BattleTech: Clan Invasion Kickstarter Discussion, Vol. 1

[Talen5000]

I keep throwing my wallet at my screen, but it's not working.  Guess I'll have to wait a few more days!

Also, does anyone else think the Nova looks a little big?  Feels like our favorite little laserboat has been hitting the gym for leg day (yay, hips!), but maybe did a bit too much protein shake in the process.

I wouldn't be too much concerned with scale. Compare the pic of the Summoner and Dire Wolf...one described as short and squat, the other one of the tallest Mechs around.

[Mendrugo]

But why a Grendel?

Clearly to give the Beowulf from the FRR Box Set a playmate.

[Maingunnery]

The Grendel does seem like an odd choice, but its a pretty solid little mech and technically an Invasion-era machine. 

And, hey, if this gets people using more than the original four medium Clan omnis from 3050, why not give it a shot?

I have a couple of metal Grendels (second hand from a lot), so I have some experience with them, and in mine opinion they are Meh in performance (compared to other Clan omnis) and have a forgettable appearance, like the last kid that gets chosen in gym class. Poor Mech, it even gets bullied by Clan Light Mechs.....

Clan Diamond Shark product placement.

Sounds legit.

[Colt Ward]

But why a Grendel?

IMO its several reasons IC & OOC

IC-  It was a Shark design that appeared late in Operation Revival, and due to how the Shark's behaved with it is reasonable for it to show up with Bears, Jags, Cats, or even Vipers- less so with the Wolves or Falcons.  A player can rightly expect to plug it into any Clan they want to represent during the Invasion.

OOC -  Considering the Clan Invasion box is a expansion to the Beginner & GoAC, mechanics-wise its not something that will be OP against those IS mechs in their 3050 variants.  We get the Nova as seen here and I think we had a peak at the Stormcrow, so it leaves a few other options for profiles- fast (Ice Ferret, Phantom) and fast/jumpers (Viper).  Mongrel IMO is a better choice than the Viper, annoying +4 TH jumping with poor weapon selection for general play, because it can be more forgiving to new players introduced to advanced tech.  The Ice Ferret is too identified with the Wolves to be added along side the Adder, Timber Wolf and Dire Wolf plus it has no jumping configs for the era which means it would not be as broad in its player appeal . . . and keeps those new players away from the usual Ice Ferret D universal hammer.

[SteelRaven]

I keep throwing my wallet at my screen, but it's not working.  Guess I'll have to wait a few more days!

Also, does anyone else think the Nova looks a little big?  Feels like our favorite little laserboat has been hitting the gym for leg day (yay, hips!), but maybe did a bit too much protein shake in the process.

Look at the Hex Bases for scale, some of the minis got blown up in the photo so you could see the details.

[Fear Factory]

I would still take a Viper over a Grendel, but that's for another thread.

[SteelRaven]

I like the Grendel and this mini looks especially nice!

[Maingunnery]

OOC -  Considering the Clan Invasion box is a expansion to the Beginner & GoAC, mechanics-wise its not something that will be OP against those IS mechs in their 3050 variants.  We get the Nova as seen here and I think we had a peak at the Stormcrow, so it leaves a few other options for profiles- fast (Ice Ferret, Phantom) and fast/jumpers (Viper).  Mongrel IMO is a better choice than the Viper, annoying +4 TH jumping with poor weapon selection for general play, because it can be more forgiving to new players introduced to advanced tech.  The Ice Ferret is too identified with the Wolves to be added along side the Adder, Timber Wolf and Dire Wolf plus it has no jumping configs for the era which means it would not be as broad in its player appeal . . . and keeps those new players away from the usual Ice Ferret D universal hammer.

Those are sadly good arguments, here is to hoping for further visual improvements to the Grendel (but has already got some, but could use a lot more).

[Scotty]

It may be worth considering that relative efficiency/optimization of a given Omni is arguably bad for an expansion box.  Yes, we the players know that Stormcrows, Ice Ferrets, Timber Wolves, and Dire Wolves are all some of the best things in the game at what they do and will correspondingly get picked a lot.  Throwing five of the best Omnis up against eight IS Mechs is a curb-stomping waiting to happen.  That's a serious problem for players who are not experts at the game.

These five are going to give the 8 'Mechs in the Game of Armored Combat box a good fight.

[Colt Ward]

Huh?  IIRC the Mongrel, which weights in the same as the Ice Ferret, is a more 'efficient' design b/c engine weight vs speed . . . though its been a while since I saw those calculations and generally could care less.  I grant the fixed JJs sort of remove some of that saved weight but I think the Mongrel has better varied configs and like I said precludes the universal hammer.

[NeonKnight]

Look at the Hex Bases for scale, some of the minis got blown up in the photo so you could see the details.

As he Said. Attached is a pic with the Nova And Adder a little rescaled (roughly) to make the bases an equalish size to the top row.

[Empyrus]

Now they look too small lol (gonna assume perspective issue)

[Scotty]

Now they look too small lol (gonna assume perspective issue)

That picture shrunk them way too much.  The difference between bases on the Executioner and the Nova is... not close.

That said, both of them still look pretty squat; don't expect them to suddenly be as tall as even their own class machines. :P

[Empyrus]

Well, the Nova and Adder both lack "waist", so they're shorter than most 'Mechs.
(Come to think of it, the Stormcrow does lack waist as well but its peculiar structure makes it tall.)

[Nips]

I'm not one to get too worked up about Battletech miniature scaling issues; I made peace with that forever ago.  And, being a relatively technical person, I can tell the difference between two sizes of pictures from the bases.  :P

I'm just wondering how the Nova got so thick.  Compare to the old art:



See how skinny those limbs are?  Even accounting for extra midsection (hips! Yay!), this new render's been hittin' the gym.

