Bad ‘Mechs – Clint

BadMechClint_samp

Courtesy of Eldoniousrex

“Alright, McCoy,” said Joseph Andoran without preamble. The rotund CEO of Andoran Industries Ltd. was the utter picture of a fat cat corporate executive even though Andoran was one of the smaller suppliers to bid for Star League’s lucrative defense contracts. “Tell me your plan to corner the market on bandit-hunting periphery ‘Mechs.” 

“Yessir,” McCoy began, pushing his glasses up as a nervous tic. “As you know, the Star League Armaments Act calls for an inexpensive ‘Mech to defend the outer periphery worlds. Our proposal, the Clint, will be priced competitively–technically at a loss, at least to start, but we’ll make the C-bills back selling more lucrative supply and maintenance contracts.” 

McCoy stepped forward with a datapad covered in charts and numbers. “As you can see from my analysis, by outbidding our competitors, we can be the sole supplier of outer periphery ‘Mechs by 2610.” 

Andoran was typical of corporate executives but for one thing–he actually loved the numbers. He carefully reviewed the datapad, scrolling every so often and highlighting some lines that drew his attention. Then he looked back up at McCoy sitting uncomfortably across his desk, like a student who’d been caught cheating on his exam. 

“Take a look at the component values I’ve highlighted. If we replace the ankle actuators with our own BF-349s, the left finger motors with TT-560s, and use that new gyro the boys in engineering have just cooked up, we won’t even need to take a loss.” 

McCoy stared for a few moments. “But sir, these are proprietary components. We’ll need to send our own technicians to the outer rim to service these ‘Mechs. Even routine maintenance might need a requisition sent straight to Bell and back again.” 

“And how is that a problem?”

“These machines will be operating for extended periods away from refit facilities. Some might never power down in a full ‘Mech gantry again.” McCoy stopped to once again press his glasses back over the bridge of his nose. “It will significantly lower the Clint’s appeal as a suitable candidate for the Armaments Act.” 

“You let me worry about the pencil pushers at Star League procurement,” Andoran replied, reaching into his desk drawer for a cigar. “You just worry about making these changes unnoticeable to the casual observer.” 

McCoy coughed as Andoran blew out a perfect ring of smoke. 


Clint 3UOne could argue that the Clint largely suffers from the “40-ton curse,” a weight bracket much maligned for offering no real advantage. It has none of the armor or firepower of larger medium designs, nor does it have as much mobility as lighter ‘Mechs. Of particular issue is the heavy Armstrong J11 AC/5, which combined with its single ton of ammunition, accounts for almost a full quarter of the Clint‘s weight while offering only half the destructive capacity of its secondary armament of twinned medium lasers.

However, the Clint’s flaws go far beyond its unfavorable weight class and underpowered armament. The Clint was designed from the start to be a flawed machine, using substandard components in order to ensure periphery states and national garrisons signed expensive maintenance contracts to keep their Clints functional. Ironically, it may be the anti-customer design of the Clint that actually allowed so many examples to survive beyond the Succession Wars when many of its contemporaries died out.

The Clint was first chosen in 2607 as the successful candidate to the Star League Armaments Act, which required even the most remote settlements receive the latest in defensive technologies. That meant the Star League was legally required to provide BattleMechs to every garrison, regardless of location, population, or even military need. 

Clint 3025

That said, Star League budgetary restraints weren’t unlimited, and even the Star League Defense Force wasn’t about to provide every periphery garrison outpost with its own company of Atlases and Orions. Above all, the Clint was designed to be cheap–at least, to purchase. Maintenance would prove to be so nightmarishly expensive that many Clints survived into the 31st century only as Franken-mechs repaired using the spare parts of completely unrelated designs.

When Andoran Industries Ltd. won the bidding to fulfill Star League’s requirements for an inexpensive recon and trooper ‘Mech to send to the far corners of the Inner Sphere, the company undercut the competition by fielding a design that slashed production costs any way it could. This was often to the detriment of the Clint‘s technicians, which found themselves spending twice as much time maintaining the Clint as they would almost any other BattleMech. Using subpar and nonstandard parts, Andoran Industries sold the Clint to remote locations alongside a lengthy brochure outlining tiers of exclusive maintenance packages–packages many militaries were forced to sign in order to maintain access to Andoran’s proprietary Clint components.

