I bought two Highlander IICs in MWO. And I still have them. While one is basically just the HGN-732b but with Clan goodies, the other is an absolute monster. 4 Clan ER PPCs is a nasty loadout in any 'mech. My favorite kill with it was right around 1km. I fired all four PPCs in two pairs of shots and cored a Commando in a single volley.
I ran a MechWarrior campaign back in the 80's and 90's and when this baby came out I wanted to give my players an adventure to capture it. Needless to say there was much carnage but ultimately they were able to capture it at a high price. They loved it and I had a lot of fun running the adventure. I love the game so much.
Using the Highlander IIC 4 as a basis, I created my Highlander IIC ISM variant. I dropped the whole original loadout, keeping the standard Fusion 270, FF armor, and Jump Jets. Instead of a Gauss Rifle, the right arm carries an IS Heavy PPC, with an ATM-6/w 3 tons of ammo in the left arm. The RT carries 2 ATM-6s with 6 tons of ammo, and rounding out the weapons are 3 IS Medium Re-Engineered Lasers in the left torso. I was tempted to try creating this variant with a Plasma Rifle, but decided against it.
Thanks for this breakdown! The Highlander 'Mec series has always been a personal favorite and I've neverlooked into the history of the IIC variants. Nice summary!
I'm really starting to like the HAG version. When those things hit, not only is it great damage, but it also means somebody is making a piloting check due to stability problems. ATM's are starting to grow on me also, though I don't like the weight.
@MechanicalFrog long ago I had myself a trinary of clan mechs. The command star had a HighlanderIIC, and MarauderIIC. Really had a hard time choosing which was the commanders ride.
It's ironic the Mandrills would say something about "leaving behind the difference between nations". I guess the difference between Kindraa is okay. lol
@@MechanicalFrog I mean, all the Clans did. Nicholas just created new animosities and rivalries instead of uniting his people. While also making limited scale combat a default conflict resolution.
The last doctor probably would have recommended avoiding being at the impact sight of the Highlander, but its hard to make any comment after you've been Buried by a Highlander so...
Nothing quite says "Scotland" like an angry 90-ton mobile assault platform landing on you from above and giving you a free funeral service. Bagpipes optional.
Stepping on infantry often creates bagpipes noises briefly until the final wet fart sound occurs. "I think I stepped in something...shit it's stuck to my feet now."
I've liked the Highlander since the beginning of my battletech career (read - since we got that tricked out on in the battletech video game) so the IIC is gonna be great after the Kickstarter comes around
Even the Clans have a great deal of respect to the Highlander just as much as the Spheroids do - to the point of not treating Highlander IIC as just some 2nd line mech. I wonder if they are other Clan non-Omnimechs are used as frontline mechs?
Because it's flipping amazing, that's why. :P Normally I'd go for the classic, but I'm tempted to take the 4 out for a spin. Twin ATM 6s sounds like a nice addition to it's firepower.
@@nurgle333 The big advantage of ATMs is that the launchers can fire a selection of missiles. The base missiles do 2 damage per hit and have reasonable range, there's long range ones that only do 1 damage per hit and short range ones that do 3 damage per missile hit. The launchers also come with Artemis IV guidance built in.
That base IIC variant is really hard to beat especially considering the BV is likely a good bit less than the others, but I'll have to look that up later. I have never used the HAG so curious to see how it compares & what it does to the price. I don't have a Highlander yet, but it's onnthe short list especially since I believe the same mini is used for both IS & Clan. Thanks for another solid video.
Loved this thing basically the 732, but better. Even among clan piers this thing is versatile and just nasty to deal with. Still can bury mechs with the best of them. As for a favorite nothing like the classic but the IV does have its merits. Seems to integrate the ATM system very well and 2 6's up close with HE rounds is just murder for any lights or meds that might try to get close.
@@MechanicalFrogI need to read that book. Hard to beat kilt wearing mechwarriors stomping on some Cappellans. I'm guessing you've read it? How was it?
