134 replies to this topic

[MacabreDerek]

Do not get me wrong, that other mechs that are not 100 tons having a use is great, but I am concerned with the role the Atlas will play. Particularly, we are talking about one of the slowest mechs avalible, with weapons mostly designed for in-close fighting, the only way this mech will even get a snowball chance in hell is with a massive amount of armour. Even weaving among cover is going to become a struggle to move up without getting reduced to slag.

What is the purpose of this mech in the end other than to become a bullet sponge? We have seen alot of the videos of Atlases getting pounded on, and I am starting to feel that if this mech did not have an iconic status, it would probably have been moved out of the development seat for something a sight more practical.

About the only real threat this mech offers (in default config) is an AC20 shell in the torso, but even then, does this mech really have the firepower to survive or even do anything aside from act as sniper-bait?

I can only imagine that when MWO releases, everyone wielding this 100-ton tank is going to be switching out weapon loadouts to give it some punch at range to make up for it's slow movement. Still, I am not even sure that will be enough to salvage the Atlas from the trouncing I am currently percieving.

[Dirk Le Daring]

Every mech has it's strengths and weaknesses, the Atlas needs support. This is where teamwork will come into it's own. However, the bottom line is this, we are yet to play, and without that we cannot judge anything. Keep in mind the footage is an example of play, to show off the game, not actual trying to win stuff. Hope this makes sense

[Aegis Kleais]

This was discussed at LENGTH already.

[Steamroller Stig]

Personally I have never seen any use other than mobile turret for assaults save the MW4 mercs sunder with 10 extra tons of engine. they are just so slow any half decent pilot could hit CT every time and drop them in seconds. plus when you coordinate with other mechs and focus fire the last thing you want to be in on the business end that attack is a arthritic endo steel war hulk bumbling by at 50km/h.

[oswin aurelius]

All of the issues you listed are things the Atlas is known for. It's a bullet sponge and a close range brawler. You think 4 medium lasers don't hurt? Go ahead, get close to it because you think you can dodge the AC20.

[Gun Bear]

I think the Atlas will do just fine. There is a reason it lasted for friggin ever. Some of the weaknesses percieved by Op are actually strengths.

It was built to look intimidating and soak up fire thats why it has so much armor. It takes the brunt of the attack while smaller 'mechs get into position and attack the enemy, then the atlas saunters casually into the battlefield and starts smashing every enemy in sight.

Edited by Gun Bear, 08 April 2012 - 02:32 PM.

[NightFallsOnU]

The atlas will do fine so long as the pilot with it will stay out of the open with his bullseye painted across his CT...
other then that tho he WILL be the target a whole lance will keep under their crosshairs

[Aegis Kleais]

Long story short, if you have the mentality that you're always taking on enemies 1v1, you're going to find those who support/utilize slower classes and move in packs to be an overwhelming force.

No Mech is best on it's own. All Mechs do better with support.

[Zakatak]

I'm all for the Atlas getting 2 or 3 more tons of armor. Everything else is fine.

[Insidious Johnson]

Atlas needs urbie launchers! OMGZORS! Its so un-OP w/o!

[oswin aurelius]

Insidious Johnson, on 08 April 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

Atlas needs urbie launchers! OMGZORS! Its so un-OP w/o!

Urbies like this:

[Ronin13m]

I prefer Mediums and heavy's the slow movement of the Atlas can be off set by changing out some of the armament. If I find my lance in need of an Atlas I will probably recommend replacing the AC20 with a Gauss riffle when it becomes available. This along with the LRM-20 will give it a good long range punch. With 4 medium lasers and an SRM-6 pack for close in work. Any one that closes on the Atlas will still know it.

[oswin aurelius]

Ronin13m, on 08 April 2012 - 03:09 PM, said:

I prefer Mediums and heavy's the slow movement of the Atlas can be off set by changing out some of the armament. If I find my lance in need of an Atlas I will probably recommend replacing the AC20 with a Gauss riffle when it becomes available. This along with the LRM-20 will give it a good long range punch. With 4 medium lasers and an SRM-6 pack for close in work. Any one that closes on the Atlas will still know it.

This is the reason I don't like any Assault 'mechs other than the Cyclops. Everything just moves too damn slow. I like the idea of having the speed of a fast heavy, the armor of an assault, and the weaponry of a medium/heavy. :3

Edited by Oswin Aurelius, 08 April 2012 - 03:12 PM.

[Hawk3y394]

The purpose of the Atlas is to be a bullet sponge, its so powerful at close quarters that you can't afford to ignore it or let it get close. The Atlas is meant to be shot up so that his support mechs can get in position and start laying down the pain.

[stun]

Hawk3y394, on 08 April 2012 - 03:23 PM, said:

The purpose of the Atlas is to be a bullet sponge, its so powerful at close quarters that you can't afford to ignore it or let it get close. The Atlas is meant to be shot up so that his support mechs can get in position and start laying down the pain.

yeah thats pretty much what its good for. The thing was a such a piece in mw4 so im pretty leary about using them at all. In a higher tonnage drop dec I wouldn't be taking any as of right now, but who knows maybe it will better somehow in mwo.

[Sir Ollie]

So an LRM-20 for long range engagements is nothing? and Ac-20 with 4 med lasers are not enough for you? By TT rules you could Fire everything at a mech and if you hit with them all.. and in MWO it wont be too hard to hit with all of them, you would pulverize (read destroy all armour+ lots of internals) any location you hit. Now in TT the hits where random locations, but on Computer games they are not, they hit where you aim and tend to group if your firing groups. So sure all Assault mechs are slow, (except the Charger who cant HURT anything anyway) but if you hit.. your killing what your attacking. Your medium and light mechs are supposed to be Supporting you, the same way you are supposed to support them. this is a Team game. If you want to go Lone Wolf, don't cry when your mech dies within the first few minutes because you get surrounded. Of course your so slow you will probably be around for a while until you engage the bigger Mechs anyway. The Atlas is a Close range Assault Mech. It has the armour to take a few hits. Wade through the Lights and Mediums and watch them crawl away in scraps.

I Keep using the Table Top references because the Devs have said they are trying to keep the game as close to Table top as they can..

[Gun Bear]

I posted earlier but I just want to reiterate my lack of concern for someone with 19 tons of armor to keep themselves safe in battle, I got my own arse to keep safe

[stun]

I would rather swap out the AC20 for something long range, to keep the mech long range. Or swap the lrm 20 for something close range.

1 lrm20 for long range isnt good enough for 100 tonns of equipment, and neither is 1 AC 20 for short range. Usually mechs trying to be good at all ranges for 1 config are useless at them all.

[Locan Ravok]

The primary configuration, the "token" LRM20 is more long range firepower than any released mech below 60t. Even in a open terrain this is substancial.

In city fight the close range weapons will be used to maximun effect and the Atlas will shine at its best.

[Nathan K]

Oswin Aurelius, on 08 April 2012 - 03:02 PM, said:

Urbies like this:

I thought he was talking about a weapon that launches Urbies at others. (Dude, that would be totally AWSOME!)