Why Do We Love The Patton Main Battle Tank?

Today, we look at the Patton and ponder why players are so fond of this plucky 65 ton tank.
Patton 1MF Record Sheet - www.dropbox.co...
Resources: TRO 3025, 3039, Handbook House Steiner, IlClan Rec Guide 27, XTRO Periphery.
Laws are Silent - Shrapnel Year 1, Pg. 583. Craig A. Reed Jr.
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
George S. Patton Photographs - Public Domain
#BattleTech #Mechwarrior #CatalystGameLabs #lore

[@MagNight]

First segment really made me expect a, "Would You Like To Know More?" And as it turns out, yes, yes I would.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Heh, that was definitely in my mind as I was crafting it.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

You apes wanna live forever?

[@terryhiggins5077]

The Patton/Rommel/Axel are my favorite BT tanks, they are just good tanks, while also looking like a real-ish tank.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Quite useful, and quite familiar.

[@KingInBlack69]

Patton is my favourite of the bunch. It feels the most versatile. And it's also the most armored.

[@h0shidont35]

Honestly, i like how grounded it is. There's something about how simplicity works.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I agree. It feels much more real than some of the bigger tankybois.

[@Pestolents]

I agree! As we used to say in the IRL military K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) For this reason, I have a Lance of these formidable tanks in my personal unit.

[@h.a.9880]

@@MechanicalFrog The larger tanks in BT always seem so cluttered to me, like the Behemoth that has a weapon selection reeking of "everything but the kitchen sink". That's why I love tanks like the Rommel, Patton, Manticore and Myrmidon or lighter combat vehicles like the Chevalier. They seem much more believable to me. And then there's crazy stuff like the Saladin. I mean, come on. It's a hovercraft that just races across the map at 130kph, carrying an AC20. That thing attacks like it was a low-flying plane, who doesn't love that? I feel like the Saladin is deserving of an episode on this channel. Just imagine the MechFrog version with a Plasma Rifle lol.

[@Vulpine407]

@@h.a.9880 Agreed. The Saladin is one of the few armored vehicles that mech pilots actually fear.

[@jtjames79]

​@@h.a.9880 The worst problem with the Saladin is it's so damn cheap. You can get 3 for a Patton. Mix them up with technicals toting critical targeting ordinance. And one guy playing the banjo.

[@thestabbybrit4798]

"Defiance Industries: because the universe does not run on hugs, and your neighbours ARE out to get you!"

[@MechanicalFrog]

Our battlemechs run on hopes, dreams, and flower petals.

[@Yacovo]

The Patton: the Roomba with a Knife of the Battletech universe. Thanks for the video.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Heh, glad you enjoyed.

[@Araexius]

Simple. But it works!

[@riptors9777]

The patton is a mercenaries favourite right next to the manticore, defense, offense, support.. the patton is flexible enough to fit all these roles. Need that little bit of extra firepower? Pattons your guy. Though dont send it out alone, allways make sure it has a friend or two because it doesnt have enough firepower to bring targets down by itselfe quicky, or better yet use it to bolster a lance of mechs. They are also a great choice for asset protection like Parked dropships in high intensity situation where a bunch of scorpions simply wont cut it. The Taurian version is quite interesting since its a substantial upgrade over the Inner sphere version. Wich is interesting considering that the periphery usually isnt capable of outright upgrading designs with modern equipment, either relying on old designs and loadouts or slapping rocket launchers on everything. The price might a bit high but you are getting your moneys worth in this reliable and solid design.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Well put.

[@mikegould6590]

In a universe where we can see a lot of units that make us scratch our heads, solid contenders like the Patton remind us what proper design looks like.

[@MechanicalFrog]

True that.

[@matthewpena3932]

Ok the Patton MF made me smile, it reminded me of the old Soviet double cannon tanks in the old Red Alert games.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Double the fun.

[@deathbymonkeys5556]

The apocalypse?

[@Darren_Xero]

Wouldn't that be a mini-Demolisher for a Mammoth/Apocalypse tank?

[@elchjol2777]

I remember writing up a Periphery knock off of this tank. A 240 ICE with 8.5 tons of armor at a 4/6 movement and 60 total tons. Managed to fit an AC-10,SRM-4 and an MG in there for a rather cheap price (Half the price of a base model Patton)The Coywolf isn't all that good but its cheap and can hit rather hard in the right conditions. At least its easy to maintain though and it can tow another vehicle or other towable with its rear hitch.

[@kennendo8922]

The Patton! A tuff, combat effective performer with everything you need in a tank and nothing you don't.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I could use some cookies. Can it deliver cookies?

