Why Do We Love The Wasp?

[@lucendacier6851]

Glad to see the Wasp get some love, and appreciate the LAM mention, even if the one official image of a Wasp LAM didn't make it on-screen.

[@MechanicalFrog]

After the beating I took following the Stinger video, it needed at least a mention.

[@lucendacier6851]

@@MechanicalFrog Hopefully the comments were not too harsh. What you added to this video was all I wanted. Just a "and there's a LAM variant, but that's a story for another day. "

[@calumdeighton]

The Wasp is my most common light Mech in my BattleTech forces. Shame MechWarrior misses this common/founding machine.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah it's a shame that it and the Stinger haven't gotten the recognition they deserve.

[@mattikuokkanen]

For players there aren't many good reasons to take Wasp nor Stinger over Jenner or Phoenix Hawk (same could be said about Valkyrie & Dervish and Panther & Griffin). I have paired Wasp with Banshee BNC-3E largely for lore reasons as a Lyran garrison force where both 'Mechs are canonically used. Surprisingly enough, I have won with them against more competent 'Mechs, including a lance of Orion, Lancelot, Trebuchet, and Locust. This is a no-shitter: Lancelot got legged by weapons fire, Orion got a fist through cockpit (compare to TRO3039 cover page), Locust got KO'd, and Trebuchet got away. 1 of my 2 Banshees got head blown off by medium laser from Locust & falling damage, then another Banshee hit Orion with a fist of karma.

[@rednecktek2873]

LAM's never got the respect they deserve as a FAST hitter. Between the Stinger and the Wasp it was an idea that had potential and I'd love to see an actual video on the variants that tried it.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I don't have anything against LAMs. I just have no experience with them in the actual game.

[@gregdomenico1891]

Biggest Wasp horror story for me? Fighting a Pirate lance in 3062; had already blown off the arms and a leg actuator of a Wasp; said I'll deal with this Hunchback now, and finish you off later. Next turn, the little bug DFA'd my Wolverine, killing the pilot.

[@randyslater199]

Ahhhhh, the Wasp thank you taking me down memory lane. I have added the MF version to my files for future play

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad to do it. Enjoy!

[@zacharygoguen5126]

As someone who runs a Battletech campaign, i love using Wasps in battles as agile backstabbers paired with Phoenix Hawks. Course it isn't super effective against my players assault lances but. It's fun to diversify my tactics and try to get as much use out of a mech as possible

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely. Keep your enemies guessing.

[@georgeremero4982]

Though I prefer the Stinger and its machine guns, I still have great affection for the Wasp. Thank's for another great one, and heres hoping for a LAM video in the future.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I would have to figure out the LAM rules first... I've never played with them.

[@georgeremero4982]

@@MechanicalFrog I would gently recommend Interstellar Operations as the most comprehensive iteration of the rules, as well as the Battletech Compedium for a look at the classic rules before they were considered controversial.

[@frankb3347]

In the TROs it says the Wasp is even more common then the ubiquitous Stinger and Locust. So it seems that it is the single most common Mech that exists. Which is why I have several in my lore based collection.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Can hardly take a stroll down to the corner shop without tripping over one.

[@joshuaturnquist5538]

Kinda makes sense. The original Stinger is better versus infantry with it's dual MGs, but the Wasp has a little more ranged punch with the SRM. When you are that light it's better to run fast and shoot at mid range, than run up and machine gun someone.

[@observationsfromthebunker9639]

You've been doing a good job recently with some of the rarer designs. But it was excellent to see you go back to the OG standards and cover the Wasp. I have a fond spot for this one going back to the black box days. Fast, agile, decent weapons for its size. It was the primary light mech for my mercenary unit of bygone times. Wasps are inexpensive and easy to repair/replace, so it's a great scout unit for a merc unit with an eye on the balance sheet. After seeing the upgrades from other time periods, it's good to see that the reliable, ubiquitous Wasp can still participate right up to the Dark Age.

[@MechanicalFrog]

My focus is flighty, so we're just going to keep hopping all over the place and see what happens.

[@franksmedley8619]

Hello Frog. As I've said previously, the Stinger/Wasp Mechs are so 'common' when playing the original 3025 era Battletech, that it almost goes without saying that they will be fielded by most players... at least to start with. The Wasp, and all variants, are useful scouts, and anti-Light Mech forces. And although I dis-like the Wasp's SRM-2, it is still an 'efficient' design, overall. Back in my early days of playing Battletech (from 1984 through around 1990) I tended to 'alter' both Stinger and Wasp Mechs into a single Mech design. One that had all the speed and jump jets of the originals, but was armed with TWO Medium Lasers, and had an extra Heat Sink or two. To my eyes, this made more sense, and made the resulting Mech more 'dangerous' in combat, as well as removing any 'logistics train' from the equasion. Since the Medium Lasers were Canopian made, Majesty Metals and Manufacturing on Canpus supplied the Medium Lasers for the alteration by basically copying the Martell Medium Laser in its entirety. These Canopian made lasers were designated as Canopian-Martell Model B Medium Lasers, and the Mechs (both Stingers and Wasps) mounted with them were desinated as BB variants. Due to Stinger, Wasp, Locust, Firefly, and other 'insect' names already being taken for Mech designs, I designated the 'new' Mech as the 'Bumblebee' Mech. A 'friendly' enough name, until you were on the recieving end of twin Medium Lasers, that is.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The two medium lasers sound warm but fun.

