THE MARAUDER | One of the most well known Mechs ever and start of a new generation | Battletech lore

Generic greetings. This week's lore video is on the Marauder. One of the most famous and well known battlemechs of all time. Intended originally to usher in a new generation of designers, mechs and warfare. The marauder instead had to settle for being unshakably badass and unflinchingly cool. So settle in and enjoy half an hour of marauder memes and an overview of this lore.
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Some of the art in this video was graciously provided by the BlackPantsLegion and the awesome artists they work with. Check them out bellow.
The Black Pants Legion: (theblackpantsl...)
EldoniousRex: (x.com/Eldoniou...) ( / astray3 )
DCBruins: (x.com/DCBruins...) ( / sirdubdub )
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[@riptors9777]

Correction about the unseen copyright situation: The copyright work WAS legal. The ACTUAL issue is that Battletech had the IP rights for the mechs FROM THE JAPANESE DESIGNERS (so no "copying".. they paid to be able to use these designs), and Harmony Gold who sued Fasa had the distribution rights for the shows from the SHOW OWNERS. Two very different IP rights... FASA back in the day did not have the money to fight this in the courts, not to mention that international copyright law back then was a nightmarian labyrinth. So in short: they simply mothballed the designs so that harmony gold had no reason to sue anymore and kept it that way. Some time passes and MWO enters the stage: PGI wanted to make money, they knew Battletech grognards would act like a horde of moneythrowing chimps on steroids if they brought back the unseen.. so they did. And harmony gold tried being harmony gold: Sueing for copyrights that they didnt have. How do we know they didnt have these copyrights? CAUSE THEY LOST! Infact they lost so badly that they settled out of court, the whole case was dismissed with prejudice, and harmony gold was never heard of again in battletech related matters...thats right.. not only for MWO but for ALL battletech products! Thats how bad their legal standing was actually. Cause as it turns out, when the japanese artists for macross left their company, they did so while holding all the rights to the designs themselves. Not to the show.. just the designs.. and those where sold to FASA. Harmanony gold had thought they could pull a 1980... while everyone had arrived in the year 2014+... and thanks to globalisation it was piss easy (compared to ye olden times) to find out real quick who was holding what rights to what intelectual property. And that ladies and gentlemen is how we got the unseen back. TL:DR: FASA did nothing wrong back in the day, but simply didnt have the dosh to fight in the courts with a corporation like harmony gold wich was ALOT bigger then FASA at that itme and simply decided to not use the unseen designs anymore to prevent further litigation.

[@Devillin]

Probably the best summary I've seen of this.

[@foulfingers]

Yep. He was wrong about FASA ripping off the design, and he was wrong about the new designs being better.

[@AltaniNerdAuRa]

I was hoping someone would post about this. Hopefully, he issued a correction somewhere. (Also, you left out how Harmony Gold also tried to sue Harebrained Studios... and Paradox Interactive went to bat for them against Harmony Gold. That was also a part of it and why Harmony Gold has pretty much just stopped fighting even bringing over Macross. Yes, that is right... Harmony Gold lost so bad in this court case they will no longer fight bringing the various Macross series over.)

[@riptors9777]

@@AltaniNerdAuRa Harebrained at the time did remove the unseen from its game for a time, only reintroducing them once the lawsuits against them and PGI where dismissed, thats why i didnt mention them since their lawsuit was pretty much waiting for the PGI one to resolve. Though there was alot of communication between PGI and Harebrained about this, so PGI might have been the one who told them to just sit and wait since they seemed to be very confident about their chances in court. And as it turned out that confidence was justified.

[@edwardkvande4390]

Word. I just pondered the relationship with Robotech and Marauder design. You answered the question very well 👏

[@TsorovanZero]

Slapping people with its weapon pods aren't the only melee option it has. Have you ever seen someone get kicked by an ostrich? It's like that.

[@scienceinsanity6927]

I see your argument, and raise you helicopter arms.

[@Cowboycomando54]

You could probably use the torso mounted auto cannon to stab an enemy pilot in his cockpit in a weird headbutt.

[@flushmastercyclonis186]

@@scienceinsanity6927 I think you mean mech scale nunchucks. Conveniently, the PPCs are encased inside those big heavy pod things. I haven't read Battletech fiction for years, but I seem to recall that the time someone sent a battalion of mechs falsely labeled as Capellan Death Commandos (Comstar or WoB, I think?) to New Avalon to assassinate Hanse Davion because that's how you do subterfuge in this setting. Either way, because this is the gloriously dumb world of Battletech, the assault was largely blunted by the First Prince himself being the first combat unit to engage the invaders on the streets of his capital city. A specific thing I seem to remember was Hanse pistol whipping another mech with his Balltmaster's handheld pistol style PPC which then exploded from the impact. I LOVE Battletech and it's huge archive of lore. But, much like Star Wars and Star Trek, the "science" in this science fiction consists entirely of a paper thin layer of technobabble stretched over mass applications of Rule Of Cool. If you try to apply actual science or even basic common logic things quickly start looking really stupid. And don't even get me started on the very concept of an entire advanced civilization losing the ability to reverse engineer still-existing examples of marginally superior technology because somebody nuked the original factory. Also Battletech and it's IP infringement is ridiculous. The company that held the Battletech IP has ceased to exist multiple times because they got sued into bankruptcy because of this, then some of if not all of THE SAME PEOPLE would manage to start a "new" company and ressurrect the franchise as a viable business and they would DO THE SAME EXACT THING AND GET LITIGATED OUT OF EXISTENCE AGAIN. This has happened AT LEAST THREE TIMES to my knowledge. And it's always because they use that original, carbon copy material taken from Macross, and they do this because the dumber of their fans, the ones who WH40K players make neckbeard virgin grognard jokes about, keep whining for the "original" designs that they still insist are the best.

