To quote Van Zandt's great historian, "the Blackjack [is] GM's okayest product." My own thoughts are that the Blackjack is a pretty good medium mech. It's not as fun to pilot as my beloved Hunchback 6S (which is tied with the Atlas II for my absolute favorite mech), but Blackjacks are far more versatile than the Hunchie could ever hope to be (and that's not even considering the Blackjack Omni). In my opinion situational flexibility is the primary purpose of medium mechs, and that's precisely what Blackjacks excel at.
Good to have you on the battle bus. I agree mediums are the bread and butter of battletech. They plug/fill so many roles and spaces and the blackjack is very versatile. Thanks to its jumps, adequate armour and range of weaponry!
With the first shot of the first fight of my first ATOW campaign a blackjack scored a lucky through armor crit on the head of an Orion, destroying its life support system on a planet with a toxic atmosphere. The Orion was supposed to be the boss of the fight that the players would have to work together to defeat, and a BJ-1 one shotted it while jumping at max range. I shall always respect and fear the BJ-1.
The theme of the Blackjack is super great! And the 'mech shines whenever combined arms forces are put on the field, as motive crits don't care how much damage is done. In a mech v mech situation, of course it'd be nice if the primary weapons actually did credible damage... the strength of 4 medium lasers does quite a lot to make up for the dozen or so tons worth of pea shooters the Blackjack has bolted onto its arms, though :)
*claps* Well, done. Some folks huff, some folks sneer. Some folks rage!!! :D There *WAS* a reason the Blackjack was the starter mech in HBT's Battletech computer game...
The Blackjack is one of those 'mechs I never gave a thought to until I was forced to use one. Thank you, HBS Battletech. I adore them now. They're a relatively inexpensive fire support platform that reaches _really_ far.
The blackjack is one of those mechs that always feels like a joke until you have to move units through terrain and there's a lance of them sandblasting your units- and a company of them will slowly chew you to rags as you try to close.
I have always loved the Blackjack, both versions. I generally feel it is underrated or passed over for more popular mediums. It is nice hearing someone else support this great Mech.
You say that, but it starts to make more sense when you learn the environment they were fighting upon. Xhosa VIII is an ice world. The mech’s autocannon 2’s and medium lasers have less heat. Anything that kept back was getting pelted by deceptively weak ac2 shots. Anyone whom charged was getting hit with the force of 4+ mlas. All of this on an ice world, where the defenders knew the home turf, firing lines, and traps.
Thanks for listening. Well if you think that's silly, well strap in "The Atlas TRO:3025 Revised - The mech's armour is thick, and the forward torso and legs are especially well protected. Someone once calculated that if a battalion of Stinger mechs engaged an Atlas, the Atlas would retire for repairs an hour later, leaving only one Stinger still able to move." Yes it never happened but that's what they thought would happen!
People forget 2 things about the BJ-1. 1- Just because they have a min range, does not preclude them from being fired at closer targets. It just means no help from the targeting comp. (Min Range Penalty To Hit) 2- There is a sweet spot in the ranges for the AC2 and the 4 MLas where there are no firing penalties. It is relatively large and means the mech has an HBS Alpha of 150 points (30points on TT, I believe). In the story of the battle, they had 2 lances on the ridge, raining down suppression fire. These rotated in as ammo required. There was always a lance just behind their line tasked with focusing down anything that got through their long ranged fire. Strategy and Tactics.
First of all, let's look at this; there are four (4) BJ's vs. 36 light mechs. That's 9 lights for every one (1) BJ. -BJ can do a max of 24 pts of DMG. -BJ aren't heavily armored. -BJ aren't fast. You talk about strategy, why is it assumed that only one side has any concept of strategy. There's a Major and, at least, two captains & six lieutenants. So, between these nine commissioned officers, they were unable to recognize the situation and adapt? It's a flawed narrative that was, likely, written w/o much thought that it would be disturbed as widely and, thus, scrutinized. It's as dumb as Grayson Carlisle taking on a Crusader and a Marauder in a f'en Shadow Hawk.
