62 replies to this topic

[BUDFORCE]

So far through this game, I have been picking a chassis, picking 3 variants from that chassis, mastering all 3, saving the best one and moving on to the next.

I first of all did my 4 founders mechs, then just randomly picked ones I liked the looks of. Anyway, I got the overlord phoenix pack and the plan was to go through all of those mechs to master. I started with Shadowhawk and I am nearing mastering all 3.

After reading so many posts and also seeing first hand experience how useless and easy to kill they are, Im seriously thinking I may just skip the locust all together. I mean, really, what is the point is mastering it? Unless it gets a buff, its still going to be useless. And the whole time you are leveling it up you are gonna struggle with the XP and CBills.

Anyone else just going to write this mech off before even trying?

I am giving it some serious thought.

Edited by BUDFORCE, 22 October 2013 - 10:14 PM.

[NextGame]

I did them to basic so far, they weren't fun, but it was possible.

For getting them to elite/master, I will probably do the lazers and machine gun ones to get first win of the day and then park them, basically to maximise xp and minimise time on them.

The missile one that cant really fill all its weapon slots will just have to wait on any spare gxp to finish it off.

[Escef]

The Locust is really a fun mech to play. The 1V with a Large Laser packs an unexpected punch for something its size and can snip well enough if you go for the ER model. The 3M can cover a formation with its twin AMS and packs a whopping 5 energy points, so you can boat medium or small lasers, or small pulse if you're feeling froggy. The 3S... Ok, they can't all be useful. You could pop on a pair of SRM4 or Streaks, maybe twin LRM5; but there really isn't much you can do with it.

[Alex Warden]

i guess it´s a matter of taste... i skipped them...maybe some day when i´m really bored

[BUDFORCE]

Yeah I just remember grinding the Cicada, admittidly during the time when ECM was stronger, but I remember the non-ecm variants being so painfully terrible, same to a certain extent for the Jenners. That being said however, the Cicada 3M is actualyl a pretty good mech once mastered, and I still take it out for a spin now and then and not only enjoy it but can get good results.

The Locust looks much worse then either of the above, and I cant see that any of the 3 variants will be any good at all, even fully mastered. I just think I could be having much more fun picking another mech all together.

I think just because it is there in your mech bays you feel obligated to level it up, but I think I am going to skip it.

[Wintersdark]

Escef, on 22 October 2013 - 10:20 PM, said:

The Locust is really a fun mech to play. The 1V with a Large Laser packs an unexpected punch for something its size and can snip well enough if you go for the ER model. The 3M can cover a formation with its twin AMS and packs a whopping 5 energy points, so you can boat medium or small lasers, or small pulse if you're feeling froggy. The 3S... Ok, they can't all be useful. You could pop on a pair of SRM4 or Streaks, maybe twin LRM5; but there really isn't much you can do with it.

Oh yea of little creativity!
The solution to the 3S is to ignore it's silly missile hardpoints. Leave the machine guns and medium laser on the 1V (it's actually useful like that) and slap your ERLL on the 3S instead. It does have a CT energy hardpoint, after all.

[Spheroid]

I just elited my 1V and the 2x basic is really helping me survive. The Locust is pretty good at mop up you just have to avoid the temptation to commit early. I would finish the more powerful mechs first though.

Edited by Spheroid, 22 October 2013 - 11:15 PM.

[Risko Vinsheen]

The Locust has been a blast to pilot for me. It really comes into its own after getting Speed Tweak. I've had a few short-lived matches, sure, but I've had a lot of matches where I go down fighting while taking a couple enemies with me, and more still where I survive the whole match. It's a matter of how you pilot it.

[Escef]

Wintersdark, on 22 October 2013 - 10:47 PM, said:

Oh yea of little creativity!
The solution to the 3S is to ignore it's silly missile hardpoints. Leave the machine guns and medium laser on the 1V (it's actually useful like that) and slap your ERLL on the 3S instead. It does have a CT energy hardpoint, after all.

I already have 2 MGs on my 1V. I don't see a need for 4. And I could slap the ERLL on any of the Locusts, that doesn't make any of them unique from each other if I do that.

BTW, a few hours ago I used my 1V's ERLL to rip the cockpit out of a Battlemaster. Dude just stood there as I did. He didn't seem to comprehend that an ERLL has better range than his non-ER version.

[stjobe]

If you're not having fun, play something else. The Locusts will still be there in your MechLab if/when you get the urge to play them - or they get buffs.

I still have my SDR-5V gathering dust in my MechLab even though it was a terrible, terrible slog to even get Basic on it; and I stopped playing it after that, going on to master the 5D and 5K. I may revisit the 5V if we ever get some proper role warfare, since it has all the makings of an excellent scout/spotter - the only problem is that scouting/spotting is neither needed or rewarded at present.

So my advice is simple: Don't play them if they're not fun. You'll just have to suppress any OCD tendencies you may have and accept that it wasn't fun enough to play that you could stomach mastering it. For now.

Finally, the 3M and 3S are quite viable versions and shouldn't be much problem having fun with (in my personal opinion), it's the 1V that's the problem. MG-reliant 'mechs like the LCT-1V, SDR-5K, and CDA-3C have never been very viable, and even now that the MG is okay-ish, the 1V simply doesn't have the armour tonnage to be able to utilize them properly.

[HammerSwarm]

I have a group mate in TAW(taw.net) who regularly does 300-500 damage in a locust. I struggle to break 200 damage in mine and have turned in a few putrid single digit match score rounds. I would say that it's a matter of skill and preference Me/myself&I would rather level out the battlemasters, thunderbolts, and shadowhawks first. I like all three of those mechs better than the locust, but I may level out my locusts because they are there.

I think the problem with the locust is in how you play them. If you stop moving you are dead. If you run in a straight line you are dead. If you allow yourself to become predictable you are dead.

[Curccu]

Stupid and what? Locust is awesome mech.

[aniviron]

Please play in your locusts, I enjoy killing them.

[FupDup]

The Locust is the ultimate test of manliness and stubbornness...and m*sochism.

aniviron, on 23 October 2013 - 05:30 AM, said:

Please play in your locusts, I enjoy killing them.

[CDLord HHGD]

I enjoy my Locusts, they are all viable. Hit, Run, Hide, the Locust way.

[Ngamok]

I am 7k XP into the Master box on my 1V !

Sold the other 2.

[MeiSooHaityu]

Playing through the Locust XP tree depends I suppose. I am enjoying them (even as primarily a Medium/Heavy Pilot), but piloting those mechs is a rollercoaster ride of emotions LOL.

Some matches you will get smoked, others you will do well (which is very rewarding). You just have to take the good with the bad.

IMO, the 1V is a chore (even with a ERLLaser and 2 MGs). The 3M is NICE. I haven't tried the missile variant yet (3P??), but I am guessing it will fall between the 1V and 3M for effectivness.

Overall I enjoy the little mech.

[CygnusX7]

I've hardly ran them but the s is my favorite.
3 streakers 1 ton of ammo and a mL.
LCT-3S

Or dump the mL and some armor for BAP.
Or dump the mL for another ton of ammo.
Or dump the mL and some armor for another steaker.

[TercieI]

CygnusX7, on 23 October 2013 - 08:33 AM, said:

I've hardly ran them but the s is my favorite.
3 streakers 1 ton of ammo and a mL.
LCT-3S

Or dump the mL and some armor for BAP.
Or dump the mL for another ton of ammo.
Or dump the mL and some armor for another steaker.

Or drop a streak for BAP

S

[Joseph Mallan]

I don't know, Until the Locust-5M, I never thought the Locust was a viable build at all.