12 replies to this topic

[Agent 0 Fortune]

I am trying to decide if I should pick up the X-5 cicada
Thing's I like about the Cicada:
Medium mech (I already have other Cicada's in my stable)
Armor (slight advantage due to tonnage)
+30% C-Bills
Flexible hard points (although the 2 port missiles are still restrictive)


Things I like about the Jenner D
Light mech (This is the only light mech i own, but elo presents and opportunity meta-game using more varieties of weight classes, however it also means I have to purchase 2 more Jenners for xps)
Speed (while similar speed to Cicada, however Jenner is more tonnage efficient about it)
+ 25% C-Bills
Size (smaller than Cicada)
Jump Jets
Free (or more aptly I already own it)

Right now I'm leaning toward the jenner based on Jump Jets and an opportunity to expand into the light weight class, But I am interested in some additional opinions.

[SpartanFiredog317]

Join the Ranks of the Elite.... Ninja Lurm in an X5.... VroomSwooshVroomSwooshPewPew.

[Vassago Rain]

It's a fat founder's jenner.

[DarkDevilDancer]

Please get one, the more the better they die easier than those pesky ravens.

[MonkeyCheese]

I was in the same position. I already have a mastered founders jenner, and I just finished mastering my 3m cicada, but I decided to not buy the x5 as the jenner has jumpjets.

[Agent 0 Fortune]

DarkDevilDancer, on 09 March 2013 - 01:37 PM, said:

Please get one, the more the better they die easier than those pesky ravens.

That is unlikely to happen I don't like ravens, in fact the only reason I don't have any light mechs (other than founders jenner) is because when the match maker worked, it mean the opposing team had one less raven.

[Warrax the Chaos Warrior]

I don't run any light mechs. I might try them out eventually, but what little time I've spent in them didn't make it seem like they were really my style.

I do really like the Cicada. I disagree with the argument that it's just an oversized light. I think you do way better playing it as a fast medium that you do trying to run it like you would a light mech; i.e. don't try to scout with it, and while you can put a hurting on lights harassing your teammates, don't follow them when they run off.

If you already like the Cicada, you'll like the X-5. People who fail to be effective in Cicadas are failing because they treat it like a light. If you've already played Cicadas and you know how to make them work, you'll find the X-5 to be a comfortable fit (though I would argue that the 2A is still the best, with the X-5 at number two and the 3M now in third).

Oh, and the two-tube launchers work quite well with SRM4s. 300XL engine frees up the tonnage to make the change with 2 tons of ammo and enough heatsinks.

[JeepStuff]

I was wondering the same thing, but I bought one and I like it much much much more than my founder Jenner. The key distinction for me is that the Jenner's missile hard points are both in the CT, where the X5 has them in the side torsos. That opens up the option for dual SRM6's (which don't fit in the CT). I run two SRM6's and four med lasers, and it's an awesome build. It's my 3L hunter/killer. It's very very effective. I'll never play my founder Jenner again.

Edited by EJT, 10 March 2013 - 01:24 PM.

[Hamm3r]

The two tube launchers work well with SRM6s as well, little easier to place them. Though to run SRM6s you'll either have to drop the engine, or a couple of Heat-sinks and two MLs to SLs. Either way its still a good Mech, I bounce around between with 4ML 2LRM5---2ML, 2SL, 2SRM6, or 4ML 2SSRM2.

[Mike Townsend]

I'm also in the same boat. The main things holding me back are being unsure how much I'll like running four or six pack SRMs out of dual tube launchers and that I seem to do a lot better with arm weapons than torso weapons. I really like running my weapon groups as left arm, right arm, torso Mouse1/Mouse2/Mouse4. I can generally deal with a fourth weapon group on Mouse 5 and I also have a sixth and seventh button, but they're much less convenient to hit (they're intended for sensitivity adjustment, Razer Mamba.) .I'd probably run left and right arms as 1 and two with the pair of torso lasers as 4 and the missiles as 5, but in general the Cicada seems like it has a less desirable (for me) layout. I plan on hoping for a sale and maybe picking it up for 30% off or something. For now, I'll stick with the Jenner.

[Voyager I]

Assuming you make them both go fast, the Cicada spends the entirety of its extra five tons on getting a big enough engine to keep pace with the Jenner, and the marginal increase in raw durability probably does not make up for having a much larger hitbox. The Jenner has jump jets, lasers that aim as a single weapon group, and is capable of firing SRM-4s in a single volley.

The only real reason to buy the X-5 is if you like the Jenner D enough to buy a slightly worse version with a C-Bill bonus. If you already have a Founder's Jenner, I seriously doubt the extra 5% is worth shelling out a few thousand MC and driving a not-as-good robot.

If the X-5 had more than two tubes for its missile racks it would be a much more interesting option, but as it stands the Jenner D is actually a better SRM platform.

Edited by Voyager I, 10 March 2013 - 03:15 PM.

[Captain Midnight]

Well I think the Jenner is a better choice. While the armor is better on the cicada, the hitbox is worse. I would consider it a wash. Further, you can stack 2xSRM4 on the Jenner and get it in one spurt, whereas you are using weird firing 4s, regular 2s, OR non-ecm streaks on the X-5. None of those options sound appetizing.

With the jump jets and the arm-mounted lasers on the jenner it seems a solid choice.

HOWEVER you could try a weird standard engine build on the X-5, where a Jenner is locked on 280-300XL as the only choice.

[kilgor]

I don't have the Founder's Jenner D, but I do have a D. This is what I run.

Jenner JR7-D
235 XL Engine
2 x Jump Jets
1 x Large Laser
2 x Medium Lasers
1 x SRM-4
1 x LRM-5
11 Double Heat Sinks

The closest comparison I have between the Jenner and Cicada is the Jenner F vs the Cicada 3M and here's why I like the Jenner better.

1. All laser weapons are in the arms, so they have more range of movement. This is especially good on uneven terrain, such as the side of a mountain or hill. This also allows you to focus your laser weapons on one location better.
2. Jump Jets. It eases landings when you walk off mountains and you can scale some walls even with just 2 JJ, and they allow you to jump turn to change directions faster to get more shots in.
3. Smaller profile, so you're harder to hit than a Cicada.

I used to like the Cicadas better and even levelled them first. I also bought and sold the Jenner D multiple times because I hated it. I hated the Jenner so much, I levelled the Commandos, Spiders, and Ravens before I gave the Jenner a shot again in my search for a good Light 'Mech for my stable. I also wanted a Light 'Mech with dual missile launchers, so I decided to go for it again. With the netcode improvements, I started liking Jenners a lot and Jenners are now my favorite lights.

Edited by kilgor, 10 March 2013 - 04:10 PM.