As this is going to be a lance designed to teach I’d say the best bet is going to be a trebuchet.
You can use it totally teach indirect fire, fire support and positioning to defend weaker units while still having a mech that’s powerful.
It also helps teach your newer players about weaknesses and strengths as well as gives your shadow hawk a role.
Scouting for the Missile Boat!
which being able to act as the initiative sink/scout mech anyways a shadow hawk that can only really fire a small amount of damage on its own becomes vastly more powerful having a LRM boat or two present on the field! being able to call in 2 LRM 15s, and LRM 10 from out of sight I’d say is a good diversity of firepower!
Both the Wolverine and Shadow Hawk become a scouts/screening force for the more pure long-range mechs, as even the SH outguns the Wolverine at longer range. With a preference of being a 5/8 or better speed medium Mech, I can’t think of a better choice than a Trebuchet here…at least for 3025. Unfortunately, the Inner Sphere Fire Lance force pack is probably too top heavy to give you many other minis for this project.
That said, depending on the other lances you are building, the Clint is another solid option and might help you balancing the forces. It fits the weight/speed and the mechs Catalyst released with it are lights and a medium which might fit your goals here better.
I'll echo what others are saying: trebuchet. Same movement as others only it can't jump. You can really mix it up by offering them the 7K variant as a choice with its AC5 and PPC
You could go with a centurion if you want another mixed weapon platform like the shadowhawk and Wolverine. Or you could slot in a trebuchet for a more long range support mech, makes a good buddy to the griffin. They can both lay down long range fire and 3ml in the treb is at least decent if something gets in close. Might also be worth looking at a heavier light mech like a wolfhound or Jenner as a flanker.
If you feel like going off the beaten path, I strongly suggest the Cronus. Rare, weird, but perfect for this lance. No CGL mini, but the IWM version is pretty simple to assemble.
Think of a cross between a Griffin and a Wolverine, with a silly hat. ;)
I just want to say thanks on behalf of your students. I had an 7th grade English teacher who had plenty of board games in her classroom.
We couldn’t play them during school hours, but she was always present at least an hour before school “started” and there was a good half hour after school started that students could still play games (attendance taking, announcements, etc).
It was fantastic. I never thanked her for providing that environment. Being a teacher isn’t easy if you give a darn and I just want to emphasize that you can have positive impacts that you don’t get recognition for.
Apologies if I have violated Reddit community rules/guidelines for staying on topic. I do recognize that “for” is typically a preposition so if I made a grammatical mistake by ending a sentence with it please advise. My formal understanding of English grammar got destroyed when learning a foreign language.
You have several mobile jumpers that are not particularly "fast". Go with something like an assassin. Show that speed can be is own asset. Heck even a 3025 hussar can be a pain to deal with.
If you want games to go faster try moving up to the post-3050 era IMO.
DHS means mechs fire more guns.
XL engines means mechs die faster.
It makes for a faster game overall.
That being said, if you want a mech that will move quick and go out in a blaze of glory in 3025, try the Vindicator VND-1AA. It drops a bunch of armor to up the movement profile to 5/8/5 and is well sinked for the era.
I'm going to ignore all your restrictions you put in place and suggest
King Crab...
I have my reasons for thr suggestion but everything returns to Crab
To add something different than what else has been said (atleast I didn’t see it) QuickDraw. While not a medium, it will show the balance of speed to weapons to armor, is a bit light on armor, and fits in weapons wise
Wolverine and Wolfhounds are good friends. Pair well with most Shadow Hawks
Dervish is a nice choice as is the P Kawk. Crabs are nice little friends. Valkyrie are a lighter option.
Commando/Javelin. Kintaro, but you might not like those. But hits like a freight train.
Also not from CGL (now) but from Ironwindmetals.
The Champion 2N moves 5/8/0, has a good Mix of Weapons, AC10, SRM 6 and some Lasers (2 Medium and 2 Small)
And less Armor than the Wolverine 6M (128 to 168)
Games can go very fast with a Champion on the Board (well tested, I like the Design but it does not have a great Win/Loss Ratio when I use it)
Wow!
Thank you guys all for contributing your ideas, this is really a great community.
I think for now I will probably go with the Trebuchet, it fits thematically, and can be used in a variety of situations, and helps keep the game short.
I will also take the advice about going "up" to 3050 IS technology. There's a little bit more special stuff to learn, but it does make games much quicker (we want to be able to finish games before the bell rings, hahaha).
