Lucen Dacier

For certain definitions of "nice," anyway.

Also: better watch out, Sarna. My posts on the redeeming features of flawed 'Mechs are getting better at anticipating what you'll pick as the next "Bad 'Mech."

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Vision Quest, a 60-ton Nova Cat BattleMech. With a top speed of 86 kph and maximum armor, it had staying power on the battlefield. It also had stopping power, with a pair of Clan-level ER Large Lasers and a trio of Medium Pulse Lasers, all in support of an Improved Gauss Rifle, which was later upgraded to an Ultra AC/20. Vision Quest existed mostly as a symbolic 'Mech, honoring past Nova Cat Khans. Tragically the Nova Cats themselves dismissed it as lackluster. The last one was literally nuked from existence on Irece as the Draconis Combine wiped out the Nova Cats as punishment for their rebellion.

Dismissed as a relic, Vision Quest was sidelined and forgotten. Yet Vision Quest was a highly capable Heavy 'Mech that fought to the bitter end.

Don't accept that your time has passed. Hold the line and push forward.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Gotterdammerung, a 75-ton Lyran 'Mech. With a name that translates to "Twilight of the Gods," this can be fearsome to run into on the battlefield. An ER PPC and head-mounted LRM/15 give it respectable long-range punch. Its maximum speed of 64 kph can bring it into range to use its five ER Medium Lasers on unlucky targets. Just mind the heat on firing all those lasers at once! Twelve tons of Heavy Ferro Fibrous armor, a compact Gyro, regular-style fusion engine, and torso-mounted cockpit make the 'Mech's most important components difficult to take out quickly. On top of that, all five Medium Lasers are mounted directly in the Center Torso, so this 'Mech will keep shooting until it is completely torn apart. In emergencies however, pilots find the critical flaws: a life support system split between the side torsos and a buggy ejection system mean an unlucky pilot can find themselves sealed into an overheating metal box with no way out.

An effort to make the perfect Zombie 'Mech, Gotterdammerung kept its pilot incredibly safe, but in emergencies pilots could not escape from it.

Learn from this one. Protect yourself, but don't have walls up so strong you can't get out.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Great Wyrm, a 45-ton Clan 'Mech from 2844. Arguably a Dragon IIC, this 'Mech sported an LRM/10 and two each of Ultra AC/2's, ER Medium Lasers, and ER Small Lasers. 7 tons of armor and a top speed of 86 kph kept it safe and mobile. Great Wyrm was seen in all the Clan toumans for a time, but was phased out of frontline positions as OmniMechs were introduced and became popular. Production ultimately stopped in 2872, but this was not the end of Great Wyrm's story. It would reappear in 3069, retooled and upgraded into the Great Wyrm 2 in time to fight the Blakists.

Great Wyrm did nothing wrong, but was still pushed aside by OmniMechs. Yet Great Wyrm was capable and popular enough to be revived when it was needed.

Falling behind doesn't mean you've failed. Hold the course and play to your strengths.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Prometheus. This 75-ton prototype was the equivalent of throwing a Loki, Thor, Mad Cat, and Vulture into a blender and seeing what came out. It would have been thrown in the dust bin of history and forgotten if not for it also having a prototype Direct Neural Interface control system included. The DNI allowed a minimally-trained pilot to take the Prometheus through a legendary run on Solaris VII. Furthermore, the 'Mech's patchwork construction actually worked as an inhibitor on the very dangerous DNI system, holding off the more dangerous side effects of directly plugging your brain into a giant robot.

A mishmash of rare parts, Prometheus seemed a huge boondoggle. Yet Prometheus' unique construction actually fixed its interface system and made it a Solaris legend.

Don't give up because you're flawed. Sometimes flaws give us our strength.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

MON-67 Mongoose. A heavy downgrade from the MON-66, this 25-tonner lacks the Ferro-Fibrous armor, Endo Steel structure, or Beagle Active Probe of its original model. However, 5.5 tons of armor, a top speed of 129 kph, and a trio of Medium Lasers backed up by a Small Laser made this little 'Mech a very effective striker, even if it the loss of the BAP made it less of a scout. The original MON-66 Mongoose was celebrated as an excellent command 'Mech for scout units, able to coordinate whole companies of Light 'Mechs. This capability made it a big target on the battlefield, though. Repairs and lack of spare parts during the Succession Wars forced a switch to the MON-67 model, but the 'Mech never really disappeared. When the Helm Memory core brought lostech back, the much-vaunted MON-66 was revived and redeployed, serving even during the Word of Blake war.

