You aren't a up-front bust your nose fighting machine, but your nothing to scoff at either. You have maximum armor, good heat efficiency, and your gauss rifle provides the necessary distance to ware down enemies efficiently, while your dual SRM6's and tri medium pulse lasers provide more than adequate defense should the need arise for a more personal confrontation. Light and medium mechs are typically easy targets for this mech, as are some heavies. Assaults such as the Atlas are better to be worn down using your gauss&teammates first, and then move in with a alpha to finish off. A 51 point alpha might I add. This doesn't have the Pretty Baby torso turn speed, but it's still important to utilize damage distribution even with an STD. Watch your backside, as lights and mediums like to get behind and alpha. Also that left torso is pretty important too, but even if that's destroyed your still left to fire off a few volleys with your gauss. I had the option of removing the jump jet and utilizing the free space, but I wanted to keep some originality to the Highlanders main point of uniqueness. It isn't incredible, but it will get you out of some tight spaces, and allows some more maneuverability than your typical assault. As always, being aware of your surroundings, teammates and enemy movements, and ultimately what you know your mechs ability is, is key to utilizing any build, but especially important in maximizing this build. Good luck Mechwarrior's, and happy hunting!
Only 1 jumpjet isnt' really worth it IMO, might get you a little turn boost but you aren't going to clear many obstacles with it, 3/5 is the minimum IMO, 4/5 preferred and 5/5 if your a poptart. I ran 3/5 my first night and then switched back to 5/5, found I was able to apply a lot more damage strategically that way. Mid Range Direct Fire support seems to be the niche the highlander plays best, and using cover and the manuverability of the jumpjets to your advantage. That being said if you can make this work then that is awesome.
I see your view on the jumpjets, however I don't agree with it not being worth it, as even a little maneuverability in a assault mech can go a long way. If one wanted to, they could swap it out for more ammo of course. None the less I agree with the point being made that the Highlander does shine in mid-range combat. Thanks for the review!
my personal build for this, I manage to remove the CASE and add a JJ, and still keep the STD engine safe from ammo explosions. as is, a great brawler mech. 5-5 stars.
