Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Well, I was a little disappointed that Jihad Hot Spots: 3076 had no further information on the Ronin mercenaries. In light of that, I've decided to hold off and instead focus on the Clan Ghost Bear unit I've toyed with for some time. I'm planning on doing a Trinary or Supernova for the 8th Bear Cuirassiers of Clan Ghost Bear's Delta Galaxy. Now I'm a little more open on recommendations for this unit than I was for the Ronin, I just have the two following criteria:

1) I would like to have a Kingfisher for the Star Captain's OmniMech.

2) Anyone recommending an Ursus will have an immediate Trial of Grievance declared against them. While the Ursus is a decent 'mech, I just can't stand to have a 'mech that looks like a giant cartoon skull in my collection.

Other than that and a reminder that the Ghost Bear's are the Clan equivalent of the Lyrans (the heavier the 'mech the better) I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks.

Dude - the Ursus is like Clan Ghost Bear + The Punisher. It's awesome!!!

Ok, so you're a Bear front line cluster, so that means little in the way of 2nd Line 'Mechs (so no Ursus, and sadly no Arcas either - and no Kodiak or Behemoth either). That's fine because Clan Omni's are very good and the Bears get a lot of good ones. Now Delta Galaxy, despite your Lyran comments, actually has lighter equipment than most Bear units. But that doesn't mean no Assaults, it just means less Assaults. And you want a Trinary? Trinary w/Command Star? Super-Nova Trinary? And given your love of Ronin, I assume you'll be setting this some time around the mid-to-late 3060's, during/after the FCCW but before the Jihad.

So I'll start with that and assume 15 'Mechs for the time being.

Lead Star:
Kingfisher - Makes sense for a Delta Lance Commander to have this. Delta Lance are not a well liked Galaxy, and while the Kingfisher is a very Bear-y 'Mech, it's not the 'standard' Bear Assault, the Executioner.
Executioner - It's a Bear Assault Lance, and considering that over half of Bear Assault 'Mechs are Executioners there should be one.
Warhawk - It's another Bear Assault, but more rare than the other two.
(Now, by rights you should have another Executioner, but I'm someone who likes to have very few duplicates in the same Lance/Star, so I'm not going to do that)
Daishi - You're an Assault Lance. Take the big one! If you don't want a 3/5 'Mech in a Lance of 4/6's, then swap this for the Kodiak. Claim that losses against the Ronin meant the unit had to pull from reserve units.
Nova Cat - It's a pocket Assault 'Mech, and the Bears have a number from Salvage. It can also keep up with the members of this unit easily.

Battle Star:
Vulture - A classic Bear 'Mech.
Vulture - Yes, another one.
Mad Cat - Should always be one.
Cauldron-Born - A Jaggie 'Mech, but one the Bears have enough of to field in line units.
Thor - A common 'Mech, more common in the Falcons but that's like saying the Wasp or Stinger is more common in the Periphery; they're still everywhere!

Strike Star:
Ryoken - Best 'Mech in the game bar none, and one the Bears make use of.
Dragonfly - Like a Cicada on crack, and a very common Bear Medium. 8/12/8 is not to be ignored. Can you imagine what the IS thought of this thing when they first fought it?
Nova - They're not made any more, but everyone has them. It's another the Bears use.
Dasher - Delta Lance has lighter equipment, so Light 'Mechs are to be expected. The Dasher is the Bear Light 'Mech of choice.
Puma - Another Light with great firepower.

The Strike Lance can very easily be converted into a Strike Nova with a Star of Gnomes added on (plus they're all 5/8 or better, so they'll get the armour into combat quickly).

Those are my suggestions.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Ok, so you're a Bear front line cluster, so that means little in the way of 2nd Line 'Mechs (so no Ursus, and sadly no Arcas either - and no Kodiak or Behemoth either). That's fine because Clan Omni's are very good and the Bears get a lot of good ones.

