The Mercenary Guide to BattleTech - URBANMECH

[@barog1]

Man, I am SO glad that I found your channel. You weapon analysis were particularly beneficial for myself. I have managed to get way better win % against my brother in the tabletop. Keep up awesome work and know that there is somebody in cold north, checking your channel daily for new videos. Sometimes even few times a day 😁 PS. Also, had to "try" but think "first"?🤣

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Dang man, that means a lot to me. I'm happy that you're enjoying the videos and interested in more. I've been trying to pick up the pace and make these videos faster and better. Glad you're getting value out of these videos! Are you gonna recommend the videos to your friends and brother after you stomp them a few times? Or keep this channel as your secret weapon? XD

[@barog1]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed I have linked vids to him, unsure if he has yet to watch them. I am bit torn about it though if I should remind him about them😅my minimum competitive spirit is wishing for any kind edge I could have over him ( He has WAY bigger pool to draw mechs from than me. Damn 3d printer, of course he prints for me too, but there isint this "element of suprise" which is quite big factor both in and out of game. ) But rest assured that I have shared/linked and advertised your videos on everywhere else 🤣😂 We usually play around clan invasion era too, so the videos hit mark for that so well too. I am just afraid when he will bust out his clan wolf mechs, so far it has been Inner sphere vs Inner sphere ( Kurita, me vs his Eridani Light Horses ) We have slowly gotten "deeper" in to rules as well, more fancy stuff. Soon, there will be vehicles and maybe even aerospace one day.

[@silvertear71]

I think one of the best things I read about the Urbie was in the comment section of the BlackPantsLegion's Urbanmech lore video. The comment was written by Fien and was a short story that I think sums up the urbie very well. Again, this is Fien's comment and not my own: You're in an Atlas, all flee before you. You wade into the outskirts of some city, taking out tanks and APCs left and right. A lone Cataphract gives you a decent enough fight, but it never stood a chance against your UNBRIDLED MIGHT. You turn the corner of the intersection of high-rise apartment complexes and your world SHAKES. Alarms blare as the mech's computer warns that your CT armor, damaged but still quite intact from the day's slaughter, has just been all be depleted in a single hit. You scan the horizon for this mysterious attacker.....but see nothing. You look at your motion sensor and see it's mere few dozen meters away. Is it some new Capellan stealth mech that's invisible even to the naked eye? You then notice a glint of metal at the bottom of your vision. You look down and see a god damn trashcan with an AC20 pointing up at you. It is in the moment you know you are already dead, and your memory will be the height of humor among your fellow mechwarriors for decades to come. You reactor cooking off and flooding the cockpit with sun-hot plasma is a mercy.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

lol, I like that story! XD I for sure think the urbie is a hidden OP.

[@swarmml8338]

Small blob explains how to make a trash can into a mobile war crime platform. I enjoy this

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Ha ha, glad you enjoyed!

[@oldguardiron5946]

That is a accurate summary.

[@rylian21]

Oh, no. That's the urban pacification variant. It fits flamers and machineguns to make sure that city you just conquered stays nice a compliant.

[@Orcimedes]

The urbie is the undisputed master of Hidden Units (which by default is an option for defenders in 1/3rd of battles) . It's very low cost means you won't miss out too much while it's hiding and with it's 360 degree firing arc the enemy won't know where it is until the AC rounds start flying. Even mechs with a Beagle Active Probe won't know it's there until they're 3 hexes away - which incidentally is equal to or below short range of whatever big gun it happens to have. Best tread carefully, friend. Urbie lurks. Urbie waits. Urbie wants to shoot your rear armour plates.

[@ZexyObserver]

wierdly enough, of all the light mechs in MW5, it's usually Urbies that give me the most trouble

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Heh heh, my friend have said the same thing

[@Piterdeveirs333]

That is why you need to target them first. Especially the right arm

[@KillerOrca]

I will no proceed to snort all of this lore and detail through my nose like its the finest Canopian battle powder.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

D: Hugs not drugs!

[@dakkath414]

Urbanmechs: defensive pawns extraordinaire. My personal favorite modification is replacing the AC10 and its ton of ammo with a ppc, another small laser, another half ton of armor, and spending the remaining 5 tons on whatever strikes your fancy. Can easily get to 10 armor on the arms and sides and 15 on the ct.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Yep for sure! One of the min-maxed specialists that really work well. Your build doesn't seem too bad for a mod to an Urbie!

