Also have a custom built called a fidler Crab bit of a Franken mech legs of a catapult torso from a Tbolt one arm from a king Crab and one arm from a Crab. 75 toner packing an array for multiple ranges.
@@PeachDragon_as an introvert and avid lover of Catapults, I feel like that tracks. Archers are for heroes, Catapults are for those who want to LRM tf outta everyone and not get hit.
@PeachDragon_ If you are issuing a Batchall over what most Clans would consider a Solahama Mech, then your Clan has some serious issues. Let me guess, Jade Falcon in the current timeline?
The closest thing to a 75 ton Crab, is the Black Knight: All energy weapons for low logistics footprint, no nonsense, tough shell to crack since even after losing all the limbs and side torsos the 'mech can continue fighting by biting the opponents knees. ...No wait, I mean it has a Small Laser in the head.
I've loved BattleTech practically since I was old enough to read. Over 30 years later, the Hermit Crab has instantly become my favorite BattleMech ever.
We have 50 ton Crab. We have 100 ton King Crab. We have 25 ton Hermit Crab. We need a 75 ton Crab-family Mech to round things out. ALL SHALL BECOME C R A B
So, basically a Marauder-3M with the AC/5 and ammo replaced by an LRM rack, extra heatsinks/armor and perhaps a second pair of arm-mounted medium lasers. Middle point between Crab and King Crab.
Black Knight. The 75 ton "heavy Crab" is the Black Knight. Think about it, it is a reliable mech utilising only energy weapons which makes it simple to support on long campaigns. The King Crab is the one that does not fit in, with ammo using weapons. But I suppose the King can be hight maintenance when the othere mechs on this list are light on the support needs. (I honestly think that in lore, such a lineup would make for a good mech force for a Periphary planet or mercs, that will appreciate low need of ammo and spare parts.)
@@Asko83 The MAD-3D Marauder is a better fit. All energy load out (2 PPC, 2 Medium Lasers, 1 Large Laser), 75 ton, and it even has the look to an extent.
@@treize6832 Horseshoe crabs are not crabs though. Unfortunate but true. Hell they are not even crustaceans. They are actually chelicerates, which means they are more closely related to spiders and other arachnids than they are to crabs.... Yes, that's random information. No, I am not sorry. I am a Marine Biologist, so random knowledge about marine organisms is kind of my thing....
Something everyone forgets about this mech is that on its bottom pincer are a bunch of attachment hooks so you could use it in a salvage and retrieval roll, recovering damaged or stick vehicles OR to help carry your battlefield loot
I wonder if there's enough mobility in those claws to lift some scrapped 'mech parts and put them on top of the crab. We could potentially see the hermit crab augmenting its armour with salvaged hats.
Ah yes. The Word of Blake Kerfuffle. I see we're going by official names today. Not gonna lie, my first thought was "Aww, it's cute" and my second thought was "Those are the lowest mounts I've ever seen". Makes sense given its noncombat use, though. And that's a major upside. A combat mech, most of the time, is merely a deterrent, it does not actively do anything. But these can work, and get to any remote worksite very quickly, too. And having one of these at any side is more than enough to prevent most attacks, as this thing could defeat a considerable force of non-mechs. Relatively cheap, easy to maintain, useful in day-to-day activities, very fast, considerable firepower at very respectable range... easy to see why any planet would want to have a bunch of these around.
It always looked derpy to me, so I never took it seriously. Now that I know more, the Hermit Crab literally fills my mission parameters. It's a fast moving Light, jump capable unit, with an energy-based/extended mission capacity. That's 3 stars out of 3. Will. Use. Now all I need is a mini.
Your "MF" variants have found their way into local canon, you are now a local refitting company. I have printed a fair few of these variants over the months and a campaign player grabbed one. So keep them coming, there is at least one group out there who loves his Nexus MF. Though he thought the MF naming stood for something not TH-cam appropriate.
The Hermit Crab: the light mech I didn't know I needed until I saw it. Aside from it being cute, I think it's good because it manages to condense the Crab into a light while maintaining its durability and longevity. I think out of all the variants I like the 14 best, I feel losing a jump jet and a few points of armor are worth the boost in firepower. I've felt the call for a heavy crab myself, and ironically also thought it should be called the Stone Crab. I've tried to bring my vison of it to life, but have never been quite happy with them. So here's what I came up with using your criteria. This version of the 75 ton Stone Crab is quite mobile, boasting a XL375 engine and jump jets for a movement profile of 5-8-5 (Jump jets are in the legs and CT). Built on a endo-steel frame and boasting 13.5 tons of armor, the STNC-M can also take a hit and packs a punch. It's main weapons are a Plasma Cannons in each arm (as requested), with four total tons of ammo split between the side torsos. For both long and short range backup a MML-5 sits in the left torso with two tons of ammo. Rounding out the weapons are a pair of ER Medium Lasers in the right torso. Both ammo bins are protected by CASE II, and five extra Double Heat Sinks are nestled in the engine. I'm reasonably proud of this iteration of the Stone Crab. It should pack a good punch, be durable but nimble, and sit in that middle ground of the Crab and King Crab. It runs a little toasty if you go all out, and the XL engine is a bit of a weak point. But those problems are solvable, if your willing to sacrifice elsewhere. All things considered, I personally give the STNC-M a rating of "Pretty dang OK."
