Why Do We Love the Horned Owl?

Today, we take a look at one of my favorite Clan light mechs, the Horned Owl!
Horned Owl MF Record Sheet: www.dropbox.co...
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BattleTech imagery and mech info remains the property of Topps.
Some imagery/video from Pixabay
Sources: Dominions Divided, 3055TRO Upgrade, 3055 TRO,
IlClan Rec Guide 11
Project Development: Johannes Heidler
Development Assistance: Aaron Cahall, Chris Wheeler
BattleTech Line Developer: Ray Arrastia
Assistant Line Developer: Aaron Cahall
Writing: Keith Hann, Johannes Heidler, Edward McEneely, Luke
Robertson, Elliotte C. Want
Additional Writing: Lance Scarinci
BattleTech Line Editor: Aaron Cahall
Production Staff
Art Director: Anthony Scroggins
Assistant Art Director: Ray Arrastia
Cover Design and Layout: David A. Kerber
Illustrations: Alan Blackwell, Dale Eadeh, Harri Kallio, Anthony
Scroggins
Some iconography my edit of the battlemech line art was purchased from Ken Turner on ArtStation
#BattleTech #Mechwarrior #CatalystGameLabs #lore

[@Accentaur]

"This is no Zaku, boy!"

[@Sierra026]

It's a GUUNDAAAA-- oh wait, wrong sci-fi franchise.

[@NeroLordofChaos]

​@@Sierra026IT'S AN ATLASSSSSSS

[@ThugShakers4Christ]

What a gouf

[@MechanicalFrog]

**Confused screaming**

[@andrewfsheffield]

Zakus and Gundams are about the same height as an Atlas I believe.

[@justincase9282]

I love this "not a zaku." It is about as close to perfect as a light 6/9/6 invasion Era clan mech can be.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hard to improve upon, for sure.

[@RoninWolfos]

I thought “Man if that was in olive drab or red that’d look like a Zaku..” 😂

[@meining-mech4378]

I dig the Horned Owl at its base variant. I also love its somewhat “Zeon-esque” look to it, and find the tidbit about it originally being an acquatic model calls to mind the Hy-Gogg or Z’Gok from MSG-0080: War In A Pocket. I used to have the rare FanTech casting of the Horned Owl 2, actually a couple of them. Wouldn’t mind having an old RP version again.

[@EdmondHiggins]

My favorite thing about the Horned Owl is all the amazing paint jobs that I have seen. A Zaku, Samus Aran, Iron Man, an actual owl to name a few.

[@Geeko170]

Sadly my only experience with the Horned Owl suffered from fickle dice. And also a Kit Fox V point blanking a Locust with an Arrow 4. It startled me.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh no... :D

[@AnimeSunglasses]

...uh, understandable, that should startle most people.

[@lumijo2407]

The Horned Owl is among my favourite mechs in the game, purely down to its design. Of all the Clan mechs in the game, this is one of only two that I go out of my way to barter with others in an attempt to justify using it "outside of faction", just because of how much I love it. Its history as a deep-sea construction mech transitioning to a non-threatening colonial defense mech, as well as its popularity in the Inner Sphere later on, it just ticks all the boxes for "sick as hell." And, I mean... C'mon. It IS a Zaku. In a Clan Star, it pairs with a Vapor Eagle (the other of the two aforementioned mechs) really well. Those two birds I've found are capable of fighting well out of their own weight class, together. The MF variant is fun and all, but the easy way out for the variant could have been to take the Snow Raven route and turned it into a Zero-G variation much like you'd find with a Shadow Hawk IIC 7 or a Goshawk II 3. That way you'd have had an excuse not to touch the various variants that you like while having the excuse of "specialized" to hide behind.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a good one and it really does pair well and work well even among multiples. It's hard to resist the drawing power of that CLPL.

[@KillerOrca]

Also turning it into a Zero-G variant would make it even MORE Zaku-like. Just give it an actuator operated AC and a hatchet...

[@ajax31100]

Horned owl is a great pick. It is a go to for me if I'm making a clan light or medium star.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It will rarely let you down.

[@sanguiniusonvacation1803]

Ah, abother glorious victory for Goliath Scorpion!

[@MechanicalFrog]

>Want to design a construction mech >Accidentally create an awesome 2nd line brawling light That's so Scorpion...

