64 replies to this topic

[Deathlike]

Apostal, on 22 May 2013 - 11:33 PM, said:

I like the concept the Blackjack brings... just not it's implementation...

The first issue as has been stated is the hitbox, in all my record matches (over 20 games as I record each BJ drop), I've only had spread damage 3-4 times exposing side torsos, and 1 XL blow out through a side torso. Evertyhing else is CT spam, the CT is just too big and juts out as bad as the Highlander from a profile shot.

From my understanding, it does suffer the same issues the Dragon does (easy to hit CT), but also has the same benefits (XL engines are very viable).

The 1X should really be used for hit and runs... pretty much selective hitting.. similar to a light.

The other BJs are really geared for other sniping (well, not the 1DC). The speed is kinda inconsequential (although an engine buff is warranted across the board). The easily shot CT is less of an issue under that instance.

[The Black Knight]

to me the variant with 4 flamers must mean that PGI has a desire to make the flamer not suck at some point in the future. I know it got a buff with this patch, and i havent used it yet, so I guess i'll see how it goes

[Spunkmeyer]

the black knight, on 23 May 2013 - 08:14 AM, said:

to me the variant with 4 flamers must mean that PGI has a desire to make the flamer not suck at some point in the future. I know it got a buff with this patch, and i havent used it yet, so I guess i'll see how it goes

Well, I wouldn't get your hopes up. Stock variants are based on TT variants that exist in battletech. The 1X was an early prototype.
http://www.sarna.net...28BattleMech%29

[Tam Wolfcry]

Why is your Battlemech section of your website so ******? Honestly. You don't list the weapons on the mech. You don't list if its ECM capable or not. Why? Why the hell is the one logical place that I would go to on your web site to learn about battlemechs, have no real useful info at all about the battlemechs? It is freaking mind-boggling. You don't show hard points, or JJ capability. All of those things are important. Why do I have to instead search into a freaking patch notes thread to find out that sort of info? Put that info where people will actually look for it please.

[Aegic]

Tam Wolfcry, on 23 May 2013 - 10:20 AM, said:

Why is your Battlemech section of your website so ******? Honestly. You don't list the weapons on the mech. You don't list if its ECM capable or not. Why? Why the hell is the one logical place that I would go to on your web site to learn about battlemechs, have no real useful info at all about the battlemechs? It is freaking mind-boggling. You don't show hard points, or JJ capability. All of those things are important. Why do I have to instead search into a freaking patch notes thread to find out that sort of info? Put that info where people will actually look for it please.

While I dont agree with your aggressive stance I have to agree with your bottom line. Why is it so bare?

Although to be honest it doesnt matter to me really, since I can log into the game and see all I need. Still, very strange.

[ho1mes]

This is a fun little mech. I liked the concept art for the blackjack, then saw some leaked screenshots a few days before they came out. Thought it looked ugly as sin and was reconsidering my purchase. Thankfully, seeing them in game they look good and play good. Aside from the 1X, speed is kind of slow for such a small mech. It's doable though. It would have been nice to have all variants or most with the speed of the 1X, but oh well. Once I get speed tweak it shouldn't be too big a deal. I found I improved my survivability with max engine and armor. Nice work PGI.

[Butane9000]

So far it's tough to get a solid build for it. I think most people are too used to the heavier mechs. I enjoy piloting it and I am having a lot of fun. I bought the BJ-1, BJ-1DC and BJ-3.

[MungFuSensei]

I've been running the BJ-1 for...well, several hours, I guess. Stripped it down to an AC20 on one arm, LL on the other, 10 DHS and Endo. Think about it a second....AC20 on the arm of a 45ton mech. And the arms are tiny, as well as the side torsos, so you can feel safe putting that much boom in a flimsy area. It's probably better suited for a gauss rifle, though.

This mech is meant to go hull down and snipe, or take a hill. It has a sunroof, so use that ctrl button. It's a second line mech, meant to follow assaults/heavies or just stay in the back. With the stock model, I had a very successful mission getting to the top of Tourmaline (the highest jutting rock crystal thing), staying hull down, spotting, and bringing the rain.

Up close, it's kind of a death trap. Easily cored. But remember, the arms/side torsos are wee. Play it like a Dragon without elbows.

[GaintBeardedFace]

so far i'm running a BJ-1X with 6 sL's and 2 ppc's and taken down several heavies and assaults mechs med to close range. but my hunch can out run it at 90.9 kph and live after the the third ppc to the chest.

[torgian]

I've been toying around wtih the ballistic version of the blackjack, and it's an ok mech. An AC5 and four medium lasers and a machine gun with no upgrades, and it performs allright. Still, I find myself having more fun with my trebuchet.

[LtPoncho]

Its funny - Centurion A takes so much damage and still will not die, Hunchbacks take beatings, still running, even Cicada's have a decent field life. This Mech is a joke of a Medium. Buy one if you want to decrease your stats ten fold. It's sad how every new Mech released is always initially horrid.

[MungFuSensei]

LtPoncho, on 24 May 2013 - 09:17 PM, said:

Its funny - Centurion A takes so much damage and still will not die, Hunchbacks take beatings, still running, even Cicada's have a decent field life. This Mech is a joke of a Medium. Buy one if you want to decrease your stats ten fold. It's sad how every new Mech released is always initially horrid.

