@@MechanicalFrogI kinda did. The cheerful chirps don't lead straight into the Bob Ross of battletech's voice. It got lost as I rocked out to the song after it
Scary as hell. Srm carrier with tandem ammo or acid rounds. "She mostly looks okay, let's look inside. Holy crap what happened in here. Nothing is intact." On acid " I swear there used to be a mech here...what's this goo?"
Futuristic manly men need to drive around in *something*. On a related note, don't get a Harasser unless you want to be asked to help *everyone* move house.
I'm kinda surprised our favorite little arsonist didn't make a Clan variant with 3 Clan 6's with inferno's, with a heavy flamer to deal with Infantry. The ATM 3/MG variant is a nice change of pace.
Pretty late with this comment, just wanted to say the Harasser is a good hovertank. I mainly know it from Mechwarrior Living Legends. While MWLL plays fast and loose with the specs, the Harrasser is still doing what it's always done: Popping up, vomiting missiles all over the face of someone, then running away as fast as they can. It's very fun (until you accidentally flip it, then it's less fun)
Little not about ATM3s. Because of the built in Artemis, they are going to hit at least 2 shots most of the time. With only snake eyes bringing a 1 missile ‘salvo’. And you only need to roll 8+ for 3 missiles.
Why do I love this vehicle? For our gaming group's narrative campaign, these made for great and easy-to-fight OPFOR. If I wanted to add a small fight but move the story along these hover tanks work great for a fun, but serious fight without dragging us into a 4-hour battle.
The Marian is probably the most terrifying of the lot, to get much scarier you really need to start getting into SRM Carriers Course if you get into SRM Carriers you tend to have less friends to play with eventually
The SRM carrier takes a terrible toll on your circle of friends. Those that don't abandon you outright will die of old age as you roll for hit locations.
I love it because when it was introduced. In the lost age of yore the 80s, BE ( before internet). When the deluge of info now instantly accessible to anyone was not even dreamt of. When four vehicles profiled in one issue of Dragon magazine was a wonderful thing for any boy to find and read again and again, dreaming of the wonder of imaginary worlds far away. And zooming aronud on those worlds shooting bad people with a candy-red souped up custom Harasser. Even if at the time the game really didn't give the now ubiquitous customization options and all the change s were just the cosmetics of chrome. Zoooooom ! Ka-pow-pow-pow-pow-pow-pow -pow!
Right now I've only created one variant of the Harasser, and it was done just for laughs. The Harasser TSEMP, as its name suggest, mounts a TSEMP in the turret. It utilizes Clantech for the internals, the XL engine, and the 6.5 tons of standard armor. The high price tag comes from the installation of seat warmers and cup holders. Mainly.
LRM-10 harasser is most dangerous IMO. You can always stay comfortably at long range and send LRM-10 volleys until you're OOM and another Harasser crew switches out with you. The only effective counter to this is a faster laser Harasser or a Firemoth omnimech. I can imagine a customer Firemoth with MASC for chasing after the fastest Harassers.
I gotta give it to CGL, their art for it looks great. I also dig that MRM variant, that just sounds like fun! Imagine a pair of Streak 4s instead of just 6s, though - the guaranteed 16 damage I'd they lock on!
@@MechanicalFrog my only real grip with things like the Harasser is its all or nothing approach. Even an emotional support small laser for backup would be nice.
A few years ago my love for tabletop Battletech has been rekindled and I was sad there's so little non-video game BT content on TH-cam. Now, there are weeks when I can't keep up with the good stuff without sacrificing some sleep. Thank you for being one of the sources of my sleep deprivation, MF.
I think it's wonderful that there is a devoted group of YT creators like BigRed, Tex, and Sven who are dedicated to creating some really great content.
+5 for the "Back to the Future" reference. If you like super-fast hovercraft, I might suggest covering the Beagle or the Lightning next. Or if you want to discuss the lore and changes in the rules, there is the Gabriel, a hovercraft hobbled by the removal of the rules for fractional accounting in construction.
The Zippy backstabber on a budget. I think i have lost more harassers due to skidding off the map then to enemy fire... or crashing into rough terrain... or woods...or buildings. So this tank is definatly one of those where the driver is just as important, if not more important then the gunnery crew. While the harasser might not have the firepower to cause critical damage on its own they can bind enemy forces long enough to buy valuable time to mount a counterattack simply by being very hard to hit. It also fits the role of pursuer, taking care of stragglers or as a raider, disturbing enemy logistics behind the lines (though due to the dependency on ammo they need to return to friendly lines ever so often). Thus the name of the vehicle is aptly choosen. Now surprisingly the Harassers worst enemies are other vehicles like AC/2 carriers, Ontos heavy tanks or anything with alot of missle launchers since even a glancing hit can disable a hovercraft. Doesnt help that a harasser has to get close to effectively fire its SRM launchers so even slow and heavy tanks like the demolisher will be able to return fire. As mentioned before: they tend to crash into things during high speed maneuvres so one should not use them in heavy terrain or urban settlements where the difficult and limited terrain will slow them down massively or risk the very likely immobilisation of the tank. Harrasers make for good supports for heavy mechs during offensive missions, able to exploit any gaps in the armor of enemies caused by heavier units and keeping light units out of the back arc of your heavy mechs, so mercs who like to go on the offensive should take a closer look at the little hovercraft. Just remember that to prevent it from crashing into things you need an experienced pilot, wich ofcourse raises the question if its worth putting such a valuable asset into such a flimsy vehicle.
I have never used Harassers, but I think going into all-in attacks with them puts them into too much danger as you said. But I can see them being a nuisance that mainly just threatens an enemy's sides or rear... and of course, swooping in for a sucker punch here or there, if everything lines up right.
One advantage slower vehicles and mechs have. It's extremely hard to drift slide an SRM carrier into damaging itself, and practically impossible for an urbamech, even if you put overeager rookie pilots at their controls.
@@h.a.9880 The harasser is in his element when the enemy has a more important target to worry about , since the little hovertank usually gets ignored in leu of greater threats.