@@JuNkBoYcaNNoN The story of the battle was presented to me slightly differently, but let's look at your numbers. AC2 X2 = 4points at one of the top2 ranges in the game. X4 Mechs =8 points from a highly elevated position (To Hit bonus). Even with the paper armor typical of Wasps and Stingers, there's going to be an OpFor mech downed or disabled every round until they reach MLaser range, at a minimum. At which point, 24 points is more than adequate to down/disable another mech each round. The Wasp 1K has a MLaser and a MG. The OpFor commander had a history of what we could call "Zerg Tactics" with simple rushes being his goto strat. Barren planet with little to no natural cover. The Defenders used a "Collapsing Front" strat, where they would continuously fall back to optimize their range advantage. Are you starting to see how it's not so far out there, yet? 🙂
Thank you mate thank you very much This keepet me going on a very long drive so thank you and keep them coming I’m so glad I found yours channel you got a new sub Keep the videos coming mate
I have mixed feelings about the blackjack. The four medium lasers are nothing to be ignored and will tear up light and medium mechs. The AC2s are just too heavy for what they do. 12 tons could just be put to better use on a mech this light. I would either like to be faster or mount something with more punch. The variant with the 2 large lasers has done some serious work in my lances.
Thanks for tuning in. Yeah AC/s aren't for everyone but they have their place I feel. Obviously a none ammo dependent system is better, can stay in longer, shoot more. I agree I have always had good returns from Blackjacks.
@@battletopia A/Cs just need a rebalance. A nifty quirk from the old Solaris rules was A/Cs often being able to attack multiple times a round compared to energy weapons like PPCs but still having ammunition drawbacks. I always try to remember that Tabletop play is meant to be an imperfect simulation of how combat actually works in setting. Still it used to be more balanced in the Single Heatsink days. Post DHS and especially Clan DHS Energy/Missile boats have been the way to go for optimal builds.
That's fair, the AC2s are a bit disappointing for their weight. At the same time, I can't think of a mech that uses AC2s better than the blackjack. I can't really explain why I think that. The blackjack just seems (in my mind) to hit a sweet spot where it can get a decent amount of mobility, firepower, and armor for it's weight. It doesn't feel under armored, like the Rilfeman, and it doesn't feel like it gives up too much in firepower. It might seem a little slow, but it still has jump jets for getting out of a tight squeeze or crossing tough terrain. It's hard to say the BJ-1 is good, but it's definitely not bad. Another advantage, that you pointed out, it that it can only get better. And if your starting with a decent base, that's saying something.
The BJ-1 is a great mech. But why don’t any of the variants or upgrades mount AC/2 Ultra’s? It seems like a no-brainer, but they keep putting every other type of weapon on the arms instead of AC2 Ultras.
I like medium mechs in general. Even if I'm better at fielding heavy mechs. I like the Blackjack. It serves as a nice toady to a bigger bully mech. Little bit of chip damage at range to keep the enemy from getting comfortable. And lots of lasers for close to mid-range to soften up targets. I find the BJ-1 a little tricky to keep heat down. Too often my Blackjacks find themselves in a sport with a great Target Number making passing up on an Alpha Strike tough. Fortunately, it has the jump gets. Although, I've still cooked Blackjacks so hot that it took a couple of rounds to cool off. Typically, I prefer something a little faster in the medium mech spot. My go to is the Phoenix Hawk. However, the Blackjack paired up with a scarier mech of similar speed means wither the opponent has to ignore putting damage on the scary mech allowing it to close the distance. Or they ignore the Blackjack letting it plink away.
As a lover of range and PPCs, oooh, how a love myself a blackjack. It is cheap, and packs a good punch. Though i must say i am not a fan of the ac2 version. Something about slow, poorly armored mechs with 2 tons of explosives inside them dos not sit right with me.
Thanks for tuning in! You Sir, I challenge you to a duel! Heresy to insult the most fabled of the dakka mechs. I mean sure, its slow, and possibly under gunned, and has issues with ammo, and heat.... but apart from those minor details IT'S GREAT!
To quote Van Zandt's great historian, "the Blackjack [is] GM's okayest product."
My own thoughts are that the Blackjack is a pretty good medium mech. It's not as fun to pilot as my beloved Hunchback 6S (which is tied with the Atlas II for my absolute favorite mech), but Blackjacks are far more versatile than the Hunchie could ever hope to be (and that's not even considering the Blackjack Omni).
In my opinion situational flexibility is the primary purpose of medium mechs, and that's precisely what Blackjacks excel at.
Good to have you on the battle bus. I agree mediums are the bread and butter of battletech. They plug/fill so many roles and spaces and the blackjack is very versatile. Thanks to its jumps, adequate armour and range of weaponry!