A golden child of the SLDF, Mongoose was singled out, losing the tech that made it special. Yet Mongoose still retooled and carried on.

Life beats you down. The question is whether you'll give up, or move on with what strength you can muster.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Some days just make me want to sit on the shoulder-porch of my giant robot and wait for the madness to subside.

MR-8C Marco ExplorerMech. At 30 tons, this little 'Mech lets a crew of two explore the great beyond. A Salvage Arm lets it perform delicate maneuvers, and a Small Laser alongside four tons of armor keep it safe from any aggressive fauna. Marco stands out as one of very, very few 'Mechs to come with its own shoulder-mounted porch. There are some combat variants of the Marco, most notable being the 8D, equipped with a Large Laser and an SRM-4. But by and large the Marco is the 'Mech for those of us who say "I don't want to live on this planet anymore" and go hiking in style.

An explorer in a universe full of warriors, Marco disappeared without a market. Yet Marco allowed some to dream of doing something other than war.

Not everything is a reason to fight. Sometimes it's best to step back with your friends and breathe.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

It is kind of like a Charger trying to be a Catapult.

Of all Clan 'Mechs that could afford to be slower, this would be one of them.

Naga OmniMech. This 80-ton curiosity spends almost all of its available weapon space on a pair of permanently installed Arrow IV missile launchers. A huge XL engine allows this 'Mech to reach up to 86 kph top speed, which it will need to use if challenged: with only 9 tons of armor and three ER Small Lasers for defense, the Prime configuration is all but helpless in combat. The Naga was made to force the Clans to incorporate artillery into their ranks. While the Wolves were able to use it effectively on Tukayyid, most Clanners reject the 'Mech as being unable to fight the close-range single combat they prefer. With time Clan doctrine branched around the Naga: some Clans, especially those that moved to the Inner Sphere, started using artillery mounted on vehicles, while Nagas were converted to Naga II's, made for more traditional BattleMech combat.

Naga is a cautionary tale. Made to force Clans to use artillery, it was weak. Some Clans ended up accepting artillery, but all discarded the Naga.

Don't force an idea. Be patient, let your creativity prove its worth, and you will find your place.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Gargoyle, or Man O'War in the Inner Sphere. This 80-ton Assault 'Mech managed a top speed of 86 kph, which let it keep up with other, lighter Clan 'Mechs in the high-speed engagements they favored. The Prime configuration had paired LB 5-X's and SRM-6's, and a bonus ER small laser just in case. Other configurations equipped it with more energy weapons, a Gauss Rifle, or an AC/20, giving it the bite it needed to have a real impact on the battlefield. Most configurations also did something not commonly seen in early Clan OmniMechs: it carried extra ammo, which allowed the pilot to stay in the fight longer. Gargoyles tended to carry all their weapons in the arms, meaning pilots had to be careful to preserve these limbs if they wanted to stay in the fight.

A black sheep of the early OmniMechs, Gargoyle Prime was fast but lacked any real punch. This belied other configurations that made it truly fearsome.

If you seem bland, it just means you're finding your place. You can still surprise people.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

SL-1G Sling. This little 25-tonner carries three LRM/5's, meant to be loaded with Thunder LRMs but pilots saw that more as a suggestion than an order. A top speed of 119 kph and a set of jump jets help it get into position quickly, or if you're feeling brave, get in close enough to use the 'Mech's only backup weapon, a TAG designator. Sling was popular with the SLDF, and helped Kerensky retake Terra despite only being a prototype at the time. In the Succession Wars it was replaced by more affordable and general-purpose 'Mechs like the Valkyrie. It did get taken on the Exodus however. You can see its influence among the Clans and their fondness for highly specialized, high-performance units.

Sling was celebrated in its time, only to disappear in the wars to follow. Yet it went on to inspire multiple other designs through history.

