Your Five Favorite ‘Mechs from 3025
It is the best TRO?
Every time I take a look back at the original 3025 Technical Readout, I am reminded of the high quality of the BattleMechs that were created. They are fleshed out, have great stories, and are a lot of fun to read. I love going back to the first printing of it, before the unseen were pulled, and just rereading all of these powerful designs.
Yes, it’s been a few years since it saw print. Back in 1986, I was 9 when it came out – too young to play the game. But I grabbed a copy when I started playing at 15, and it quickly became one of my favorite Technical Readouts (TRO). There are tons of great ‘Mechs to love here, and I quickly discovered that everyone seemed to have a different set of units that they loved. We all have our own preferences.
So I thought I would give you my own five favorite ‘Mechs from that great TRO, and then ask what were your five favorite ‘Mechs from it. I made sure I included at least one ‘Mech from each weight class. So let’s takes a walk down memory lane and see what we can uncover.
Still a Master…
BattleMaster – I love a ‘Mech that can wade in and dole out the damage. With high armor and a massive payload of weaponry, the BattleMaster is arguably the best close-up ‘Mech in the report. It can use the PPC at range while it closes, or to help carve a hole into an opponent’s armor, and then exploit that with its many other weapons. The BattleMaster is one ‘Mech that lives up to its name!
Fastest ‘Mech in the West
Spider – To my mind, the Spider is a perfect light ‘Mech because it does everything I want lights to do. It can outflank my opponent’s position, (or help to keep my flank safe against others with the same idea). It can skirmish with other light units, tanks and infantry as needed. It can use its extraordinary speed to get near a ‘Mech and distract it with a huge penalty to hit, and it can get in the occasional rear attack, all while keeping its arms free for physical attacks. The two medium lasers are enough to hurt a lot of units in its weight class or rear armor, and suits the Spider perfectly.
I make missiles!
Whitworth – The lightest fire support ‘Mech that still works is the Whitworth. With double LRM 10 racks, it can easily out-range and out-damage a light ‘Mech while being a serious threat to other mediums. It adds to that solid armor, and the triple medium lasers, to ward off units that might otherwise want to close with a medium missile boat. The heat sinks help to get it into position or leap away from danger, and turn it into a bit of a jumpy-scouting ‘Mech if the ammo runs out, keeping it around the battlefield. I love ’em!
Big Guns Win
Hunchback – The Hunchback feels like a tank. It’s got one big gun, slow movement, loads of armor, and a handful of backup weapons. Heavier units fear it and will keep away, so it gives a nice Zone of Control around key places, and it’s strong in battles where it can close and use the most devastating weapon in the 3025 era. It’s one of my favorite ‘Mechs to pull out of an ambush!
Still a hunter
Orion – Like Kerensky, I just can’t get past my man-crush on the Orion. I don’t know what it is – maybe it’s how cool the heavy looks. It has an awesome profile. Plus, you can play two roles with it. First, you can keep it back in fire support and use that AC10 and LRM15. They work together as the hole-maker and the hole-finder in opposing armor. Or you can just chuck it up and move in and start using the AC10 with the close range weapons. It has the armor for both roles, and I enjoy using it as a fire support watchdog, staying back to help protect my fire support ‘Mechs, and joining them with long range weaponry while giving pause to ‘Mechs that are fast enough to flank me.
Which of these do you agree with? What are your five favorite BattleMechs from the original 3025 Technical Readout?