Mech Commander Gold Showcase: Operation 1 Mission 5

All videos put up, demonstrate completing the game at Hard Difficulty. I also aim to train all Green pilots' skills to maximum by using them a lot in missions, so the fights tend to be harder as a result.

All "Showcase" videos demonstrate strategies to complete the mission, along with optimal results (good salvage, minimal damage to own forces).

There are two sure ways of completing this mission. The first is to use a Minelayer to take out most of the opposition by laying mines on the routes the enemies will take. The second, which is exhibited here, calls for aggressive interception as far from the Farms as possible.

Why bother to do this mission the harder way (without the minelayer)? Simply this: 1. I dislike purchasing unnecessary items (the only things I purchase are pilots, and the occasional Refit Truck, throughout the campaign), and 2. I'm big on training. When the mines destroy enemies, my pilots get less experience, less kills, and thus less skill increases.

The Mechs' pilots and weapon loadouts are shown at the beginning of the video. My Mechs are split into 3 Force Groups; the lone Mech in F3 (Mystique) climbs the hill at the bottom left of the map, then heads for the railway at the right of the map to await the first SRM Carrier coming from there. The rest of my forces head for the other hill at the bottom right of the map revealed by Mystique, both for scouting and also because this is the first Intercept point for the four Saracens slowly approaching the farms. After that they hurry over to meet the Condors.

Thereafter, a lone light Mech can be left to guard the Farm on the right side (Farm 1), as it will only be subject to occasional attacks by lone SRM carriers. The rest of your forces should concentrate on protecting Farm 2. Here, I demonstrate extensive scouting to check out all possible approaches to Farm 2, picking up the salvage from the warehouses in the upper right corner on the way, then have my Mechs all gather at the spawn point in the upper right of the map.

This point disgorges the SRM carriers, LRM carriers, a pack of Savannah Masters, and a Hunchback. Being there from the very beginning of their appearance, maximizes opportunities to take out the LRM carriers instantly before they get a chance to attack, and I concentrate on taking out the vehicles; the Savannah Masters will go after the Farms and are priority targets. Being able to run my Mechs with them, firing all the way, ensures none of them will get anywhere near the Farm. As for the Hunchback, having fast Mechs that can outrun it is a good idea; the Mechs can outdistance its Autocannon whilst blasting the vehicles. Being at the same intercept point as it does give the Hunchback a chance to fire off its Heavy Autocannon a few times; it usually targets the heaviest Mech near it, and so it is important not to leave your Mech's weak rear armor exposed to it any longer than necessary, as I have shown here.

Finally, two pairs of light Mechs come from the south. Dropping Artillery strikes on them softens them up somewhat. Intercept them just south of Farm 2, and keep up the pressure on the Ullers and the Firestarter, which will try to blow up the Farm buildings. I sent Mystique to join the battle once shed dealt with the last SRM carrier attacking Farm 1.

Here, I only managed to salvage the Hunchback with all its weapons, but overall damage to my Mechs was quite minimal (the Hunchback can easily blow one or two light Mechs to pieces with a single hit from its Heavy Autocannon) and my weakest pilots did get their skill increases, so I'm happy.

Subsequent videos I put up will only be of specific Mech Commander missions that are interesting or difficult; I won't bore viewers with the routine stuff that anyone can complete without much effort.

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• Mech
• Commander
• Gold
• Farms
• Showcase
• Walkthrough