Horseshoe crabs are not crabs. They are not even crustaceans. They are actually chelicerates, which means they are far more closely related to spiders and scorpions than they are to crabs. And no, it does not prove carcinization. Unless you are utterly clueless about Arthropod biology and physiology.
Finally! You have started covering the most superior design series of all. While humanoid designs has its merits, crabs are just better in every way. All will be crabs!
ALso after watching the vid, "Emotional support small pulse" is so on brand, cuddly cute mech with cute lil disco light to make people smile in though times. And the heavy crab for me should always be the queen crab. But I could get behind a stone crab. I jsut want some fast and tanky duelist kind of thing. Like a faster tankier but with less firepower take on the marauder with adorable crab pincers
The 75 should be a Robber (Coconut) Crab that was engineered for Solaris battles with TSM and a 'Hatchet' represented by a big crusher claw in the right arm.
I love the HMC-MF as always the collectors will add it to the fold. The look of this mech is that is is the "Sporty Crab" or what a sports vehicle might look like when it becomes crab. As we all know and hail. "All will become Crab!"
I’ve got a couple of players in my Alpha Strike group that run Hermit Crabs on the regular and they love them. We generally play Clan Invasion era but everyone just lets the Hermit Crabs play too because they’re not OP, they’re Hermit Crabs. My players are strange, but fun is had and at the end of the day that’s what matters. Great video again Mechfrog!
Big fan of the hermit crab. I would also like to see a fiddler crab in Solaris or something, with a medium crab strapped with a king crab arm. Feels like it would fit an April fools pdf well.
(Thank you for all the effort you put into this video, it was great as always. I love the crab series of mechs so much and the hermit crab just continues the trend. It’s cute but also really good a very much my style.) I’ve always been a bit of a fangirl when it comes to the unofficial crab series of mechs. When I was a girl my families regiment was assigned garrison duty on a Magistracy world along the border with the League. They had a museum on that world dedicated to the periphery rebellion right before the Star League Civil War. One of their star exhibits was a destroyed SLDF Crab mech, it was destroyed by local rebels in an ambush. It had been gutted by damage and years a salvage but enough of the armor and skeleton was left that they were able to make it look like the old mech, they even painted it in the original SLDF divisional color scheme. I used to stare at that thing for hours as a girl, it was probably one of my favorite mechs growing up. And I my love for that line only grew stronger the first time we deployed alongside a MAF unit during a border skirmish and I got to see one of the monster King Crabs deployed, it was terrifying and beautiful in a way that I can hardly describe. I swear I can still close my eyes and hear the sound of those AC 20s opening up for the first time. I am so happy that the tech to build them has become more common and I’m glad to see they are trickling into the periphery. I got to pilot a crab a few times since then and loved it, sadly I don’t own one yet but one day I know I will. I love the look, design, and ease of repair of the hermit crab. It’s awesome to see a doal use mech, it’s perfect for life out here in the periphery were it might be needing working one day and then be called up for militia duty next. I can’t wait to recommend these next time to our quartermaster when we need some fresh lights!
The crab is one of my favourite medium mechs and i like to get at least a pair just so i can tell my opponent that i have crabs :-) cheers for another fun watch of a mech I'll have to consider if we ever go into the future fights more often
Loved the video, ideas for upgrading it are cool. I'd like to have seen for hilarity sake, one with Partial Wings. Having not seen many of these review videos. I love colorization of the mech! Thanks Mechanical Frog!
After a couple minutes of Wikipedia research into Crab variants: Spanner Crab, easy to repair night-fighter specialist. Integrated search light, dual cannons, with a torso energy mount as backup. Double Plasma, Double LBX-AC, and Double RAC-5 for the claw guns on the three main variants. I haven't specced it out in MML yet, but I imagine you could make a 75 ton build with those weapons and decent armor protection, with a bit of help from advanced tech.
Put together a silly little thing I call the Horseshoe Crab for the 75 ton range. I picture it as a squashed dome body, with the CT mounted ER Laser underslung to be its "tail" with a rounded cable housing/armor plate in the rear that looks like it's "connecting" more organically to the torso (Considered the Directional Torso Mount for the CT ER Large but that didn't seem to mesh with the Easy To Maintain quirk of the Crab line). Then the arms would be more underslung like the Hermit Crab than the ones of the Crab or King Crab to set it apart. I wanted it to be a basic design with very few advanced parts (DHS & ER Larges) as direct fire support with the staying power of a zombie to brawl. Horseshoe Crab Mek Base Tech Level: Standard (IS) Engine: 300 Fusion Double Heat Sinks: 18 [36] (3 DHS in each side torso) Cockpit: Standard Cockpit Gyro: Standard Gyro Internal: 114 Armor: 231/231 (Standard) Head 3 / 9 Center Torso 23 / 31 Center Torso (rear) 15 Right Torso 16 / 24 Right Torso (rear) 8 Left Torso 16 / 24 Left Torso (rear) 8 Right Arm 12 / 24 Left Arm 12 / 24 Right Leg 16 / 32 Left Leg 16 / 32
Weapons: Flamer HD ER Large Laser LA ER Large Laser RA ER Large Laser CT Medium Laser LT Medium Laser LA Medium Laser RT Medium Laser RA
I'm sure you expect this by now, but of course I've created my own variants of this. I do like the HMC-13 and -14, and possibly your -MF variant, and I'm actually ambivalent towards the -15. My first variant, the HMC-14IMS, has a BV1 of 531, a BV2 of 606, and costs a bit over 3.5-million C-bills. This in spite of utilizing a good chunk of Clan tech. I kept the 6 Jump Jets of the base HMC-14 but upgraded them to Improved versions. The engine is now a Clan 175XL, with a Clan Endo Steel structure and Clan FF armor (I used a half-ton to increase to 5 tons instead of 4.5). The DHS are now Clan as well. For offensive work, each arm carries a Clan Small Pulse Laser and a Clan Flamer; obviously not much of a threat against most 'Mechs, it will definitely scare infantry, and possibly Battle Armor (unless you happen to be in a Salamander BA, in which case you'll only have to worry about the lasers). It was probably unnecessary, but I filled in the remaining 1 ton with a Targeting Computer. Clan, of course. The HMC-15ISM, though it used the HMC-15 as a base, has more in common with the 2 official variants and the HMC-14ISM than the actual -15. Like the -14IMS, it uses a Clan 175 XL, Clan DHS, and Clan FF armor; however, unlike the -14ISM it does not use Endo Steel, Clan or IS. It mounts 7 Standard Jump Jets, returning the design the 7/11/7 movement profile. For firepower, each arm mounts a Medium Re-Engineered Laser (you knew this was coming, Mech Frog, you knew it was), with that last ton devoted to a Clan Active Probe. So while it isn't a long-range hitter, the HMC-15ISM Hermit Crab can probably punch a bit above its weight class (although lets face it: anything above 40 tons won't have to worry too much unless the pilot's just an absolute idiot).