Lt Star Colonel Josiah Schmitt looked up from his Summoner and saw the Highlander IIC jump at him. He thought it strange why he was hearing Bagpipes being played at that moment.
In my opinion one of the best IIC mechs if not one of the best period. It is expensive though. The original is a favorite but the new one is a good update. Also happy to see Hells Horses get the mech. They needed the win.
I love every version of the Highlander, at least above the AC/5 downgraded IS version. But it is still servicable if you are good at piloting and can land a DFA.
All Highlanders are great! You can also customize the hell out of them every generation. Some variants are just plain evil. My only nitpick is arm mounted primary assault weapons, but I'll not hesitate to drive any Highlander!
The Highlander is an amazing mech, there can be no dispute on this subject. The Highlander IIC is the Highlander on steroids, and having a "roid raging" berserker of an assault mech in your face is not a good place to find yourself. Never forget that even if the Highlander (IIC or not) were to be without weapons, ammo, or even physical arms this zombie is still deadly with the infamous 'Highlander Burial' as a final assault method as well. Very few other mechs are so hard to kill, or still this deadly when near their absolute failure point. This mech is the stuff of nightmares.
Did the clans ever consider landing on other mechs dishonorable melee combat or was it acceptable? I know the Jade Falcons like to kick other mechs every now and then but that's about it.
Different clans have varying opinions on that kind of stuff. The Falcons were initially pretty repulsed by physical combat but by the Dark Age, they embraced it.
We all have to die and get burried at one point, but how many get a Highlander Burial? XD Great mech, though highly ammo dependent. The mobility is off the charts thanks to the jump jets. And that´s really what sells this mech. plus it looks really cool.
To reitarate, even though I might be repeating myself, take Two (2) of the highlander IIC s take Two (2) of the warrhammer IIC s Add One (1) Vapor Eagle that is the 1st star of the nine (9) the overlord C is bringing to some poor unfortunate world. Have a nice day Pay your bills :)
The original highlander is my favorite IS mech on looks alone. The IIC variants are the looks plus clan tech.
Good times had by all.
The "Seven Second Summary" of the video, and it's not wrong :D
The Highlander is one of the few assault mechs I appreciate. Jump jets go a long way to mitigate how slow anything over 75 tons tends to be.
They're a great addition to really elevate this mech to greater heights.
Plus they are great to do a Highland burial :-)
Have your heard of the Berserker or Gargoyle K?
I bought two Highlander IICs in MWO. And I still have them. While one is basically just the HGN-732b but with Clan goodies, the other is an absolute monster. 4 Clan ER PPCs is a nasty loadout in any 'mech. My favorite kill with it was right around 1km. I fired all four PPCs in two pairs of shots and cored a Commando in a single volley.
Sometimes bad things happen to good Commandos. That's just part of life.
I love your north wind highlander paint scheme with that highlander so cool
Thank you!
I ran a MechWarrior campaign back in the 80's and 90's and when this baby came out I wanted to give my players an adventure to capture it. Needless to say there was much carnage but ultimately they were able to capture it at a high price. They loved it and I had a lot of fun running the adventure. I love the game so much.
Nice! That would be a really nice prize.
Using the Highlander IIC 4 as a basis, I created my Highlander IIC ISM variant. I dropped the whole original loadout, keeping the standard Fusion 270, FF armor, and Jump Jets. Instead of a Gauss Rifle, the right arm carries an IS Heavy PPC, with an ATM-6/w 3 tons of ammo in the left arm. The RT carries 2 ATM-6s with 6 tons of ammo, and rounding out the weapons are 3 IS Medium Re-Engineered Lasers in the left torso. I was tempted to try creating this variant with a Plasma Rifle, but decided against it.
The Heavy PPC can do the work. Rest little Plasma Rifle... rest...
"If one is jumping towards you, four out of five doctors recommend you not be at the landing site." 👌👌👌
Tried and true advice.