Since this is for the Jihad Era, a few second-line 'mechs would not be out of place I believe. At any rate, I don't think a Kodiak would be totally out of line. I've also considered a Grendel, Orion IIC, Mad Cat Mk II and a Supernova.

H.B.M.C. wrote: Now Delta Galaxy, despite your Lyran comments, actually has lighter equipment than most Bear units. But that doesn't mean no Assaults, it just means less Assaults.

Even the Lyrans have a few light and medium 'mech units. Just very few Same with the Bears. Let's just say that the Trinary that I'm building will be one of the heavier units in Delta Galaxy. Just be glad I didn't choose to do Omega Galaxy's 357th Assault Cluster

H.B.M.C. wrote:And you want a Trinary? Trinary w/Command Star? Super-Nova Trinary?

From my understanding a Trinary is three stars of a single unit type while a Supernova is a Trinary of mixed unit types. So I'm considering either 15 'mechs (a Trinary) or 10 'mechs and 25 Elementals/other battle armor (a Supernova).

H.B.M.C. wrote:And given your love of Ronin, I assume you'll be setting this some time around the mid-to-late 3060's, during/after the FCCW but before the Jihad.

Well, I don't really 'love' the Ronin. When it comes to BattleTech I tend to pick a faction and then pick the specific unit based on how I like their paint scheme. I've soured on the Ronin after finding some of their Dark Ages fluff and their total absence from JHS: 3076. I still like their paint scheme however and may use it for a DIY mercenary command based on the survivors of the Blue Star Irregulars.

I did basically the same here. Although I like the fluff for Omega Galaxy a little better I just like Delta's paint scheme better. Hence my decision to do the 8th Bear Cuirassiers. However looking at this Alpha Galaxy Jenghiz I'm seriously tempted to do the 3rd Bear Guards if I thought I could replicate that paint scheme.

As to the time period, I tend to prefer either the Sucession Wars Era (particularly 3039) or the late Civil War Era into the Jihad Era. Mainly I want to use this force to stomp some Wobblies Overall, your suggestions look spot on though.

A supernova is simply a Trinary (Or binary) of mechs plus an equal number of Elemental points.

A Nova is 5 Mechs and 25 Elementals

A Supernova is usually 15 Mechs and 75 Elementals

O.K. So I was correct on what a Nova is but not a Supernova. Clan military structure has never been my strong point. I'm generally more of a Sphereoid myself. Anyway, this is what I'm considering fielding:

COMMAND STAR
1) Kingfisher
2) Gladiator
3) Warhawk
4) Nova Cat
5) Kodiak

BATTLE STAR
1) Vulture
2) Vulture
3) Mad Cat
4) Thor
5) Gladiator

STRIKER STAR
1) Ryoken
2) Ryoken H
3) Grendel
4) Dasher
5) Puma

Any suggestions?

1. Ryoken H isn't the best idea. Smart money's on a Ryoken Prime and Ryoken B. Trutly fantastic 'Mechs.
2. Grendel's pretty cool... more Falcon than Bear though. Have you considered a Grizzly? Yes, it's 2nd Line, but it's a Bear 'Mech. A little bit 'jack-of-all-trades', but a Large, Med and Small Pulse tied to an LRM10 and Gauss is pretty good, plus it's 4/6/4, so you have movement options.
3. The lack of Dragonfly is sad. They're such fun things... then again I might be biased. I really love the Cicada, and this thing is the Clan Cicada.

If you want a straight trinary I would go for two stars of mechs and one star of elementals. Mixed trinaries are still trinaries, and this is a very Ghost Bear thing to do.

For the infantry carrier star choose two Mad Dogs, two Vipers and a Fire Moth. This will get three points of elementals into combat super fast with two in reserve. It will work out well because the Mad Dog is a superlative fire support mech. If you wish swap out one mech for a Stormcrow, this could also exchange your elementals into a two forward, thre back formation dependant on what you choose to do.

