In the dozen games I just played on my Atlas D-DC with an XL350, I died from torso destruction once, and CT death every other time (except rounds where I didn't die, I suppose.)
I just don't agree that the XL engine is automatic fail. Will you die sooner or more often? Probably, because I do not think the extra speed or lower weight (more armaments) totally offsets the additional vulnerability. However, if you are already losing major pieces of your mech, you are probably combat-ineffective except as something to draw enemy fire for a few more seconds.
I actually like the extra speed afforded me by an XL350 in a mastered Atlas. Believe it or not, I can sometimes out-maneuver other assault mechs so well that I can defeat them in a brawl without taking significant damage. If you thought a Commando staying behind you and lasering your back to death was bad, imagine being an STK unable to turn fast enough to aim any weapons at an Atlas.
EDIT: Here is the loadout I am playing right now
AS7-D-DC 614/614 armor,
XL350 engine,
ECM,
19 DHS, 99.2 tons
2 Lg Pulse Laser, 1 AMS w/1 ammo,
1 LRM15+artemis w/2 ammo,
1 UAC/5 w/3 ammo
Speed is 56.7K before efficiency bonus
I get minimal use out of SRMs. Maybe that's because of poor skill with them, but my biggest gripe about this build is the UAC/5 always jamming. No heat gripes, because it doesn't overheat, even brawling on the hot maps. That is a surprisingly good advantage.
The LRM launcher is my answer to annoying snipers even though I am not launching enough missiles to do real damage. Some enemies want to rush inside of my LRM range, and that is nice since I get to LPL them to death.
Edited by jeffsw6, 30 March 2013 - 04:04 AM.