The term “Highlander Burial” could refer to a Scottish funeral rite. In this case, however, the article refers to a combat maneuver from MechWarrior. MechWarrior is the video game version of the BattleMech game. The Highlander referenced here is a 90-ton, four-story-tall heavy assault mech.
The phrase describes a jump-and-stomp move. The pilot uses the mech’s “jump jets” to launch itself into the air. Then, in a move kinda reminiscent of a WWE diving foot stomp, the machine lands directly on top of an enemy. Usually, that’s a lighter mech or a more traditional tracked AFV.
In some messier cases, of course, it could also be some of the poor, bloody infantry. And that’s a whole ‘nuther level than when tankers call grunts “crunchies.”
Mechwarrior Highlander Burial
I stumbled across this short video while researching The Black Watch (now 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, or 3 SCOTS). I haven’t played BattleTech since Reagan was in his second term, and I’ve never played MechWarrior. Still, I enjoy the concept and occasionally read the fiction, so I thought this was pretty cool.
Hearing Scotland the Brave on the pipes before things get bloody is a nice touch, too.
If you’re interested in more like this, check out Masaka on YouTube.
Anyway, not a big deal (that’s what she said). Since I enjoyed it, I figured a few of you would too.
For some additional details (and not at all because I’m trying to increase my word count), read through the notes below. BattleTech lore is only slightly less in-depth nowadays than Warhammer 40K lore, so I may be way off.
- The mech that delivers the 90-ton double-foot curb stomp is from the “Royal Black Watch regiment”. That fictional unit’s lineage goes back to Scotland on Old Earth.
- The real-world Black Watch has been part of 3 SCOTS since 2006/ Before that (as of 1881), it was The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Go back even further, and they were the Royal Highland Regiment. Before that honor, they were officially regimented as the 42nd (Highland) Regiment of Foot.
- I say “officially regimented” because until 1739, they were a collection of independent “Highland Watch” companies rather than a line regiment. They’re not the senior Scottish regiment, but they are the oldest Highland unit.
- The mech that gets pancaked is a 40-ton Viper (which I only know ‘cuz I read the comments and consulted Goonhammer).
- They’re fighting on the planet Huntress. That detail could mean a lot or nothing, depending on whether you like the game.
BattleTech Books and Mech Fiction in General
I have a few suggestions for you if you enjoy this sort of military sci-fi. These aren’t all BattleTech books, and I’m not including “suited” classics like Armor and Starship Troopers. Don’t let that stop you from checking out the list.
- Gray Death Legion (William H Keith Jr.)
- BattleTech Legends: The Warrior Trilogy (Michael A. Stackpole)
- Land & Sea (Blaine Pardon and Declan Finn)
- Metal Legion (Gideon, Wachter, and Martelle)
- Wholesale Slaughter (Rick Partlow)
- War’s Edge: Berserkers (Ryan W. Asleen)
Enter BANG7 at checkout to save a few bucks.
The Highlander was always my favorite mech in the BattleTech universe. Not sure why. It looked cool. It jumped. It had the Gauss cannon in its arm. Anyway. Very cool video.