@@h.a.9880 The harasser is definatly a predator of oportunity. If you use them yourselfe they need some micromanagment and should be moved last if possible. That will keep your enemy on their toes and make them think twice about risky movements.
Glad to see another vehicle video! The Harasser's a good flanking workhorse design. The heavy ferro-fibrous armor is probably the best mix of cost and effectiveness, though the Marian version seems pretty good with its mix of tech
I think this is the best platform to place a pair of plasma cannons on for that clan tech variant. You look like a laser variant and can kite around, setting things on fire. Finally you can zip away should anything turn their attention your way.
My local AS meta was at one point very Clan oriented because the Firemoth went at TMM 4 and annoyingly far - for awhile it was the only TMM4 unit outside the Comstar only Mercury variant I love the Harasser as it's a TMM4 unit that is inner sphere general that I can bring along to contest the Firemoths that people (at a time) didn't know existed
I don't play MechWarrior err I mean BattleTech to run vehicles & infantry, but strategically I really loved combined arms & have so far used only mechs & elementals to meet that need however apparently around June I'll have more than a few vehicles arriving. So instead of just studying my enemy I figure I better learn how to use these guys! Thanks once again Frog.
Don't forget Aerospace Fighters and VTOL's. Like the Kirghiz which is best described as a dynamic entry Elemental insertion platform in one of its more popular alt configs.
The only Harasser that I've actually chosen for a game is the LRM variant. 3 tons of ammo means it's alternative ammo time. Never used the standard because large laser says ***PEW*** splat. Other then the LRM variant I prefer the Pegasus all the way around.
The Harrasser is the sort of machine that makes me more nervous than most. Not because it itself is terribly dangerous, but because underestimating such units can be a laced blade, and the extent of it's strike may not manifest until much later. This is probably due to my primary source of Battletech enjoyment being from the video games, where light tanks and vtols are often cannon fodder... But when you can trace a Warhammer getting cored back to it's pilot tunneling on a Mech and letting a couple of Harrassers strike it in the rear armor, leaving it weakened enough that a Scorpion can come along and finish it off from a hilltop far away from the main engagement... Well, suddenly the idea of a small, flimsy target poking tiny holes in your forces becomes a more pressing issue than some might suggest it to be. These days I tend to dedicate at least one of my pilots to ensuring that any small, annoying buggers are dealt with as swiftly as possible.
As it turns out, the Republic of the Sphere did use remote controlled battle armor. Denai Liao runs into them when they start eating up Republic planets near the end of the RoS.
These things are so annoying. I would argue even more so than Savannah Masters. But I do love them along rivers and coastlines- it's like a VN-era PBR in Battletech. What I'm surprised they never did was a long frame version with a two ton infantry/BA bay. Thats half a platoon each of jump troops or BA, or a platoon supported by two zoomies with either 2 SRM4s, 2 LRM5s, or one of each. They would be... vexxing.
I love this thing because I have the need for speed. 15 hexes is insane and I love it. LFE variant is insane, sure it is entirely impractical but look at how fast it is.
@@MechanicalFrog I'd prefer a Mass Effect style RPG to have an accessible, deeper dive into the lore beyond mech-scale conflict, but you take what you can get. Or a Wipeout style battle racer with a presentation inspired by Need For Speed Most Wanted. There's gotta be something like that on Solaris VII, right?
@@vmonk722 If there isn't, you could make a pretty decent market incursion by carving out that niche. Edit: I think Eurobeat would be more likely to come out of the shared border between FWL LCW.
The MWLL Harasser B variant: Two Medium Lasers and two Medium Xpulse. First: yes, the numbers are fudged a bit to make the loadout "work" but it's an evil machine. Second: it's so evil that a skilled pilot can not merely harass, but terrorize an opposing team that is composed of Medium, heavy, and assault mechs.
Air Cushion ground effect, fusion engine for that screamin speed, ECM, Targeting Computer Large laser for the Head Hunting version, As many flamers as you can pack on it as either infantry bbq or as at need to heat up a Mech so it flees or another mech takes it out (or pilot bbq!). Oh and all Clan equipment. Expect crazy loadouts because anything is possible on any Mech or vehicle as long as you got the dots!. Would be nasty with CLBX 5 at slower speed from the standard power plant. That is of course only if you have the Bandit Caste Budget and Logistics (We've got back doors into ALL their systems. Make up a requisition form [Shopping List] after youve made sure its in stock, proper uniform and rank, transport [Either another form to fill out or use whats been Shopping Listed in past] and you go off to the Depot and its Xmas Time for Clanners [But only if Youre Bandit Caste because we're what happens when your sneaky bastards cant be sneaky bastards anymore because Sneaky Bastards do sneaky shit when sneaky shit needs doing and that dont Jive with The Program! So sneaky bastards being sneaky bastards seen the writing on the wall and made far reaching plans to keep sneaky bastards fed n clothed as well as able to get Mechs, Dropships, Warships Jumpships etc because of a lil ol chipity chip chip that is on every piece of electronic componentry for the last 300+ years. Most mechs have hundreds of thousands of them but only 1 is needed to unlock EVVVVVVERYTHING. Going through channels via the back door doesnt make waves, everything should check out an electronically it does because everythings there, because we put it there!] {Yeah Im not a Nice Clanner, honor hinders the living and does nothing for the dead}
Anything with a Thunderbolt is instantly improved. Moreso if you include a cheeky nuclear payload. What's a little atomic fusion between enemies anyway? :D