Much like a certain 21st-century agricultural equipment producer, Andoran’s plan was to completely control the market by undercutting the competition and restricting the customer’s ability to repair their machines. Mass production of the CLNT-2-3T began in 2608, with both Andoran Industries salespeople and technicians traveling from Bell to every corner of the Inner Sphere to either sell more or maintain existing Clints.

Clint

By the time the first Star League fell, roughly 300 Clints were serving in various House garrisons with the bulk in the hands of the Federated Suns and Capellan Confederation. Usually too far from the most intense fighting, few Clints took part in the First Succession War, which saw the Andoran factories destroyed in 2812. This ended the supply of replacement parts for the Clint, which further discouraged commanders from using Clints in heavy fighting. It also encouraged more creative solutions in the periphery to keep their Clints operational. While jury-rigging replacement actuators was possible if not ideal, replacing the Clint’s proprietary gyro proved too difficult even for the most resourceful technician. For centuries, a cored Clint was a dead Clint forevermore. 

By the 31st century, only 200 Clints remained in active service. These machines were largely in Capellan and Fed Com border regions, having survived the Succession Wars but still badly in need of replacement parts. Those parts would finally be provided in the mid-3050s with the birth of the Bell Refit Yards, which was built on the wreckage of Andoran’s old factory complex. An extensive maintenance and upgrade program began to breathe new life into the venerable design, improving it far beyond Andoran’s purely mercantile ambitions. Blueprints were also eventually obtained by Defiance Industries on Furillo, which began producing all-new Clints for the first time in 3055. 

Of those upgraded Clints, perhaps the most numerous is the CLNT-2-3U, a Capellan upgrade that replaces the weighty and ammo-dependent AC/5 with a Magna Firestar ER PPC and replaces both medium lasers with Magna 400P medium pulse lasers. To handle the significant increase in heat production, the 3U swaps its single heat sinks for double heat sinks. This simple and relatively cheap upgrade vastly improves the Clint‘s overall combat performance and eliminates at least one of its vulnerabilities, although it still requires increased maintenance compared to other ‘Mechs.

Clint 2T

Because the Clint often found its way to the outer reaches of the Inner Sphere, it became a popular sight in the militaries of periphery nations. The Taurian Concordat had several Clints in its armed forces, and although aging, were still in decent enough condition that the Taurians created their own upgrade package in the lead-up to the Word of Blake Jihad. The CLNT-3-3T replaces the AC/5 with a light autocannon of the same caliber and upgrades its standard armor to ferro-fibrous. This allows for CASE protection of its two tons of ammo and improves the defensive capabilities of the chassis.

The CLNT-5U was a far more extensive upgrade of the 3T produced by Defiance Industries for the Lyran Alliance just before the FedCom Civil War. An endo steel chassis and light fusion engine allowed its weapons payload to be replaced by an ER large laser and a trio of ER medium lasers alongside electronics upgrades including a C3 slave unit and TAG spotting laser. Double heat sinks keep this all-energy configuration cool. Many pilots considered this variant of the Clint a better Wolfhound thanks to jump jets improving its maneuverability. 

Following the fall of Hersperus II, Blakist forces began producing the CLNT-6S instead of the CLNT-5U. The jump hets and light engine were dropped for a larger 280 XL engine, allowing the Clint to sprint at 118 kph. Heavy ferro-fibrous armor further improved the Clint‘s defensive protection, and one of the ER medium lasers was upgraded to an ER large laser. A small cockpit allowed for the inclusion of an ER small laser in the head. 

