Why Do We Love The Merlin?

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Merlin 1-MF Record Sheet: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6rdm91...
BattleTech imagery and mech info remains the property of Topps.
Some imagery/video from Pixabay
IlClan Rec Guide 26:
Project Development: Johannes Heidler
Development Assistance: Aaron Cahall, Étienne Charron-Willard,
Chris Wheeler
BattleTech Line Developer: Ray Arrastia
Assistant Line Developer: Aaron Cahall
Writing: Étienne Charron-Willard, Johannes Heidler, Eric Salzman, Lance
Scarinci, Chris Wheeler
Additional Writing: Russell Zimmerman
BattleTech Line Editor: Aaron Cahall
Editing: Geoff ‘Doc’ Swift
Production Staff
Art Director: Anthony Scroggins
Assistant Art Director: Ray Arrastia
Cover Design and Layout: David A. Kerber
Illustrations: Alan Blackwell, Harri Kallio
Some iconography my edit of the battlemech line art was purchased from Ken Turner on ArtStation
#BattleTech #Mechwarrior #CatalystGameLabs #lore

[@A88mph]

Fun Fact: The Merlin's stats were used as an example for teaching people how to make custom mechs in "Battledroids," making it one of the first mechs in the game.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yep.

[@MKmaki6094]

What a pedigree, along with the evergreen Chameleon

[@tenchraven]

And in the black box of Battletech.

[@OasisTypeZaku]

And it took them till Technical Readout 3058 to give it proper stats and make it canon so we can play it. There wasn't a miniature until much, much later.

[@DynamoNED]

Ah, the Merlin. Simple, durable, effective. What more could you ask for in a Periphery heavy BattleMech?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Double heatsinks... I could ask for double heatsinks. :D

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

@@MechanicalFrog Ding! ding! ding! We have a winner!!!

[@bthsr7113]

Innovating in a way that the great houses haven't yet? That's always a hoot to see.

[@DynamoNED]

@@MechanicalFrog Double... heatsinks? Like, a heatsink in your heatsink? Sounds like Great House propaganda nonsense to me. Ain't never seen nothing like that out here in the Periphery.

[@Hammerhead227]

Rocket launchers

[@mirrorsandstuff]

"Mom. Can we have an Awesome?" "We have an Awesome at home." (But low key I love it)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Don't need the brand new aluminum Ford F-150. Give me a pickup truck from 1990.

[@DapperRaccoon]

"Seal the Deal" was such a great Shapnel entry. Another great video, love the Merlin and really excited for it to be in the new Kickstarter.

[@Marveryn]

I love both stories involving the merlin owner so far. He design a mech that is good support design that can handle all sort of missions but is low tech enough to be easily build.

[@Talondel]

Glad y'all have dug 'em, there's more Mountain Wolf love coming down the pipeline!

[@MechanicalFrog]

It is a fun one for making the world feel more real.

[@Szoki86]

Imagine being the leader of one of the Great Houses and realizing that an Amish Podunk just made a better version of your prized battlemech which has proudly served as the bulk of your forces for centuries. Cappelans don't have to imagine anything, they are living it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Life is full of little challenges... deep calm breathing...

[@Bomfunker91]

I love the Merlin, buuut it also happens to be 15 tons heavier and 50% more expensive than the Vindicator, which I feel needs to be noted. By the same logic, the Crusader is just a better Dervish, or the Cataphract just a better Enforcer.

[@scytheseven9173]

I'm surprised they never replaced the LRM-5 with an MML-5; it'd be a boon for ammo logistics, since it can use both LRMs and SRMs (standard and variants)

[@tripwire31]

They do for the 1E variant.

[@MechanicalFrog]

As Tripwire said, they do for the one variant I didn't cover in the video... heh.

[@Kingofdragons117]

The 1E is just a sub-variant that drops the machine gun for this refit.

[@tripwire31]

@@Kingofdragons117 The variant you are thinking of of the 1B, not the 1E.

[@TehSquare]

The Merlin also has the distinction of being the example Mech built in the construction rules all the way back in the Battledroids box

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yep. It's old school's old school.

[@yecnay25]

FINALLY! Been waiting for someone to tackle the first new mech of the 31st Century and one of the best 60 ton Heavies.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yay! glad to have provided.

[@Ironclockwork]

I always have a soft spot for 'Mechs that are sensible and survivable, and the Merlin is no exception. I like its aesthetics/artwork and its lore is something that I think more of the Inner Sphere needs to engage in. Engaging in sustainable warfare logistics while pursuing new ways to create said logistics is always a good thing.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's the reliable pickup truck you keep around even though it's getting old and a little rusty. It just keeps working.

[@ogrehaslayers605]

I genuinely love everything about the Merlin. Right down to the fluff about it in the TRO. 👍

[@MechanicalFrog]

It is just a really cool mech in-universe. Useful and fun on the tabletop too.

[@scytheseven9173]

Love the Merlin, it's like a heavy Vindicator A very reliable trooper for an IntroTech design, and it'll serve you very well in the Periphery The lack of hand actuators is a bit of a drawback, however, a little in combat and a lot for ever-important salvage work

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah it would be nice to have at least one hand...