[@kennendo8922]

While the Patton is capable of cookie insertion and extraction it's best role is probably the interdiction of any force attempting to raid or strike the cookies.@@MechanicalFrog

[@nexusofice9135]

Good to know you still have enough in the tank to put out a video regularly.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Just happy people are willing to watch something on such well tread ground.

[@nexusofice9135]

@@MechanicalFrog Well you are certainly on track for success!

[@bthsr7113]

Few traverse the turreted ground armors, so we have to load up on your channel.

[@nexusofice9135]

@@bthsr7113 I think we can take a shot at that....

[@sebastiang.5032]

This channel won't suffer from a motive hit anytime soon, I assure you! I believe MF still has a lot of great videos in their ammo hopper! 🎉

[@robbybarbera]

One of my favorite armored vehicles in BattleTech. Love the Patton and Rommel. Really like the Mechfrog variant. Going to give it a try in MegaMek.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Let me know how it goes.

[@andrewszigeti2174]

The base Patton is a great budget tank; highly effective for it's price. Once you start the tech upgrades, especially XL engines, it quickly becomes overly-expensive for what it does.

[@MechanicalFrog]

But good if you hare scared of heights.

[@bthsr7113]

Or if you have spare resources to invest for guarding against future problems.

[@Vulpine407]

Along with the Demolisher, this is one of the "old guard" tanks from waaayyy back in the early days of Battletech. Simple, effective and (relatively) cheap. It serves admirably as both a front-line battletank and a city-fighter with good anti-infantry capability. About the only major drawback is that, prior to the spreading of the Helm Star League core by the Grey Death Legion (suck it, ROM) many Pattons were pilfered for their fusion engines to repair 'mechs such as the Catapult, Crusader, Jagermech and Thunderbolt. While it was possible to adapt the tank to I.C. engines, this usually resulted in less armor protection. A Patton (or Rommel) with it's original engine is actually rather sneaky as it is less susceptible to I.R. and audio detection (though MAG detectors will spot it quickly) -thus allowing the tank to get close to targets before engaging. This is especially useful in city fighting as the tank can back up mechs with it's main gun against enemy armor and mechs -and protect against hostile infantry with it's laser and flamer. Model-wise, the Patton has always been good with the modern iteration of the tank being especially aesthetically pleasing.

[@MechanicalFrog]

"I just think it's neat." Yes. Well put.

[@scottmccool7242]

A recall a thrill to running a lance of Rommels into a rescue op into Kuritan space only to be so disappointed when ammo ran out and firepower dropped off sharply. The slightly abstracted system in Crescent Hawks Revenge didn’t do a great job of making ammo dependency clear. 😅

[@EdmondHiggins]

Last time I used some of these my opponent asked: "So it is like... just a tank?" Kinda nailed it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Underestimated at his/her peril.

[@SirAroace]

That the crazy thing about Battletech, it is one of the very few mech settings where competently possible to make a effective non-mech army

[@nukenuked5749]

sweet a frog video before bed 2:30 am here in australia thanks frog

[@MechanicalFrog]

Heh, thanks for watching it upside down. Good night!

[@nukenuked5749]

thanks mate i hope your having a good one @@MechanicalFrog

[@AlexDenton0451]

I ran a Patton in an 8v8 game, it genuinely carried the battle, doing consistent damage at good ranges.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad to hear it performed well.

[@michaelsudsysutherland5353]

As a dedicated tread head in the Mech space; I approve of this message.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thankful for that.

[@theodoreschott3293]

Oh man! Patton would be teary-eyed seeing one of these beasts on the field! I love me a lot of tanks!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh he would be over the moon at modern weaponry. And then he'd probably ask why we haven't invaded Russia yet...

[@georgesulea]

Good old armor on the ground; awesome!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Tanks need love too.

[@spiralbanzai4985]

I would like to see the Po tank covered, because my mercenary company is quite Po. I would also like to see the Hi-Scout covered. The Ji-Scout is just one of those Battletech oddities that most creators just don't cover.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm sure we will get to it.

[@KingInBlack69]

Po is solid for its cost.

[@haileysaint5443]

Sounds like a good tank. I know I painted one up for my Badger Battalion unit, as the standard Patton at least. Still, I did create my own variant. The Patton ISM features Clantech all around, except for the heat sinks. A Clan standard fusion engine provides power, and its protected by 15 tons of Clan standard armor on a Clan standard frame. Visually similar to the standard Patton, it has a Clan LB-10X with 2 tons of ammo, and a Clan ATM-3 with 3 tons of ammo. On the front it mounts a Clan Small Pulse Laser while a Clan flamer in the rear of the tank makes it deadly to approach - unless you happen to be wearing Salamander Battle Armor.

