49 replies to this topic

[El Bandito]

This is why I don't go XL on an Atlas.

[Leiska]

In my opinion people are way too afraid of XL engines on their big mechs. I'll almost always stick an XL into any mech if I want to save weight at the expense of space. I've put XLs into most of my my Stalker builds, too, and the times I've met a premature death due to side torso penetration are very rare. I only use a standard engine when I need to spam heat sinks as they're light and take a ton of space.

Survival with an XL is all about hiding your wounded side and it's usually very doable unless you're surrounded, in which case you're probably going to die very quickly regardless of engine type.

Edited by Leiska, 02 April 2013 - 08:40 AM.

[MADSix]

I only have Awesomes for assault.
AWS-8Q Standard only
AWS-8R Standard for SRM build XL for LRM build
AWS-9M ALways XL 380

I am thinking if I ever get an Atlas though standard only

[Tesunie]

JPsi, on 02 April 2013 - 08:25 AM, said:

I agree it feels like it, I even use the same tactic verse all stalkers. I guess I'm just looking at it the other side of the coin.
How often does that XL stalker get caught out for those nice salvos vs the standard equipped one? Thats a lot harder to tell as its not really known how many players use XL stalkers.

I can only infer from my experience while playing stalkers. I die a lot more often running a standard engine, moving slowly and getting caught than I do from being quick killed while running an XL.
My experience could even run counter to that of most stalker pilots and be the oddity, but it's the only solid indicator I've seen.

Clarification: I'm using the XL to get the extra speed for reposition/keeping to the better spots around the teamfight so people have a hard time closing/flanking. Not: "hey I'm a light and you have trouble aiming at me"

I think we agree. My Stalker is actually built to be a trap. I have 4 LRM5s and 6 med lasers. I do also have a 300 standard engine, but mech looks like an LRM boat. I can hang back if I need to, and as people find me, I melt them with pin point laser fire. I stay close to allies when I can too. I've played slower mechs, and they work fine, just positioning on the field is more important as well as having a buddy by your side.

It's all in how you play, what risks you want to take, and how the build is. I just find, for little sacrifice, I can do just as well in a standard engine, even if I'm moving a little slower for it. My standard engine Jagermech does well going slow with dual AC20s. Actually, it's saved my mech having standard engine and still killing with one AC20...

[CarnifexMaximus]

I miss having the Atlas-K as a trial mech.

Please by all means put an XL in your 19 meter tall mech with huge side torsos, I love it.

This: http://mwomercs.com/...pport-ddc-ever/

[eaglemaster42]

XL works fine in my awesome 9M

[Ghostsuit]

As one or two people have pointed out. If I can cram enough weapons in I'll take the XL, sure survivability goes down but damage out put goes up and maneuverability goes up and for me that's a much better trade of than having a limping mech with usually less than 50% of it's weapons remaining for a few seconds longer.

[Tesunie]

Ghostsuit, on 02 April 2013 - 10:05 AM, said:

As one or two people have pointed out. If I can cram enough weapons in I'll take the XL, sure survivability goes down but damage out put goes up and maneuverability goes up and for me that's a much better trade of than having a limping mech with usually less than 50% of it's weapons remaining for a few seconds longer.

I tend to find survivability to be random after loosing a side. Sometimes I live and continue to do its of damage, other times, I'll die a few seconds after, if not at the same time I loose the side. I also don't find I save too much on some of my mechs with XL, and in others the larger engine gets me in trouble with the faster speed. I find sometimes I end up being fast enough to get into trouble, but still too slow to get out of it.

Once more, this depends upon the build and pilot preference. My Stalkers will always have standard engines. My Hunchback 4SP will also keep standard. Jagermech I'm debating on though, but I think I'll stay standard there too for now. Dragon is XL, as is my Cicada. Centurion is standard and runs well, but I could see an XL in it without too much trouble.

Depends upon mech and play style. Completely.

Edited by Tesunie, 02 April 2013 - 10:19 AM.

[Darkfire66]

Just play the mech you like. People are jerks.

That being said, I find the weight savings are offset by the loss of slots and extra vulnerability. I rarely run them in anything other than a sniper build, which I don't use many of...so...

[Stoicblitzer]

my first instinct is to say "no way" but after some thought I would say that XL assaults are viable if they participate in support roles in a highly organized group environment. i'm still not sure if the speed/firepower benefit is worth it. in competition, side torsos are the first thing to be targeted in most situations. i doubt any competition team runs any of the current assault mechs with XL engines in tournament play. another reason is you never know which map you're gonna get.