[@franksmedley8619]

@@MechanicalFrog Yeah, jumping and firing both lasers results in 12 heat. 2 over the usual maximum, but by putting the extra ton from ammo into a 'spare' heat sink, it becomes only a 'heat delta' of +1 per turn. If the Mech runs and fires both lasers, it 'only' generates 8 heat, and with 11 heat sinks, it can then 'lose' 3 accumulated heat. So, overall, not a 'bad' design... at least to me.

[@harbingerx7793]

Whenever I introduce someone to the tabletop game, I always start with Stinger vs Wasp. Always seems a great way to start a new recruit.

[@MechanicalFrog]

That's fun, though personally I tend to start with mediums so that doesn't usually come down to whoever lands the lucky medium laser hit first.

[@harbingerx7793]

@@MechanicalFrog mediums are good too, ole shadowhawk vs wolverine?

[@Arcalargo]

Heat neutral Chameleon battles are the way I learned back in '95

[@jasonhenninger8220]

Kid in 3130 opens an ancient dictionary from 3013... Ubiquitous shows a picture of the Wasp. Project YellowJacket. 6/9(12)/6, Lt Fusion, supercharger, 10DHS, Endo, 4.5t Armor, 3ER MLasers (BV2 781) - swap in scavenged C ER MLasers (BV2 1099)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sounds like it has the zoomies.

[@Bomfunker91]

The updated art of the Wasp is up there as one of the most beautiful and best-looking mechs in the entire ilClan collection, and that's saying a lot. I love how that little champ looks.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's pretty good. The CGL revamps have been extremely good.

[@Stranglygreen]

always liked the idea of 2 mid lasers and ether an extra heat sink of one ton of armour. which is oddly how i like my locusts.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Warm but fun if you're savvy.

[@strcmdrbookwyrm]

Good video on the Wasp. As fun as it is to learn about new mechs, I also enjoy hearing about the older ones as well. Regarding LAMs, I think they really deserve their own video. Each individual LAM doesn't really have enough variants to get their own video anyway. While their design process is limiting, I think the unique aspects of their design make them interesting. Despite their rarity, there are some notable and interesting events that involved LAMs. There's the Jade Falcon Dual-Cockpit variants of the P-Hawk and Stinger (I think) LAMs, a humorous attempt by the Falcons to solve the problem of training pilots for them by sticking a Mechwarrior and a Aerospace Pilot into the same mech and having them cooperate and control the mech in their respective forms. You can probably guess how that turned out. (Source: Freebirth, Robert Thurston, ch. 15-20) I think the most interesting (and dramatic) use of LAMs has to be the space battle above the planet Robinson during the First Succession War. A Davion fleet of three warships and six carrier dropships attack a Kuritan carrier New Samarkand and her escort. The Davion commander at the last minute decided to swap three of the escort dropship's aerospace squadrons with LAMs. These three squadrons then were able to make it to the New Samarkand and actually board her, destroying the carrier from the inside. (Source: First Succession War Sourcebook, pg. 94-96)

[@xyonblade]

So much cool LAM art you've snuck in there on the wasp, stinger, and phoenix hawk, why do we (some people) love LAMS? maybe some day.

[@z3r0_35]

I came up with a purely IS refit that takes a basic WSP-1A, installs endo-steel and an XL gyro, and replaces the weapons with an ER medium laser and five RL-10s. I'm kinda surprised we didn't see a canon refit in this vein since there were a lot of Periphery refit variants of mechs featuring rocket launchers.

[@Somewhat-Evil]

The one problem is the leg mounted SRM launcher. Light mechs need to utilize all the survival advantages, partial cover included. The 3M moving the 2-rack up to the right torso was long overdue.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Fair point.

[@gwin2719]

Mech frogs been on fire 🔥 with these lately

[@MechanicalFrog]

The nonsense must flow.

[@HouseDavieMerc]

Wasp and Stinger-the 2 most common mechs in-universe that are EXTREMELY rarely used on the tabletop in BV balanced games. They are the poster children for "stuck-with-you" scenarios where players get to choose some of their mechs and others are forced upon them to make forces feel more in tune with the actual numbers of them in the SW era. To many tabletops are overflowed with heavies and assaults but not enough of the units that were actually common. These games are often my favorites. I'll take that inferno ammo thank you!

[@MechanicalFrog]

IS light mechs really have struggled to be useful in the post 3050s.

[@keebbles]

