Clan Hell's Horses: "Just give me all the ER medium lasers you have. Wait, wait. I'm worried what you just heard was, 'Give me a lot of ER medium lasers.' What I said was, 'Give me all the ER medium lasers you have.' Do you understand?"
This gets more fun when you realize that clan er medium lasers basically have the stats (other than tonnage and such naturally) of inner sphere Large lasers.
My strongest memory of this mech is the first time I used it in MW2. I had used it on tabletop before, so when my first target came up, I figured "oh if I fire all 12 on this guy in an alpha strike, I can blow him away. I'll shut down, but there are no other targets around, so it will be safe to recover." I triggered the alpha strike and immediately blew up.
I still politic (but nobody listens) that the No Torso Quirk could have been made obsolete by date and lore instead of the magic waving of hands (effectively telling folks like me to STFU) :/
The remodel was done by Mektek originally because the MW4 engine didn't really have arm movement, so the modeller added a torso twist and it was set to 60 degrees(as I recall) as a way of simulating the restrictions of the then-tabletop design.
@@moondog8353 The Adder/Puma was part of the Clan Mech Pack made by Microsoft, and the Kit Fox/Uller was either part of MW4 Ven or BK, also made by Microsoft.
Mechs are a flat circle, The Crab becomes the King Crab, the King Crab becomes the Supernova, the Supernova becomes the Nova, a 50 tone medium with an energy focused loadout.
Nova gracefully declares an alpha strike once, everything explodes -anonymous Kuritan Will you be talking about weapons again in the future? People I play with are leaning toward Alpha Strike rules, so you're my main source for digestible information on the in-depth rules and technologies. Also, I hope quad-mechs can be covered soon, they are bad and I love using them.
As a Clan Pretty Pony fan, I cannot permit myself to miss this one. It is a matter of honor. Besides being a good mech, it is the namesake to my favorite formation for clan lists.
What helped cement this thing's place in the early PC gaming arena, was how it was perfectly operable with Keyboard only. You were essentially the Doom Marine or all 3 Hexen classes when "janking" around in it.
Ah, yes! The Nova! A mech named for what its reactor does when you alpha strike. These little guys are great ambush predators. They've got more punch than a freaking King Crab! With their low profile, they can hide in an alley or building, or hop a row of buildings and melt the entire FRONT armor off an Awesome. For me one of the distinctive aspects of this mech is that it shows the difference between playing Battletech on tabletop vs playing Mechwarrior the videogame. BlackHawks KILL in the videogames. I remember playing through Mechwarrior 3 staying in my Nova from the moment I captured it. And once I got heavier mechs, I just made them laser boats with more armor. They burn through mech legs and you can let up on the fire key before your engine auto-shuts off and you're cool enough to fire again after only a few seconds. On Tabletop, where the heat mechanics are an actual big issue, you have to play your BlackHawks much more carefully.
The prime is surprisingly solid for what it is supposed to be, a battle armor taxi. It can really bring the pain for what it is, and the variants all have something interesting. It’s also immensely funny to retrofit the prime by taking off around 4 of the ERML’s and replacing them with either 8 ER Smalls or 4 small pulses. 8 ERML’s and either of those can seriously ruin the day of about any other mech or battle armor and it helps manage the heat curve better.
Bit late, but I was also going to bring up that it was made with Elementals in mind, that's why all the hurt is im the arms, so it can still fire everything while moving BA around. It also explains the variant w the arm and small pulse in the chest, for when it drops it's boys off and needs to help out or skirmish close range before backing off.
The Nova Prime was my favorite ride in MW2, and is still one of my favorites of all time. The fact that the Spook Teddies didnt like it is a rare mark against them.
I am a proud Hell's Horse. The Nova is my go-to steed for most operations. With this mount, I have overcome Timberwolves, Dire Wolves, and lighter options. A twelve-ER-Laser-Alpha Strike may be risky, but the *threat* of it keeps many at bay, allowing for other platforms to deliver LRMs, artillery, and Gauss/HAG presents to foes. Due to it's Omni nature, it is a viable Battle Armor platform, meaning that this Medium can not only deliver laser vomit, but a full point of a chosen Battle Armor platform to deal with opponents. I will typically pair it with a Mist Lynx or Adder, tanks and, of course, Battle Armor. Combined arms have long been the strength of Hell's Horses, allowing smaller units like these to outmatch larger inner sphere units. I fell in love with the Nova during my playthrough of Mechwarrior 2, where I learned it's power and versatility. In that game, I took on and defeated two Warhawks with one Nova. For me, the Timberwolf is not THE Clan Mech. The Nova is. Only one other Clan Mech comes close in this Solhama's heart - The Hel (Loki II). Otherwise, give me a Nova and a point of Gnomes onboard, and I will end most enemies.
Thinking about this particular mech from an old video game is actually what got me back into an interest in Battletech; the little guy was fast, hit hard, and was hard to hit. Years later I was trying to figure out which it was and it led me to you and Tex and a lot of fantastically fun times, so thank you for this!
The Nova really reminds me of the Crab - which seems fitting, as the Supernova was an attempt to build a less ammunition dependent King Crab. The Nova is a great mech to bring if you are doing a long clan campaign. Not relying on ammunition and having ample firepower options - even with the Prime variant. Only fire the lasers you need to scratch and kill what you are firing at, of course. Keep at midrange and rely on that accuracy from clan ER lasers in arm mounts.
once we had an NPC explain how to avoid a Nova he just said, run if there's two. I took that as a challenge with my Griffin and so did my lance, I survived everyone lost their mounts but lived and i got close to punch in the cockpit of one nova. while Lance lead thermonuclear sun shined the second that cored his close range hunchie. the dice rolls were not with him but it was enoguh for him to survive via punch out through house rules. silver lining I got the Nova Prime by right of face punched death. my outfit was cool like that.