[@JohnDoe-oh7gf]

"Dude and the mechs are huge, they can stomp those puny tanks, er.... what do you mean the Patton is 65t?! 360 turret traverse? ", MW3 made me love mechs, Piranha made me embrace the Innser Sphere, MechFrogs vids reignited my love for the tank in a mechs world. ;)

[@crabman3144]

I was running an intro scenario a couple weeks back, and some of my Opfor included a few Pattons. At one point, thanks to motive system damage, an Atlas 8D walked up to the Patton with intent to punt it off the mapsheet. This particular Patton was also pretty wrecked, so I fired everything into it, meaning I was hitting on 11+ on the LRM-5. I rolled exactly 11 on the to-hit check, 7 on the cluster hits table, and then 2 on the hit location table. We were using the floating crit rules, so the crit landed in the left torso. Rolled 12 on the crit confirm check, taking out the RAC/5, MML-9, and ERsmall laser in the left torso. That player now has an intense hatred of tanks in Battletech.

[@theintern2960]

Oof. I love my LB-10X's and the chance to field a tank with two is very tempting. Nice build, MechFrog!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Go for it!

[@kumarsalib722]

Great video as always. I love your twin LB10x build. Very solid.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you.

[@spencerjones841]

Its a bit weird they made a fusion powered tank and forgot to add any energy weapons

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah but think about how cool those head sinks can keep the cabin.

[@richardnicholson3827]

Yes, they do the Patton has a small laser and a flamer in it, and the Rommel has a small laser in it.

[@bthsr7113]

It does mean that it is unusually resistant to heat based weapons, so that's a decided plus.

[@ericfeatherstone776]

@@bthsr7113Not really. Vehicles are considered "Non-Heat Tracking" units. Their construction rules mandate that all non-ammunition energy weapons *MUST* have enough Heat Sinks to cover their heat output. A tank can Alpha Strike every turn until ammunition runs out. As a consequence, heat based weapons inflict ADDITIONAL armor damage and/or additional critical/motive table rolls. Flamer, Inferno, and plasma weapons ALL are a nightmare for tanks, Infantry, Protos, and Battle Armor explicitly due to the non-heat tracking rules (as well as other unit specific rules such as 3 inferno missiles popping an individual BA or Proto outright, among other things.)

[@Doomer1984]

Great vid foggy. How about a cover of the AC2 demon the "Pike". Great for desert maps

[@MechanicalFrog]

Soon...

[@Kingofdragons117]

I love how Comstar used theirs in Level II formations for HPG defense. 5 pikes and a Demolisher. Load them up with special ammo for fun too.

[@MechanicalFrog]

lots of pew pew...

[@robrib2682]

if it were a mech it would be a trooper, I like it because it feels like something a milita could have 2-3 of and support a lance of mediums to lights with to help if someone tried doing an invasion & force them to spend more resources then whatever base they're on is worth. In short its a "stay away, this is more trouble then its worth" and thats nice to see in a universe where that is a concern in where you deploy the stompy boys.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely agree.

[@nsadrone1448]

Woooo🎉🎉🎉 my favourite combat vehicle in BattleTech

[@MechanicalFrog]

Today is your day, then!

[@gregkun1]

I love the Patton. I had defend my Merc Base from 5 waves of enemies and thanks the GM's Chaos die. (A Random difficulty modifier) I get Mechbay Sabator which prevent me from deploying mechs for 5 turns! Thankfully, I did invest in 4 Arrow IV Launchers, 4 long toms, 15 patton tanks, 6 demolishers, and 12 Warrior Attack Helicopters: 4x H-7C, 4x H-7A, and 4x H-7. versus 1 lance of light and 5 lances of medium mechs, 5 lances of heavy mechs, and 5 lances of assaults mechs. TLDR: Finished the fight without mechs deploying. All that was left was one H-7A, two Demolishers (crippled), and five Patton tanks. I used the Demolishers as bait for the pattons to force a crossfire kill box once the mechs enter the central yard that is surrounded by battlements walls where tanks can drive up on to act as mobile turrets able to fire outside and inside their base if need from a elevated position. I'll share my standard Patton. Patton Tank MBT-OZ-A Weight: 65 tons BV: 1,781 Cost: 10,670,000 C-bills Movement: 4/6 (Tracked) Engine: 260 XL Internal: 35 Armor: 259 (Ferro-Fibrous) Internal/Armor Front: 7/65 Right: 7/51 Left: 7/51 Rear: 7/41 Turret: 7/51 Weapons: HAG/20 (Clan)TU (with 3 tons of ammo 18 shots) ATM 9 (Clan)TU (with 4 tons of ammo: 2 tons of High-Explosive ATM/9 Ammo 14 shots, and 2 tons of Standard ATM/9 Ammo 14 shots) Laser AMS (Clan)BD 3 Micro Pulse Laser (Clan) RR, RS, &LS Equipment: Trailer HitchBD Active Probe [Clan] (Clan)BD Targeting Computer [Clan] (Clan) BD ECM Suite [Clan] (Clan) BD

