Harebrained Schemes announced today that they hit the final stretch goal of their Kickstarter campaign to create a new BattleTech game, unlocking the PVP Multiplayer component of the game. This is fantastic news, I couldn’t be more thrilled with how well this has gone.
I have been an avid BattleTech/MechWarrior fan since I first played MechWarrior 2 many years ago. I have a bookshelf full of novels and source books for the franchise. It is easily counted among my favorite fictional universes.
In light of all of this, I decided I would share with everyone my 5 most beloved BattleMechs. With as many ‘Mechs that have been featured in the series over the years, this was no easy decision. Without further delay, let’s see what made it.
1# – Orion
It can be hard to do better than the personal choice of General Kerensky himself. Weighing in at a respectable 75 tons, this ‘Mech is no pushover. First introduced in 2456 as the first true heavy BattleMech. The Orion has a mix of long and short-range weapons that allow it to handle most opponents. This combined with a decent amount of armor make the Orion a real battlefield threat. Technical information isn’t everything, though. One of the main reasons this makes the list is the iconic image of General Aleksandr Kerensky kicking in the palace doors at the end of the Amaris Civil War. This moment is BattleTech history is just plain awesome and has always made the Orion stand out as one of my favorite ‘Mechs.
2# – Templar
I started to really like this one while I was reading the BattleTech novel Imminent Crisis. An 85 ton OmniMech, the Templar is a beast. Commissioned be Duke George Hasek and built by Kallon Industries. This ‘Mech was meant to fill the void of Federated Suns built OmniMechs, a task it more than accomplishes. With state-of-the-art technology at the time of its introduction in 3062, this is a ‘Mech I would be more than happy to pilot.
3# – Highlander
Probably my most used BattleMech across the different games I have played. I adore the Highlander. It is one seriously awesome ‘Mech. Entering service with the Star League Defense Force in 2592, this 90-ton assault ‘Mech is one of the most well known in existence. Known for the “Highlander Burial” a maneuver in which the attacking Highlander engages its jump jets to jump and then land on its target. There have been many changes to the design over the centuries, including my favorite the Highlander IIC. This legendary ‘Mech easily makes the list.
#4 – Catapult
Bristling with missiles and equipped with jump jets, this ‘Mech is amazing at what it does. One of my favorite rides in MechWarrior 4, the long-range threat of this ‘Mech can not be understated. First built in 2561, in the storyline this is actually a somewhat rare ‘Mech to see on the battlefield. I really hope to see it appear in the upcoming PC game.
#5 – Raven
This little guy is my favorite light ‘Mech. Everything about it is cool. From its name to its distinctive look, to the awesome electronic warfare suite it brings to the battlefield. A character in the first Battletech novel I read Initiation to War named Slug piloted one of these and really endeared it to me. Sure it would be smashed in a stand-up fight with any of the other ‘Mechs on this list, but that’s not what this guy was built for. With a clever and skilled pilot, this ‘Mech is an amazing battlefield asset.
So we come now to the end. I know I am going to hear it from my friends for my choices, and lack of any Clan made Battlemechs. What can I say, though? I am an Inner Sphere fan for life. I am truly excited to see what Harebrained Schemes brings us with the money that fans have provided them. I am sure it will be everything we could want. As always, please be sure to check out the rest of The Nerd Stash for more great articles and interesting reads.