[@sanguiniusonvacation1803]

@@MechanicalFrog masters of failing up.

[@scytheseven9173]

Great job on the video! I'm a big fan of the original Horned Owl, along with the 3 and 7 variants. That T-Comp ER PPC is terrifying, and jumping 210 meters is great. You're right that the Horned Owl 6 is an atrocity. A CT Clan Large Pulse Laser is just a great choice. The MF variant is pretty great! It's a scary brawler.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Spot on with the 3 and 7. ERPPC + TC is going to ruin a lot of mechwarriors' days.

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

I love just about all the Clan second line mechs. Vixen, warhammer IIC, Marauder IIC, even the odd boys like the Baboon and Pack Hunter. They are so much more durable and are much more reasonable with BV. So nice.

[@donfreeborn2986]

I haven’t played a ton of the tabletop yet, but I love pulse lasers on my clan mechs. I don’t like paying the ridiculously high costs of higher skilled pilots, so the pulse kinda gives me that bonus gunnery without needing to pay the extra BV for a veteran.

[@Phoney72]

This is very definitely one of my favourite sculpts in the CGL range of mechs

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a great one.

[@Sierra026]

Faced off against a Horned Owl, controlled by my best friend. I can confirm that it is quite a formidable light mech, and I hope to add it to my growing Jade Falcon Touman.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a solid pick.

[@georgesulea]

I'd probably take the primary version. I really great mech, and I like your short range infantry hunter version too:)

[@MechanicalFrog]

So many great options...

[@sebastiang.5032]

I've painted one of those Buggers for my Clan Sea Fox Spina Khanate force... it's nasty!

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a pretty solid little light.

[@sharlin648]

The Zaku is a superb 'Mech, sure its not that fast but it can run down more than a few lights and Mediums and it outguns them in most cases, and stuff that can catch them, often finds itself outgunned. Not because the Horned Owl hits hugely hard, but because its just rarely going to miss and its brutally consistent with the pulse lasers and they can kick the bejasus out of any light and punch well above their weight when dealing with heavies. And with that LPL being in the CT, and it having a standard engine, this thing is hard to kill for its size. Plus it just looks AMAZING. Great vid about a genuinely superb 'Mech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks a lot! It's one of my personal favorites so I wanted to do it justice.

[@iansaviet600]

the 6 feels like a clan made replacement for mechs like the Wolfhound

[@MechanicalFrog]

Possibly... just not a great one.

[@Echo1608.]

See this is why I love your content, you talk about all these wonderful battlemechs I haven't even heard of or seen. Thank you, I might have found a new favorite design.... Also, congrats on 10K!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you so much!

[@meshuggahshirt]

*excited monoeye noises* The Horned Owl is one of the all-time great light Mechs; Clan pulse lasers and jump jets go together like gasoline and matches.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Like orange juice and gasoline.

[@potsperm1666]

such a beautiful mech! love your version, as always, even more pulsies!!!! ❤

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you so much!!

[@rkbinder]

So this is from a fanwork operation Lancaster, there is a mercenary that has a Horned Owl that is a custom varient made from salvaged components: 280 XL 8/12/8 movement 13 Double Heat Sinks XL Gyro (IS) 6.5 ton FF armor Clan ECM 2 Improved Heavy Medium Lasers 6 Clan ER Small Lasers Clan Targeting Computer (Only 1 ton)

[@RibusPQR]

This mech sounds really nice. I love the speed and loadout of the OG. I'll have to ask OpFor to run it against us (so we can grab it as isorla).

[@freeranger00]

I adore the Peregrine and have long considered it to be better, or perhaps more generally useful, than many of the Clan light Omnimechs. Aside from the Puma, which has a bit of a different role, I can think of more uses for a Peregrine prime or three than most of the other Invasion-era Clan lights. I'm not saying that the other Clan lights are bad, much the opposite, actually, no I just love the Peregrine. My preferred role for it is as a light hunter in the vein of the Phoenix Hawk, it can fulfill that bug-hunting role even better than the venerable medium at ten tons lighter, while not being tremendously expensive in terms of C-bills. Those Clan pulse lasers are just excellent weapons for pinning down things like Dashers, Fireballs, or other speed demons. Were I cursed with being a Clanner myself, I'd be happy to have a Peregrine, or Horned Owl, as a mount because it strikes me as a very good duelist mech, too.