[@MechanicalFrog]

Can you put a trailer hitch on an Urbanmech?

[@gregkun1]

@@MechanicalFrog YES!

[@gregkun1]

@@MechanicalFrog Also I've use these tanks to tow Arrow IV launchers and other supplies to from the spaceport from on side of the island to my base. The reason for it is due to the Tropical Island's history. It resides on the planet Armington. The island is about 4700 square miles just bigger than hawaii. I think. It was a natural resource and HPG research island at first. The base and HPG R&D is built 1000ft. above sea level into the side of an extinct super volcano that over time using natural defense of the island. Over time the planet gets forgotten and remember as the last time it was brimming with life was during the Star League and Taurian Concordat war. After the war people left and the island became quiet for centuries until pirates raided the Space port thinking that was were all the goods art as the base was lost to the jungle. The pirates build a stronghold on the island space port that was running raiding operations in Davion Space. Skip to 3055 my Merc Company: Blade Phoenix's was contracted to decend and take out the stronghold. Pirates had and anti orbital gun that knockout out our Union Class dropship and force crash landing on the island that happened to land right next to the base. Found some lost tech at the base and used all of it to destroy the pirate strong hold. Never told the cliant about the base and negoshiate to have the island by selling Davion a few lost tech units that the "Pirate had acquired" that there were "no survivers" to question to where they got it. SO! I have a Privet Island full of resources with a privet space port and HPG Station and "Codes". Mean while amassing army for my company thanks to the Clan invadsons farming clan tech savavage to bring back to the island to reverse engineer and produce in limited sums all while under the radar. I can build my own Clan ER medium lasers and Pulse Lasers. Gauss Rifles UAC/5's and 10's, Endo Steel, and Ferrio Fiberious. However, I can build IS MML 's , MRM's. SRM's, and ammo types for Missile and Ballistics weapons freely and make great stready income from the houses. Though, I only supply such a small quantity I'm not a worthy enough military target to make the effort across space to stop. :)

[@HouseDavieMerc]

Good video. Thanks. It's like Saturday morning cartoons are making a comeback! It's great to see Battletech's vehicles get some love to. I'd like to see 6 sides make AI cards just for Vs for an opforce.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Xydarc]

My favorite BT tank, great video!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Good choice!

[@DapperRaccoon]

This video is Roughrider approved.

[@MechanicalFrog]

yeehaw.

[@nachoneitzscheese]

One Patton/Rommel/Axel variant I'm especially interested in is the clan-tech upgrade, the Axel IIC. Produced for Clan Ghost Bear during the Word of Blake incident, it uses a large pulse laser and paired LRM-15s for a more consistent, longer range damage output than most of it's siblings. It's pricy for a 65 ton vehicle, but should pay for itself if you can keep it out of the thickest fighting. I am looking forward to painting a few for the upcoming combined arms section of my Rasalhague Dominion force. Also, while we're talking about vehicles, any chance of covering the Chalchiuhtotolin support tank? It would be worth it solely for the explanation (and pronunciation) of the name.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm quite sure that no matter how I pronounced it, someone would be mad.

[@matthewkubinec1620]

I also like the Axel IIC. I remember when the person that designed it IRL announced it to the Ghost Bear thread on the official BattleTech forum. I'm personally partial to the Axel IIC 2 for it's ability to act as a more mobile sniper with it's ERLL, targeting computer, and XL fusion engine.

[@scytheseven9173]

Thanks for another video, MechFrog! It's good, as usual. It kind of bugs me how common XL and especially XXL fusion engines are in vehicles in the Dark Age and on, where they suffer almost none of the drawbacks and the massive C-Bill cost has conveniently gone away

[@MechanicalFrog]

*slaps the side of the tank* We can cram so many fusion reactions into this thing...

