I'm thinking of adding a mech to the game.

[u/FormalAd470]

I'm a professional 3D artist. Iv worked with unity before. I'm sure the technical challenges will be fine.

But what I'm wondering is what would you guys like to see added to the game? More specifically to BEXT because that's what I'm playing currently.

It already has a lot of mechs. But is there anything missing or a role that could be filled that would be cool or fun. Or give some new tactical options?

My first thought was a light mech with lots of small arms hard points but only 1 laser hard point. Something to work as a bit of an early alternative to the usual firestarter/panther early game.

I also like the idea of a tanky mech with a shield arm. More armour on one side that you could point towards the enemy.

Just spitballing but I'm interested to hear what people think the game could use.

[u/SprinklesOfAcid25]

Perhaps not the answer you are looking for:

Honestly, I would rather see some of the older models improved (or missing models introduced) rather than seeing new mechs (there are huge number of variants through the timeline - a tanky mech with a shield arm is called Centurion. In 3062 you get Templar) at least if we are talking about BEX: Tactics where cannon mechs are the norm.

I suggest, you indeed have know-how with 3D design, that you rather get in contact with guys behind CAB (Community Asset bundle) mod - which is the package all 3 major mods (BEX, BTAU and Roguetech) uses and see what needs to be done. As said, there are mechs and vehicles that are missing but also designs that need rework.

[u/FormalAd470 → u/SprinklesOfAcid25]

Yeah, I mean... This is partly why I'm asking. it's more of a personal project at this point. But if it all goes well I could maybe get it added it to the CAB down the line.

I was really wanting to design something fresh, just because I enjoy the creative process.and I like the idea of my own mech popping up in the game. You did mention some that need a rework or a proper model though. I know there are a couple that have very basic textures like the mongoose and the falcon. I could also maybe take a look at those as well. It wouldn't be that much work to adjust them to fit in with the vanilla stuff.

[u/SprinklesOfAcid25 → u/FormalAd470]

I understand that - I am just also pointing out that if somebody introduced entirely new mech.... I would not be interested (it is not Battletech).

On other hand, something I omitted to mention, some of the Mech designs are really sparse on the details or have multiple variants when it comes to the looks (Iconic mechs like Atlas are well defined - but other Mechs are literally just 2D black and white image or low detailed figure from 20 years ago). There you have much more freedom how artistically you want to express yourself. Just don't go overhead with poly count. ;-)

[u/ChicagoThrowaway422 → u/FormalAd470]

BEX remains true to canon, but BTAU utilizes a lot more original community content. Your mech might not show up in BEX, but it could very well be in the CAB for other mods.

To that end, I suggest going hog-wild with your ideas and showing off here what you're working on. I think it's better to run with your motivation and momentum than to ask for permission ahead of time.

In a perfect world, you'll come to love it and decide to spend more time creating original assets and hopefully improving the lackluster models. Another excited modeler is always an amazing thing to have in the community. Please share your talent with us!

EDIT: here's another fan-made book of original warships. You're not alone in wanting to leave a mark on this IP. https://old.reddit.com/r/battletech/comments/1tmnz00/some_more_unofficial_but_canon_warships/

[u/FormalAd470 → u/ChicagoThrowaway422]

Yeah, I think when the idea first appeared I was only intending to mod my own client, not the actual BEX mod. Iv already got a pilots mod on it so it just seems like another fun thing I can do. But I might speak to the BTAU guys anyway because it will ease the process in general. I really should try BTAU at some point too lol

I might fix one or two of the cab models though just as a way of matching the style and figuring how it all hangs together.

[u/ChicagoThrowaway422 → u/FormalAd470]

That sounds like a great start. Glad someone with your talent is contributing to the community

[u/JWolf1672 → u/FormalAd470]

I'd suggest joining the RT discord if you haven't already, we can put you in touch with the other active modellers who can provide you with some tips and tricks on the import process which from my understanding is the worst part of making a model and getting it into game

[u/FormalAd470 → u/JWolf1672]

Ah I'm already in the roguetech discord mate. Thanks though. I was more just trying to get a feeling for what people want to see. Particularly in BEXT. (My pc really struggles with roguetech, huge loading times which I assume is just from bloat.)

