2s, 2 tons ammo, CASE, and 1.5 extra tons of armor.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Very very fast pellets there.

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

@@MechanicalFrog And they go farther.

[@andyeaton1736]

The Pike is probably one of the only really good uses of AC2’s. Any mech mounting one or more of those seems like a design mistake in a perfect world. I do enjoy that Battletech has emphasized that not everyone has all the best toys all the time. I guess if you only have AC2 flavored lemons you might as well make AC2 flavored lemonade.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's not awful. It's just no amazing. It's just... available.

[@hermes7587]

Obviously the Pike won´t win battles on it´s own but as a support vehicle it is quite good. The AC/2s only do minimal damage but they can be terribly annoying. With a turret and a decent amount of armor the Pike is not easily disabled and will last much longer than e.g. a LRM carrier. Having a few Pikes in your vehicle force is a good investment. It also has a nice mini.

[@MechanicalFrog]

All good points.

[@samuelbaldwin2184]

This is one of those fantastic vehicles that bring the flavor to battletech. Its complete dog water vs mechs outside of some late era tech and specialist ammo. But as a periphery design that rarely goes up against mechs its a complete monster vs all vehicles. Ground vehicles - good luck avoiding motive hits. Once you're a sitting duck its time to bail out, artillery is already on its way to finish you off. Vtols - 1 ding to the chopper blades and youre a smoking crater. Even infantry without a transport or a helicopter are made useless by these being on the field. Beware as even an urban mech could trash your pikes

[@UkiSan-n8q]

Or use arrow4 launchers, shorten range to max warheads n use light armored troops with tag. Hit from range n scoot to new position....light fast moving vtols with med to heavy MGs or other stuff for anti infantry. The moment a dropship starts to unload scout mechanics, turn them to scrap n work to use incinerator style rounds on dropship bays

[@Elrigger]

Laser pike. 2x large lasers. Fusion engine instead of ice saved weight from losing 3rd ac2 and ammo go to needed heat sinks and armor

[@vojtechpribyl7386]

The fish not being on a long pole like the real pike should be makes me sad.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It swims in our hearts... which is probably something we should get a doctor to look at.

[@igorsdonjon2271]

I like ac2s and find them underappreciated.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm glad they have fans, then.

[@louiswilkins9624]

Useful, still need more battle armor please 🥺

[@MechanicalFrog]

True...

[@BoisegangGaming]

AC2s really should have the same anti-infantry rules as Pulse Lasers. Would give them a bit more of a niche than just occassional anti-VTOL units.

[@bthsr7113]

Would certainly help the Vulcan.

[@dwwolf4636]

I never understand what the obsession with rear armor is with tanks. That turret is hittable from all angles.

[@keebbles]

That's where your go juice plant is. No power. No turn turret. No armies. No boom today.

[@michaeldenz5196]

Kinda surprised they never made a light gauss version

[@MechanicalFrog]

I considered it for the MF.

[@bthsr7113]

6D6 of heat aimed by a T comp... I guess Canopus VIP parties aren't as hot as Canopus military exports.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Leave it to the Clanners to come up with a rolling war crime.

[@bthsr7113]

@@MechanicalFrog They are very good at it when they get angry at infantry or rebellious activity in occupied territories.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

Someone had to command the Enterprise before Kirk.

[@LazykidsWorld]

Live feed from Canopus LMAO!

[@MechanicalFrog]

**Pulsing Club Music** What?!

[@Psychohistorian42]

Don't Pikes evolve into Partisans if you level them enough?

[@lukedudley5030]

Not a tank I've used but another fun watch all the same....Ithough it pains me I've gotta agree with comstar it seems like a tank that benefits from mass formations :-)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Truth.

[@pete7872]

Magistracy needs more Cat-girls! \o/

[@MechanicalFrog]

Settle down meow.

[@haileysaint5443]

Loved the video. The Pike seems like a great 'wingman' vehicle, and of course I made my own variant, too. The Pike ISM upgrades to a fuel cell engine and swaps the triple AC/2s for their LB-X versions, and six tons of ammo. The SRMs are dropped in favor of a pair of Small Lasers and the armor is increased to 12.5 tons; still standard armor to help keep costs somewhat down. A supercharger is added to the engine, giving it movement of 3/5(6).

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sounds like a decent upgrade.

[@MichaelJCaboose013]

Dakka dakka dakka

[@ChaosTicket]

I didnt even know about the Pike until this video. Its mediocre overall as are most combat vehicles that dont use Missiles. I know why Mechanical Frog loves it before I even watch the video. Its because of the triple Plasma Canon variant, isnt it? While not as good as Plasma Rifles, thats still pretty nice.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The Plasma version is pretty nice...

[@gregdomenico1891]

Any one who thinks AC2's are worthless has never run into one or two of these things with AP Rounds. Thru Armor Crits are real, and I hope you packed CASE in your Mech. And I really hate the Clan version. And to be honest, all Clan vehicles in general. And also SRM/LRM Carriers, Demolishers...etc. I think you get the point. Ignore tanks at your own peril.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The specialty rounds are nice.

[@Sinnersaix]

5 Pikes sandpapering a Atlas Armor must be a friggin annoying Sound. I mean the Chainfire Jaegermech in MWO with just 5 AC/2 was allready annoying af.

[@chrissegee]

Oh leave it to the Ocean Puppies to turn the most annoying tank ever built into a rolling war crime……

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hope you brought your fixins for s'mores!