MWO - Bullshark - new 'Mech

[martian]

Bullshark preorder

95 tons
Inner Sphere - 5 variants; Clan - 2 variants (including hero 'Mech)

6 variants + 1 Hero 'Mech

Use this link to check quirks and some pictures: Bullshark Preorder Is Here!

[Sapphirus]

Wait what?  They're including a HBS design into MWO?  Sweet!

[martian]

Wait what?  They're including a HBS design into MWO?  Sweet!

Yes, they are going to add the Bull Shark on the 21. V. 2024.

I see that I am not alone who remembers this BattleMech. 

I made this screenshot, so even people, who have never played the HBS game, can see the original 'Mech.



Of course, the MWO Bullshark is going to have different models than the HBS' Bull Shark.

[Akamia]

A pleasant surprise. This year is really good so far. New weapons, the first IS OmniMech in the game's history, and the reintroduction of the Bull Shark, an apocryphal ’Mech that hasn't been seen since the Heavy Metal expansion to HBSTech in 2019?! Madness!

I gotta admit, I'm excited for this one. Of all the ’Mechs to have come out exclusive to video games that haven't been ported to tabletop yet in some fashion, the Bull Shark is my favorite by a significant margin. Sure, we're not getting the original BSK-MAZ, because no Thumper cannon, but I'll accept what we are getting. The Mako Hero ’Mech seems to be a compromise on what the BSK-MAZ brought to the table, being armed almost identically save for the missiles and ER small lasers. I think I'll be running that the most of all of them. lol

[Cyc]

After the Hatchetman situation I assumed any more HBS in PGI was done, certainly was not expecting this...

[Wrangler]

It makes sense to me. They have likely permission to use it.  Likely this going appear at some point on MW5 Clans too.

[Deadborder]

Completely unexpected. Well played, HBS

[BATTLEMASTER]

It makes sense to me. They have likely permission to use it.  Likely this going appear at some point on MW5 Clans too.

Maybe we'll get to hunt the Minnesota Tribe...

[martian]

After the Hatchetman situation I assumed any more HBS in PGI was done, certainly was not expecting this...

Well, the HBS BattleTech game had two new 'Mechs in it: Hatchetman, and Bull Shark.

Now they have been both ported to MWO.

[Akamia]

Well, the Hatchetman HBS made and the Hatchetman PGI made don’t even look quite the same, and neither invented it obviously; tabletop had Hatchetmen a lot longer.

The Bull Shark, at least as far as us end users are concerned, was a HBS original in its entirety, and PGI’s take, while different in relatively subtle ways, evidently stayed true to its original aesthetic for the most part. lol

[Cyc]

Aside from MW5Mercs using the HBS Invader-class model, its all largely been one-way (PGI to HBS). The discussion in the announcement thread on the MWO forums from HBS and PGI modelers is very interesting.

[martian]

Well, the Hatchetman HBS made and the Hatchetman PGI made don’t even look quite the same, and neither invented it obviously; tabletop had Hatchetmen a lot longer.

I think that the MWO Hatchetman keeps the "blockiness" of the original TRO 'Mech better. The MWO Hatchtman is also as lanky as it should be. The problem is that the head really does not look like the original Hatchetman's head. The MWO BattleMaster has suffered the same fate.   

The Bull Shark, at least as far as us end users are concerned, was a HBS original in its entirety, and PGI’s take, while different in relatively subtle ways, evidently stayed true to its original aesthetic for the most part. lol

I expect the Bullshark will mostly disappear shortly after its MWO debut. I am not sure if the body shape will be good for the damage tanking when brawling (even with quirks) and there are other - often ECM-equipped - assault 'Mechs for sniping.

[Wrangler]

I was puzzeled if the Bullshark was OmniMech or not.   It's been mix results me looking.  I know PGI plays that bit loose but I'm not sure.

[BATTLEMASTER]

Something just occurred to me - the Bullshark's torso profile reminds me of the Pulverizer. 

It makes sense considering they're both Wolverine designs...

[martian]

I was puzzeled if the Bullshark was OmniMech or not.   It's been mix results me looking.  I know PGI plays that bit loose but I'm not sure.

Unless I have missed something, all variants are just standard BattleMechs.

[Wrangler]

I was poking at Hairedbrain Schemes' website, their blog has been sparse, but they're working on a new demonstrate game system.  However, I remain unsure if they can ever use the Battletech or Shadowrun IPs. Only reason I say that is way they said that Paradox owns the rights to games already out.  However, its not clear if future games of the same IP is still in HBS control / or possible.   

[Frabby]

Unless I have missed something, all variants are just standard BattleMechs.

The -4 and the -M Mako are Clan tech base, the others Inner Sphere. At least in the sales sheet stats rundown. (Though BattleMechs, not OmniMechs.)

[martian]

(Though BattleMechs, not OmniMechs.)

The talk was if they are OmniMechs. They are not.

The -4 and the -M Mako are Clan tech base, the others Inner Sphere. At least in the sales sheet stats rundown.

Yes, it is in the very first post of the thread.

[Akamia]

I expect the Bullshark will mostly disappear shortly after its MWO debut. I am not sure if the body shape will be good for the damage tanking when brawling (even with quirks) and there are other - often ECM-equipped - assault 'Mechs for sniping.

I, on the other hand, am a bit more optimistic with the Bull Shark's longevity. I know I personally will be using it often, particularly Mako – in the Thumper cannon’s absence, it’s the original BSK-MAZ in every other way that matters – but I happen to know it's kind of an ensemble dark horse among HBSTech players, many of whom play the MechWarrior games as well, myself included.