Several CLNT-1-2R Clint prototypes were part of Alexsandr Kerensky‘s forces that went into exile in 2784. As such, when it came time for Clan Snow Raven to begin mass production of an appropriate garrison unit, the Clint seemed a logical choice. The Clint IIC offers a rare XL engine upgrade for a Clanner overhaul, although the 10 single heatsinks are retained. A Clan-spec LB 10-X autocannon and twin ER medium lasers offer effective stopping power, while seven tons of standard armor vastly improve the Clint’s protection compared to the initial prototypes. Further, Clan technicians finally replaced the Andoran proprietary components with standardized parts, allowing the Clint IIC to be repaired in the field with minimal downtime. 

Clint 3U 3050

The Clint is an odd case. Even its upgraded counterparts are largely outclassed by more modern designs, and yet the Clint soldiers on. It offers little more than a body, a ‘Mech that can fulfill almost any role adequately enough to just avoid a general’s attention. Somehow, the Clint would withstand the withering scorn of engineers and technicians for centuries, kept alive by necessity more than desire. 

There is at least one good lesson the Clint provides. No matter how much companies might believe otherwise, the need for interoperability and battlefield uptime will always overcome a greedy and anti-consumer philosophy that denies the customer their right to repair. 

And as always, MechWarriors: Stay Syrupy. 

stay syrupy

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About Sean

Hooked on BattleTech at an early age, Sean honestly can't remember whether it was the cartoon, the serial novels or the short-lived TCG that did him in. Whatever it was, his passion for giant shooty robots never died, so now he writes about the latest and greatest in 'Mech related news.

45 thoughts on “Bad ‘Mechs – Clint

  1. James Bixby

    One of those “Bad Battlemechs” I really liked, even with succession wars play. maybe it was the Megaman aesthetic… Still, I am greatly looking forward to it in the Merc’s Kickstarter.

    I found success with this thing hunting Phoenix Hawks and Bugs. in the Modern era, I prefer the Plasma rifle equipped 3UL.

    Reply
    1. Joshua Bressel

      I’m a fan of the 5U for my C3 forces. It’s agile, and packs a lot of firepower. It also has TAG, allowing it to ALSO spot for semi-guided LRMs and guided artillery.

      Reply
  2. Jhen

    Aaah, the Clint. My old variant was to create a middleman between a Panther and Phoenix Hawk. Dropping the speed to 5/8/5, swapping the AC5 for a PPC and keeping both medium lasers as close-range weaponry. Saved weight went into 4 extra heat sinks and up the armour to 7 tons. It gave me a bit of a speedier Panther and a less heat-stressed Phoenix Hawk. Not perfect, but a fine blend of both designs.

    Reply
      1. Jhen

        Heh, true, though in 3025 tech. This era of tech has a ‘basic’ yet fun feel as it was so often not about alpha-striking all the time, but blending a workable machine that would have to sacrifice some of it’s guns due to range or heat issues.

        Yes, i do like more modern tech and the possibilities it opens for funkier designs, but there is something about the more clunky, limited and heat-building mechs of the 3025 era that still grips me. Nostalgia ? Quite possibly !

        Reply
  3. Ben Denton

    The Clint holds a special place in my heart. When I started playing Battletech I got a Phoenix Hawk early on, which became the commander of my recon lance. But as a teenager I lost my unseen P-hawk, and I bought a Clint to replace it. It had the maneuverability to keep up with my Stinger and Wasp, it ran a lot colder than the P-hawk, and the range of its AC/5 allowed the Clint to harass mechs from a range. It was definitely underpowered, but it was enough for bug hunting, and it could get anywhere fast enough to support whoever needed supporting. Also there is the Denton variant that I was always partial towards for some reason.

    Reply
  4. Bishop Steiner

    *sighs*

    As a rule I love 40 tonners…. but never liked the Clint. I did the redesign for the new Kickstarter… and still don’t like it, lol. …

    Reply
    1. Kyokyodoka

      Sorry to hear that Bishop, your design does look good to me though!
      Keep up the good work, and I hope you made a few good mechs to make up for it!

      Reply
  5. Aristides

    Love the pic at the beginning of the article. The dual AC2 version is sort of fun, a mobile Blackjack.

    Reply
  6. Vermonster

    The cosplay mech, pretending to be an elite gunslinger. It wouldn’t be horrible if it carried more armour than a Commando and actually had enough ammo.