Stand tall and do what you know you're good at. You'll make your mark and inspire others to follow.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

KSC-3I Koschei. This 65-tonner does nothing really wrong: equipped with an Autocannon/10 and 2 Medium Lasers, it's not very flashy but it shows up to work. A top speed of 86 kph gives it an edge over other Heavies, and 12 tons of armor keep it protected. Later variants would update the weapons loadout, but ironically the Koschei fell out of favor with the Capellans who made it, courtesy of the Xin Sheng movement. Koschei still found a home among mercenary units as time went on.

One of the Mackie's lesser-known spinoffs, the Koschei faded away with time. Yet making the Koschei strengthened the Capellans infrastructure and forced them to learn.

Try that project. It might fail, but you'll still grow into someone stronger.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Maybe if I can get a mini, it would be worth painting up like Thomas the Tank Engine!

PEN-2H Penthesilea. Despite looking like it was made entirely out of spare parts of other 'Mechs, this 75-tonner packs a punch, with an ER PPC, Light PPC, LB 10-X, and three ER Medium Lasers. A top groundspeed of 64 kph keeps it on the back lines in the 3080s, but jump jets give it some extra mobility. 12 tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor, CASE, a Compact Gyro, and a regular-size engine make the Penthesilea incredibly resilient, and a mostly-energy weapons array let it keep operating away from supply lines for extended times. Just watch the heat: those 13 double heat sinks are barely enough to keep it cool, especially if you're a fan of alpha strikes!

Using outdated strategies like bracket fire and slow groundspeed in the 3080s, Penthesilea seemed obsolete at the start. But Penthesilea is a tough, self-reliant Heavy.

Don't give up because you're not flashy. Stick with what makes you strong.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Thanks! Glad you found them again!

In fairness I don't think my BattleTech posts get a lot of traction on this app...I'm guessing the algorithm isn't too friendly for some reason.

I've been keeping up the tradition of posting every Friday...I haven't been perfect about cross-posting them over here, but I try!

TRG-1N Targe. At 40 tons, this 'Mech can cruise at a comfortable 129 kph, dialing all the way up to 172 kph when the MASC is engaged. 5 tons of heavy Ferro-Fibrous, CASE ammo bins, and lack of a fragile Inner Sphere XL engine make the 'Mech surprisingly hard to put down for what it is. A single MRM-10 and 3 ER small lasers make a modest armament, requiring the pilot to plan attacks carefully.

A cursed 40-tonner, Targe was a 'Mech that struggled to fit in. Yet Targe was a high-speed striker that could keep pace with lighter units while weathering hits from bigger ones.

When it feels like you don't fit, keep moving. You'll find your place.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

HEP-2H Helepolis. One of the earliest 'Mechs to mount artillery, this 75-tonner's main weapon is the huge Sniper artillery piece which taxes its frame and heat sinks. An LRM-10, SRM-6, Large Laser, and Medium Laser make up its backup weapons, but this is definitely something that will need an escort, as its 54 kph top speed will leave it easily outmaneuvered if left alone. This also must have been one of the very first 'Mechs to mount double heat sinks, as the 2H model was released in 2567, the year the prototype double heat sink was first made. The 2H was functionally identical to the original 2X model, except that it used double heat sinks instead of the hugely overstressed single heat sinks.

Helepolis was a slow, undersinked artillery piece pretending to be a 'Mech. Helepolis was also a design giving new combat options in a world where 'Mechs were still developing.

Your new ideas won't work at first. Don't let that stop you from trying.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

BMB-013 Bombard. A 50-ton brawler, this 'Mech's various incarnations have paired heavy weapons, ranging from double Thunderbolt 15's in the base model to double AC/20's in the prototype to paired Clan Gauss Rifles. The Bombard bets everything on being able to take down opponents with overwhelming force. Its landspeed tops out at an Annihilator-level 32 kph, and the lack of jump jets further limits its mobility. Fielded on an open battlefield, it will struggle. But used as an area denial unit or an ambush predator, it is terrifying.

A barely-mobile turret, Bombard had high power, but forced pilots to be cunning so they could get into position without being outmaneuvered.