Back in the old days, my opponents used to allow the slight customization of omni configs. My go-to for the Nova was to take a Prime, remove 1 ER medium from each arm and install a targeting computer...
@@krullachief669 The A is a great mech no argument here. It's just one of those "you are so close to greatness" mechs...... Jesus, they loved AMS back in TRO 3050. Looking through the newer stuff the I looks like something I'd like to start a casual fling with.
@@krullachief669 Dude, I love indirect fire. I'm a reformed FWL hater, just so I can my hands on that sweet, sweet semi guided LRM tech. But using a clan mech for indirect fire feels wrong. Like kissing your sister wrong.
@@Dang_Near_Fed_Up You're reading it wrong: I _want_ it to cook, not cook-off. [Correct, to run the mech hot and not worry about ammo cooking off.] I want it to _cook,_ not cook-off. [implying there is ammo present, forcing you to run cool to avoid risking an ammo explosion.] A premature ammo explosion is _not_ a glorious ending. _Gloriously_ would be blazing away with lasers until all enemy mechs are destroyed and crippled from the barrages - or a self-induced catastrophic engine overload. (Story plot point of super-heated air thermal explosion, not in-game effect as mechs running this hot just automatically shut down.)
First played this mech way back in Mechwarrior 2. I loved it so much it is my mech of choice. I'd charge up to heavy and alpha strike a leg. It's awesome to see a leg fly off. Then gut the downed mech at my leisure..
First time my brother and I heard of this, it was on Crescent Hawks Revenge. It was called the Nova and also in the first Technical Manual that had the Madcat, Puma and Nova. Then comes Mechwarrior 2 and we get the Blackhawk. For years we had a stupid argument that it was the same mech, different names. I said it was the same, he said it was 2 different Mechs. This went on for YEARS!
The Nova, it’s seems so easy to make a quality medium mech but they seem so rare. This is my favorite mech alongside the Atlas. It was awesome to finally get the history behind the mech.
with the disturbing amount that I enjoy the disco back and the quickdraw I understand why this exists.... even if it is funny that if it runs and alphas the reactor will almost certainly go boom
The Nova is a nightmare to it's enemies for good reason. Nothing will end your game faster than allowing a Nova Prime or 5 to get into range behind your slow moving assault class mechs. Of all the mechs to prioritize I would put the Nova very high on the list of "It must die now, or I will." A well placed Nova, in a trench, makes for an insane 84 damage poptart as well. Very few mechs could withstand that kind of armor removing laser power long enough to close on the Nova. And the Nova could use the trench for cover long enough to cool down, without fear of effective retaliation turn after turn.
Ah, the Nova. The Mech I armed like a Centurion and roleplayed as if I were Kai Allard Liao in Mechwarrior 2. Not even like Yen Lo Wang, just any stock Centurion with a ac10, lrm10 and two med lasers. Thinking back, I think I was weird.
One of my absolute favorite ‘Mechs of all time, a true classic! Circling like a shark in sweeping arcs, always on the move, hard to hit while cooling off and always looking to line up the next devastating strike, the Blackhawk/Nova punches way above its weight and is more fun to play than almost anything else. (Nova A variant with twin ER PPCs FTW!)
Yay my baby!!😆 I am always surprised to hear that the Nova/Blackhawk is originally from Clan Hell's Horses since I first encountered it in Mechwarriors 3 fighting Clan Smoke Jaguar and later reading it being used by Clan Ghost Bear in the novels. Also, the Supernova is a 90 ton battlemech, not 100 tons.
The Nova has grown on me over the years. Yeah its way overgunned and the Prime Nova doesnt have any long range weapons, but its really does has a solid assortment of Omnimech Configurations. I remember that the original design for the Nova didnt have a waist, so it could only fire forwards. Thats just so odd because its something they used to do during World War 1 and 2, and has long since been abandoned as now everything has a turret. Worse than that is that its legs were mounted on the sides of the torso, and the arms were on the sides of the legs. It was like somebody thought MODOC from Marvel Comics wasnt weird enough. The Clan Invasion kickstarter gave us a new Nova figure that now has a waist and a more bipedal configuration. On one hand that makes the Nova less unique, on the other it actually looks like something you could take into battle.
Try splitting a Frankensteined Prime and an Alpha variant combo. 2ER PPC in 1 arm and 6 ER Mediums in the other. You just choose which arm to use by the range to the target you want to hit. Heat is manageable unless you alpha strike, and range is no longer an issue. And if you want to really get crazy, drop a few heatsinks and add a pair of PPC Capacitors. Nothing says "Hello!!!" like 2 20 damage ER-PPC blasts from a medium mech that instantly cripples or destroys a heavy or assault mech in a single turn. Just watch that heat scale.
@bthsr7113 Some reslly dislike Clan RACs because RACs were one of the inner sphere innovations made to keep up with the clans. So, the clans going to "Anything you can do, I can do better" is meh.
Today I learned that Clan Ghost Bear does not allow Clan Hell's Horses to have nice things. Yet is not dezgra enough to display those things to them in decadence. The Nova is always the first Clan medium mech that I am happy to salvage knowing that if I can get it, I can definitely get up the ladder to a certain 95 ton Omnimech.
