Komentáře •

  • @MechanicalFrog
    @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +101

    @ 8:55, I should have said Cameron family, not Amaris. I apologize for the mishap. The editor will be flogged and quartered.

    • @RalphyNoPants
      @RalphyNoPants Před měsícem +1

      They shall be sent to the ComStar reeducation camp!

    • @thomascraiker6449
      @thomascraiker6449 Před měsícem +15

      In true Amaris fashion I see.

    • @ogrehaslayers605
      @ogrehaslayers605 Před měsícem +1

      Hahaha

    • @jdc78
      @jdc78 Před měsícem

      He has failed his dear sweet Brother MechanicalFrog, he should be ashamed, he should be flogged, he should be purged…

    • @merkarion7883
      @merkarion7883 Před měsícem +1

      You made a small mistake with the HGN-732B Highlander. You have in the overview 2 Medium Laser in the Left Torso...but the Royal Mech has 3 Medium Laser in the Right Torso (since the LRM20 is in the Left Torso 😉)

  • @brothersgt.grauwolff6716
    @brothersgt.grauwolff6716 Před měsícem +113

    you've never run a Highlander properly in table top Battletech until you've performed a successful Highlander Burial!

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +24

      Fact Check: True.

    • @FlyingWithSpurts
      @FlyingWithSpurts Před měsícem +18

      I successfully did a Highlander Burial on a Mad Cat Mk IV Savage Wolf. DFA damage lead to cascading SRM ammo explosions.

    • @ogrehaslayers605
      @ogrehaslayers605 Před měsícem +2

      Damn tootin'
      I've never run one successfully 😭

    • @GorbashKazdar
      @GorbashKazdar Před měsícem +9

      “Locust? What Locust?”

    • @Prich319
      @Prich319 Před měsícem +17

      I'd argue if you don't quote the Highlander film, or play "Scotland the Brave" as you perform the attack, you're still doing it wrong.

  • @metalzk1
    @metalzk1 Před měsícem +80

    *bagpipes intensify*

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +17

      All day, every day.

    • @ogrehaslayers605
      @ogrehaslayers605 Před měsícem +6

      I wear a kilt ever day. I have for 15+ years!

    • @dwwolf4636
      @dwwolf4636 Před měsícem +7

      Somewhere, somehow an Amaris scion wakes up screaming from Bagpipes wailing.

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem +2

      Ah yes, the soundtrack of Aramis nightmares.

    • @AnimeSunglasses
      @AnimeSunglasses Před měsícem

      @@dwwolf4636 The SLDF didn't leave any of them in conditions one can wake up from....

  • @theelectricgamer9889
    @theelectricgamer9889 Před měsícem +38

    I remember that I once had a Highlander perform a death from above on a Mad Cat. The dice smiled on my rolls and it crush the Mad Cat’s cockpit. That is what I call I Highlanders burial.

  • @discipleofsound4565
    @discipleofsound4565 Před měsícem +27

    I once tried a Highlander Burial. Ended up missing the Battlemaster I was aiming for, landing on my head, and turning my pilot into a Gushers commercial.
    RIP Tai-Sa Joshua Stonecypher; gone, but certainly not forgotten.

    • @mistformsquirrel
      @mistformsquirrel Před měsícem +9

      "Turned my pilot into a gushers commercial" is going in my lexicon for future use, that's great >_

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem +4

      Oh that poor mech tech, the clean up and rebuild on that Highlander will take months.
      It would be like getting spaghetti sauce out of white carpet, after a steam roller ground it in.

  • @scytheseven9173
    @scytheseven9173 Před měsícem +38

    the reason the Highlander tends to be on-scene when major events are taking place is because, if something major's going down and you have to be there, you probably want to be in a Highlander
    (love this 'Mech, thanks for the video. StarCorps stay winning!)

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +9

      Good point. :D

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem +1

      That and the fact nothing can kill them short of nukes, and maybe an Atlas.
      And it's long odds on the nukes, if the Highlander is flying the Black Watch's colors.

    • @scytheseven9173
      @scytheseven9173 Před měsícem +2

      @@Dang_Near_Fed_Up and i wouldn't even bet on the Atlas, if it's at long range

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem

      @@scytheseven9173 Agreed

  • @imasspeons
    @imasspeons Před měsícem +31

    I'm eager to see how many plasma rifles will reasonably fit on the MF variant.

    • @Aladine11
      @Aladine11 Před měsícem +1

      why use reason- lets take supernova for its fitting name and make it a plasma chugger

    • @WolfHreda
      @WolfHreda Před měsícem +1

      The fact he refrained from replacing his LB 10-X with at least one more Plasma Rifle surprised me.

    • @imasspeons
      @imasspeons Před měsícem +2

      @@WolfHreda he displayed remarkable restraint.

  • @theintern2960
    @theintern2960 Před měsícem +11

    Years ago, I played my first real game of BattleTech. A simple lance v. lance fight, the winner had to destroy 75% of the opposing force. I can't remember the bulk of that game, what gamer can, but I remember the ending: my Highlander, defending a Commando, his ammo bins spent, his weapons destroyed, launched himself into the skies and landed on the enemy Dragon. The Dragon, barely damaged in the fight, was crushed in one glorious moment. It's a victory-from-defeat moment upon which a lifetime of love for the setting was built. I have had many favorites over the years, but the Highlander was my first, and you never forget your first.

