Rate That Mech: Flashman

[Drewbacca]

TRO:2750 was always my favorite and the first mech that jumped out at me was the Flashman. That said, I don't use it that often, but finding the resculpt today I have renewed my interest in the mech.

What do you all think about it?

[Androsynth]

Been ages but I remember it being decently shooty, fast, and well armored but rather one-dimensional. It's good for raw damage, has decent heat syncs, but it lacks flexibility and crit seeking. Works pretty well as part of a lance that has crit-seeking, but is fairly medium-range (ish) limited.

How good it is really depends on it's squad-mates, but it's definitely a decent mech.

[JPArbiter]

One of the most under appreciated heavies in the Lyran/FedCom inventory. I gladly take the downgraded version in 3rd succession wats games, and the Star League version holds up no matter the era.

[Fat Guy]

One of the few 2750 'Mechs that was so good it didn't need a Royal variant.


The Succession Wars downgrade is also a fierce machine in the introtech era.

[Crimson Dawn]

I always liked the flashman.  The only things I wish it had were hand actuators and jump jets.

I also prefer the alternative artwork for it.  The version used in the updated 3025 book is a version I like and there is fan art of it that I think looks really great.

[Alsadius]

It's an old-school mech with no obvious flaw even in the 3025 version, which puts it in company like the Awesome. Those are hard to come by in that era.

[Bosefius]

Jadehellbringer stated that if these were going to continue to take them to the Fan Articles section. I'm moving this thread there, please start all new ones there.

[Sartris]

The 8K is a certified beast. Big fan

[Firesprocket]

The Flashman was my go to heavy mechs for several years.  While the 8Ks weapon load is quite vanilla when compared to fast cav mechs that came out later such as the Falconer or the Lao Hu, it holds up well.  The 9B is really the only version that I find lacking.  The 9M is more of direct fire support or line heavy mech that dishes solid bracket fire.  While most HPPC mechs tend to be weak at short range, the 9M is brutal and does more damage inside the minimum of its big guns.

[Drewbacca]

I usually don't do that sort of thing, but I almost want to make a pulse variant.

[Giovanni Blasini]

The artist did a fantastic job of portraying a BattleMech designed by Renault.

[Kit deSummersville]

When it came out I was too unskilled to use a Calvary 'Mech. I should try it again one of these days.

[UnLimiTeD]

The Starleague version is actually a decent Cavalry design - it works fine in the modern times, and, after all, it kind of lent it's name to it's choice of armament.
I'd rate it very highly for utility, if not for inspiration.

[glitterboy2098]

MOTW Flashman

[garhkal]

It's a good mech..  But it can take, getting pounded by one, to realize that (like it took me)..

[The_Livewire]

It's a good mech..  But it can take, getting pounded by one, to realize that (like it took me)..

It's funny, in the MOTW thread, the downgraded Flashman is almost a downgraded Penetrator too...

[Moonsword]

The speed, armor, and mid- to close range striking power makes the Flashman an excellent sleeper.  People see "Oh, it's just large lasers" and underrate it, which is a mistake.  Make sure to pair it with someone who has some ranged guns to keep the enemy honest (and possibly distract them), run in, and tape down the triggers on two of your LLs, swapping out the third for your mediums once you get close enough.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

The Flashman defines "boring but practical" in heavy cavalry mechs.

[Drewbacca]

The Flashman defines "boring but practical" in heavy cavalry mechs.

Oddly enough, I love the FLashman and those same words have been used to describe me. ???

[Drewbacca]

Is it just me or does the Flashman look kind of like the Kool-Aid Man?

[UnLimiTeD]

Does that also describe you?  8)

Honestly, everyone who values finesse and character and quirkiness - and tactical options - ought to like the Flashman, for it can be a yardstick to measure said quirkiness.
Only in contrast to the boring, but eminently functional can we judge, and enjoy, the more outlandish options presented to us.
If the only designs we had were heathogs with ammo in inconvenient places, we wouldn't think much of their shortcomings.

In that vein the newest flashman feels somewhat out of place.

[Wrangler]

I like it. The original model isn't fancy, definitely a tank like machine with some speed alot of Heavies would appreciate.  Extra-Light Fusion engine perhaps vulnerable point if a torso gets breached.  Goes in with laser spam, with AMS cutting down missiles that could get that golden bulleye on a crit. 

The Lyran's RetroCon Flashman FLS-7K, is more durable machine than it's predecessor. With no explosive crits, but still considerable firepower that Succession War machines would envy.  Firepower that could rival a Battlemaster in some cases.  Sure it doesn't have evil three Larges, but two larges and 5 mediums still nothing to sniff at.

9M mounts alot good punch with it's twin Heavy PPCs, but heat dispensation is not so good with 7K speed. You might well use a 13K Thug or Awesome 10K at that point if you want something packing a Heavy PPCs.

The 9B & C is odd men out, it's blakist/comstar machines for sure like the 9M, but C3i makes difference. In concentrating firepower, when it gets in the thick of things. 9C does have better firepower with third ER Large, making it better sniper unit.  Only problem is it's highly likely nether one of these are produced by Hesperus II anymore due to obsoletion of C3i.

Kurita's C variant is nice one, almost same as the original 8K but with C3 Slave minus the flame thrower and it's cheaper bv wise than the original 8K.

[Drewbacca]

Does that also describe you?  8)

Kind of, yeah.