When I tested for expert rating in the old pods the resident elite pilot was shocked when I chose the Blackhawk. He dropped in a Mad Cat and expected to wipe me, but, between its extremely low profile, high speed, and rear weapons, I pulled a solid win and earned my new qualification. Sadly, the pods disappeared shortly after.
The lore never explicitly stated that the Adder & Cougar were based on the Nova but if you look at the three side-by-side they do look quite similar. In that lens, I find it unsurprising but fitting that the Falcons would re-adopt the Nova during the Dark Age.
My favorite to kill in campaigns I've played in with salvage mechanics. (Prime config.) All those ERMLs to "borrow " to spice up your barely functional Mechs as you flee to the next world on the Clans' First Inner Sphere Tour (3049-3052.)
Thank you for the work you put into this videos, it was really good. If I was forced to pick a favorite clan then it would probably be the Nova or the Supernova, I love these insane energy boats.
Heh, memories. This was my ride back in the Netmech/DOS days (playing on the Registry over Kali.) Always have a soft spot for the Nova... even if I did get far too familiar with the heat limits.
Great video. I’ve loved the design since I first drove it in my first ever “instant action” on MechWarrior 2, the first PC game I ever played, and my introduction to Battletech. I was shocked and humbled when I found my “canon character” from the Clan Invasion Kickstarter was featured in the Nova entry of Recognition Guide vol 14. Great work BigRed, keep it up! 🙂
Another great vid :-) this is one mech that actually benefits from losing an arm as you're not so tempted to alpha strike and shut down whilst cooking your pilot like a bad steak :-)
I try to not cover too many same builds, and I wanted to go over a couple of more cautionary tales. If I covered every configuration, it'd be a 2 hour video. Most configurations, even great ones, don't always make the cut.
@@BigRed40TECHFair point. I like the Pulse config because it works well both on the move and hunting down fast movers, and I think has good heat management
... During one campaign against the Lyra's I was issued a Primary variant. As it proceeded I replaced 4 of the ER Medium Lasers in each arm with an ER Large Laser, extending it's combat profile (the 16 points less heat was an added bonus). With this simple modification I could hit for 20 points--forcing a piloting check --while taking full advantage of it's mobility. While it can still overheat with an Alpha strike, the returns were satisfying. Lacking ammo concerns, It could operate for long periods. ...Ah, memories
Not covered here is my favorite configuration of the nova, the S variant. Using clan MPLs and machine guns, it becomes a very efficient skirmisher, and terror to both infantry and forces in an urban setting. With the active probe, it can also act as a scout
Hello Red. Yeah, I've faced many Black Hawks on the battlefields. From when the Clans were first introduced, up to the 'kerfuffle' of the Dark Age era. And yes, even later after I returned from an 11-year hiatus. Of all the Black Hawk variants, and there are MANY, the Prime still stands out as the most dangerous. When I was finally able to get my Mercenary hands upon one, I spent quite some time going over the Mech, to find little that was deficient about the design. Eventually, though, I hit upon the idea of replacing the internal structures with Endo-Steel. This freed up a bit of tonnage for additional things the Mech could use on the battlefield. What I ended up doing was adding a ton of armor to the overall design, and an Anti-missile system with a ton of ammo. Otherwise, the Mech remained as was originally designed. These additions increased the defensive power of the Mech. A slightly thicker armoring, and the ability to knock down some of those pesky missiles that are the primary way to degrade a Black Hawk's armoring as it closes upon its target. I feel this is a worthwhile addition to the design, and not really a way to 'min-max' it. With all those 'medium' ranged weapons, and no longer ranged abilities, I feel that giving the Mech a way to deal with the inevitable 'missile rain' is a valuable addition to the Mech's design overall. And anything that lets the Black Hawk close upon its target better, and survive the usual missile rain on battlefields, has to be a 'good' thing... right? Just my opinions... agree or not. Your choice.
I have actually had high success with the Nova H, though my games usually revolve around objectives like destroying assets, taking out HVT's etc. So the Nova H acts as the ultimate fast response home defense.
Excerpt from last night's game of BattleTech (tabletop) Battle for Tukayyid - Smoke Jaguars Campaign. My Nova (Prime config, nicknamed "Patches") used its complement of ER Medium Lasers to torn out the leg of a Com Guard's Crokett attempting a DFA attack on it. I love the Nova. It's so bad.
In my merc company, The Smokin' Aces, we have a Wolverine with 10 medium lasers, masc, supercharger, and an ECM. It's basically a Nova but arguably better. In a practice battle because narratively, we have just encountered the Clans in Drac Space, I ran a Nova (for those that don't know, a Nova is an omnimech & a name for a clanner battleforce. Namely a Star of mechs, supported by a star of Elementals) with a Nova. Because the clan mediums hit for 7dmg as opposed to the 5dmg the Inner Sphere counterparts do, and the sheer number of hits an alpha strike can generate, I killed the Awesome we run in our lance with 2 headshots. The Nova/Blackhawk was most definitely the mvp of thay star, out performing the Warhawk and Timber Wolf I had.
We just had a session where a Nova snuck past our picket line and attacked our Catlas's rear armor, popping the AC ammo. The pilot had to use Edge to survive.