  • @harbingerx7793
    @harbingerx7793 Před měsícem +18

    Just a gentle correction Sir. 8:55: Blackwatch was tasked with protecting the Cameron family, not the Amaris. Don't worry, most of us know what you ment. ❤

  • @AlexDenton0451
    @AlexDenton0451 Před měsícem +15

    When money and BV are no object, the Highlander always will deliver all you'd need.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +5

      Good times had by all.

    • @bthsr7113
      @bthsr7113 Před měsícem

      Not ALL you need, but a fairly substantial amount.

  • @kierdalemodels
    @kierdalemodels Před měsícem +8

    FREEEEDOMM!
    I love the look of the ‘Mech. The big flat window-like canopy, the way the armour plates go over the top and bottom of the gauss but we can still see the barrel at the sides. And the model itself is a joy to paint. A lot of reasonably large panels for freehand and decals.
    Plus, of course the excuse to play bagpipes while playing the game!

  • @Kepora1
    @Kepora1 Před měsícem +6

    Because it's the *GOD DAMNED MOTHERFUCKING HIGHLANDER, BABY!*

  • @thorshammer8033
    @thorshammer8033 Před 19 dny +1

    I remember buying my first Highlander. 1994. Was staying a weekend at a friend's house, d&d and battletech were the go. One friend casually mentions that a small shop in the local Westfield shopping centre has some mechs for sale, a Highlander being one of them.
    I spat my coffee across the room and bolted for my car. The speed of my progress dragging my friends after me. A mad car ride later I storm the shopping centre like Kerensky ripping the Rim World's a new one. Marching into the store I seized my prize, holding it aloft like a sacred artefact. Stars ceased their movement, small animals cowered in their burrows, a faint skirl of bagpipes was heard.
    Thus began a reign of terror across the wastelands of paper maps. Torsos and heads alike were crushed either by Gauss shells or by stompy decending feet.
    My reputation for DFA any time endures to this day.

  • @Cadiangrunt99
    @Cadiangrunt99 Před měsícem +3

    I worked on painting a Highlander while listening to this! MY PILE OF BATTLETECH SHAME IS ALMOST GONE

  • @randomnetsurfer
    @randomnetsurfer Před měsícem +12

    I also want to point out that for subscribers (on discord!), we also have literal official audio of MF saying "kerfuffle" for those of us (like me) who wanted/needed to use that as our text-ringtone for work!

  • @bthsr7113
    @bthsr7113 Před měsícem +6

    They may have been from only 1 operator, but "Nemome Impune Lacessit" remain worthy watch words for all Highlander pilots.

  • @NemFX
    @NemFX Před měsícem +10

    They dropped a nuke on the Black Watch.
    But they kept coming.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +8

      It'll take more than that to stop Elizabeth Hazen.

    • @ImBarryScottCSS
      @ImBarryScottCSS Před 25 dny +1

      To be fair the thermonuclear weapon of mass destruction caused substantial injuries and some Black Watch MechWarriors needed plasters.

  • @saulschimek7680
    @saulschimek7680 Před měsícem +5

    "'Til we meet again, Highlander."

  • @wraith7989
    @wraith7989 Před měsícem +6

    On the Highlander the jump jets are considered a close range weapon.

  • @shellbackbeau7021
    @shellbackbeau7021 Před měsícem +10

    Amaris saved us from the evil Cameron family. He just failed to protect us from Kerensky

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +11

      Stefan, is that you?

    • @shellbackbeau7021
      @shellbackbeau7021 Před měsícem +11

      @@MechanicalFrog uh, uh, uh.... (wipes mouth with bib), no? I gotta go.

    • @AnimeSunglasses
      @AnimeSunglasses Před měsícem +4

      @@shellbackbeau7021 He's getting away! Quick, block the back door of the Golden Corral!

    • @elchjol2777
      @elchjol2777 Před 29 dny +2

      ​@@AnimeSunglasses *Blasts bagpipes from the speakers on my Highlander* I added some flamers to my mech to smoke fools out if nessary.

  • @randomnetsurfer
    @randomnetsurfer Před měsícem +6

    Liked for Scotland the Brave intro. Like I needed anything else. But obviously there'll be more.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +5

      Seemed fitting.

    • @randomnetsurfer
      @randomnetsurfer Před měsícem +3

      Highlander MF has a plasma rifle. I am satisfied.

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem +1

      As much as I like "Scotland the Brave" on the pipes, nothing will send chills down your spine like "Amazing Grace" on the pipes, or cause tears to flow more so than when played at a funeral.

    • @randomnetsurfer
      @randomnetsurfer Před měsícem

      @@Dang_Near_Fed_Up You are absolutely correct.

  • @TerribleHeresy
    @TerribleHeresy Před měsícem +7

    Surely some mad lad out there must have given it a sword? Maybe a Solaris build called the MacLeod if no one has?