[@Furzkampfbomber]

@@Cowboycomando54 Alright, I get it. This Mech is one giant workplace safety nightmare.

[@Gnarfendorf]

Use the helicopter arms to lift off and then proceed to jumpkick the enemy in the face repeatedly.

[@PrezWashinguns]

I don't know why, but I always feel like the Marauder has the same kind of cool factor that the F14 Tomcat had in the culture of their respective times.

[@bandoleerwaltzer]

May be due to it's rival relationship with the F-14 Tomcat inspired Pheonix Hawk. The Glaug Officer's Battlepod is to the Marauder what the Valkyrie or Veritech Fighter VF-1S is to the Pheonix Hawk

[@danielkapp9468]

I loved how in MWO you could load nothing but LRM's and just hammer the hell out of any unlucky sob that decided to be first spotted in a bad spot. I had a real ACE Combat missile spamer running it and depending on how I decided to fire barrages I could easily overwhelm multiple anti missile defense systems. I found it was actually better than anything else I tested in that role. Yes (this build) was vulnerable in close combat, but if the enemy decided try and "play it safe" and hang back then they would find out how devastating it could be, if there was even one other decent LRM build on our side it could be a quick fight. And once ammo was expended It had enough health that it could become a meat sheild.

[@toddkes5890]

@@danielkapp9468 Give it a long-ranged energy weapon so the enemy has a reason to pay attention to it. You'll lose missile firepower, but the enemy will have to dedicate some firepower to deal with your Mech.

[@PeachDragon_]

To me it's the original m1 abrams

[@huntermad5668]

PPC was originally chosen for the arms because they could withstand the abuse of hitting enemy. Especially with the reinforcement.

[@nibblitman]

Because if you can’t shoot them, at least you can slap them.

[@spartana1116]

The designers knew the tendency of pikots to throw what they have in melee melee so might as well make a mech that can do that

[@rexex345]

Hell, they straight up gave the Atlas fists cause it meant you could just punch the enemy when you inevitably got close enough

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

eh? Are PPCs known to be extremely durable or something? The bare weapon is less fragile than most other weapons?

[@huntermad5668]

@@ThisCanBePronounced Yes.

[@kurumachikuroe442]

The _Marauder_ exists to do one thing: fuck someone's day up so hard they buy one for themselves, or kill them.

[@michaelkimberling7307]

How did GM advertise the Marauder to the successor states? They had it pry open their mechs while sporting a Star league Olive Drab paint job and declare “you got your ass handed to you by a Marauder *mic drop*”

[@duongquan4986]

Buy our Marauder before you day got ruined by one. As a wise man once said: "Beware of the military industrial complex"

[@JPG.01]

When it comes to the tabletop, you don't even have to show up with minis. Nobody cares what mini you use. EVERYTHING is table legal, you can bring a bottlecap, write MAD-3R on it and bring a sheet and nobody is going to complain. So if you have some kind of old model, nobody is gonna complain, in the contrary many people will probably outright tell you they are envious about you having something so cool.

[@ohgoshtro]

Fun fact the helmets the pilots use in these mechs are security devices as well. If you try to turn on the system and you are not the pilot or tech in the system it will turn your brain into goo.

[@5eddie5]

I'm 54. Sorry, Grandpa agrees with you about the Marauder. The new Catalyst version is tops. :P

[@xedrickOG]

Pgi's marauder is better

[@TheAnubis21485]

I love running the "Make Capellans go away" variant x4 M Lasers and a LBX-10 Autocannon

[@zraal3759]

That is a good varient, but I I prefer the 3M, double large laser and AC5.

[@weldonwin]

As I call it the Taurian *"GIT OFFA MAH PROPERTY!"* variant

[@spartanx9293]

I generally just rip out the Auto Cannon and replace it with an ultra ac5 if I can get my hands on it yes you lose some firepower but in exchange you get a higher rate of fire

[@weldonwin]

@@spartanx9293 I favour MAD-3D personally, which again loses some firepower, but by swapping out the autocannon for a large laser, ammo is no longer a concern, letting you stay in a fight longer, especially if you play with the Merctech mod for MW5, where your weapons don't just automatically get reloaded between missions and you have to buy ammo supplies for all weapons.

[@piedpiper1172]

The only thing better than 2 PPCs is 3 PPCs. The extra heat just ensures your coffee is never cold-optimal for combat alertness!