[@scytheseven9173]

@@MechanicalFrog yeah, that'd really come in handy

[@MLCrisis1790]

I really enjoyed the Mountain Wolf stories in Shrapnel. And the Merlin is a great storyline mech for Periphery or Militia fights.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely a fun read.

[@Talondel]

Thanks for the kind words, MLCrisis! There's a lot more Mountain-Wolf-centric stuff in the pipeline, I'm glad you've enjoyed them so far.

[@nicolasgodines1129]

Not MechFrog doing my favorite Inner Sphere Mech of the SuccWars 😅😅 Joking aside, hoping you do all of the Mercenary Kickstarter Mechs like you did with the IIC stuff, excited to see what you give us next 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@MechanicalFrog]

There are some fun mechs on the slate for the next few weeks. We'll see...

[@Talondel]

Eyyyy, nice to see the Merlin getting some love. And thanks for the kind words, folks who've enjoyed those recent Shrapnel entries. There's more Mountain Wolf BattleMechs stuff on the way!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you so much for shining some limelight onto a lesser known design. :)

[@KeystoneCarcajou]

used the Merlin once. its solid, and I like that.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It just works.

[@lumijo2407]

Always great to see the Merlin getting love. A rough and solid machine that I've been using since I started into Battletech, even before I was really certain how to use it properly. The MF variant really plays to its strengths, and I think the standard engine is much more the tradition than the LRM rack is. It's a real pity the Merlin doesn't really translate well to Alpha Strike. As it stands, it's one of my go-tos for Classic but won't see too much as a massive trooper force in my larger AS games.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm no alphastrike expert but would I be accurate in saying that the card values tend to value offensive striking power? That might explain the lukewarm Merlin and other mechs I've seen.

[@lumijo2407]

@@MechanicalFrog It's calculated via a few factors distilled from classic stats, and the Merlin's heat management results in its offensive power being a little lower than one would think (though respectable at Long range). As a result, oddly, the 1A and the 1C are absolutely identical. As well, the durability granted by the standard engine really just gives a little more in the way of Structure points, which while nice still leaves it vulnerable to crits. Basically, Alpha Strike is called that for a reason. Stats are born from how hot the mech would be WHEN ALPHA STRIKING, and stuff like weapon cycling isn't well-factored. (Thus the Overheat mechanics.) It's simply a "lost in translation" thing. They're not horrible especially for the points, but it's not fun.

[@egaroadkill8701]

The Merlin was my first mech back in 1986 playing a Mechwarrior campaign as an Out Worlder. I wasn't happy with its looks and thought it appeared weak, but I kept returning from battles to be fixed up easy for the next patrol. My buddies kept getting hand me down broken stingers, wasps, locusts, and maybe a phoenix hawk replacement. I learned the Merlin was a very tough, survivable mech. Better yet, I love the new look! The MLN-MF looks like a lot of fun.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Easy to punch. Hard to kill.

[@thunderK5]

I've only put the Merlin into 1 game, a 1A in a War of 3039 game. I gave it to Zeta Battalion of Wolf's Dragoons, where it did well.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Nice to hear it performed.

[@Talondel]

Holy shit, a Merlin made it to the big leagues? Let's go Zeta!

[@tripwire31]

Hey Frog, since you're on a Periphery mech bend, is any chance you could do a video on the Marshal? It's the main mech of the Fronc Reaches (and made originally by the MoC and Taurains) however the Marshal is a fantastic mech for what it's made to do. P.S. IMO the SX would benefit from a Blazer over the Bombast, because the Bombast is over complicated with little gain.

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

I enjoy the Marshal as well. It's similar in many ways to thr Merlin, but being classed as a medium it's almost better. Plus it has hands. The Merlin could really use hands for construction work.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I have briefly mentioned the Marshal before in a previous video on the Fronc Reaches but we may revisit it some day.

[@jamesbeard5513]

Merlin, a durable, cheap mech to give periphary powers some weight to their force. Love it. And your variant could jokingly be called a 'Pocket Awesome'. It is kind of funny that both mechs have the same size engine(the SW Awesome anyway) and the Merlin has near the same range damage as the old SW variant, but be far better in close.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It didn't occur to me at the time but that absolutely does work as a pocket Awesome.

[@jamesbeard5513]

@@MechanicalFrog I also still see the Merlin C being used in conjunction with the Stinger IIC as an anvil for pirate hunting, similar to how the Kell Hounds have a Wolfhound/Verfolger hunting pack. Granted the Merlins aren't as fast nor the Stingers as durable as the Kell Hound pairing, but I still think it would work for Solahma units assigned to pirate hunting.

[@Mr._Anderpson]

The Merlin is one of my favorite "light heavys". It lives up to its namesake for being able to swoop in & pick apart something smaller and escape before the heavy hitters arrive. As much as people scoff at the flamer, there are always those edge-case scenarios where you run up against something which needs to run hot without going over. You can ruin their day with this humble weapon. If you've never heard the cackling call of these birds, I recommend giving it a listen. It is very distinct.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's quite solid.