[@scytheseven9173]

@@MechanicalFrog it's so weird how it's super easy to fit XXL and Heavy Ferro-Fibrous Armor onto vehicles but not double heat sinks (meaning the most efficient energy vehicles are the otherwise-bad QuadVees

[@williamjanak2013]

Thank you for another fun video. It always baffled me why people only think of ICE or Fusion engines. Forgetting the Cell.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm a big fan of the Cell.

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

I used to have the IWM Rommel/Patton tanks they served me well painted them myself when Battletech practically died in my area I gave my miniatures to a friend who was moving away can't wait until my KS ships out cause I ordered the set that comes with the Rommel/Patton tanks

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh no!

[@Lucas-wq9tp]

idk if you take video request from non patrons but i will ask anyway, would you do a video about the mongoose cause it's arguably my favorite mech that doesn't get enough love

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm sure we will at some point.

[@Irondrone4]

The first Ral Partha metal minis I ever bought were a quartet of Pattons at GenCon. The whole reason I bought them was because I wanted some nice-looking tanks to go with my early CGL plastic 'Mechs. I only wish I'd bought more tanks.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Nice. Did you paint them up?

[@Irondrone4]

@@MechanicalFrog No, not yet.

[@WarhawkTalon]

I certainly like the thought behind your custom design. Feels like a scaled-down Demolisher, and the option of cluster rounds means it could fill an AA role in a pinch. And woe betide any infantry that end up in those sights.

[@Star-qc4br]

I always look forward to these GREAT vids! Such a wonderful distraction to a forthcoming crap-day at work... Keep flying that BATTLETECH flag high, Frog! THANK YOU, brother!!!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks for giving it a watch. I hope it improved your day.

[@Star-qc4br]

@@MechanicalFrog ALWAYS DOES!

[@joker4-172]

Great work as always! Love the Patton, especially when it works in a team. The Rommel is a perfect complement to it. Keep up the vehicle content. Also.. can you point me in the direction of the Taurain built models. As far as sources? Thank you sir.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks. The SB-Patton is in the XTRO-Periphery, and the Taurian is found in Rec Guide 27.

[@joker4-172]

@@MechanicalFrog thank you sir!

[@ogrehaslayers605]

Fantastic video Frog! The advertising was the cherry on top! Loved the quote from General Patton, as well. 👍 Want a challenge? Do a video on the Magi. It looks AWFUL on paper. But guess what? It's Pretty decent on the battlefield! Edited because I'm an idiot.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya. I'll have to ponder the Magi...

[@ogrehaslayers605]

​@@MechanicalFrogI called you Red. Damn. He's an awesome guy, but sorry. In my defense I had just worked a 13 hour overnight shift.😢

[@yecnay25]

Prefer the Axel but I’m a firm believer that if you’re putting fusion engines in tanks they better have PPCs or Large Pulse Lasers

[@MechanicalFrog]

A fair point, though consider how cool those unused heat sinks can keep the cabin on those hot Summer days.

[@mbr5742]

I would prefer a LB/X version. Good against squishies and Gen Soup in a KKKan

[@dallassukerkin6878]

:smiles: As I mentioned elsewhere, I started playing table-top BattleTech when it was first released and I was an RPG'er amidst mostly wargamers back then. They liked the 'Mechs but were always trying to figure out ways to get combined arms onto the field and, when vehicle rules became official, the table top battlefields were soon full of tanks, helicopters and infantry :chuckles: One thing that became apparent very quickly is that the lore of the game and the actuality of the rules did not marry up very well. Far from being lords of the battlefield, mechs were pretty much big walking targets for fast and maneuverable helicopters and hover tanks - something as fast as a Locust with an AC20 racing around behind and goosing you up your backside will ruin your whole day! Tanks don't have to worry about heat and, whilst they are more vulnerable to destruction when losing armour in a single location, you have to hit them first! In practice, Mechs were actually not so great when stacked up against an armoured vehicle unit. Mechs can of course go anywhere and can make orbital drops but that's a bit moot when it comes to comparing a straight up Mech versus Tank fight as the Mechs can only fight the Tanks where the Tanks can be.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah there's always been a bit of a challenge in getting the mechs to work well with tanks/VTOLs... forget about Aerospace fighters... that's a whole disaster of its own.

[@BrokenSeraphim]

My own personal Patton loadout: 260XL Fusion w/ Supercharger 15t of Ferrous Fibrous w/ CASE 1 HVAC/10 (Turret) - 3t ammo 1 Light AC/5 (Turret) - 2t ammo 1 ER Medium Laser (Front) 1 AMS (Front) - 1t ammo

[@MechanicalFrog]

Fierce...