With the removal of the No Torso Twist quirk and corresponding redesigns of mechs such as the Nova, I’m curious as to if and how CGL will redesign the Hermit Crab to permit its torso to rotate. The way I would do it is to attach the cockpit and arms to a large turret-like structure hanging under the distinctive “shell” chassis, but I am neither an artist nor a sculptor.
Step 1: Find pirates. Step 2: Kill pirates. Step 3: Take their Hermit Crabs. Step 4: Enjoy, because you've already profited I haven't had a chance to run a Hermit Crab, but the King Crab is one of my go-tos in Mechwarrior 5: Mercnaries, especially with the Gauss Rifles ripped out of the spoiler mech you get towards the endgame placed in its claws instead of the AC/20s. For those reading this in the future, MW5:Clans isn't out yet, and I have no doubt I'll run the Clanbuster King Crab if it's possible for the player to get it. Might not be, given the protagonist is a Smoke Jaguar. And the Crab is an excellent Medium, feels a little undergunned compared to, say, a Centurion CN9-A, but a bit of time and money in the Mechlab solves that right quickly. I'll run one on tabletop if I can ever get the mini. And I agree, we need a heavy to round out the crew. Maybe a superheavy and an ultralight too, just for fun.
My version of the fourth crab follows the tonnage doubling of the crab line (25, 50, 100) to be a 200 ton superheavy clad in hardened armor packing quad heavy peeps with capacitors, a targeting computer, angel ECM, and 25 double heat sinks. Got two variants of it, one is a standard biped with the peeps in the arms, and the other is a quad with the peeps in side torso mounted turrets. Quad had to sacrifice armor, but the added stability may be worth it.
Cheap, reliable, logistically useful, and you can imagine waving the lasers left and right at Infantry height. Now we just need a heavy crab built for melee.
Ah one of the crustaceans. I think this is the start of a new series. next week we will have the crustacean, then we will have the assault crustacean! Okay I totally got the crustacean reference from the Grim dark narrator 😎🤓. For the chancellor! for the GDR! for the frog!
Greetings! I just heard about you from your conversation on the BPL podcast. I'm so glad you do this. As a hermit, and a crab, I resonate with this one. (Edit) - Additional, after watching; I love where you're taking it with the "MFer" (haha, sorry. Had to.) I like the 14. I haven't played the tabletop yet. I'll see if I can find an online option to play, but what about a variant with a ER large laser in the torso? Maybe playing with a pair of those emotional support lasers in the claws, or a few more jump jets, or more engine? I don't know anything about the tabletop game mechanics yet. I used to play Mechwarrior2 & 3. Watched Father Bill, and the BPL, as well as Razorfist. Anyway, I'm glad i get to watch your videos. I'll go learn the game. Cheers.
Thanks for coming by and giving the channel a go. If you're interested in the tabletop game, the Game of Armored Combat box is a good place to start. If you want to stay digital only, MegaMek is a free program that has a 1:1 conversion of the tabletop rules for computer play. It also has a built in mech editor and you can export the record sheets on pdf for real world play too.
I hadn’t heard of this one before. I’d definitely say the HMC-14 is the best design of the bunch: I wanted to add a third ERML the second I saw the HMC-13. I’d probably try to use reflective armor and/or pulse lasers alongside those jump jets. And an active probe if you actually wanted to use it for scouting, though frankly VTOLs do that better for cheaper.
I accidentally designed a mech looks like heavy crab. (Kitbash mini) Body of marauder, king crab hands, catapult legs and some AMS on top. It has rotary ac5, lrm 10 and something else i dont remember.
It’s a functional striker and harassing platform. I made my own heavy crab: Coconut crab. Two ppcs in the left arm, 2 small pulse lasers in the right arm.
I haven't actually looked at what it would take to do this as it is late and my brain is mush... but my brain really wants a version with the Med lasers replaced with Smalls... but a pair of Claws in the hands. Grabby Crabby. You mess with the Hermit Crab you get the Hermit Claws.