[@swiftdraw]

I find it hilarious that the oft forgotten Outworlds Alliance, the definition of a Periphery backwater, developed the first mech after a century of stagnation and decline. I ran a 1B for awhile in a campaign Periphery merc lance I threw together with 'cheap', or more charitably 'cost effective', being the primary concern. It did fine along side a Wasp 1A, Valkyrie QA, and a Marshal 2L. Note that they all have the 'Easy to Maintain' quirk. Against pirate and militia forces, the Merlin working back to back with the Marshal , the Wasp distracting, and the Valk harassing, it did fine. But the moment it came up against heavier regular forces, it died. While it is easy to find parts for it, it is dang difficult to replace a center torso. Anyhow, it can work as a part of a larger formation or an anchor against lighter irregulars, but when it becomes THE heavy against equal or greater forces, the Merlin struggle mightily. Much like the Vindicator in that respect, as you pointed out.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Well, remember the piranha theory. While the big houses trash each other, the Periphery can develop.

[@Sierra026]

Guess you could say: that Mech... *sunglasses* ... is pretty wizard. [CSI: Miami theme]

[@MechanicalFrog]

Well done. :P

[@freeranger00]

I adore the Merlin, I have one in the campaign I've been playing set during the 4th Succession War. My merc company prefers to be mobile when possible, so a lance with a Wyvern, Spider, Griffon (in a custom Periphery configuration that is produced in the campaign), and Merlin is capable of taking on a lot of objective based missions in rugged terrain. When more of a straightforward approach is called for, we go heavy with our Orion, Crusader, Hunchback, and Merlin, with the Merlin in a flanker role. The Merlin is a perfect mech for mercenaries, it can cover several roles well enough while just being a super-sized Vindicator. As a fan of the Vindicator, I love the Merlin even more because 60 tons of 4/6/4 movement with a PPC onboard can be a real handful. The OG unit being priced at a little under 5 million and available to mercs is the cherry on top that makes it a wonderfully flavorful generalist that is beloved by this IS merc player.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The reign of the generalist mechs has no end.

[@hermes7587]

The Merlin 1A is a surprisingly good Mech. We used one in a mercenary campaign and it proved to be versatile and durable. It is a jack-of-all trades design and can fill many different roles. It is best described as a tougher version of the Vindicator.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a fun one. big and blocky fun.

[@randomnetsurfer]

I must say that the outtro of "make the world a slightly better place, today and tomorrow" is a really (or is it slightly? haha) positive message, and I always watch to the end because of it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I like to set an achievable bar.

[@randomnetsurfer]

@@MechanicalFrog Well it's earned you a loyal subscriber. Sorry I can't "channel member" or patreon right now, but I figure the ++engagement from my comments might help a bit? So I can freely express my approval of this content while also helping the algorithm give me more of it. :)

[@WolfHreda]

Gotta love a good, solid trooper.

[@Bluehairedgirl89]

Heya! Thank you so much for all the work you put into this video! I really enjoyed it! Damn, I love this mech! The fact that it’s a periphery original with components from my own beloved Magistracy is so awesome! And those design quirks are just perfect and fit my preferences so much, Rugged and Easy to Maintain! Heck yes! Those rules make life in a campaign so much easier, especially the hard scrabble periphery mercenary campaign that I love. The loudout is pretty great as well, I love the 1D and your own MF variants. So yeah I might try to pick up one of the original metal models to hold me over until we see the new design in plastic. I can’t wait to put this one this machine on the field. This is rapid going into my top ten list of battlemechs.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's great to see the Periphery nations get some love. Thanks for watching, as always.

[@Bluehairedgirl89]

@@MechanicalFrog Yes it is! Of course, I can’t wait to see what comes next!

[@toxofoz6233]

Outworlds Alliance for life. Bombardiers, Merlins, Night Hawks and an occasional Hercules can't go wrong.

[@sebastiang.5032]

The PPC in your colored artwork really gives me Ghostbusters proton pack vibes. So cool.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I've always thought of PPCs as basically man-made lightning, so...

[@jonbezeau3124]

Even in the 32nd century sometimes you just need enough battlemech to dunk on conventional militia, museum pieces, or duct-tape-and-baling-wire salvage jobs

[@MechanicalFrog]

"Just enough to survive," is still surviving.

[@rickusjamesus]

I never used to Merlin until really recently but it's a nice mech to use, especially for a Periphery force. I used it a lot when I played a Marian Hegemony campaign recently. I did want to say that the -1P can be useful in a city or heavy forest where you will always be shooting at shorter ranges. So it's like a big Urbanmech lol

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's good to have a few around.