[@jamesbeard5513]

The Patton, a simple and effective design that is meant to fill whatever role is needed. Have to respect it. Figured I'd go back trying to make my own designs, so here is a FedSuns style Patton. It installs a Light Engine to make room for all the weapon changes while trying to keep the cost on the low end. One of the first things is that it mounts 13.5 tons of Heavy FF, giving it a total of 267 points of armor. In the turret, it mounts a RAC-5 and a MML-9, an ER Medium Laser in the front and mounts a traditional Flamer to the rear. The RAC has 3 tons of ammo and the MML has two tons of ammo, both CASE-protected for the crew's safety. While I understand the 'no single big gun' mentality some have, I like the flexibility of weaponry as is and think the MML-9 makes a good secondary in this case. Your's is a pretty solid design, but feels like it is best as a supporter for other units.

[@MechanicalFrog]

That RAC-5 can be a beast.

[@bthsr7113]

I think some variation of SB is probably what I'd be most tempted to use. Barring that, Axel and standard.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Can't go wrong with the OG.

[@bthsr7113]

@@MechanicalFrog Especially on a tight budget.

[@readwatchlisten2863]

These tanks made fantastic OpFor for my friends in our campaign. If you need something that isn't too powerful but can still sting, look no further.

[@krissteel4074]

I wouldn't say I'm personally a fan of tanks, but I do make an exception for the Battletech tanks for virtue of still carving out their own niche in a sci-fi battle space. Filling in all those roles which you could do with a battlemech, but the mech will probably be more expensive tonne for tonne and require its own logistics train to keep it going, vehicles by comparison. Assuming you're not mixing a whole mess of different types together you could probably get away with more of them, for cheaper and there's sometimes just a case of getting something with a big gun in place for the right price. I mean, you could complain about track and suspension maintenance on tanks, then I think of the kind of infrastructure madness that would happen trying to fix ankles and knees on a heavy mech without it falling over into the biggest OH&S nightmare you could imagine. But mostly, they're a tangible link between our time and the future-Battletech universe we all understand, tanks make it feel a bit more grounded in a bit more tangible fiction in some ways. Same with aerospace fighters.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Very well put.

[@thumb-ugly7518]

I love the Patton 1MFer!

[@mbr5742]

I always wondered why the Lyrans did not use it for Artillery and LRM versions (instead of the Sturmfeuer)

[@ambientlight3876]

Great video as always! As for me In was never a particular fan of the Patton. A Fusion engine on a tank without significant energy weapons seemed to be a bit criminal to me. That said, it's good it didn't become just another Manticore. I'm also surprised there was never an attempt to speed up the tank with an XL engine.

[@MechanicalFrog]

We need a drag-racing version. STAT.

[@ambientlight3876]

Lol I agree! XXL version with supercharger!

[@demonicfleas]

I'm definitely going to give the 1MF a try. Going to need to find a 3D print of the Soviet heavy tank from C&C Red Alert to represent it on the table. Que Hell March lol

[@MechanicalFrog]

Double the fun with LB-10X cannister shot!

[@kathilmechworks4895]

Like the manticore its simple well armed and armored. Very rarely has ever let me down when deployed even immobilized it can still sit there and do damage.

[@MechanicalFrog]

So many good options...

[@sebastiang.5032]

Looking forward to receiving the tank minis from the Kickstarter. We'll be getting the Patton/Rommel, correct?

[@MechanicalFrog]

The Patton/Rommel is not in the Mercenaries kickstarter.

[@sebastiang.5032]

@@MechanicalFrog oh nooooo

[@lukedudley5030]

Great vid of a front line workhorse that does a good job of shocking those mech boys :-)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya. I hope I did the Patton justice.

[@Brigand231]

I knew you were a frog of culture; it's surprising how many folks don't know of or refuse to acknowledge the relationship between the Patton and the Rommel. How much ammo does the XL carry for the MML? ...and yes, the Rommel is the Hunchback of the tank world.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Two tons of ammo for the MML.

[@Brigand231]

That'll do tank, that'll do.

[@cmdrhatchy9611]

You made a Zhukov, Frog.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Did I?

[@marshall104]

I know Battletech is all about the big stompy robots, but why are the tanks always so much heavier and have worse loadouts than mechs? Patton VS CN9-A Centurion 260 engine 200 Engine 65 Tons 50 Tons 65 KPH 64 KPH 14.5 Tons armor 8.5 tons armor AC/10 AC/10 LRM 5 LRM 10 Small Laser Medium Laser Flamer Medium Laser

[@MechanicalFrog]

Because we can't have nice things.