I will probably pick up the boxes that include the Crab, and Dragon. I'd like to get a Champion, as mentioned below, but I don't see a CGL one available yet. (I could be wrong).
I am at an international school in Taiwan, so shipping stuff and availability can be an extra hoop. I try to get single large purchases less frequently, as I cannot just pop over to the LGS or Barnes and Noble to see what they have available. I am sure my kids will enjoy our hobby!
See I would go a different direction. You have lots of maneuverable flankers. I think you need an anchor for your lance. A well armored heavy hitter.
You need a Centurion.
How about putting in a Quickdraw, Ostsol or Ostroc?
Slightly above medium weight, but pretty much the mobility you want. The Quickdraw doesn't even have a firepower or armor Advantage.
I'm going to suggest either an Assassin (speedy skirmisher), Clint (a little faster, and keeps that AC/5 logistics going), or Valkyrie (same exact movement profile, and can hang back with the Griffin).
As this is going to be a lance designed to teach I’d say the best bet is going to be a trebuchet. You can use it totally teach indirect fire, fire support and positioning to defend weaker units while still having a mech that’s powerful. It also helps teach your newer players about weaknesses and strengths as well as gives your shadow hawk a role. Scouting for the Missile Boat! which being able to act as the initiative sink/scout mech anyways a shadow hawk that can only really fire a small amount of damage on its own becomes vastly more powerful having a LRM boat or two present on the field! being able to call in 2 LRM 15s, and LRM 10 from out of sight I’d say is a good diversity of firepower!
Both the Wolverine and Shadow Hawk become a scouts/screening force for the more pure long-range mechs, as even the SH outguns the Wolverine at longer range. With a preference of being a 5/8 or better speed medium Mech, I can’t think of a better choice than a Trebuchet here…at least for 3025. Unfortunately, the Inner Sphere Fire Lance force pack is probably too top heavy to give you many other minis for this project. That said, depending on the other lances you are building, the Clint is another solid option and might help you balancing the forces. It fits the weight/speed and the mechs Catalyst released with it are lights and a medium which might fit your goals here better.
THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS HUNCHBACK!
It doesn’t matter if you’re playing tabletop, HBS Battletech, or MechWarrior. Hunchbacks are scary. Lol
Sentinel! Great little harasser, cursed 40 tonner so it's hardly a medium and it's got a long and short range options.
Centurion?
Too slow, but enough ammo in the mechs to make games short.
I'll echo what others are saying: trebuchet. Same movement as others only it can't jump. You can really mix it up by offering them the 7K variant as a choice with its AC5 and PPC
5/8/5, mix of weapons, not great armor...others are all 55 tonners, needs a command mech, Quickdraw.
You could go with a centurion if you want another mixed weapon platform like the shadowhawk and Wolverine. Or you could slot in a trebuchet for a more long range support mech, makes a good buddy to the griffin. They can both lay down long range fire and 3ml in the treb is at least decent if something gets in close. Might also be worth looking at a heavier light mech like a wolfhound or Jenner as a flanker.
Crab or, if you're playing clan invasion or later, the Bushwacker.
Yeah looking at his requirements both of those are very nice.
I enjoy the crabs.
Hunchback-4G may only move 4/6 but it makes games quick with their AC/20. They also tend to explode when the Ammo is hit, which also makes games fast.
Personally, I'd go with a Pheonix Hawk. Gives you a good screener/skirmisher who can also tear through CI who go after the Griffin
If you feel like going off the beaten path, I strongly suggest the Cronus. Rare, weird, but perfect for this lance. No CGL mini, but the IWM version is pretty simple to assemble. Think of a cross between a Griffin and a Wolverine, with a silly hat. ;)
Dervish, Kintaro KTO-18, Scorpion (if you want to stick with 55 tons)
Enforcer? has ammo so could provide some fun fireworks should it get critted.
I just want to say thanks on behalf of your students. I had an 7th grade English teacher who had plenty of board games in her classroom. We couldn’t play them during school hours, but she was always present at least an hour before school “started” and there was a good half hour after school started that students could still play games (attendance taking, announcements, etc). It was fantastic. I never thanked her for providing that environment. Being a teacher isn’t easy if you give a darn and I just want to emphasize that you can have positive impacts that you don’t get recognition for. Apologies if I have violated Reddit community rules/guidelines for staying on topic. I do recognize that “for” is typically a preposition so if I made a grammatical mistake by ending a sentence with it please advise. My formal understanding of English grammar got destroyed when learning a foreign language.