[@jefffreese947]

Always have loved the Horned Owl. One of the Clan 2nd line mechs that perfectly balances cost/capability. Pretty much love all the variants except the 6. One of those exceptional mechs that I honestly can't justify coming up with a variant. Do like the MF version - but if I was a pilot I'd rather go with the base version.

[@derekburge5294]

The variants are... Fine for the most part. Gimme that default though! Also, it's nice to see all these color variations. Nice work there!

[@MechanicalFrog]

That OG build is hard to beat.

[@Executioner9000]

The base Horned Owl had always been my favorite 2nd line light. It's just good at murdur'n'. I prefer it as a 'recon in force' / anti recon mech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

"It's just neat."

[@mitch7235]

Well, I don’t know about else. But I like the fact that it looks like someone took the Master Chief. Turned him into a Mech, and gave him a cool paint job. But maybe that’s just me.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sounds like as good a reason to like it as any.

[@Alizardwithdaftideas]

Never heard of this 'mech before, though I am still very new to the lore. Regardless of that I am now a fan of it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm glad I could introduce it, then. :D

[@leem.9934]

The MF version stirred deep memories of one of my first ever "good" homebrew variants of any mech, in which I also swapped out the CT LPL for a MPL. The big difference is that I didn't add in SPLs. I didn't add in another DHS. I hadn't even heard of superchargers, let alone seen rules for them back in the 90's. I ran 3 MPLs and 8 ER Small Lasers, 4 per side torso. Because precisely FUCK OFF all rear armor and anything else inside of ANY heavy or assault that doesn't run far and fast to open terrain. This version made the 4/6/0 movement profile a bouquet of pregrets (a decision anyone deploying something that slow KNEW they were gonna regret as soon as they saw my Horny Bird). Was it heat neutral? Naw. Was it "good"? Naw. Would it absolutely WRECK things? Often enough that (in an era when we hadn't moved past the 3050's lore yet) it was so destructive that I was cordially invited to never play it again by threat of baseball bat to my knees being motivational option should I attempt it. Goddamn, it has been a minute and a half since I had remembered the Horny Bird.

[@MechanicalFrog]

8 ER Smalls would be brutal.

[@milankostic2571]

We all love Horned Owl and I love Mechanical Frog, thank you for this video, GOLIATH SCORPIONS RULE!!! ❤❤❤

[@MechanicalFrog]

Go go Scorpion Empire.

[@elchjol2777]

I like the look of this mech

[@malusignatius]

The Horned Owl base is just a solid 35-ton trooper. It can hold it's own against other lights and is a threat to many larger 'mechs as well. Either hunting down lights or as a flanker/screening 'mech for it's heavier starmates, the Horned Owl is a powerful and versatile design. In a lot of ways if feels like a Clan analogue for the Wolfhound.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It definitely has a little bit of that Wolfhound vibe to it.

[@krissteel4074]

Heh, it was a 'dark age' around the number 6 I can see the number 4 being quite a really effective harasser and menace to most light mechs

[@MechanicalFrog]

It sure would be hard to ignore.

[@discipleofsound4565]

The Horned Owl is perfect for harrassing enemy formations. It's pretty well strapped for a light mech, and is hard to ignore when it flies around and shoots battleline mechs in the back.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It can absolutely cause some damage if you ignore it too much.

[@discipleofsound4565]

@@MechanicalFrog Just gotta make sure it stays in cover and/or covering terrain.

[@KillerOrca]

"This is no Zaku, boy, no Zaku!" -the dude who drew the Horned Owl defending his original "its totally a Battletech'd Zaku" design.