[@Jalu3]

3 UAC 2s + 3 Ballistic TACs (+, ++, +++). Great sniper for head shots!

[@kiothedark]

Between, "Fat genghis khan" Grandma's "hand knitted heat sinks" and hunting elementals with mech-shot, you got a like and sub! xD

[@The_Viscount]

Capellan Commander: Parry this, you filthy casual. *launches nuke Sci's Marauder: Lol, okay. *survives sunburn

[@warlok363]

Yeah that isn't how the TT works with nukes.

[@notarealfirstnamenotareall746]

Using only words from the video I have to say: I'd hyperextend my actuators for the Marauders battle bakery.

[@imadethistopostponi]

Under the Advanced rules, this 'Mech can fire all of its weapons backwards [Hyper-Extending Actuators] and [Directional Turret Mount (RT)]

[@doomspud6302]

I will always love the center gun Marauder for two reasons. One: Because of the IIC in Mechwarrior 2. Seeing the three big blue balls of death slowly cruising towards your target in that perfect triangle is just so satisfying. And no version of the Marauder feels right to me without that equilateral triangle of death. Two: My favorite mecha designer, Shoji Kawamori, designed the Glaug. Plus all the other mecha from Macross that also got used as Battlemechs. So of course those unseen versions are my favorite. You might know some of his other designs from the Armored Core games. And he also designed several of the toys that would become Transformers. Like Optimus Prime. I can't say no to a legend like that.

[@sim.frischh9781]

I am one of those weirdos that actually like the Project Phoenix redesigns, its take on the Phoenix Hawk is my absolute favorite of both the mech specifically as well as of the Project as a whole. But i also respect those who cherish the old designs, the early Duane Loose drawings, as bad as they were, the Macross and Fang of the Sun Dougram mechas. Personally i like to think of them like we today have different looking versions of one and the same type of car.

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

It's one of the small reasons i'm sad we never really got another clan game after the MW2 series (heh, nice relevant PFP!). I really would have wanted to have and to face a Marauder with actual high-speed triple ER PPCs. In MW2 is was just a dodging game, nullifying their range, sadly making the Marauder more of a brawler. Marauders were scary in those close-quarter missions and maps; otherwise, thy were low prio. :/

[@spartanx9293]

The Marauder to does have a center-mounted gun

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@spartanx9293 Depends which verison, the very first one had due to it being the Centraedi Command Pod, but that one is now "Unseen", the new art has it either in the side torso or center but being placed side torso rule-wise to counteract copyright by Harmony Gold.

[@Dragon_Werks]

Marauder-D. Nuff said.

[@macrux152__8]

It's the GUNSLINGER mech. Having 2 PPC's, and an ac5 are just *chef's kiss*.

[@Aconspiracyofravens1]

mad 3d offers more damage and no chance of ammo explosion

[@Taurox220]

Yeah acs are stupidly underpowered in tabletop.

[@Aconspiracyofravens1]

@@Taurox220 honestly should have two shots at the cost of a ton, aside from ac10s and 20s which just have a weight and heat decrease. Uacs would then just, not exist and lbx be the upgraded version, which less weight and increased range

[@Cowboycomando54]

GM Auto cannons, because fck that guy in particular.

[@earnestbrown6524]

I fell in love with the Glaug Officer Battlepod when Khyron attacked the SDF-1 on Mars.

[@murder.simulator]

I don't think the uploader knows it's a ripoff.

[@terryhiggins5077]

​​@@murder.simulatorit's not a rip off, FASA bought the rights use the design along with several others. It just turns out that the company that sold them rights didn't actually own them. Then Harmony Gold got involved.

[@drronin112]

At about 23 minutes in int he video he straight up addresses this issue.

[@lhke2012]

Macross or Robotech?

[@earnestbrown6524]

@@lhke2012 It was RoboTech. Glorious early morning before going to school TV watching.

[@CharliMorganMusic]

The Marauder is like an MBT. Just really good at everything. It can do anything you want it to do.

[@FunkThompson]

In lore, at least. In practice it actually wasn't *that* great of a brawler (too hot), but certainly one of the best multi-role stock mechs there ever was.

[@mbr5742]

Best at overheating

[@NewGuy2534]

The Mech, the Myth, the Legend. The Maurader.

[@MadmanMcNabb]

I agree. Tim Skelly's original 4 omnimechs (Loki, Mad Cat, Vulture and Thor) represent Battletech finding its own unique military industrial art style. The video games do indeed impose certain limitations on the designs that lead to a more cohesive and unique art direction. The original stuff is quite literally just on loan from Macross.

[@deadmeat8754]

Wrong in the literal, but reasonable in the figurative.

[@tompeters9829]

Loved this design ever since it was called the Zendrati Officers Pod.

[@spartanx9293]

I prefer the newer pgi's my favorite but the catalyst one isn't bad

[@Wildcat144]

Oh hey! My art of a Marauder fighting a Commando xD

[@duongquan4986]

Fighting? More like bullying.

