33 replies to this topic

[juxstapo]

Mad respect to OP.

<S>

[Team Leader]

Could you reupload the chart? post is kinda pointless without it
But good research, thanks for the information! 300xl goin in

[MonkeyCheese]

I use a 295XL in my mastered 3M always have and always will, 131kph with speed tweak is plenty of speed and you still have space for weapons, be it Autocannons, Large or Large pulse lasers, or just plenty of heat sinks

[Nothing Whatsoever]

I figure hardpoint configuration and preferred style of play are other factors in engine choice, but I assume the two best engine options will generally be between either a 300 XL or 325 XL on average, due to necessary speeds to compete, gained HS slots in engine and weight difference.

Currently I have a CDA-2B with a 325 XL, the other option could be to remove AMS (and ammo) for an SL in the CT and another DHS if one keeps the 325 XL and the same armor (Other Variants can sacrifice armor on the Arms, but I happen to like the better vertical range of the 2B). At least for PUGging, speed tends to be more important. But I have seen even 2 PPC or 2 ERPPC on Cicadas, which can be annoying to deal with when they have support.

And here's a 4 ML Jenner K for comparison.

So with Jenny's and Cicadas, the main difference is the JJ on the Jenner, which is very helpful most of the time and necessary if fighting another Jenner.

The 7.9 KPH difference and armor is negligible between the two, since in my own experience I'm either often CT cored or Legged and the single JJ can tend to improve ones survival when used judiciously.

[GammaGauss]

With a 5.19 DPS this 300XL Cicada will teach any Jenner to stay away.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f648c3bf7ac75da

[Amalinze]

GammaGauss, on 05 August 2013 - 07:17 AM, said:

With a 5.19 DPS this 300XL Cicada will teach any Jenner to stay away.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f648c3bf7ac75da

I run a similar build, but with 2 more ML instead of the Artemis. Since the SRM's are fired out of 2 tubes each, do you see much advantage to it? I thought my spread was pretty manageable, but i'm curious how you feel it does for you.

[Darwins Dog]

Hey look, I fixed the graph! That makes it scientific.

[Shifty Eyes]

GammaGauss, on 05 August 2013 - 07:17 AM, said:

With a 5.19 DPS this 300XL Cicada will teach any Jenner to stay away.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f648c3bf7ac75da

Kinda wondering the same thing as Amalinze. I would have stuck SRM4's in those slots instead. Are the SRM6's in the small tubes manageable for you?

Anyhow, I usually run between a XL280 and XL300 for my cicadas, but I almost always make fast sniper builds, which don't require as much speed if you keep your distance and maintain map awareness. Although, one of my favorites after the last patch is my originally-made-as-troll-build 3C with 1x ERPPC and 4x MG's with just a XL290 in it. I take pot shots all game and swoop in like a vulture to gun down exposed internals (and KS a lot...)

The biggest thing for me that the Cicada has over the Jenner is precisely the capability to mount PPC's and light ballistics when you don't max out the engine. Also It's nice to strip off arm armor and use that tonnage elsewhere.

Edited by Shifty Eyes, 12 August 2013 - 10:04 AM.

[bantapoo]

I intuitively thought that xl 300 is the sweet spot for cicadas.
For instance I run CDA 3C at 300 XL, endo, FF, 4xMG+1LPL+AMS, 3 ton of ammo, max armor.

[Lege]

I've been running 300 XL in my Cicadas since they were released. The extra firepower is what wins you the fight. If you want the extra speed drive a Jenner. If you want to go roughly 17 kph slower with more firepower run a Cicada.

[Bluecricket]

Praetor Shepard, on 04 August 2013 - 07:38 PM, said:

So with Jenny's and Cicadas, the main difference is the JJ on the Jenner, which is very helpful most of the time and necessary if fighting another Jenner.

The Jenner-F with 6 MLas, 5 Jump Jets, and a 300XL has an unmatched blend of small size, speed, mobility, and firepower. It is, quite honestly, in a league of its own and should not be the 'mech that the Cicada is compared to.

If you're investigating reasons to pick a Cicada over a similar Light 'mech, that comparison should be made with the Raven 3L. Both are larger, slower, and carry less weaponry in exchange for their ECM coverage. Especially with Streak SRMs in such a weak place right now, this may be a legitimate consideration to investigate.

[Nothing Whatsoever]

Bluecricket, on 14 August 2013 - 02:16 PM, said:

The Jenner-F with 6 MLas, 5 Jump Jets, and a 300XL has an unmatched blend of small size, speed, mobility, and firepower. It is, quite honestly, in a league of its own and should not be the 'mech that the Cicada is compared to.

If you're investigating reasons to pick a Cicada over a similar Light 'mech, that comparison should be made with the Raven 3L. Both are larger, slower, and carry less weaponry in exchange for their ECM coverage. Especially with Streak SRMs in such a weak place right now, this may be a legitimate consideration to investigate.

Indeed, the JR7-F is awesome, I have the Champ version, it is very deadly with those MLs.

The reason I used the JR7-K in my earlier post is because it can mount four MLs in the arm's like a CDA-2B.

I didn't think of the Ravens.

[Darwins Dog]

Bluecricket, on 14 August 2013 - 02:16 PM, said:

The Jenner-F with 6 MLas, 5 Jump Jets, and a 300XL has an unmatched blend of small size, speed, mobility, and firepower. It is, quite honestly, in a league of its own and should not be the 'mech that the Cicada is compared to.

If you're investigating reasons to pick a Cicada over a similar Light 'mech, that comparison should be made with the Raven 3L. Both are larger, slower, and carry less weaponry in exchange for their ECM coverage. Especially with Streak SRMs in such a weak place right now, this may be a legitimate consideration to investigate.

Honestly the CDA-3M is my least favorite of the bunch. It has the worst agility of them all, thanks to the quirks, and is better suited to a fire support/escort role. I don't play Ravens, so I don't know how the handling compares, but the 3M is not suited to the same role that a Raven usually plays. Give it a UAC5, and/or a PPC and you have a nice bit of fast support for a direct fire lance.

[Thorqemada]

Yeah, i think the 300XL is the sweet spot for most setups.
Usually i am able to stand most 1vs1 fights against Lights, have the speed to go away from anything heavier and ECM cover in my 3M.
But yes - the Cicada is way easier to hit than any Light Mech though i wonder sometimes how a few Pilots manage to 1-shot my 38 to 40 armor points leg when its still pretty healthy early in the figths.
At all i am doing quite well with 215 points of armor.

Edited by Thorqemada, 15 August 2013 - 04:34 AM.