MechDB Misadventures, Part 16: Flash Knight

MechDB Misadventures, Part 16: Flash Knight

With the Flashman still absent from MechWarrior Online after 12 years, I though it would be a good idea to replicate the loadout of one of its variants (specifically, the FLS-7K) as closely as possible on a different chassis. The Black Knight BL-6B-KNT (originally reserved for the Star League Defense Force's Royal units), with its 9 energy hardpoints, seemed like the closest match in MWO to the FLS-7K. My attempt at creating a Succession Wars-era equivalent of the FLS-7K on the BL-6B-KNT ended up looking like this:

Above: This Black Knight BL-6B-KNT has been customized to mimic the Flashman FLS-7K as much as possible using Succession Wars-era technology, but replaces the Flamer with a sixth Medium Laser, trading its ability to force other units to overheat for additional pinpoint damage. With 22 standard heat sinks and a 300-rated standard engine, it matches the FLS-7K for heat capacity and movement profile, but as shown here, carries an additional ton of armor for even more durability. Moving two of its energy hardpoints (and two of its medium lasers) to the center torso, to grant it the ability to attack even if both of its side torsos are blown off, would turn it into a zombie 'Mech in the truest sense.

While the oddly-shaped Flashman may never make it into MWO anytime soon (considering that the dev team at Piranha Games has other, more pressing priorities besides that 'Mech), this custom configuration of the Black Knight is a decent approximation equipment-wise, except for its lack of head- or center torso-mounted hardpoints and the presence of a hand actuator in each arm. In short, although the Flashman's absence from MWO may rankle some tabletop BattleTech traditionalists, but it is possible to pay tribute to some of its loadouts on other 75-ton Inner Sphere heavy BattleMech variants.