IS light mech with probe, ecm. 21:23 stealth armor can actually reach positions where small weapon loadouts can really matter. The ghost and specter variants of wasp and stinger come to mind. Laser cutters, vibro blades, on top of MG arrays or micro pulse laser arrays make them dangerous backstabbing. I started an RP tabletop game where the players started out on an invaded world. They'd found a pile of wasps and stingers discarded after battle moved on, and techs had salvaged all the bigger mechs and weapons. Thus, I let them build their own custom stinger or wasp. Even allowing hybrids as long as 3 pieces of mech belonged to one of those two. Then I had them roll for gleaning the battlefield for spilled armor , weapons, and ammo. One duo set went full srm2 (ra la rl & ll) Another duo smalls each arm with mgs on torso. The last two went traditional builds, but upped sensors, comms, and tweaked armor using FF found on the battles. They rescued techs, soldiers, civvies kept in POW camps and kept mostly out of sight, using seized comms and IFF codes to listen to and plan raids an attacks. Six 20 tonners fighting gorilla warfare and avoiding major battles to gather enough supplies, food and spare parts to survive. They became, with their rescuees help, a pretty good commando team and infiltration squad. Almost as much action on foot or in vehicles as in their bastardized mechs. Their final mission was infiltration of a star port and taking a VIP union class from inside from the Kuritas. Only to discover that they were actually LIAOs. They passed Intel via comstar to a nearby border world where kuritas lords of light were stationed. They held the ship. The VIPs and LIAO commanders hostage until the very angry LOL Brigade from Kurita made orbit and dropped on the fake kuritan companies. They got 2.5% of salvage from the fights, plus the already seized materiels and mechs/vehicles. Kuritans wanted their stolen heavies and command mechs back and offered cbills, training, and techs to fine tune their own six man lance as well as purge and clear dropship of LIAO devices and malicious code. I made next six months pass with hand wavium. And left them staring at the future. Six man mech commando team, with a mix of six more medium mechs and vehicles. Also 40 volunteers. 4 techs. A med team (and 12 groupies who all wanted the XO who had been a local Corporate Rockstar before invasion. ) "Mercs or what?" I asked. They said , "Salvage and Rescue. Combat engineering. Like the Seabees used to do." Quietest guy spoke up. "Maybe, also, some revenge and mayhem." Thus we ended session with them trying to trade good mechs and tanks for mechs with hands (can carry more) and transport vehicles of all sorts. As well as a chunk of cbills to get their Spaceball to a jumpship and travel to mercenary star to register. Star Salvage and Revenge was born there and then. It's too bad we never continued campaign. But I'd started running shadowrun and a seat at my table was in high demand. Between Navy and Shadowrun I had no time to revist that battletech campaign. Kinda miss running it. Even now.

[@egaroadkill8701]

A character of mine, Bob Oakley, got caught behind Capellan lines on Wallacia. He chanced upon a Wolf Dragoons camp. He managed to steal a WSP-1W. That little mech was the most fun ever. It taught me that tiny, fast mechs, using good tactics can beat powerful opponents over time. That is if your luck holds out. A swarm of lights doing the Mexican Hat Dance will ruin any assaults day. Fond memories of games decades old playing that thing. Yep, love the Wasp.

[@malusignatius]

It may not be the fanciest 'mech, but it's certainly good for it's size.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It does good work.

[@brianhenry152]

Glad to see the 1D Wasp as the first variant discussed! This is my favorite version of the Wasp, and it always seems to find its way into my lists as a cheap filler that I can get a lot of utility out of. Also, I thought I was the only person who had those Nova game books!

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's quite fun. I collect books like they're going out of style, so any time I see an opportunity to grab an old BT trinket, I'm in.

[@lexington476]

12:47 well we know Uncle Blake has got some really really deep pockets and it's definitely willing to splurge. Peace of Blake be with you Demi-Precentor.

[@joshuaturnquist5538]

The Stinger C and Wasp C variants put out by the Wolf Empire are weirdly clever ways to work around the WYSIWYG limitations of the ilClan variants. cERLL is kinda inspired, turning it from a light scout to a surprisingly punchy flanker.

[@Aceman52]

I am a big fan of this very versatile battlemach. The Wasp is fast, hits hard for its weight, and as was covered earlier in the video, you can customize it endlessly.

[@MechanicalFrog]

"I just think it's neat..."

[@survivalisttim]

Big fan of it, a mate is starting a light mech force and I am heavily pushing him to include both this and the locust

[@TheGiggityG]

Having trouble keeping up. My watch later list is stacking up. Keep it up!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Much appreciated!

[@meining-mech4378]

I recently used a Wasp-1A in the opening of a FFA game. It was a random roll, and if you die you roll again for a new mech, albeit heavier class. I enjoyed the little mech a ton, and tried to keep it alive as long as I could, but eventually it went down. One variant I liked the loadout for was the Wasp-1S, with the med laser, 2x small lasers, and zippo flamer. I do want to include a few of the 3Ms for a Killer Bees merc unit someday.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The 1S is a fun pick.

[@Vulpine407]

Probably a controversial opinion here. I firmly believe that for low-tech mechs (2nd & 3rd Succession Wars,) 20 ton mechs with jump jets are too fragile. If you have a hull that can only mount 4 tons of armor, you need a helluva lot more speed than 6/9/6. I would rather pilot a modified Locust. Usually armed with 1 x med laser and 4 x small lasers, two mounted in each arm. (NO mech under 30 tons has any business carrying ammo. But that's an argument for another day.) Since a Locust (usually, depending on the era of rules you use) has no lower arm actuators or hands, the small lasers should be able to flip to the rear. You can alpha-strike AND run in a single turn for only 9 heat. And as long as you stay clear of hindering terrain, you can easily make the 9+ hexes for the maximum movement penalty to enemy fire while only suffering a penalty of 2 to fire. Jump jet equipped 20 tonners simply cannot do that. The only drawback I can think of is that running that fast in the city can easily end in your Locust skidding into a building. So, sorry Wasp and Stinger fans. I simply don't believe those mechs are as viable.

[@Heimdal001]

Don't be so hard on the piggy-bank gum, you might still be able to afford the base Wasp with it.

[@kierdalemodels]

Great commentary on another classic mech👍 I love that you do the classics and also ones few know about.

[@MechanicalFrog]

A little bit of this... a little bit of that...

[@isaacchapman7628]

Ah, the Wasp. Probably my favorite mech, and to this day I'm not certain why. Possibly just because I identify with being a pissed off bumblebee in need of a target.

[@MechanicalFrog]

We've all been there.