Now with this out the way you have plenty of opportunities to go to town with your command star and fill it with assault mechs of all descriptions. However what I recommend is that you include two Executioners and a Warhawk in the mix, plus two other 3050 mechs to swap out for your Kingfisher and Kodiak. Do this and your force will be 3050 invasion ready with only two mevhs to swap out. Please avoid 3/5 Ghost Bears pay a lot to get their heavy assaults to move at speed 4, this is wasted with a 3/5 anchor mech.

Ghost Bears have a solid doctrine including four basic elements, exceptionally fast light units (FireMoth Viper), very firepower efficient medium/heavy units (Stormcrow and Mad Dog), good elemental coverage and heavy heavy assaults. Frankly they have mostly got it right, when they want speed they go all the way, when they want tonnage they dont skimp on it. With a mixed star of two/three fire support mechs and ultra fast mechs all with elementals and an assault star you play with the Ghost Bears signiture doctrines.
Frankly their plan works though they pay a little more tonnage for engines over all compared to what the other invading clans do.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Ryoken H isn't the best idea. Smart money's on a Ryoken Prime and Ryoken B. Trutly fantastic 'Mechs.

I figured as much with that pesky +1 modifier. Oh, well...

H.B.M.C. wrote:Grendel's pretty cool... more Falcon than Bear though. Have you considered a Grizzly? Yes, it's 2nd Line, but it's a Bear 'Mech. A little bit 'jack-of-all-trades', but a Large, Med and Small Pulse tied to an LRM10 and Gauss is pretty good, plus it's 4/6/4, so you have movement options.

Yes I did consider a Grizzly (and a Supernova and a Savage Coyote and an Orion IIC and so on and so forth). I just like the Grendel a little better and it can keep up with it's star-mates as well.

H.B.M.C. wrote:The lack of Dragonfly is sad. They're such fun things... then again I might be biased. I really love the Cicada, and this thing is the Clan Cicada.

I've just never been keen on the Dragonfly's artwork, although it's grown on me a little after seeing the miniature. I'm just not sure how effective it would be against WoB Celestial OmniMechs (looks at the Dasher as well).

Orlanth wrote:However what I recommend is that you include two Executioners and a Warhawk in the mix, plus two other 3050 mechs to swap out for your Kingfisher and Kodiak. Do this and your force will be 3050 invasion ready with only two mevhs to swap out.

First of all, the Kingfisher stays. It's one of my favorite OmniMechs. Plus it looks like an OmniMech version of the Imp. Secondly, the Kingfisher is appropriate for 3050 as it's background states that it took part in the Battle of Tukayyid. Finally, I have no interest in gaming the Clan Invasion Era. It's just too lopsided for my liking. I prefer either the Succession Wars Era (particularly 3039) or the Civil War Era and later.

Some Ghost Bear lists I made for my Tukayyid Campaign...The acquisition number is what you needed to roll on 2d6 to get the mech.









Know it's not the time fram you rlookin for...but it will give yah an idea what the bears favored for the omni selections.

hope this helps.

OK, here we go.

Kingfisher is a fine command 'Mech. Not flashy, but decent. A Warhawk is not a particularly common Bear design, is isn't really common in most of the Clans outside of the Jaguars (pre-Annihilation) and the Fire Mandrills and Goliath Scorpions (post Annihilation). So while it is nice, it is not a likely candidate for fluff reasons.

Contrary to what people want to believe, the Clans don't salvage off each other a whole lot. That means the Ghost Bears will not, under pretty much any circumstance, have an Orion IIC. It is ONLY used by the Wolves, and they rarely have more than a Star of them running around in their entire Touman. The Bears simply wouldn't have one.

A nice fluffy replacement for one of the Ryokens (the Bears prefer the "C" variant) would be a Stooping Hawk. It is on their Faction List, and it isn't available to all the Clans. And you never see them because of that, despite the fact they are a very good design.