[@haileysaint5443]

Honestly, I agree that it's hard to improve upon the original Horned Owl configuration. And I'm certain my custom ISM variant is not an improvement. I took the standard config and removed all of the weapons and upgraded to an XL engine. The right arm carries an Ultra AC/5 with 3 tons of ammo, while the left arm carries an oddly designed hatchet. An ER Small Laser is mounted in the head, with 2 more carried in the CT. It's best used in a team of three, and typically against other Light 'Mechs, armor units, and infantry. There are rumors going around of a similar version that trades out the UAC/5 for another weapon, but nothing's been confirmed. Officially, it's called the Horned Owl ISM; unofficially, you can call it the Horned Owl "Zaku". Because that's why it has the loadout it does. I have no idea how effective it actually is.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I was tempted by the XL but I like the idea that even if you get a lucky shot and blow one of the arms and torsos off this thing, it won't be seriously hobbled.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

I've always loved the look (and both names) of the Horned Owl, as well as the base loadout... This has only confirmed that. Your -MF config looks good, but what I really find myself REALLY wanting after learning the origins of the chassis, is one that swaps to an ER-Large laser to recover weight for an Underwater Maneuver System WITHOUT losing the jump jets! Also, I _WILL_ be fielding the -3. My loyalties might be divided between the Draken and the Bear, but my appreciation for fine design is not!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Tough choices were made... though underwater mechs are always wild to ponder.

[@AlexDenton0451]

Mines painted red like a certain Red Comet. I have a Turn-A Gundam styled Vapor Eagle too lol!

[@MechanicalFrog]

I think red ones get a +1 MP

[@AlexDenton0451]

@@MechanicalFrog it depends on if the fighters want him to win the fight or not

[@ero9841]

Such beautiful and deadly mech. My ride of choice.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's lovely.

[@ero9841]

@@MechanicalFrog more I think about it . I'd like to see a return to amphibious load out. Swap jump jets for umu and and add supercharger to make up the difference.

[@gregdomenico1891]

A mixed Star of Primes and ATM variants would be straight up hell to deal with. As for you hating Infantry, if you ever change your Icon from a Elemental to a Piranha, then I might believe it 😅

[@MechanicalFrog]

Might be time to go full mechwarrior...

[@thomasrobson6370]

Yay he did the horned owl 👍. I fell in love with this mech the first time I saw it on robotech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a fun one, for sure.

[@lukedudley5030]

I like this mech :-) it's got a nice looking head :-) Cheers for another fun overview

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks for watching!

[@swiftdraw]

I have one, but never used it. I just liked the Zaku-like look as Zaku's are what got me into model building. I just think they're neat!

[@MechanicalFrog]

"I just think they're neat." This should be the channel's mission statement.

[@sebastiang.5032]

Congratulations to the 10K!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you so much 😀

[@beskar66]

Congrats on 10K mech frog well deserved

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks a bunch! You're the goat, Beskar.

[@beskar66]

@@MechanicalFrog just keep doing what your doing Frog

[@XanderDraft]

Love the mech, the standard 3 and 4 are all good imo. 6 is a disaster with the only edge case being for when you don’t have fully trained pilots and need mechs on the field. The MF pulls a lot of duties, scout, light Hunter, back stabber infantry killer and the large number of weapons make the mech a monster for crit seeking and the all laser load out remove ammo issues and explosions. 10/10 adding the MF variant to the roster.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm glad it has the ZanderDraft seal of approval. :D

[@andrewrose3748]

Thanks for the mech I don't know about and haven't been covered to death!

[@MechanicalFrog]

They all need some love eventually.

[@TAVAAR7]

6/9/6 with clan pulse maxing at +4 heat?.....sounds like they found the sweet spot to me. Only thing missing is some later tech of a NOVA CEWS (which I still can't get to work on Megamek) Congrats on 10k btw 😃

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks a ton.

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

I like the look of the rounded mechs like this and I use them whenever possible. The Peregrine is a fine mech in many limited rolls, but does fill some niches better than others.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's quite a fun one. Just dangerous enough that you can't ignore it. Not so dangerous that it dies immediately.

[@blackspade1]

I like the original and 7 myself. I like the partial wing option even though it has a slower ground speed. The original is still the best of the bunch imo.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm glad there seems to be a healthy love for all the variants.

[@billybully4434]

Hey, Scorpion mech! Neeeeeeet!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Go go scorpions!

[@randyslater199]

Loved this and it has 2 avian names, a must add to my avian name/look mech collection says one of the Citadel Collectors (story idea there.. lol)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely a must-have.