With the first shot of the first fight of my first ATOW campaign a blackjack scored a lucky through armor crit on the head of an Orion, destroying its life support system on a planet with a toxic atmosphere. The Orion was supposed to be the boss of the fight that the players would have to work together to defeat, and a BJ-1 one shotted it while jumping at max range.
I shall always respect and fear the BJ-1.
The theme of the Blackjack is super great! And the 'mech shines whenever combined arms forces are put on the field, as motive crits don't care how much damage is done. In a mech v mech situation, of course it'd be nice if the primary weapons actually did credible damage... the strength of 4 medium lasers does quite a lot to make up for the dozen or so tons worth of pea shooters the Blackjack has bolted onto its arms, though :)
New video, cool!
*claps* Well, done. Some folks huff, some folks sneer. Some folks rage!!! :D There *WAS* a reason the Blackjack was the starter mech in HBT's Battletech computer game...
Thanks for tuning in! I'll take that clap, thankfully it wasn't a clap back!
The Blackjack is one of those 'mechs I never gave a thought to until I was forced to use one. Thank you, HBS Battletech. I adore them now. They're a relatively inexpensive fire support platform that reaches _really_ far.
Yes! A mech for all occasions and Omni for sunday best!
The blackjack is one of those mechs that always feels like a joke until you have to move units through terrain and there's a lance of them sandblasting your units- and a company of them will slowly chew you to rags as you try to close.
Thanks for listening. And in response to your excellent comment Dakka dakka dakka dakka!! :-) Volume of fire is its own quality
I have always loved the Blackjack, both versions. I generally feel it is underrated or passed over for more popular mediums. It is nice hearing someone else support this great Mech.
Thanks for listening. Its a great medium mech and is able to fill alot of different roles.
It's Shrap o'clock!
I dig the BlackJack, but the story of a lance of them holding off a battalion of lights? That's pretty preposterous.
You say that, but it starts to make more sense when you learn the environment they were fighting upon. Xhosa VIII is an ice world. The mech’s autocannon 2’s and medium lasers have less heat. Anything that kept back was getting pelted by deceptively weak ac2 shots. Anyone whom charged was getting hit with the force of 4+ mlas. All of this on an ice world, where the defenders knew the home turf, firing lines, and traps.
Thanks for listening. Well if you think that's silly, well strap in "The Atlas TRO:3025 Revised - The mech's armour is thick, and the forward torso and legs are especially well protected. Someone once calculated that if a battalion of Stinger mechs engaged an Atlas, the Atlas would retire for repairs an hour later, leaving only one Stinger still able to move." Yes it never happened but that's what they thought would happen!
People forget 2 things about the BJ-1. 1- Just because they have a min range, does not preclude them from being fired at closer targets. It just means no help from the targeting comp. (Min Range Penalty To Hit) 2- There is a sweet spot in the ranges for the AC2 and the 4 MLas where there are no firing penalties. It is relatively large and means the mech has an HBS Alpha of 150 points (30points on TT, I believe). In the story of the battle, they had 2 lances on the ridge, raining down suppression fire. These rotated in as ammo required. There was always a lance just behind their line tasked with focusing down anything that got through their long ranged fire. Strategy and Tactics.
First of all, let's look at this; there are four (4) BJ's vs. 36 light mechs. That's 9 lights for every one (1) BJ. -BJ can do a max of 24 pts of DMG.
-BJ aren't heavily armored.
-BJ aren't fast.
You talk about strategy, why is it assumed that only one side has any concept of strategy. There's a Major and, at least, two captains & six lieutenants. So, between these nine commissioned officers, they were unable to recognize the situation and adapt?
It's a flawed narrative that was, likely, written w/o much thought that it would be disturbed as widely and, thus, scrutinized. It's as dumb as Grayson Carlisle taking on a Crusader and a Marauder in a f'en Shadow Hawk.
@@JuNkBoYcaNNoN The story of the battle was presented to me slightly differently, but let's look at your numbers. AC2 X2 = 4points at one of the top2 ranges in the game. X4 Mechs =8 points from a highly elevated position (To Hit bonus). Even with the paper armor typical of Wasps and Stingers, there's going to be an OpFor mech downed or disabled every round until they reach MLaser range, at a minimum. At which point, 24 points is more than adequate to down/disable another mech each round.