My clan refit has 8 er smalls in turret. Nickname: Papercutter. Icon is a mech (vs human) with acupuncture points shown . Then kills. They had two Atlases, one Orion and dozens of smaller mech as kills/captures to name before someone dropped an avalanche of shale skree on them going flank speed. Rolls were unrecoverable and no survivors. Though their sound system survived the battle and kept playing nursery rhyme death metal and lyran k-pop until it was recovered and turned off during a pause in battle as both commanders agreed that it was way worse than any ecm jamming or capellan propaganda broadcast. 😊 This crew excelled at legging and rear armor shots in passing. Even learning how to sequence fire lasers in passing to create a strafing effect. (Cost me 2x what special munitions effect would have to create crew+ vehicle perk.) Think battle value was 700 even, but only one this type allowed due to disruption effect and difficulty to hit. As well as the reflective armor making energy weapon users scream about that being a kill and finding out it wasn't. 😊) Another harrasser we had used a ball turret with seating and controls. 2 small pulses and 2 HMGs (1 ton ammo in case) . This was created due to loss of fire controls in unit and one crew slot missing too from previous engagement. Basically a small stripped to bare bones cockpit was added along with viewports in 360 degrees. Controls for weapons and rotation elevation and basic combat sensors. Vehicle had the (cursed quirk for gunner) one had died in each of its first 10 deployments before its "upgrade. " The most spectacular was turret failure as it pulled into base tank park for post battle refit and repairs. As it rapidly decelerated, physics took over and ball turret tore off and rolled into path of a Sentinel on garrison patrol duty. IF he had made his piloting rolls, the gunner would have survived with just minor injuries. Instead. Stomp...Crunch...another face on memorial wall. Rep got so bad it was used as a penal position. Surviving 5 combat missions meant sentence commuted. The Harasser sported spikes, barbed wire, and bars on crew doors. Included remote weapon and engine cutouts to prevent prisoners using weapons or speed to escape. The ball turret soon got painted up as a death head/skull. Driver for original crew survived 20 combat mission. Got promoted to bigger and better hover vehicles and company command of cavalry units toward end of the invasion defense campaign. After it was redesignated a penal vehicle it changed loadouts often. The flamer/srm 2 infernos loadout briefly changed name to Hellrider and Fireball Express. GM had great fun in describing demises of gunner or entire crew. We started looking forward to how The Death Express would kill it's crew. The vehicle would always survive and got Reinforced and easy maintenance perks to help it along. The best death for gunner IMHO was a marauder clothlining the harrasser in a pass taking off the turret cleanly. The gunner survived 11 rounds of being kicked about by mechs and explosions only to die of a heart attack as he was finally rescued. The turretless harrasser rammed two mechs disabling legs and limped off field . The forward gunner crew slot was reinforced with heavy armor and structure to help it survive rammings at normal speeds. At flank speed it'd likely just detach and wipe out ball turret. Taking pilot compartment along with it for the final ride. Great fun in a too serious campaign at the time. The clanners on reviewing to original pilot's records were both impressed and horrified at his skills and luck. They did request his name and a genetic sample though. Well their scientist caste did via our techs. They got a few caches of small clan wpns and ammo and armor in exchange. No one said if it was really his sample or that anyone asked him to volunteer it. Mystery😊
The Harasser is one mean flanker that can really screw someone over if ignored or overlooked, great for hit-and-run attacks and, well, harassing! Its various iterations are usually interesting looking, but i really like the current artwork. iNARC is interesting, however i do not like the OS SRM launchersin general, they are far too heavy for what they deliver. Lore says launchers are heavy because of the reload system, the OS don´t HAVE a reload system yet are barely lighter than a regular one. It should be barely any heavier than two missiles.
While I do enjoy a good speedy hovering backstabber, any vehicle that can get its armor penetrated by just about any weapon that scores a lucky hit is a little too fragile to me. Your luck can't hold out forever. Now, give me a Pegasus, and then we're talking. Just as dangerous weapon-wise but doesn't explode if someone looks at it in a slightly stern way.
Ammo: 30 for two SRM 6s, so 5 shots or 2.5 alpha strikes... that is horrible. Specially if you consider this thing is probably moving flank speed, so the best shot it has is probably a 6, and average roll on 2d6 is 7, so you do have like a 45% miss chance. Needs way more ammo to really be viable IMO, like 2 tons minimum.
I won't say why I love this hovercraft. More like respect and pitty it. As I one shot them with ER-Large Pulse Laser. That being said. I got into a situation where I got swarmed by 10 Harrassers. Thankfully with a Gunnery of 6 and piloting of 5. I field a the Custom Homebrew Mech called The Marksman. A in lore creation to fix the IS Rifleman. I think I mentioned on here once before. Anyway back to the Harassers, came in formation from the sea side of the city. Picking them off at long ranges was a challenge with their high speeds but thankfully they were equip with SRMs. They opened up at 6 hexes which is with in short range of my ER Large Pulse Laser that is 7/15/23. I fought off 3 waves of ten. Im sure there was to be a 4th wave but the GM pause to change their loadouts as LRM Harassers and started rolling in tanks from another direction of the city we were in. If I would make a variant of the Harasser. I would make different types to work together as a team than just swarm with number and SRMs. But If not an option. I would go with this kinda; Harasser-OZ Power Plant: (Clan)170 XL Cruising Speed: 129.6 kph Maximum Speed: 194.4 kph | Cost: BV: 526 Cost: 2,267,750 C-bills Armor: 48 or 2.5 tons of Clan Ferro-Fibrous. Internal/Armor= Front: 3/14, Right & Left : 3/10, Rear: 3/4, Turret: 3/10 Armament: 1 MML 5 (1ton of LRM ammo 24 shots. / 1ton of LRM Swarm ammo 24 shots. / 1ton of SRM Inferno 20 shots.) 1 MRM 10 (1ton of ammo 24 shots)
A more evil Clan version would have placed FOUR Clan SRM 6's in place of the Inner Sphere one's, because the Clan versions weight half as much as the IS ones. 24 missiles, 48 possible damage, and many pairs of brown pants are in the horizon!
👏👏👏Good stuff! Now I want some! Are they in the KS? I love nippy little vehicles to bug the opponent’s mechs and keep them on their toes. Plus: Hetzer in the intro! Stuglife!