[@MrJack556]

I hate to be that guy but I can't help myself. Bumblebees are not wasps. Bees are bees. Hornets are wasps but not all wasps are hornets. I'm a bug enthusiast so I couldn't help myself.

[@TheStraycat74]

19:20 I'll see your MF iLclan version and raise you a 3050 full clan tech rebuild! 20t, 6/9/6, armor factor 67. 1ton clan endo-steel, 2tons for clan XL and DHS, 3tons JumpJets, 5 tons for standard cockpit and gyro, 3.5 tons clanner fero-fiberous, leaves 5.5 tons of pod space. WSP-5A Prime config: 2 ERML (R/LA) 2 Streak SRM-2's (R/LT) with 1 ton cased ammo in LT, ERSL (H) WSP-5B (Davion variant): 2 ERML (R/LA), 6 ERSL (R/LT), clan flamer (H) because of course it has a flamer... WSP-5C (Wolf's Dragoons variant): 10 ERSL with 3 in each arm and 2 in R/LT, Clan Flamer (H) mini-frog wants this version, you know this to be true... WSP-5D: 5 SPL (2ra, 1 la, 1rt, 1, lt), ERSL (H) WSP-5E: MPL (RA), Streak SRM-4 RT with 1 ton ammo (LT), ERSL (H) The variants are from 3025/3050 Tech Readouts, just updated to keep the spirit of the versions. Enjoy.

[@lukedudley5030]

Great little mech :-) i much appreciate the small laser wasp as it can rush in do plentiful damage and rush out again...its particularly useful against combined arms forces including tanks :-) i dont really see it and the stinger as different mechs as i always have them in large packs containing both, and both perform just as well as each other :-) cheers for the vid of a classic mech :-)

[@MechanicalFrog]

They are pretty much interchangeable thanks to all their variants.

[@nukenuked5749]

top video mate and yes the honda of battletech

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad someone appreciates that line.

[@jasonashman9534]

Props for going all the way back to Thunder Rift for the Satchel Charge love.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I didn't get a chance to drop it into the Stinger video, but this is just as fun.

[@parallaxgames]

Mechfrog, you've given us so much content and so much knowledge but I don't think anything will ever measure up to "pulse lasers go wubwubwub."

[@MechanicalFrog]

It is difficult to top the hits...

[@parallaxgames]

@@MechanicalFrog DJ pulse laser in the house!

[@MechanicalFrog]

**Frog House Music Intensifies**

[@kevinkorenke3569]

Two reasons: Macross and Robotech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's all Greek to me outside of BT.

[@andrewszigeti2174]

My first battle was in a Wasp. Got aced into a BattleDroids game going up against a Warhammer. Needless to say, it was a short battle.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Light mech pilots tend to live short but glorious lives.

[@sebastiang.5032]

I always enjoy painting Wasps, but I'll never understand the need to put those SRMs to the leg instead of, for example, the left arm. 😅

[@Taurox220]

How I feel about the Crusader

[@michaelsudsysutherland5353]

Classics never die!

[@MechanicalFrog]

They just soar...

[@keebbles]

My solaris wasp and stingers were chaos made reality. Spiked armor, power claws on all limbs, industrial tsm, srm2 replaced with IR smoke generator/caster, ammo for srm and ML on RA, replaced with flamer on each torso and small pulse in CT. Carry capacity is doubled to 4 tons, which can increase if gripy hands are allowed. Std IS heatsinkin and JJ swapped to directional JJ to allow for more walk speed or vector changes mid air. Carried 4 to 6 ton rifle in plasma or kinectic variety. W 6 to 20 shots depending on type. Meant to be dropped after use and recovered later. Their tactics were almost exatly the same as an elemental star, but in the wasp stinger duo. Stinger went to AP weaponry and small pulse vs its main laser and mgs. Otherwise same internals and melee upgrades. As a duo, they did challenge matches vs single med to heavy mechs. Good spectacle and popularity. Even though one of them would often be pulverized. Best on was when a mech tried to bash the stinger clawing at its face with a rebar club. Basically it killed itself and only destroyed legs of stinger. I'd only done 4 turns. Obfuscation smoke screens, stealth moves. Jump onto mech, and on set of attacks with weapons . Was about to start the claw attacks when opponent's pilot failed bravery check and panicked. Result was as above. Table lost it laughing. It was almost as bad as a self immolation after an alpha strike where ammo and fuel for flamers goes off. Main reason fot using fusion flamers vs vehicular/fueled flamers.😊

[@MechanicalFrog]

This made me go check to see if I need an updated Tetanus shot.

[@paulstanton6104]

I still think the original Robotech/FASA designs are the best for this trio of mechs. Much more sleek. I like them all, Wasp/Stinger/Phoenix Hawk. I would like to see a video delving into the LAM versions. FASA REALLY leaned into Robotech for those. I guess it would be shorter than most videos but perhaps some refreshing snark about why they were good idea executed poorly. Definitely way to elegant of a design for such a crude universe. Battlemechs don’t dance, battlemechs smash.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I've never played with LAMs and beyond remembering seeing them way back in the day, I don't know much.