[@Wildcat144]

@duongquan4986 I mean hey, it's a Kuritan Commando, he bullied other on Kentares XD

[@MainBattleRobot1701]

The year was 1984. I’d just picked up this boxed set called Battletech from a local comic shop and my first game was with my brother. He picked a Marauder. I picked a Rifleman. He mopped the floor with me. But, man I had a great time and I’ve been loving this game ever since.

[@danielvandersall6756]

Personally, I like shifting the arms to large Pulse lasers, especially the improved X models, and making the top weapon a RAC-5. I lose a lot of range, but if I get close, God help you.

[@TheAchilles26]

I personally tend to swap the PPCs for Large Lasers and the AC5 for an AC10. Actually saves enough tonnage to up the armor while I'm at it.

[@wowliker642]

Does no one here just take the standard and make it better with clan tech? Clan DHS, Clan ER PPCs, Clan ML and a Clan AC-5.

[@Se1fD3struct1on]

@@wowliker642 Clan AC/5's dont exist. only UAC/5's and the LB 5-X AC

[@wowliker642]

@@Se1fD3struct1on Then I would be using the MAD-3D and replace the large laser with a Clan version.

[@sim.frischh9781]

It´s always so troublesome when co-hosts escape, isn´t it? All that chasing after them, luring them back in with cookies, replacing the chains... a hassle. Jokes aside, the Marauder is an icon of western mecha SciFi, on par with big names like the Atlas and the Timber Wolf/Mad Cat. Originally from the Macross series, it got its own existence in BT, weathered the copyright strike onslaught Harmony Gold slung at it, and re-established itself firmly as its own design.

[@venara5216]

So happy you're doing the Marauder. Absolute fav to the point I take at least one in pretty much any lance in tabletop or MW5

[@Navidson1]

oooooo I love it when I get to hear your point of view in contrast with tex talks. The nerd and the Professor! Please please please make a combo episode happen with him XD

[@PabloHedning]

I loved the Marauder from the first time i saw it in Mechwarrior Online, it was the second mech i got my hands on (the 3R variant), the first being the Shadowcat. All of the extra lore around it i have heard since then has only strengthened my love for this wonderful mech.

[@TylerP223]

I think people like the top mounted gun variant of the Marauder besides being the OG variant because IIRC in the lore when acting as a long-range fire support mech like it was designed to be, you could do something like real tanks can do and go "hull down" where you hide behind a hill with just the barrel and optics peeking out to snipe anybody who comes into range. Though I don't think the actual tabletop rules ever supported that level of granularity of positioning....

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

if BT mechs had more moving parts, the offset gun could swivel up to that position. :D Would be great for a lot of mechs since these exposed components are too easily singled out and blown off. I love the Blood Asp in MekTek MW4 Mercs, but yeesh, vs AI or Multiplayer, those big guns don't survive anything! Might as well use them as decoys and mount your small guns on them! (sometimes I'd also use my Hunchbakc's arms as just emtpy armor panels in MWO)

[@Dewitt667]

I’m from the Macross/Robotech camp. I see that version as being the iconic version for me, but the newest versions at more walking mechanized tank and principals accurate and that is a iconic coolness of its own. As to the issue of the Autocanon, if you can spread an “Engine” across three torsos then why can’t you do that with a weapon system that is portrayed as more a turret with a high center mount. That is just my two cents and thank you for your content.

[@Lord_Victis]

Like it slides across all 3 spots on rails huh?

[@Hammerheadcruiser]

The new marauder with the offset turret is easily my fav. The turret makes it too tall, offset gun is just right.

[@elchjol2777]

Shoulder mounted guns are a favorite of mine on mechs. So I find that design superior to the old one.

[@duongquan4986]

Right , the turret make it looks flimsy and unbalance, feels like you can easily blow up the cannon if shots landed at the rotating joint. The offset gun totally encased safely inside the mech, good luck disable that thing unless you blow up the whole side torso.

[@riptors9777]

@@duongquan4986 It also is more accurate to the damage model since the AC/5 is installed in the right torso on the blueprint and not in the center torso

[@RPknight101]

I love the fact that General Motors realised that even though it's a long range platform that mechwarriors would ultimately whilst high on canopis battle powder charge headlong into melee combat and therefore take that into consideration when making it...hence PPC's 🤣🤣🤣

[@PeachDragon_]

It can tank, it can snipe, it can jump, it can go hulldown, it can brawl, it can melee, it's the motherfucking marauder ladies and gents, the multipurpose fighting machine for all of your needs

[@piedpiper1172]

I want a 30-40T scout variant for a pure Marauder force of Light, Heavy, and Assault.

[@madnimrod2489]

The Marauder has been my favorite mech for as long as I've known the series.

[@eric_intotheunknown]

I'm a Catalyst Marauder fan, but the PGI one is quite good as well. You know exactly what you're looking at with either one - the best Battlemech of all time. Thanks for the video!

[@MichaelJGardner737]

Sc.i just said screw it @24:18. I'ma push ALLLLLL THE BUTTONS! 😜🤣

[@jimmyseaver3647]

Easily my favorite 'Mech from the franchise. The _Marauder_ is just so cool and a shining example of Western mecha design philosophy.

