As I mentioned in our Mech Overview Update earlier this week, I was going to update the Tian-Zong when the record sheets got sorted out after an initial mismatch with the Shrapnel TRO. I’ve also gone back in to update a few other mechs that have gotten new variants in Shrapnel and Force Manual Davion.
Tian-Zong
Our full Tian-Zong review can be found here.
Shrapnel 22 gives us three new Tian-Zongs, all using Chameleon Light Polarization Systems instead of stealth armor. Chameleon LPS is very similar to stealth armor in effect, with +1 to-hit at medium range and +2 to-hit at long range. It’s only 6 heat when active and doesn’t require ECM, but also doesn’t prohibit you from being a secondary target.
The first two variants are pretty similar to existing Tian-Zongs, with gauss or ER PPC sniping, but the third is an inner sphere take on the Loki Mk II T – it’s also running a pair of ultra AC/10s, and I think it’s very interesting.
Shadow Hawk
Our full Shadow Hawk review can be found here.
In addition to two additional bad variants in Shrapnel 14, Force Manual Davion adds the Berkowitz variant, which lands solidly as one of the best mediums before Clan Invasion and still holds up into the ilClan era.
Blackjack
Our full Blackjack review can be found here.
We have three new Blackjacks, two from Shrapnel 21 and one from Force Manual Davion. The shrapnel variants are very different – one is a strange clantech upgrade that slaps on four heavy mediums, while the other is just a slight tweak to the BJ-2. Out of FM Davion we get a fast blackjack with a lot of machine guns and far too much ammo.
Valkyrie
Our full Valkyrie review can be found here.
Out of Force Manual Davion the Valkyrie has one new variant that swaps LRMs for SRMs, turning it into a nasty little striker.
Rifleman
Our full Rifleman review can be found here.
When we first reviewed the rifleman, Peri said (of the 4D) “It is hilarious how much better this mech gets if you just add double heat sinks. Like it is probably somewhere in high C if you did that.” Here we have an upgraded 4D. Is it actually a high C?
Thug
Our full Thug review can be found here.
They took the SRMs away and gave it medium pulses. Oh no!
Marauder
Our full Marauder review can be found here.
Some mechs don’t know what they want to do. Some know exactly what they want to do. The MAD-3D (Sanchez) is the latter.
Awesome
Our full Awesome review can be found here.
The Pretty Baby variant was pulled from MWO to tabletop, and turns into a pretty fast assault mech, though the weapons pull it in several different directions. Too many directions.
Atlas
Our full Atlas review can be found here.
The AS7-D (Ian) is what happens when an Atlas pilot sees a Devastator and wants to imitate it. Unlike most other Atlases, it’s surprisingly competent.
And that’s all for Shrapnel and Force Manual Davion updates. We’ve still got Kurita coming down the pipe, but these have mostly been a refreshing breath of fresh air in some mechs that otherwise don’t have great variants (I’m looking at you Atlas).
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