Windsaw, on 26 September 2013 - 04:36 AM, said:
Because of this I suspect that the majority of Jenner players are better pilots than Spider pilots. They don't jump in duells.
I disagree. Like, a lot. Jump jets are one of these 'Mechs' strengths and knowing how to use your strengths correctly and effectively is what makes a good pilot in my opinion.
Windsaw, on 26 September 2013 - 04:36 AM, said:
The one thing Spiders usually lack is weapons in their arms. The reach of the Commando arms is so big that I can often avoid being hit by Spiders. Of course it takes a bit of practice to actually use that advantage, but when you have figured it out, it is a big advantage that undoes the Spider's armor superiority.
It is a tactic I already paractised against Jenners before Streaks became overpowered, but it is much harder to pull off against those.
And in my experience the maneuverability of both mechs is at least even. Commando wins if you add arms reach to maneuverability, which I do.
The only spider w/out any arm-mounted weapons is the 5V, which is kinda the red headed step-child of the family.
He's painfully out-gunned by every other 'Mech in game (one large, or 2 smaller energy weapons) and lacks the arm movement for precise aiming. His only "strengths" are the fact that he can use both arms to soak up damage and if he packs a standard engine, even his side torsos, thus becomming a miniature zombie. I do agree he's at a disadvantage when fighting a Commando, but if he manages to blow the commies arms off, he might get an upper hand - pure theory here, though.
The 5K (let's assume he's armed with an MPL and 4x MGs) has the disadvantage of extremly short range (and cone of fire), making it hard for him to keep focusing on a particular location as well as avoiding hits. If he managed to "open" a vital section on the Commando, he might be able to exploit it with his quad-machineguns and turn the tides.
Now "the Spider flagship", the 5D, is a completely different animal. 2/3 weapons are on his arm, giving him decent aiming range and he can still use the other arm as a shield. He's got even room to pack one, or even two large energy weapons, thus upping his damage output compared to his brethren, while still retaining the upsides of JJs, maneuverability and superior armor (albeit still paper-thin compared to all the heavier tin-cans). And the jump jets also help with lining up the shots and converging all the weapons on th same spot. For me, a Commie vs Spider 5D duel, is a no-brainer win for the Spidy, if the pilot skill is similar on both sides.