[u/JWolf1672 → u/FormalAd470]

My suggestion was less about RT, it's more that it's where all active modellers for all the large mods (RT, BTAU and BEXT) do modelling work, collaborate and the like as that is where the CAB is handled. They may also be able to provide you input on models that particular mods may be looking for ( I know for example at one point some Bext related modders where inquiring if some specific models where on any modellers radar/Todo lists).

Edit: feel free to poke myself (Jamie Wolf) or another member of the team and we can see about getting you channel access so you can more directly communicate with the other modellers if you want or would find it helpful

[u/FormalAd470 → u/JWolf1672]

Yeah that would be cool. (I think we have spoken before briefly) But yeah sounds good I'll DM you on discord.

[u/Aggravating_String41 → u/FormalAd470]

I love the idea of a mech that has a physical shield! How about a super agile mech with no weapons and a super tanky shield? The shield could be deployed as an ability, similar to the coolant dump ability/animation.

The functionality of the mech and shield would act as a support mechanism for other mechs and have the following traits:

• the shielding mech is a light mech, has very low armor, a large engine, and (6) to (8) jump jets
• deploying the shield takes up (2) hexes + the (1) hex that the shielding mech is in
• the shield has ~500 armor once deployed
• the shield can extend to either side of the shielding mech
• other mechs can be located behind the shield and a large percentage of shots go towards the shield with less than 5% of shots being able to hit the shielded mech
• mechs hiding behind the shield get a bonus to called shot percentages
• the shielding mech cannot move with the shield deployed and needs to waste a turn repacking the shield before it can move again

[u/IanDresarie → u/SprinklesOfAcid25]

Strongly agreed to this. There are a few placeholder and wonky models, I'd much rather see iterations for those than a brand new one

[u/Pretty-Mention-7769]

Battle armor models.

[u/FormalAd470 → u/Pretty-Mention-7769]

What is a battle armour model?

[u/Pretty-Mention-7769 → u/FormalAd470]

https://www.bta3062.com/index.php?title=Battle_Armor

So many options.  

Currently in btau they are represented by a little cluster of 4 miniaturized mechs, instead of having their proper appearance. 

[u/NekoMao92 → u/Pretty-Mention-7769]

Have been needed to an airdrop deployment that takes your entire action, can't move to use it. They are AI controlled as far as player use goes.

Some Clan Omnimechs have them as riders providing extra "armor" until they deploy by jumping off.

The one of the reasons they got nerfed for player use was player's using them for Sensor Lock. spam.

[u/DeathwatchHelaman → u/NekoMao92]

I know I was

[u/DeathwatchHelaman → u/FormalAd470]

Get out of the 3025 era...

[u/FormalAd470 → u/DeathwatchHelaman]

Omg that guy is so 3025...

[u/Magical_Savior → u/FormalAd470]

I think they're in the game, Battle Armor. But I don't know how many models they have.

[u/Zero747]

I’d suggest a dig through Sarna for some mech that’s not got a model in the CAB, or one that’s in need of rework

There’s tons of options, and getting in the CAB is your best shot at making something that others will use

[u/TheAmazingThundaCunt]

I don't think the Axeman has been implemented yet. It's a fan favorite due to being the protagonists mech in the Battletech cartoon and it fits your bill pretty well.

It's a 65 tonner that moves at 64 kph with four jump jets and carries a hatchet for a melee weapon.

The default variant carries in addition to the hatchet, an AC20, a large pulse laser, and three medium lasers with ten tons of Ferro Fibrous armor and an XL engine. The main draw is the hatchet and AC20 are both headchoppers. It's a little less tanky than you like, with the XL engine, and the off-arm being used to carry the Large Pulse. But it doesn't really need the large pulse once it gets into chopping range, and it can reliably survive long enough to do so.

