Ok, after further consideration a Wolverine II would be my first choice and a Griffin 2N being second.
How would you customize the Wolverine II? I've got one but I haven't really thought about what I need to do with it. And at least for now, it seems like it's always punching below it's weight. That might have something to do with my pilots too though, that mech hasn't always had a good pilot in it consistently.
Here's what my plan is:
1. Replace the Std Engine with an XL freeing up 7.5 tons
2. Add 2 DHS to 12
3. Increase armor from 161 to 185 (max)
4. Remove the Ultra AC/5, the MPL and remove Artemis from the SRM 6
5. Add the extra pilot seating (0.5T cargo space in the head that replaces the MPL) - not combat effective, pure RP, but worth it
6. Add an ER PPC to the RA, 3 ML to the RT, 3 ML to the LT, BAP to the LT, SPL to the CT and SPL to the RA
As my CO's ride I get the benefit of it being a command mech. As a Scout/Skirmish lance the ER PPC gives me long range hitting power and the BAP allows me to identify targets. The 2 SPL are 0 ammo anti-infantry weapons that are still useful in 3051, probably less useful in another 5 to 10 years. If I need to take something out, getting in close brings 6 MLs and the SRM 6 to bear, so up to 42 points of damage with a base weapon heat of 22. I'm heat neutral walking or running, and only +3 on the heat scale if I jump. Given what's on the board, a Wolverine isn't going to stand out as the mech that needs to be taken out as there are far heavier and more obviously dangerous mechs this group uses. It's also not so light to represent a relatively easy kill. Total BV is 1680. It's a lower BV than my Warhammer by almost 100 (1680 vs. 1773) with the same movement and DHS, plus cargo space. The Whammy has an extra 12 points of armor and a PPC in place of the Wolverine II's 4 extra MLs and BAP. Worse long range damage, but better bracket fire and scouting capabilities. The final part of it is that my character started in a Wolverine so it would be good to get him back in an upgraded version of the machine he was awarded along with his Silver Sunburst. Again a RP thing, but it adds to the appeal.