[@kierdalemodels]

It’s such a cool looking mech!😍 In AlphaStrike I’d choose the Mk.1 as it’s simple, well statted and reasonable points-wise. Does what you need and doesn’t have a lot of special rules to remember. Probably a good starter mech🤔 The 6 has a point more armour for only a point more of cost…but as you said, losing the jump ability…no thanks. Thanks for another great video, and I look forward to you passing the big milestone!🙏

[@MechanicalFrog]

I may be getting the Alpha Strike box set for X-mas so hopefully I can drop in some AS commentary on stats moving forward.

[@kierdalemodels]

@@MechanicalFrog Excellent! I’d love to see that added to your videos, even just a little bit.🙏

[@Kepora1]

That's- *That's a friggin' Zaku.* I kinda like it now.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Success!

[@Kepora1]

@@MechanicalFrog Hey, what can I say? The Zaku II is a timeless classic of mecha design.

[@calumdeighton]

Interesting mech. Couple the Clan boxsets have these.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a solid one.

[@kalixascsi66]

In the words of Harry Ord, "UNIVERSE!" I love this little guy like you wouldn't believe.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Huzzah!

[@Bluehairedgirl89]

Thank you for the time and effort you put into making this video, I enjoyed it. And once again you find a clan mech that I like. The look is amazing, the weapon loadout is perfect, and even the name appeals. I’ll have to raid the clans for some salvage and start giving these a whirl!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks a lot. This is a fun one.

[@johnhand2992]

Congrats on 10k!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks a ton!

[@sim.frischh9781]

The MF version is a dangerous short range mech, and certainly devastating to not just infantry. But i would go with one of two homebrew versions: base version, swapping the medium pulse lasers for medium ER lasers, add a targeting computer and an addition DHS, or, get rid of all the pulse lasers and throw in 6 ER mediums, a targeting computer and three more heat sinks. I always struggle to see a BattleMech, since ti looks so much like the Dark Army from Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and i REALLY enjoyed that show. Doesn´t take itself too serious.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I wouldn't hold it against anyone picking most of the official variants. They each have their charm and the OG is very good.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog Definitely, having both a large and two medium pulse lasers gives the mech both good reach and versatility. Mechs? Check! Tanks? Check! Infantry? Check! Heck, with the reach of the LPL, it can even do anti air! So this Horny Owl bring a LOT to the table right from the start.

[@michaelpfister1283]

"...a time before Clan Sea Fox could conjur up anything you wanted on a whim." I just about spit out my coffee when I heard that! The term when I first started in Battletech was "munchkin". Uber-designs using the (then) new 'clan tech' were not liked. I love this 'mech. For that matter, I really like a lot of the clan 2nd line machines, far more than the omnis. They just feel more ... real. :-) And this one is just fun to use. Thanks for the overview! For myself: I have always loved the standard variant. Its one of the few 'mechs I don't tweak in some way. Your "MF" variant is OK, but I wouldn't trade the LgPls for a supercharger. Sorry. :-) About the only swap-out I'd make would be for the headhunter variant with the ER-PPC in the CT. In fact, the campain where I ran these I had a pair of them, one standard and one 3 variant, along with an Incubus Std and 2, all led by a Vapor Eagle. My pilots were all 3/3 with Vapor Eagle pilot an elite 2/3 (gave up a pile of tonnage to get pilot bonuses and stay under BV). And then spent a lot of time having a whole lot of fun in my heavy and assault opponent's rear arcs. Nothin' says lovin' like an ER-PPC to the rear torso! LOL

[@MechanicalFrog]

The ER PPC variant is nasty. I love it.

[@queengorgo1440]

Gotta say, I only really learned about this mech from this video yet I already love it and I hope to add it into my touman someday! On a somewhat related note, do you have any plans on covering mechs like the Dire Wolf or Stone Rhino?

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm sure we will cover both at some point. I'm a big fan of the Stone Rhino.

[@ResaFMkII]

Horned Owl 4 is real trooper I've recently discovered. It's a great versatile choice for cheap BV cost, which is useful when I play with IS players who don't want to bring 15,000 BV to face off against a normal Star! The damage output from that HE ammo up close is nasty!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely.

[@hurnn1543]

The OG is the best one, I do kind of like the 6th variant, if only because you can put a legally blind pilot in it and he will still hit things, also it does let you cheese the BV calculation a little bit.

[@ShasOFish]

My group loved the “Horny Owl”. Damn thing is a menace.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Someone should really do something about it...