[@thedango6890]

You had me at strapping a ppc on it

[@lkmdude8094]

Your urbie load out is really good, attempting to nullify the lack of mobility by adding indirect fire. But personally my favorite urbie is a stock version of the r90. It drops the ac10 for a ppc, 2 medium lasers, and uses the rest of the weight savings for a better engine and more jump jets. This means it builds up ungodly amounts of heat especially when jumping, but it also has an alpha strike damage output that is higher than some medium mechs.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Haha, thanks! Yeah people do like the PPC urbie for some reason~

[@sefladrone5873]

I love the urbanmech R60L. For a laugh I made it 0 gunnery and 0 pilot. the resulting carnage was hilarious

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

XD

[@franksmedley7372]

Hello Nerdy. Sorry about that last posting. That was 'future-me' talking to 'past-you'. Now, dealing with 'the present', there is the 'all energy' build that my own Merc Unit uses on occasions (when we can't get our 'grubby little paws') on the UM-R60L Urbanmech. This variant removes all weapons, increases armoring up to a total of 6 tons, increases heat sinks to 16, A single Large Lasers, and 3 Medium Lasers. By doing this, we free the design from all logistics constraints, other than repair... which can be handled by using a dedicated Mobile Repair Gantry vehicle, which, we have in our inventory (specially built for the Unit). The Mech still retains its original movement profiles, and general overall shape. At 1.495 Million C-Bills, the Mech's cost resides between the 1.48 and 1.59 million C-Bills of the UM-R60, and the UM-R60L. So prices are not really an issue. Although slow, and with a short-ish jump capacity, the Mech can be deployed in 'deep penetration' raids of Enemy supply lines, or behind Enemy battle lines, and used to disrupt Enemy logistics to good effect. Especially if the Enemy tries to deal with the situation with 'Light' units, instead of peeling off more substantial forces to re-establish their logistics train. What makes this unit effective, is that it out guns light units sent to deal with the issue, and it can 'hide' behind the cover of ammunition bunkers, barracks, Maintenance shops, and other buildings, until the enemy's Light Mechs get into medium to short ranges with their own weapons. Usually, this will mean the Lights are out gunned, and even though faster, they are now in the Urbie's 'playground', where the UM's can leap around to gain advantage and fire for effect. Also, the 'Oscar II' variant, as I am calling it here (The Star Lions Corps uses the designation of: UM-60-SLC 'Alley Cat'), has 6.5 tons of armoring to weather Light Mech weaponry fire (H:9, LA-RA:10, LT-RT:11/3, LL-RL:14, CT:15/4). On top of the single Large Laser, and 2 Medium Lasers. Even though running or jumping and 'Alpha striking' does generate excess heat, a good pilot can mitigate that by simple not using one of the Mediums while maneuvering, or not firing the Large Laser to effect more seriously needed cooling in a rapid manner. Most Light Mechs cannot tolerate a 3 Medium Laser barrage for long, and the single Large Laser can often penetrate deeply enough to cripple a Light Mech in a single shot. The SLC (Star Lion Corps) has loads of combat camera 'footage' (where the hell did that term originate, I wonder?), where the combination of the Large Laser and a single Medium Laser, completely severed a Light Mech's Torso, shearing off the arm of the Mech hit in such a manner. Several of this variant, used to hold a position in the Enemy's rear, will force the Enemy commander to peel off heavier units to deal with the situation and thus weaken his 'battle line'. Good communications (by leaving a Unit dedicated comms satellite in orbit before landing), can ensure that the UM's get plenty of warning to vacate the area when the Enemy Commander does so. The Oscar II, or 'Alley Cat', can then lay waste to what it was 'defending' as it retreats in good order, to a fallback position where it can ambush any pursuit. Even by Medium Mechs sent to destroy them. Just a few thoughts. Frank Smedley. Chief Technician, Star Lions Corps, (Location Redacted: On Deployment).

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Hey Frank! Thanks for writing again. I did think about a LL and 2 MLs but ended up going against it because the LRMs indirect fire capability was better at compensating for the speed issues. My chief worry was the 2/3/2 speed of the urbanmech would cause it to get out maneuvered. At present my company does not have very many resources to waste and so we're looking at being efficient rather than having any throw away units just yet. :)

[@franksmedley7372]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed : I don't consider the Alley Cat to be a 'throw away' unit. Although 'slow', it packs quite the punch for a Light Mech. Even though I presented it as a 'raider', it is best used for Defense. A few Alley Cats would hold a position fairly well against Light and Medium Mechs. At least until heavier units can be deployed to reinforce them. If your Company had a central supply point, away from your Drop Ship, the Alley Cats would do a good job of defending the site. Especially, if the site was placed within a cave or other natural declivity in the terrain, with hills or cliffs surrounding it. The addition of other support units, such as a few turrets, or a few vehicles, would only enhance the abilities of the Alley Cats thus used. If your Drop Ship was landed in broken terrain, Alley Cats would be good for helping to defend the Drop Ship while your other forces were deployed away from it.

[@thedango6890]

Legend has it if you configure five urban mechs together correctly you can form Urbantron Defender of the Inner circle, and sometimes defender of the rest of the galaxy too.

[@dustybunny6716]

I can't believe there is an actual competent useage of these junkers. I mean the one with the Arrow missile system is good too but the missile boat makes me want to order that Urbanmech bundle box I heard rumors of. Man I wish I could customize all the Urbans I've picked up in MW5 to carry missiles.