    • @kieranadamson3224
      @kieranadamson3224 Před 26 dny

      It's the most sensible presumption. It's like 'mechs like the Centurion or Black Knight. There is an aesthetic mandatory that such mechs perhaps even have a whole variant dedicated to slaying the enemies of their people wielding a mighty blade.

  • @sebastiang.5032
    @sebastiang.5032 Před měsícem +6

    Cue the bagpipes and let's get crazy! There can be only one!

  • @graveyard1979
    @graveyard1979 Před 25 dny +1

    Van Halen's Jump playing in your head when you DFA the first opponent either unlucky or forgetful enough to end their movement this close to your Highlander.

  • @elchjol2777
    @elchjol2777 Před 25 dny +2

    Bellum Draconis, a Highlander I have in HBS's Battletech. Its a Royal Highlander that has been modified. Gauss that weighs two tons less than normal,one less DHS due to an encounter with two hostile Highlanders, one ton of extra armor,two flamers and the rest of the load out is stock. Deadly at all ranges ands its got quite a few DFAs under its belt and one urbie killed via flamers for the trashcan fire achievement.

  • @Tada212
    @Tada212 Před měsícem +2

    Ah the Highlander, the mech that kickstarted my love affair with jump jets, and made any mech equipped with them immediately stand out in my attention. Love the classic 732 the most~

  • @gregkun1
    @gregkun1 Před měsícem +1

    I love the Highlander as it was one of my first good luck charm mechs. I single-handedly fended off and won against two Marauder IICs, two Summoners, and a Nova. I caught the Nova by surprise, The MRM40 and HAG 30 crit out both its side torsos. The two summoners flanked me from the low-building side while the Marauder IICs were heading straight at me. Thankfully I had a skyscraper between me and them. I turned to engage the Summoners. One of the Summoners JJ failed their piloting roll as the building they landed on collapsed and the mech got half buried in the rubble. I took an AC/10 hit from it. Summoner Two came around the other side of the line of buildings. Got a nasty hit on the rear right side. Thank god for CASE protecting my MRM40 ammo. I fired 2 out of 4 Clan ERMeds plus MRM 40 and HAG30 for a total of 28 heat and 84 damage (I think) I ripped the Summoner two in half and got a few head crits causing the pilot to eject. On the melee phase, I stomped on Summoner One head. Next round The Marauder IICs cleared the Skyscraper. I took two Heavy Large Lasers in CT and ER Large in the arm. From the first Marauder IIC, the Second one hadn't cleared the building yet. At this point, I'm getting nervous I was thinking I should have taken off 2 Clan ERMeds and replaced them with more armor and remained heat neutral. Once again, 84 damage out. I destroyed both the marauder IIC arms weapons but it's ER Large. I move to get behind another building. As the Armless Marauder IIC gives chase the other Marauder IIC clears the building. Firing phase the Second Marauder IIC fired on the building I was hiding behind with its 2 ERPPCs and ATM12. Succeeding in turning it to half cover. Marauder one hits me with its ER Large Laser in the RT. I return fire on the second marauder IIC. 84 damage mostly all connected to the LT and some to the CT. I RIP its ATM12 with its ammo, taking its arm with it. At this point, I can still go down in the next round with a lucky hit to my CT. Since I still had the Firepower advantage. I RP'ed over the coms to the Clanners. " To the remaining Clan Warriors, I have bested you honorably. (I omitted that I Stomp the one Summoner cockpit. lol, no one witnessed it.) I offer you two options. Surrender or Retreat. I will allow you to collect your ejected warrior peacefully and leave the battlefield with honor and the opportunity to combat each other again in the future." GM made a few rolls. They ended up taking the Deal to leave but as an added bonus One of the Warriors offered herself as a bondsman. How can I say no to that!? lol. Savaged to Summoners and scrapped the Nova and a Clan Bondsmen. With an 88 million C-bill Payout. Bank Treasury EVAC Mission complete! After this mission, I left my Highlander the way it was as a picture framed. My Armor looked like this:
    Structure/Armor
    Head: 3 / 9
    Center Torso: 29 / 10! | (rear) 9
    R/L Torsos: 19 / 19 in both LT & RT | Right Torso (rear) Suffered 8! / 0!
    R/L Arm: 15 / RA 28 armor & LA 18 armor
    R/L Leg didn't take damage.
    My Highlander Build was this:
    Highlander HGN-666(OZ)
    Mass: 90 tons
    Chassis: Clan Endo Steel
    Power Plant: IS Light 360
    Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph Movement: 4/6
    IS Double Heat Sinks: 14 [28] HEAT: 40/28
    Gyro: XL Gyro
    Armor: Clan Ferro-Fibrous (14 tons)
    Armament:
    4 Clan ER Medium Laser in the RA
    1 MRM 40 in the LT with 2 tons of ammo in the LT (CASE)
    1 HAG/30 in the RA with 5 tons of ammo in the RT (CASE)
    Equipment:
    CASE in the RT
    CASE in the LT
    Light Active Probe (Clan) HD
    As I mentioned before I didn't need two of the Clan ER Med lasers. I only put them there to curve the scatter damage locations of the MRM 40 and HAG/30. I would covert the IS DHs to Clan DHs Add one more Clan DH for a total of 15 Clan DHs for a Heat of 30/30. Then add another ton of armor for a total of 15 tons. The IS Light engine can stay. Converting it to a Clan engine for extra weight won't do it any good with all slots filled up and the engine rating can't go any higher.