[@jasonhenninger8220]

6/9(12)/6, Endo, Supercharger, 11DHS, 6t Ferro, targeting computer, 4 ER MLasers, Angel ECM (BV2 2011) - infiltration and communication disruption/ guerrilla ops

[@MechanicalFrog]

That would be fun. Sneaky pain with the 4 ERML+TC

[@greysonjones5429]

A little late on this, but, man, that 7 is sexy. Granted, im a sucker for Partial wing, but it still really nice. I was a little Leary on it, but thne you noted it had a Tcomp, meaning in close it'll be more accurate and only lose 1 accuracy point at long wih the Er LL

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a fun one. That being what matters most.

[@greysonjones5429]

@@MechanicalFrog Aff Star Captain. But more importantly it's fantastically stylish with wings. Perfect for my Jade Falcons

[@gwin2719]

I looked at the HO and didn’t really know what to do with it.. so I’ve been using my horned owls as test mechs for paint schemes… I massively underestimated this mech 😂

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh no! Well... at least it was useful before. Double useful now?

[@gwin2719]

@@MechanicalFrogTime to fire up the paint stripper lol 😂

[@covahredro8370]

Another cool looking mech I knew nothing about

[@MechanicalFrog]

This is why I do it. Right here.

[@covahredro8370]

@@MechanicalFrog And why I subscribe

[@piprdakota]

Congrats on 10K subscribers!!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you so much 😀

[@bthsr7113]

One of the other rounded armor mechs... the Urbie.

[@MechanicalFrog]

How dare you... :D

[@105Gunner]

Congrats on making 10k! Question - how do you do your mech color schemes for the videos? Looks like a good way to try things out before putting a brush in paint.

[@MechanicalFrog]

We'll have to talk about the process. It's a lot easier than one might think.

[@lordilluminati5836]

The 7 looks fun

[@dubuyajay9964]

I think I found the starter mech for my Clan Warrior's RPG background as his first mech after his bloodening. The ER Range and jump gives him a chance to live long enough until he can get better Isorla.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sounds like a great plan.

[@lopezmarlon]

Red the dedication to share a passion of yours, and entertain your followers is commendable. I really enjoy your channel. Maybe it's a regional dialect and I'm wrong? When you mispronounce a word - it throws off the immersion _at least for me_ @1:32 🍐•uh•😸(grin). I feel self-conscious 'cuz now 🤓 this is two videos in a row. I just want success for you and your channel to be at the best 💯. *Congrats on 10k*

[@MechanicalFrog]

Well, I don't know what to tell ya. I'm an old fart who read a lot of books growing up and had very little in the way of audio modeling for language and pronunciation. Untraining 40+ years of saying things a certain way is tough.

[@lopezmarlon]

The quality of your short stories are top-notch. I wouldn't say you're untrained. There hasn't been an MF variant I didn't like. Always well thought out 'Mechs. Between you and Nerdy Overanalyzed you materialize some really great variants. 👍🏼

[@revenvrake7412]

You know, I could almost call this a Grasshopper IIC, as it's exactly half the weight of the Grasshopper but has a similar play style...

[@MechanicalFrog]

Definitely a similar playstyle.

[@HeavyBlasters]

The Horned Owl is one of the most slept on designs in all of BT.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Agreed.

[@canisblack]

What’s with the Goliath Scorpion and underwater equipment? Did they at least militarize it themselves or was it some other clan like the Wolves and the Elemental suit?

[@MechanicalFrog]

>Try to create an underwater construction mech >Accidentally create one of the best 2nd line clan light mechs GG Goliath Scorpions...

[@ThugShakers4Christ]

Got to go with the fire support model every time

[@MechanicalFrog]

See, there's always one... I can respect that.

[@ThugShakers4Christ]

@@MechanicalFrog honestly though, I'm intrigued by the idea of an SRM centric build. Could be a rapid fire, shotgun blast up close

[@harvestblades]

I just watched the Battleytics on this bugger & the Horned Owl 6 with the large pulse, 2med pulse, oh & a targeting computer in a mech that can run & alpha strike every turn is rather obnoxious. I will definitely be fielding one....or three of these the next time I run some Clanner mechs.

[@krashkow]

Like you, I prefer the mk 1 variant. It’s simple, versatile, and effective. It’s almost an ideal mech for new players.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It just works...