Ah yes, the Nova. Aka "We saw how all you fuckers were abusing clanner ER Mediums, so have an in universe vessel for that." Otherwise known as "Please do not use the Prime, use literally any other energy based variant we are begging you." Because it's a fine 'Mech. As long as you don't use the Prime, which should be self explaining.
@@BigRed40TECH That's fair, it's just the sheer heat it shoots off is way, way too much for me and my reckless alphastriking self. And least it's primarily one of the energy loadouts that don't miss the mark of seeing the hard mounted heat sinks and going "I'm gonna mount ballistics as the primary weapon system!"
Left fist - 4 cHML for nornal fights. Right fist - 6 cPSL for anyone thinking they can push U cuz u have 4 hot lazors. AMS/JJ and all heatsinks/armour U can fit. I call it "Welder" and I love this mech.
Actually happened to me in Mechwarrior 3, but the Annihilator went down, too. Sure all the was left of me was one leg, an arm, and a crater but I got my target!😜
@@Dang_Near_Fed_Up the really popular method back in Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries with the MekTek MekPaks that included the Nova/Blackhawk (among other canon and non-canon mechs) was to find a really damaged opponent, ram them, eject, and let the Stackpoling splash damage do the rest.
I like the Nova alot, with an Ebon Jag and a Timber Wolf MK1 and some missile boat up to 75 tons, makes a great lance. Sun Spider comes to mind as well.
honestly, i like making 1 small change to the nova lasers. 10x medium lasers (5 per arm) and 2 tons for the targeting computer. It helps in lowering the heat issues. increases accuracy... and... allows for a point alpha strike for legging targes.
![PASULOL รามเกียรติ์ ตอนที่ 4 นนทกพบรัก [Ramakien Ep.4: Nonthok in love]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tMUQgmZzf_A/mqdefault.jpg)
Clan Hell's Horses: "Just give me all the ER medium lasers you have. Wait, wait. I'm worried what you just heard was, 'Give me a lot of ER medium lasers.' What I said was, 'Give me all the ER medium lasers you have.' Do you understand?"
Never pictured Ron Swanson as a Hell's Horses type of man, but you learn something new everyday
Did le rice cooker kill le people?
Sorry sir, but we only have ER small laser
@@magiceagle8086 **Takes your ER small lasers, throws them in the dumpster**
Bloodname Swanson
On one hand: "LOL, that's a lot of medium lasers"
On the other hand: "Fuck me, that's a lot of medium lasers"
This gets more fun when you realize that clan er medium lasers basically have the stats (other than tonnage and such naturally) of inner sphere Large lasers.
My strongest memory of this mech is the first time I used it in MW2. I had used it on tabletop before, so when my first target came up, I figured "oh if I fire all 12 on this guy in an alpha strike, I can blow him away. I'll shut down, but there are no other targets around, so it will be safe to recover."
I triggered the alpha strike and immediately blew up.
Remember back when the Nova had no pelvis assembly and it's arms were just mounted on the outside of the legs? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
I still draw them like that.
I still politic (but nobody listens) that the No Torso Quirk could have been made obsolete by date and lore instead of the magic waving of hands (effectively telling folks like me to STFU) :/
The remodel was done by Mektek originally because the MW4 engine didn't really have arm movement, so the modeller added a torso twist and it was set to 60 degrees(as I recall) as a way of simulating the restrictions of the then-tabletop design.
The Kit Fox was the same way. As well as the Adder
@@moondog8353 The Adder/Puma was part of the Clan Mech Pack made by Microsoft, and the Kit Fox/Uller was either part of MW4 Ven or BK, also made by Microsoft.
I still remember the old design where the hip and shoulder joints are one and the same joint. It looked so goofy.
Mechs are a flat circle, The Crab becomes the King Crab, the King Crab becomes the Supernova, the Supernova becomes the Nova, a 50 tone medium with an energy focused loadout.
next there will be the hypernova omnimech.
Today I learned that the Nova was Hell's Horses attempt to copy a Crab. That makes so much sense in retrospect. 🤔
And makes me love it all the more!!
Nova gracefully
declares an alpha strike once,
everything explodes
-anonymous Kuritan
Will you be talking about weapons again in the future? People I play with are leaning toward Alpha Strike rules, so you're my main source for digestible information on the in-depth rules and technologies. Also, I hope quad-mechs can be covered soon, they are bad and I love using them.
As a Clan Pretty Pony fan, I cannot permit myself to miss this one. It is a matter of honor.
Besides being a good mech, it is the namesake to my favorite formation for clan lists.
Clan adp/adrp 3-0 is definitely becoming a favorite
What helped cement this thing's place in the early PC gaming arena, was how it was perfectly operable with Keyboard only. You were essentially the Doom Marine or all 3 Hexen classes when "janking" around in it.
Ah, yes! The Nova! A mech named for what its reactor does when you alpha strike.
These little guys are great ambush predators. They've got more punch than a freaking King Crab! With their low profile, they can hide in an alley or building, or hop a row of buildings and melt the entire FRONT armor off an Awesome.
For me one of the distinctive aspects of this mech is that it shows the difference between playing Battletech on tabletop vs playing Mechwarrior the videogame. BlackHawks KILL in the videogames. I remember playing through Mechwarrior 3 staying in my Nova from the moment I captured it. And once I got heavier mechs, I just made them laser boats with more armor. They burn through mech legs and you can let up on the fire key before your engine auto-shuts off and you're cool enough to fire again after only a few seconds. On Tabletop, where the heat mechanics are an actual big issue, you have to play your BlackHawks much more carefully.