This is a new one, wonder what this- oh shit Frog is trying to sell me a missile Savannah Master! You can't fool me, YOU CAN'T FOOL ME!!! For real though, admittedly very iffy with these sorts of vehicles. Haven't made the jump to finally playing tabletop, but anxious I'll have to deal with a swarm of Savannah Masters or, well, these. I don't necessarily mind vehicles in a battle, or even them pulling off a crazy win, but swarms of cheap speedsters just feel... cheap to me. Kinda makes me want to look for a hard counter... wonder if artillery is any good.
Thanks agaoin, one question, I have seen a lot about the fuel cell, but no clear definition ? can you direct me to where I can find this please ? Leona
Tough question as there's no good single source for it. There's some stuff on Fuel Cells in the TechManual and the rule for taking critical hits on them is in Total Warfare. Pg 78 in Tactical Operations - Advanced Weapons and Equipment has the installation rules.
Warning! Mass usage of this unit can, and most likely will, cause opposing players to pursue legal action of charges associated with the unit's name, deploy at your own discration.😘
Hovercraft are hate filled stinging insects that i have had way too much fun with when anyone of my friends who tolerates me playing has grown tired of.
The story of the Travis Sisters is hilarious. Though it proves their sheltered and privileged upbringing didn't leave them very smart. The medium laser version is much better suited to bandit-adjacent activities. It cuts out the need for logistics if, say, you recently razed the local depot and its owner has put a bounty on your insufferable little heads.
@@MechanicalFrog my personal refit for cheap is the following: 1 SRM 4, 1 LRM 5 each with 1 ton. Then a pair of small lasers for dealing with infantry and last ditch.
@@MechanicalFrog What's shocking about high mobility indirect fire being useful? Shoot and scoot that can't be pinned down is a delight to see helping you, and an absolute menace to your enemies' sanity or structural integrity.
This is the tank thats constently following your sweetie going "Hey, you look cute today. I said you look cute. Hey. HEY. HEY!!!"
Hey! ... yes.
@@MechanicalFrogI kinda did. The cheerful chirps don't lead straight into the Bob Ross of battletech's voice. It got lost as I rocked out to the song after it
Swiftly followed by a restraining order
@@Sierra026 It deserves to be targeted by a traditional MF varient.
@@Sierra026 Or some Large Pulse Lasers
2 tons of ammo, one for standard, one for inferno 👍
Always.
@@MechanicalFrog or acid rounds
Emp or tandem
Scary as hell. Srm carrier with tandem ammo or acid rounds.
"She mostly looks okay, let's look inside. Holy crap what happened in here. Nothing is intact."
On acid
" I swear there used to be a mech here...what's this goo?"
Inferno plus heatseaking.
Futuristic manly men need to drive around in *something*.
On a related note, don't get a Harasser unless you want to be asked to help *everyone* move house.
This is a fair warning, though I do miss my truck.
"Why do we love the Harasser?"
HAR, that's easy.
ASS.
ER, what was the question again?
Oh you're going to LOVE the next video...
At 25 tons, it packs enough punch to be considered a problem, but its speed makes solving the problem ....well....a problem.
"We've got problems..."
I'm kinda surprised our favorite little arsonist didn't make a Clan variant with 3 Clan 6's with inferno's, with a heavy flamer to deal with Infantry. The ATM 3/MG variant is a nice change of pace.
I have to keep you on your feet and guessing.
_Harasser!? Didn't even know 'er!_
I'll report myself to the HR department... House Requisitions department, that is!
Meeting on Friday afternoon with HR. This should be fine.
Pretty late with this comment, just wanted to say the Harasser is a good hovertank. I mainly know it from Mechwarrior Living Legends. While MWLL plays fast and loose with the specs, the Harrasser is still doing what it's always done: Popping up, vomiting missiles all over the face of someone, then running away as fast as they can. It's very fun (until you accidentally flip it, then it's less fun)
Little not about ATM3s. Because of the built in Artemis, they are going to hit at least 2 shots most of the time. With only snake eyes bringing a 1 missile ‘salvo’. And you only need to roll 8+ for 3 missiles.
Good times had by all.
Remote sensors don’t get enough love. The ability to seed areas and detect incoming without placing a unit there is invaluable.
Fair, though the rules are... dense.
Why do I love this vehicle? For our gaming group's narrative campaign, these made for great and easy-to-fight OPFOR.
If I wanted to add a small fight but move the story along these hover tanks work great for a fun, but serious fight without dragging us into a 4-hour battle.
Heh, glad they found a use.
The epitome of 'Shoot and Scoot' support
Much shooting. Much scooting.
The Marian is probably the most terrifying of the lot, to get much scarier you really need to start getting into SRM Carriers
Course if you get into SRM Carriers you tend to have less friends to play with eventually
Friendship killers... a victory at a terrible cost. :D
The SRM carrier takes a terrible toll on your circle of friends. Those that don't abandon you outright will die of old age as you roll for hit locations.
I love it because when it was introduced. In the lost age of yore the 80s, BE ( before internet). When the deluge of info now instantly accessible to anyone was not even dreamt of. When four vehicles profiled in one issue of Dragon magazine was a wonderful thing for any boy to find and read again and again, dreaming of the wonder of imaginary worlds far away. And zooming aronud on those worlds shooting bad people with a candy-red souped up custom Harasser. Even if at the time the game really didn't give the now ubiquitous customization options and all the change s were just the cosmetics of chrome. Zoooooom ! Ka-pow-pow-pow-pow-pow-pow -pow!
pulls up dumps srm 6 into your rear arc refuses to elaborate and leaves
Rude... almost harassing.
Right now I've only created one variant of the Harasser, and it was done just for laughs. The Harasser TSEMP, as its name suggest, mounts a TSEMP in the turret. It utilizes Clantech for the internals, the XL engine, and the 6.5 tons of standard armor. The high price tag comes from the installation of seat warmers and cup holders. Mainly.
A mouse with a stun gun. I..... That's feisty.
I'm sure people would LOVE having their mechs shut down by such a creation.
LRM-10 harasser is most dangerous IMO. You can always stay comfortably at long range and send LRM-10 volleys until you're OOM and another Harasser crew switches out with you.