Thinking ahead to overcome weaknesses is how you truly use strength. Don't be afraid to be clever.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

T-IT-N10M Grand Titan. This 100-ton Assault 'Mech is a showcase of technology from the Helm Memory Core, with an XL Engine, Endo Steel Structure, Double Heat Sinks, Pulse Lasers of all sizes, an anti-missile system, and Artemis IV fire control on all three of its missile launchers. This machine will have an answer for every range, but you'd better be connected to afford the 29 million C-bill price tag!

The original Grand Titan. Coming in 6 tons overweight, two critical slots unaccounted for, and too much armor on the right and left torsos, you'd better hope for a forgiving group if you showed up to the table with this!

If you ever feel like you were built wrong, look at Grand Titan. Its official release literally didn't work. Yet Grand Titan held on to be rebuilt into a tight, capable Assault.

What doesn't work can be fixed. Keep your head up and push forward.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Thunder Stallion, an 85-ton Clan Quad 'Mech. With a top speed of only 54 kph, it is slow for a Clan Assault. It was meant to accompany Elementals and other combined-arms elements, where it could provide fire support from its trio of LRM-15s. Clans never do anything halfway, though: if anything gets in close on this 'Mech, its backup weapon is an LB 20-X autocannon that promises to shred any but the hardiest attackers. Truly, this 'Mech is a fireworks show on four legs!

Hastily redesigned when Totems fell out of style, Thunder Stallion was slow, cramped, and lacking advanced tech. Yet Thunder Fox was powerful fire support with a huge-bore surprise.

Changing direction isn't a failure, it's just finding your way in life.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

PX-3R Phoenix. At 50 tons with a top speed of 86 kph, its mobility is enhanced with jump jets, which were still a new technology in 2520. A PPC serves as the main weapon, backed up by a pair of SRM-2's. 14 single heat sinks keep it cool, so long as you don't jump and alpha strike over and over. The Phoenix was the Rim Worlds Republic's answer to the Wasp. Reverse-engineering jump jets proved difficult, to say nothing of making legs that could withstand the landing!

A boondoggle born of a fixation on jump jets, Phoenix was hastily memory-holed. Yet Phoenix allowed new strategies and stayed in use long after it was "forgotten."

Don't let a dream become an obsession, but don't be afraid to try something new.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Currently there's only one metal mini for the Arion, and no minis for the rest...as it is if you want plastic minis you need to resort to 3D printing.

Cyllaros, a 55-ton Quadvee. The first production model QuadVee, this unit had growing pains, being destroyed on its first combat deployment. An LRM-15, two Improved Heavy Medium Lasers, and two AP Gauss Rifles give it some punch and anti-infantry ability. This was meant as a way to game zellbrigen, allowing a commander to field two of these in place of a single 'Mech. However, the Cyllaros, like all QuadVees, was best viewed as a tank with extra mobility, able to move over difficult terrain and recover from hits to the treads.

Notos, a 60-ton Omni QuadVee. The only canonical Quadvee to mount wheels instead of treads, the Notos offers its pilot a way to add extra speed. In its prime configuration it carries 5 Medium Pulse Lasers and a Targeting Computer, making it deadly accurate at short range. A Supercharger made it even faster over land. Other configurations mounted longer-ranged weaponry.

Quadvees stumbled at first, nearly falling between the cracks. Yet Quadvees were a new take on combat that eventually found their place in the cavalry.

It's good to try something new. Even if everyone says it's dumb, that's how you find what works.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

And as a heads-up...I do have more planned for this character. This is just all I had written for the story's original appearance in Magistracy Monthly.

It's a great magazine, and I encourage you all to check it out!

Text versions:

Scribblehub: www.scribblehub.com/read/1581162...

Space Battles: forums.spacebattles.com/threads/conn...

YouTube video by Lucen Dacier Connections Chapter 7

Audio versions:

Youtube: youtu.be/VziS1l6-8os

Audio also on Podbean and Apple Podcasts.

Finally done, as the truth comes out and a Blakist must make a choice. Connections Chapter 7, the final chapter in this part of Eden's story, is up!

Links to audio and text versions are in the replies.

#battletech #fanfiction #audiobook