    Cheap words, let’s fix it. The AC5 isn’t a popgun like the AC2 but underwhelming. Dropping the Armstrong for any large laser improves damage by 50%, keeps the range, and frees you from the ammo truck, while letting you put in 2 sinks and the same armour as the Panther. A much better mech and just as cheap, and still stuck with the lore of proprietary parts that aren’t made any more.

    But it doesn’t need the lore. It’s a 40 ton mech, and thereby cursed. You wouldn’t drink a 40 then strap into a Mech, so why would you skip your stomach and pour yourself into a 40?

    Reply
    1. Joshua Bressel

      The Clint Denton does exactly that, swapping the AC5 for a LL. Latter variants add an ERPPC or with my favorite, the 5U, an ERLL with a C3S to guide it.

      Reply
  7. Jeremy

    The Clint?
    The mech that has a +2 targeting computer in 3025 and a Quick that gives it another glancing point? And an Autocannon that has optional rules that let you double tap it AND do +1 more damage…
    Are you SURE this mech… the one that is generally banned or fought over in the parking lot… THIS MECH…
    Belongs in the Bad Mech discussion?

    Reply
    1. Z3r0_

      It’s bad if you play it WITHOUT that quirk. It’s not a commonly known one since it originated in a magazine.

      The other issue is that AC/2s and AC/5s are just too heavy to put on such a light platform (really, if you’re going to run an autocannon lighter than an AC/10, you’d better have a good reason for it). For the same weight as the AC/5 and its ton of ammo, I can put on any of the following:

      -A PPC and two more heat sinks.
      -A large laser, an SRM-6, and one ton of SRMs
      -Four medium lasers and five heat sinks

      Just to give some examples

      Reply
      1. Rob C.

        Fluff reason its not able to have Class 10 Autocannon is “structural issues”. It can pack it and be better machine. Armor was deliberately made bad to have lemon mech. By 3025 , Clint only if you go by the fluff is rare.

        Reply
    2. Michael

      Those are all optional rules. In standard play, the Clint is massively underarmoured and undergunned.

      Reply
    3. Joshua Bressel

      What do you mean by “glancing point”, and where are the optional rules that allow +1 damage? I’m aware of rapid firing standard autocannons and the improved targeting(medium&long) quirk, but not the rest

      Reply
      1. Jeremy

        The Clint has the best best Targeting and Tracking Computer ever put into a Mech. It has a +2 to all weapon hit rolls, via Battletechnology Magazine, which was Canon at the time that it came out up through the end of FASA. I really don’t give a flying damn about the opinions of the post FASA “Line Developers”

        From a straight effeciency standpoint, all of 3025 Weapon Combat revolves around the Holy Trinity… the Medium Laser, the LRM-5, and the PPC. All other weapons are mathmatically inferior, many VASTLY so. Of the remaining weapons, the AC/5 is the one that comes the closest to being acceptable.

        Megamek has two built in optional rules, one that adds +1 damage to AC/5s and AC/2s, and one that allows you to fire the AC twice at a -1 penalty, roll on the SRM2 chart. Adding +1 damage to the AC/5 for a total of 6 brings the AC/5 very close to mathmatically inline with the Holy Trinity. Using the double tap rule at low to-hit numbers makes it pretty good.

        The Clint, specifically, has the canon Quirk Narrow/Low Profile.

        If the to-hit roll is exactly the same as the number needed, it scores a Glancing Blow for half damage.
        IE, if your oppoent needs 8s to hit, and the roll is an modified 8, then the AC/20 does 10 damage.

        With the Quirk Narrow/Low Profile, it ads another glancing point… IE…
        If your opponet needs 8s to hit, and they roll a modified 9, then they hit with the AC/20 for 10 damage. If they roll a modified 8, then they hit with the AC/20 for 5 damage.

        This particular stack of rules makes the Clint both deadly and survivable if used correctly… and at 6/9/6, it should be child’s play to always have the advantage over just about any opponent.

        Reply
  8. Scott

    To balance the obvious flaws in the Clint, we have always treated the “Sloan” targeting system as an ahead of its time targeting system. This made the machine much better, but also a target for those that wanted to capture it and salvage the system.

