40 replies to this topic

[Appogee]

I've been really happy with my X-5. It's nimble enough to get me around the battlefield quickly enough, and it does respectable damage when I pilot it sensibly. And of course, it gives me +30% CBills.

Its only compromises are that it has no long range weapons, its a little eager to overheat in close combat on hotter maps, and a little more damage would always be nice.

So, I am wondering if there's any way to improve the X-5...?

I mucked around in Smurfy's with it. I tried to increase the SRM-2s to SRM-6s. I swapped an ML for an LL. But the compromises to heat management and armour just didn't seem worth it.

Anyway, I'm interested to know whether you'd change anything about the stock X-5? Here's a link to the stock loadout on Smurfy's, to help you consider...

Edited by Appogee, 12 April 2013 - 09:21 AM.

[IIIuminaughty]

not really

[Zyllos]

Actually, I would, but it would affect all Cicadas, not just the X-5.

The "head" of the Cicada needs to have LT/RT hitboxes on it also.

As it stands right now, if you just fire at a Cicada, you hit the CT without even trying. I think the reason for this is like the Jenner, the head comes out in front of the rest of the mech. This makes the CT too easy to hit.

[Trauglodyte]

Jump jets but then it would be a Jenner. I love the X-5. Hell, I love all of the Cicadas and I hope that we get the 3F one day.

[BladeSplint]

Swap out the SRM2s for SRM4s, ive found that to be a large improvement.

[Appogee]

BladeSplint, on 12 April 2013 - 09:33 AM, said:

Swap out the SRM2s for SRM4s, ive found that to be a large improvement.

What would you decrease in order to create the additional 2 tons?

[Utilyan]

Mine is set up with 2 medium lasers/2 srm6. I use it like a bomber. Stick with your assault team mates when fight happens you swoop in and bombem'. Its a pretty decent alpha you rear anything with it, its going to be hurting. I wish I could switch it single narc tubes.

Its not built for vs other lights in mind, this is a striker vs big mechs, slow movers.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...955d9ec40b8986f

The smury doesn't show my armor. I sacrfice from legs. I think 37 on each.

[Arrogusss]

Appogee, on 12 April 2013 - 09:35 AM, said:

What would you decrease in order to create the additional 2 tons?

Downgrade to a 300xl, Still gives you 133+ speed with speedtweak. Allows for the extra weight for srm4.
Adjust armor to YOUR sweet spot (ex: spend alot of time running away=moving LT RT front armor to rear etc...)
Upgrade to SRM4, shoots two series of 4SRMS. Keep the ML.
imo it really wasn't meant to be a long range mech. In mine I use it to chase down lights, and harass Assaults, also to come in and finish them off.

Forgot to mention ... I LOVE MY X5 !! Can't wait for the color change option..well let me re-phrase that, I HAVE waited long enough for the hero mech color change option!! enough!!!

Edited by Arrogusss, 12 April 2013 - 10:03 AM.

[Pale Jackal]

I would do something like 2 SRM6 with 4 MLAS or 4 SLAS, though the 4 MLAS build would run hot. The fact that the Cicada has 2 missile ports should make the SRMs more accurate.

I agree that a Cicada like this should be used to hit and fade away, the heat with the 4 MLAS version would make a prolonged brawl undesirable.

I would run a 300XL since the extra 4 tons to get a 330XL is too inefficient, since going from 300 to 305 costs 1.5 tons and then each extra 5XL costs another .5 tons whereas at 300XL and below you are paying around 0.25 to .33 tons per 5XL.

If the X-5 ever goes on sale, I'll buy it.

Or I would just upgrade the SRM2s to SSRM2s.

Edited by Pale Jackal, 12 April 2013 - 09:58 AM.

[FrostCollar]

Here's what I run. Downgrade the engine to a 300XL to upgrade the SRM2s to SRM6s and add an additional ton of ammo. I've considered downgrading the SRM6s to 4s, but I've found that I'm so used to the three bursts of missiles that my combat efficiency goes down when I try that.

Remember that the X-5 is still a Cicada, and the 300XL is the most efficient engine for a Cicada.

[Trauglodyte]

Arrogusss, on 12 April 2013 - 09:56 AM, said:

Downgrade to a 300xl, Still gives you 133+ speed with speedtweak. Allows for the extra weight for srm4.
Adjust armor to YOUR sweet spot (ex: spend alot of time running away=moving LT RT front armor to rear etc...)
Upgrade to SRM4, shoots two series of 4SRMS. Keep the ML.
imo it really wasn't meant to be a long range mech. In mine I use it to chase down lights, and harass Assaults, also to come in and finish them off.

