Despite their differences, Workmechs still have plenty in common with Battlemechs, enough that they often got scavenged for parts during the Succession Wars to keep combat units operational. They became rare, and only really returned in numbers post Jihad. 2/

In the first five years of the Dark Age, with BatteMechs being a rarity, Workmechs would be pressed into service to fill the same battlefield roles until they could be properly replaced. They were a stopgap measure, and often a controversial one. 3/

Machine guns, missile racks, autocannons, even lasers where the power plant allowed it. Renegades and lawful governments alike all turned these plowshares into swords. Often, the tools of the machine's trade were retained and used as an improvised melee weapon. 4/

Though considered laughably inferior to a true Battlemech, these MOD (Modified) variants of Workmechs worked well enough in many fights. The mech you have is better than no mech at all. Woe to the Mechjock who drops his guard around an upgunned forklift. 5/

The MOD is not a concept exclusive to the Dark Age. Underfunded PDF groups, Mercs, and Insurgents alike have used MODs when real machines were outside their reach for centuries. But the rapid and widespread use of them in the 3130s brought MODs to everyone's attention. 6/

Though the Workmech MODs are largely gone from the battlefields of the IlKhan era, that cat is out of the bag. People KNOW these things exist, and that they can possibly handle Battlemechs. If a populace gets rowdy enough, Workmech MODs will not be far behind. 7/Fin

@Ganglosaxonnne It is notable that Workmechs, or Industrialmechs as I prefer to term them, have been in Battletech since some of the first books, including in unintended combat roles. In Mercenary's Star, the 60 ton Heavy Forester, a local product of Verthandi was used in combat.

@ardan_blade Yep. I used Workmech for character restriction purposes.

@Ganglosaxonnne Is that a cat in the bucket window of the OP image?

@BrodderTheDwarf I can't tell

@Ganglosaxonnne Fantastic thread about something near and dear to my heart. It was these IndustrialMech MOD’s that really told the story of the Dark Age. It was people cut off from everything doing whatever they had to to protect their homes.

@Ganglosaxonnne Always wanted to make a lance of IndustrialMech resistance or pirate raiders and see how long it takes to work up to a full force of "proper" Mechs...

@Ganglosaxonnne KillDozer https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Dem... Discount Dan here, listen I have crazzzzy amounts of industrial mechs... https://www.youtube.com/watch?... #Battletech #Mechwarrior #MWO #Muppets #Mech

@Ganglosaxonnne Da Clamps !