[@theangryMD]

What are the odds, I just watched a horned Owl cover a Kodiak's retreat admirably over at DFA Wargaming's channel.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I hope it was thanked for its selfless service.

[@Ranalcus]

It is no Zaku boy, no Zaku! Just paint it blue for CQC or paint it red to be 3 times the speed

[@MechanicalFrog]

The math checks out.

[@Viper0701]

I would certainly say I enjoy the MF version. I like knife fighting with lights. Great video! Thank you!

[@MechanicalFrog]

I think it would be fun. Thanks for coming by!

[@chrissegee]

I have to admit, I’ve never heard of this one but it is quite impressive and may be one of the few mechs where the original config is the best ( although the MF version is pretty good if you are worried about Battle Armor)

[@MechanicalFrog]

The OG config is definitely hard to top.

[@TheKerfuffin]

The 6 gets the armor maxed out also.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah I missed that. It does slightly improve things.

[@joshuaturnquist5538]

It is beauty, it is grace, it fires a stabilized large pulse laser into your face.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Who knew you were a poet?

[@Ironclockwork]

*Stares at the 6 variant in confusion* A light 'Mech losing the ability to leap gracefully into the air appears to greatly offend MechFrog's anuran sensibilities. Nice job on the MF variant, although I recommend never handing it an axe. Copyright contentions have plagued Battletech enough, methinks. :P

[@MechanicalFrog]

How about combat horns?

[@Ironclockwork]

@@MechanicalFrog At that point we might as well paint it red to give it three times the speed.

[@fenny1578]

Odd, i never expected to see a scopedog video.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Uh... ok? :D

[@ThelemicPotter]

Why are Clan second line 'mechs so fucking good?

[@MechanicalFrog]

I don't know, but it's great.

[@strcmdrbookwyrm]

First off, I was surprised by it's loadout. The best I was expecting was a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers and a small pulse laser. All around, it seems pretty solid. I don't think I really like the MF design, mainly because I like how the standard variants seem to all have some sort of mid to long range option. The Supercharger is nice, but I don't think it adds too much to the design. Now brace yourself, I've got a few different designs that I came up with while listening to this video. Be warned, at least half of these are joke variants. First up, I choose to follow the time honored tradition of Clanners trying to put small autocannons on small mechs. The Horned Owl J-AC is actually a startlingly easy change. By pulling the Large Pulse Laser, you get the 6 tons needed for a UAC2 with one ton of ammo. For everyone's sanity, I'd move one of the Medium Pulse Laser's to the CT and put the UAC2 in the arm. While a surprisingly clean conversion, I don't think anyone would want to take the J-AC over the 1, unless they have a supply of AC-2 ammo they need to get rid of. Second is a variant that is what I call a "Blood Spirit Special." It takes after a pair of my favorite Clan Blood Spirit war machines, the Blood Kite and Morrigu, and mounts two weapon systems: The ER Large Laser and LRM 15. With two tons of ammo, the Horned Owl J-BSS uses the extra half ton of armor to add a little extra protection. It's a silly idea, but I think it could turn out to be a surprisingly nimble fire support unit. Third up is a semi-serious one. Like the MF it's geared toward mobility, though in a somewhat different way. Instead of a supercharger, my Horned Owl J0 uses endo-steel and nine improved jump jets. In terms of weapons, the J0 carries a Improved heavy medium laser in each arm, backed up by a Medium Pulse Laser in the head and a ER small laser in the side torso. An extra double heat sink allows the J0 to jump and alpha without becoming to toasty. While the Improved HMLs might seem a bit of a risk, with only 5.5 tons to work with every shot needs to count. I figured they give the best combo of range, damage, and accuracy. I had a design that could mount a UAC 10, but it had to jump through a lot of high-tech hoops to make it happen. I think I'm happy with the J0 being my last design, though I do think there are ways I could make it... I was going to say better, but I think "interesting" is a better descriptor.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Swapping a CLPL for a UAC2? You're saying this just to hurt me, aren't you? :D

[@joshuamidgette4846]

Its basically a better panther, that said it is inferior to a Firestarter.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hmm... going to have to ponder that.