[@Tatsu_of_Liao]

Great video of a truly classic ‘Mech!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@scottmccool7242]

Stinger fiction in Wasp video? I know they’re similar, but that’s a touch jarring.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's just a fun scene... :)

[@krissteel4074]

Sometimes its really just not about how subjectively good a military vehicle is, often its just about who turned up for the fight and how many of them are still working along the way. Like in a galaxy where your 25mil credit Timberwolf has to get shipped light years away along with its entire logistics, technical and spare parts train... or 15 of these arseholes show up for the same price that can find parts by kicking over a rock, fixed by semi-literate plumbers and there's bound to be one out there with some kind of weapon loadout you like. Sure, you'll die if someone shoots you with an AC20, but so does most 20t mechs. That just means there's 14 other's who just decided to go swarm them for shooting their friend and 14 rubbish medium lasers, volleys of SRM-2's will ruin most anything

[@MechanicalFrog]

Numbers matter in a mechfight more than many realize. You only get so many shots and turns per mech.

[@theangryMD]

For tabletop, why isn't electronic warfare as common as it they can be in BTA3062? Does it complicate game play? Is it costly? Wrong era? Lore? I feel like the Wasp C would be better served with an ECM or BAP in place of that one shot SRM 2.

[@tenchraven]

The Wasp and Stinger are excellent partners. Over the centuries its still in use, so it's doing something right. Your WSP-1MF would be an excellent build for urban garrison/SWAT use with fire suppression foam SRMs. Because riots get silly when there is slippery foam on everything. Or if you're feeling Draconian...

[@MechanicalFrog]

I know people generally aren't keen on SRM-2s and 4s but with all the various useful ammunition types, it makes sense that they were so common across the Inner Sphere.

[@tenchraven]

@@MechanicalFrog Old comment, but I think of SRMs as being a bit like a grenade launcher. They beg for a split ammo tank, with a 20% reduction in total capacity (round down) but you can carry two types: SRM2, 20/20; SRM4 10/10; SRM6 6/6. 20 loads of HEDP and 20 of smoke/frag/inferno/whatever the mission calls for will outlast a WSP-1.

[@michaelkimberling7307]

8:54 do you field Infantry against him regularly? 😂

[@MechanicalFrog]

Elementals on occasion.

[@CaptainBanjo-fw4fq]

Curious to see your take on the forgotten bug mech, the Hornet. Even the flea gets more attention than the Hornet and for what you get for the price, it’s not that bad. Never great mind you, just not bad.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's not my favorite mech in the world but I won't rule out a video some day.

[@DIEGhostfish]

I was promised an atlas! Whatevere issues I may have with the sadists of Roguetech, that shit made me smile.

[@Eulemunin]

Wasps the scout grunt. Everyone has them and they are just at enough to get the job done most of the time.

[@ambientlight3876]

I've got mixed thoughts on the Wasp. Originally a decent light recon machine, few variants address it's major issue: it's lack of speed. As the timeline continued more and more larger machines could simply run down a Wasp and destroy it. I had a couple variants that were intended to be used on a brand new machine, but easily adapted to the Wasp. The first is a 3025 variant that swaps out the engine, SRM 2 and ammo plus 2 jump Jets. Instead I gave it a 160 Fusion, increasing its ground speed to 8/12. Second I added a second medium laser in the left torso. This little beast can perform adequate recon in an ever hostile battlefield. The second variant makes used of modern tech. It swaps out the heatsinks for double HS, replaces the medium lasers for ER versions (IS) plus makes use of Endosteel to give it back all its original Jump Jets. Both versions are comparatively cheap to produce while making the Wasp more capable on the Battlefield.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The speed definitely needs to be a consideration as so many of its peers are zoomers.

[@clarkreamer4560]

Love getting back to an OG mech. The piggy bank - ha! Also, I loved the dazzle camo design.

[@MechanicalFrog]

When I made the pattern for the dazzle I gave myself a headache... the lines were too close together.

[@clarkreamer4560]

@@MechanicalFrog - We appreciated that you are willing to suffer for your art.

[@Gothmetalhead13]

My Idol Squadron - 3 Wasp LAM's and a Pixie LAM crippled my opponents Clan Assault force. He had a Gargoyle B, a Kodiak, and a Mad Dog A. The Gargoyle went down on turn 3 and it went downhill from there for him.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sounds like all the LAMs...

[@Gothmetalhead13]

@@MechanicalFrog Not really, LAM's are pretty balanced in the current rules. Pulse laser/LBX and TC's make mince meat of them. Problem was my opponent was expecting a Heavy/Assault force to face him and brought Clan long range high damage cheese. If I had brought what he expected it would have been a far straighter fight, probably more in his favour. I think a lot of people forget that LAM's pay more tonnage for their internal structure and cannot benefit from Endosteel, FF, or XL/Light engines.

[@matagy]

am doing an Il Khan era game soon, I should try the Wasp C, looks fun... and cheap which clan mechs always need!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sweet. Let me know how it works out.

[@matagy]

@@MechanicalFrog Will do!

[@matagy]

@@MechanicalFrog Had the game. This nimble little guy was a great annoyance to my opponent. Kept a few of his heavy hitters busy for longer than he would have liked. It was eventually trashed, but it took 7 straight turns of being missed before then, so I call that a great use of less than 1k

[@ogrehaslayers605]

My oldest favorite mech! The mech I have the most minis for, even still have my first Wasp from the 3rd edition Box Set! I even have two Unseen Wasp LAMs! I've since replaced it with the Nexus as my favorite, but it remains special to me. 😊😊😊

[@MechanicalFrog]

I was actually worried I didn't own a Wasp. I was digging through my mech pile and managed to find one in an unopened box. I need to fix this and expand my Wasp forces.

