Lucen Dacier

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Using outdated strategies like bracket fire and slow groundspeed in the 3080s, Penthesilea seemed obsolete at the start.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

JLP-BD Jackalope. This 30 tonner has a top speed of 129 kph, supplemented with jump jets to make it enormously mobile. A pair of Clan-tech ER Medium lasers and an ATM-6 give it respectable power once it closes in on its targets. Even Clan Wolf has counted some losses against this little scrapper. Significantly, Jackalope is made to fold up into a smaller space, making it easier to fit onto famously cramped DropShips.

Jackalope didn't catch on until the HPG blackout. Yet it is a resilient high-speed striker made with military transport in mind.

When it feels like it's never your turn, remember that you have something to offer. Eventually you'll get your chance.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Text version is on Scribblehub: scribblehub.com/read/1581162...

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

I will eventually post it up on fanfiction.net and AO3.

YouTube video by Lucen Dacier Connections Chapter 6

Audio version is available on Podbean and Apple Podcasts.

Audio is also on YouTube: youtu.be/jBgARHq_iyw

Happy weekend! The penultimate chapter of Connections is up. Setting things up for the finale in the next chapter.

Links to audio and text versions are in the replies.

#battletech #fanfiction #audiobook

I suspect the cockpit is at the top of the 'Mech, just under the antenna.

The model from MWO seems to suggest that.

YouTube video by Lucen Dacier Connections Chapter 5

There are text versions available, but the full experience is on my YouTube:

youtu.be/oQa6XOw8pQ8?...

Here is your reminder to catch up on Connections before I drop the next chapter this weekend.

Remember to pay attention to the little details. For example, see the subtle difference between when the Blakist says "Please" versus when she says "Now."

#battletech #fanfiction

It does bear some resemblance to the Hellbringer, but no, it's not an OmniMech. They just went for "industrial chic" on the look here.

HSN-7D Hellspawn. This 45-tonner was made to replace the aging Dervish. It keeps a similar weapons loadout of two LRM-10's and 3 Medium Pulse Lasers, giving it long-range punch and surprising short range power. A top speed of 97 kph paired with Jump Jets keep it moving quickly, but be careful about getting hit - only 6.5 tons of armor and lack of CASE mean that it quickly comes apart under fire.

A tin box filled with explosives, Hellspawn was called a deathtrap. Yet Hellspawn was also a highly mobile fire support 'Mech that can still throw down at short range.

Accept your weaknesses, but don't let them keep you from using your strengths.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

I know this pain. For what it's worth, you're not alone.

RK-4T Rokurokubi. In competition with the Panther for the title of "most Kuritan 'Mech," this 35-tonner's armament is limited to a Sword, backed up by a Light AC/5 (though the 4K replaced the Autocannon with a PPC). Hardened Armor limits the powerful engine to a top speed of 108 kph, though the combination of armor and speed is enough to get you into melee range to use the Sword. Just be careful about armor breaches: an XL engine and XL gyro make Rokurokubi especially squishy if it takes internal damage. The Rokurokubi proved popular with young Kuritan warriors, who would use it for honor duels. It was also a leading unit in the invasion of the Federated Suns in the 3140s.

Rokurokubi is a pile of contradictions. A melee Light, slowed by its armor. Yet it still struck the right balance, being so popular it was a leading Kuritan unit.

You don't have to play by the rules. You can make no sense and still get it right.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

I debatably have too much art of her already. 😅

One candidate is Rion, who I hope to pick up again one of these days.

In fairness I don't even know who I would tell you about. You already handled my lead OC pretty damn well.

Looks like I missed out. Oh well! I'll have to catch you next time.