So my suggestion for a Jihad Era Ghost Bear Delta Galaxy Trinary:

Command Star:
Kingfisher
Executioner
Mad Dog
Nova Cat
Kodiak (They do see some use in Front-Line units simply because they are a totem design.)

Battle Star:
Timber Wolf
Mad Dog
Ebon Jaguar (Cauldron-Born)
Summoner
Stooping Hawk

Taxi Star:
Stormcrow
Nova
Viper (Dragonfly)
Shadow Cat
Fire Moth

A Command Star doesn't have to be all assault 'Mechs, in fact, it is a really bad idea to do that since you have almost no tactical speed with your heaviest firepower.

Battle Star just does it's thing.

The Taxi Star carries in the Elementals, since most of the configurations of those designs has arm mounted weapons, allowing fire while the Battle Armor is hitching a ride. They are all decently fast enough to do the job with little damage being done to the cargo on the way in.

Mattlov wrote:A Warhawk is not a particularly common Bear design, is isn't really common in most of the Clans outside of the Jaguars (pre-Annihilation) and the Fire Mandrills and Goliath Scorpions (post Annihilation). So while it is nice, it is not a likely candidate for fluff reasons.

I think that there's enough opportunity for the Bears to pick up a few Warhawks so as long as I don't go overboard it's not entirely unfluffy.

Mattlov wrote:Contrary to what people want to believe, the Clans don't salvage off each other a whole lot. That means the Ghost Bears will not, under pretty much any circumstance, have an Orion IIC. It is ONLY used by the Wolves, and they rarely have more than a Star of them running around in their entire Touman. The Bears simply wouldn't have one.

Still doesn't mean that I don't want one, nor to make up an excuse such as a Clan Wolf bondsman piloting an Orion IIC being formally adopted into Clan Ghost Bear to get one

Mattlov wrote:A nice fluffy replacement for one of the Ryokens (the Bears prefer the "C" variant) would be a Stooping Hawk. It is on their Faction List, and it isn't available to all the Clans. And you never see them because of that, despite the fact they are a very good design.

Unfortunately I just don't like the design's looks. After all, I'm playing the Ghost Bears and not the Jade Chickens

Mattlov wrote:A Warhawk is not a particularly common Bear design, is isn't really common in most of the Clans outside of the Jaguars (pre-Annihilation) and the Fire Mandrills and Goliath Scorpions (post Annihilation). So while it is nice, it is not a likely candidate for fluff reasons.

It's on their RAT in Update. Not a high probability of getting one, but there's only three 'Mechs there - Executioner, Kingfisher and Masakari. That's a good enough reason to include one. Not heaps, just one.

Mattlov wrote:Contrary to what people want to believe, the Clans don't salvage off each other a whole lot. That means the Ghost Bears will not, under pretty much any circumstance, have an Orion IIC. It is ONLY used by the Wolves, and they rarely have more than a Star of them running around in their entire Touman. The Bears simply wouldn't have one.

Heh.

My Ghost Bear Cluster, which is all 2nd Line other than Trinary Command Stars and the Elemental units, has an Orion IIC. Yes, this is a Wolf 'Mech through and through, but you can justify anyone having anything in BattleTech (just about), and I find it improbable that a few Clans wouldn't have one floating about somewhere, even in storage.

Mattlov wrote:Ebon Jaguar (Cauldron-Born)

(Rant Mode)

No one calls it the Ebon Jaguar! Even the Clans call it the Cauldron-Born! AHH! The Clan-name mafia is a bad as the SFE mafia!

(/Rant Mode)

Sorry about that. I just get tired of seeing that 'Mech get referred to by a name no one uses.

Ghaz wrote:I figured as much with that pesky +1 modifier. Oh, well...