The fifth doctor was unavailable for comment, as he was underneath the Highlander's foot.
"Could not be reached for comment"
there's a reason I have the set that the new Highlander IIC comes in slated in my Company tier Kickstarter pledge now it's just a waiting game
I have two of each of the clan boxes incoming. They're full of really great mechs.
Thanks for this breakdown! The Highlander 'Mec series has always been a personal favorite and I've neverlooked into the history of the IIC variants. Nice summary!
Glad you enjoyed it!
"... or a *gambit,* if you prefer".
Oh you cheeky little frog!
hehehe.
It's a Highlander, it gets the upvote!
Fair.
Never fielded one before but want too now!
Mission Accomplished!
I'm really starting to like the HAG version. When those things hit, not only is it great damage, but it also means somebody is making a piloting check due to stability problems. ATM's are starting to grow on me also, though I don't like the weight.
Fun to play with. Maybe in time the newer stuff will feel more right.
My favorite version of the Highlander 2C is the original. Call me old-fashioned, but why mess with success.
If it works, run with it.
2:16 how about the Phoenix Hawk IIC? That's an oddball. You should do a video on that one.
It is on the list.
God, guns, and Battletech. Paying my Comstar bill with comments.
Such is life...
The HIGHlander is a HIGH profile mech, you say? Yukyukyuk!
Love your videos, by the way! Keep up the good work!
Thanks a lot!
thank mate for another top video
Thank you for giving it a go!
Oh boy do I love the Highlander. And the IIC is just...such a great looking, and functioning design!
Solid all around.
@MechanicalFrog long ago I had myself a trinary of clan mechs. The command star had a HighlanderIIC, and MarauderIIC. Really had a hard time choosing which was the commanders ride.
I have special place in my heart for all the IIC clan mechs. Except for the Pheonix Hawk IIC. What were they thinking?!
They were thinking, "Let's give the Phoenix Hawk EVERYTHING and turn it into a monster."
I love the IIC mechs they are just the original on steroids :-) great overview of clanner tech i actually like :-)
Thanks for coming by! More to come.
It's ironic the Mandrills would say something about "leaving behind the difference between nations". I guess the difference between Kindraa is okay. lol
There might be a little bit of cringe in the fact they replaced differences between nations with differences between clans.
@@MechanicalFrog I mean, all the Clans did. Nicholas just created new animosities and rivalries instead of uniting his people. While also making limited scale combat a default conflict resolution.
Glad to see that they actually gave it enough ammo for the Gauss rifle unlike the IS version.
The last doctor probably would have recommended avoiding being at the impact sight of the Highlander, but its hard to make any comment after you've been Buried by a Highlander so...
God I love this mesh. The IIc has red hair and legs up to there. Accept no substitute. Any variant.
Fair enough!
Love this mech!
It's a good one.
sweet new video mate
Thanks 👍 Glad to help improve peoples' days.
Nothing quite says "Scotland" like an angry 90-ton mobile assault platform landing on you from above and giving you a free funeral service. Bagpipes optional.
The math checks out.
Sorry, bagpipes _mandatory_ . They can play Amazing Grace for your funeral.
Can I substitute bag pipes for picking up telephone poles and trees to yeet at infantry?
Stepping on infantry often creates bagpipes noises briefly until the final wet fart sound occurs.
"I think I stepped in something...shit it's stuck to my feet now."
The base Highlander IIC is still one of my favorite mechs. It's the quintisential example of how and why Clan tech is just straight up better.
It's just fun, and it works... always good when it works.
I've liked the Highlander since the beginning of my battletech career (read - since we got that tricked out on in the battletech video game) so the IIC is gonna be great after the Kickstarter comes around
The Clan boxes are so good. I cannot wait.
With this theme of Clan mechs, we gonna take a look at the Incubus too? The Incubus 3's a fucking beast
Possibly... Lots of great mechs out there.
