Battletech's Linebacker, Fast and Tough, but Is it Good

No, It does not replace the Timber Wolf, the Omnimech. It replaces Timber Wolfs previous assigned to Striker formations (doing the roll that Black Lanners do in their formations, the anchor) that typically move faster than 90 KPH.

I have my own custom configuration based on the prime. It mounts twin ER PPC's in the arms, along with an additional 2 double heatsinks, one in each arm. Finally, it mounts a total of 7 ER small lasers 3 in each side torso, and one in the center torso.

I think a single blip in the original TRO about it replacing the Timberwolf has put a lead weight on the Linebacker from the beginning. Looking at the Linebacker without that comparison and thinking, "What would I do with this 'Mech?" provides some far more interesting thoughts. The speed of this thing largely gets overlooked in the video. It is wickedly fast for something of its size. This is a tremendous tool for raiding enemy supply and support. The Configs that are presented in standard are a bit odd, but limiting a machine to omnimech configs defeats a lot of the purpose of omnimechs in the first place. Fielding it particularly Inner Sphere opponents, one could use this with a primarily energy loadout for deep raiding missions where you can outrun the pursuit of anything bigger than you quite easily, while bullying anything small enough to catch up with you equally as easily. In that role this machine could become a very big headache for an enemy force to deal with, and force them to commit considerable resources into defending, patrolling, and pursuit, which puts less resources offensive goals.

The Wolves have always been weird, replacing the mech that was their main reason for success with something weaker is just another weird thing. The Timber Wolf is almost the perfect mech in almost all situations. As a design it's basically the pinnacle of what a Battlemech should do. All it's really lacking is hands, and those can be added when needed.

For a couple of minutes there I was wondering why the fast heavy had no pulse lasers in its configs, but at least the anti infantry design gets one. Also this is exactly the kind of design I would expect from a guy obsessed with his Wolfhound even when he is in a command role.

Thanks for adding the photo of Mike Singletary. At the time the Linebacker debuted in TRO: 3055, Battletech was produced by FASA out of Chicago. The name 'L:inebacker' was in part tribute to Singletary and other great Chicago Bears linebackers.

As little as possibe, we try not to field mechs without arms. It's especially a challenge to justify investing in heavier mechs with no hands either.

From what (little) I know of Battletech lore, I just assumed the Linebacker was created as a mild form of narcissistic megalomania on the part of Phelan Kell/Ward. What I mean is that he thought the Mad Cat / Timberwolf needed improvement, but his bias originated around his fixation with his personal MechWarrior style using his Wolfhound (IIC) based 'Grinner'.

What a curious mech design. When it’s all said and done, it’s strictly inferior to a Stormcrow in terms of free pod space (17.5 vs 23) and only has half a ton more armor. It seems to be a clanner version of the 65-ton Von Rohrs, which was a similarly weight inefficient heavy mech that is outperformed by lighter mechs such as the Dragon.

Of the standard configurations, my instinct goes to the SRM boats. Though I can see a situational use for the T-configuration. This does raise a question of what you think of the more recent attempt by the Wolves to replace the Timber Wolf, the Warwolf. I think it has more potential than the Linebacker but generally worse configurations.

If I could sum up the Linebacker in two words it would be: Wardrobe Malfunction. Thanks for the video.

I like franken-mechs So a C with forward facing weapons sounds fun, And the F looks like tons of fun - maybe trade out 1 of the SRM tubes and the narc 1 shot for some small lasers or other light energy armament - but a 65 ton heavy going 9 and running into your flanks sounds fun! Maybe a variant take off from the prime could have run with 1 ER PPC, ER LL, Bump up the LRM rack with plenty of ammo, and run a bunch of small lasers.

Configuration C is "C" for "Crackhead", AKA the designer

Clan wolf making a 10 ton lighter, faster and cheaper but still tough and well armed Timberwolf 'replacement' to add some stiffening to light stars and as a recon/flanker for proper heavy stars makes perfect sense. Actually replacing the Timberwolf with it does not. And while the Linebacker chassis does fit this niche pretty well, I have to agree that none of the configs really work well for it. Prime is probably the most sound, with the srm boats being useful in a heavy star (I'd still rather have my Timberwolf D). I have a Linebacker prime model mostly because I kinda like it's looks, but it almost never goes on the table. Anyone made a good loadout that actually makes the mech a key part of a star? Maybe a pulselaser/missile mix?

As its own thing, I like the Linebacker just fine. It moves fast and hits hard. As a replacement for arguably the most iconic mech in the entire series, though, it doesn't really measure up.

Glad to have never purchased, salvaged, nor fielded one. Taken out a few that were trundled out, though. In spite of the I-configuration being quite tempting against opponents fielding Battle Armor, the one time I had an enemy using that configuration, it got killed by an Aerospace Fighter before it could get in reach to hit valuable targets. Maybe my foes simply have terrible luck.

I personally would rather use a Stormcrow.

Talk about Shitting Fire in regards to the Linebacker C Configuration........

The Linebacker: Proving that even the perfect 'mech isn't quite perfect for some people. "Eugh, the Timber Wolf isn't fast enough for our Striker formations. Eugh." Bump the LRMs down, or remove the ER MLs, or do literally anything to make enough room for MASC on the thing, you whiners. All you need to know about the Linebacker is that it should never have a ballistic weapon mounted on it, except for some machine guns against infantry. Otherwise, stick with energy and missile weapons. That's where the Clans truly shine, and it's where this thing needs to be to have a decent loadout.

I will never understand the supersized engines people slap on mediums, heavies, or assaults in the lower weight bracket. It's this collective brain cell deactivation everyone in universe does instead of just using a lighter chassis to accomplish the same effective thing for less resources.