Why Do We Love The Howler / Baboon?

Today, we take a look at another plucky light Clan battlemech, the Howler!
The Howler MF Variant - www.dropbox.co...
Join this channel to support the creation of future videos and access our Discord!:
/ @mechanicalfrog
BattleTech imagery remains the property of Topps.
Some imagery/video from Pixabay
#BattleTech #Mechwarrior #CatalystGameLabs #lore

[@Xynar]

I like how they retcon'ed the Devil in since it was a heavier light Mech from an old FASA flyer. But the most shocking part of the Howler? No heavy laser variants. 😂

[@MechanicalFrog]

Shocked and appalled. I wish to speak to a manager at CGL...

[@stormcrow28]

Heh they brought the Devil back in the Dark Age as well in addition to the Baboon variant. Then we also have to add in the Pack Hunter and Pack Hunter II, because a Clan ER PPC deserves 4 fast light second line chassis to mount it on.

[@danielcarman296]

@@Xynar Wasn’t the original ER PPC Howler called the Mandril?

[@JadeHarpy]

"Do it for her." on a sticky note next to a picture of Joanna? Truly a man after my own heart

[@MechanicalFrog]

A woman too angry to die.

[@Darren_Xero]

I'm surprised the Green Birds can see through what's good from the bad in the MONKE mech, like how they see values in the controversial Hellbringer

[@MechanicalFrog]

The early Falcons were pretty savvy. They didn't become one of the most powerful clans through sheer happenstance.

[@Bomfunker91]

I don't know what it is about the Howler, but I can't help but like it. Visually it's a really cool design, and its base loadout is quirky, neat and deceptively capable.

[@alirizvi1986]

Epic intro music, I was vibing. I scoffed when I saw the title, but I'm now intrigued. I chuckled at the Caddyshack reference, intended or not.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Very much intended.

[@keebbles]

We used Baboons/Howlers in Arena matches. Went with Heavy Battlefists in each arm or claws. Improved Jump Jets w/vector control, to allow for mid jump or sprint speed boost. Reinforced frame. TSM. And almos maxed armor for weight. Weapons were mounted on a turret on each shoulder. 2 small pulse lasers each and a lrm 5. Ammo in case II. CT had a pair of ER mediums or went wit 4 er smalls in a 1/2/1 configuration on the torsos. 2 tons of ammo split in half tons. EMP/Hydra/Fascam A/ & std LRM to allow prepping battlefield, hampering heat, movement and heat dissipation of enemies w the EMP. Landmines set to FoF allowed approach control. Designed to run hot, sinking is barely enough, but will maximize TSM when needed. The melee capabilities-pardon the pun- allowed the mech to punch or claw well above its weight class. Small, agile, and most of all annoying if they got time to prep field and plan an ambush. What was good cover might end up being your funeral pyre instead. To make it more annoying one mech in lance was given an active probe and the others ecm allowing them full star coverage and using probe to ferret out armor or spotter mechs in cover. See ammo and above for how it was handled. Star was as above 1 with probe 2 w ecm. Best addition was 2 vixens. On firefox version, one standard mg gunner using pulse and mgs. Though I'd liked to have gone with a long range sniper and a mid range control mech in same tonnage. Most matches ended up with naked but still mostly intact baboons and support either destroyed or nearly untouched. EMP, hydra or incendiary, and mines were game changers. Speed and sensors to get to an ambush location first and suss out enemy composition before they did was often key to victory. Easy on point costs too. Allowing reinforced stars or upgrading the 2 other mechs. A version with rocket pack 10s was also a good showy supplement. Though limited salvos made them less scary after a point blank unloading. Unless target mech was crippled from rockets and mines already. The TSM would allow for hand carry weapons up to 3.5 tons in each hand, or 1 upto 7 tons if uses both. Best were 10 shot chem laser rifles or 10 shot plasma cannon (not rifle) that would be dropped once empty or once CQ combat was possible. Since we used Sol7 ruleset, Spectacularity was needed to sway crowds and increase rewards. A speedy baboon carrying a two handed chainsaw or vibroblade would definitely please the crowd and make opponent's butt clench tightly. Jumpjets w improved vector control allowed surprises to come from any side in city maps. Best fight we had was the howler vixen star vs a Daishi B and 4 Fleas. Daishi got emp'd right off and fleas cleared mines mostly because they didn't see them. Three got legged right off the bat at full speed that turn. Last got cooked by firefox. Vixen w lg pulse kept attention of daishi as it struggled to make sense of sensors. Then we focused on Daishi and clawed legs out forcing surrender. 4 of their five mechs survived but surrendered as the were at mercy and mostly immobile. Took slightly under six rounds after first round of prep. We didn't expect the fleas to wolfpack and basically clear mines the hardway and all fail piloting checks. RNG Jesus wasn't on our opponent's side that match. He tried to minmax points by saving on fleas and using them in swarm tactics and distract our star so his Daishi could pick us apart. He'd have done better to lead with the Big D and stop once he discovered mines and then cleared them w/ppc fire. Then flanked with fleas to each side out of visual. He even had 20% more points than us as opfor. It was glorious, fleas never got back in range or LOS to help save the Big D. We got the nickname Sun Tsu and the Monkey Kings. From battlefield control and knowing our enemy. The monkey king ref was self evident due to the gorilla like builds of the howlers with reinforced frames and tsm.

