Ok, as someone who has 4 Malaks in my collection, maybe I can help some.
The Malak is the escort and cover design, for the other Celestials..... depending on which variant you are fielding. The Prime variant, or Invictus, is kind of a jack of all trades --- it is fast enough to be where is needed, but also can snipe with the Light PPC - provide either missile, or more likely, inferno support with the SRM2, has an ER Medium for more damage... but also a flamer, for infantry, or making fires to cover maneuvers, if needed. Also, like all of the primary Celestial Mech variants, it has a retractable blade, with the attendant advantages that has.... especially against Clan machines and pilots.
Each of the other variants has it's own role, though. The A variant, or Dominus, is an infantry hunter. a total of 6 light machine guns, and 2 flamers pretty much can eat an infantry formation in seconds, while scouting or providing C3i data in close areas.
The B variant, or Infernus, is a mid-range fast slasher. Some people try to brawl with it, but it is still a light mech, and you need to keep it moving... however, a Snub Nosed PPC, along with a pair of ER Medium Lasers can give you nice damage, while an ECM can be used to disrupt enhanced designs in other forces, or even provide ECCM at need.
The C Variant, or Comminus, is very much a forward scout --- especially in built up areas, like cities --- along with carrying a tag unit, and a quintet of lasers tied to a targeting computer, although 3 of those are ER Smalls.......I don't remember if targeting computers effect TAG...... I need to look that one up.
The D variant, or Luminos, is well named. It's a running rave party. It carries an all beam weapon load, with the ability to either snipe, and provide some mid to long range support... or race in, and play spotter for it's buddies..... this version is a player in the C3i network, no matter where it is.
The E Variant, or Eminus always felt like it was an extra design, thrown in to give variety, or because someone felt that we HAD to have something with a Thunderbolt to prove that the WOB uses this technology, and to get it in the game. It has that Thunderbolt 5, with 12 shots, which is more or less an adequate amount of ammo, but might have been just as effective, had it just mounted a second light PPC. Overall, the Thunderbolt 5 is little more than an AC/5 that can be shot down with AMS... and while the back up is a Light PPC, which has the same range, along with a pair of ER Mediums.... it feels somewhat lacking..... although it can provide some ranged support early, and close targeting support, later, in a battle.
The S Variant, or Caelestis is a headcapper and sniper.... keep it at range, and use the C3i network to provide the extra hurt, without the need to be immediately there... the small lasers are only there if someone wants to play tag with you.
Then, there is the Mi variant...... high speed, high accuracy, and the ability to provide targeting data for others....... also good for solo hunting of other light designs.
As you can see, the way it's played depends heavily on what it is armed with....
Now, in WOB formations, you have some real surprises, though .... one is using it with other Celestials, and that is what most people do.... but the Word has some other very scary surprises. For one thing, they have a truly terrifying design, called the Lightray ---- 55 tons of 7/11 goodness with the 6W and 7W being able to join in the C3i party.
And that's the final thing to keep in mind with the Malak --- it is a C3i carrier. Mating one with something like a Bombardier 14C, means you can use the speed to reach range 7, outside of ECM, and in medium range of most weapons, keeping your target numbers a bit high, and still call in LRM's at short range.
The WOB is really the first truly specialized faction in BT --- they use designs, like the Galahad with twin Light Gauss Rifles in a way that lets them maximize their advantages of range, without the whole, every mech must be able to fight another mech, mentality. While that specialization can be a hindrance.....if you use it right, it can really dominate a battlefield, and force your opponent into less than happy situations or positions.
Nahuris