[@michaelsudsysutherland5353]

No s@#$ there we were back in '14... At the FLGS, I got back into BT with the only miniatures I had at the time, a platoon of Patton/Rommel tanks and a platoon of LRM Carriers. My buddy ran a Marauder and a Dervish, and I ran a mixed platoon of armor consisting of two Pattons and two LRM Carriers. I managed to force the Dervish off the field due to damage, but lost all my LRM Carriers in the process (the Dervish might have destroyed both it's legs on a failed DFA of one of the tanks, but that might be from a different game...). Facing the Marauder alone, one of my Pattons scored a critical hit on the CT with a pair of six on my dice, when the damage was dealt, the Marauder's gyro was down, and the tanks held the field of battle.

[@omegavulture8379]

Time get your Patt ON!

[@MechanicalFrog]

LET'S GET IT ON!

[@sim.frischh9781]

I wonder whether the vehicle would fare well as a support unit if you put in an ICE that gives it a 3/5/0 movement with two AC5s, it would at least increase the range. The MF version is some serious firepower, but the XL reactor will also make it EXPENSIVE!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Imagining the look on the mechwarrior's face when they turn the corner and get a double cannister shot of LB-10X is priceless...

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog Well at least for the tank crew this will be a BLAST XD

[@MrFleem]

If we have a Patton variant called the Rommel, shouldn't there be others named after other generals? Like, how about a de Gaulle or Montgomery?

[@MechanicalFrog]

How about the Schwarzkopf?

[@stephenknizek2651]

I know C-Bill competitions are passee, but as a merc I must say that’s my only viable measuring stick. For the price of one Patton, I can get two Bulldogs. Would that Patton be able to knock out both Bulldogs before being knocked out itself?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Probably not. But if you buy two Pattons for the price of three, I can offer you this cool pine tree air freshener.

[@louiswilkins9624]

Nice tank, more battle armor please 🥺

[@gryphon3241]

played a fog of war game with PDF forces against a kuritan not long after getting into the game. played peekabo with a couple of pattons to lure some of his mechs into the city, and then surprise demolisher 🤣i lost, but for some basic 5/5 or 5/6 tankers against mechs they did pretty well. I've had a soft spot for the patton ever since

[@MechanicalFrog]

Lots of people are going to discover just how tough Tanks can be when the Kickstarter stars arriving in a few months.

[@gammaknight2215]

Is there a website where your curated all your variants?

[@MechanicalFrog]

What do you mean by curated?

[@gammaknight2215]

@@MechanicalFrog in one place for all to see and enjoy.

[@cargo_vroom9729]

I think the Patton could use C3 versions to really help a lance of them focus fire. Pity that's more a Kurita thing than a Steiner/Davion one.

[@Dreadwolf3155]

sweet, another tank video!

[@MechanicalFrog]

and how!

[@michaelmoolick9419]

To me, even more so than the Merlin, these represented the end of the tech loss of the succession wars. A sign military-industrial complexes had hit the nadir and were on the upswing again. You could argue the Merlin did this better, but unless my impression is wrong they made a lot more of these and they showed up in a lot more places.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Definitely a lot more Pattons out there than Merlins. Not that there's anything bad about the Merlin.

[@hermes7587]

The Patton is a very solid design, altough it lacks a bit in the offense. While the AC/10 is a good main weapon, the Patton doesn´t make use the fact that is has a fusion engine and thus 10 heat sinks. E.g. a pair of medium lasers would be a nice addition. The armor is exceptional for a tank but it is still a tank and tanks suffer a lot from motive hits. As a result most Pattons will end as mobility kills but may be not completely destroyed. From the crew´s perspective this is of course very nice but in the board game it doesn´t matter that much. Most of the ugrades are useful and indeed upgrades to the base model. My favorite is the Rommel Gauss variant form TRO:Upgrades. This tank is a true Mech killer.

[@MechanicalFrog]

So you're saying it needs a Plasma Rifle?

[@hermes7587]

@@MechanicalFrog For the Patton a plasma rifle would be a good choice because of the versatility of this weapon. The range might be an issue in that era. The other obvious choice would be a PPC but we already have the Manticore.

[@Renigade16]

The Patton is great but the Rommel has that sweet sweet AC20 🥵. Also I want my opponent to know I'm not here to "Free them". I'm here to *Conquer* them. 😂

[@BlueLightning12]

Yeah unfortunately from what I've been hearing recently the Rommel has been retconned out of the game.