[@Timberjac]

The Howler, should have a quirk that was something like having a +1 to pass the piloting checks, since of all the mech, it is the one that has it easiest to lean on his arms and not lose balance without too much effort. Although possibly the narrow/low profile, save more life to this mech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Well it does have the narrow/low profile quirk.

[@Brigand231]

If anything, the lack of symmetry should make it off-balanced.

[@bthsr7113]

@@Brigand231 Yeah, that old art make it look especially prone to falling over. Not to mention how it drastically increases the vertical profile... though that's not entirely bas, as it could be used to peak over cover, then again, that's not exactly needed to achieve proper indirect fire with LRM pods.

[@MKmaki6094]

There's already a mexh that does that in the form of the Mandrill, which uses its arms as impromptu quad legs lol

[@Szoki86]

Hey, it's that crazy cheap filler mech you take when you have some leftover BV and which will spam indirect fire LRMs all game long and then some, because it has HEAPS of ammo. I've lost count how many times that little guy has managed to score a critical hit or helped to topple a much bigger enemy machine. The little MVP.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Easy to underestimate the little guy.

[@jeremysaklad6703]

I'm not convinced the Howler 1 has much going for it over a Combat Vehicle, though. ATMs benefit quite a bit from the maneuverability of a BattleMech, especially a light one, but LRMs alone? Not really.

[@BoisegangGaming]

Cracks me up that Clan Fire Mandrill killed itself off in the IlClan era and nobody noticed

[@MechanicalFrog]

At least the monkeymech lives on.

[@TygerYasha]

A searchlight on the shoulder? Sold!

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's all we really need or want.

[@Snaillearningacademy]

The Howler 6 with the SRM turret feels like a mongol doctrine mech. You could use a couple of them to circle strafe and driveby enemy targets. It's also available on the MUL for jade falcon and hells horses.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It does fit with that mode of play.

[@urlond9371]

Straight into the action today.. I wasn't prepared today.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Diving in.

[@strcmdrbookwyrm]

This again reminds me of a custom design of my own that I'm a bit attached too, which I call the Forerunner. While I don't remember all the details, I do remember that it was fast and carried a pair of LRM 5s (and a medium laser). I specifically remember that I chose the two LRM 5s because the one ton of weight saved is what allowed everything to fit. It had the same roll as the Howler, stay on the edges of the battlefield and harass foes with LRM fire. It also had a wide, squat torso that resulted in the arms nearly reaching the ground. As a result, mechwarriors would often perform "hand break turns" when changing direction at high speed, often shredding the hand actuators of earlier models. I'm also surprised there isn't a heavy laser variant of the howler. I think it could actually make use of a Medium Heavy Laser. A single MHL could give it a good punch up close, even if the accuracy is a bit worse, and it could most likely handle the heat load of a single MHL. If such a variant was to be made, I'd do it by removing a LRM 5 and one ton of ammo. One ton would go to the MHL, the other would go toward either another ton of armor or another DHS, whichever was needed more.