[@hardluck4031]

Could you make a short video on how to make, save and use a Mech for MegaMek. Due to limited at home time I haven't figured it out yet...😔

[@MechanicalFrog]

You know what? This is going to happen. Very soon.

[@wartmcbeighn]

Hey MF...played a game a few weeks ago.. opponent had omnimechs and was very confident going in.....only to be crestfallen when...not knowing my mech choices....was confronted by a pair of peregrines.....a goshawk and a Viper....lol...oh the tears he shed that day

[@MechanicalFrog]

So glad to hear that! Go 2nd Liners!

[@mathewfitzpatrick5645]

The Owl 3 with Rapid Fire Machine Guns rule could be TERRIFYING up close.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The dentists who have to replace all those fillings rattled out will approve.

[@ChaosTicket]

Well its probably already been in the video, but it looks like a Zaku II from Mobile Suit Gundam. I type these before the video ends. In universe its a very solid light mech. It can be considered a Wasp IIC with improved weaponry, armor, and no less fast or mobile unit. Its a surprisingly conservative upgrade, which puts it well above a comparable Inner Sphere light mech, and in some cases mediums. Its variants also tend to be solid. If I could add one thing it would be a "Griffin" configuration with an ER-large laser and long range missiles together. The Partial Wing system is odd, but its still a far better option than using "Improved" Jump Jets. Too bad its kind of wasted on the Horned Owl because they lowered the engine power. 5/8/7 is not better than 6/9/6.

[@dubuyajay9964]

I agree. Clan ER L Las or ER PPC.

[@MechanicalFrog]

An ERLL with a Targeting Computer would be neat.

[@ChaosTicket]

@@MechanicalFrog There was a wave of mechs from the same era with similar builds. Incubus, Horned Owl, Conjurer, Goshawk. Fast, jump jets, 1 big gun and secondary weapons. All "Super Wasps". Then in the same book their were the IIC mechs. It was the "Anime Era". It was also probably when Harmony Gold started suing for their Robotech property.

[@135forte]

It was also apparently mistaken for a security mech at first. Imagine the surprise when the friend shaped 'security mech' tanks hits better than a lot of light Battlemechs and punches harder and father than the average medium.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Surprise LPL to the face...

[@bthsr7113]

Reminds me of how even the bystander bloated "peaceful exploration vessels" of Starfleet were still incredibly well armed.

[@defiantmechwarrior2397]

10K!!!

[@MechanicalFrog]

We did it!

[@jamesbeard5513]

Mech Frog, your math is off on the 7. It only has 5 jump jets with the partial wing giving 2 more movement free, so with 5 heat from the JJs and 20 from the weapons and a -23 heat from all cooling sources, it generates only +2 heat with an alpha strike. As for the 6, it also has 1 ton more of armor, but yeah, I'd rather have the jets. The only way I could think on improving on the original is to give it a Clan XL or go mixed tech with a Light fusion to give it more tonnage to play with, but that feels like a betrayal of what the mech is supposed to be. I'll stick with the original if I had to choose between all, and maybe the 3 if I had to fight in an urban environment.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I went to public school. What do you expect? Edit: Thank you for keeping me honest.

[@jellico1238]

Shame you didn't change the art for the 4 and 5. The Goliath Scorpion variants are Reseen. The 6 is a very deep cut back to the unpublished original version found in an archeological dig through old FASA notes. One thing you missed with the 7 is the engine reduction is armor went to full 115 compared to 96 for the rest of the Horned Owls. That is an extra point in Alpha Strike. Combined with the extra MP modifier for jumping 7 rather than 6, the Horned Owl 7 is a noticeably harder kill. The ER Large Laser is due to lack of space in the CT with the center jump jet. The TC is to compensate in addition to the ERLL's better range brackets (8 and 15).

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeh I forgot about it. the art was prepped for it and everything but I was in a groove by that point in the editing process and forgot.

[@michaelkimberling7307]

So if it was originally intended as an underwater construction mech, and it likes to jump. Does that make it a flying fish? Edit : happy 10k subs

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you. It at least suggests some sort of amphibian tendencies.

[@jellico1238]

Rec guides #11 notes the 6 is nicknamed a kākāpō. A flightless nocturnal parrot. The 7 is nicknamed shima fukuro. A large Japanese fish owl. Remember the 7 flies more than normal ;)