Look, the Ryoken H isn't a bad 'Mech, and honestly I like Heavy Lasers depsite the +1 To Hit. In fact, out of all the original H designs, the Ryoken is one of the few that actually works. If you don't already know, most of the original H's just took an existing design and replaced all the ER Mediums with Heavy Mediums. Ok, sounds fine on the surface, but most of these 'Mechs were balanced with their ER Mediums, not with the heat intensive short-ranged Heavy Lasers in mind. The Ryoken H, which is based off of the outstanding Ryoken Prime, still works when you swap its ER Meds for Medium Heavy Lasers. It becomes a different 'Mech with you have the Heavy Lasers as well, as it now has bracket fire and two distinct engagement ranges rather than the endless Alpha Strike capabilities of the Prime. So it's not bad - you can do much worse with H designs.

But you'd only take an H after you've got a Prime and a B. I simply cannot emphasise enough how powerful these 'Mechs are. The Ryoken is my fav 'Mech in the game - I have a Prime, B and C as WYSWYG - and they've never performed badly.

Ghaz wrote:Yes I did consider a Grizzly (and a Supernova and a Savage Coyote and an Orion IIC and so on and so forth). I just like the Grendel a little better and it can keep up with it's star-mates as well.

Of all of them the Supernova probably makes the most sense. It's a Cat 'Mech IIRC, and given their proximity in the invasion corridor they're sure to have some through trials and exchanges and whatnot. Plus they're a really old design, so that increases the spread of them, making it more likely that everyone has at least a few. Savage Coyote is very new as well as being - and this might sound obvious - a very Clan Coyote 'Mech. My Falcons have one, but only 'cause I like the 'Mech, but it doesn't make a huge amount of sense to have one. Mattlov covered the Orion IIC, but I maintain that a few Clans would have some, somewhere.

The Grendel is fast, I'll give it that. Maybe when you expand the Grizzly (and Arcas, another decent Bear 2nd Liner) can be your first ports of call.

Ghaz wrote:I've just never been keen on the Dragonfly's artwork, although it's grown on me a little after seeing the miniature. I'm just not sure how effective it would be against WoB Celestial OmniMechs (looks at the Dasher as well).

Most of my 'Mechs I have bought for aesthetic reasons rather than in-game power. Most 'Mechs I like because they look cool, some 'Mechs I like specifically because they don't look cool (the Imp is a Urbie all grown up and looks stupid, but it's awesome because it looks stupid and because the 3025 original Imp is the best 3025-era Assault 'Mech in the game). My second fav 'Mech, the Turkina, looks like a giant robot frog to me, but I still love it.

The Dragonfly looks really weird. It reminds me of the face of a Blue Meanie from Yellow Submarine (talk about an obscure film reference!). Again, maybe when you expand, the Dragonfly can be another 'first visit'. It's quite a cool thing to have zipping around the table.

Ghaz wrote:

Mattlov wrote:A nice fluffy replacement for one of the Ryokens (the Bears prefer the "C" variant) would be a Stooping Hawk. It is on their Faction List, and it isn't available to all the Clans. And you never see them because of that, despite the fact they are a very good design.

Unfortunately I just don't like the design's looks. After all, I'm playing the Ghost Bears and not the Jade Chickens

Don't worry about it! The Stooping Hawk isn't available to the Jade Falcons, and isn't associated with them at all.

I didn't even know the Cauldron-Born had a clan name. Something new every day!

CorporateLogo wrote:I didn't even know the Cauldron-Born had a clan name. Something new every day!

Yeah, they revealed it in TRO: 3058 Upgrade. No one uses the name Ebon Jaguar though. Not even Clanners. I just threw it out there for the educational purposes.

No, you did it to annoy me! RAR!

H.B.M.C. wrote:No, you did it to annoy me! RAR!

Well, that too.

I'll have to give all of the suggestions some thought, not to mention seeing what miniatures the FLGS has.

On a related point, does anyone know what 'mech Star Colonel Ragnar pilots in command of the 1st Rasalhague Bears?