[@MechanicalFrog]

That is not true. It's just not getting any active updating. You can still field the Rommel at official events. It's still part of the lore.

[@MechanicalFrog]

"I'm here to liberate you from your autonomy..."

[@jocylinfrancis930]

Tank time!!!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Tank time! Tank time!

[@DIEGhostfish]

I pnce thought of running a Patton Rommel Zhukov unit for the meme.

[@MechanicalFrog]

good times had by all.

[@gregdomenico1891]

So the 1MF is...an upgraded Zukhov?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hmm... possibly.

[@PaganPilot]

imho, the Axel should've been CarolusRex, Gustov, or some other Swedish military leader b/c Rasahauge and to keep with naming pattern

[@MechanicalFrog]

A good idea.

[@MOrab46019]

Have the metal minis. Am hoping the plastic ones do not change too much.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah I don't expect they will look radically different.

[@Ironclockwork]

This video is now making me suspect that Mechfrog works on the sly as a sales executive for Defiance Industries.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I accept payments in the form of cookies and slightly uncomfortable flattery.

[@BoisegangGaming]

MechFrog, i am very disappointed once again that the Patton MF lacks at least one plasma rifle.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I don't know what is going on... it's all coming crashing down... woe... woe...

[@DIEGhostfish]

I like thr Gauss Rommel a bit more.

[@MechanicalFrog]

To each their own...

[@KageRyuu6]

I mean it's a nice starting point but if you put a Fusion Engine on a vehicle then you really need to use all of those Heat Sinks to justify the cost, because the Fuel Cell is superior in most every way.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I suppose because fuel cells weren't a thing yet.

[@hammer1349]

Was it the rommel that orginally had a PPC?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Don't think so.

[@michealcormier2555]

Besides cost, what are the tradoffs of installing a XL engine into a vehicle?

[@MechanicalFrog]

XL Fusion engines take up "Two slots of item space." A standard ICE or Fusion Engine don't take up any.

[@jeremysaklad6703]

No mention of the Axel IIC? I suppose it is a rather severe departure from the rest…

[@MechanicalFrog]

I didn't want to get too far from the plot.

[@oninojohn]

I like spacetank

[@MechanicalFrog]

Spacetank likes you!

[@monostripeexplosiveexplora2374]

an underdog tank game in the Battletech universe could be fun.. Gaijin pls? ;=P

[@MechanicalFrog]

Would probably be very fun.

[@wartmcbeighn]

i think i prefer the MF version to the rest........KISS principle in action

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hope the mechwarrior is wearing their brown shorts.

[@Stormbreaker613UA]

Thx for video, but i wanna ask then: ALACORN WHEN?)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hmm... some day?

[@Stormbreaker613UA]

@@MechanicalFrog ok)

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

I once used 2 platoons of Pattons to utterly ruin the day of some Mechwarriors.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Excellent...

[@bthsr7113]

I like the Axel a lot more than the rommy.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Either way is good.

[@WolfhoundPilot]

Why am I watching this on a Jade Falcon monitor?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Because of that thing you did in 2007 that you thought no one saw. But we saw...

[@WolfhoundPilot]

@@MechanicalFrog Bruh...that was ONE TIME. One too many Timbiqui Darks, the mech techs dared me and I've never done it since. Can we get some holovid projectors in here now?

[@christianholzschuh6853]

Tanks like the Demolisher or Manticore might look intimidating... Yeah! Double Ultra AC-20, what a joke!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Pew pew?

[@ChubbsMcgoo]

Do the Rommel next.

[@MechanicalFrog]

This video covers the Rommel.

[@covahredro8370]

No Plasma Ca(I can't say that word on this platform, no joke😢) this time?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Gotta keep you guessing.

[@covahredro8370]

@@MechanicalFrog But it's just Mech Frog without Jump Jets and Plasma Ca...ns lol.

[@JosephMitchell-zw3db]

It works

[@MechanicalFrog]

That it does... that it does...

[@anselmoffrisia2930]

The Patton isn't bad, but it could use jump jets.

[@MechanicalFrog]

How about a bird? Should we put a bird on it?

[@anselmoffrisia2930]

@@MechanicalFrog are we talking totem tanks? I didn't think Jade Falcons cared much for tanks. Give it 4 legs and a horse head and we're on to something! 🐴🔥

[@michaelpfister1283]

A solid tank can be a real asset on the field. Just don't use an XL engine! LOL And I have to mention: Your 1MF variant looks an aweful lot like a Zhukov. ;-)