Why do we love the Highland IIC?
It go boing. Go boing, Locust go squish.
Good times had by all.
@@MechanicalFrog For flexible definitions of 'all,' yes!
@@derekburge5294 All but the target.
Baseline Highlander IIC is probably my preferred one, hits nasty at all ranges.
It's hard to do much better.
"The way of the clans, of the family." Classic Clanner contradiction.
They're a silly people...
@@MechanicalFrog Silly, good toys, and the potential to theoretically grow out of the nonsense of Nicholas.
So many IIC designs refine what came before into capable and natural evolutions.... then there's the Phoenix Hawk IIC, which is related in name only.
They took the Phoenix Hawk and turned it into a monster. A great monster...
@@MechanicalFrog An all ballistic giant out of an energy based medium who punched above its weight with minimal ammo dependence.
Man this channel needs more views, sent it to my small crew of battletech nerds.
Much appreciated.
Ha Ha mech frog highlander "gambit" I see what u did there😂 one of my favorite novels good job 👏👏👏👏👏
Glad you enjoyed it!
Even the Clans have a great deal of respect to the Highlander just as much as the Spheroids do - to the point of not treating Highlander IIC as just some 2nd line mech.
I wonder if they are other Clan non-Omnimechs are used as frontline mechs?
Well, there's the Helllstar...
Maybe we'll find out...
Because it's flipping amazing, that's why. :P
Normally I'd go for the classic, but I'm tempted to take the 4 out for a spin. Twin ATM 6s sounds like a nice addition to it's firepower.
Worth a try.
What are ATM's again?
@@nurgle333 Advanced Tactical Missiles.
@@malusignatius what do they do?
@@nurgle333
The big advantage of ATMs is that the launchers can fire a selection of missiles. The base missiles do 2 damage per hit and have reasonable range, there's long range ones that only do 1 damage per hit and short range ones that do 3 damage per missile hit. The launchers also come with Artemis IV guidance built in.
That base IIC variant is really hard to beat especially considering the BV is likely a good bit less than the others, but I'll have to look that up later. I have never used the HAG so curious to see how it compares & what it does to the price. I don't have a Highlander yet, but it's onnthe short list especially since I believe the same mini is used for both IS & Clan. Thanks for another solid video.
The Clan Direct Fire Star from the Mercenaries Kickstarter will have a dedicated Highlander IIC model in it.
Loved this thing basically the 732, but better. Even among clan piers this thing is versatile and just nasty to deal with. Still can bury mechs with the best of them. As for a favorite nothing like the classic but the IV does have its merits. Seems to integrate the ATM system very well and 2 6's up close with HE rounds is just murder for any lights or meds that might try to get close.
Aff, they all have their merits. Kind of nice there isn't a dud in the bunch.
I caught that Highlander's Gambit reference. Well done Sir Frog!
hehehe.
@@MechanicalFrogI need to read that book. Hard to beat kilt wearing mechwarriors stomping on some Cappellans. I'm guessing you've read it? How was it?
Warhammer IIC vid plz.
It's on the list.
... I love it!
Yay!
Higherlander IIC - the ultimate way to say 'Fuck you' to the Spheroids
Big bada boom.
Lt Star Colonel Josiah Schmitt looked up from his Summoner and saw the Highlander IIC jump at him. He thought it strange why he was hearing Bagpipes being played at that moment.
*Laughing in 250db bagpipe music*
Such a great mech!
Truth.
The MWO variants, specifically the C, is an absolute beast with the XL engine and twin UAC/10s.
I'm wary of that XL engine...
@@MechanicalFrog In MWO, unlike tabletop, Clan XL is not a big deal durability-wise.
@@MechanicalFrog XL Engine in Mechwarrior good, XL Engine in Battletech bad
Do Clanners have bagpipes?
Sure. They're just a little lighter and smaller than their IS counterparts.
@@MechanicalFrog Ha! We’ll played sir.
