IS Heavy Battle Renders

I can see both sides here. The twin lrm tubes is the archetypical Axeman, but the base model isn't almost entirely ignored the way Banshee 3E's are. Bottom line is I've seen the AC20 Axeman played way more often than the LRM variant, so I think that's the one that should be made.

Aaron Stevens

The Banshee variant wasn't about era or commonality though, it's strictly that at such a tonnage it was silly to deliver the non-working original variant, that's why it's the only mech to get that treatment so far. While not every stock mech is great, few are as badly loaded as the Banshee. Meanwhile the Axman has a good weapons load that makes sense, compared to the 2N that completely strips it of its proper role. If it was an SRM variant then that'd be a decent choice, but CBT people at the time decided to make the 2N not match the cartoon in such a way. A lot of us came into BT through things that break canon, such as myself with MW4.

Anthony Scroggins

For some, crappy or not, that cartoon was how we got into the IP. You got a precedent in not selecting a so called “Primary” variant with the Banshee sculpt being an obscure model from the 3039 war. Add to that when you google “Battletech Axman” you are going to see the 2N “cartoon special” a significant amount of the time. It is a case of being a variant that is visible, and being included in a lance pack with it’s other animated series cousin, the Bushwacker only exemplifies the idea that it needs to be strongly considered instead of routinley dismissed based on the “crappiness” of the cartoon

James Bixby

Just take a look at the big group shot and you can see there will be no mistaking an Axman with a Hatchetman. Big size difference, different head locations, different seating for the autocanon. They're also supposed to look like brothers. I'd keep in mind that many BT fans did not grow up with or even see the crappy cartoon, and most that did see it agree on how terrible it is lol. I don't think the 2N being primary is a common headcanon, and at the end of the day it's just not a canon idea at all. The Axman is a mech that primarily across its variant range, carries ballistics in the shoulder.

Anthony Scroggins

What's the point of an axe if your main weapons are long-ranged? I get what you mean, though. It's the better-known variant.

Carlos Sempere

Personally, I'm liking the fact that the new Axman looks more like the Hatchetman.

Kanrei13

I am well aware of this. The 3S is a variant of the Bansee and yet we are getting that instead of the 3E or 5S Yes I want the 2N Axeman because it was the cartoon’s version. I also want it cause I want the Axeman to be more visually distinct from the hatchetman and this is the way to do it

James Bixby

Axman with LRMs is a variant of the base model.

Heavyguard

Axeman without LRMs is just wrong. Looks way to much like a fatter hatchet man

James Bixby

I love that the Axman kept the off center head.

Kanrei13

That Bushwhacker is just *wild*. Nightstar looks like a race car. :) And I want an Axeman.

Love the Nightstar and Cataphract. Bushwacker looks... funky... but funky good. The long barrel on the Axman is different to me, but it works. Another lance going into my ever expanding hanger.

I really like the Bushwhacker. That’s one I’ve been looking forward to.

Nice to get a view of the Nightstar other then looking from below.

Alex F