  • @duanewong1527
    @duanewong1527 Před měsícem +4

    The HGN-732b model has 3 medium lasers in the RT instead of 2. It dropped 1 ton of SRM 6 ammunition to accommodate the extra medium laser.

  • @FireGoliath
    @FireGoliath Před měsícem +6

    18 minutes! And yep that bagpipe intro takes me back

  • @jameshunter3867
    @jameshunter3867 Před měsícem +3

    ...The Highlander is a Mech that you simply can't go wrong with: an optimum mix of armor, firepower & mobility!

  • @TheKhaine101
    @TheKhaine101 Před měsícem +5

    Do love my Highlander, It has carried many a battles. My Com. Lance Is a HGN-732/BLR-1G/AWE-8Q/MAD-3R as of 3050.

  • @andyeaton1736
    @andyeaton1736 Před měsícem +4

    The Highlander is one of my all time favorite mechs. Gotta love a mech that gets a DFA attack specifically named after it. Just a solid assault mech at all ranges. Really only eclipsed by the Highlander IIC.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +1

      Yeah I definitely try to judge the IS mechs on their own merits. It's easy to just slap on clan tech and say, "it's better!" Yeah, no kidding.

  • @timebrain3188
    @timebrain3188 Před měsícem +1

    Highlander is a mech I remember fondly from my playthrough in HBS' Battletech. Hadn't seen a new mech for a while when I got to doing the Nautilus mission, but holy shit that was a surprise. When the mission was done, I put it to work immediately.
    That said, don't hate me for this, but I used it as primarily a sniper mech for the rest of that playthrough. I didn't change it or anything, but I didn’t want to risk that lostech on it, and the gauss rifle and LRM20 SCREAMED long range fuckery, and the jumpjets made it good for finding topnotch sniper spots and getting there quick... as well as moving while still having all weapons ready if something was stupid enough to get close. Put Glitch in it after a good amount of time in a PPC Catapult, and she started headcapping mechs left and right. Good times...

    • @BigSeth1090
      @BigSeth1090 Před 22 dny

      @@timebrain3188 that's the beauty of it: at range you're scared of the Highlander, but if you get close it's already over.

  • @scytheseven9173
    @scytheseven9173 Před měsícem +6

    I'm a big fan of the HGN-733, it handled the loss of technology quite well. It's an endurance queen, with tons of ammo and varied weapons-unless you blow up that ammo, it's in for the long haul. The 733P is quite good too.

  • @Richy0326
    @Richy0326 Před měsícem +1

    The HGN-733C is basically a flying Atlas with two less medium lasers. Gotta love it!

  • @Darren_Xero
    @Darren_Xero Před měsícem +3

    Ever since the Succession Wars era, it was the Highlander that help both the Capellans & the Lyrans from collapsing. It carried them in the bygone era with HGN-733 variants & so will the ilClan era with the menacing HGN-740.
    On side note, it's almost an ironic poetry that the Highlander is almost be infamously known to be a "Kerensky slayer". First, Nicky Kerensky killed by Karl Jorgensen's Highlander right in the Atlas II eye socket. Then, there was Natasha Kerensky killed by a Highlander

    • @markkrombacher8369
      @markkrombacher8369 Před měsícem +1

      Sorry mate, but the Black Widow was slain by the jade falcon warrior joanna in her summoner.

  • @scottmacgregor3444
    @scottmacgregor3444 Před měsícem +1

    That intro gave me Highland Games PTSD. Where I live the Highland Games also doubles as a Country-Wide piping band competition, so if you go it's LOUD bagpipes ALL the time, and 80% chance it's Scotland the brave. I actually don't mind bagpipes most of the time, but it's a little much there.

  • @roshee5573
    @roshee5573 Před měsícem +1

    Fluff and advanced equipment aside , I’ve always like the look of the Highlander especially the cockpit

  • @thunderK5
    @thunderK5 Před měsícem +2

    The Royal Highlander is one of those Royals that hits the sweet spot: It's better than the standard version, but not so much better as to simply leave the standard 732 in the dust. It it remains the same mech fundamentally.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +2

      I'd largely agree with this.

    • @bthsr7113
      @bthsr7113 Před měsícem +2

      When your base version already has so many fine features including a main gun and armor that would become lostech, it's harder to go up from there until you get into clan tech. Other mechs that saw much more dramatic performance enhancements tended to have more tame base models.

    • @thunderK5
      @thunderK5 Před měsícem +1

      @@bthsr7113 Good point.

  • @malusignatius
    @malusignatius Před měsícem +2

    The Highlander is one of my favourite Assaults. It's a juggernaut, able to wade into the most fearsome of battles and hold it's own.
    An excuse to play Scotland the Brave and the ability to flatten light 'mechs with a well-timed Highlander Burial is icing on the cake.