[@MechanicalFrog]

We can't put a heavy laser on everything! :D

[@devianttoast5828]

You aren't trying hard enough.@@MechanicalFrog

[@MechanicalFrog]

fair. @@devianttoast5828

[@catboxvideo]

was always a fan of the Devil from way back when it was introduced with the RoadRunner... they were on their own pull out, from a magazine... i think i still have the pull out in with my books, will have to look. I used devils to trash a mate of mine who always ran Wolfs Dragoons - Devils and what I dubbed Lil'Devil - remove ERPPC for ERMLs and others for LPL - the refits were field repairs, but when your opponent is not expecting a nova of Devils N Elementals (stndrd n gnome) was a lot of fun peeling back the Dtagoons plot armor ..

[@MKmaki6094]

I have a soft spot for Clan Lights because of the specialization they took to most designs. A lot of them have a distinct personality you could physically see, reminds me of how I'd build my Armored Core builds. Also *mmmm* m o n k e

[@MechanicalFrog]

I really do dig their character. Also, monkey.

[@shawnarmitage7955]

God, guns, and Battletech. Always found the Howler to be fun.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad to hear it.

[@bogatyr2473]

TRO 3055 had a bizarre fascination with the LRM-5. Howler is it at peek. It is a quirk on the design rules that a triple LRM-5 is a ton lighter than an LRM-15. It can also technically crot seek better due to LRM grouping by weapon.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Some prefer to make three to-hit rolls instead of one all or nothing roll, too.

[@KageRyuu6]

The movement modifiers are +1 at 3h, +2 at 5h, +3 at 7h, +4 at 10h, then a monumental leap to +5 at 18h, then +6 at 25h. Now ideally lights should have a +4, making 7/11 the bare minimum in my eyes.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Always Be Moving.

[@robrib2682]

Hmm... *monke* Edit: in all seriousness though it's nice to see an inexpensive mech being used by the clans that is probably designed for backline service as well as primarily teaching their mechwarriors how to stand up without falling over. Although from that perspective I think of the lack of armor is a feature of this design because with the amount of resources they pour into making them as elite as they are they are, experienced pilots could just shoot off the things arms with a sniper mech to teach the sibcos how you stand up in a situation like that.

[@greysonjones5429]

When i saw this mech i thought, "Dang, thats a cool shoulder missile launcher, im gonna upgrade its lrm" And thus the "Angel" variant was born. LRM-15, more armor, 16 rounds of ammo, and a light ppc. Overall, a solid variant that allows for fewer rolls and gives it a backup weapon if it runs through its ammo

[@MechanicalFrog]

Are you getting that with an XL engine swap?

[@greysonjones5429]

@@MechanicalFrog no actually, I believe I'm getting it by accidentally making it a 30 ton mech lol. Didn't realize I did that when I was building it haha, that explains why I was able to fit so much stuff into it 😂 I thought it was strange that I was able to get so much more out of it, and that explains it. A whole 10 extra tons

[@elchjol2777]

​@@greysonjones5429 Seems you made a Howler II. Or maybe make it unrelated to the original chassis if you want. Sounds like quite a nice mech overall.

[@gregdomenico1891]

Why do I love the Howler? Because when I need a Clan Double Heatsink Kit for a better IS mech, I just go up to the JF Occupation Zone, beat up on a Garrason Cluster full of Howlers, and salvage them off the wreck's.😅

[@CaptainBanjo-fw4fq]

Lol

[@milankostic2571]

Story time is after your shift ends, bondsman 😜

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hah.

[@samuelbennett3441]

The IlKhan doesn't want you to know this, but Howlers are free you can just take them into your dropship. I have 458 Howlers.