    Reply
  9. Max

    Yes! Finally, I love this series and since the first one dropped I had to ask, when do we see the Clint? This should have been an opener.

    What a pile both in lore and table top.

    I’ve had fun with one on a long Merc campaign stolen from the cappies trash pile, turned it into a ghetto bouncing hunchback 4p. Made a pretty good bug hunter honestly. Sure it couldn’t cool it self but after a nice vomit of MLs anything it was fighting either dead or couldn’t harm it back till it cooled.

    It’s still a terrifically bad mech but I always enjoy reading the fun stories, clever builds and soft spots people have for them.

    I know some of these mechs listed even stock it’s a debate if bad but the Clint aside for all it’s lore issues has a very poor main gun on too small a frame to do much else.

    Cheers to all and already excited for next write up!

    Reply
  10. Z3r0_

    This mech honestly gets much better if you swap the AC/5 for something like a PPC. It becomes a faster Panther for all intents and purposes.

    Reply
  11. MookieDog

    Ok, definitely a much better review than many of the previous articles. Good to see some positive points for a mech which is a lot of peoples favorite. Look we understand, is the Clint the pentacle of mechs, nope, not by far. However when its tweaked just a bit, it goes from decent to really fricking good. Does it get better in later era’s, undoubtedly.

    One of ‘the best’ lines in this article: “Many pilots considered this variant of the Clint a better Wolfhound thanks to jump jets improving its maneuverability.” If you would have not mentioned it, I would have.

    Wonderful article dude! Keep it up.

    Reply
  12. Michael

    I am surprised that the armour didn’t get mention in the write up. It only has 4 tonnes! That is holding it back even more than the AC-5 is. I don’t see too much of a problem with the ammo supply. 20t shots is enough for a single engagement and the Clint won’t survive mors than one without repairs anyways.

    I would argue that the canon introtech variants are even worse though. They trade away the jump jets and cost the Clint one of it’s few good aspects to either trade the AC-5 for 2 AC-2s or an AC-10 with 1 tonne of ammo. Insane!

    If you must have an introtech Autocannon, I can make a good argument for a single AC-2. That will give it a range that no light mech can match, and against many lights, 2 points is a noticable amount of damage. You can use the freed mass for armour, giving it a healthy 6 tonnes. I feel that this would make it an above average bug hunter, or at least better than the Assassin. The large laser and PPC modifications would be better in general combat of course.

    What a mech like the Clint needs to make it shine is a low grade autocannon that trades their range advantage for weight. Maybe a “short barralled” AC that would have half the range but double the damage? SB AC-2: 4/8/12, 4 DMG, 1H, 6T, 1C, 45a/t and SB AC-5: 3/6/9, 10 DMG, 1H, 8T, 4C, 20a/t?

    Reply
    1. JustSomeGuy

      Putting Proto-ACs on a Clint could be an interesting idea. Likely Proto-AC4 would make the most sense for a STD-engined brawler.

      Reply
  13. Spudeus

    I recall the Clint’s original prototype had an AC/10, which would certainly propel it out of the ‘bad’ category. But it would also attract much more hostile attention. . .poor Clint. . .

    Reply
  14. Steel Shanks

    Agreed, Clint is terrible. If ye want a decent 40 tonner, just go Vindicator, or Vulcan, they beat out the Clint. Maybe it’s do to the FedRats and Cappies using the lot of them, I don’t know, but even the upgraded Clint’s are trash lol. I do like the new Clint artwork though, great job Bishop Steiner… Other than that, yeah… Terrible Mech.

    Reply
    1. Flashfreeze

      The Vindicator’s a 45 tonner though. Not necessarily a great weight class either, but better than most of the 40s.

