25 replies to this topic

[Th0rsten]

I started playing cicadas a few days ago. After getting the x5 and the nobrainer 3M the third cicada was no easy choice.
Both the 2A and the 2B look like they might be nice, but the difference between the two is pretty insignificant so I had a hard time deciding.

After a while I just thought screw it and decided to give myself a challenge and DAKKA (dakka is like bacon, everything is better with it) and bought the 3C.

My first approach was pretty simple. Fast, heat efficient and kind of fun. But overall pretty underwhelming. Most damage obviously came from the LPL.

So I decided i need some more SERIOUS dakka and sacrifice some speed for it. So I went for this.

Pretty different to play due to the horrible low speed. Standing in the second line and DAKKAING on people. In contrary to the mg, people where actually annoyed when you engaged them.
Considering the speed and that it is still a cicada, that was not really an advantage

In the next step i dropped the third ac2 and upped the engine to xl280. Way higher survivability but not really fun to play ( guess the other one also wasn't I just died to fast to realize.)

As two AC2 did not seem to impress anyone, I decided i'll need some bigger dakka.
This is the build I am currently running and I'm having a blast with it. The low ammo is an issue but I don't have enough cbills for a smaller xl yet (and won't consider it before speed tweak) If you make your shots count, this build almost feels effective!

There are a few other options I would consider but did not try yet:
(all of those were made by a friend. Thx for those jk!)

Ultracade Guess ammo won't be a problem with this little armor

Gausscade Should be playable, but it annoys me to use only one balistic slot :/

lbx What is more " In da face" than a shotgun? Two of them!

SEEK ALL THE CRITS! Obvious troll build is obvious. But might annoy people and be fun to play

I just wanted to tell you about my experience with a cicada even Garth doesn't love and looking forward to get feedback and further inspiration.

Edit: currently I am running the "SEEK ALL THE CRITS" build and while it is not that effective, it is pretty fun and annoys people a lot (sometimes also kills them ^^)

Edited by Th0rsten, 19 April 2013 - 02:01 AM.

[SchwarzerPeter]

Make effective use of all the ballistic hardpoints is next to impossible. Even in a Jaggermech, so dont worry

Have you tried a single AC? Something like this: CDA-3C

With your XL 280 you can squeeze more ammo in there or an UAC5 or both

Ok, it pretty much looks like a big spider, but who cares.

[Th0rsten]

This also looks interesting. What I don't like about it, although it is not really a downside, is that is also possible to build with the 3m. (I'm trying to find a fun/halfway efficient build that is only possible with this cicada)

Although a single ac might be nice. Mapbe someway to squeeze in an ac10

[Jay Z]

Moar AC20 CDA-3C

[der baer fm]

Jay Z, on 09 April 2013 - 04:50 AM, said:

Moar AC20 CDA-3C

This looks wrong... in a good way!
I will have to try it out.
Thanks Jay Z

[Wrenchfarm]

I used mine with 4xMGs and a ERPPC. Obviously not a "good" mech, but a lot of fun to goof around with. Sometimes it's more fun to see how well you'll do with a terrible mech than to stream roll with a optimized build.

[Phoenix Gray]

If you're gonna run multiple AC2 try Mack's macro as shown in this video http://youtu.be/-oNTALwcg1k There was a thread on it but "Search" isn't talking to me.

[Spheroid]

Bad choice, the 2A and 2B are both very serviceable energy boats. I have no regrets selling my Spiders and Cicada-3C.

[Th0rsten]

Spheroid, on 09 April 2013 - 08:10 AM, said:

Bad choice, the 2A and 2B are both very serviceable energy boats. I have no regrets selling my Spiders and Cicada-3C.

While I have no regrets buying the 3C and have a blast experimenting

[Hex Pallett]

Wrenchfarm, on 09 April 2013 - 06:43 AM, said:

I used mine with 4xMGs and a ERPPC. Obviously not a "good" mech, but a lot of fun to goof around with. Sometimes it's more fun to see how well you'll do with a terrible mech than to stream roll with a optimized build.

Exactly what I have in mind. I don't even own a Cicada but if for some reason I'm buying a 3C this will be it.

[Regrets]

Question: until MGs are buff what's the point of this variant? Answer: no point at all.

[Jay Z]

Th0rsten, on 09 April 2013 - 08:29 AM, said:

While I have no regrets buying the 3C and have a blast experimenting

Love the pun . I have a lot of respect for people who go for crazy builds on less popular variants.

[Derk Talon]

Yeah, the 3C is a hard mech to do well in. After a lot of tinkering i settled on this:

xl295 (131,4 with speed tweak);
endosteel chassis;
250 ferro armor.

1 Large Laser
1 UAC5 with 2 tons of ammo.

Still fast enough to let you adapt to the unfolding battle, range for skirmish or backstabbing. It's all good with a decent 19dmg alpha. Still as with any light that wanted to be a medium (but only got the hitboxes right) it's a compromise.

hit and run boys, hit and run.

Edited by Derk Talon, 11 April 2013 - 09:24 AM.

[Dulahan]

I've heard the 4 AC2 build is evil on wheels. Well, spindly Cicada legs, but you get my point.

[ohtochooseaname]

I believe I leveled mine with:
CDA-3C

It's got decent damage and range. The XL280 isn't horrible, either. It wasn't as bad as the RVN 4X or 2X process, but it was still pretty bad.

[Deathlike]

The Ultra build could use a med laser... if you can dumb down the engine to maybe a 255XL or something. You could probably squeak another ton of ammo...

At least the dakka-options are better than the 5K....

[Ravihn]

I prefer to use the 3c as a sniper, 225 xl ( 100.9 kph with speed tweak ) with dhs, ferro, and endo. For weapons I use a UAC5 with 3 tons of ammo and an ER PPC, makes for a nice 5, 5, 10, pot shot before I step behind cover which with weapons next to your cockpit is so easy to do. Its like pop tarting just without jets and all you expose is a lil sliver. I recommend front loading armor for this play style so you do not get gutted for one mistake. You also wont make the best light hunter, but its okay when you plink big mechs from behind buildings and can skitter away faster than most mediums.

[Damon Howe]

Jay Z, on 09 April 2013 - 04:50 AM, said:

Moar AC20 CDA-3C

Not enough AC20 on CDA-3C.

[Davoke]

Am i the only one who's bought a 3C because it actually looked very plausible?
Or am i really a Davion who was separated from his parents at birth?

[Dulahan]

I'm pondering the viability of this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...71b5dbd48d04058