[@gregdomenico1891]

​@@samuelbennett3441left overs after Malvina lost on Terra?

[@bthsr7113]

LRM lights can be SO deliciously annoying with mobile indirect fire. And this one has just enough to be considered dangerous. Even if the Mandrill is tempting in its superior firepower (at the cost of endurance and mobility.)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely.

[@haileysaint5443]

The Howler 3 reminds me of the Pack Hunter designed by those dirty dogs of Clan Wolf-in-Exile; I like it. The Howler MF sounds like a good design, too. My own Howler 7 - created before I saw this video - is based off of the Howler 2; however, it drops 2 of the ATM-3s to add in CASE II, an ECM Suite, and a turret for the right torso as well as allowing it to carry 4 tons of ATM ammo; although I did give it an XL engine, FF armor, and Endo Steel, too, so it's also....pricey.

[@joshuaturnquist5538]

YEAH! It's not impressive, it's not strong, but it's a useful cutie. Not many clan mechs have a low enough battle value to be filler in classic battletech. It's sort of a Locust in role, more than the actual Locust IIC. It's a nice scout mech with the ammo capacity to load up on smoke and mine ammo to support your real mechs. The later variants with SRMs and braces of lasers are also pretty good. Useful for backstabbing or sandblasting mechs with exposed structure.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's good to have the option around to toss one in.

[@greysonjones5429]

I think the little dude is more like a Valkyrie - Good speed, cheap light fire support to be a filler for bigger stuff or to support lighter and faster moving mecha

[@bthsr7113]

With 3 tons of ammo, there is very much room for ammo types to play.... or you could just be a cheeky direct fire sniper with the ERPPC + Targeting Computing.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Leaning toward sniper.

[@mberryman7720]

Teenage Me's baby, the terror of the 90s school battletech games. They others players Would fear the Timber Wolfs and get shot to hell by the baboon from long range

[@MechanicalFrog]

Excellent...

[@knightmarethe1st]

I know people complain about all of the weapons being in one torso but I bet more often than not most survive with weapons intact but no arms or even the opposite torso gone. It's a good mech.

[@ero9841]

This mech and great wyrm are perfect for low bv games.

[@scytheseven9173]

At least the Snow Ravens knew what to do with it

[@MechanicalFrog]

That is a fun looking variant.

[@potsperm1666]

Why Do We Love The Howler / Baboon?- because it looks soo dang cute, seyla! thx again for the rs :)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Indeed...

[@Ironclockwork]

Looking at the Howler’s silhouette just makes me think of a jaunty pizza delivery man with a stack of pizzas to deliver… with a hefty topping of pain and missiles.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Now I can't unsee that.

[@devianttoast5828]

I'll be honest, I feel like the Howler is the Clan equivalent of an urbanmech- An extraordinarily cheap, easy to use garrison mech that can hit far above its own weight. Where the Urbie has a heavy punch and heavy armor, the Howler has deep magazines and high evasion, but I feel upgrading the Howler defeats the purpose of it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Tough, but fair.

[@Tatsu_of_Liao]

Good look on a commonly overlooked mech!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya.

[@derekburge5294]

Oh, I *like* the 3. ErPPC and a TC on a mech that small? Hell yes. I'll take two.

[@MechanicalFrog]

5 for the price of 6. Special deal just for you.

[@derekburge5294]

@@MechanicalFrog Ah, bidding! Finally! 5 for the price of *7!*

[@Ichaerus]

Why do I love the Howler? One word: Searchlight.

[@MechanicalFrog]

A powerful draw, for sure.

[@franksmedley7372]

Hello Frog. There is a 'good' version of the Howler 5. Upgrade the engine to XL, add half a ton of armor, lost the 6th ER Medium Laser, and add 3 Clan DSHS for a total of 13. This keeps the Mech pretty much like the original Howler 5 in speed, with a tiny boost to armoring. What makes the Howler-5-X3 'special' is those extra heat sinks, and the 'loss' of the 6th Laser. A full 'run' and 'dump' the Mech generates 27 heat. With 13 DSHS, you can cool 26, and thus only slowly heat up over time.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Going to ponder that one.