[@Sierra026]

Since this series only covers 3025 era tech, there won't be any ready access to Arrow-IV artillery and ammo (barring the unlikely discovery of a Star League cache). Instead, here's another refit that's inspired by Periphery builds: Remove all weapons and ammo, and replace them with eight Rocket Launcher 20s. This retains the Mech's role as ambusher, but makes it potentially lethal towards even assault mechs, albeit it only has one shot to do so. This configuration allows you to equip a medium laser in place of the small one, and an extra half-ton of armor. Even the mighty Atlas will think twice about rounding a city corner with the foreknowledge of facing a 160 missile barrage without warning!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Holy mackerel that build sounds crazy. I'll have to experiment with some of the Rocket Launcher builds at some point lol. I'm sure I'll come up with something.

[@dakkath414]

Instead of 8 RL20s you could have 24 RL10s. Ripple fire!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Kerensky have mercy on my mech-techs that will have to create 22 additional weapon slots to complete that monster. Much more effective for sure, but is all that time taken to mod a 30 tonner worth it you think? We could mod like 10 other mechs in the time it took us to do 1 of those Urbies. XD

[@dakkath414]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed it's like a catapult: put some guns in a box and weld it to the side. Admittedly you could only fit 10 on each arm due to crit slots.

[@ironboy3245]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed yeah, but the sheer amount of Fuck this one thing in particular will make any mechwarrior think twice about entering close quarters after hearing about other mechs turning a corner and getting pasted instantly

[@khornetto]

Woah this is getting better and better.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks! It feels good that you noticed. I keep trying to improve on the videos and make each one incrementally better.

[@Dragonblade001]

Now someone need to help spread this video. To many battletech creators tend to trash the Urbanmech and not state why it designed this way. Also, gotta love redesigns.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Haha, thank you! The best compliment you can give me is to recommend the series to friends and acquaintances. Glad you're enjoying the redesigns!

[@DIEGhostfish]

I mean everyone knows WHY it's that way, most just are willing to shell out the 440k cbills on an SRM carrier instead.

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

You did a great job of properly defining and describing the Urbanmech's optimal use. You win a subscriber for that. I agree that Urbie-kun has no place in most merc units. Mine was a raider-optimized force, so an Urbanmech would've been useless for a long-running, long-fighting unit. My unit's recon lance and command lance got to know them well as defending units for strategic objectives and holding the line in rough or urban terrain. As hopping panzerjager-type vehicles, they could be difficult by being able to use their autocannons well, then doing the short jump hop to escape over a hill crest or building, staying away from my mechs' powerful direct fire weaponry. the only time they frequently had trouble was with the fire lance's steel rain, but their armor was usually pretty good against barrages. However, if my gun 'mechs got to short range, the Urbies frequently got into trouble since the SL was minimal secondary armament, and some of my players were creatively cruel in knocking down and stomping the walking gun platforms. I should also mention that a Hatchetman or similar melee monster that survives the AC barrage enough to close will give an Urbanmech lance a lot of grief. But don't they always? I may have to give the LRM-20 variant a try sometime.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah feel free to give it a try!

[@MadArtillery]

Great video, both about the urban mech and how it's meant to be used, and the refit actually fits with the design/lore as it's actually not the first time the mech has be refit for missles be it mrm or even the Arrow IV. Heck could be seen as a precursor to the arrow version.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks so much! I appreciate the feedback! Nice profile picture too!

[@MadArtillery]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed Many thanks!

[@deathwatch1169]

I'm also loving this show of companies and battalions. It's great to see such indepth analysis

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks so much my guy!

[@kieranhosty]

This channel is fantastic, I've just gotten myself the total warfare and alpha-strike rule books and I'm getting into the tabletop properly, what a wonderful channel that has insights I'd never even thought of before

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[@yourseatatthetable]

Excellent series.plenty of channels blab on about Mechs. Their history, and variants. Very few explain advantages, disadvantages, and good tactical use. I will be recemmending the channel to my subscribers.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks so much! Referrals mean a lot. Hope your content goes well!

[@yourseatatthetable]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed it goes, as they say. 6 years and six hundred subs, for which I am grateful.

[@polaris30000]

I'll provide another example of how Urbies are severely under-utilised, in a more real world context. Mechs like these are excellent back field defence units, especially if placed in a hull down position where they can fire freely from behind cover. When they need to extract from that position, they have jump jets. In the field, they would be excellent in dense terrain such as woodlands, swamps, or arctic environments where their jump jets make them more manoeuvrable than many of their counterparts, who will be moving at much the same speed, and their lower profile allows them to make better use of ambient terrain features. Essentially, they are still best used in an ambush capacity, but if no one's moving quickly anyway, they are much more capable than before. Aside from this, the relative simplicity of the platform means it would be very easy to swap components. A decent example that doesn't change the role much would be to drop both weapons, add 8 medium lasers, and 5 extra heat sinks plus half a ton of armour. The range gets shorter, but you can do an 8/2 shot cycle while still jumping and max at 10 heat, while potentially doing 50 damage in 2 turns. That's a nasty surprise for any mechs that get too close.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Possible! Though for variants I try to keep upgrade time relatively low to keep costs down. I can spend the time on larger mechs or spread them across light/mediums.