Ghaz wrote:I'll have to give all of the suggestions some thought, not to mention seeing what miniatures the FLGS has.

On a related point, does anyone know what 'mech Star Colonel Ragnar pilots in command of the 1st Rasalhague Bears?

I think the last thing he was seen piloting in any canon piece was a Dire Wolf B. Why a "B" variant I have no idea...

It figures. If he's a leader of an Inner Sphere power, then he pilots a Dire Wolf

Instead of starting another new thread, I thought I'd ask this here. Over the weekend I found my old second-hand copy of Rolling Thunder and since the First Regulan Hussars feature prominently in JHS: 3076 I was wondering how you'd go about upgrading the Rolling Thunder for 3076. Here's there roster according to the book in 3025

Command Lance
Balltemaster
Victor
Hermes
Hunchback

Fire Lance
Awesome
Archer
Warhammer
Firestarter

Attack Lance
Ostsol
Ostroc
Shadow Hawk
Wolverine

I hate the Ost series, but if we ignore them for the time being, I only have one 'issue':

Why a Firestarter in a Fire Support Lance (no pun intended). You've got an Awesome (3PPCs), an Archer (2 LRM20's) and a Warhammer (2PPCs). The Firestarter makes little sense, even as a close-ranged bodyguard 'Mech (something you'd take a Hunchback for). Get this Lance a Longbow, stat! Specifically the one with paired LRM15's and LRM20's all w/Artermis. That's a great Support 'Mech. Or at least a Salamander.

And the Hermes is a little odd in the lance with the Assaults and the Hunchback.

Uh, this is what was in the Rolling Thunder book. I'm looking to update it from 3025 to 3076. Don't blame me, blame FASA

Remember early publications for Battletech rarely bothered with faction mechs, other than the Capellan fondnwess for the Vindicator and the poverty of Hatchetmen outside the Steiner-Davion alliance.

Rolling Thunder had a relatively consistent tonnage, many scenario comopanies had two Stingers and two assault mechs in the same wierd lance, or equivalent. In any event updating the companies is a little difficult.

Now if I remember correctly Rolling Thunder is loyal to Regulus, which ias considered of suspect loyalty and therefore is st\rved of upgrade technology by the FWLM. Then again as Regulan elite they would have access to some tech.

Ghaz wrote:

Instead of starting another new thread, I thought I'd ask this here. Over the weekend I found my old second-hand copy of Rolling Thunder and since the First Regulan Hussars feature prominently in JHS: 3076 I was wondering how you'd go about upgrading the Rolling Thunder for 3076. Here's there roster according to the book in 3025.

Here is what I would do:

Command Lance
Battlemaster - Keep it. But fluff wise your only really advanced tech version is the 5M, which sucks.
Victor - Go all the way with a Sirocco.
Hermes - Kept here for communication abilities, I would upgrade to a Bloodhound for detecting hidden enemies or providing ECM support.
Hunchback - Another protector unit, such as an Orion 2M would work well here.

Fire Lance
Awesome - Fine, just pick an upgrade.
Archer - Again, just fine. Choose an upgrade.
Warhammer - Still see no problems, but if you want a little more FWL flavor, go with a Perseus.
Firestarter - Makes no sense. Not even upgrading to a TAG unit would work because there is more direct fire support than indirect. This lance is heavy and slow, lighten it up with an Apollo, or go all the way with the Arrow IV Anvil.

Attack Lance
Ostsol - How about a Tempest instead?
Ostroc - Rifleman 7M long range could support any unit if needed.
Shadow Hawk - Little more FWL flavor with a Wraith.
Wolverine - A startlingly good replacement would be a Bandersnatch. But a WOlverine works decently as well, just pick a good upgrade.

A good upgrade? Like the Marik Wolverine? Most people use them anyway.