[@Illianor123]

I really enjoy these vids, a great way to learn, or relearn, about BT

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you like them!

[@kierdalemodels]

I love the look of it, for starters. The CGL mini has a cool strut to it. And the mech itself, as you said, is not a hard hitter but can keep out there, not a priority target but constantly chipping at the enemy. I have one for my Ravens but would love to get another and convert it into a 3/Devil. Or a 6. I need two more!😅

[@MechanicalFrog]

It does have the swagger.

[@thecuriousanthropologist]

This is a really nifty design looks-wise, and I appreciate what they were doing with it in terms of systems and weapons. I truly think it is something that would be really useful to fill those leftover points and still be useful while doing it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya. I think the Howler is neat and doesn't get as much play due to a very crowded light clan mech field.

[@thecuriousanthropologist]

@@MechanicalFrog Indeed. And there is a strong overlap in roles, too. It's difficult to stand out in that croud.

[@matthewpena3932]

I do like this mech in classic and only played the original and alpha strike. I will need to try out some of the other versions.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hopefully, they're fun.

[@matthewpena3932]

@@MechanicalFrog Much more fun in classic vs AS.

[@malcolmtudor8039]

Nice Caddy Shack reference.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The world needs ditch diggers too...

[@sim.frischh9781]

With the phrase "Speed is love, speed is live", junkies might agree as well XD The ER Medium variant is nice, but i would go for 5 lasers and one additional DHS. ERPPC version will make for a magnificent sniper. I would also like to add that we like it because for something as powerful and lethal, the Howler looks kinda cute ;)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Fair appraisal. The mech has charm.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog It´s mostly the limbs, they make the entire thing appear smaller than it is supposed to be, and what´s small is cute. Though i doubt the mech warriors getting lobbed 15 LRMs at them would agree with my impression.

[@jjsheets330]

A kerfuffle of shenanigans

[@MechanicalFrog]

All the kerfuffles of shenanigans.

[@DapperRaccoon]

I've yet to actually use a howler in gameplay, though both my clan forces have one. Definitely on the "to try" list.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely.

[@Nikotheos]

If you don’t paint the butt red, you’re doing it wrong!

[@harbingerx7793]

Oh baby gimme that Howler 3!

[@MechanicalFrog]

gimmie gimmie...

[@Gillymonster18]

It’s a neat little mech. Now if only CGL made an Owens, the IS could have a tiny support mech, too.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hopefully, we'll start seeing more mechs in plastic very soon. Once they're done with their latest box of Urbanmechs.

[@Gillymonster18]

@@MechanicalFrog having only gotten into examining tabletop within the last couple months, I had only been exposed to the Urbie of the memes and then I saw your Urbie IIC vid. It really is a genuinely crap mech. Didn’t stop me from painting the AC-20 variant like Robocop but beyond the Urbie LAM (because it is the ultimate stupid), I could handle CGL being done with the Urbie memes for a while.

[@androssthered1157]

​@@MechanicalFrog and a LAM urbie pack at the..... please stop trying to bring back robotech guys.

[@nukenuked5749]

thanks for the new video mate

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hope you enjoyed it.

[@nukenuked5749]

i did mate and we need more more mech lore videos@@MechanicalFrog

[@Kepora1]

I like the devil, but I'd swap two lasers for ER Smalls and add another heatsink or more armor.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Fair switch up.

[@Kepora1]

@@MechanicalFrog I'm thinking about it now...whatvwoukd an 8 or 10 ER small build look like? Mini clan Hunchback!

[@johnnythompson3734]

I am a willing charger pilot, so I'll be fine in the howler variety 4

[@MechanicalFrog]

You're just happy with any ol' piece of garbage mech then. :D

[@johnnythompson3734]

@@MechanicalFrog well yes and no the acceptions to the rule are the thorn, the hornet, the hoplite, the urban mech, and the bombardier

[@gwin2719]

It’s a really nice looking mech, I’d love to see more look like it

[@MechanicalFrog]

It has charm.

