32 replies to this topic

[ArcDemon]

Once the Highlander is fully released the next mech should be the Flea, the 20 ton baby version of the K2. Smaller then even the baby atlas the Flea should could be the fastest light mech yet and may herald the introduction of MASC. As long as the hardpoints don't suck (sorry Spider) it will probably be my next mech. We know that at least 3 variants will need to be offered and the number of choices, assuming we don't get into custom rules, is limited.

By the classic rules I think (please correct me if I'm wrong) that there are 4 variants possible. FLE-4, FLE-14 and FLE-15 are all classic mechs from before the Clan invasion. The FLE-17 should just make it too, being introduced in 3049.

All of these mechs possess attributes that make conversion to MWO rules less then clear. The FLE-14 is supposed to be a stripped down 15 ton version, so while it could be converted the stock 'trial' version would be 5 tons underweight. The other 3 all possess several rear firing weapons which also don't work in MWO.

FLE-4
RA Large Laser
LA 2x Small Laser
CT(Rear) Flamer

FLE-14
RA Medium Laser
4x Jump Jet

FLE-15
RA Medium Laser, Machine Gun
LA Medium Laser, Machine Gun
CT Flamer
RT(Rear) Small Laser
LT(Rear) Small Laser


FLE-17
RA Medium Pulse Laser
LA Medium Pulse Laser
CT Flamer
RT(Rear) Small Laser
LT(Rear) Small Laser
MASC

We could ignore the rear firing weapons which gives us some distinctive hardpoint layouts: The FLE-4 gets 3 energy hardpoints in the arms (this could be updated to 4, 2 in each). The FLE-15 gets 1 energy and 1 ballistic hardpoint in each arm and a center torso energy hardpoint. The FLE-17 has the same energy hardpoints as the -15, but trades the ballistic hardpoints for the ability to mount a MASC system. The MASC system doesn't exist in MWO yet, so that might pose a problem.

The 15 ton FLE-14 is an empty canvas since it only has one hard point. It has jump jets so I'd probably limit it to one additional hardpoint somewhere else. There is also the fact that the cannon FLE-14 mounts a larger engine, a 135 instead of the 120. By the convention that MWO has used that means the FLE-14 would have a higher maximum engine then the other Flea variants. For reference here is what the FLE-14 is supposed to look like with the single energy hardpoint and the jump jets mounted (picture is from the cannon reference for the FLE-14, the Succession War Experimental Readouts book).

Edited by ArcDemon, 08 April 2013 - 11:14 AM.

[Josef Nader]

The 15 ton flea isn't happening. The other variants are go. Move all rear-mounted weapons to the front, as that's how they've done it with other rear mounted weapons (like the AS7-D).

[hashinshin]

I hope the Flea never releases.

The commando is barely functional as is, remove 5 tons and you'll just be ruining your team.

[Josef Nader]

Tough toenails. It's coming next month. I might very well pick one up, as the idea of blitzing along in such a tiny mech with 5 medium lasers amuses me to no end.

[armyof1]

It's like a fledgling light mech that will be food for all the grown-up lights. Unless it'll get a cloaking device that will make it invisible for several seconds, it's just going to get slaughtered.

[Team Leader]

I wish they buffed MGs before then, so that one of the flea variants, the spider variant, and the cicada variant will finally be USEFUL. As for hardpoints, I think I saw a post on that a while back. Give me a sec.

Edit: WTF. How long has search not worked? Is that just my computer?

Edited by Team Leader, 08 April 2013 - 11:30 AM.

[Josef Nader]

armyof1, on 08 April 2013 - 11:20 AM, said:

It's like a fledgling light mech that will be food for all the grown-up lights. Unless it'll get a cloaking device that will make it invisible for several seconds, it's just going to get slaughtered.

Considering it's the same overall size as the commando with about half as much surface area, I'm inclined to disagree. The flea's greatest strength is that it's positively miniscule. If they do it right, the flea will be a threat largely because it's so difficult to hit.

[and zero]

They need to remove the speed cap.

[Phoenix Gray]

Josef Nader, on 08 April 2013 - 11:18 AM, said:

Tough toenails. It's coming next month. I might very well pick one up, as the idea of blitzing along in such a tiny mech with 5 medium lasers amuses me to no end.