[@BeyondDaX]

Even though its a literal alteration of a anime based mech from decades ago. Still, if you gonna adapt something. It may as well be with a good designed one.

[@I3oo1ve]

​@@BeyondDaXthe guy that made the mech designs shared between Macross and Battletech sold them to both parties so the rights are messy too say the least. Gets worse looking at who owns Robotech and them being an irritant to put it nicely.

[@---jx3ql]

​@@I3oo1vedidnt bt copy all of there First mechs from macross? I mean flums are 1o1 rip of as the marauder is

[@liljenborg2517]

@@---jx3ql FASA licensed the designs for a number of mechs that appeared in several different anime series from the late 70s and early 80s from a company called Twentieth Century Imports. The Crusader, Phoenix Hawk, and Stinger & Wasp are all Veritech fighters from Macross (which is why they also had LAM versions). The Longbow, Rifleman, Warhammer, and Archer are also from Macross (the were called Destroids). The Marauder and Ost-series of mechs were all based on the villainous Zentradi battlepods from Macross. The Shadow Hawk, Scorpion, Goliath, Thunderbolt, Battlemaster, Wolverine, and Griffin were all from a series called "Fang of the Sun Dougram" (you can watch it all here on KZbin - very good show). The Locust (the Galleon light tank and several aerospace fighter designs) were a from a series called Crusher Joe. Before I start a huge rant on the tangle of IP rights Harmony Gold (the company who owns the rights to distribute Macross in the US) and FASA (the creators of Battletech) have made out of the Battletech franchise. The root of the problem is that Twentieth Century Imports may or may not have actually held the right to license them out (ongoing court cases that ended only last year finally determined that TCI did NOT have the authority to license those designs). FASA wasn't the only one, Hasbro used the same Veritech that is the basis for the Phoenix Hawk for the Autobot Jetfire. You can read all about "The Unseen" on Sarna.net.

[@I3oo1ve]

@@---jx3ql the guy that made the designs sold them to Macross then later sold them to Battletech. It's not that Battletech copied or stole them they didn't know. There's other videos that have more details on this if you want to know more because the situation does get worse.

[@SulliMike23]

Ah the Marauder, such a wonderful Mech!

[@Kiribandit]

The marauder is one of the few mechs that you fear on a battlefield more then an assault 20 tons over it

[@JazzKazoo0930]

And then the marauder 2 shows up, at that point you're probably better off shooting yourself

[@knightpal1545]

Really depends, if it's a Atlas or Highlander then I'd say the marauder is probably going to lose...then the marauder 2 showed up.

[@stephanvandermerwe1468]

I can't help but image the marauder doing a loony toons like action each time it sees a missile coming its way 😂😂

[@SteelWolf13]

I really like the PGI rework. As a second maybe the Catalyst version with the center cannon. That way you can mount it on a turret and fire out of the forward arc. Yeah that would be fun. - - Oh hey little light mech. You think you're so fast? (turret reorients) ZAP!

[@JATE4962]

Ngl I love all the macross inspired designs.

[@RageDuck0]

Fun fact the original designer for macross and the table top books of battle tech were drawn by the same dude, same with transformers.

[@duongquan4986]

@@RageDuck0 Yeah spot the different between a VF-1, a Stinger and Jetfire.

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

@@RageDuck0 wait wat. All thse video-makers on BT mechs really need to start name-dropping the actual people behind the art, not just the companies they worked for!

[@drronin112]

Marauder, when you can say: "I swear to God I'll pistol whip the next guy who says 'Shenanigans.'" and it's a real threat.

[@Dork_224]

I like the compromise in the mechwarrior games where the Marauder 2 is the one with the big death cannon on the center torso, and the regular one has the ac5 off to the side

[@sohrabroozbahani4700]

Zentradi commander Quamzin "Khyron" Kravshera laughing in his Glaug mech's cockpit in the background 🤣

[@AlexSDU]

Hikaru Ichijou laughing also in his VF-1 Valkyrie.

[@noahtstapp]

The Table Top rule is narrow profile which is just a (+1 to hit on their dice rolls) for the Enemy's GATOR

[@harvestblades]

Besides the lore stating the PPC was used/designed to be able to "throw hands", but let's not forget the damage a 75t mech can do with kicks. Always thoughts kicks were goofy, but oh boy can it do some damage.

[@dinodog6068]

Invest in GM, demand that they start work on the fusion engine. :)

[@harvestblades]

Well considering how the EVs are bursting into flames fusion makes me just a bit nervous. If GM does a fusion than Mopar will give us the first XL.......hmm XL engine in a Charger. I still need to get a Charger mech & paint it Hemi orange

[@CharliMorganMusic]

I was waiting for this. The GREATEST MECH of ALL TIME.

[@braddl9442]

They paid to use those designs from a Japanese company. Harmony GOLD played some legal shenanigans cause they had the right to MACROSS that had those designs in them but they might not actually own the rights to those designs in other media, that were a result of the differences between Japanese IP law and USA IP law, that lead to keeping the legal issue in limbo for decades, H. GOLD, eventually have lost after years of being in and out of court only to have part of the rights sold to them again by the Japanese macross rights holders?. But there are still issues with MACROSS license which have made it hard to bring all the anime over to the USA. Its really a messy case and I have a lot of it wrong cause im just trying to make a fast summation. But they did in fact legally purchase those designs. Even though they tech won in court, they just moved on long ago with the new designs they use.