[@louiswilkins9624]

Nice support mech

[@MechanicalFrog]

Cheap, and functional. It works.

[@georgesulea]

I'd team a star of these with a lance of Hollanders. The long distance damage and annoyance to others would be prodigious:)

[@MechanicalFrog]

That would be something.

[@robbyrocketpants]

It’s the filler mech. For when you absolutely positively have to bring a full clan star but are short on points.

[@Brigand231]

This mech has always offended my sense of symmetry. Burn it with fire. That said, it's not bad fire support for its tonnage.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Aww.

[@rickusjamesus]

We did a Clan full zellbrigen campaign and i took a Howler. Sadly no one else took a mech smaller than 35 tons do it did not fair well

[@MechanicalFrog]

uh oh...

[@ambientlight3876]

I actually made a 25 ton Inner Sphere version of this 'mech using only 3025 tech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Did you call it the Reeces?

[@Fenris86]

Return to LRMoneky!

[@MechanicalFrog]

It does what it wants... It's the monkeymech.

[@ShawnEnge]

I want to like the Howler - and on paper it looks like a solid light. Aesthetically though - I jus't can't. I mean, I know it's a Totem 'Mech, trying to help represent the Mandrill's - but bloody 'eck that thing is fugly, with a capital FUG

[@MechanicalFrog]

Aww... I think it's kind of cute.

[@ShawnEnge]

@@MechanicalFrog I mean, it's an improvement over the original IWM sculpt, but it's still... well look at it haha

[@philippauli8162]

So...not only is the Howler 3 a Looney Tunes homage...its basically a Pack Hunter isnt it? Great video as always Frog!

[@MechanicalFrog]

I can see that. Thanks for giving it a go!

[@FanimusMaximus]

Needs more Fire Mandrill lore. 😉

[@MechanicalFrog]

We do.

[@Geeko170]

I’ve used this mech several times and I love the look, but I have yet to have a good use of it. And never because of enemy action. All because of bad luck. I had on blow it masc on turn one. I had one fail a skid check and dropped a building on itself. And the two other times it just underdelivered or was out of position. I’m gonna have to try it again, and just see if it works.

[@MechanicalFrog]

unlucky... maybe fourth time is the charm.

[@Geeko170]

Well the next would be the 5th.

[@omegavulture8379]

I believe the correct spelling is ba-boom.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Kababoon!

[@MaxSabbath666]

Which is nice.

[@beskar66]

Howl to the legend of the Jade Phoenix

[@MechanicalFrog]

The woman too angry to die.

[@lukedudley5030]

As always a joy to watch :-) the baboon is such a strange little mech in its original configuration...why not just put on a bigger lrm as the 5 is such a useless weapon with only 2 missiles hitting on average :-) much rather have the valkyrie if I'm honest :-) gotta love a mech that can hit from long range for hardly any damage but still can't be ignored

[@Omniseed]

3xLRM5 is 3 tons, a single LRM15 is 3.5 tons, a light mech really needs all of those half tons for armor

[@lukedudley5030]

@Omniseed to be fair on average an lrm 10 would hit just as hard as 3 lrm 5 with the cluster table...that's why I prefer the valkyrie lrm 10 and medium laser about the same BV and cheaper if you use cbills like we do...I see your point but it's lucky the clan lrm have no minimum range or the original would be over shadowed by its inner sphere counter parts :-)

[@MechanicalFrog]

I do love the Valkyrie...

[@wraith7989]

Did anyone else paint this thing with a red butt? Or was it just me?

[@MechanicalFrog]

A moral imperative.

[@kenlove9186]

Going forward. Do you think you could list them in chronological order instead of model number? That way we can better see the progression through time as the design evolves.

[@MechanicalFrog]

They are in chronological order.

[@lexington476]

Wait a minute, did I miss it? was there no heavy lasers on this design 🤨?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Crazy, right?