[@kodybrown9228]

Urbanmech is actually great if you gut it and give it a major engine upgrade because of narrow/low profile and extended torso twist, but that’s expensive and time consuming. If you have the time and money for it and want to make an urbanmech bullet, slap on a 210 engine so it can go 7/11, give it 5 tons of armor so it can tank large lasers to the front and medium lasers to the back, and there’s enough room left for 4 medium lasers and 3 heat sinks. Running should ideally make it +5 to hit it (11+ for most things at medium range), extended torso twist makes facing practically irrelevant for more zipping around the battlefield, can fire 4ML for three rounds and cool off to zero by firing 3ML once.

[@andrewamann2821]

Fun fact... if you strip out the AC10 and small laser, you're left with enough tonnage and crit spaces to pack 6 one-shot Rocket Launcher 20s, get an extra heat sink, bump your speed to 4/6/4, and still come in at a bit over 2M C-bills. You run a very real risk of overheating if you alpha strike, being that the weapons generate a total of 30 heat, but that's still a reasonably reliable 72 points of damage in a single round, for a mech that becomes a wholly obsolete target after the fact. I need to do a bit more poking, but i think there's yet more that can be done with this concept... like equipping it with triple-strength myomer, to beat a hasty retreat after the fact, but that gets really expensive

[@mehmarcus1995]

Remember Kentares. Better bring that up when talking about the Jenner. Dropping the smug davion persona, keep up the good work.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

lol maybe. My favorite faction is Kurita though

[@kevinjheath]

Interesting thinking-outside-the-box refit of the Urbie.

[@ThatSlowTypingGuy]

"I'll show you an experimental design that'll transform this urban warfare specialist into an efficient support mech for our mercenary company." What, does it have like 47 machine guns?

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Watch to the end and find out!

[@mrush007]

Your Channel is great. Love everything I found so far. My personal fav variate of the urbie UM-R90 come on a few cheap PPC turrnet never hurt

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks! Glad you nejoyed!

[@franksmedley7372]

Hello Nerdy. Looks like you've hit upon every aspect of the Urbanmech and its uses. In my nearly 40 year career with various Mercenary units, I cannot count the number of commanders that have misused this Mech type. Attempting to use it as a front line unit. Only the Capellans succeed in doing this, however... but we all know the bloody mindedness of Capellan leaders, and their lack of care about casualties. Massed units of Urbanmechs are a real threat, especially in terrain that constricts maneuver warfare. Thick Jungles also play to the Urbanmech's strengths, allowing the units to 'ambush' more dangerous and much heavier opponents at ranges that their best and longest ranged weapons become nearly useless. Also, one of the major manufacturing sites for Urbanmechs is located in the Combine's borders, and thus they can, and do, build the scrappy little fighter in huge numbers. Your redesign is a solid answer to many of the Urbanmech's many vulnerabilities. Turning it from a close ranged ambush unit, to a long ranged missile boat, of sorts. Backed by Missile Carrier Vehicles, and a few of the heavier LRM carrying Mechs, masses of Urbanmechs built for long range combat become highly useful, as well as 'cheap' in a monetary sense. Also, the availability of spare parts, and armor, cannot be overstated. A starting Mercenary group, taking 'defensive' contracts, would do fairly well if equipped with a dozen or so Urbanmechs, a few other 'missile boat' Mechs, along with vehicular missile platforms. Using 3065 tech, it is possible to again redesign your variant. Armed with an LRM-20 and 3 tons of ammo, along with 3 medium lasers, using Endo Steel and Ferro-Fiberous armoring, one gets a Mech very similar to your variant, but with more 'staying power' in combat due to more ammunition for the LRM, and a bit more hitting power in close combat ranges due to the additional medium lasers. Deployed with even the most cursory of Forward Observers, massed units of this Mech design would rain down missiles upon opponents even better than your variant. Although more costly due to the Endo and Ferro, the design is still far less costly than the vast majority of Mech types available. 2.17 Mega C-Bills isn't cheap, but is far less costly than a single Mad Cat Mk IV at 91.8 to 93.5 Mega C-Bills. (roughly 43 to 1 based on costs). I don't know about you, but for the cost of a single Mad Cat Mk IV, having 43 'LRM boats' is a GOOD thing. Wade through THAT kind of rain, my friend... if you can. Just a few thoughts. Frank 'the tank' Smedley, Chief Tech for the Ghost Lions Legions, Sheol III, Hell, Hellsport Mech Museum, Stygian Compact, (redacted location).

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks for your letter Frank! I think it would be pretty great as a defensive garrison unit and one to train newbie pilots during downtimes. Not sure about what you mean about Mad Cat.. or 3065. That's 40 years in the future! Did you mean Marauder or Catapult? Surely not both!

[@ImperviousSC]

I'm looking forward to seeing an update to this video with the new designs from the Urbanmech Lance in the upcoming kickstarter. I know I plan on getting two of those and some of the upcoming vehicles to build a planetary defense force. Maybe I'll add a couple of light mechs to it as well. I think that could be a lot of fun to play.