Because it is part of such a cute family with the Crab, King Crab, Crab Wolf, and Crabrauder. I can provide more info on those last two if you would like.
a discord friend of mine loves the crab family, he once put long toms in a king crab, he showed me the last crab family member, this lil guy as the first crab , i was bamboozeled, but dam i love its assault brother, admittedly i prefer the royal variant with the lbx guns, but i have to admit the crab family seems nice and the only reason i won a skirmish against a mixed armed force in a mock battle against canopus forces was a stubborn original down grade 3025 crab, the crabs may not jump but the definately pinch
It has to be for the pincers. So unique. If I would make a slight change from the art perspective on the MF version it would to make the pincer with the ERLL bigger then the other one. As seen on some real crabs. Also it would be a sweet Solaris match to see someone use those pincers. Cheers
The existence of a hermit crab implies the existence of a highly extroverted crab.
Fact Check: True.
King Crab 🦀 with ac/20's coming to share thehl hate with you at point blank range
Sounds... kingly...
A Fabulous Crab if you will, the FabCrab!
The base crab as a 5/8 laser brawler is pretty extroverted and the gauss king crab is a big fan of AT&T reaching out and touching someone.
To quote one TH-camr “all will become crab”
It is the future... The IlCrab Era
Carcinization is like opportunity cost; it spares no one.
Hahahaha
The hermit crab is peak "he is just a little guy" mech. I have a unpainted one on my desk.
That boye deserves a slap of paint
No bully hermit crab.
Get that boy painted!
It just a little guy. It’s just a little crab guy. It’s just a little crabby guy.
No bully crab.
@@MechanicalFrog I meant it as a term of endearment. I too am just a little guy, so just little guy mechs get my love and affection.
With a big gun in one claw and a small one in the other, you could call your version the "Fiddler Crab".
Not a bad idea.
A Battlemech on the Roof.
The Battlemech went down to Georgia... :D
"Going through the list would lul you I into a restful nap"
Battletech lore catalogue ASMR
Missed my calling.
Find someone who regards your enemies with the same disdain that MechFrog says "kerfuffle".
Hah!
I I always smile when I see a Hermit Crab had a match where my Mongoose and another players Hermit Crab had a sumo match on top of a skyscraper.
Also have a custom built called a fidler Crab bit of a Franken mech legs of a catapult torso from a Tbolt one arm from a king Crab and one arm from a Crab. 75 toner packing an array for multiple ranges.
@@ashhawk7489 what weapons does it have
How did they get up there???
@ogrehaslayers605 The Crab jumped my mongoose had to climb making 3 successful piloting checks
@@nurgle333 2 medium lazers an AC10 and a Thunderbolt 10 missile launcher
As an introvert, the Hermit Crab mech is such an inspiration to me.
Solid truth.
>catapult pfp
>Introvert
Checks out, an extrovert would have an archer
@@PeachDragon_as an introvert and avid lover of Catapults, I feel like that tracks. Archers are for heroes, Catapults are for those who want to LRM tf outta everyone and not get hit.
now we need a heavy crab mech to complete the set
Call it the Blue Crab
Spider Crab
We need the Stone Crab and we need it yesterday.
The Coconut Crab
and to keep with the theme it should be 75 tons
I like how the MF variant comes off like a Fiddler Crab.
It fits.
My first thought was, 'It's so cute!' My second was, 'How far can I punt one with my Highlander IIC?'
Pretty far, I imagine.
Your third should be how to survive my batchall after doing so
@PeachDragon_ If you are issuing a Batchall over what most Clans would consider a Solahama Mech, then your Clan has some serious issues. Let me guess, Jade Falcon in the current timeline?
Reject humanoid mechs, return to crab.
It is the future.
“Sir, I can’t shoot the target, it’s too cute.”
Forget plot armor. This thing has cuteness armor.
If they ever get around to doing a 75 ton Crab, the only reasonable progression from here is a 150 ton superheavy called the Coconut Crab
Would it be a quad with two arms?
@@MechanicalFrog probably, ala Ares superheavy
The closest thing to a 75 ton Crab, is the Black Knight: All energy weapons for low logistics footprint, no nonsense, tough shell to crack since even after losing all the limbs and side torsos the 'mech can continue fighting by biting the opponents knees. ...No wait, I mean it has a Small Laser in the head.
@ It is in spirit
You have redeemed yourself in the eyes of the creb for recognizing this adorable little guy.
What a relief. :D
Hear us now oh great plastic overlords . Grant us a Heavy crab mech to complete the lance of crabs .
A marauder kinda works, but it's just not quite right.
We need the full quartet of crab.
I've loved BattleTech practically since I was old enough to read. Over 30 years later, the Hermit Crab has instantly become my favorite BattleMech ever.
Glad to hear it.
We have 50 ton Crab. We have 100 ton King Crab. We have 25 ton Hermit Crab. We need a 75 ton Crab-family Mech to round things out.
ALL SHALL BECOME C R A B
It is the IlCrab era.
So, basically a Marauder-3M with the AC/5 and ammo replaced by an LRM rack, extra heatsinks/armor and perhaps a second pair of arm-mounted medium lasers. Middle point between Crab and King Crab.
And an eventual 150 ton Crab to possibly...
Black Knight. The 75 ton "heavy Crab" is the Black Knight. Think about it, it is a reliable mech utilising only energy weapons which makes it simple to support on long campaigns. The King Crab is the one that does not fit in, with ammo using weapons. But I suppose the King can be hight maintenance when the othere mechs on this list are light on the support needs. (I honestly think that in lore, such a lineup would make for a good mech force for a Periphary planet or mercs, that will appreciate low need of ammo and spare parts.)