Which is fine!  I love the new renders, and will be trying to take out a second mortgage to finance more kickin' when the time comes.

[Crimson Dawn]

I really like how with some of the new art makes me like some mechs that I otherwise did not care for.  IN particular I really like the Gladiator.  Normally I thought the design looked pretty bleh but this one looks sweet.

[Liam's Ghost]

Anybody else think the Timberwolf is a bit on the chubby side?

It's not really a serious complaint, but maybe this kitty needs to cut down on the treats.

[Bedwyr]

Anybody else think the Timberwolf is a bit on the chubby side?

It's not really a serious complaint, but maybe this kitty needs to cut down on the treats.

He stopped skipping leg day and now all the other Omnimechs won't kick sand in his face.

[Empyrus]

Looking at the revealed 'Mechs so far, i feel some deviate too much from the originals.
The Nova gained waist and has hulked out unnecessarily. The Mist Lynx looks more like the Sling than the original Mist Lynx, not a bad look per se but it ain't Mist Lynx. The Executioner's legs feel way too small/thin, arguably the more agile look suits its stats but... eh.

The Timber Wolf's not bad but i don't really see it as improvement over the previous model, prefer that. It is definitively a bit fat. I will call that one Fat Cat from here on now.
The Adder, Summoner, and Dire Wolf, look OK. The Stormcrow's OK but i don't like the laser re-arrangement on the arms, even if it is more sensible than the original but this is pretty minor.

The Grendel is an improvement certainly. But i never cared for the 'Mech so whatever.
The Shadow Cat looks good, it needed a new model. Though now i wish there was a model patterned after the MWDA mini, that'd go nicely with the Avalanche and Wendigo.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The Shadow Cat looks good, it needed a new model. Though now i wish there was a model patterned after the MWDA mini, that'd go nicely with the Avalanche and Wendigo.

The Dark Age Shadow Cat is on IWM's release schedule for this year.

[Gigastrike]

Looking at the revealed 'Mechs so far, i feel some deviate too much from the originals.

They're clearly trying to take inspiration from the MWO models.

[Empyrus]

The Dark Age Shadow Cat is on IWM's release schedule for this year.

It is??? Whoah. Are there pics of that yet?

They're clearly trying to take inspiration from the MWO models.

I don't as a general rule like any MWO 'Mech looks.
At least the Classics look good and not like their MWO counterparts. EDIT Come to think of this, the Archer and Rifleman look pretty good in MWO. And the Thunderbolt's OK. They're not all bad, and certainly look better in motion, especially in HBS BattleTech as melee animations make them more dynamic looking instead of being just walking bricks.

[SteelRaven]

Think allot of us are showing our age,

'It looks different, Arrrrrrgh!!!'

I gave up arguing over art preferences a long time ago. One friend of mine always thought the T-Wolf limbs looked week for a 75 tone monster, I'm sure this will shut him up.

[Bedwyr]

Well *I* like it. <nods with vigor> <hands on hips>

:)

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

It is??? Whoah. Are there pics of that yet?

Not that I'm aware of.  Here's the schedule (note that the EMP-1A Emperor was released in the 2nd quarter due to the Scourge being delayed).

[Empyrus]

Think allot of us are showing our age,

Talk for yourself, i'm under 30 and relatively new to Battletech. There are many 'Mechs that can do with updated looks, i just think the Clan original Omnis don't really belong to that category.

Personally i prefer the MWIV iteration of the Timber Wolf. A bit beefier than the original but looks suitably lean still, more solid-looking missile launchers without being too flat like MWO has them. Pity there's no mini for that, but at least the Vulture III looks a lot like MWIV Vulture which looked good as well.

Not that I'm aware of.  Here's the schedule (note that the EMP-1A Emperor was released in the 2nd quarter due to the Scourge being delayed).

Thanks, gotta keep this in mind as i'm considering future Dark Age acquisitions. Future, and not anytime soon either...

[worktroll]

IWM's metal Timber Wolves are going to continue to be available. The lovely, lovely resculpt. Mix and match!

[Empyrus]

IWM's metal Timber Wolves are going to continue to be available. The lovely, lovely resculpt. Mix and match!

I'm more of a "set collector", so i'll go all IWM or all plastic when it comes to the original 16. Now this is assuming all of the originals get plastics, i can understand not all them would. If there won't be all 16, then i suppose i might treat the plastics as a set in themselves.
Regardless, Clan 'Mech acquisitions have to wait for now.

And much to my surprise, i found a MWO 'Mech i absolutely prefer to the original: The Linebacker. Now, if only the 'Mech itself wasn't trash... Wolf-in-Exile nonsense.

[Colt Ward]

Its not a Warden Wolf design?  It existed going into Revival?

So . . . these are STILL computer renderings put together for the image, plus with that angle how can you really be sure it has a waist or is really too much beefier- I looked and its possible the Nova is like the old War Dog art.

[Empyrus]

Its not a Warden Wolf design?  It existed going into Revival?

Uh, right, yeah. Debuted well before the Wolf-Falcon conflict. But the design is strongly associated with the Exiled Wolves. My primary issue with the design is that it is 5 tons too heavy for its speed and subsequently as kind of terrible configurations, might as well use a Stormcrow.

As for the Nova, it is absolutely beefier than the original art or IWM model makes it. Lasers in the arms take more space, the arms themselves look a bit thicker in proportion to the body. And it got waist now, that's my biggest issue with the design. The Nova's lack of waist is an interesting visual and engineering quirk. Makes it simpler to manufacture while lowering the profile.