[@BrokenCurtain]

UM-R80, the dual SNPPC terminator of MWO, with ECM and JJs. One of the best light mechs ingame. ❤

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

lol, sounds like fun

[@BrokenCurtain]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed It is. Two Snub-Nose PPCs are the PPC equivalent of an AC20 in MWO. You can also equip it with three light PPCs and stealth, giving you a sturdy mech with great range and reasonable speed, that can go anywhere without being noticed.

[@NonApplicable1983]

I think the best UrbanMech modification with no access to advanced technology is replacing the extra heatsink with one extra ton of ammunition and moving some heat sinks around to pad the larger ammo containers. If I had access to more advanced weapons, I'd switch out the autocannon for an LB-X model, switch out the extra heat sink for another ton of ammo for more versatility, add CASE to the ammo racks and upgrade the small laser to a small pulse laser to defend against infantry. It ends up only costing marginally more than the Capellan UM-R63 variant while giving you a lot of versatility to work with.

[@McBearGrylls]

Never knew I needed an orange slime Vtuber to in character advise my MRB rated unit.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Haha, you're the first one to mention Vtuber. Glad to be of service Commander! :)

[@zyttoire9410]

As i saw someone say it on comments of another Urbie related video, we can also call it "Geographically flexible bunker" :)

[@Koboldjesus]

Really good videos! Found you on the reddit page and only recently got in to battletech so this helps out if I need to make a custom mech. Can't wait to see the crab!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Of course! Mediums are coming up after this!

[@joeg875]

Great video man! Subbed

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks for the sub! More videos coming soon!

[@laz272727]

If you ever think about rearming an Urbie into a missile mech, i suggest trying to find one that was a R68 variant. The basic ones have the same problem Hunchback has when you take off its cannon. Alternatively, you can lean hard into its ridiculously easy logistics by replacing some of its excess heatsinks with a half decent engine - at that point, you're essentially making a new mech, though.

[@gruberjens4354]

In the defence and in groups, the ubries can be very deadly. I had some success with having elementals deal with them in these cases... ✌️

[@Spartaner251]

nothing about the Suburban mech? the PPC variant? Also that AC-10 can reach out as far as the main gun on the Phoenix Hawk.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Lol, lots of people wanted to see that one XD. True on the AC/10, but it gets out maneuvered sometimes and slow to get into position.

[@filipstancel7315]

Superb video again!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

The Filip! Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@z3r0_35]

Here's a refit I've experimented with to stick to the spirit of an urban combat unit but also improve the mech's firepower. I removed the AC/10 and replaced it and its ammo with a large laser, plus two SRM-4s fed by two tons of ammo. The number of small lasers was increased to three to make infantry shit their pants, and it gained one more heat sink. The large laser gives it the same ability to reach out and touch something that the AC/10 does but without being limited to just ten shots (at the cost of a minor hit to damage per shot) while the SRM-4s can crit seek or be paired with the large laser for a stronger alpha strike. I called it the UM-R60M, with its lore stating that it was built to fulfill an order from House Marik of all people (and would be supplied to Anton Marik's rebels by the Capellans during the Marik Civil War).

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Good lord that's a monster D:

[@z3r0_35]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed That's what I thought when I tested the design in MegaMek, deploying a force of just those things against a lance of around equal battle value's worth of assault mechs. It didn't end well for the assault mechs.

[@R17inator]

This makes me curious to see what your take on the Charger would be.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

We're doin' it eventually. For sure 100%

[@rylian21]

Never get within sprint distance of a Charger.

[@geofalke]

An Urbie with jump jets is the biggest, tallest, meanest mech on the field at all times; disregard it at your own risk. When the mission profile isn't urban or other cqc environments I like to swap the AC10 out for an AC5. Helps to offset the lack of mobility and range on the larger cannons, not to mention the smaller size of the urbie makes return shots less likely to connect. While it may be a bit early for assaults I'd like to hear your opinions on what I feel is an often overlooked lightweight in the class, the Victor. I feel it's very similar to an early 21st century Terran MBT; just enough armor in the front to survive getting hit, just enough firepower to reliably drop whatever it comes up against, just enough modularity and flexibility in its loadout to handle any mission profile you hand to it, and just enough mobility to outpace and outflank whatever it's intending to destroy. I was lucky enough to find a dusty gauss rifle for mine and it's been a dream to pilot, but when in doubt there's nothing wrong with the standard AC20. Just got to plan ahead and use terrain and jump jets to your advantage is all.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Yeah, the Urbie really is imo a hidden gem. Not sure about taking it outside of city fight or sieges since the chance to escape if things go south is really low Can't really say much definitive about the Victor sadly. I'd want to do a thorough analysis of the entire heavy and assault class before making a decision, gotta look at all the alternatives and learn what the "meta" might be you know?

[@SANSd20]

When you were talking about Sample Lance Compositions, you show an example of what a reinforced company could be built around. Do you mean to add one more lance to it, or did you mean a reinforced battalion?

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

I dunno! Just fill in whatever's missing I guess!