The only effective counter to this is a faster laser Harasser or a Firemoth omnimech. I can imagine a customer Firemoth with MASC for chasing after the fastest Harassers.
It could be quite irritating to an enemy.
I gotta give it to CGL, their art for it looks great. I also dig that MRM variant, that just sounds like fun!
Imagine a pair of Streak 4s instead of just 6s, though - the guaranteed 16 damage I'd they lock on!
That would be nasty.
@@MechanicalFrog my only real grip with things like the Harasser is its all or nothing approach. Even an emotional support small laser for backup would be nice.
A few years ago my love for tabletop Battletech has been rekindled and I was sad there's so little non-video game BT content on TH-cam.
Now, there are weeks when I can't keep up with the good stuff without sacrificing some sleep. Thank you for being one of the sources of my sleep deprivation, MF.
I think it's wonderful that there is a devoted group of YT creators like BigRed, Tex, and Sven who are dedicated to creating some really great content.
Troublesome MASH units, eh?
I hope Malvina Hazen sees this, bro!
Heh. A bit of an inside joke.
The Harrasser: Adding: "Check for a Harrasser behind me" to a mechwarrior's mental mid-combat checklist for centuries.
Thanks for the video.
+5 for the "Back to the Future" reference. If you like super-fast hovercraft, I might suggest covering the Beagle or the Lightning next. Or if you want to discuss the lore and changes in the rules, there is the Gabriel, a hovercraft hobbled by the removal of the rules for fractional accounting in construction.
Lots of fun little vehicles out there...
How about the Epona?
@@MechanicalFrog Kanga comes to mind, a JUMPING hover tank.
Nice to know it isn't inherently worse or better than the light SRM carrier.
A flavor for every taste.
It's my day off.. but your videos just seem to hover in and grab my attention.
Not a terrible way to spend a little time... :D
Never underestimate the insanity... ahhhh... bravery of hoverpilots in their magnificent high speed suicide boxes
The Zippy backstabber on a budget.
I think i have lost more harassers due to skidding off the map then to enemy fire... or crashing into rough terrain... or woods...or buildings. So this tank is definatly one of those where the driver is just as important, if not more important then the gunnery crew.
While the harasser might not have the firepower to cause critical damage on its own they can bind enemy forces long enough to buy valuable time to mount a counterattack simply by being very hard to hit. It also fits the role of pursuer, taking care of stragglers or as a raider, disturbing enemy logistics behind the lines (though due to the dependency on ammo they need to return to friendly lines ever so often). Thus the name of the vehicle is aptly choosen.
Now surprisingly the Harassers worst enemies are other vehicles like AC/2 carriers, Ontos heavy tanks or anything with alot of missle launchers since even a glancing hit can disable a hovercraft. Doesnt help that a harasser has to get close to effectively fire its SRM launchers so even slow and heavy tanks like the demolisher will be able to return fire.
As mentioned before: they tend to crash into things during high speed maneuvres so one should not use them in heavy terrain or urban settlements where the difficult and limited terrain will slow them down massively or risk the very likely immobilisation of the tank.
Harrasers make for good supports for heavy mechs during offensive missions, able to exploit any gaps in the armor of enemies caused by heavier units and keeping light units out of the back arc of your heavy mechs, so mercs who like to go on the offensive should take a closer look at the little hovercraft. Just remember that to prevent it from crashing into things you need an experienced pilot, wich ofcourse raises the question if its worth putting such a valuable asset into such a flimsy vehicle.
100% Agreed. They can be a little pain that adds up.
I have never used Harassers, but I think going into all-in attacks with them puts them into too much danger as you said.
But I can see them being a nuisance that mainly just threatens an enemy's sides or rear... and of course, swooping in for a sucker punch here or there, if everything lines up right.
One advantage slower vehicles and mechs have. It's extremely hard to drift slide an SRM carrier into damaging itself, and practically impossible for an urbamech, even if you put overeager rookie pilots at their controls.
@@h.a.9880
The harasser is in his element when the enemy has a more important target to worry about , since the little hovertank usually gets ignored in leu of greater threats.
@@h.a.9880 The harasser is definatly a predator of oportunity. If you use them yourselfe they need some micromanagment and should be moved last if possible. That will keep your enemy on their toes and make them think twice about risky movements.
Glad to see another vehicle video! The Harasser's a good flanking workhorse design. The heavy ferro-fibrous armor is probably the best mix of cost and effectiveness, though the Marian version seems pretty good with its mix of tech
The vehicle videos don't do big numbers but I know the devoted channel fans appreciate them.
@@MechanicalFrog it's nice to see the setting outside of just the 'Mechs
100%
@@MechanicalFrog Long tail economy. It's how you build long term numbers. 👍
There is no love for the Pegasus! Even the early harasser was a mini version of it.
It'll probably get its own video eventually...
@@MechanicalFrog paradise by the dashboard lights.
-Mini-Peggy
-Maniacal smirk
Good times...
I think this is the best platform to place a pair of plasma cannons on for that clan tech variant. You look like a laser variant and can kite around, setting things on fire. Finally you can zip away should anything turn their attention your way.
Would be fun. I won't turn down a Plasma Cannon/Rifle.
WOOT, love the amount of content you've been putting out. Cheers Brother!
Glad you enjoy it! The nonsense must flow!
My local AS meta was at one point very Clan oriented because the Firemoth went at TMM 4 and annoyingly far - for awhile it was the only TMM4 unit outside the Comstar only Mercury variant
I love the Harasser as it's a TMM4 unit that is inner sphere general that I can bring along to contest the Firemoths that people (at a time) didn't know existed
Good times had by all.
Clan Wolf meeting crazy hovercraft pilots. "Everybody, this thing is now a wolf!"
Look, I put a sticker on it. It's a wolf now.
I don't play MechWarrior err I mean BattleTech to run vehicles & infantry, but strategically I really loved combined arms & have so far used only mechs & elementals to meet that need however apparently around June I'll have more than a few vehicles arriving. So instead of just studying my enemy I figure I better learn how to use these guys! Thanks once again Frog.