I also rode my Nova/Blackhawk to the end of that game.
The prime is surprisingly solid for what it is supposed to be, a battle armor taxi. It can really bring the pain for what it is, and the variants all have something interesting. It’s also immensely funny to retrofit the prime by taking off around 4 of the ERML’s and replacing them with either 8 ER Smalls or 4 small pulses. 8 ERML’s and either of those can seriously ruin the day of about any other mech or battle armor and it helps manage the heat curve better.
Bit late, but I was also going to bring up that it was made with Elementals in mind, that's why all the hurt is im the arms, so it can still fire everything while moving BA around. It also explains the variant w the arm and small pulse in the chest, for when it drops it's boys off and needs to help out or skirmish close range before backing off.
The Nova Prime was my favorite ride in MW2, and is still one of my favorites of all time.
The fact that the Spook Teddies didnt like it is a rare mark against them.
I am a proud Hell's Horse. The Nova is my go-to steed for most operations. With this mount, I have overcome Timberwolves, Dire Wolves, and lighter options. A twelve-ER-Laser-Alpha Strike may be risky, but the *threat* of it keeps many at bay, allowing for other platforms to deliver LRMs, artillery, and Gauss/HAG presents to foes. Due to it's Omni nature, it is a viable Battle Armor platform, meaning that this Medium can not only deliver laser vomit, but a full point of a chosen Battle Armor platform to deal with opponents. I will typically pair it with a Mist Lynx or Adder, tanks and, of course, Battle Armor. Combined arms have long been the strength of Hell's Horses, allowing smaller units like these to outmatch larger inner sphere units.
I fell in love with the Nova during my playthrough of Mechwarrior 2, where I learned it's power and versatility. In that game, I took on and defeated two Warhawks with one Nova.
For me, the Timberwolf is not THE Clan Mech. The Nova is.
Only one other Clan Mech comes close in this Solhama's heart - The Hel (Loki II). Otherwise, give me a Nova and a point of Gnomes onboard, and I will end most enemies.
Good point about carrying Battle Armor.
This and the Timber Wolf were my favorite mechs from MW2. Damn shame that it wouldnt torso twist worth a damn lol
That was a non-issue in Mechwarrior 3 with the free arm swing.
Thinking about this particular mech from an old video game is actually what got me back into an interest in Battletech; the little guy was fast, hit hard, and was hard to hit. Years later I was trying to figure out which it was and it led me to you and Tex and a lot of fantastically fun times, so thank you for this!
Thank you for the kind words :)
The Nova is probably one of the few Clan mechs that my merc unit would ever consider using in their TO&E.
The Nova really reminds me of the Crab - which seems fitting, as the Supernova was an attempt to build a less ammunition dependent King Crab.
The Nova is a great mech to bring if you are doing a long clan campaign. Not relying on ammunition and having ample firepower options - even with the Prime variant. Only fire the lasers you need to scratch and kill what you are firing at, of course.
Keep at midrange and rely on that accuracy from clan ER lasers in arm mounts.
It took a real round about route, but I'd say it's a worthy heir to the Crab.
once we had an NPC explain how to avoid a Nova he just said, run if there's two. I took that as a challenge with my Griffin and so did my lance, I survived everyone lost their mounts but lived and i got close to punch in the cockpit of one nova. while Lance lead thermonuclear sun shined the second that cored his close range hunchie. the dice rolls were not with him but it was enoguh for him to survive via punch out through house rules. silver lining I got the Nova Prime by right of face punched death. my outfit was cool like that.
Back in the old days, my opponents used to allow the slight customization of omni configs. My go-to for the Nova was to take a Prime, remove 1 ER medium from each arm and install a targeting computer...
A good rear alphastrike from that prime makes you truly fear what clan mech can do
The Nova S is a monster. All the other variants are playing for 2nd.
I dunno, the A variant is pretty close. Two CERPPCs at 50 tons can tell you to fuck off real quick.
@@krullachief669 The A is a great mech no argument here. It's just one of those "you are so close to greatness" mechs...... Jesus, they loved AMS back in TRO 3050.
Looking through the newer stuff the I looks like something I'd like to start a casual fling with.
@@Thud-pq8rl To be fair, everyone loves AMS. All my homies love AMS. Especially my indirect fire support homies.
@@krullachief669 Dude, I love indirect fire. I'm a reformed FWL hater, just so I can my hands on that sweet, sweet semi guided LRM tech. But using a clan mech for indirect fire feels wrong. Like kissing your sister wrong.
@@Thud-pq8rl My brother in Marik, have you seen clanner LRM weights? They make me think unwise thoughts, oh lord they're good.
6:55 Pah, there is only one scion of Clan Jade Falcon, that could gain my loyalty.
All Hail to Marena, Syndic of the Alyina Mercantile League!
The Alpha Strike key in MWO is now a self destruct button when in an unmodified Prime configuration.
I remember making a custom version in the mech warrior games that used all machine guns instead of lasers. I remember it being pretty OP 😂
I want it to cook, not cook-off.
_Live fast, fight hard, and have a glorious ending._
Doesn't cooking off require ammo?
Funny I don't remember any ammo in the Nova Prime.
LOL
@@Dang_Near_Fed_Up You're reading it wrong:
I _want_ it to cook, not cook-off. [Correct, to run the mech hot and not worry about ammo cooking off.]
I want it to _cook,_ not cook-off. [implying there is ammo present, forcing you to run cool to avoid risking an ammo explosion.]
