Not that this unit was only available to Kurita, and only in the late Star League era. The Warhammer 6Rk is our first big break from the “standard” Warhammer. Keep in mind that one exception when deciding which Warhammer to choose from.

It’s better at everything the Warhammer does, except long range damage. Even more armor, CASE special ability and increased medium and short range damage, 4 of each, while keeping the OV1. The Warhammer 7A is a more extensive upgrade. But perhaps as a “bodyguard” for the rest of the Fire Lance members it’s still worth it to you. If you’re going to sit at long range (Fire Lance), you’re still paying for that medium and short range damage. While still labeled as a Brawler, you’re paying 6 extra PV primarily for the higher medium and short range damage. This variant is noticeably more expensive at 38 PV. It drops the OV1, and increases its medium range damage to 4 and its short range to 5.

Improving on the 6R, it switched to double heat sinks, allowing the Warhammer to utilize all its weaponry without overheating. The Warhammer 6Rb is the oldest of these. These are generally extinct post Star League era, though the Taurian Concordant refits older 6Rs to 6Rbs post 3075 and some of those make their way to mercenaries, pirates and the rest of the Periphery. Lost with the fall of the Star League, were two “Royal” variants that were intended for the Star League’s Royal regiments, and a Kuritan variant that only saw service at fall of the Star League. This remains an excellent variant even in to later eras. The real drawback is its availability, only the Federated Suns has access to this variant. This makes the 6D significantly tougher, and you pay an extra 4 PV (36 total) for the toughness. It also happens to drop the explosive ammo, meaning it gains the ENE special ability. This will become a standard for later Warhammers, but it definitely stands out among Succession Wars Warhammers. Remember that one weakness of the 6R, its armor? The 6D trades some extra weapons (losing the OV1) to carry more armor. The last Succession Wars variant is the WHM-6D. This variant generally earns a reputation of just being an inferior 6R that only a Capellan would love. They are not enough to qualify for the Heat special ability, but instead the 6L ends up with a higher overheat value (2) and lower medium range damage (the 6R’s 3 drops to a 2 for the 6L). The Capellan Warhammer 6L switches to some flamers. The Kuritan 6K’s differences mean nothing in Alpha Strike, it’s an exact copy of the 6R’s Alpha Strike card. As a fairly effective long range combatant for this era, it's also useful in Fire Lances. All together, it’s an effective but pretty bland Brawler that is often a strong member of Battle and Command Lances. The WHM-6R has no special abilities and is found in almost every House, mercenary or even pirates, especially in the Succession Wars era. Not terrible, but when you have more structure than armor, you must realize that it could be better.

For its time, the long range damage of 2 is pretty effective, and it’s slight increase (plus possible overheat) at medium and short also being an effective standard for a heavy ‘mech of the Succession Wars. So we go straight in to the WHM-6R as the original Warhammer. The Warhammer does not have a primitive version, having evolved from the BattleAxe and Hammerhands. Of course, as we get in to variants, some may diverge from this standard. This makes it suitable as a “line ‘mech”, where it can work well with others to dominate a position, or advance on a position. Capable of joining a longer range firing group, as it gets closer it can do even more damage. Standing still, once it gets in to position, is often a useful tactic.įor weaponry, it carries a mix of long range and short range. The Warhammer moves because the position it is heading to is advantageous, either in cover or range, but not because the speed makes it difficult to hit. Just enough speed to be strategically “mobile”, but not enough to provide its own defense. The Warhammer, to me, defines the Brawler role. This week, we will tackle one the ‘mech that first drew me in to BattleTech so long ago, the Warhammer. Welcome back to the Alpha Strike ‘Mech of the Week.

Battletech warhammer