Here's what I was thinking:

Command Lance
Battlemaster - Although it's not a Marik variant I plan on fielding the BLR-4S Battlemaster model.
Victor - Definitely a 'no' on the Sirocco as it's too much of an AT-AT wannabe for my like. I'm thinking either a Perseus, an Orion or just keeping the Victor.
Hermes - I was considering a B2-HND Bloodhound in place of the Firestarter, but it works here just as well.
Hunchback - I was thinking of going for a HBK-6N Hunchback here. I want to keep at least a few 'mechs from the original roster to tie the two lists together.

Fire Lance
Awesome - I'm considering the AWS-9Q Awesome with the quad PPCs if I feel up to doing the conversion.
Archer - The stock ARC-8M Archer.
Warhammer - Actually I'm thinking of downgrading to a GRF-5M Griffin instead.
Firestarter - It's going to be replaced with a LGB-12C Longbow.

Attack Lance
Ostsol - I think I'm going to keep the OTL-6D Ostsol.
Ostroc - How about a GHR-5H Grasshopper instead?
Shadow Hawk - Did someone mention the TR1 Wraith?
Wolverine - I'm thinking either a WVR-8K Wolverine or a TDR-9M Thunderbolt more likely.

So, any thoughts?

Ghaz wrote:Battlemaster - Although it's not a Marik variant I plan on fielding the BLR-4S Battlemaster model.

Not Marik in the slightest, but damn is the -4S a good Battlemaster. I've not used it, but I have faced it quite a few times. Very good 'Mech. The pairing of the ER Meds and regular Meds really allows you to manage the heat-curve, and the Small Pulse Lasers and SRM6 are just gravy. This 'Mech can literally fight anything.

Ghaz wrote:Victor - Definitely a 'no' on the Sirocco as it's too much of an AT-AT wannabe for my like. I'm thinking either a Perseus, an Orion or just keeping the Victor.

Nothing quite says 'Marik' like an Orion. Sure, every House has them and they're about as common as they come, but a Marik Orion is a good thing to have - they are one of the Inner Sphere's 'Pocket Assault 'Mechs'. There are a lot of good versions. Very few games go by in our group without one of these guys showing up. They're very well liked, especially when playing 2025 level - when picking a Heavy 'Mech for 2025 the first two choices are always Grasshopper & Orion.

Ghaz wrote:Hermes - I was considering a B2-HND Bloodhound in place of the Firestarter, but it works here just as well.

I haven't used any Hermes variants extensivley, so I have no real comment here.

Ghaz wrote:Hunchback - I was thinking of going for a HBK-6N Hunchback here. I want to keep at least a few 'mechs from the original roster to tie the two lists together.

Aside from the original version, the original AC/10 version and the original Swayback, which are all fantastic, if you want a 'NewTech' version, I'd take the 5S. Yeah, not very Marik either, but the Jump Jets and the LB-20X are just a wonderful combination.

Ghaz wrote:Awesome - I'm considering the AWS-9Q Awesome with the quad PPCs if I feel up to doing the conversion.

Beast of a 'Mech. Good news is the metal Awesome that IWM sell is the 9Q, so no conversions needed.

Ghaz wrote:Archer - The stock ARC-8M Archer.

Good design, no complaints. Can handle itself once the ammo is gone.

Warhammer - Actually I'm thinking of downgrading to a GRF-5M Griffin instead.

I'd take the WHM-6D if you want a basic version, or 7M or the 9S.

Firestarter - It's going to be replaced with a LGB-12C Longbow.

Good boy.

Ostsol - I think I'm going to keep the OTL-6D Ostsol.

If you must...

Ostroc - How about a GHR-5H Grasshopper instead?

That's like asking if I should replace the lump of coal with a block of gold. Of course take the Grasshopper!.

Shadow Hawk - Did someone mention the TR1 Wraith?