@@Asko83 The MAD-3D Marauder is a better fit. All energy load out (2 PPC, 2 Medium Lasers, 1 Large Laser), 75 ton, and it even has the look to an extent.
Soon, all will be Crab...
The IlCrab Era.
@MechanicalFrog I'm very tempted to design an IlClan era Heavy in MegaMek and name it the Stone Crab or Horseshoe Crab or something.
@@treize6832 Horseshoe crabs are not crabs though. Unfortunate but true. Hell they are not even crustaceans. They are actually chelicerates, which means they are more closely related to spiders and other arachnids than they are to crabs....
Yes, that's random information. No, I am not sorry. I am a Marine Biologist, so random knowledge about marine organisms is kind of my thing....
Something everyone forgets about this mech is that on its bottom pincer are a bunch of attachment hooks so you could use it in a salvage and retrieval roll, recovering damaged or stick vehicles OR to help carry your battlefield loot
I wonder if there's enough mobility in those claws to lift some scrapped 'mech parts and put them on top of the crab. We could potentially see the hermit crab augmenting its armour with salvaged hats.
Not everyone. It's why it is one of the best thought out designs of it's era.
Strong contender for the title of "most adorable battlemech"
It's definitely up there.
Ah yes. The Word of Blake Kerfuffle. I see we're going by official names today.
Not gonna lie, my first thought was "Aww, it's cute" and my second thought was "Those are the lowest mounts I've ever seen". Makes sense given its noncombat use, though.
And that's a major upside. A combat mech, most of the time, is merely a deterrent, it does not actively do anything. But these can work, and get to any remote worksite very quickly, too. And having one of these at any side is more than enough to prevent most attacks, as this thing could defeat a considerable force of non-mechs. Relatively cheap, easy to maintain, useful in day-to-day activities, very fast, considerable firepower at very respectable range... easy to see why any planet would want to have a bunch of these around.
Well put.
I love the Hermit Crab. The Crab Mechs are my favorite mech family in the universe of BT and we can always use more.
Couldn't agree more!
It is truly a shame it isn't present earlier in the timeline. It is absolutely a favorite light mech.
A solid fav.
The fact that I cannot do a whole Light -> Med -> Heavy -> Assault lance with all crabs is a literal warcrime :p
Some day... some day...
The Hermit Crab: The King Crab's littler, younger, tinier brother. Thanks for the video
Hermit Frog and his Mechanical Crab.
Getting into all sort of shenanigans.
makes me think of Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Ghost Bear
ALL SHALL FALL BEFORE CRAB!
The IlCrab Era.
It always looked derpy to me, so I never took it seriously. Now that I know more, the Hermit Crab literally fills my mission parameters. It's a fast moving Light, jump capable unit, with an energy-based/extended mission capacity. That's 3 stars out of 3.
Will. Use.
Now all I need is a mini.
Your "MF" variants have found their way into local canon, you are now a local refitting company.
I have printed a fair few of these variants over the months and a campaign player grabbed one.
So keep them coming, there is at least one group out there who loves his Nexus MF.
Though he thought the MF naming stood for something not TH-cam appropriate.
Hah, that's great to hear. I hope they work out for you.
The Hermit Crab: the light mech I didn't know I needed until I saw it. Aside from it being cute, I think it's good because it manages to condense the Crab into a light while maintaining its durability and longevity. I think out of all the variants I like the 14 best, I feel losing a jump jet and a few points of armor are worth the boost in firepower.
I've felt the call for a heavy crab myself, and ironically also thought it should be called the Stone Crab. I've tried to bring my vison of it to life, but have never been quite happy with them. So here's what I came up with using your criteria.
This version of the 75 ton Stone Crab is quite mobile, boasting a XL375 engine and jump jets for a movement profile of 5-8-5 (Jump jets are in the legs and CT). Built on a endo-steel frame and boasting 13.5 tons of armor, the STNC-M can also take a hit and packs a punch. It's main weapons are a Plasma Cannons in each arm (as requested), with four total tons of ammo split between the side torsos. For both long and short range backup a MML-5 sits in the left torso with two tons of ammo. Rounding out the weapons are a pair of ER Medium Lasers in the right torso. Both ammo bins are protected by CASE II, and five extra Double Heat Sinks are nestled in the engine.
I'm reasonably proud of this iteration of the Stone Crab. It should pack a good punch, be durable but nimble, and sit in that middle ground of the Crab and King Crab. It runs a little toasty if you go all out, and the XL engine is a bit of a weak point. But those problems are solvable, if your willing to sacrifice elsewhere. All things considered, I personally give the STNC-M a rating of "Pretty dang OK."
I like it.
I'm convinced the Catapult will be blessed by carcinization. There needs to be a missile Horseshoe CrAb!
Horseshoe crabs are not crabs. They are not even crustaceans. They are actually chelicerates, which means they are far more closely related to spiders and scorpions than they are to crabs.
And no, it does not prove carcinization. Unless you are utterly clueless about Arthropod biology and physiology.
@@alganhar1 Okay, you come up with a better joke involving Battletech and carcinization then.
Cute Crabby being cute. We can´t help it. We LOVE cute things. Especially if they can kick ass while doing their "looking cute" thing.
Form and function.