  • @xavierhibbs4850
    @xavierhibbs4850 Před měsícem +2

    Its weapon groups map nicely onto a controller. Right arm is right trigger, right torso is right bumper, and so o n

  • @toejams9310
    @toejams9310 Před měsícem +2

    Ah the Highlander, tough enough to take a beating that an Atlas has to respect and enough firepower to wreck foes. Solid at all ranges and down right scary sub 90 meters with the jump jets. Always a welcome sight on ant lance.
    Side note, with our glorious Frogs' love of plasma weaponry to keep the foot bloggers and battle armor warm on a cold battlefield, is anyone else concerned the Mech Frog is portrayed as a frog in elemental armor?

  • @joelaugustin6407
    @joelaugustin6407 Před měsícem +3

    Oh boy, a TC and an LBX? I'll have to give your variant a shot, I love a good LBX cluster.

  • @sim.frischh9781
    @sim.frischh9781 Před měsícem +2

    The Highlander is one of those classics that never really saw the spotlight but always lingered around it, with McCall and other relevant support characters usually being the ones piloting it.
    On the artwork side, the mech was quite hit or miss, i don´t really like most depictions, but the Leon Gor take at least got quite the dynamic pose. Updated iterations were sorely needed.
    And the new artwork does indeed look nice, the Alan Blackwell art gives the mech both solid appearance and a nice pose.
    Irony: the Highlander i pretty much the only mech where i LIKE the Dana Knutson artwork... the MW3 version by David White also looks nice. Still, good it finally got the update.
    Yes, the MF version of course comes with war crime included XD Why nobody puts a RAC5 on the mech...?

  • @meining-mech4378
    @meining-mech4378 Před měsícem

    The Highlander is a mech I have not used yet, but I really like it’s appearance and design in the form of the HGN-732. I found it interesting the CCAF had access to it, albeit the 733, but I could see such a mech for either the Red Lancers, Death Commandos, or one of the Warrior Houses. The HGN-694…is a meme machine. To quote the Battlemech Manual about HGR’s: “So big. So impractical! I cant believe it’s not on every other Lyran mech!”

  • @tillerzeit
    @tillerzeit Před měsícem +3

    The SLDF highlander was the first assault mech I ever ran in the 2018 game. I gave it to dekker and lord did he use it to bury so many directorate mechs

    • @duanewong1527
      @duanewong1527 Před měsícem

      You could say, Dekker gave them all a Deck-nap

  • @atmosdwagon4656
    @atmosdwagon4656 Před měsícem +2

    Skidding into the memes revealed one thing about the Highlander: The legends are true.
    You haven't become a real Mechwarrior until you've used a Highlander to turn a mech into an impromptu monument of hubris. Now, whether it's your hubris or the enemy's is a 'philosophical' question posed to every mechwarrior who sits in a Highlander's cockpit...mercifully, it's a question most readily answered by the pilot's ability to stick the landing.
    Well, whatever the outcome, at least one side is going to have an interesting anecdote to share...or be forced to include in their after-action report.
    (On a more practical take, I rarely chase after the Highlander for my lances until I'm putting the requisite all-assault squad together. It's basically a bigger Victor. Still, it's a slightly better, scarier mech than an Atlas.)

  • @readwatchlisten2863
    @readwatchlisten2863 Před měsícem +2

    Great episode, a little on the long side, I feel like 30 minutes is the limit for a single mech video, but still great work.
    As an IS partisan, I love the Highlander. It is good in MW5, HBS Battletech, and the tabletop. The Highlander is the M1A1 Abrams of IS Assault Mechs. So long as you have your supply chain strong, the Highlander puts the battle in Main Battlemech. Also, I love it because I love Gauss Rifles. I effing love Gauss rifles.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +1

      I try not to go over 30.

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem

      Sorry I have to disagree, I can listen for hours to a good story about the mechs I love. And the Highlander is definitely on that list.

    • @readwatchlisten2863
      @readwatchlisten2863 Před měsícem

      @MechanicalFrog Smart move. I'm not throwing shade at Red or Tex. I love them both, but I do wish they would break some of their episodes into parts as Sven does.

  • @kylesprenkel680
    @kylesprenkel680 Před měsícem +1

    it is one of those mechs that even in the my super custom campaign with my friends where i commit the cardinal sin and and add aliens for the crossover shenanigans i keep the highlander around as one of the quintessential human mechs. just a vibe

  • @claytonhollowell4488
    @claytonhollowell4488 Před měsícem +1

    "a plasma rifle, you're shocked, I know." This is my shocked face 😑

  • @ChaosTicket
    @ChaosTicket Před měsícem +1

    I like how the Highlander is built for all ranged combat. The common HGN-733 and HGN-733P both have multiple tons of ammunition for their weapons. Having 2 tons of Autocannon ammo is solid. Having 3 tons of ammunition for their LRMs is extremely rare.
    The Highlander's problems are pretty simple. One, Its a jack of all trades in terms of Assault mechs. Its not 100tons so doesnt have the tonnage or maximum armor of say an Atlas. It doesnt have enough energy weapons, and the Jump jets while cool, are kind of bad. 90-100 ton mechs have to pay 4 times as much in tonnage for jump jets as a 20-55ton mech, and twice as much as a 60-85ton mech. A Highlander's signature Jump jets come at a premium, but without them it wouldnt be memorable.
    The actual combat prowess of a Highlander is on the low side. 20 LRMs, an Autocannon/PPC, an SRM-6, and a couple Medium Lasers. A Stalker 85ton assault mech has almost double that.
    One of the weird things is that the "original" Highlander, the HGN-732 model, has an advanced Gauss Rifle, but not double heat sinks?