A premature ammo explosion is _not_ a glorious ending. _Gloriously_ would be blazing away with lasers until all enemy mechs are destroyed and crippled from the barrages - or a self-induced catastrophic engine overload. (Story plot point of super-heated air thermal explosion, not in-game effect as mechs running this hot just automatically shut down.)
More lasers than a Pink Floyd concert.
First played this mech way back in Mechwarrior 2. I loved it so much it is my mech of choice. I'd charge up to heavy and alpha strike a leg. It's awesome to see a leg fly off. Then gut the downed mech at my leisure..
yah you could do some really wacky things in it after the patches that allowed Engine customizing
They’re great for that. My friend loved the Dire Wolf but my Nova was fast enough to dance around him and take out his legs.
First time my brother and I heard of this, it was on Crescent Hawks Revenge. It was called the Nova and also in the first Technical Manual that had the Madcat, Puma and Nova. Then comes Mechwarrior 2 and we get the Blackhawk.
For years we had a stupid argument that it was the same mech, different names. I said it was the same, he said it was 2 different Mechs. This went on for YEARS!
The Nova, it’s seems so easy to make a quality medium mech but they seem so rare. This is my favorite mech alongside the Atlas. It was awesome to finally get the history behind the mech.
with the disturbing amount that I enjoy the disco back and the quickdraw I understand why this exists.... even if it is funny that if it runs and alphas the reactor will almost certainly go boom
No guts no glory, LIVE AND DIE BY THE SHUTDOWN OVERRIDE!!!!
@@GhostBear3067 considering that this is why I can't pilot a rifleman in MW5 and walk for 30 seconds... yes xD
The Nova is a nightmare to it's enemies for good reason.
Nothing will end your game faster than allowing a Nova Prime or 5 to get into range behind your slow moving assault class mechs. Of all the mechs to prioritize I would put the Nova very high on the list of "It must die now, or I will."
A well placed Nova, in a trench, makes for an insane 84 damage poptart as well. Very few mechs could withstand that kind of armor removing laser power long enough to close on the Nova. And the Nova could use the trench for cover long enough to cool down, without fear of effective retaliation turn after turn.
The S variant was fun to run around with. 6MPL with 4MG and AMS if I remember right.
Disco laser death. Perfect example of if it works... well ill just order a dozen
Trust the Star Adders to make a mess by getting carried away with Heavy Lasers.
If "let me at em boss" and "why i oughtta" were a mech
Ah, the Nova. The Mech I armed like a Centurion and roleplayed as if I were Kai Allard Liao in Mechwarrior 2. Not even like Yen Lo Wang, just any stock Centurion with a ac10, lrm10 and two med lasers. Thinking back, I think I was weird.
@christianholzschuh6853 Seeing that comment and commenting about it, I think you are still weird.
Alpha strike works everytime, one time
One of my absolute favorite ‘Mechs of all time, a true classic! Circling like a shark in sweeping arcs, always on the move, hard to hit while cooling off and always looking to line up the next devastating strike, the Blackhawk/Nova punches way above its weight and is more fun to play than almost anything else. (Nova A variant with twin ER PPCs FTW!)
From one Nova/Blackhawk pilot to another: LIVE AND DIE BY THE SHUTDOWN OVERRIDE!!!😆😜
@@GhostBear3067 Shutdown override is a tool you will master as a Nova pilot, if you live long enough too.
Yay my baby!!😆
I am always surprised to hear that the Nova/Blackhawk is originally from Clan Hell's Horses since I first encountered it in Mechwarriors 3 fighting Clan Smoke Jaguar and later reading it being used by Clan Ghost Bear in the novels. Also, the Supernova is a 90 ton battlemech, not 100 tons.
The Nova has grown on me over the years. Yeah its way overgunned and the Prime Nova doesnt have any long range weapons, but its really does has a solid assortment of Omnimech Configurations.
I remember that the original design for the Nova didnt have a waist, so it could only fire forwards. Thats just so odd because its something they used to do during World War 1 and 2, and has long since been abandoned as now everything has a turret. Worse than that is that its legs were mounted on the sides of the torso, and the arms were on the sides of the legs. It was like somebody thought MODOC from Marvel Comics wasnt weird enough.
The Clan Invasion kickstarter gave us a new Nova figure that now has a waist and a more bipedal configuration. On one hand that makes the Nova less unique, on the other it actually looks like something you could take into battle.
Giving it a waist makes the Nova a ground locked Gerwalk type, which makes it 😎 by default.
Try splitting a Frankensteined Prime and an Alpha variant combo. 2ER PPC in 1 arm and 6 ER Mediums in the other. You just choose which arm to use by the range to the target you want to hit. Heat is manageable unless you alpha strike, and range is no longer an issue.
And if you want to really get crazy, drop a few heatsinks and add a pair of PPC Capacitors. Nothing says "Hello!!!" like 2 20 damage ER-PPC blasts from a medium mech that instantly cripples or destroys a heavy or assault mech in a single turn. Just watch that heat scale.
I know that RAC's are frowned upon. But the K configuration is brutal when you are skirmishing at range.
Why are RACs frowned upon? They're maximum dakka. Also, that looks like a fun config.
@bthsr7113 Some reslly dislike Clan RACs because RACs were one of the inner sphere innovations made to keep up with the clans. So, the clans going to "Anything you can do, I can do better" is meh.