[@brianhenry152]

I remember seeing the Merlin introduced as the example for Mech construction rules in 2nd edition back in 1988. Then seeing how it was canonized as the first new mech to be constructed in the era of the 3rd Succession War, in the Outworlds Alliance of all places! Guess there's more than just Pirates and farmers out in that stretch of the Periphery! Looking at it on paper, it seems to be the Vindicators bigger, meaner brother. On table top, I managed to score one of these in a Megamek campaign from House Davion for a job complete in lieu of actual payment... and it turned out to be solid enough for me to call it a good deal! It's got decent firepower at all range brackets, a flamer and machinegun for any Infantry units trying to pull shenanigans, and Jump Jets? I'd call that a very solid mech for the price.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely a solid mech. It's the early 90s pickup truck that just keeps working no matter how rough you treat it.

[@keebbles]

3 LPPCS, 2 SRM4's , 2 small pulse lasers for infantry. Leaves tonnage and room for ecm/eccm. Stealth. Armor and frame upgrades. Srms help it be more of a mobile brawler, and crut seekers with small pulses. I also tended to take std version and swap in lg pulse for ppc, and med pulses for reg mediums. Keeping missiles in either twin lrm5s or twin srm4s depending on mission profile. Lrm variant used lmg array and srms twin pirate flamers. Specialized ammo in legs with 1 ton reg and half ton each (max 2 types for 1 ton) of a specialized type (acid, HE, AP, swarm, or incendiary/heat). This gave mech opportunity to overheat and slow down incoming dps and limit enemy movements. Shutting down a mech allowed a jump to rear to allow precision strikes to rear. Or targeting legs/head for max salvage. The brawler receives extra srmor. While lrm variant gets more heat sinks. Hunter lances would use two of each. Coordinating at med range to overheat targets until explosions, shutdowns or pilot panic ejection occurs. Probe type sensors on long range and ecm/eccm on brawlers if tech availability allows. Ups point cost a wee bit, but worth it overall. Especially in campaigns where repairs matter as does replacements parts. If pirate tech isbin play, the pirate lrm 5s are very worthwhile. Inferno srms work well on mechs, vehicles, inantry both powered and nakeds. Somehow only engine upgrades I ever used in Merlins were Light engines. Keeping it all CT. Always moved ammo to legs and JJ to torso slots 1RA, 1LA , 2CT. Next to the Chameleon, it's one of my favorite IS mechs. 😊

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a fun one. It has lots of character.

[@adamneff9852]

Automatic like and share for the Merlin. I love this ‘mech and I’ve been anxiously waiting for this video. Double points for inclusion of the Merlin-1B Porter, my personal favorite.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm so glad that I could deliver.

[@ChaosTicket]

I usually follow a 3 step process with Battlemechs. Merlin 1, the modification. Take the original 3010 Merlin, then drop 3 Heat Sinks to add some extra weapons. I prefer 1 new LRM-5 and an extra ton of ammunition. Merlin 2, the upgrade. Following Merlin 1, replace Single Heat Sinks with Double Heat Sinks, Standard skeleton with Endo-steel, Replace PPC with ER PPC, Replace 1 Medium Laser with 2 ER Medium Lasers, Increase number of Machine Guns from 1 to 2, and Flamers from 1 to 2. Merlin 3, the Clan upgrade. Following Merlin 2, replace all equipment with clan-grade equivalents. Optionally use special armors, like Ballistic-Reinforced Armor. The basic rule of design was to keep it cheap with a standard fusion engine and 4 jump jets on all models. Every model is between 6-7million c-bills.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Cheap and effective. The name of the game.

[@georgesulea]

I always love your variants. Still wish I played the tabletop game. Cool stuff:)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks a ton! At least you could load up MegaMek if you needed the tabletop fix.

[@nexusofice9135]

This BattleMech is just magical on the battlefield.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It is cheap and fun. What more can we ask for?

[@bennaveaux]

One of my favorite mechs to use against players in a time of war or destiny. Just hits hard enough at all ranges to not be ignored, but not so hard as to immediately end a players fun. Tough enough that the players feel satisfied when they bring it down. It works well in pairs and is also a good ally unit to bring in from a militia force. Its not gonna steal the show from the players but they will be glad to have it helping out and taking some hits.

[@Linkous12]

Such a solid 60-tonner. One my favorite heavies.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It just works.

[@haileysaint5443]

I do like the classic MLN-1, as well as the MLN-C. Your MLN-MF is a pretty nifty variant as well. My MLN-1ISM also uses only IS tech, but with a loadout somewhat similar to the classic Merlin. It retains the standard 240 engine for durability, of course, as well as standard internal structure and the jump jets. It utilizes double heat sinks but doesn't use advanced armor, instead carrying 10.5 tons of standard plate. Each arm mounts an IS ER Medium Laser, while the right torso has a Plasma Rifle with 2 tons of ammo and an MML-5 with a ton each of long and short range ammo, protected by CASE II. The left torso has a Flamer and a Heavy Machine with 2 tons of CASE II protected ammo. While better suited for engaging armor, infantry, and possibly Light 'Mechs, it has a a BV(2) of 1425 and a cost of 5.8 million C-bills.

[@MechanicalFrog]

That sounds like a solid variant. If I put a Plasma Rifle on another mech I'm only going to cement a reputation for it.