[@jeremysaklad6703]

Hold on, the Howler 6 has a shoulder turret? On a 'Mech with no other weapons and the Extended Torso Twist quirk? That seems almost useless.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Counterpoint: Turrets. :D

[@jeremysaklad6703]

@@MechanicalFrog BattleMech arms are basically articulated turrets with delusions of grandeur. Tripods and QuadVees have their entire torso act as a turret. Quad 'Mechs and the rare head turret also have a full range of motion. Checking the firing arc diagram: wouldn't the Howler 6 have exactly the same coverage *without* the turret? It can torso-twist twice, so it can hit even things directly behind it. If there were weapons that weren't in that same turret, you'd at least be able to shoot in different directions if you wanted to.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's just about 360 with the turret and the extended turn.

[@jeremysaklad6703]

@@MechanicalFrog I just checked in MegaMek: it's 360 degrees of SRM coverage *without* the turret. I guess you can punch or illuminate things while shooting other things? By the way, the Howler 6 seems like it'd be heat-neutral even with single heat sinks.

[@onethousandmuffins6842]

Not a huge fan of LRM 5’s in general, but the rest of the variants are about as good as one can expect from a 20 ton mech lol

[@MechanicalFrog]

The variants seem to have something for every taste. Except Heavy Lasers...

[@lexington476]

Another good video Frog, 4 out of 5 🙂.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Always striving for that 5th gold star.

[@cliffcampbell8827]

...but why design a light with 3 LRM 5's? Then stack all 3 of them on top of the right shoulder? I never thought this mech was a good design when I first saw it in sourcebook 3055 (back when FASA still called the shots). Are you going to do one of these videos on the T-IT-10M Grand Titan? Quite possibly my favorite IS 100 ton assault mech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Not outside the realm of possibility, though initially, I'm sticking to clan mechs.

[@cliffcampbell8827]

@@MechanicalFrog Is your reasoning for sticking to clan mechs because they're the best or are there other reasons?

[@MechanicalFrog]

1. I'm a fan of the Clans and that sets me apart a bit from other YT creators. My POV is going to be different. 2. Many of the Inner Sphere mechs have been recently covered and I don't want to step on toes.

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

Not a mech I ever even considered for use, I simply did not see any advantage to the 3x LRM-5's in a mech so light. I do like your MF variant. Thinking outside the box, may I ask have you considered flamers in place of the micro lasers? The additional heat of flamers might make an interesting option for shutting down mechs already impaired thermally due to the Plasma Cannon. Not just by direct attack, but by using a 'scorched Earth' attack and lighting the local terrain on fire to increase demand on already overtaxed cooling systems. Inferno missiles could add to this odd attack option as well, especially if your combat is taking place on an already hot field of battle.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Possibly, though I tend to avoid "all one thing" builds ie: flamers and plasma together.

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

@@MechanicalFrog Understandable

[@ThelemicPotter]

I can't understand the variant numbering for the life of me?

[@MechanicalFrog]

It boils down to when the Inner Sphere folk first encounter the variant, since they're usually presented from the IS point of view.

[@JosephMitchell-zw3db]

I do not understand why no mechs use VLS

[@mathewkelly9968]

The ones without LRM are better

[@nexusofice9135]

Depends on the application

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's nice to have the options for very different loadouts.

[@neobushidaro]

If you don't paint its ass bright red you're doing it wrong

[@MechanicalFrog]

That's exactly what Mrs.MechFrog said...

[@Kingofdragons117]

What is that paintjob in the opening?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Those are my Steel Falcons. My interpretation of a Post Malvina force of Jade Falcons off on their own.

[@miafillene4396]

Enh. I never liked the Howler. Its okay, but not my cuppa.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Well that's ok. Maybe I'll get you on the next one!

[@ZombieSexmachine]

You mentioned the NARC really helped your lance but did the plasma rifle help as well on your custom mech?

[@MechanicalFrog]

It did not really deliver in this game as it only hit a few times. Once on a Jagermech that just shrugged it off.