      Reply
    2. Dmitri_Ravenoff

      The stock Vulcan is absolute garbage. I’d rather take a Clint any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

      Reply
  15. SilverCyanide

    The original Clint looks great (design-wise) and, on paper, it is not completely garbage if you go with the adage “the best ‘mech is the ‘mech you got”, but when you get into the weeds, it gets progressively worst. Lore-wise, the fact that it is a nightmare to maintain and to repair is enough to kill it for any commander that is not completely out of their mind (looking at you, House Liao!), and when you add the fact that it will need repairs because of how it is built is not a good sign. The various high-tech refits do give it a pretty good bump, especially replacing the lackluster AC/5 with an ER PPC or Plasma, but it is still subpar.

    Nevertheless, the Clint is a loveable little guy and I will keep playing it, even though it takes room in my BV.

    Reply
    1. Steel Shanks

      As a famous World War Two general said: “Nuts!” The Viper is MUCH better than the Clint… And I hate that Clanner crap…

      Reply
  16. Emil

    If using the quirks for the targeting system and autocannon, it becomes a solid machine for 3025 even if swapping the AC/5 for a PPC would be better. Come 3050, dropping the AC/5 for an ER PPC and a couple tons of armor, and the SHS for DHS, and it’s a nasty harasser. -2 TN for 10 points out to 23 hexes? Ewww.

    Reply
  17. Soundmind78

    Much love for the oblique John Deere reference. I’d guess one in a thousand will catch that.

    Reply
  18. Argus

    Sorry, but i don´t understand why a 40-ton-slot of Mechs is regarded “bad”. Maybe there are not many good 40-ton-Mechs around, but at a closer look the 40-ton-slot has advantages. The first advanteage is both tactical and strategic, because a medium bridge from a bridgelayer can support 40-ton vehicles, they are the heaviest units that can pass over such bridges. Then it´s easier to find a transport vehicle that can carry a 40-ton Mech than to find one that can carry a 45-ton (or heavier) Mech. And if you go deep into the calculations the 40-ton Mech is the best choice if you want to construct a Mech with a MP Walk of 7 (MP Run 11), because it can carry more equipment at that speed than any other weight-class of Mechs.
    I like 40-ton-Mechs and simply arguing that 40-ton-Mechs are the lightest of medium-size Mechs isn´t enough to make them bad. Then you also could argue that 20-ton Mechs or 60-ton Mechs or 80-ton Mechs are bad, because they are at the bottom of their class.
    But i agree that the Clint is a bad Mech. What makes him bad is – as many have already pointed out – the AC/5. You got 10 free heat sinks – so grab your PPC and kill scouts! I like the PPC and suggest it as long-range Mechkiller-weapon for any design that could carry it. That includes also Shadow Hawks and Wolverines.

    Reply
    1. Joseph

      I think the “bad” part about the 40-ton-slot is more about the design side of the slot rather than it’s field performance. If you don’t have advanced technology you’ll most likely end up with either a light mech style build or a medium style build that is gimped in some way. I think that the standard AC5 build of the Clint (which might actually be decent if it was only five tons heavier) is a good example of the latter, while the often proposed (and logical) PPC refit is a example of the former. Once you get ahold of a XL engine, Endo-steel, or even ferro-fibrous armor, the 40-ton-slot can and does jump far ahead of the slot right below it. But if you gave me just the most basic tech to work with, I’d agree that whatever I designed would have at least a 50 percent chance of being “cursed”.

      By the way, thanks for all the tactical tips for the 40-ton-slot. I will keep them in mind for if I’m playing a advanced game against someone.

      Reply
    2. Tomas

      Another point on the 40 weight point is that the 5/8/X bracket on 40 tons is arguably one of the most efficiently usable chassis in terms of price points versus usable payload, because you’re hitting that 200 rating engine and maximizing the use of the 2 ton gyro.

      The Clint’s not there, of course, but there’s definitely a “good” design niche for 40 ton machines right there. 40 tons is a great weight for building 5/8 for top 5/8 cost efficiency or 7/11 for maximum 7/11 performance.

      Personally, I think that in terms of the design side of the game, I have more trouble justifying 45 ton machines. Anything you build at 45 tons is better and not much more expensive at 50 tons.

      Reply
      1. Argus

        Haven´t thought much about prices, but there you made a point. I feel the urge now to make a price-effcient mech design….