Everyone needs Crabs in their life...
One can never have too many crabs.
Why Do We Love The Hermit Crab, you ask? Because Kawaii Desu, thats why.
Fair enough. :D
Wonder if it tastes good with butter...
Being serious, i love this design. It's well rounded in lore and gameplay. Whats not to love?
My thoughts exactly
Finally! You have started covering the most superior design series of all. While humanoid designs has its merits, crabs are just better in every way.
All will be crabs!
Nothing but truth here.
YESSSS I had been hoping for this video ever since i discovered this channel. The cutest lil one, the baby crab!
ALso after watching the vid, "Emotional support small pulse" is so on brand, cuddly cute mech with cute lil disco light to make people smile in though times.
And the heavy crab for me should always be the queen crab. But I could get behind a stone crab. I jsut want some fast and tanky duelist kind of thing. Like a faster tankier but with less firepower take on the marauder with adorable crab pincers
Hope you enjoyed it!
Heavy Crab? Coconut Crab! 🥥🦀
Coconut Crab for the surprise super heavy version.
I think I prefer Stone Crab.
Still need a heavy crab.
Absolutely do.
We love the Hermit Crab because it is adorable and deserves to be the meme mech.
True and true.
8:44 I agree light PPCs are good but not at the expense of your jumping
The 75 should be a Robber (Coconut) Crab that was engineered for Solaris battles with TSM and a 'Hatchet' represented by a big crusher claw in the right arm.
Maybe.
The Hermit Crab is just a good mech, nice low cost. I haven't played in the IlClan era, but whenever I do I'll deploy one or two of these regularly.
It's true, I do love the Hermit Crab! Thanks for the video, I agree with a 75-ton Crab 'Mech. StarCorps stay winning!
Someone somewhere looked at the locust or the flea and said “what if we have a fifth succession war?” And thus the hermit crab was born!!
I love the HMC-MF as always the collectors will add it to the fold. The look of this mech is that is is the "Sporty Crab" or what a sports vehicle might look like when it becomes crab. As we all know and hail. "All will become Crab!"
An essential part of any crabalanche
The future is crab.
I have just today built a Lance with my first Hermit Crab ever. Now this video drops. Are you spying on me? 😅 (CRAB PEOPLE, CRAB PEOPLE!)
My legal team has suggested I deny having any knowledge of any ongoing spy operations.
If I was ever to have a spirit animal, I would want it to be a Hermit Carb.
It does sound nice.
It looks like a solid light mech, but it is also so adorable.
I’ve got a couple of players in my Alpha Strike group that run Hermit Crabs on the regular and they love them. We generally play Clan Invasion era but everyone just lets the Hermit Crabs play too because they’re not OP, they’re Hermit Crabs. My players are strange, but fun is had and at the end of the day that’s what matters. Great video again Mechfrog!
Big fan of the hermit crab. I would also like to see a fiddler crab in Solaris or something, with a medium crab strapped with a king crab arm. Feels like it would fit an April fools pdf well.
The image of one of these things jumping it's amazing.
Weeee...
(Thank you for all the effort you put into this video, it was great as always. I love the crab series of mechs so much and the hermit crab just continues the trend. It’s cute but also really good a very much my style.)
I’ve always been a bit of a fangirl when it comes to the unofficial crab series of mechs. When I was a girl my families regiment was assigned garrison duty on a Magistracy world along the border with the League. They had a museum on that world dedicated to the periphery rebellion right before the Star League Civil War. One of their star exhibits was a destroyed SLDF Crab mech, it was destroyed by local rebels in an ambush. It had been gutted by damage and years a salvage but enough of the armor and skeleton was left that they were able to make it look like the old mech, they even painted it in the original SLDF divisional color scheme.
I used to stare at that thing for hours as a girl, it was probably one of my favorite mechs growing up. And I my love for that line only grew stronger the first time we deployed alongside a MAF unit during a border skirmish and I got to see one of the monster King Crabs deployed, it was terrifying and beautiful in a way that I can hardly describe. I swear I can still close my eyes and hear the sound of those AC 20s opening up for the first time.
I am so happy that the tech to build them has become more common and I’m glad to see they are trickling into the periphery. I got to pilot a crab a few times since then and loved it, sadly I don’t own one yet but one day I know I will.
I love the look, design, and ease of repair of the hermit crab. It’s awesome to see a doal use mech, it’s perfect for life out here in the periphery were it might be needing working one day and then be called up for militia duty next. I can’t wait to recommend these next time to our quartermaster when we need some fresh lights!
The crab is one of my favourite medium mechs and i like to get at least a pair just so i can tell my opponent that i have crabs :-) cheers for another fun watch of a mech I'll have to consider if we ever go into the future fights more often
The 12 year old portion of my brain will never stop thinking that's funny.
Great video! I would like to see a plastic hermit crab. Then a box of crab mechs. Looking forward to more videos.
I would buy several boxes of crab lances.
I always felt like a blue crab or a mud crab could fill the heavy slot
Loved the video, ideas for upgrading it are cool. I'd like to have seen for hilarity sake, one with Partial Wings. Having not seen many of these review videos. I love colorization of the mech! Thanks Mechanical Frog!
Putting a partial wing on it was the first thing I did when I was playing with possible MF configs. ;D
The fact that CGL hasn't made an official plastic mini of this guy is a crime
CRAB
Hopefully we will get one soon.