[@jefffreese947]

Always felt like the Cappellans would be unleashing their IP lawyers due to Vindicator copyright infringement. Really liked your MF version, even if it NEEDS to keep the LRM-5!!! Love the Heavy PCC/ML back-up to deal with the minimum range issue.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Always needs an LRM-5 for MAXIMUM DAMAGE.

[@chrismillin5805]

I have a merlin in my merc unit for tabletop its like you said good all around and fun to play around with when the timeline progressed

[@catzo_5762]

Merlin my beloved, this is my favorite heavy mech, hands down. It is an extremely solid pick, basically a bulked up Vindy. My only complaint is that there's a very limited amount of canon variants

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's not fancy, but it works and fits really well with the time it was created. Of all the mechs you can argue has a field refit, it's the Merlin.

[@catzo_5762]

​@@MechanicalFrogindeed. It's a workhorse of a sixty tonner that will get the job done. It actually kind of reminds me of the Whitworth being in the 40 ton mech slot, something that's really good but other mechs in the same weight bracket are laughable, Assassin and Vulcan, Dragon and Quickdraw. The Merlin is there to remind you what a heavy mech is capable of bringing to bear, just like the Whitworth is.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely!

[@overlord2304]

The Merlin, among many other reasons is why I'm proud to be an Outworlder.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm really digging the Raven Alliance lately. I hope they do well in the IlClan era.

[@overlord2304]

@@MechanicalFrog why do you hurt me so Mechfrog 🤣😭 I just want to grill and the ravens keep dragging me into foreign astro-politics 🤣

[@devianttoast5828]

Not tabletop, but in BTA 3062 these cause me sooo many headaches. Which is impressive, considering I usually go at them with assault mechs- These sturdy fellas have caused more than a few pilot deaths via PPC headshots and DFA'd knockdowns to allow their allies to rip my prone mechs apart.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I had to spend 10 million c-bills searching for the pieces in BTA for the screenshots...

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

The Merlin is basically just a bigger Vindicator. There's nothing wrong with that.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yep. I can't find fault in that.

[@Yacovo]

Watch as I pull yet another generalist mech from my hat! This one lowers a tabletop game's framerate! Thanks for the video

[@MechanicalFrog]

We love the generalists. They will likely inherit the universe.

[@przemoant2560]

I like this. This is good, more squatty OA Vindicator. Less guilt too, since you probably don't pilot for an Inner Sphere autocrat if you're piloting the Merlin.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Very fair point.

[@oninojohn]

the merlin does not spark joy. but mechs like this are good for the setting overall. its cool that you cover the overlooked ones

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a very good mech in-universe. Ok on the tabletop. At least it's cheap?

[@oninojohn]

thats ture, maybe its just not for me. i like the wraith from last vid way more@@MechanicalFrog

[@Cadiangrunt99]

Made me want to get a merlin or two for my mercs :D

[@lexington476]

Sweet, now here's one you never think about.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Continuing our mission to shine the light on lesser known/remembered mechs.

[@michaelpfister1283]

This is a new one to me. I remember reading the fluff on the Merlin and passing it over. I have only recently become a fan of the generalist machines. I may need to look into this one... An MF variant, alongside a Vindicator, Black Jack and Panther. "The Disregarded"? LOL

[@MechanicalFrog]

Deadly because you forgot about it... the lance.

[@DDVargas1983]

I've been slow building a MoC force to paint up for the new year. I'm going to have to grab a Merlin.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely a must-have.

[@CTXSLPR]

For a Periphery staple mech, I’m more surprised at the lack of an official version featuring some form of RL. An RL-20 saves you 0.5 tonnes for replacing the LRM5 so a SL/MG or more armor or four RL-10s for the same tonnage. Don’t let me tell you what to do with the saved ammo tonnage (probably heatsink).

[@MechanicalFrog]

1 ton of beef jerky.

[@CTXSLPR]

@@MechanicalFrog not quite enough for meat mountain...

[@lukedudley5030]

Another fun watch :-) this is a mech i actually havent used or fought against which rare for the earlier designs :-) seems a decent soldier mech...i like the mf version always nice to see how others personalise their mechs :-)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear so many people say they hadn't thought about the mech in a long while. I want to highlight good/decent mechs that need some love.

[@jasonhenninger8220]

Rebuild of the C with a touch of IS. 4(5)/6(8)/4, TSM, Endo, 13DHS, 13t Armor, ERPPC, 2 ER MLasers, LRM15 w/A5 (2t A), Watchdog CEWS, L-AMS, targeting computer. (BV2 2835)

[@rmcdudmk212]

I like the Merlin. Solid mech that doesn't need too many crazy upgrades to make it shine.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's the classic pickup truck that you keep around for decades.

[@rmcdudmk212]

@@MechanicalFrog pretty much. I'm gonna give your build a whirl in MegaMek. I've got something similar but one less Light PPC but I gave it a partial wing.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh, that might be fun too.