[@pickledtezcat]

It's interesting to see these videos, because focusing on the c-bill cost of these units does give some very different tactical and strategic choices. For example, in c-bills, the stock urbie is only about 25% cheaper than an LRM carrier. And the proposed customization makes it about the same price. But in BV2.0, the stock urbie is 40% cheaper than an LRM carrier. In alpha strike, it's half the cost. Strategically, the whole point of the Urbanmech is to be intentionally nerfed, so you can get loads of them for a small price. We can easily make it better, but then the BV goes up, and we lose its most important attribute. At that point, we might as well just get a better mech. And from a real world perspective, once we get into min/max play with 300+ missiles, all that dice rolling is going to make our games take forever and through we might beat our opponent, they probably won't want to play with us again. As a merc, I think it would be better to avoid the urbie completely. However, if you're playing a narrative campaign, the merc player is going to often be up against pirates, rebels and other opfor groups who are very likely to take some urbies to guard their objectives. I've got one coming in the mail soon to fill exactly this role. A fun narrative speed-bump.

[@gabrielnguyen5580]

this series is awesome lol

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying!

[@WeOnlyEatSoup]

Such a classic mech

[@NemFX]

Alternate idea: ac2. Weaker attack, but longer range = more attacks. Just have them basically become cheaper Rifleman clones. There's ALWAYS a pile of ac2s. The Urbanmech becomes a cheap wall of flak, and they can basically just stay back from the main fight, unleashing a wall of bullets

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Hmm, possible? My concern on tabletop is being out maneuvered. The slow speed of the Urbie means mechs can easily hide from it. With a LRM and a spotter this is less of a problem.

[@NemFX]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed you dont gave to maneuver if you're standing in a base, unleashing ac2 rounds that they have to try walking through. An Awesome is the same price as about a dozen Urbanmechs. One Awesome versus 12 ac2s? It'll take a minute, but they'll tear that Awesome apart.

[@ruludos1977]

You missed one of the key reasons an Urbie prefers autocannons over more efficient lasers; they are the least likely weapons to cause fires and other collateral damage. The entire premise is that they're a defensive asset so you don't want a flashbulb starting an inferno in the middle of a combat situation where emergency response isn't feasible. Your custom variant is pretty similar to the R68 which is the only stock Urbie worth a can of beans in a tactical situation. MRM30 -> LRM20 swaps are very easy.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

people have been mentioning the MRM! Seems like it's worth looking into once I move past 3025!

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

The MRM varient is probably the best Urbie.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

It sounds like a really good mech! Not sure about it though as these first set of videos cover 3025

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed I understand. There are also versions I've seen that sport a PPC and some medium lasers instead kf the overweight AC-10

[@spencerjones841]

one can't forget the suburban mech variant which is a solid design

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

The mech, the meme, the legend!!

[@VultureXV]

06:33 This is actually why I almost always see larger mechs as more of a liability, akin to the "Age of the Battleship." Battleships are huge, heavily armored war machines that act as enormous weapons platforms on the open sea. The thing is, they are EXTREMELY expensive and their role was on the line of battle itself. This means that it is almost never an economic choice, but one of a show of force. This means it's a hell of a loss to occur when some cheap submarine pokes the battleship full of holes, or when a flight of cheap aircraft drop torpedoes in line with the hull. For the cost of an Atlas, how many Demolishers, Schrek PPC Carriers, LRM Carriers, SRM Carriers, and Aircraft could you get? You could nearly get four Demolishers alone for the price of one Atlas and that's 4 pairs of AC20's looking extremely angry in a particular direction. It's no wonder the Great Houses use Mechwarrior PMC's so much, every mech is basically a liability and they want that liability on someone else because the cost analysis will never truly be "in favor" of mechs. I know I, with even my basic level of strategic planning, would rather have a swarm (or numbers advantage) of mech-capable weapons over a handful of very capable powerhouse mechs.

[@joshuamidgette4846]

You missed the expanded torso turn to make it a walking turret. Also put a PPC or large laser in to eliminate ammo requirements.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

The torso turn is pretty good! I do actually cover that in the Offense Analysis and Mobility Analysis portions of the videos. PPC or LL are possible, but I feel like more suited to mechs that we want to preserve. Personally like the deadlier AC/20 to threaten heavies and assaults.

[@thegeneralmitch]

Switch out the AC/20 with an LBX and kneecap any mech in a city ambush. :D

[@NewsOfTheInnerSphere]

As an Urbie jockey, I fully support this message! 😆😜

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Yee haw!

[@locarno24]

The AC20 version also has fear on its side. Yes, the odds are awful and its effective range is only the same as a medium laser, but the fact remains that an AC20 shell can decapitate *ANY* 3025 mech, regardless of weight, in one shot. As long as you're within range there's that chance of boxcars-and-you're-dead.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Yep yep, I love the AC20 urbie!

[@juckyvortex]

Just the presence of an ac20 fundamentally changes the battlefield. Any mech mounting it commands respect and needs to be dealt with before any other.

[@deathwatch1169]

Never underestimate the Little Urbie that could

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

lol

[@PauloSantos-vf6ss]

Great video! LRM/SRM Carrier can do better than any of these Urbie variants but Urbies are more fun to play, no doubt

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Much more efficient! The Urbie variant is used to guard the LRM carriers!

[@thedango6890]

Bucket squad roll out! Rise of the TrashCanClan!