Sure thing. I hope people discover a love for throwing in a tank or two into their games to liven things up.
Don't forget Aerospace Fighters and VTOL's. Like the Kirghiz which is best described as a dynamic entry Elemental insertion platform in one of its more popular alt configs.
Simply don't miss
ProTip to win every time: Don't ever miss.
I think that MF variant. It maintains the FEEL of the original, which is what I always like to see.
Yep. The feel/mission of the original is always in my mind when I'm crafting the MF variant.
Love that old school artwork too!
Yep. Not enough vehicle art, though.
The new intro music is cool, but I liked the very simple music entry with the ribbits from the older videos more
You might have missed it, but the intro hasn't changed.
I've never played the Harasser but always have wanted to. I've kind of seen it as a cheaper faster Pegasus.
Sounds like an opportunity for the future.
Looks like Sarna needs some updates on the Harasser article.
Funny since a goober once claimed that all I do is read off Sarna into a mic.
The only Harasser that I've actually chosen for a game is the LRM variant. 3 tons of ammo means
it's alternative ammo time.
Never used the standard because large laser says ***PEW*** splat.
Other then the LRM variant I prefer the Pegasus all the way around.
The Pegasus is quite fun as well.
The Harrasser is the sort of machine that makes me more nervous than most. Not because it itself is terribly dangerous, but because underestimating such units can be a laced blade, and the extent of it's strike may not manifest until much later.
This is probably due to my primary source of Battletech enjoyment being from the video games, where light tanks and vtols are often cannon fodder... But when you can trace a Warhammer getting cored back to it's pilot tunneling on a Mech and letting a couple of Harrassers strike it in the rear armor, leaving it weakened enough that a Scorpion can come along and finish it off from a hilltop far away from the main engagement... Well, suddenly the idea of a small, flimsy target poking tiny holes in your forces becomes a more pressing issue than some might suggest it to be.
These days I tend to dedicate at least one of my pilots to ensuring that any small, annoying buggers are dealt with as swiftly as possible.
WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Woohoo!
The 220kph harasser in MWLL is fun until you crash and strip a 1/3 of the armor off.
BOXES!
They hide in metal *BAWKSES!*
Yes these guys, in mechwarrior 3, fragile but don't ignore them for long.
Can't ignore the little danger boat.
Great video and made me wonder if battle tech will ever use drones? Or even long range control of mechs to not loses all the mech warriors
As it turns out, the Republic of the Sphere did use remote controlled battle armor. Denai Liao runs into them when they start eating up Republic planets near the end of the RoS.
@@MechanicalFrog oh cool seems like the next big advancment. Thanks I did not know that
These things are so annoying. I would argue even more so than Savannah Masters. But I do love them along rivers and coastlines- it's like a VN-era PBR in Battletech. What I'm surprised they never did was a long frame version with a two ton infantry/BA bay. Thats half a platoon each of jump troops or BA, or a platoon supported by two zoomies with either 2 SRM4s, 2 LRM5s, or one of each. They would be... vexxing.
Sounds like a lot of fun.
I love this thing because I have the need for speed. 15 hexes is insane and I love it. LFE variant is insane, sure it is entirely impractical but look at how fast it is.
Impractical sure... but look how fast it is! Gimmie!
The Harasser is a cheap little fast SRM boat, can be a lot of fun.
Dann that tunes in the beginning rocked!
Heck yeah.
Would a rediscovery of Eurobeat be called Fedcombeat? And would it be strangely popular on Draconis Combine worlds?
Something to ponder... maybe we need an Entertainment in the IS sourcebook.
@@MechanicalFrog I'd prefer a Mass Effect style RPG to have an accessible, deeper dive into the lore beyond mech-scale conflict, but you take what you can get.
Or a Wipeout style battle racer with a presentation inspired by Need For Speed Most Wanted. There's gotta be something like that on Solaris VII, right?
@@vmonk722 If there isn't, you could make a pretty decent market incursion by carving out that niche.
Edit:
I think Eurobeat would be more likely to come out of the shared border between FWL LCW.
The MWLL Harasser B variant: Two Medium Lasers and two Medium Xpulse.
First: yes, the numbers are fudged a bit to make the loadout "work" but it's an evil machine.
Second: it's so evil that a skilled pilot can not merely harass, but terrorize an opposing team that is composed of Medium, heavy, and assault mechs.
Ty love your vids
Thank you for giving them a go. Have a great weekend!
Another great vid for combat assets that aren't often used :-)
Glad you like them!
What is the song at the beginning of the video and the one during?
Intro - Industrial Chugga Main - Ovani Sound License
Background - Phat Phrog Studios - Frozen Tundra Ambience
@@MechanicalFrog Awesome, thanks for the quick response!
I like the Traviss model. They should have added more armor and maybe stuck to two MML5's.
It's a pretty decent set up and the reflective armor makes sense as a counter to pulse laser accuracy.
I think for clan tech add endo steel to give extra weight for the weapons, maybe three streak SRM 6 and more armor
Fair point.
Ah the smaller cousin of the Saracen
Good times had by all. Very quickly.
My son would so like to follow the example of the Travis sisters.
Uh oh.
Use a Shreck PPC carrier to blow some holes in the armor of approaching mechs. Use the Harasser to exploit those holes.
What kind of monster bans savannah masters? Theyre cute little backstabbers!
I expect many once the little models are delivered with the Kickstarter.
Hovers are cool, Am enjoying my small tanks in a mechsworld. The new art from CGL is dope.