  • @tenchraven
    @tenchraven Před měsícem +3

    In the Succession Wars, the 733P. Accept no substitutes. But in later years, swapping the gauss for a Clan PPC and eventually a capacitor just makes sense. I know some will argue that aesthetically the HGN needs that gauss but I'll argue that no ammo with the same range and newtons on steel so long as you can cool it makes it a better choice. A few DHS, a little armour, and you've got a shocking amount of bagpipe powered death. Particularly if you swap the missile racks for a pair of MML9s ala the silly, with four tons of case protected ammo. Because 18 infernos is a Hallmark worthy way of saying "go to hell".

  • @joekane1844
    @joekane1844 Před měsícem +1

    I’ve only played mechwarrior 5, and the highlander is my go to command mech. If I start a miniature army this is the first one I’m buying

  • @jaredragland4707
    @jaredragland4707 Před měsícem +2

    Referencing the Borghese chapel's David is a deep cut. Cultural history respect.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +3

      I can't help but drop a little history in from time to time.

    • @jaredragland4707
      @jaredragland4707 Před měsícem +1

      ​@@MechanicalFrogLittle Snord blood in you, and I count that as a point in your favor.

    • @bthsr7113
      @bthsr7113 Před měsícem

      @@MechanicalFrog Don't stop, feel free to keep dropping surprise knowledge like a friendly Kirghiz C.

  • @stormcrow28
    @stormcrow28 Před měsícem +2

    Also Starcorps started building new 732 chassis at their various plants in 3057, alongside the Highlander's 90 ton stablemate, the Emperor. TRO 3058 has a nice blurb on that. It's also interesting to note that the Capellan Confederation operated Highlanders from Holiis Incorporated's plant on Corey, and Starcorps ended up selling Royal Highlanders to the Inner Sphere and the Marian Hegemony by the Early Republic. Now everyone can jump!

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +2

      You get a Highlander... you get highlander... you get a Highlander!

  • @Eulemunin
    @Eulemunin Před měsícem +2

    I have always wanted a HPPC variant of the Highlander.

  • @sedevri864
    @sedevri864 Před měsícem +1

    My personal favorite custom Highlander build is:
    Standard Fusion
    Standard Structure
    Compact Gyro
    TSM
    14 Double Heat Sinks
    16t Light FF Armor
    3 JJ
    2 Plasma Rifles w/4t ammo
    MRM 30 W/3t ammo
    2 ER ML
    Guardian ECM
    Absolutely WRECKS.

  • @stormcrow28
    @stormcrow28 Před měsícem +2

    One of the best designs from a mediocre TRO. The Highlander is literally leaps and bounds over most other assaults up to Tukkayid. It's one my favorites.

  • @memph1ston
    @memph1ston Před měsícem

    Why do we love it? One of the most versatile pre-Clan assault mech designs and DFA mechanics.

  • @strcmdrbookwyrm
    @strcmdrbookwyrm Před měsícem +2

    The reason why I love the Highlander (aside from those mentioned) is how gracefully it aged through the succession wars. Even with the loss of the Gauss Rifle, and the shortcomings of it's various replacements, the Highlander still performs well in all configurations. It's everything I want a assault to be, and it helps that I love it's compartmentalized look.
    I'm surprised your MF variant didn't go for Improved Jump Jets, considering that while (almost) all highlanders have jump jets none of them run the improved versions. I might have to rectify that.

  • @MichaelJCaboose013
    @MichaelJCaboose013 Před měsícem +3

    SCOTTLAND FOREVERRRR
    Memes aside, a great video on an iconic mech, thanks for the vid Mech Frog!

  • @robrib2682
    @robrib2682 Před měsícem +1

    "a srm 6 in the left arm" you know it took me until then to realize that when you get punched by a Highlander this means you get the trench glove special in all likelihood

  • @DeamonMaim
    @DeamonMaim Před měsícem +3

    We love it because it is the best goddamn machine to ever grace the inner sphere. Wars have been won with this machine son.

  • @Vic-fj3qs
    @Vic-fj3qs Před měsícem +1

    As someone who got into Battletech via HBS's masterpiece of a game, the Higjlander 732b was just *french kiss*.
    It was the battering ram that allowed me to plow through the campaign.
    But as i got a better understanding of the game, i replaced the gauss with an UAC20 and an LBX20. Naturally i sacrificed a lot to mount these 2 but the temptation of deleting most enemies with a single salvo was too much to resist

  • @anselmoffrisia2930
    @anselmoffrisia2930 Před měsícem +4

    Oo, I like the night vision mode at 9:25.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +3

      Credit to KierdaleModels for that idea.

    • @kierdalemodels
      @kierdalemodels Před měsícem

      Thank you. I used the ‘ZoidsWild’ camera app, it has some nice filters and effects. My son loves using it to snap pics while we play BT.

  • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
    @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem

    Any mech named Highlander has to be built tough.
    I mean you are naming it for a people who think tossing a telephone pole is a game.
    Frog excellent video as always, and an interesting build on the MF.

  • @afitz34
    @afitz34 Před měsícem +3

    It is my favorite assault mech. The one I use in my tabletop campaign is just a beast of a machine. Only thing I haven't had the opportunity to try yet is a 'Highlander Burial' because no foes have lived long enough to get near it. I tend to use it more as long-range fire support, but it has the armor and maneuverability to close when needed and survive. It's secondary armament is nothing to sneeze at either, because if that is coming into play, an enemy is likely to be pretty damaged and thus vulnerable to crit-seeking SRM's and medium lasers. Or I can always say the heck with weapons firing and just jump on you!

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem

      Nothing is as comical as a light pilot who thought he would be facing some poorly armed and worse armored fire support mech, turning the corner to find a Highlander standing there playing fire support mech.
      I do so love a double blind tabletop game.

  • @ogrehaslayers605
    @ogrehaslayers605 Před měsícem +3

    I don't always listen to bagpipes but when i do, so does everyone else at the stoplight.

  • @xyonblade
    @xyonblade Před měsícem +3

    A plasma rifle?! On this mechfrog variant? At this time of year? In this part of the internet?! located entirely within this series of videos?! may I play it?

  • @jamesc.7216
    @jamesc.7216 Před měsícem +2

    The Highlander 732b is a perfect lorng range assault mech. No excessive silly upgrades, just Artemis and double heat sinks. I was cruising the master unit list and it looks like rather than messing with perfection the inner sphere just started making these after the clan invasion. I agree with that choice. Only thing better would be a highlander IIC.

  • @D-GM-Snyper2
    @D-GM-Snyper2 Před měsícem

    *sees highlander*
    "UH NOPE!"
    *flees like terrorized cat as generational PTSD violently erupts in my mind*

  • @BrokenSeraphim
    @BrokenSeraphim Před měsícem

    Highlander has to be, hands down, my favourite assault mech. Even designed myself a custom build for the arenas of Solaris VII.
    360 XL fusion w/. Supercharger and MASC, 4 Jump Jets [4/6(10)/4]
    14 Double heat sinks
    14.5t of Ferro Fibrous armour w/. CASE int he RT
    1 Snub-Nose PPC [RA]
    3 Medium Pulse Lasers [RT]
    1 Streak SRM-6 [LT]
    1 Hatchet [LA]

  • @PaganPilot
    @PaganPilot Před měsícem +3

    Modify your Highlander's jumpjets to sound like bagpipes screaming down

  • @duncanmackenzie7795
    @duncanmackenzie7795 Před měsícem +1

    The Black Watch sends it's regards.

  • @Heatx79
    @Heatx79 Před měsícem +2

    It’s a fookin’ Hawlunder, that keen we lov et!

    • @Heatx79
      @Heatx79 Před měsícem +1

      (Angry bagpipes drown out any reply)

  • @michaelpfister1283
    @michaelpfister1283 Před měsícem

    The 732b variant (Royal) is probably one of the least "munchkin" upgrades of all of the SLDF Royal units. Very little difference from the 'base' model and still a very sturdy assault 'Mech. Nice. This has been one of my favorite machines overall since I first piloted one in MW4: Mercs. It was the star of the official IS expansion pack, and frankly a LOT of fun in-game. But I also have a nice little juiced-up variant of the HGN-734 I play on tabletop occasionally. 🙂 Its "main gun" is a HAG-40...

  • @chehalem
    @chehalem Před měsícem +2

    I might be an anomaly here, but I would love to see your take on the Jenner. It is an ugly, weird little mech, and not particularly notable except I remember so many of the early Mechwarior video games had it as one of the first mech's you either piloted or fought. The original look was absolutely comical and we called it "the walking pelvis" and really lent itself to the blocky, low-res graphics of the 90's.
    Hearing some in-universe lore on it would be nostalgic.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +2

      I have a bit of a mixed history with the Jenner. I'm sure we'll do a vid on it eventually.

  • @GabrielGABFonseca
    @GabrielGABFonseca Před měsícem

    The Highlander, in its Forrest Gump-ness, even shows up in the Arano Restauration in Harebrained's _BATTLETECH_

  • @h.a.9880
    @h.a.9880 Před měsícem +1

    In a livestream, I once jokingly asked what the best assault mech is and why it's the Highlander 732... I admit, it's a bit of a leading question, but to me, it's one of the top 5 assault mechs, hands down.
    Very mobile thanks to the jump jets, packs a punch and can take a beating. And best of all, it carries two heavy hitters in its arms, meaning that it can also deal with threats in its rear arc to some extent.
    And is it just me? Putting together an assault lance with an Atlas, a Highlander, a Cyclops and an Orion just feels _right,_ doesn't it?

  • @scytheseven9173
    @scytheseven9173 Před měsícem +2

    that MechFrog Highlander's real scary, though i'd use it!

  • @Gothmetalhead13
    @Gothmetalhead13 Před měsícem +1

    >Succession War Highlander
    What, all 5 of them? The design was basically extinct outside of Comstar until 3056

  • @ElMagico2006
    @ElMagico2006 Před měsícem +2

    My all time favorite. Followed only by the Marauder and Archer.