[@xedrickOG]

Even with the new designs they still had to fight harmony gold in court again. Only this time they won and the judge told harmony gold to cut it out

[@elchjol2777]

In MW 5 this was my first heavy mech. Found one torn to hell in a shop missing both arms and the right torso with everything but the head badly mauled as well. Lacking PPCs to restore it to factory specs I replaced the PPCs with large lasers and the AC 5 with a Heavy rifle. It was a hot running machine but it is quite the head chopper and over all a Marksman's machine. Gave it double heat sinks as soon as I could as a high caliber heavy rifle (more like a snub nose arty gun in MW5) generates a lot of heat and shakes the mech all to hell when fired. Still I love my mech and I've taken to calling it the Nevermore. How it holds 36 rounds internally for a gun with a wide enough barrel to fit a man down I have no idea but if it works I don't ask questions.

[@jamielane9490]

This mech is one on my favourite, i swear whenever i play it tabletop or online it always does well whilst getting so close to being a smouldering wreck yet never quite reaching that point (most of the time)

[@therakshasan8547]

The original art work for BT & Macross was by the same artist . He sold both of the games the same artwork .

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

the Marauder was one of my favorite mechs when I first started back in 96 and I was crushed when it became Unseen and I hated the Fanpro/WizKids redesign but when the CGL model came out I was overjoyed I got one and had it painted as a Zentradi Glaug Command Pod it sits proudly on my shelf and is used in my Macross lance in some friendly games

[@scotthughes7208]

Thanks for bringing up the "12". Love ya work mate!

[@Orcimedes]

I like the modern CGL art & design for the Marauder. It clearly shows off the directional torso mount & exposed weapon linkage for the torso cannon from the original (and legally used & paid for) design - both of which also have effects in the rules - while also stylistically consistent with other modern redesigns. For chunkier torso mounts clearly on the side torso, the marauder II (and IIC) still got your back and also look great. It's a nice bit of visual diversification.

[@noppornwongrassamee8941]

The Marauder highly angled plating is designed to deflect damage. ie, shots hit at such an extreme angle that they can't deliver their full energy into the target (or in the case of energy weapons, their energy is spread over a much wider area than normal) because their forward momentum isn't fully stopped, just turned aside. In theory, this would work on aoe blast waves such as a nuke as it does on individual bullets. And IIRC, it DID work on a nuke. A couple structures survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima or Nagasaki (I forget which, might have been both) more or less intact when every building around them was smashed. The surviving structures were DOMES, and as a result, the blast wave from the atomic bomb flowed around them while the surrounding flat sided buildings caught the full force of the blast waves and were blown away.

[@kelleylafitte6503]

18:34 did exactly this and put 2 UAC 2's in the slot for tearing cockpits out of enemy mechs

[@ralphsexton8531]

The claim that FASA had questionable legality in the designs is inaccurate. Harmony Gold licensed the anime distribution rights to Macross, but believed (inaccurately) that they also held merchandise and image rights. FASA had directly licensed the images from the animation studio Big West. While it took until HG lost a lawsuit against Big West about 5 years ago to surmise this, the proof came when HG had to drop their lawsuit against Catalyst and pay a settlement... the first time HG lost such a suit. This is why the current Catalyst books can and do include Unseen art. What the lawsuits proved was that indeed HG had distribution rights to the anime, and nothing else. Thus, FASA's original license with Big West (which Catalyst has in their myriad records) still stands. Otherwise awesome work. I do love the current PGI designs inspired by the art of Alex Scroggins, who then got hired by Catalyst. But for me, the original is still my favorite. Now, Scroggins' Marauder 2 in Wolf's Dragoons colors he painted up before his hiring by Catalyst... that is my absolute favorite art of the ol' gal.

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

if there's "belief" and misunderstandings and lawsuits and overall legal issues that spanned a couple decades.... I think "questionable legality" gets a pass, even though I too wasn't sure about that labeling when I heard it lol.

[@ralphsexton8531]

@@ThisCanBePronounced I guess you have a good point there...

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

​@@ralphsexton8531forgot to say, was good reading your extra info though. Thanks for sharing!

[@ralphsexton8531]

@@ThisCanBePronounced I appreciate that! This is (obviously) a subject that I have been following for a good long while. I have played the game since it was owned by FASA and long before HG's lawsuits hit them... some 30+ years at this point. It's one of my very favorite fictional worlds.

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

@@ralphsexton8531 I've know of it for about as long I've been into BT too but I hanve't looked into the matter too hard and just end up forgetting details anyway. Felt like the story's never over!

[@deadmeat8754]

Without a doubt, the Marauder is my all time favorite IS battlemech. My first heavy battlemech was a hard earned Marauder I named Bigfoot...and it was surprisingly good at melee and grunt stomping.