If you do take a Shadow Hawk, it's hard to find a decent one to be honest. Of the original 55-ton Holy Trinity it was always the dud of the group. If you want a Marik one, you might get some use out of the -7M. Not the best 'Mech, but when you're dealing with Shadow Hawk variants there isn't much to work with. The -7M can at least make good use of its manoeuvrability and stay at range with its LGR and LRM15.

Wolverine - I'm thinking either a WVR-8K Wolverine or a TDR-9M Thunderbolt more likely.

Hard choice. Wolverines are excellent 'Mechs - they've always been tenacious and brutal in combat whenever I've used them and never a waste of space. Thunderbolts are fantastic 'Mechs, easily one of my fav's in the whole game. From a Marik perspective Don't overlook the Wolverine -9M. HPPC and JJ's is a nice combo.

As for the Thunderbolt you suggested... I don't think it does enough damage. The Shadow Hawk -7M can actually equal it at range, which says a lot about both that Shadow Hawk and this Thunderbolt. The -7SE is a good bet IMO.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Nothing quite says 'Marik' like an Orion. Sure, every House has them and they're about as common as they come, but a Marik Orion is a good thing to have - they are one of the Inner Sphere's 'Pocket Assault 'Mechs'. There are a lot of good versions. Very few games go by in our group without one of these guys showing up. They're very well liked, especially when playing 2025 level - when picking a Heavy 'Mech for 2025 the first two choices are always Grasshopper & Orion.

It's an ON2-M Orion then. One question though, did they have Orions in 2025

H.B.M.C. wrote:Aside from the original version, the original AC/10 version and the original Swayback, which are all fantastic, if you want a 'NewTech' version, I'd take the 5S. Yeah, not very Marik either, but the Jump Jets and the LB-20X are just a wonderful combination.

The only reason I'm taking the -6N model is for the three additional tons of ammuntion, not because I want a "newtech" version.

H.B.M.C. wrote:I'd take the WHM-6D if you want a basic version, or 7M or the 9S.

Unfortunately I don't like the looks of the reseen Warhammer. Something just looks a little 'off' if you know what I mean, but otherwise I do agree that it's an excellent 'mech. I decided on the Griffin as it's considered the fire support 'mech of the Holy Trinity and provides the lance with some needed mobility IMHO.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Ghaz wrote:Ostsol - I think I'm going to keep the OTL-6D Ostsol.

If you must...

What's wrong with the Ostsol? Sure there are more powerful 'mechs out there, but the Ostsol seems like a decent enough lightbulb to me.

H.B.M.C. wrote:If you do take a Shadow Hawk, it's hard to find a decent one to be honest. Of the original 55-ton Holy Trinity it was always the dud of the group. If you want a Marik one, you might get some use out of the -7M. Not the best 'Mech, but when you're dealing with Shadow Hawk variants there isn't much to work with. The -7M can at least make good use of its manoeuvrability and stay at range with its LGR and LRM15

Unlike like the Warhammer which just seems a little 'off', I don't like the reseen Shadow Hawk at all. However there is one minor change in that I'm going with the TR2 Wraith which changes out the large pulse laser for an ER PPC.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Hard choice. Wolverines are excellent 'Mechs - they've always been tenacious and brutal in combat whenever I've used them and never a waste of space. Thunderbolts are fantastic 'Mechs, easily one of my fav's in the whole game. From a Marik perspective Don't overlook the Wolverine -9M. HPPC and JJ's is a nice combo.

While the Wolverine looks okay, I really like the Thunderbolt better. As for which model, I'll have to decide when I build it. After all, this is more for display than anything. Cincinnati is pretty much a desert when it comes to BattleTech (which is odd since Iron Wind Metals is here in Cincy).

By the way, did I mention the two Gothas I'm adding to the force?

I don't know if you did, but as I know nothing about Aerotech stuff I can't comment.

Gothas? No way man. Get yourself a couple Shivas. Pure flying sexiness with weapon loads to match.