I like the 4-PPC "Bunker" variant.

[armyof1]

Josef Nader, on 08 April 2013 - 11:22 AM, said:

Considering it's the same overall size as the commando with about half as much surface area, I'm inclined to disagree. The flea's greatest strength is that it's positively miniscule. If they do it right, the flea will be a threat largely because it's so difficult to hit.

One word: streaks.

[IIIuminaughty]

The Flea is gonna be OP! (can't wait to buy one)

[Tank]

hashinshin, on 08 April 2013 - 11:12 AM, said:

I hope the Flea never releases.

The commando is barely functional as is, remove 5 tons and you'll just be ruining your team.

If you play it as derp Atlas - any light is no good in the team. All I see this will be one hell of a fun mech, for scouting and distracting opponents.

[ArcDemon]

armyof1, on 08 April 2013 - 11:24 AM, said:

One word: streaks.

I'm hoping they start to balance out streaks for light vs light battles (and I say that as a light mech streak user myself). I've already seen what could be the start of it, with streaks needing to work harder to hit the smaller lights - I was fighting close range against a Death's Knell in a crater on desert and a few streaks actually missed after trying to turn and hit him and then slamming into the ground. Since streaks home in on the center torso and light mechs are so low to the ground they might be trying to balance it by adjusting the flight physics and homing so they are in danger of hitting the ground if fired at too close a range against a fast moving target.

[Deathlike]

A flea variant will be better than the Death Knell.. seriously.

It might also have ECM, which would make the hero mech instantly obsolete.

[Odins Fist]

ArcDemon, on 08 April 2013 - 11:09 AM, said:

"Any Speculation On Flea Variants And Hardpoints?"

Variants = Weak
Hardpoints = Awful

That will be all

[ArcDemon]

Tank, on 08 April 2013 - 11:28 AM, said:

If you play it as derp Atlas - any light is no good in the team. All I see this will be one hell of a fun mech, for scouting and distracting opponents.

A Commando will have plenty of time to be an Atlas when he grows up. I can't stand the people who won't let them run around free, shooting SRMs into the back of mechs while they're still young enough.

[General Taskeen]

The Flea initial variants will be:

FLE-4, FLE-15, FLE-17 (click links for detailed record sheets)

The FLE-14 is a 15 ton ultra-light Mech that dies in 1 hit.

The original FLE-4 had the flamer firing to the rear, which is hilarious.

And for your timeline/record sheet needs, use this for your searching:

http://goodsects.gotdns.com/bte/

If you look at other Mechs we have right now, concerning rear firing weapons, all of those are made to fire forward in MWO and all mech games in general. Example, Atlas-D. Any record sheet Mech that PGI adds that lists the weapon firing rear is then switched, so that's not really an issue. If/when PGI includes a rear camera, perhaps they will allow the option for the mounted weapon to fire forward or to the rear.

Edited by General Taskeen, 08 April 2013 - 11:40 AM.

[hashinshin]

we KNOW the flea is next month? Says who?

[Sybreed]

Team Leader, on 08 April 2013 - 11:21 AM, said:

I wish they buffed MGs before then, so that one of the flea variants, the spider variant, and the cicada variant will finally be USEFUL. As for hardpoints, I think I saw a post on that a while back. Give me a sec.

Edit: WTF. How long has search not worked? Is that just my computer?

did you read Bryan's answers for ask the devs #35?

MGs aren't likely to get another buff soon...

[Josef Nader]

hashinshin, on 08 April 2013 - 12:03 PM, said:

we KNOW the flea is next month? Says who?

http://mwomercs.com/media/concept

Flea and Highlander were announced out-of-order. They've been releasing Light > Medium > Heavy > Assault since the game started. We just got the Highlander this month. Up next is the Flea > Blackjack > Orion > Unnamed assault mech that has my jimmies all rustled because they won't announce it.

armyof1, on 08 April 2013 - 11:24 AM, said:

One word: streaks.

One word, MASC. If MASC is locked to specific mechs or variants, the Fleas will be able to turbo boost away from danger and escape from streak-toting lights in a quick burst, dodging or breaking locks like champs.

Trust me, the fleas will be an exceptionally obnoxious threat when piloted well.