[@ogrehaslayers605]

@@MechanicalFrog yeah ya do! Haha But they're such great little mechs. Sharp looking, cheap, relatively fast, able to carry Inferno Missiles, and not too difficult to "upgrade" that Medium Laser to an ER Flamer 😉

[@MechanicalFrog]

Absolutely.

[@Yacovo]

Pour one out for the Wasp 1Ds in the Periphery who were burning clan battlearmors during the Clan Invasions. Stay toasty in the sky. Thanks for the video.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Pressing F for respect.

[@chrissegee]

IlClan Mechwarrior- What is that buzzing sound and where in Kerenskys name is my rear armor going

[@MechanicalFrog]

*poof* Armor gone.

[@RibusPQR]

Douglas Shuler was one of the original artists for Magic the Gathering.

[@RibusPQR]

He's still around, signing cards through the mail and attending a couple conventions each year. I bet anyone who has one of those books could get it autographed by him.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh yeah? That's cool!

[@dayaninikhaton]

I LOVE the armament loadout for the Wasp 1MF, but I would use BMF for the nomenclature. Medium pulse laser and the close in utility of an SRM-4 is not to be discounted

[@MechanicalFrog]

It could be quite fun.

[@Star-qc4br]

GREAT vid, Frog! I had always seen the Phoenix Hawk as a heavier version of the Wasp and the Crusader was a heavier version of the Phoenix Hawk... Maybe that's due more to the looks of the mech designs in Macross rather than anything related to Battletech.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Definitely some similarities.

[@EdmondHiggins]

They can fly! Seriously let me get 3 rule books... LAMs are REAL!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Real... just likely not going to get much love any time soon.

[@Cobalt-60]

My preferred 3025 variant is the WSP-1D. The primary reason being the lack of ammo explosions, and yet still have the ability to deal with infantry with the SLs and Flamer. But for 20-ton 6/9/6 recon purposes my preferred light mech is the STG-3G with twin MLs.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hard to beat the 3G...

[@Cobalt-60]

The WSP-1D does work really well in a light recon lance when combined with the afor mentioned STG-3G, a PXH-1D, and a LCT-1E. Great if you game play allows you to min-max your units. Great for campaign play as there is no ammo expenditures, no ammo explosion, just enough speed to out distance medium recon lances, enough firepower to fight off faster light mechs (Jenners, Spiders, etc.), and (as also described) enough SLs and a Flamer to survive infantry ambushes.

[@alexstoyo7850]

Wasp looks like it could also convert to an Aero Space fighter.

[@MechanicalFrog]

There is a LAM version... so you're spot on.

[@sim.frischh9781]

My personal favorite take on the Wasp, optics-wise, is Justin Nelson´s "Primitive" Wasp, that´s the one version that became the main light mech of my OC faction, a company that required a light mech for security work, but the Star League wouldn´t let them use the regular weapons loadout, instead it was limited to one small laser and one MG per arm, with each MG getting half a ton of ammo, however they have been upgraded significantly ever since. The 3X is just plain stupid, but the 8T is great, the MF version goes quite a bit into brawling and the pulse laser helps with anti-infantry, good choice.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I think the 8T is undervalued. It could be quite a pain to deal with.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog Definitely, that thing has RANGE for fire at you while also having SPEED to avoid your return fire. Enough to get that dodge bonus at 10 movement. To fight a mech like this you need something like a Dasher, Fireball or Dart, a real "speed demon" of a mech, or a mech with Clan Large Pulse lasers and a pilot with PATIENCE!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah getting chased down by other lights would be my primary worry.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog and give the limited anti-infantry options with only SRMs, running into Battle Armor might also be an issue. But that applies to pretty much any mech. At least the Wasp has hands to grab Toads.

[@scytheseven9173]

Nick Kerensky wore pantaloons?!? (thanks for the video, frog, it was great as usual!)

[@MechanicalFrog]

Maybe... Thanks! Have a great weekend!

[@scytheseven9173]

It's odd for the Wasp C to use a Streak SRM-2 one-shot when that's 1.5 tons that could be used for a regular Clan SRM 2 with a ton of ammo, or a small pulse laser and small laser

[@DIEGhostfish]

Or its weight in rockets. Or anything but a oneshot

[@WeOnlyEatSoup]

I own this Battletech and have never used it, this is gonna change

[@tabletopacademy]

The Wasp is easy to bring in a force, because it is so cheap. As long as it stays away from serious fighting, it will last a long time

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yep. So long as you don't send it up against the big guys, it'll do well.

[@nexusofice9135]

The WASP is numerous and deadly when used right.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Watch out for the swarm...

[@WolfHreda]

If the Wasp is the Honda Civic of battlemechs, that would undoubtedly make the Valkyrie the Honda Accord, and the Stinger the Toyota Corolla.

[@MechanicalFrog]

This is getting deep.

[@h.a.9880]

The Wasp is a very nimble design, but the SRM2 on the leg is a weird placement. Overall, it seems to me like that armament can be pretty useful when getting into a kerfuffle with a lighter mech or vehicle during a scouting mission. It's a bit of a shame they couldn't cram a TAG in there somewhere, though, I feel like that's always a very useful addition to a scout mech. Or alternatively a C3 slave unit.

[@MechanicalFrog]

An operation sneaky sneak version would be valuable.