After a couple minutes of Wikipedia research into Crab variants: Spanner Crab, easy to repair night-fighter specialist. Integrated search light, dual cannons, with a torso energy mount as backup. Double Plasma, Double LBX-AC, and Double RAC-5 for the claw guns on the three main variants. I haven't specced it out in MML yet, but I imagine you could make a 75 ton build with those weapons and decent armor protection, with a bit of help from advanced tech.
Sounds like a start.
It’s a really good Battle Armor taxi for any magnet clamp suits you have like the Marauder, Fa Shih, Longinus, etc. kinda like an IS Ion Sparrow
Good times had by all.
As a wise man once said "TIME FOR CRAB!"
The IlCrab Era is now.
I hope Stare Corp provided you with a Hermit Crab of your own, 'cause you've got me sold.
I can absolutely be bought for the price of a Battlemech.
How can you not? Just look at him!
I know, right!?
My 5000bv "for fun" lance is 2 hermit crab 13s, a crab 27sl, and a king crab 010.
I approve of this.
Put together a silly little thing I call the Horseshoe Crab for the 75 ton range. I picture it as a squashed dome body, with the CT mounted ER Laser underslung to be its "tail" with a rounded cable housing/armor plate in the rear that looks like it's "connecting" more organically to the torso (Considered the Directional Torso Mount for the CT ER Large but that didn't seem to mesh with the Easy To Maintain quirk of the Crab line). Then the arms would be more underslung like the Hermit Crab than the ones of the Crab or King Crab to set it apart.
I wanted it to be a basic design with very few advanced parts (DHS & ER Larges) as direct fire support with the staying power of a zombie to brawl.
Horseshoe Crab
Mek
Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)
Engine: 300 Fusion
Double Heat Sinks: 18 [36] (3 DHS in each side torso)
Cockpit: Standard Cockpit
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 114
Armor: 231/231 (Standard)
Head 3 / 9
Center Torso 23 / 31
Center Torso (rear) 15
Right Torso 16 / 24
Right Torso (rear) 8
Left Torso 16 / 24
Left Torso (rear) 8
Right Arm 12 / 24
Left Arm 12 / 24
Right Leg 16 / 32
Left Leg 16 / 32
Weapons:
Flamer HD
ER Large Laser LA
ER Large Laser RA
ER Large Laser CT
Medium Laser LT
Medium Laser LA
Medium Laser RT
Medium Laser RA
Quirks: Easy to Maintain,
I'm sure you expect this by now, but of course I've created my own variants of this. I do like the HMC-13 and -14, and possibly your -MF variant, and I'm actually ambivalent towards the -15.
My first variant, the HMC-14IMS, has a BV1 of 531, a BV2 of 606, and costs a bit over 3.5-million C-bills. This in spite of utilizing a good chunk of Clan tech. I kept the 6 Jump Jets of the base HMC-14 but upgraded them to Improved versions. The engine is now a Clan 175XL, with a Clan Endo Steel structure and Clan FF armor (I used a half-ton to increase to 5 tons instead of 4.5). The DHS are now Clan as well. For offensive work, each arm carries a Clan Small Pulse Laser and a Clan Flamer; obviously not much of a threat against most 'Mechs, it will definitely scare infantry, and possibly Battle Armor (unless you happen to be in a Salamander BA, in which case you'll only have to worry about the lasers). It was probably unnecessary, but I filled in the remaining 1 ton with a Targeting Computer. Clan, of course.
The HMC-15ISM, though it used the HMC-15 as a base, has more in common with the 2 official variants and the HMC-14ISM than the actual -15. Like the -14IMS, it uses a Clan 175 XL, Clan DHS, and Clan FF armor; however, unlike the -14ISM it does not use Endo Steel, Clan or IS. It mounts 7 Standard Jump Jets, returning the design the 7/11/7 movement profile. For firepower, each arm mounts a Medium Re-Engineered Laser (you knew this was coming, Mech Frog, you knew it was), with that last ton devoted to a Clan Active Probe. So while it isn't a long-range hitter, the HMC-15ISM Hermit Crab can probably punch a bit above its weight class (although lets face it: anything above 40 tons won't have to worry too much unless the pilot's just an absolute idiot).
If it didn't have a re-engineered laser, I would worry that you had been replaced with a pod person. Solid builds.
I like the crab and I love the king crab so I'll have to check out the hermit! But a stone crab sounds awesome!
Absolute 'Little Guy' energy with this one.
I would go so far as to call this little guy "Scrappy":) I love a good, solid mech:)
Scrappy fits well.
I love this little mech so much
It's adorable.
With the removal of the No Torso Twist quirk and corresponding redesigns of mechs such as the Nova, I’m curious as to if and how CGL will redesign the Hermit Crab to permit its torso to rotate. The way I would do it is to attach the cockpit and arms to a large turret-like structure hanging under the distinctive “shell” chassis, but I am neither an artist nor a sculptor.
Because all crabs are good crabs
And we do love our crabbies!
Step 1: Find pirates.
Step 2: Kill pirates.
Step 3: Take their Hermit Crabs.
Step 4: Enjoy, because you've already profited
I haven't had a chance to run a Hermit Crab, but the King Crab is one of my go-tos in Mechwarrior 5: Mercnaries, especially with the Gauss Rifles ripped out of the spoiler mech you get towards the endgame placed in its claws instead of the AC/20s. For those reading this in the future, MW5:Clans isn't out yet, and I have no doubt I'll run the Clanbuster King Crab if it's possible for the player to get it. Might not be, given the protagonist is a Smoke Jaguar.