[@Kiribandit]

You dont know how exited i was when i saw you made this video!

[@eddapultstab2078]

On the whole legal side of the original designs, legal eagle did a piece that explained the lawsuit, the recent one that allowed the catalyst versions. Personally the the original 25 designs are my favorites but the CGL are very good redesigns so I see the changes as different production runs of the models. It's like the visual difference of a 1998 Tahoe and the same truck in 2020 for example, evolutionary changes due to advances in design, materials and construction. So I see the 2700's marauder as marauder classic with cutting edge design and features and the CGL version as the 31st century make as since technology has been stagnating and the cutting-edge processes are now lost tech, have to use more tried and true techniques which lead to a more gruff and grittier construction.

[@harvestblades]

I could be wrong but I heard recently some novel or sourcebook makes reference to that. Hell, if they made the cartoon Canon as propaganda then having redesigns over hundreds of years & during a Renaissance isn't a stretch. Some of those original mechs (Rifleman) are just ridiculous & were off-putting to me even as a kid in the '80s, but I get the nostalgia aspect & even though I find the new CGL designs much better that 80s kid still likes something about them. If the redesigns were lore I would love to play the RPG & run a classic chasis even if it wasn't a Marauder, but more like the Ford Pinto equivalent. In this new age of plastic, those old minis just have character.

[@eddapultstab2078]

@@harvestblades then you have different companies producing the same product, like if your an initial D fan the Levin and trueno AE86 but it's mechs

[@vodamiinurl1337]

Look at a twenty year old car and compare it to the latest version of that car. It makes sense.

[@jacksonbowns1087]

​@@harvestbladesFunnily enough, I feel like the Rifleman is one of the mechs where I like the CGL redesign better than the original.

[@eddapultstab2078]

@@jacksonbowns1087 I can see that, I think they should have made the cockpit a little higher than center mass, but I don't hate it. The archer is a little weird where it's view port is, but it could have been done much worse.

[@death2all79zx]

0:34 shouldn't he be smacking a crusader or phoenix hawk or a wasp/stinger/Valkyrie?

[@kaydenkuah3844]

My favourite battlemech. It’s finally here!

[@Dreznin]

I think I love the Marauder for the same reason I love the Shadow Cat - both mechs were built with a good range of capabilities, both punch above their weight class, and both are mechs that have always commanded the respect of their adversaries. The Marauder was an Inner Sphere mech that impressed the Clans, which says a lot when you consider the technological superiority and design doctrine in clan mechs, meanwhile the Shadow Cat was one of those rare Clan mechs to never be given an Inner Sphere designation because those that saw it died and those that survived it didn't see it.

[@BLANKERAMA]

Would really like to see a video someday from your channel about the IS Marauder 2; the brainchild of Wolf's Dragoons whom thought, "Damn, we really like the Marauder; we'd like it more in Extra Large." Would also be nice to get a video about the Nightstar; the mech that epitomized the technological might of the Star League.

[@meshuggahshirt]

Something that's always interested me is that in principle (and playing with quirks, on the tabletop) the Marauder's autocannon can be traversed into a rearward firing arc if it's got a turret with the clearance. I've never seen it done before, but it is canonically possible.

[@Blue_Dingo]

It was Battledroids, till Lucas objected, legally.

[@harvestblades]

So do we get a vid on the MAD 2 & IIC next?!

[@shayminthedoctor9663]

Nuclear warhead: Marauder with Narrow Profile: slide to the left. Slide to the right. Criss Cross.

[@chrono581]

My favorite mech brings back fabulous memories.

[@steeltormentors]

Marauder is my #1 Battletech design..love it especially with the chicken legs and off-center autocannon.

[@youtmeme]

the unseen were simply the best designs like it or not!😜

[@davemilner5504]

The Marauder; When you put legs on an upscaled T-34 and hang big, 'burny' arms off of it. Fun.

[@FireGoliath]

I didn't even realize I was there this early. Love the videos

[@zalin2000]

I do agree with you about PGI rework of the art is just better. I love the designs that PGI has given us.

[@driftpirate7234]

I always view the redesigns as mechs of a different century or manufactuar. Its like a camaro from the 80s vs the 90s. Similar enough but looks very different. Its the tonnage, frame config and weapon layout that makes the mech chasis what it is.

[@valbourne1797]

I mean, it's described as having a turret with a coupling. The advanced rules allow it to be aimed like arm mounted weapons. regardless of where the internal mechanisms and mountings are located in the mech. The descriptions and mechanics show a turret. The mech construction rules simply don't allow enough crit space for an AC 5 in the centre torso. You could argue that the unseen art forced their hand to have it centred, but I would argue that a dorsal cannon is extremely cool and thats why they were willing to fudge it. which is a tradition that CGL is perfectly happy with continuing. Piranha's design is no less compromised, its just compromised in a way that sacrifices the spirit of the thing to make it simpler to depict in game.