The Wasp 1K has a MLaser and a MG. The OpFor commander had a history of what we could call "Zerg Tactics" with simple rushes being his goto strat. Barren planet with little to no natural cover. The Defenders used a "Collapsing Front" strat, where they would continuously fall back to optimize their range advantage.
Are you starting to see how it's not so far out there, yet?
🙂
Thank you mate thank you very much
This keepet me going on a very long drive so thank you and keep them coming
I’m so glad I found yours channel you got a new sub
Keep the videos coming mate
I love me a Blackjack , such an underestimated mech . Especially once it drops the AC/2s which are actually ok on the stock BJ imo
Thanks for listening! Yep, its a great little mech to have in the mech bay
I have mixed feelings about the blackjack. The four medium lasers are nothing to be ignored and will tear up light and medium mechs. The AC2s are just too heavy for what they do. 12 tons could just be put to better use on a mech this light. I would either like to be faster or mount something with more punch. The variant with the 2 large lasers has done some serious work in my lances.
Same, DB variation is good, but I have had fun using a BJ-1 with Armor Piercing rounds on MegMek
Thanks for tuning in. Yeah AC/s aren't for everyone but they have their place I feel. Obviously a none ammo dependent system is better, can stay in longer, shoot more. I agree I have always had good returns from Blackjacks.
@@battletopia A/Cs just need a rebalance. A nifty quirk from the old Solaris rules was A/Cs often being able to attack multiple times a round compared to energy weapons like PPCs but still having ammunition drawbacks. I always try to remember that Tabletop play is meant to be an imperfect simulation of how combat actually works in setting. Still it used to be more balanced in the Single Heatsink days. Post DHS and especially Clan DHS Energy/Missile boats have been the way to go for optimal builds.
Isn't it a 12 to do through damage on and AC/2 with armour piercing? Or am I misremembering
That's fair, the AC2s are a bit disappointing for their weight. At the same time, I can't think of a mech that uses AC2s better than the blackjack. I can't really explain why I think that. The blackjack just seems (in my mind) to hit a sweet spot where it can get a decent amount of mobility, firepower, and armor for it's weight. It doesn't feel under armored, like the Rilfeman, and it doesn't feel like it gives up too much in firepower. It might seem a little slow, but it still has jump jets for getting out of a tight squeeze or crossing tough terrain. It's hard to say the BJ-1 is good, but it's definitely not bad.
Another advantage, that you pointed out, it that it can only get better. And if your starting with a decent base, that's saying something.
The BJ-1 is a great mech. But why don’t any of the variants or upgrades mount AC/2 Ultra’s? It seems like a no-brainer, but they keep putting every other type of weapon on the arms instead of AC2 Ultras.
I love blackjacks🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Thanks for listening, I'm trying to figure out....sarcasm or not? :-)
BT games with only bad mechs randomly rolled from a list are interesting.
I like medium mechs in general. Even if I'm better at fielding heavy mechs. I like the Blackjack. It serves as a nice toady to a bigger bully mech.
Little bit of chip damage at range to keep the enemy from getting comfortable. And lots of lasers for close to mid-range to soften up targets. I find the BJ-1 a little tricky to keep heat down. Too often my Blackjacks find themselves in a sport with a great Target Number making passing up on an Alpha Strike tough. Fortunately, it has the jump gets. Although, I've still cooked Blackjacks so hot that it took a couple of rounds to cool off.
Typically, I prefer something a little faster in the medium mech spot. My go to is the Phoenix Hawk. However, the Blackjack paired up with a scarier mech of similar speed means wither the opponent has to ignore putting damage on the scary mech allowing it to close the distance. Or they ignore the Blackjack letting it plink away.
Something that makes The Combine look stupid has to be a little decent.
As a lover of range and PPCs, oooh, how a love myself a blackjack. It is cheap, and packs a good punch. Though i must say i am not a fan of the ac2 version. Something about slow, poorly armored mechs with 2 tons of explosives inside them dos not sit right with me.
Blackjack is a perfectly decent Mech, entirely serviceable design. Now the Mauler IR, that's a garbage design!
Thanks for tuning in! You Sir, I challenge you to a duel! Heresy to insult the most fabled of the dakka mechs. I mean sure, its slow, and possibly under gunned, and has issues with ammo, and heat.... but apart from those minor details IT'S GREAT!
Not a bad med at all
Mech