[@ChaosTicket]

The Merlin is a 60ton Vindicator. Its derpy looking, but in a cute way like a Pug dog or the Urbanmech. Its not terrible, but shares all the Vindicators problems. Its a master-of-none with too many heat sinks. Upgrading an unplished to reach its full potential is more interesting than a more solid unit. What would you do, upgrade the close range anti-infantry weapons, or perhaps upgrade that single 5 tube long range missile launcher to something better? Upgrading to Double-heat sinks, endo-steel, an ER PPC, and an LRM-15 would make a solid platform. The lore around the Merlin is the most interesting part. its the first brand new mech design during the Succession Wars? Its always been a ambiguous how much technology was lost during the 1st and 2nd Succession Wars. Some lore says there were no new mech designs and factories. That is often a contradicted because of all the variants and mech factories that popped up, just with a technology ceiling of "3025" Level 1 technology.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Just the upgrade to double heat sinks makes a world of difference.

[@floridaman3823]

It survived. That is it's greatness.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Usually a good thing.

[@ThelemicPotter]

Hell yeah! Morning BattleTech!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Wooo!

[@wraith7989]

The LRM 5. Only slightly more useful than the AC 2. But they still bolt it onto damn near everything.

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

It's a lot lighter, so that's a big difference. Remember that a single missile can cause motive hits on vehicles or floating critical hits on mechs. I have had a pilot die after 97/100 missiles missed him. Those 3 lrm's hit the CT, critically hit, destroying the gyro, auto fail the pilot roll and the mech toppled... onto its face. Enough head damage to kill the pilot. Barely scratched, just needed a head and gyro. Amazing salvage.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I would absolutely take an LRM5 over an AC2. :D

[@jgodwin17]

Love the Merlin. As someone who works with lots of very complicated machines as a career, the best ones are not the most cutting-edge, fastest performing, or convenient, the best machines are the ones that work....and when they break you can actually get them running again. The Merlin embodies that design philosophy for me. I think my favorite variant is the Taurian MLN-1E from the recent rec guides. It drop's the D's heavy machine gun and replaces the LRM-5 with an MML-5. It makes the mech a better generalist in my opinion and has something to find holes in armor at short and long range.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh there's definitely something to be said for keeping things simple and not over-engineering.

[@jgodwin17]

@@MechanicalFrog For sure. I love the little section in the new TRO about a Merlin using parts from an Ostsol, a Rifleman, and and a Helios and still being a functional combat machine.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Off the shelf parts... what a novelty in this day and age.@@jgodwin17

[@jgodwin17]

@@MechanicalFrog Oh man, would I love to have a car that had those, haha.

[@samuelbaldwin2184]

The Merlin is like a lighter, cheaper, worse grasshopper with some extra utility. Unfortunately due to armor breakpoints once the clan invasion starts and C-ERPPCs and Gauss rifles become ubiquitous it just gets split open like a tin can immediately. At least it doesn't have an XL engine, but unfortunately its not enough to keep it alive long.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The lore really saves the Merlin. Especially far from the Clan lines.

[@TheGreystroke]

@@MechanicalFrog this is not a grasshopper its a bigger vindicator

[@Reverb154]

This looks like a job for the Basic Pulse lasers!

[@MechanicalFrog]

wub wub wub.

[@pat0652]

I am a fan. Needs more 3050-ish official variants

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'd like to see more field refits from that era. I bet there are some really creative Periphery variants that just have whatever they had on hand strapped to the mech.

[@Kingofdragons117]

I can't wait til I get mine with the kickstarter. I plan on making it a Merc mech or for my Snow Ravens. The choices....

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm definitely starting a Raven force.

[@Kingofdragons117]

@@MechanicalFrog The Beta Galaxy color scheme is quite good imo. I see many good renditions of it.

[@therakshasan8547]

What would be helpful to make is a video that shows the current seller of the rule set that covers all the new bells & whistles .

[@MechanicalFrog]

The current seller?

[@joshuamidgette4846]

I like the Merlin, and the Vindicator in MW5. However, that LRM 5 is useless even in the succession wars. Replace it with SRM 4 or SRM 6. That would give you 2 medium lasers, 1 Machine gun, 1 Flamer, and the SRM for a decent short range punch.

[@MechanicalFrog]

At least it's not an AC2.

[@lexington476]

What would be some other 3025 designs that are considered generalist? Definitely the Vindicator, and Shadow Hawk, what do other people think?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Quickdraw, Dragon, Enforcer.

[@Cobalt-60]

I use the MLN-1B as the support mech of the Heavy Fire Lance of the Recon Company I run from the 151st Rgt ELH.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh that is a nifty plan.

[@Cobalt-60]

My ELH Recon Fire Lance (3025 tech): MAD-3D WHM-6D RFL-3N (stock variant) MLN-1A (later modified to a -1B)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Solid lance.

[@Cobalt-60]

Thanks! The Medium Command Lance for the Recon Co is: TDR-5SE (an ELH fav!) GRF-1N (stock) WVR-6M (obtained under contract to the FWL) PXH-1D The previous alluded to Light Recon Lance contains: TRC-4B (previous discussed Chameleon variant) WSP-1D STG-3G LCT-1V (stock) All soon to be available in plastic! 👏

[@CaptainBanjo-fw4fq]

Yay, more mech frog!