I don't expect this to be a ’Mech you see every match, and it remains to be seen how competitively viable it will be for those who care about that, but I think it will be around often enough years after its release.

[MightyBolamite]

An assault Mech released before any of the well known 3058+ lights or mediums?!
That's Bull Shark!

[martian]

An assault Mech released before any of the well known 3058+ lights or mediums?!
That's Bull Shark!

As long as MWO players keep buying assault 'Mechs, PGI is going to offer them new assault 'Mechs.

[BATTLEMASTER]

PGI has said in the past that they really don't make a lot of money on light 'mechs.  I imagine mediums are in the same situation.

[MightyBolamite]

Hmm... yeah. That joke seemed funnier when I wrote it late at night.

[Akamia]

Tomorrow's the big day. I reverse-engineered the original Bull Shark variants in preparation for this. I'm planning to reproduce the BSK-M3 on the BSK-1.

Mako is running a little slower than the BSK-MAZ, it turns out, but aside from the Clan tech base and the trade of its Thumper cannon for other weapons and the additional armor it gains from the downgraded engine rating, it's consistent. Both the BSK-M3 and BSK-MAZ had XL 285 engines and endo steel structure, it turns out; stripping them of absolutely everything possible leaves the appropriate tonnage remaining, with the MAZ only forced with 10 more tons due to the fixed Thumper cannon. The movement is also consistent with other 285-rated 95-tonners in HBSTech.

EDIT: Nope, I'm wrong about Mako's engine rating. Mako has a 285 engine. I apparently have to recheck everything regularly even while I'm writing these things. Good thing these things are written down somewhere, at least! I'm just wrong about how fast 285-rated engines are supposed to be on 95-tonners in MWO.

EDIT 2: Aaaaand I found out that my quest to reproduce the BSK-M3 was doomed to fail on account of there not being enough missile hardpoints on the BSK-1's side torsos. Damn. Proxying in a pair of LRM-10s is an idea, but they're too heavy. Ah well.

[ColBosch]

I was poking at Hairedbrain Schemes' website, their blog has been sparse, but they're working on a new demonstrate game system.  However, I remain unsure if they can ever use the Battletech or Shadowrun IPs. Only reason I say that is way they said that Paradox owns the rights to games already out.  However, its not clear if future games of the same IP is still in HBS control / or possible.

Okay, let's clear this up: Harebrained's sublicense for BattleTech has expired. All of their work on BattleTech has reverted to PGI. Unless a new license is worked out, HBS has no further rights to create content in the BattleTech universe. That means all code, art assets, writing, and so on are now exclusively under the control of PGI, aside from the agreement between PGI and CGL to produce tabletop material using the House Arano events and characters.

This is not speculation. The above is factually true, based upon statements from HBS and the lead developer of their BattleTech game.

[Akamia]

So now that the shark is on the loose, I'm hearing it's a beast. I don't have mine yet, but I will, eventually. Hopefully within the window to get all the goodies. I don't think I've cared more passionately about having all the goodies associated with a new chassis. lol

My idea of recreating the BSK-M3 on any of the existing variants fell flat on multiple levels beyond what I said above, but I think I'll enjoy the BSK-1 and the other variants regardless. I will most likely be spending the most time in Mako, though.

[Akamia]

So I got it the evening of the 21st as a gift. As I predicted, BSK-M is my favorite of the bunch. But BSK-1 is a monster. I love these things!

BSK-2 and BSK-3 I'm kinda meh about. I haven't tried the others yet, at least beyond testing grounds. I'm pretty optimistic about most of them, though!

[Frabby]

I have to say I was unimpressed by the Bullshark stats and couldn’t bring myself to get one. Nothing there that I cannot already do with existing designs.

In the games I've played over the last few days, each side typically had 2-4 and they just seem to be big fat targets. I easily solo-killed a Bullshark the other day in a Longbow. But maybe that’s a false impression based in the new design appearing exceptionally often in the beginning, and players like me wanting a kill on the new design first. ;)

Out of interest, what are the Bullshark configurations you feel are competitive?

[Akamia]

BSK-3 boating Thunderbolt missiles or MRMs are pretty dangerous IMO. I have a friend trying the BSK-1 with TBolt 10s and Silver Bullet Gauss Rifles; I don't know how effective it is in practice yet, but I anticipate the said friend will inform me of their experience when I ask about it next time we play together.

On the Clan side of things, I haven't seen a lot of Makos or BSK-4 running around yet. The IS Bull Sharks seem to be more popular overall. If there is theory to bring a lot more power out of the Clan Bull Sharks, I'm not the person to ask; but if I happen upon some particularly dangerous BSK-M or BSK-4 builds in the wild, I will let you know.

I don't invest in competitive, meta, or otherwise optimized builds outside of comp seasons I happen to be participating in; I personally prefer to play stocks a majority of the time, with BSK-M, BSK-1, and BSK-4 being my favorites by that standard. Also by that standard, I don't particularly love the BSK-2 or BSK-3. The BSK-5 and BSK-6 seem nice in theory, but in stock configuration they have yet to impress me in the way my favorites did.

[Akamia]

Between this and the Black Hawk-KU, I think I'm far less afraid of using the Inner Sphere's XL engine on heavier stuff than I used to be. It really isn't that scary once you get used to having one and know how to protect it. When you have more guns than God, that can be a form of survivability all its own. lol