Learn how to protect your torso. Hull down (ie, hiding behind a rock with your arms still sticking over) or turning your torso so return fire only hits your arms/misses you entirely because of the thinner profile is how you survive in this mech. It is possible, it just takes skill. Everyone thought the dragon was terrible at first because of the giant CT. Everyone said the Awesome was a guaranteed way to die. People learn. You should as well.

[DeathofSelf]

Not sure if it is all mechs since the last patch or just the Blackjack but the hit boxes seem to be funky. Quite a few times I have gotten hit in the front and taken damage in the rear or gotten hit in the rear and taken damage in the front.

[Emo Duck]

DeathofSelf, on 24 May 2013 - 11:25 PM, said:

Not sure if it is all mechs since the last patch or just the Blackjack but the hit boxes seem to be funky. Quite a few times I have gotten hit in the front and taken damage in the rear or gotten hit in the rear and taken damage in the front.

Indeed. I was just in a match where I faced a Blackjack with one leg already gone, and the armour stripped off the other leg. I tried shooting the damaged leg, but the damage kept going to the rear side torso on the opposite side. I aimed as far down as I could, shooting at the mech's foot.

[StealthAssassin]

MungFuSensei, on 24 May 2013 - 09:53 PM, said:

Learn how to protect your torso. Hull down (ie, hiding behind a rock with your arms still sticking over) or turning your torso so return fire only hits your arms/misses you entirely because of the thinner profile is how you survive in this mech. It is possible, it just takes skill. Everyone thought the dragon was terrible at first because of the giant CT. Everyone said the Awesome was a guaranteed way to die. People learn. You should as well.

Stop defending how bad this piece of crap mech is. There's no point in having a "second line" mech in this game unless it's a scout, which this mech does not fill the role of at all. "Hull down" as you call it wont work, any good player will still core you - if your arms can shoot, you can be shot. Also the torso twist is terrible on this mech, don't expect to damage spread. There are heavy's that are more maneuverable (eg. catapult). If it absolutely has to stay behind cover, or other mechs, it is broken. If this is your line of reasoning, it makes more sense to just take an assault mech, and poptart behind the "first line" mechs... and then you can even move up and not die instantly if you want!

PS... the dragon is still terrible, and both Blackjack's, and Dragon's are among my first targets because they are easier to kill than lights.

Edited by StealthAssassin, 25 May 2013 - 10:15 AM.

[IronEricP]

John MatriX82, on 22 May 2013 - 02:03 AM, said:

So.. it's not that big, but it ain't that small either. I've tried messing up with some builds and besides the jumpy capability I was looking forward the 1X, only to discover that's the most limited one in torso twisting angle, and having no lower arm actuators the torso twist perks doesn't work so.. Nothing to see here, move along. As I did with the Jagermech.

Btw, I've noticed as well some randomness in hit detection over the blackjacks, I think there's something wrong in their hitboxes.

Just had the same problem...
Took two PPCs to front that magically vanished (was plesantly surprised), unless they were reg PPCs out of range...

THEN later in the same match I had MULTIPLE hits dead square in the back hit my FRONT CT, from different mechs. I died from CT destruction from the FRONT, still had rear CT armor. My front armor was already gone, which is why I was presenting my back. I love the Blackjack (BJ-1 is loads of fun), but its survival is hard to gauge with so many hit box quirks.

[VXJaeger]

BJs explode nicely. Jagermech-style chassis and 20t lighter....not a good combination.

[Koniving]

My opinions on the BlackJacks are as follows.

The 1 and 1-DC work great even with default loadouts. The BJ-3 works okay. The 1-X's default loadout couldn't save itself even after upgrading to double heatsinks, maximum-sized engine, etc., the heat's just that bad.

Having looked at Sarna I discovered the 1X is only supposed to have two flamers and nothing else is mentioned. Guess we should be glad it starts out with more.


Still, burning stuff is fun even if it's still absolutely pointless as even willing victims never reach close to 90% heat with the current heat caps.

BlackJack 1X piloted by Koniving.
Shots by Lordred. Check out more here.


That aside, they work great. Leaving me to my single disappointment out of them. No BlackJack variants with either missiles or quad ballistics. I'd like to carry enough machine gun backups to matter, or to possibly risk an XL 170 engine and quad AC/2s to be a mini-jager.

Edited by Koniving, 30 May 2013 - 12:15 PM.

[Cest7]

Large CT side hitboxes make it a candidate for XL engines, but lack of tonnage and only 2 ballistic slots make it mediocre.

Not enough heat dissipation for ballistic weapons either, it seems like a gimped jager.

Edited by Cest7, 30 May 2013 - 03:13 PM.

[Arcturious]

Think the 1DC needs a quirk to make it viable compared to the others.

90% of BJ's I see on the field are 1X, however I don't think Blackjacks need an engine boost like others do.

You aren't supposed to be in there mixing it up, that's the Cicadas role. Hunches and Cents are more brawlers etc. The Blackjacks role is fire support or holding a position with allies.

The 1DC is the only one missing something and it shows. It feels more unresponsive than the others, the handling is a little off. I think it was supposed to be the baseline, then all the others are simply better.

For me, something like a 5-10% faster turn rate would really set it apart. Make it take corners slightly better than the others, yet the rest have better torso / twist speeds to make up for it.

Otherwise though, my only other comment is they look waaay to similar to Jagers. Gotten confused at range a few times now lol