[@MechanicalFrog]

The nonsense must flow!

[@Terlecki777]

The mech I didn’t know I loved!

[@MechanicalFrog]

A win, then.

[@mathewkelly9968]

Ah the Merlin it's only crime is appearing in the wrong TRO , should be in the 3025 TRO

[@MechanicalFrog]

It should.

[@Axzealot]

The MF variant is just an Awesome which is good

[@MechanicalFrog]

Low cost Periphery Awesome. Not too shabby.

[@riptors9777]

Rugged design, easy maintenance, solid weaponsloadout, can even deal with infantry formations, inexpensive. A very flexible design. Definatly more then enough for anti pirate operations. It falls behind in the 3050s after the retrieval of the helm memory cores technology, not initially benefitting from the recovered tech upgrades till much later. As said in the video its a generalist, not the most flashy of designs but atleast it will never find itselfe in a situation it cannot deal with somehow. Definatly a good choice for upcomming mercenary units that still have to find their footing. Solid performance for an affordable price. The off the shelf components it uses will make sure that even when heavily damaged the mech will be up and running in no time. So aslong as you dont run into clanners the Merlin will serve you well. Also it makes for a great "beginner" heavy mech for fresh heavy mech pilots or training of such.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Totally agree. It's a shame it took so long for the mech to get some of those yummy upgrades like DHS. But that's Periphery life for ya.

[@JosephMitchell-zw3db]

Vindicator of heavy mechs

[@tomarmadiyer2698]

I don't care how well the armor is rated, you move those ammo bins to the legs or i ain't taking Poptart out there. A TAC away from tasting the sun...

[@tomarmadiyer2698]

That said... She puts a lot of hurt downfield. She's got a good feel.

[@Salesman9001]

Everyone knows the only place to place ammo without CASE is the head. Ammohead comes with multitude of benefits: 1. Motivates Mechwarriors to avoid being bonked on the head 2. Saves the mech if it does get bonked on the head 3. Saves on burial costs for the sub-par Mechwarrior since authentic Viking burial is included for free

[@justincase9282]

Automatic ejection is immediate. Your pilot will live through that ammo crit. Head and legs are my goto ammo placement

[@MechanicalFrog]

Center Torso. Keeps the ammunition warm and cozy.

[@kierdalemodels]

I think you’ll find a (YMN-6Y) Yeoman is a Yeoman’s mech for Yeomen (Yeomans??)!🧐 Great vid though!😄

[@MechanicalFrog]

Heh. Yes yes...

[@louiswilkins9624]

Solid mech

[@MechanicalFrog]

It just works.

[@robbybarbera]

Love to pair Merlins with Vindicators.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Survivors working together.

[@robbybarbera]

@@MechanicalFrog Absolutely. Plus I fan of generalist battlemechs all around. As mercenaries are my favorite faction.

[@Gillymonster18]

This and the Night Gyr look very similar.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah they have that look in common.

[@spencerjones841]

Only thing that makes the merlin a bit meh is how oversinked it is. Well that and having a MG and a flamer. But it can be easily modified to be great

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oversinked? O_o

[@spencerjones841]

if your bracket firing it very much is. besides its introtech some heatbuild up builds character. but yeah pulling the MG and 4 heat sinks lets you add a 2nd LRM-5 and 2 Medium lasers along with a ton of armor bringing it up to 11.5 tons. Sure it runs a tad hot but not horribly so by introtech standards@@MechanicalFrog

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

The new art makes this bizarre mess into a respectable looking machine at last. I like your MF variant as well, and have found the the base model serviceable in the past. Personally I rebuild this mech around multiple Clan Large (or more numerous medium) Pulse Lasers with a targeting computer and it makes a nice brawler with 3x Strength Myomer added. My primary use of the mech is to defend slow movers like my fire support LRM boat(s) from quick moving lights. It's simply too slow for much else, unless you add a supercharger, MASC, or up the engine via an XL implant.

[@MechanicalFrog]

A pulse laser brawler variant would work quite well.

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

@@MechanicalFrog "It absolutely does." --- The Voice of Experience LOL

[@juicaj1]

So glad to see some merlin love. My only question though, would the merlin C go into a snow raven star or an Outworld alliance lance? From what I've seen the two have maintained themselves pretty separate

[@MechanicalFrog]

Might default to the Ravens for now, but as time passes, we know they're going to end up meshing.

[@Zanedor]

If I understand correctly both would probably use it, but the Alliance Military mabye more then the SR Touman. The vibe I get is that the RA armies tend to use a a mix of Clan mechs and IS/Periphery mechs that have been upgraded or refitted with Clan tach, with each force leaning a bit more one way or the other. Differences in milliary doctrine may also play a role. For example: AMC seems to be receiving plenty of War Crows, the RA's new main Heavy Omnimech, the SR Touman have been hogging all the Carrion Crows, he RA's new main Medium Omnimech, to themselves. This makes sense as SR doctrine tends to favor Mediums over Heavys.