Air Cushion ground effect, fusion engine for that screamin speed, ECM, Targeting Computer Large laser for the Head Hunting version, As many flamers as you can pack on it as either infantry bbq or as at need to heat up a Mech so it flees or another mech takes it out (or pilot bbq!). Oh and all Clan equipment. Expect crazy loadouts because anything is possible on any Mech or vehicle as long as you got the dots!. Would be nasty with CLBX 5 at slower speed from the standard power plant. That is of course only if you have the Bandit Caste Budget and Logistics (We've got back doors into ALL their systems. Make up a requisition form [Shopping List] after youve made sure its in stock, proper uniform and rank, transport [Either another form to fill out or use whats been Shopping Listed in past] and you go off to the Depot and its Xmas Time for Clanners [But only if Youre Bandit Caste because we're what happens when your sneaky bastards cant be sneaky bastards anymore because Sneaky Bastards do sneaky shit when sneaky shit needs doing and that dont Jive with The Program! So sneaky bastards being sneaky bastards seen the writing on the wall and made far reaching plans to keep sneaky bastards fed n clothed as well as able to get Mechs, Dropships, Warships Jumpships etc because of a lil ol chipity chip chip that is on every piece of electronic componentry for the last 300+ years. Most mechs have hundreds of thousands of them but only 1 is needed to unlock EVVVVVVERYTHING. Going through channels via the back door doesnt make waves, everything should check out an electronically it does because everythings there, because we put it there!]
{Yeah Im not a Nice Clanner, honor hinders the living and does nothing for the dead}
Troublemaker.
Worthy again 😊
18:41 WITNESS MEEEEEEE
Algorithm
praise to the algorithm
Appreciation.
...because hovertanks are just F-ing cool.
Faster.... must go faster...
Original glass cannon it works
Harasser? I just met her!
Say what you will about those crazy Space Romans but they make some interesting weapons of war.
Solid stuff.
Because the Travis Sisters are LA Freeway Goals!
Anything with a Thunderbolt is instantly improved. Moreso if you include a cheeky nuclear payload. What's a little atomic fusion between enemies anyway? :D
I'm glad there are at least a few Thunderbolt Missile fans out there.
@@MechanicalFrog Thunderbolt is best bolt. ;)
My clan refit has 8 er smalls in turret.
Nickname: Papercutter. Icon is a mech (vs human) with acupuncture points shown . Then kills.
They had two Atlases, one Orion and dozens of smaller mech as kills/captures to name before someone dropped an avalanche of shale skree on them going flank speed. Rolls were unrecoverable and no survivors. Though their sound system survived the battle and kept playing nursery rhyme death metal and lyran k-pop until it was recovered and turned off during a pause in battle as both commanders agreed that it was way worse than any ecm jamming or capellan propaganda broadcast. 😊
This crew excelled at legging and rear armor shots in passing.
Even learning how to sequence fire lasers in passing to create a strafing effect. (Cost me 2x what special munitions effect would have to create crew+ vehicle perk.)
Think battle value was 700 even, but only one this type allowed due to disruption effect and difficulty to hit. As well as the reflective armor making energy weapon users scream about that being a kill and finding out it wasn't. 😊)
Another harrasser we had used a ball turret with seating and controls.
2 small pulses and 2 HMGs (1 ton ammo in case) .
This was created due to loss of fire controls in unit and one crew slot missing too from previous engagement.
Basically a small stripped to bare bones cockpit was added along with viewports in 360 degrees.
Controls for weapons and rotation elevation and basic combat sensors.
Vehicle had the (cursed quirk for gunner) one had died in each of its first 10 deployments before its "upgrade. "
The most spectacular was turret failure as it pulled into base tank park for post battle refit and repairs.
As it rapidly decelerated, physics took over and ball turret tore off and rolled into path of a Sentinel on garrison patrol duty.
IF he had made his piloting rolls, the gunner would have survived with just minor injuries.
Instead. Stomp...Crunch...another face on memorial wall.
Rep got so bad it was used as a penal position.
Surviving 5 combat missions meant sentence commuted.
The Harasser sported spikes, barbed wire, and bars on crew doors. Included remote weapon and engine cutouts to prevent prisoners using weapons or speed to escape.
The ball turret soon got painted up as a death head/skull.
Driver for original crew survived 20 combat mission.
Got promoted to bigger and better hover vehicles and company command of cavalry units toward end of the invasion defense campaign.
After it was redesignated a penal vehicle it changed loadouts often.
The flamer/srm 2 infernos loadout briefly changed name to Hellrider and Fireball Express.
GM had great fun in describing demises of gunner or entire crew.
We started looking forward to how The Death Express would kill it's crew.
The vehicle would always survive and got Reinforced and easy maintenance perks to help it along.
The best death for gunner IMHO was a marauder clothlining the harrasser in a pass taking off the turret cleanly.
The gunner survived 11 rounds of being kicked about by mechs and explosions only to die of a heart attack as he was finally rescued.
The turretless harrasser rammed two mechs disabling legs and limped off field .
The forward gunner crew slot was reinforced with heavy armor and structure to help it survive rammings at normal speeds.
At flank speed it'd likely just detach and wipe out ball turret. Taking pilot compartment along with it for the final ride.
Great fun in a too serious campaign at the time.
The clanners on reviewing to original pilot's records were both impressed and horrified at his skills and luck.
They did request his name and a genetic sample though. Well their scientist caste did via our techs.
They got a few caches of small clan wpns and ammo and armor in exchange.
No one said if it was really his sample or that anyone asked him to volunteer it. Mystery😊
Quite the lightshow.
The Harasser is one mean flanker that can really screw someone over if ignored or overlooked, great for hit-and-run attacks and, well, harassing!
Its various iterations are usually interesting looking, but i really like the current artwork.
iNARC is interesting, however i do not like the OS SRM launchersin general, they are far too heavy for what they deliver.
Lore says launchers are heavy because of the reload system, the OS don´t HAVE a reload system yet are barely lighter than a regular one. It should be barely any heavier than two missiles.
Good point on the OS-Missiles. I also like the new art though I think it could have been a little sleeker as a nod to the original.
@@MechanicalFrogAgreed, yet that blocky thing has its charm as well XD
While I do enjoy a good speedy hovering backstabber, any vehicle that can get its armor penetrated by just about any weapon that scores a lucky hit is a little too fragile to me. Your luck can't hold out forever.
Now, give me a Pegasus, and then we're talking. Just as dangerous weapon-wise but doesn't explode if someone looks at it in a slightly stern way.
Risk tolerance different for everyone.
