I thought it might be nice to have a place for us to discuss both the already released volume 1 and all of the upcoming volumes of the guide over the next year.
Both of the new Griffin variants grabbed me. First, I like the 3N because it reminds me of the old SHD-5D in that it uses Endo and Ferro as weight savings with a standard engine. The Case II means it is nice and durable, and the weapons mix lets it sit at range and plink away.
The Griffin C has dethroned the 6S and 6S2 as the best Griffin variant, IMO. 6/9/9 movement makes it a cavalry mech, and the clan ER PPC and Streak-10 bring weapons up to date. I might have preferred a LRM-15, but that is the charm of the C. It isn't perfect--it is good, but not flawless. The IS XL engine is a vulnerability, and I like that it is there. First, it is consistent with the C being an update of an IS mech--the 3M. Second, a perfectly designed mech is boring. I don't need Jagermech levels of flaws in my mechs, but absolutely perfectly designed mechs are less appealing to me, for some reason I can't put my finger on.
Cheers
What do you all think of the the new variants you're seeing?