Today I learned that Clan Ghost Bear does not allow Clan Hell's Horses to have nice things. Yet is not dezgra enough to display those things to them in decadence. The Nova is always the first Clan medium mech that I am happy to salvage knowing that if I can get it, I can definitely get up the ladder to a certain 95 ton Omnimech.
Trigger discipline? The Nova prime and H embodies going all in for that sweet tabletop glory
The Nova is my absolute favorite clan mech
Ironic timing, I was just commenting about this mech maybe being the most terrifying trooper mech.
The best toaster oven; for real tho, one of the few clan mechs I don’t mind. It’s mad fun
That's Blast Furnace, not Toaster Oven.
Get your designations right.
LOL
When I tested for expert rating in the old pods the resident elite pilot was shocked when I chose the Blackhawk. He dropped in a Mad Cat and expected to wipe me, but, between its extremely low profile, high speed, and rear weapons, I pulled a solid win and earned my new qualification. Sadly, the pods disappeared shortly after.
The lore never explicitly stated that the Adder & Cougar were based on the Nova but if you look at the three side-by-side they do look quite similar. In that lens, I find it unsurprising but fitting that the Falcons would re-adopt the Nova during the Dark Age.
My favorite to kill in campaigns I've played in with salvage mechanics. (Prime config.)
All those ERMLs to "borrow " to spice up your barely functional Mechs as you flee to the next world on the Clans' First Inner Sphere Tour (3049-3052.)
Shouts out to the Warhawk alpha-striking in the background of the first Nova image for a guaranteed shutdown.
Love this mech - my second mech was the Inner Sphere Black Hawk-KU but love the Clanner version if I ever get my paws on one in campaign :)
Thank you for the work you put into this videos, it was really good. If I was forced to pick a favorite clan then it would probably be the Nova or the Supernova, I love these insane energy boats.
Heh, memories. This was my ride back in the Netmech/DOS days (playing on the Registry over Kali.) Always have a soft spot for the Nova... even if I did get far too familiar with the heat limits.
My very first mech!
Loved it since, specially when putting LAMS on it!
Awesome, Video as always.
And here I thought that the nova was a nova cat 🐈 design like the supernova Battlemech and nova cat Omni-mech
This was my goto mech in the pods back in the day in Mesquite texas. It moved so fast and the cluster of weapons worked so well to targetted hits
Great video. I’ve loved the design since I first drove it in my first ever “instant action” on MechWarrior 2, the first PC game I ever played, and my introduction to Battletech. I was shocked and humbled when I found my “canon character” from the Clan Invasion Kickstarter was featured in the Nova entry of Recognition Guide vol 14.
Great work BigRed, keep it up! 🙂
It really needs that combat computer. Probably needs the improved cooling jacket quirk....for all the lasers though
Without doubt my favorite mech. Every Battletech anything I seek and drive one.
More lasers than an EDM festival
Another great vid :-) this is one mech that actually benefits from losing an arm as you're not so tempted to alpha strike and shut down whilst cooking your pilot like a bad steak :-)
A very good and fun mech. Nice video. I’m surprised though that you didn’t cover the one loaded with Med Pulses
I try to not cover too many same builds, and I wanted to go over a couple of more cautionary tales.
If I covered every configuration, it'd be a 2 hour video. Most configurations, even great ones, don't always make the cut.
@@BigRed40TECHFair point. I like the Pulse config because it works well both on the move and hunting down fast movers, and I think has good heat management
I dig on low-profile burners like the Nova, the Crab and the Komodo (KIM-2A). Lots of heat sinks & all you need is the sauce for a big 'mech BBQ.
It's another fantastic video, thanks. It's amazing after watching these videos how often i need to go mech hunting in Roguetech.........
Yes I'd like lasers with a side of lasers please: the designers of the Nova
WELCOME TO THE LASER LIGHT-SHOW!!!
LIVE AND DIE BY THE SHUTDOWN OVERRIDE!!!
... During one campaign against the Lyra's I was issued a Primary variant. As it proceeded I replaced 4 of the ER Medium Lasers in each arm with an ER Large Laser, extending it's combat profile (the 16 points less heat was an added bonus). With this simple modification I could hit for 20 points--forcing a piloting check --while taking full advantage of it's mobility. While it can still overheat with an Alpha strike, the returns were satisfying. Lacking ammo concerns, It could operate for long periods.
...Ah, memories
Heat reduction and narrow profile for a clanner mech full of energy weapons is just *chef's kiss*.
Been waiting for this video for a while, this is one of my fav medium mechs, fell in love with this mech in MW2
Not covered here is my favorite configuration of the nova, the S variant. Using clan MPLs and machine guns, it becomes a very efficient skirmisher, and terror to both infantry and forces in an urban setting. With the active probe, it can also act as a scout
And an AMS to deny enemy indirect fire, requiring you to get up in its face.
All the way past 23k. Going strong red glad to see the channel grow.
:D
Hello Red.
Yeah, I've faced many Black Hawks on the battlefields. From when the Clans were first introduced, up to the 'kerfuffle' of the Dark Age era. And yes, even later after I returned from an 11-year hiatus.
Of all the Black Hawk variants, and there are MANY, the Prime still stands out as the most dangerous.
When I was finally able to get my Mercenary hands upon one, I spent quite some time going over the Mech, to find little that was deficient about the design. Eventually, though, I hit upon the idea of replacing the internal structures with Endo-Steel. This freed up a bit of tonnage for additional things the Mech could use on the battlefield.
What I ended up doing was adding a ton of armor to the overall design, and an Anti-missile system with a ton of ammo. Otherwise, the Mech remained as was originally designed.