Forgot to mention ... I LOVE MY X5 !! Can't wait for the color change option..well let me re-phrase that, I HAVE waited long enough for the hero mech color change option!! enough!!!

I thought you were talking about upgrading/adding to the original design. I didn't think you meant redoing stuff. Anyway, the above poster has it right. 300 XL, ES, max FF with less armor on the head to bring it down to the closest half ton. Then, you can go one of two ways:

• 4 Md Lasers, 2 SRM4s with 2 tons of ammo; remainder of tonnage towards DHSs
  
• 1 ER Lrg Laser, 2 Md Lasers, 2 SRM2s with 1 ton of ammo; remainder of tonnage towards DHSs

I did play around with a 4 Md Laser 2 LRM5 X-5. It was fun and extremely funny but damn if the missile don't fly way too slow and they get butchered by that 1 out of 100 players that actually equips an AMS.



PS> The X-5 paint job is awesome. I really hope that I can use that on other mechs.

Edited by Trauglodyte, 12 April 2013 - 10:06 AM.

[Yokaiko]

Trauglodyte, on 12 April 2013 - 09:26 AM, said:

Jump jets but then it would be a Jenner. I love the X-5. Hell, I love all of the Cicadas and I hope that we get the 3F one day.

There is a JJ capable Cicada the -3F

[Mawai]

Well - I would tend to go with 2 SSRM2 instead of SRMs.

I also ran my Cicada-3M with 1LL and 3ML reasonably successfully ... the LL gives it some range.

DHS and Endo go without saying ... FF is fine if you don't need the slots.

I run my Jenner JR7-D with 4xML and 2xSSRM2 most of the time and it can be very effective.

[Ngamok]

This is mine:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7ee094d32f51a88

I do pretty good with it and don't over heat.

Also, I could drop some armor and 1 heat sink and put in a 300 XL.

Edited by Ngamok, 12 April 2013 - 10:13 AM.

[FrostCollar]

Yokaiko, on 12 April 2013 - 10:07 AM, said:

There is a JJ capable Cicada the -3F

In fact, the X-5 is supposed to be a transitional prototype for the 3F. I'd love to see the 3F implemented, but if the devs are sticking to the timeline we've got years to wait.

Ngamok, on 12 April 2013 - 10:11 AM, said:

This is mine:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7ee094d32f51a88
I do pretty good with it and don't over heat.

If you're going to put the LLs in the torso sections, you might as well strip some armor from the arms.

Edited by FrostCollar, 12 April 2013 - 10:13 AM.

[Victor Morson]

For a stock, it's not bad, but two things I'd tweak if you want to stick with the core idea: Raise the left/right torso armor a bit (why it's 2 points down I don't know) and swap the SRM2s for Streak 2s. On a 'mech like this, you really should be running Streaks.

Personally I'd probably just equip it with ER PPCs, but I'm no scout pilot.

Edited by Victor Morson, 12 April 2013 - 10:18 AM.

[xRaeder]

Utilyan, on 12 April 2013 - 09:56 AM, said:

Mine is set up with 2 medium lasers/2 srm6. I use it like a bomber. Stick with your assault team mates when fight happens you swoop in and bombem'. Its a pretty decent alpha you rear anything with it, its going to be hurting. I wish I could switch it single narc tubes.

Its not built for vs other lights in mind, this is a striker vs big mechs, slow movers.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...955d9ec40b8986f

The smury doesn't show my armor. I sacrfice from legs. I think 37 on each.

It's foolish to not have full armor on legs in a fast Mech. One alpha from most of my builds and you are legged and then another alpha to finish you.

[Wizard Steve]

Swap the XL330 for an XL300.

Swap the SRM2s for SRM4s.

Add two more Double Heat Sinks.

[Appogee]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the tips! I just unlocked the Speed Tweak so I think I can afford to go down to a 300XL engine and upgrade the missiles.

Do Streak SRM2 work in a Circle of Death with a Spider? Or should I just go for the extra damage of a plain SRM 4s?

[Noob Weapons]

Funny... I've never even looked at the x-5.

... Its just sort of an over-sized jenner huh..? With no jump jets.. Rather disappointing mech.