[@Brigand231]

If it works, it doesn't matter what people say about it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

True. Surviving is a great counter-argument to criticism.

[@ero9841]

Love this mech. I would take it over a warhammer anyday.

[@MechanicalFrog]

WIthout checking BV, it's probably cheaper.

[@ero9841]

@@MechanicalFrog merlin actually has just little bit lower bv. Only 100 less. So bv there comparable. If you use tons your saving 10 with merlin. Cost wise there there is huge difference.

[@tehpw7574]

Love today's art but did they intentionally do that spark-droop as to be PPC fire (because that seems to be really weird ML fire)?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Intended to be a Light PPC.

[@johnfisher9692]

Given our own pace of technological advancement it does seem unbelievable that Mech designs centuries old could still be viable and that science seems to have come to a halt. As we know war increases scientific advancement yet even the peace of the Star League seems to have done very little. The fact the first mech, the Mackie is a 100 tonner gives the lie to Heavy mechs being the biggest that could be produced till the ability to build bigger one's was developed. Yes I am being picky but someone really messed that up. 😆

[@MechanicalFrog]

We suspend some disbelief...

[@DairXV]

I'm just not a fan of damage drop-off mechanics at all. I could see the advantage of a mode selectable laser/ppc, but one where the damage and modifiers change based on range bracket is a bridge too far when dealing with humans playing a game that is already heavily loaded with rules. As is, they are too heavy, too cumbersome and too hot. While there can be some argument at the large laser models, in general, I'd rather take X-Pulse lasers over VSPL almost every time.

[@MechanicalFrog]

While I do appreciate a fun new weapon, some of them are overly complicated. Especially when you start adding multiple different versions to a mech.

[@fenny1578]

Magical

[@MechanicalFrog]

Quite magical... mysterious even...

[@fenny1578]

@@MechanicalFrogFunnily enough this is another one of the starter mechs from the Frontier Lands days. We had Merlins before they tossed us (newbies) into Thunderbolts. Not gonna lie. The thing is a generalist of all time, and against the guys who used to play on there putting us up to TDRs was a blessing. God I need to get that code running again. We don't deserve to live in a BTMUXless universe.

[@greysonjones5429]

The Merlin is a solid 60 tonner. The only bone i have to pick is that machine gun. Get it out of here. If you're using machine guns and you dont have at least 6 and half a ton of ammo, youre doing it wrong. Just give me another flamer and half a ton of armor for introtech... Or please give me an Anti-Missile System. Same tonnage for one AMS and one ton of ammo, and that is far more useful and far less dangerous than the machine gun. And in a pinch you can use it as a one hex range machine gun.

[@MechanicalFrog]

An AMS would be far more useful.

[@Metal_Carnage]

I don't think I've ever run The merlin; it's always struck me as somewhere between lackluster and disappointing. Then again, the 60-ton weight class is a bit awkward. Most of the time you can get better efficiency out of 50 or 55 tons especially if you're designing something to go fast. On the other hand, the other tonnages in the heavier class are more impressive in combat. I could see it being a training mech. The clan variant does show promise, but I like high intensity combat designs anyway. I like the MF variant- respectable ranged punch backed up by a couple of med pulse lasers and would put it on the table. As a sidenote, the small pulse laser is the only class of pulse laser that excels at anti-infantry work. Med and Large pulse lasers only do damage/10+1. Iirc, the fluff says that it's because the small pulse cycles faster than the other 2. I am surprised you didn't add in a couple of small pulse lasers in light of your penchant for more damage groups at closer range.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's definitely a mech that makes much more sense in-universe than on the tabletop. It can still do well there but, like you said, nothing spectacular. At least it's cheap. As far as the pulse lasers go, anything with that -2 to hit is going to be helping with the infantry and BA. I do take your point, though.

[@defiantmechwarrior2397]

Mechfrog 10k in 23😃

[@MechanicalFrog]

We're on track to make it by mid-December. We'll see...

[@gregdomenico1891]

Great mech at the time for a Merc unit on a budget. And in my opinion, alot better then that piece of garbage in the same weight class, the Quickdraw.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I think we're on the same page. I'm not a big fan of the Quickdraw.

[@sim.frischh9781]

This mech really needed some new artwork, the original one was just plain ugly. And not in a good sense. Harri Kallio´s iteration finally gives the mech the love and visual bulk it long since needed. Oi, that MF version is impressively PC-heavy, i like it. But i would have put the pluse lasers in the arms as well because against infantry, being able to lower the arm is way easier than lowering the entire torso. My personal take would be a salvaged machine that put a large laser and a machine gun in each arm and a medium laser in each side torso because that was available.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Agreed on the artwork.

[@vixbrabec]

hey bro its is for sale but sold out

[@MechanicalFrog]

Story of my life.

[@topcatcoast2coast579]

Basically a Vindicator.

[@MechanicalFrog]

A Vindicator that never misses a dessert.

[@ZombieSexmachine]

A good addition to any periphery or merc force.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely a solid in-universe pick.