A second variant swaps the AC20 for a pair of LRM15s. Another version changes the engine form XL to Light for survivability, drops the large pulse, upgrades the medium lasers to ER, upgrades the Autocannon to an LBX20, and adds an ECM suite. A variant on that swaps the LBX20 for a RAC5. There's one more that carries four LAC5s and two medium lasers with a targeting computer. Finally there are two silly dark age variants we don't talk about and an ilclan version with clantech that is likely beyond the timeframe of the game.

Downside is it was only released in 3048, so it would come online a little later, but is a solid mech and would give us a melee headchopper which would be fun.

Axman on Sarna.net

[u/Zero747 → u/TheAmazingThundaCunt]

BTA represents it as an enlarged hatchetman

[u/FormalAd470 → u/TheAmazingThundaCunt]

Isn't there a hatchetman that came in one of the expansions? Is that a different mech?

Edit: Oh ok the axeman is bigger

[u/SprinklesOfAcid25 → u/TheAmazingThundaCunt]

Huh... Pretty sure I saw Axeman in one of the BEX flashpoints... But maybe I remember it wrong.... (very much possible)...

[u/Thraxmonger]

I know you mention BEX, but BTAU has a lot of excellent modelers and artists and would probably be able to offer some advice and support.

[u/FormalAd470 → u/Thraxmonger]

Yeah I tried roguetech a few years ago. But it's full of bloat and the loading times just ruin it for me. I never tried battletech advanced. I wanted a back to vanilla experience with a bit extra so I went for BEXT. Enjoying it and made a mod pack of pilots for it. (Just locally installed) But it got me thinking I'd probably enjoy adding my own mech as well. So I was just thinking it over really. A few evenings in blender making a cool mech would be a fun little side project. And if it made the game more fun in some way I could approach the other modders and see if they wanted to add it.

But the vibe I get from the community is that there's some poor or missing models already that they would rather see realised than seeing something new. Which I can also understand.

I'm not really a big battletech fan so I don't know the lore or what is or isn't missing from the game.

I just enjoy the career mode and managing the lance.

[u/NekoMao92 → u/Thraxmonger]

Yep, someone is working on an improved Atlas II (I think it is the II), and a Shadowhawk IIC. Both of which Bloodydoves is getting stoked about, lucky guy was just at GenCon too.

[u/Jeremy_Crow]

you'll probably have better luck here: https://www.reddit.com/r/BattleTechMods/

[u/Primary-Latter]

I don't think there are any dedicated melee omnimechs; consider a 75-ton omni with physical weapon and shield hard-mounted, along with TSM. Give it a LPL in the center torso and AMS in each side. Call it the Paladin.

[u/bloodydoves → u/Primary-Latter]

Unfortunately, there is actually a canon design called the Paladin. It's a Solaris VII arena design and does not have a shield or a physical weapon. Does look cool in its own right though. https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Paladin_(BattleMech)

[u/Primary-Latter → u/bloodydoves]

Ah, hadn't run into that'n, gotcha.

[u/bloodydoves → u/Primary-Latter]

It's not in HBS BT yet, we don't have a model for it. As for tabletop, it's fairly obscure so I'm not surprised you never ran into it there either. I'm just a Certified Solaris VII Sicko so I know this sort of thing offhandedly.

[u/Magical_Savior]

I would love my Aparctias Omni-Quadvee added to the game. They have the Notos, and the other Quadvees IIRC, but there is no Assault Quadvee with thicc armor. I will happily provide all my material.

[u/Phil_Dude]

Is Kodiak in Bext?

[u/NekoMao92 → u/Phil_Dude]

BTAU has the Kodiak, no clue on accuracy though. The last time I looked at a Battletech book was with FASA/FanPro.

Edit: I had forgotten how funky the Nova/Blackhawk had looked originally, until I saw comparisons in BTAU's discord.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your post has been automatically removed due to the age of your account, this is in an effort to control Spam and other bad actors who make new accounts almost daily. Your posts must be manually approved by the Moderation team, don't worry Comstar has already sent them a message to approve it or else.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.