These additions increased the defensive power of the Mech. A slightly thicker armoring, and the ability to knock down some of those pesky missiles that are the primary way to degrade a Black Hawk's armoring as it closes upon its target.
I feel this is a worthwhile addition to the design, and not really a way to 'min-max' it. With all those 'medium' ranged weapons, and no longer ranged abilities, I feel that giving the Mech a way to deal with the inevitable 'missile rain' is a valuable addition to the Mech's design overall. And anything that lets the Black Hawk close upon its target better, and survive the usual missile rain on battlefields, has to be a 'good' thing... right?
Just my opinions... agree or not. Your choice.
You better include the meme about “This bad boy can carry so many ERMLs”…
No such memes are in the video :P
QUADVEES!! The true legacy of Clan Hells Horses
boooooooooooooooooooo
@@BigRed40TECH I think you mean WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Nova Prime aka A Fistful of Lasers
I have actually had high success with the Nova H, though my games usually revolve around objectives like destroying assets, taking out HVT's etc. So the Nova H acts as the ultimate fast response home defense.
Excerpt from last night's game of BattleTech (tabletop) Battle for Tukayyid - Smoke Jaguars Campaign. My Nova (Prime config, nicknamed "Patches") used its complement of ER Medium Lasers to torn out the leg of a Com Guard's Crokett attempting a DFA attack on it. I love the Nova. It's so bad.
Oh, and BTW, I have two other Nova in my Trinary. To say that my opponent is intimidated would be an understatement.
It reminds me of the inershere anti-elemental mech with 10 or so medium lasers
In my merc company, The Smokin' Aces, we have a Wolverine with 10 medium lasers, masc, supercharger, and an ECM. It's basically a Nova but arguably better.
In a practice battle because narratively, we have just encountered the Clans in Drac Space, I ran a Nova (for those that don't know, a Nova is an omnimech & a name for a clanner battleforce. Namely a Star of mechs, supported by a star of Elementals) with a Nova. Because the clan mediums hit for 7dmg as opposed to the 5dmg the Inner Sphere counterparts do, and the sheer number of hits an alpha strike can generate, I killed the Awesome we run in our lance with 2 headshots. The Nova/Blackhawk was most definitely the mvp of thay star, out performing the Warhawk and Timber Wolf I had.
We just had a session where a Nova snuck past our picket line and attacked our Catlas's rear armor, popping the AC ammo. The pilot had to use Edge to survive.
Ah yes, the Nova. Aka "We saw how all you fuckers were abusing clanner ER Mediums, so have an in universe vessel for that."
Otherwise known as "Please do not use the Prime, use literally any other energy based variant we are begging you."
Because it's a fine 'Mech. As long as you don't use the Prime, which should be self explaining.
I think the Prime is a solid mech myself.
@@BigRed40TECH That's fair, it's just the sheer heat it shoots off is way, way too much for me and my reckless alphastriking self. And least it's primarily one of the energy loadouts that don't miss the mark of seeing the hard mounted heat sinks and going "I'm gonna mount ballistics as the primary weapon system!"
Glowbulb, the Mech. Love it.
I love how the Nova has a nearly-convoluted ancestry with the Crab and King Crab.
Just outfitted my Clans game one with 12 ER S lasers and it's insane
Finally, the mech I exclusively piloted in Mechwarrior 2 as kid!
Great video for a great mech, keep up the good work Red!
Left fist - 4 cHML for nornal fights.
Right fist - 6 cPSL for anyone thinking they can push U cuz u have 4 hot lazors.
AMS/JJ and all heatsinks/armour U can fit. I call it "Welder" and I love this mech.
My favorite 'Mech of all time!
LET THE BEAMS OF A THOUSAND SUNS CLEANSE OUR GALAXY!
Is called that way because it goes nova if it does an alpha strike
Actually happened to me in Mechwarrior 3, but the Annihilator went down, too. Sure all the was left of me was one leg, an arm, and a crater but I got my target!😜
@@GhostBear3067 Murder / Suicide for the win. The epitome of Nova Prime pilot tactics.
Bargained well, and done. LOL
@@Dang_Near_Fed_Up the really popular method back in Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries with the MekTek MekPaks that included the Nova/Blackhawk (among other canon and non-canon mechs) was to find a really damaged opponent, ram them, eject, and let the Stackpoling splash damage do the rest.
I like the Nova alot, with an Ebon Jag and a Timber Wolf MK1 and some missile boat up to 75 tons, makes a great lance. Sun Spider comes to mind as well.
honestly, i like making 1 small change to the nova lasers. 10x medium lasers (5 per arm) and 2 tons for the targeting computer. It helps in lowering the heat issues. increases accuracy... and... allows for a point alpha strike for legging targes.
A mini "king crab"....so a Dungeness?
Best Mech to roast in, bar none.
The Clan Pop Tart Oven. Truly a platform most deserving of the Clans and where they belong.
It's infamous limited torso turn makes it very vulnerable to fast maneuverable mechs, especially fast clan mechs armed with cstreaks srm.
It no longer has that rule
I run a 6x heavy medium Nova in MWO, and it still runs damn hot. Cant imagine an alpha with 10.
*CLAPS* My preferred ride (plus the B33F ensured the SPL/Flamer build got mega nerfed) :D
I absolutely loved this Mech in Mechwarrior 2. The Nova and the Mad Cat...err, Timberwolf. 😉