[@Madimonster64]

One of my favorite Marauder loadouts is PPC-X's in the arms and a PPC up top for good measure. Medium lasers are optional but I prefer to add more cooling

[@theghostgamer3318]

would liked to see you mention the Marauder 2 in the video as it was just taking the marauder from 75 tons to 100 tons

[@KageRyuu6]

The redesigns are too chunky to legitimately take advantage of the Narrow Profile trait.

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

oof, that's fair, lol.

[@Elkarlo77]

23:41 The shoulder on the Original Marauder is smaller, then on the Macross Mecha. The Ball joint behind the Guns is missing, the inlet is more oval on the 3025 Cover book, and i am cheating as i own two Catalyst Marauders and both are painted. They standing next to my both Warhammers and Archers. But i am an European and when i got wind of the Harmony Gold Debakel i bought all my favourit Mechs which were going unseen as they were still avaible in Europe. And i got two Ost-Series Mechas as well, two Phoenix Hawks etc. And when you ever want to see someone die the worst way: On a Con a player had his newest figure out, the unsightly Mar-5D (pre PGI redesign) in a ugly one tone black colour, so he got a Marauder. I opened my Suitecase with my Treasures and of course my Mar-3D stole his show as it was in the original 3025 colours, standing in a grass field. He pressed the legs together and my Marauder collapsed, luckily the Suitecase had a field repair kit in it (set of files and CYA glue) Why did he die? In all the Games he played he had no support from his "Teampartners" and was prime target for everybody else. He was literally removed in everygame within 20 Minutes from the Table. And landet on the Match Tables LAST of around 60 players.

[@kevinmulkey9774]

Minute: 22:00-ish It's weapon of war so freaking awesome, that exist it across many parts of the Multiverse! Macross/Robotech, Battletech, and Playmates made a E-Frame toy for Exo Squad series that I would guess would have been in the next season of Exo Squad. But that never happened. Different franchise of course. But would have been animated mecha glory! It exist in so many places in space and time cause it's just that darn good! So good even across multiverses people sensed they should just keep using it. At least that is my explanation. 8)

[@ThisCanBePronounced]

big respect to the original designer. Even the redesigns can look good, and they're meant to be considered different enough to be original!

[@ErehwonMorf]

I played tabletop Battletech when I was 13, that was over 30 years ago. I agree with your take on the new designs being plain better than the original ones.

[@AlexSDU]

Marauder Mech ❌ Glaug Battle Pod ✔

[@polaris30000]

The Bounty Hunter says hello? Did we just confirm that Steve is the Bounty Hunter?

[@emilmlodnicki3835]

If this hasn't been pointed out already in the last 3 months: 16:10, THAT.... is a re-imaged version of an actual animation from Macross. From an episode infamous for it's bad animation. But instead of a Battlemaster.. it was a VF-1 getting smacked by a Glaug.

[@Dracobyte]

Great video! I have subscribed to your channel.

[@lmoTK106]

you have no idea how many meat I popped with this tin can in MW5, *slab*, truly a piece of work this one is.

[@naomy1701]

if ppl wanna get one off thinking of the stolen copyright designs they are free to do so, but honestly, i couldnt agree more with u, the modern designs seems to exactly reflect what the stories tell and fit 100 times better than all the "unseen" mechs ever could imo

[@darksuit9035]

I noticed the triple light rifle build in there, glad im not the only one to run like that. Im genuinely conflicted on the classic and newer versions, my ocd wants me to hate one of them but i just cant do it.

[@cropathfinder]

Well here's the thing even at point blank the marauder has powerful weapons, its PPCs are good at a broad range and devastating up close combine that with the AC and medium lasers and its mobility and stuff rarely gets to melee range. Whats even better is that some models have reinforced arm pods specifically for melee because it doesn't really just flail, its more like it brings down two hammers on you.

[@plu7o12]

Agree, the more modern mech designs just make more sense from a logic and design standpoint I feel.

[@Herpter_91]

The marauder hits an I frame and ignores the warhead on its forehead 😂

[@o.k.productions5202]

When one out of ten suns doesn’t do anything, I’m surprised they weren’t more numerous when the clans popped their heads out of the void.

[@rukavinafree1]

My head cannon is that the unseen mechs all had standard armor and the reimagined ones were the FF upgrades and/or just new tech laden versions of older designs.

[@Leonidae]

The assault Marauder is fun with 3 large energy weapons of your choice, and couple supporting mediums for tanks and UCAVs

[@Wraith-Knight]

in the same year as the Second Succession War broke out the Clans developed a follow up to the venerable design, later dubbed the Marauder IIC, thats hardly copying the IS

[@adamhayes6745]

Another grandpa here, it always bothered me that most of the unseen designs didn't line up with the actual data sheets. The new designs fit the mechs much better. And they aren't copied from anime, they are their own thing, the new Marauder is just that and not a Zentradi Officer pod.

[@Captain_Razor_88]

My. favorite loadout is a Marauder II with 2 ER medium lasers, replace the 2 PPCs with 2 ER Large Lasers, and an ER PPC on the back. Slightly less alpha damage but the heat tradeoff means more Alpha strikes before overheating plus weight saved for more armor/heatsinks. Slap in jump jets and step aside Thor, there's a new God of Thunder and Lightning!!!