Ammo: 30 for two SRM 6s, so 5 shots or 2.5 alpha strikes... that is horrible. Specially if you consider this thing is probably moving flank speed, so the best shot it has is probably a 6, and average roll on 2d6 is 7, so you do have like a 45% miss chance. Needs way more ammo to really be viable IMO, like 2 tons minimum.
I won't say why I love this hovercraft. More like respect and pitty it. As I one shot them with ER-Large Pulse Laser. That being said. I got into a situation where I got swarmed by 10 Harrassers. Thankfully with a Gunnery of 6 and piloting of 5. I field a the Custom Homebrew Mech called The Marksman. A in lore creation to fix the IS Rifleman. I think I mentioned on here once before. Anyway back to the Harassers, came in formation from the sea side of the city. Picking them off at long ranges was a challenge with their high speeds but thankfully they were equip with SRMs. They opened up at 6 hexes which is with in short range of my ER Large Pulse Laser that is 7/15/23. I fought off 3 waves of ten. Im sure there was to be a 4th wave but the GM pause to change their loadouts as LRM Harassers and started rolling in tanks from another direction of the city we were in. If I would make a variant of the Harasser. I would make different types to work together as a team than just swarm with number and SRMs. But If not an option. I would go with this kinda;
Harasser-OZ
Power Plant: (Clan)170 XL Cruising Speed: 129.6 kph Maximum Speed: 194.4 kph | Cost: BV: 526 Cost: 2,267,750 C-bills
Armor: 48 or 2.5 tons of Clan Ferro-Fibrous.
Internal/Armor= Front: 3/14, Right & Left : 3/10, Rear: 3/4, Turret: 3/10
Armament:
1 MML 5 (1ton of LRM ammo 24 shots. / 1ton of LRM Swarm ammo 24 shots. / 1ton of SRM Inferno 20 shots.)
1 MRM 10 (1ton of ammo 24 shots)
Pulse Lasers are definitely an issue.
Zoom, zoom, zoom...boom boom boom
Zoom and boom x 3
Great intro!
Gets the blood moving.
A more evil Clan version would have placed FOUR Clan SRM 6's in place of the Inner Sphere one's, because the Clan versions weight half as much as the IS ones. 24 missiles, 48 possible damage, and many pairs of brown pants are in the horizon!
Mini SRM Carrier with the zoomies!
@@MrDmitriRavenoff Let the Nightmare begin!
👏👏👏Good stuff! Now I want some! Are they in the KS? I love nippy little vehicles to bug the opponent’s mechs and keep them on their toes.
Plus:
Hetzer in the intro! Stuglife!
I don't think so, but my memory is fuzzy on what is actually going to show up in the giant boxes in a few months.
Happy Brain chemical launcher fired. What do I need to roll for a hit?
It's an auto-hit and +4 on the cluster table.
This is a new one, wonder what this- oh shit Frog is trying to sell me a missile Savannah Master! You can't fool me, YOU CAN'T FOOL ME!!!
For real though, admittedly very iffy with these sorts of vehicles. Haven't made the jump to finally playing tabletop, but anxious I'll have to deal with a swarm of Savannah Masters or, well, these. I don't necessarily mind vehicles in a battle, or even them pulling off a crazy win, but swarms of cheap speedsters just feel... cheap to me. Kinda makes me want to look for a hard counter... wonder if artillery is any good.
Thanks agaoin, one question, I have seen a lot about the fuel cell, but no clear definition ? can you direct me to where I can find this please ? Leona
Tough question as there's no good single source for it. There's some stuff on Fuel Cells in the TechManual and the rule for taking critical hits on them is in Total Warfare. Pg 78 in Tactical Operations - Advanced Weapons and Equipment has the installation rules.
Why thank you kind frogy, my very best to you and yours, have a nice day. Leona
ah yes. the successful nuisance.
The zoomy problem.
Warning! Mass usage of this unit can, and most likely will, cause opposing players to pursue legal action of charges associated with the unit's name, deploy at your own discration.😘
Absolutely a possible friendship tester.
Hovercraft are hate filled stinging insects that i have had way too much fun with when anyone of my friends who tolerates me playing has grown tired of.
You may win the battle, but end up testing friendships...
Support them with a handful of VTOLs to make the game extra friendly!
I prefer the Pegasus for my scout forces.
We'll have to give the Pegasus its 15 minutes of fame soon.
The story of the Travis Sisters is hilarious. Though it proves their sheltered and privileged upbringing didn't leave them very smart. The medium laser version is much better suited to bandit-adjacent activities. It cuts out the need for logistics if, say, you recently razed the local depot and its owner has put a bounty on your insufferable little heads.
It's great. I love running across those gems while digging through old books.
But the MF model doesn't contain a single thermal weapons system. Are you feeling ok Frog? Did you accidentally bid heavy or something?
I have to keep you on your toes.
HRs least favorite hover tank
Heh.
Well, I'm just gonna have to Harrase you, but not in that. ( Ok, in that way, but only because you want me to.)
No bully frog.
I prefer the LRM or Marrion.
Both are quite useful. That Marian variant is a beast.
@@MechanicalFrog yes sir.
@@MechanicalFrog my personal refit for cheap is the following: 1 SRM 4, 1 LRM 5 each with 1 ton. Then a pair of small lasers for dealing with infantry and last ditch.
Bothersome MASH units are not real they can't hurt you.
"It's coming right for me!"
Not had to use these or face them across the table but they look delightfully obnoxious.
They can be a pain.
just play heavy metal by sammy hagar
Or anything by Queen.
I like the LRM version. Really gets annoying
Shockingly useful.
@@MechanicalFrog What's shocking about high mobility indirect fire being useful? Shoot and scoot that can't be pinned down is a delight to see helping you, and an absolute menace to your enemies' sanity or structural integrity.
ALL MY HATE
Damm things forced me to replay betreyal mision many times in Mechcommander 2 😂
It built character.
It looks so much like a boat its not even funny. Its a land boat with funny lil box of death
The floating humvee on pontoons demands respect.