[@ChaosTicket]

The Wasp is slightly better in Mech-on-Mech combat than its counterpart, the Stinger, but I think its worse overall. The original's SRM-2 takes a couple tons that could have instead gone to 2 Medium Lasers. Many of the variants are mediocre upgrades, but a few have potential. The WSP-3K upgrades the short range missiles to Medium Range 10tube launchers. The WSP-3P uses new tech to greatly improve the speed and jump distance. The WSP-3S uses a Light Fusion Engine to mount 2 ER Medium Lasers, Guardian ECM, and a TAG laser. The WSP-7MAF uses an XL Engine to mount an ER Medium Laser, MML-5, and a huge upgrade to the speed and jump range. The WSP-8T uses an MML-3 and Light PPC, a major upgrade to weaponry. This one actually inspired me to experiment with upgrading Tech level 1 mechs from Medium Lasers to Light PPCs. Way to surprise an enemy when instead of using close range weapons your pounding them with 540meter range light particle cannons. These 3ton guns are perfect for tonnage-starved mechs from the 3025-era. The Wasp is so cheap that even using more expensive lostech it is still quite cheap. In terms of Battle Value upgrading it would be fairly trivial for what are effectively firepower multipliers or large boosts to speed. Really the only issue is going from glass to thinner glass. Without upgrades I think I would rather have the Locust. The Locust is faster, especially in running speed. Bug Mechs have low cost, but no matter your tonnage you can still down even a very tough enemy like an Atlas or Dire Wolf with a simple Kick.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I like the Light PPC in the 8T but dislike the MML-3. That tonnage is really not used well.

[@ChaosTicket]

@@MechanicalFrog True, but an MML-3 is still 50% better than an SRM-2. A single Wasp was never going to be much use and its weapons reflect that. How about 3-5 Wasps with MMLs firing off long range Incendiary or Smoke missiles, or short range Inferno or Tandem-Charge warheads? If you really want success with Missiles, then compact Clan-Missiles are usually the way to go.

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

I feel like 20 ton mechs, expecially ones that arent stupid fast, should be seen as one shot opponents. Therefore i feel like adding Rocket Launchers are the best option. I believe there is a Stinger model that has dual RL15's. I would take a stock 3025 Wasp, keep the ML, and swap the SRM-2 for 4 RL 10's.

[@lexington476]

Oh wow I thought this was an older video, I didn't realize you just posted this yesterday. and I guess therefore I didn't realize you never did the Wasp before now. Another good vide, 4 out of 5.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@theintern2960]

I think I've always leaned away from the Unseen because I was a Robotech fan before I was a BattleTech fan. I didn't care for LAMs and such to be in my BattleTech. If I wanted to play Robotech or Macross, Palladium had rulebooks. Or they did at the time. Ah, the tumultuous world of licensing agreements. But these days the Unseen have changed visually to where I don't immediately equate them with the designs I recognize, and I did just buy a set of STLs for the Marauder, Griffin, and I got a Warhammer in one of my Catalyst packs so... Eh. Maybe.

[@audiholloway9491]

in a grinder tournament i had the Wasp 3X. got to burn through all my shots at optimal far edge of medium range, and then closed and shoved an undamaged heavy off a cliff. great day to die in a Wasp

[@michaelpfister1283]

One of my favorite lights, though I run a variant on one you didn't show: the WSP-3S. I also missed the Project Phoenix art. Its actually my favorite, one of two 'mechs that I like the PP artwork for more than the original or the ilClan recognition guides. My variant is not far off from your MF variant, though I tend to go for all energy armaments and drop the missiles. Especially if I can't have CASE. SO any field refit is going to be energy-only.

[@MechanicalFrog]

The Phoenix art is just not for me.

[@michaelpfister1283]

@@MechanicalFrog understood. The new CGL art is really good, too.

[@TsugeSenpai]

Love that razzle!!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Everyone loves a little razzle dazzle.

[@corvus8000]

Worth noting you can also make the Wasp-C work with the larger inner sphere grade double heat sinks but only just barely and you have to drop one hand actuator. Still, not a bad way to save some C-bills with no appreciable loss in combat effectiveness...

[@MechanicalFrog]

You're going to coldly and callously take a poor Wasp's hand? How could you?

[@corvus8000]

@@MechanicalFrog The ilClan era requires harsh choices😂

[@christianholzschuh6853]

Why do I love the Wasp? It packs quite a Stinger...

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh you...

[@VaciliNikoMavich]

The Wasp reminds me of a Panther mixed with a Javelin, in appearance.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Uh... yeah I guess I can see that.

[@VaciliNikoMavich]

@@MechanicalFrog Just pieces. Never seen a Wasp until today.

[@randyfant2588]

Personally I like the Stinger a little better but I like the Wasp because it's a cheap mobile missile platform. The last time I played in a MW campaign, I had a Wasp LAM. I used the tinker skill to split my SRM-2 into 2 SRM-1s and mounted them in each side torso with 1/2 ton ammo bin each side. this allowed me to carry 50 rounds of standard and 50 rounds of Inferno ammo. I was a terror to infantry and vehicles.

[@jamesbeard5513]

The Wasp C, while more powerful than most of its counterparts, is lightly armored for the time especially for having an equally 'slow' speed (again for the era). I can see it being used as a direct fire support for a recon star or skirmishing and long range harrassment stars.

[@MechanicalFrog]

You definitely want to keep your distance from others when using it.

[@jamesbeard5513]

@@MechanicalFrog This design is also why I am curious, yet grateful, the Clans haven't developed Light Engines of their own. While I can see from a lore perspective that both Clan scientists and warriors would consider it wasteful, especially with how durable their XLs are in comparison to IS XLs, the thought of a mech with near equal durability of a standard engine (you would still need to get to the center torso to kill it even with both side torsos removed) and being 25% lighter than a standard is scary, especially if you add in how weight conscious Clan Tech is.