And the Crab is an excellent Medium, feels a little undergunned compared to, say, a Centurion CN9-A, but a bit of time and money in the Mechlab solves that right quickly.
I'll run one on tabletop if I can ever get the mini. And I agree, we need a heavy to round out the crew. Maybe a superheavy and an ultralight too, just for fun.
My version of the fourth crab follows the tonnage doubling of the crab line (25, 50, 100) to be a 200 ton superheavy clad in hardened armor packing quad heavy peeps with capacitors, a targeting computer, angel ECM, and 25 double heat sinks. Got two variants of it, one is a standard biped with the peeps in the arms, and the other is a quad with the peeps in side torso mounted turrets. Quad had to sacrifice armor, but the added stability may be worth it.
Rom video of the crab unnecessarily squishing rebels with the claws was the main reason for the sales lets not lie to ourselves
This is an excellent light mech.
It just works.
Cheap, reliable, logistically useful, and you can imagine waving the lasers left and right at Infantry height.
Now we just need a heavy crab built for melee.
Plasma Rifle in one arm, Big hatchet shaped like a claw in the other.
@@MechanicalFrog Not enough heat for TSM to activate.
Love the versatility and cost
Ah one of the crustaceans. I think this is the start of a new series. next week we will have the crustacean, then we will have the assault crustacean!
Okay I totally got the crustacean reference from the Grim dark narrator 😎🤓.
For the chancellor! for the GDR! for the frog!
Glory to the crab-based future.
Star Corp. Good business is where you find it. Corporate motto from some movie.
Just what you need, when you need it.
Id like to see the heavy be named the coconut crab.
Stone Crab! Stone Crab! Stone Crab!
Greetings! I just heard about you from your conversation on the BPL podcast. I'm so glad you do this. As a hermit, and a crab, I resonate with this one. (Edit) - Additional, after watching; I love where you're taking it with the "MFer" (haha, sorry. Had to.) I like the 14. I haven't played the tabletop yet. I'll see if I can find an online option to play, but what about a variant with a ER large laser in the torso? Maybe playing with a pair of those emotional support lasers in the claws, or a few more jump jets, or more engine? I don't know anything about the tabletop game mechanics yet. I used to play Mechwarrior2 & 3. Watched Father Bill, and the BPL, as well as Razorfist. Anyway, I'm glad i get to watch your videos. I'll go learn the game. Cheers.
Thanks for coming by and giving the channel a go. If you're interested in the tabletop game, the Game of Armored Combat box is a good place to start. If you want to stay digital only, MegaMek is a free program that has a 1:1 conversion of the tabletop rules for computer play. It also has a built in mech editor and you can export the record sheets on pdf for real world play too.
@@MechanicalFrog thank you so much for the information! Today is a good day.
Great video as always.
Thanks a lot!
I hadn’t heard of this one before. I’d definitely say the HMC-14 is the best design of the bunch: I wanted to add a third ERML the second I saw the HMC-13.
I’d probably try to use reflective armor and/or pulse lasers alongside those jump jets. And an active probe if you actually wanted to use it for scouting, though frankly VTOLs do that better for cheaper.
I accidentally designed a mech looks like heavy crab. (Kitbash mini) Body of marauder, king crab hands, catapult legs and some AMS on top. It has rotary ac5, lrm 10 and something else i dont remember.
It’s a functional striker and harassing platform.
I made my own heavy crab: Coconut crab. Two ppcs in the left arm, 2 small pulse lasers in the right arm.
I haven't actually looked at what it would take to do this as it is late and my brain is mush... but my brain really wants a version with the Med lasers replaced with Smalls... but a pair of Claws in the hands. Grabby Crabby.
You mess with the Hermit Crab you get the Hermit Claws.
Hermit Crab is what you get when you order a King Crab from Temu
Not sure this is fair since the Hermit Crab works and isn't filled with lead.
@@MechanicalFrog If it takes enough ballistics fire, it can be filled with lead
I might try pulling some jump jets to install CMPL for funsies.
CMPLs do make most things more fun.
Because it is part of such a cute family with the Crab, King Crab, Crab Wolf, and Crabrauder. I can provide more info on those last two if you would like.
a discord friend of mine loves the crab family, he once put long toms in a king crab, he showed me the last crab family member, this lil guy as the first crab , i was bamboozeled, but dam i love its assault brother, admittedly i prefer the royal variant with the lbx guns, but i have to admit the crab family seems nice and the only reason i won a skirmish against a mixed armed force in a mock battle against canopus forces was a stubborn original down grade 3025 crab, the crabs may not jump but the definately pinch
Creb will give 'em the clampz.
Clickity Clackity...
I probably would love the hermit crab if I had survived past the Word of Blake.
It didn't exist until long after the WoB?
@@MechanicalFrog3104 according to Sarna
@@MechanicalFrog the 'dark age' was such a disjointed miserable bit of lore (to me) that everything that comes after it suffers from association.
The MF variant should be a hero mech called the Fiddler Crab. Look at a picture of the animal, then the loadout of the mech, you'll see why
Good point.
Crabs are the best stompy boys.
Fact Check: True.
It has to be for the pincers. So unique. If I would make a slight change from the art perspective on the MF version it would to make the pincer with the ERLL bigger then the other one. As seen on some real crabs. Also it would be a sweet Solaris match to see someone use those pincers. Cheers