        But on the 45-tons vs. 50 tons: Seems to be a matter of taste. Both make the most effcient Mechs at speed 6 / 9 (which might be a reason for the Phoenix Hawks success), if you just look at the weapon loadout. The 50-ton Mech is slightly more expensiv, but can carry slightly more armor and does slightly more damage than the 45-ton Mech. So it´s a matter of taste if you want a design for the “bar room brawl” or a cheaper design that stays at a distance (scout, fire support).

        Reply
      2. Craig

        I regard 5/8/5 as minimum movement for a medium brawler mech, 4/6 is unforgivably slow and you will get shredded by long range potshots. 6/9/6 is slightly faster and may open options for terrain but in general won’t get you an extra +1 for incoming fire.

        12 tons equipment and 8 tons armor. How is this a problem??? Cursed my ass!

        Reply
  19. Cupra

    I love this Series, because i love those underdog mechs.
    But tbh in the end it boils down to:
    Bad Balancing: AC2/AC5
    Bad Balancing: Large Reactors

    Or sometimes just incomprehensible bad construction… looking at you refit quickdraw with CASE and Oneshot-tube.

    Reply
  20. Brian

    I honestly think the original design process for mechs at FASA was this:

    “Hello, welcome to the unit design staff meeting, I see you all have your stacks of designs in front of you. Please pass your stack to the person on your left. Now, your job is do something to every design, change something to make it worse. We can’t have a game where all the units are great, who would want to play that?”

    So, someone changed what would have been a great 40 tonner that moved 5/8 with full armor into a 6/9 mover with tissue paper strapped over it’s myomer.

    Reply
  21. Max

    I hate to be that guy, but I love this series and we are closing the month, can we get the targe? What a dumpster fire.

    I

    Reply
  22. Matt

    I’d still take the Clint STOCK over the Hermes II or Sentinel. I’ll take the 15 point alpha and JJs over those two, even with the weaker armor.

    Now, as for how to FIX the Clint, the answer is, to me, obvious. From a initial cost perspective, or a refit perspective, its the same thing: Reduce the engine to a 200. This not only frees up tonnage, the engine is cheaper and you ALSO use a lighter and cheaper GYRO (lore wise a good choice). Bump the armor up to 7 tons, double the ammo, and add a 3rd Med Laser. In this instance, you DON’T go PPC because your AC complements its 3 lasers without overheating it; and doesn’t inflate the BV either.
    The result: a cheaper, tougher mech that still has a 5/8/5 movement profile. Now you have a mech that is 15 tons lighter, million(s?) of C-bills cheaper, and has a lower BV cost compared to stock Shadowhawks or Wolverines while offering similar performance on the battlefield. THAT sounds like a proper budget mech to me.

    Reply
  23. Owl

    “No matter how much companies might believe otherwise, the need for interoperability and battlefield uptime will always overcome a greedy and anti-consumer philosophy that denies the customer their right to repair.”

    lol, didn’t the Clint survive BECAUSE of this? If not for this philosophy, the Clint would have followed the path of a lot of other Mechs that got thrown into battle because they were more useful and vanish like a lot of them as well.

    And frankly I’d hardly call 300 units at the start of the Succession Wars a successful sales campaign considering how many planets and units there are in the Inner Sphere.

    Reply
  24. John Campbell

    If you rip out all the weapons and give it an XL, Endo, LFF, and a small cockpit, you can cram a Heavy Gauss into a Clint.

    “I know what you’re thinking. ‘Did he fire eight shots or only seven?’ Well to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself. But being this is a Defiance Hammerfist, the most powerful ‘Mech gun in the Inner Sphere, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve gotta ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, Clanner?”

    (Yeah, that’s the only reason I did it.)

    Reply
  25. George Spelvin

    Are we talking about fictional battlemechs here or real world John Deere tractors?

    That said, the Clint is one of those mechs (emphasis on the meh… ) that doesn’t need bad fluff to make it sub-mediocre. Every time I’ve tried to improve it, I basically ended up with a fat Panther.

    …only to get its butt handed to it by a standard Panther.

    Reply

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