@@MechanicalFrog your clever sense of humor is what earned you my sub.
@@HeadHunterSix Thank you. I'll have to redouble my efforts to keep earning it.
@@MechanicalFrog Just keep doing what you're doing and I'll be quite satisfied, my good amphibian.
In my opinion one of the best IIC mechs if not one of the best period. It is expensive though. The original is a favorite but the new one is a good update.
Also happy to see Hells Horses get the mech. They needed the win.
I appreciate the fact that it's a popular mech across all the clans. Everyone can field one without having to play the, "I took it as isorla!" game.
I love every version of the Highlander, at least above the AC/5 downgraded IS version. But it is still servicable if you are good at piloting and can land a DFA.
Even the downgraded IS versions have their charm.
... if you can only select a single machine for-the-job... you better select your "best-bet". There can be only one, you-know...
Still waiting for a variant with Improved Jump Jets.
That would be... terrifying.
HIGHLANDER 2C
Yay!
All Highlanders are great! You can also customize the hell out of them every generation. Some variants are just plain evil. My only nitpick is arm mounted primary assault weapons, but I'll not hesitate to drive any Highlander!
Good times had by all!
Drop Ferro. Add Endo, XL275 (yeah yeah, MWO/PC/house), HAG30(2t A), LRM20, 3 ERLL, LRM15 (3t A), SRM6 (1t A), ActiveProbe, LAMS, +5DHS, 3JJ.
If must 270XL; HAG30(2t A), 3 LRM15 (5t A), 3 ERLL, ActiveProbe, LAMS, +4DHS, 3JJ.
Quite the long range punch. I'm going to have to ponder this one.
The Highlander is an amazing mech, there can be no dispute on this subject. The Highlander IIC is the Highlander on steroids, and having a "roid raging" berserker of an assault mech in your face is not a good place to find yourself.
Never forget that even if the Highlander (IIC or not) were to be without weapons, ammo, or even physical arms this zombie is still deadly with the infamous 'Highlander Burial' as a final assault method as well. Very few other mechs are so hard to kill, or still this deadly when near their absolute failure point. This mech is the stuff of nightmares.
No dispute at all.
The important question is how good it is to land on People, like in other mechs and stuff...
Please do not store your 1,500kg battle armor on top of other human beings.
Did the clans ever consider landing on other mechs dishonorable melee combat or was it acceptable? I know the Jade Falcons like to kick other mechs every now and then but that's about it.
Different clans have varying opinions on that kind of stuff. The Falcons were initially pretty repulsed by physical combat but by the Dark Age, they embraced it.
We all have to die and get burried at one point, but how many get a Highlander Burial? XD
Great mech, though highly ammo dependent. The mobility is off the charts thanks to the jump jets.
And that´s really what sells this mech. plus it looks really cool.
Fair.
Clan Tech = Tech Heresy
Aww... :D
@@MechanicalFrog More loot for us.
To reitarate, even though I might be repeating myself,
take Two (2) of the highlander IIC s
take Two (2) of the warrhammer IIC s
Add One (1) Vapor Eagle
that is the 1st star of the nine (9) the overlord C is bringing to some poor unfortunate world.
Have a nice day
Pay your bills :)
Would you like it supersized for only $.50 more?
You DARE assume I know what a half dollar is? :D would a silver deputy's star suffice?@@MechanicalFrog
also Elemental sized Please :)
Extra claw marks, on their way.
The answer is "...because big, stompy robots!".
Big, stompy, jumpy robots.
@@MechanicalFrog You know it!
👍🏻
Good times.
You swapped sides of supporters and got worried I didn't pay my renewal. Oh wait it's on the left now😂
Life is full of little challenges... :D
Hate to be that guy, but I think you need to edit the title
That said, ahem: *SCOTLAND FOREVER*
I'll run it past the channel's legal team.
🏴
We love the Highlander IIC because we can tear it's frame and engine out for our Highlanders!
:O