[@ironboy3245]

if you're willing to do a more heavy refit, you can mod the UM-R80 with 2 snub PPCs, ECM, and a XL 195 engine, giving it 97.5 KPH of speed and 2 jump jets, allowing it to act as a light skirmisher and EW mech for your big boys. You do need Endo Steel and Light Ferro Fibrous armor available though. MWO fans rise up! Edit: Oh its 3025 tech only....uhhhh yeah i got nothing. Urbies are just way too slow without an XL engine and Endo steel to open up weight

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

heheheh, yeah lots of fun stuff you can do once the years go forward I think. But alas 3025!

[@ironboy3245]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed I just did the math in mech DB, you can stick a 180 engine in the urbie, and still have enough space for a single PPC and 2 jump jets. Could downgrade the engine further to add more jets but it's already fast enough to keep up with a force with the 180

[@thedango6890]

Have not tried to use one in mechwarrior5 uet, but i'll say this they are kinda slow and derpy, i usually pepper them good and charge them. After i peppered them i pop a one two with my fists and boom done. This happens pretty fast

[@fedupN]

Just found this. Absolutely adore it. I particularly love the SCALING UP portion.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks for your feedback, it really helps in developing future videos. You meant the sample lance compositions correct?

[@fedupN]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed The entire framing of how a mech is used from a strategic view. Most other battletech vids take the approach of mechs as via a pilot. I really value and enjoy when you point out its monetarily cost efficient and then demonstrating how to be cost efficient in a larger organizational structure and strategic operations. TLDR; not just looking at mechs in a void or from a pilot standpoint, but from an operational/strategic standpoint.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

@@fedupN Thanks! I will keep that in mind for future videos. Not sure if it's possible to do in every single one, but if the analytics come back good I'll be adding it in where I can!

[@EnwardSnowman]

Let me help you out with the engagement a little... WHY DID YOU PUT A PICTURE OF A SESAME STREET CHARACTER IN THAT ONE SLIDE?

[@Reverb154]

What about an AC-5 in the right arm with a ton of ammo and two medium lasers in the left torso?

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Hmmm, probably not enough damage.

[@heymay724]

Just buy a clint

[@Gibbo81]

URBANMECH is the BEST!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

yeet!

[@HelmutKohlrabi]

You could drop a heatsink for an additional ton of ammo or armor

[@michaelvansise4887]

Was recently playing Roguetech with Urbocalypse running and came across an Urbie specialized as a missile defence platform, Guardian ECM, laser and machine gun automated point defense guns. Annoying little bastard, lol ;)

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Heh heh, sounds rough. I never messed around with the Rougetech mod, but I think it would be fun to try one day!

[@markfreeman4727]

isn't there already an official Urbanmech missileboat variant?

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

I think the one brought up the most is the Arrow IV. None in 3025 as far as I can tell though!

[@markfreeman4727]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed i'm referencing Blackpants legion think he mentioned an artillery variant that 'surprised the hell out of clan ghost bear'

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

@@markfreeman4727 Ahh, the UM-R68. It carried an MRM 30. The MRM system was invented in 3058 though, so still a bit early!

[@markfreeman4727]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed your going of a specific time period?

[@Prich319]

I still favor the WoB Urbie that killed the Kell Hounds, turns out they can be goddamn terrifying when you go the Metal Gear route and give them nuclear weapons.

[@SANSd20]

Give anything nuclear weapons and it will be terrifying.

[@dagoelius]

The 'Urbie' should be renamed the Scorpion. Tiny and usually unseen between buildings, rocks and sand... until it stings you with a searing pain you wont soon forget.

[@andreinowikow2525]

Perun, is that you? The slides, the presentation style, the voice…

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Who dat?

[@j-frame]

Remove the ac/10 and stick a ppc in the ac/10 place and you can upgrade the speed to surprise your enemy.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Expensive and gets out manuvered!

[@j-frame]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed If a 6/9 Urbanmech can get out manuvered! so can a Wasp, Stinger and other 6/9 Light mech.😁

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

True! But I don't think I would spend the time and resources on replacing an urbie 2/3 engine with a larger and more expensive 6/9. Unless you're willing to spend 100s of thousands doing a one off custom job why not just pick up a Javelin and go from there?

[@revenvrake7412]

I do like the custom model...but...but...you swap the weapons for the LRM-20...and you DON'T call it the *RuralMech?!* I mean come on! I mean, House Davion came up with the SubUrbanMech, mounting a PPC, 2 Medium Lasers, Small Laser, 3/5/3 movement. Its actually pretty good at murdering Kuritan Panthers.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Haha, that actually didn't come across my mind when thinking up names. On the other hand yeah, that build sounds fairly nasty~

[@Serbobiv123]

Its called a Trash Can, not a Trash Cannot!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

LOL

[@z3122]

Had an urbie take out two of my lancemates with an AC 20 to the cockpit. Nasty buggers.. lol

[@z3122]

Awesome channel!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks!

[@myklegeorge8663]

Ac5, 2 M lasers Or Ac2, 1 L laser

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Out maneuvered by too many mechs! LRMs indirect fire solves this!

