21 replies to this topic

[Spheroid]

The side torsos don't seem as vulnerable as I initially feared. I have the 200XL for BJ-3 and the 295XL for the BJ-1X.

[ChapeL]

Ever since I bought mine (last Tuesday) I have been taken down through side torso kills 3 times. I do not use any of my Blackjacks as a brawler howerver. I know many try to use the 1X like they would a Cicada (boating mLas and getting close in ) and XL might be a problem then.

[KrazedOmega]

I use XLs in both of my BJs. Most of the time I'm cored before a side torso is taken out.

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

Contrary to everyone else, I've only ever been killed by side torso explosions... 'n'

[Bitterend]

Great idea. Lets you sneak in around back, or get away when you walk into an ambush. In a pinch you can also do the capture thing

[Jam the Bam]

I run the 1x which is all about the max engine, and not really had any issues with the XL engines so far, I tend to lose the arms long before the side torsos, which is fine since Im running 2erppc's so Im useless after they are gone.

[Xeno Phalcon]

I have a low budget 1X and its fairly uncommon for me to lose a side torso unless some AC20 chump is using me for target practice while im fighting someone else. Im not a big fan of Xl's however, they are pricey and even though they free up a fantastic amount of weight I hate having to basically guard my entire mech at all times.

[TheCrazySteve]

An xl200-225 only nets like 3 extra tons since it costs you the crit space needed for ferro. Sure it makes sense on the 1x where you want a bigger xl295, but on the other blackjacks, just cut a few jumpjets or some ammo and you will be rewarded with increased survivability. Anyone worth their salt can hit a blackjack side torso in a brawl if that blackjack's max speed is like 80, and more then half the time with my standard 225 I am still fighting after a side torso is blown out.

[Sh4dow78]

I love my BJ-1X this mech is just awesome <3 dont know why ppl say they sux. They are fast and can do really nice punch. Here is my little love 280xl 8xml 19DHS:

[Training Instructor]

I find it difficult to get the loadouts I want without an xl engine.

[Darwins Dog]

Don't leave home without em. I run a 225 XL in my BJ-1 and BJ-3, and the 295 XL in my BJ-1X. I have never even thought about going back to STD. At first about 1 in 10 deaths were to side torso loss. The ratio is probably more like 1 in 3 now that people have learned that most BLs run an XL. Even still, I don't think I'll ever run a STD engine.

The Blackjack is not a brawler. It's fire support, pure and simple. Let others do the brawling, stick to your hull-down position behind a rock.

[ivr56]

XL220 in my BJ-1
I see no issues

[tdppdttdppdt]

using a XL210 i borrowed off another mech. i regret nothing.

[Training Instructor]

In the games where the xl gets popped, usually I've got orange or red across the board, so was going down soon anyways.

[MuonNeutrino]

Training Instructor, on 01 June 2013 - 05:19 AM, said:

In the games where the xl gets popped, usually I've got orange or red across the board, so was going down soon anyways.

This, pretty much. It's not a mech like an atlas, where you could easily lose a side torso and have both other torso sections still have armor left (yes, I know, you should be twist shielding, just talking about the hitboxes). I die to side torso kills in mine, but most of the time the situation was such that I would likely not have survived much longer anyway. Dying due to a side torso kill with the rest of my mech mostly intact has happened a few times (mostly giant alpha-boat assaults), but it's pretty rare.

[Edwyndham]

High alpha builds like 3 ER PPC 1 Gauss highlanders will likely take out the side torso in a single shot if you're yellowed already,had it happen quite a few times.

Still run XLs in mine, though. Like someone said, can't really get the loadouts I want without it.

[Gremlich Johns]

I think everybody who drives the Blackjack should use XL engines. It helps to get them out of the way quicker.

[Duncan Longwood]

XL engines are fine for the blackjack. It is a mobile fire-support chassis so as long as you are playing it hit-and-run style you should have no problems. That said, the 1X has proven to be an effective brawler when you can't get away; I have dropped a Cat and a Jag in a 1v2 brawl with pinpoint 40 damage alphas and a whole lot of torso-twisting.

My advice is never ever be the first in the fight in a blackjack. Disengage from any non-advantageous conflict and find a battle-in-progress to join in. Players tend to ignore the new addition to a fight, especially when it has such a low profile.

Support your team, don't act on your own. You are there to finish fights, not start them.

[Gremlich Johns]

Duncan Longwood, on 01 June 2013 - 02:00 PM, said:

My advice is never ever be the first in the fight in a blackjack. Disengage from any non-advantageous conflict and find a battle-in-progress to join in. Players tend to ignore the new addition to a fight, especially when it has such a low profile.

Support your team, don't act on your own. You are there to finish fights, not start them.

This is true for ANY medium pilot.

[Arc Viper]

I run XLs and mainly only get cored. My arms take up most of the side damage, as the sides don't really stick out when torso twisted.

I was worried about having purchased a dud after hearing all the bad things about the blackjack, but my BJ1 just came out of a match with 737 damage, and I am consistently doing great with it. This mech is gold to anybody who knows how to use jumpjets the right way.

Edited by Arc Viper, 01 June 2013 - 07:08 PM.