  • @kenhodge9046
    @kenhodge9046 Před měsícem +2

    YES!!! THE Highlander! Always trying to add him to my lance but... That opportunity rarely surfaces.
    Great mech!

  • @Bomfunker91
    @Bomfunker91 Před měsícem +2

    One of the most beautifully designed mechs in the game. I'm personally a big fan of the 733P, gimme that PPC and armor all day.

  • @memph1ston
    @memph1ston Před měsícem +1

    >MF variant has a Plasma Rifle
    Never change, Mr. Frog. Can I call you, "Mech"?

  • @alexhurlbut
    @alexhurlbut Před měsícem +1

    This is one of these 'Mechs where you love it for its lore, not for its armament and performance. Though her loadout and performance certainly hold up so well

  • @rotwang2000
    @rotwang2000 Před měsícem +2

    I'm surprised nobody ever came up with a version carrying a shield, broadsword and a gauss rifle for range work.

    • @bthsr7113
      @bthsr7113 Před měsícem +1

      I don't need a shield... but it's been long enough without an official sword build.

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem

      Tis be a Scot mech if er there was one, you speak of giv'n it a sword, you canna carry a shield with a proper claymore. Are ye daft?
      LOL

    • @rotwang2000
      @rotwang2000 Před měsícem +1

      @@Dang_Near_Fed_Up I couldn't, because BT doesn't do 2-H weapons. So I settle for the Basket hilted sword and targe !
      Alternatively go for the hatchet and declare it the Lochaber Axe.

  • @TableplantGames
    @TableplantGames Před měsícem +2

    The Highlander; the mech that proved jumpjets are viable offensive weapons if the pilot is crazy enough.

  • @hmad898
    @hmad898 Před měsícem +1

    once had a friend run 2 of these (one gauss one ac 20 variant) and some other stuff against me using an upgraded mackie and a bunch of urbanmechs. that was a fun game

  • @randyslater199
    @randyslater199 Před měsícem +3

    I'm Gaelic (Irish, Scottish, Mannish) ummmm I hope this is Nuf said...yes? Oh yes MF version is a must to the collection, its got plasma another nuf said.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +2

      I'd like to apologize for my crappy attempt at a Scottish accent. I won't, but... I'd like to.

  • @franksmedley8619
    @franksmedley8619 Před měsícem +1

    Hey Frog.
    I noted an 'error' in the text you read. Mechs are 'two level's tall. Each 'level' is equal to TWO stories in a normal building. So, in the story, the Highlander rode its fallen prey 40 feet to the ground, FOUR stories.
    The only Mechs that fit that 'two stories' size are things like UrbanMechs, Locusts, and other small Mechs. The 'average' is 30+ feet tall, with the majority of Medium, Heavy, and especially Assault class Mechs being between that 30 foot size and up to 45 feet tall in some cases (Annillator).
    Another error. You said the Black Watch was tasked with protecting the Amaris family. That should have been the Cameron family.
    Other than those two mistakes, the video was pretty good.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +1

      1. The text was right out of the novel, so technically it's someone else's mistake.
      2. Yes, I misspoke and said Amaris when I meant Cameron.

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem

      @@MechanicalFrog Aramis has been dead for centuries, and he is still trying to replace the Camerons.

  • @Dreadwolf3155
    @Dreadwolf3155 Před měsícem +2

    gotta love the highlander.

  • @lexington476
    @lexington476 Před měsícem +2

    The 733 is not a bad downgrade. It still has decent firepower and kind of maintains the spirit of the OG Highlander.

    • @MechanicalFrog
      @MechanicalFrog Před měsícem +2

      As far as downgrades go, it's not bad.

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem

      There's not a BAD Highlander, unlike so many other mechs which are nothing but BAD.

  • @ashhawk7489
    @ashhawk7489 Před měsícem +1

    The highlander is like it's namesake tough, deadly, and to angry to die. Mine has often been the last mech standing do to simply being impossible to keep down.

  • @zzbeers
    @zzbeers Před měsícem +2

    the Highland a assault mech that is peak you can die quickly or die tired.
    also the royal highlander has 3 medium lasers

  • @Sigfredo-hn3sb
    @Sigfredo-hn3sb Před měsícem +1

    My absolute favorite. 90 tons of righteous fury.

  • @MOrab46019
    @MOrab46019 Před měsícem +2

    Love the opening bagpipes.

  • @Axzealot
    @Axzealot Před měsícem +2

    Bagpipes are installed in every Highlander since it is your funerary rite to play it as it buries you to the ground.

    • @Axzealot
      @Axzealot Před měsícem

      Dunno what happened to my first comment but i guess yt didnt like it.

    • @Dang_Near_Fed_Up
      @Dang_Near_Fed_Up Před měsícem +1

      @@Axzealot Censor Tube doesn't like much of anything worth saying.

  • @dayaninikhaton
    @dayaninikhaton Před měsícem +1

    My all time favorite assault mech

  • @nono2645
    @nono2645 Před měsícem +2

    love the highlander i take at least two in my bigger games with friends