[@thedango6890]

He should make a medium class version or a 30 ton version. So you can say yer takin out all the trash when you deploy your bigger trashcan leading a lance of lil trashcans!

[@derekburge5294]

It fits an Arrow IV. Buy a dozen of them.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Good lord. I'll have to take another look once I hit 3044

[@derekburge5294]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed UM-AIV, baby yeah! Word is, Discount Dan can get you NUKE tipped A4 too!

[@matthewpena3932]

I just made two Oscars out of a damage Mad Cat.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Lol. Lets goooo!

[@ObiwanNekody]

Why the 11 heatsinks always bothers me, so much.

[@finnm.2582]

The Urbie is not bad, it’s just misunderstood. It’s not a mech, it’s a turret on legs.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

yes

[@jst5926]

Always enjoyed your analysis of mechs. But your mech build were always painfull bad to look at. I have to say your urbanmech build is not bad at all gj.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Thanks! Still learning the game myself!

[@jst5926]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed I'm no ace ether. The only advice I can give is that your enemy don't care about your plans and will find to exploit your idea of what's right. Back armor is friend not your enemy.

[@Demolitiondude]

UM-AIV The wrath of garbage day.

[@KnightsofTitan]

*Sensors online* Remember capellans can be trusted and won't betray you in anyway at your wedding with a nuke. *Sensors offline*

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

D:

[@DIEGhostfish]

I'd just buy an SRM carrier for an all-or-nothing borderline suicide ambusher.

[@Johnpinckney98]

Did... did you just min-max an urbie?! boy, don't make me re-download battletech and all it's mods!

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

:^)

[@jamesmortimer4016]

I have seen things you people wouldn´t believe... Urbies DFAing highlanders among other things

[@markfreeman4727]

i may be laughed at for this, but in MW5 i am legitimately scared of the Urbanmech the burshfire weapon peels off armor and they refuse to die

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

Hue, nahh they're pretty good mechs all in all. Just not for mercs!

[@markfreeman4727]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed unless your running a defense contract?

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

@@markfreeman4727 Yep! The specialty aspect would put them on the bench more often than I'd like. Also very hard to retreat with them. I need something that's flexible, maneuverable, and generalist.

[@keeganpenney169]

I feel like the motivation for that thumbnail image is all my fault.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

lel

[@draegonspawn5361]

Urban mech = mobile bunker

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

yeet

[@linkmanplays]

Ah yes, the R60L, because someone thought a 30 ton light mech coring a heavy was funny.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

I know I do~ :^)

[@Xeno426]

Honestly, even from the economics standpoint the Urbie is blah. Combat vees can do the same job for cheaper.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

:^)

[@saltydoc4664]

“They filled me with trash, so I filled them with bullets” - Tex

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

yeet

[@mrbigglezworth42]

"slaps mech" take a look at how many missiles I can stuff into this trashcan! The Urbanmech is a bit of a joke character that actually has a valid battlefield use, but it gets a bad rep due to incredibly poor commanders using it for roles it was never intended to fill. Such is life in the Inner Sphere.

[@dylanperkins7939]

Bruh 2 urbies will NOT kill a warhammer lmao. All 3 units are throwing 2 10-damage shots per turn, but the urbies combined have less armor and structure. And if the Warhammer gets in close and starts kicking? It's over lmao.

[@unpotatoedsalmon]

Or here me out you could add nukes

[@mattblom3990]

I do dimiss it. I love you expressive golden blob...But Ubanmechs are dismissed.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

lol, I love my little trashcans.

[@mattblom3990]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed Hey dude have you done the Myers-Briggs? Random but I'm an ENFP likely like you. Can tell from the voice. Just dealing with some dramatic crap with my local Myers-Briggs group I run and figured I'd ask haha.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

@@mattblom3990 Hmm, I can't remember exactly as it's been a few years I'm a EN-something-something. I do like the Big 5 Personality a bit better though, I feel it gave me more insight into myself!

[@mattblom3990]

@@nerdyOveranalyzed Big 5 is good I took that too! It aligns with Myers Briggs but essentially adds the 5th letter if you're Assertive (emotionally even keeled) or turbulent (emotionally as it sounds)

[@alecseusalec3418]

Trashcan for sure. But AC20 is AC20.

[@nemamiah7832]

Hey, I have a "Custom" Urbie too! Take it for a spin, MechWarriors. UM-R69 "Charger" Movement: 12/18(30)/0 Weapons: Spike on RT and LT Armour: 105 points of IS Stealth Armour Engine: Clan XXL Gyro: XL Equipment: Supercharger, Guardian ECM Enhancement: Clan MASC Heatsinks: 10 Clan Double Can you guess, what it does, MechWarrior? For low, low price of 27 million C-Bills you can charge your enemies really-really fast, while being effectively unhittable and unkillable at the Long Range, unless you're facing a book character with 0 Gunnery. Take your time, win initiative, deal 80+ damage on a charge. Run away, laughing.

[@nerdyOveranalyzed]

:^)

[@ironboy3245]

Should be called the bullet, not charger