[@beskar66]

Mech Frog to Little Frog: you taxes are due my son

[@MechanicalFrog]

Soon enough...

[@Commander_Nearsight]

I love how purple bird is a thing now lol 😂

[@gammaknight2215]

Wasn't this one of the designs that got them into copyright trouble? The one time I played in 95, the rule book we used had a kit to make the Wasp into a veritech. Any way you know which book has these rules? I know it's vague, but I figured I'd ask.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It was one of the designs that the company claimed was theirs, though they ended up losing that lawsuit.

[@RobertWilke]

Always love seeing Roy Focker’s Verit… I mean Wasp, yes Wasp. So sorry for that bit of anime confusion.😜

[@MechanicalFrog]

*suspicious...*

[@Ironclockwork]

It always does strike me as rather odd that the Wasp has been passed over by so many video games set within the Battletech universe considering its solid position within its lore. Do a lot of game designers just feel that the Wasp in its basic form is just not "punchy" enough to click with most electronic gamers?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Probably a mix of issues including not wanting to make people think of Robotech and Macross. It and the Stinger have that look to them.

[@jameshiggins5686]

I did it MechFrog, I put the bubble gum into the piggy bank. 😂 Great stuff, as always, bro

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya!

[@stephenknizek2651]

The Wasp was an early love of mine. Kinda sad when HBS went with the Locust instead. EDIT: flamer in a leg? ❤

[@MechanicalFrog]

It needs a flying on jumpjets posed model.

[@Cadiangrunt99]

Mary had a little LAM, Little LAM...

[@MechanicalFrog]

Lammy LAM LAM.

[@upandaljm]

When you absolutely have to waste 20 tons, The Wasp.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Or have a spare mechwarrior you wouldn't feel bad about losing.

[@tehpw7574]

Shared on my FB... which brings a question. I'd post it on BT's forums but I'm afraid i told too many people to... fart into their faces (especially when others seem to get away with it *shrug*): Project Phoenix, at the time of it's inception was meant to allow the use of the unseen at official & unofficial gaming events... with the IG notion that all future machines build in the time line would follow PP esthetics. But almost all the current art is using the new CGL art... and NO designs from PP. Is that because they don't want to introduce no questions or confusions (I'm thinking along the same lines why they drifted HARD from FASAnomic cannon production numbers of X-Battlemech or Dasher/Firemoth issues) or simply just not wanting to use PP imagery (as if it was a product of the Blakist Nerf Fight, ended after the ... you know... Kerfluffal? Did i type it right?

[@MechanicalFrog]

Don't post it anywhere that could give you or me issues. :)

[@tehpw7574]

@@MechanicalFrog That's sounds suspiciously like PP Molds, like the Blakist Fecal fight: the less CGL mentions it, the hope people will forget about it?

[@slice1208]

The only thing the wasp gets is blown up, unless it's the LAM model. The LAM can get some love.

[@MechanicalFrog]

recreate it with improved jumpjets, partial wing, and go to town. :D

[@slice1208]

@MechanicalFrog Their are still rules for LAMs mode changes and everything. You can zip across the table in fighter mode, change to half fighter half mech mode, then change to full mech mode. I would only want to use supper custom mechs for roll play games, and only after you've been playing for a time, so it feels like you've earned your super sexy mech with clan targeting computer, stealth armor, ECM system , clan SRMs, and a clan medium laser, and enough heat sinks to keep is cool so long as you don't alpha strike.

[@tripwire31]

The Wasp, I don't not hate the mech and I love the in universe history of it (the fact it's the first mech to ever use jump jets) and a certain RWR mech that was directly inspired by it, the Phoenix. But back to the Wasp, the little bug mech is a great scout/support in a light lance if things like clan mechs and or the Mercury aren't available. The Wasp LAM like all non WoB LAMs is *meh* (So are the WoB ones, they have a bigger change of getting ammo crit way easier than most of them.) The Wasp is a mech that's is like the Bulldog in terms of being great in numbers, there are far, FAR worse options to pick.

[@MechanicalFrog]

"I just think it's neat."

[@nukenuked5749]

sweet a new video to watch wile i pant some mechs in a NEC sceam and one is a OG RP masakari i wonder if you could add that mech to there mech bays it will be a hell of a story how they find such a old mech

[@MechanicalFrog]

That would be quite a pick up.

[@rmcdudmk212]

Why do we love the Wasp? Because every army needs cannon fodder. 😂

[@MechanicalFrog]

This is fair.

[@rmcdudmk212]

@@MechanicalFrog I have a custom variant that uses an XL engine, Partial wing, torso-mounted cockpit and a similar weapons load out to the standard Wasp. It's basically an LAM that's stuck in Airmech mode. Lots of fun because it's so hard to hit if you keep jumping.

[@noodles2459]

On the tabletop I've been unable to get the wasp to work well it is always dying turn 2

[@MechanicalFrog]

Gotta be stealthy with it. Operation Sneaky Sneak.

[@rafale1981]

Wow, three bits of lore in one vid? You really do have a soft spot for this bug-mech, don’t you? I definitely prefer the (classic) wasp over the stinger and the locust. Those 2 srms make it a danger to any heavy which got into trouble a bit too early

[@MechanicalFrog]

Lots of versatility in that SRM-2