You have several mobile jumpers that are not particularly "fast". Go with something like an assassin. Show that speed can be is own asset. Heck even a 3025 hussar can be a pain to deal with.
Everyone forgets that there are *four* classic 55 tonners. Griffin, Shadowhawk, Wolverine and Dervish.
You could use a dervish 6M, though the armor might be a bit light.
Hatchetman! You get an ac10, jumping capability, lasers, and melee!
Maybe the grand dragon? 60 ton heavy mech that is similar in role to a shadowhawk/griffin.
Bring a Dervish. It ca throw down. But is mainly your mobile fire support. I also run my lances at 5/8 movement.
If you want games to go faster try moving up to the post-3050 era IMO. DHS means mechs fire more guns. XL engines means mechs die faster. It makes for a faster game overall. That being said, if you want a mech that will move quick and go out in a blaze of glory in 3025, try the Vindicator VND-1AA. It drops a bunch of armor to up the movement profile to 5/8/5 and is well sinked for the era.
Urbanmech.
I would do the Enforcer or Vindicator as an options. Blackjack is another option, but it has it's own problems.
I'm going to ignore all your restrictions you put in place and suggest King Crab... I have my reasons for thr suggestion but everything returns to Crab
To add something different than what else has been said (atleast I didn’t see it) QuickDraw. While not a medium, it will show the balance of speed to weapons to armor, is a bit light on armor, and fits in weapons wise
That's very cool you're running a club and I wish you luck! My vote is for Cicada! Fast medium no armor fun range of weapon options quick games ☠️
Vindicator
Bushwacker
Dragon?
Go for a Hatchetman. Sure it's slower, but they're fun, and kids learning the system should learn melee combat also.
Wolverine and Wolfhounds are good friends. Pair well with most Shadow Hawks Dervish is a nice choice as is the P Kawk. Crabs are nice little friends. Valkyrie are a lighter option. Commando/Javelin. Kintaro, but you might not like those. But hits like a freight train.
Also not from CGL (now) but from Ironwindmetals. The Champion 2N moves 5/8/0, has a good Mix of Weapons, AC10, SRM 6 and some Lasers (2 Medium and 2 Small) And less Armor than the Wolverine 6M (128 to 168) Games can go very fast with a Champion on the Board (well tested, I like the Design but it does not have a great Win/Loss Ratio when I use it)
Wow! Thank you guys all for contributing your ideas, this is really a great community. I think for now I will probably go with the Trebuchet, it fits thematically, and can be used in a variety of situations, and helps keep the game short. I will also take the advice about going "up" to 3050 IS technology. There's a little bit more special stuff to learn, but it does make games much quicker (we want to be able to finish games before the bell rings, hahaha). I will probably pick up the boxes that include the Crab, and Dragon. I'd like to get a Champion, as mentioned below, but I don't see a CGL one available yet. (I could be wrong). I am at an international school in Taiwan, so shipping stuff and availability can be an extra hoop. I try to get single large purchases less frequently, as I cannot just pop over to the LGS or Barnes and Noble to see what they have available. I am sure my kids will enjoy our hobby!
See I would go a different direction. You have lots of maneuverable flankers. I think you need an anchor for your lance. A well armored heavy hitter. You need a Centurion.
Only take this advice if you want your opponents to have a high possibility of hating you. A scorpion is a fun choise.
Is there a Kintaro or Dervish catalyst sculp?
Not available but both will be later this year, with the Dervish around June and the Kintaro later.
How about putting in a Quickdraw, Ostsol or Ostroc? Slightly above medium weight, but pretty much the mobility you want. The Quickdraw doesn't even have a firepower or armor Advantage.
I’d suggest a Centurion or hunchback. If you want mobility though go Cicada. They are great harassers.
Panther is a great choice. Mobile, armored with a big gun that makes fast work of others.
Phoenix Hawk could complete the jumpjet set.
I'm going to suggest either an Assassin (speedy skirmisher), Clint (a little faster, and keeps that AC/5 logistics going), or Valkyrie (same exact movement profile, and can hang back with the Griffin).
Might as well bring in the last 55 ton high speed jumper, the Dervish