40 replies to this topic

[Red squirrel]

Having tried all three Locust variants, I must say that I cannot see any role for this mech a Spider could not fill better.

Yet, 2014 we will get another 20ton mech - the Flea.
Is anybody looking forward to yet another one shot kill paper doll mech?
I just wonder. Looking at the FLE-17 it seems to be a LCT-3M with even smaller arms.
Oh yes, and it only goes 97KPH (119 with MASC)

As far as I see it we wil get:
FLE-17 5 energy
FLE 15 4 energy 2 ballistics
FLE-19 1 energy 6 ballistics
(I could imagine a fun build if we get at least 8 MGs into that baby)


Or will we even get the FLE-14 ?
(15ton mech, JJ, 1 medium laser, 150KPH max)


discuss!

Edited by Red squirrel, 06 November 2013 - 07:10 AM.

[stjobe]

Of course we're looking forward to the Flea:



It's basically a better LCT-3M, the only good Locust variant.

But what we're really looking forward to is role warfare, where these 'mechs at least have a chance to shine.

[Red squirrel]

stjobe, on 06 November 2013 - 07:14 AM, said:

Of course we're looking forward to the Flea:



It's basically a better LCT-3M, the only good Locust variant.

But what we're really looking forward to is role warfare, where these 'mechs at least have a chance to shine.

But are you really looking forward to a 97KPH Locust-3M variant?
I mean maybe if MASC makes the Locust go +200KPH it might have its role.


Unless there is an ECM variant of the Flea I think I would buy one.
Altough I still did not give up mastering my Locusts - now that I have them anyhow.




Edit: And maybe if they dont make the Flea the size of an Awesome it might be helpful too.

Edited by Red squirrel, 06 November 2013 - 07:18 AM.

[stjobe]

Red squirrel, on 06 November 2013 - 07:17 AM, said:

But are you really looking forward to a 97KPH Locust-3M variant?

The Flea won't be that slow. Remember, the Commando is also a 97 kph 'mech stock, but they now hold the MWO Land Speed Record at 171.1 kph.

And the Flea will have MASC, or there will be hell to pay for having us wait well over a year since its announcement before introducing it

Edit: Hey, post number 5,000! I have way too much free time

Edited by stjobe, 06 November 2013 - 10:02 AM.

[General Taskeen]

The Flea-19 is a pirate built flea from 3068. Also it has Light MG's, and since MG's are poo compared to previous Mech games, the LMG would be double poo.

[Red squirrel]

General Taskeen, on 06 November 2013 - 07:45 AM, said:

The Flea-19 is a pirate built flea from 3068. Also it has Light MG's, and since MG's are poo compared to previous Mech games, the LMG would be double poo.

I like the sound of 'double poo'

So what do you suggest would be the 3rd variant then?

[stjobe]

Red squirrel, on 06 November 2013 - 07:47 AM, said:

So what do you suggest would be the 3rd variant then?

FLE-17 is the canonical version, with 5 energy hard points.
FLE-15 is possible, with 5 energy and 2 ballistic hard points.
FLE-4 is also possible, with 4 energy hard points.

[Red squirrel]

stjobe, on 06 November 2013 - 07:58 AM, said:

FLE-17 is the canonical version, with 5 energy hard points.
FLE-15 is possible, with 5 energy and 2 ballistic hard points.
FLE-4 is also possible, with 4 energy hard points.

So again one superior variant. But maybe PGI tweaks the HPs a bit.
I dont like those crappy variants like the non-ECM energy spider.
Why give away a energy hardpoint and an ECM for a few more jump jets?

[Bishop Steiner]

Not a Light Jock, so probably not the vote you are looking for. I just prefer mediums. 50-80 tons is my comfort zone.

[Red squirrel]

Bishop Steiner, on 06 November 2013 - 08:11 AM, said:

Not a Light Jock, so probably not the vote you are looking for. I just prefer mediums. 50-80 tons is my comfort zone.

Actually I am surprised nobody voted an Assault as lightest mech yet.
(As you see, I included all possible weight classes)

[Goose]

Why do people still think there's going to be a Flea? Since the Locust has taught everyone "legging is easy," stuff below, say, 45 tons isn't even fun anymore, and it's never been rewarding.

What would a Flea do that a Locust couldn't, anyways?

[Deathlike]

I've voted for 35 tons, since that is what I primarily run.

I'm only grinding out the Commando (1D) to finish off the set (not buying the TDK though) as I've already mastered the rest. I can't honestly vote 25 tons for that reason.

stjobe, on 06 November 2013 - 07:14 AM, said:

Of course we're looking forward to the Flea:



It's basically a better LCT-3M, the only good Locust variant.

But what we're really looking forward to is role warfare, where these 'mechs at least have a chance to shine.

You are inviting me to troll with the Spider when that comes out...

[Red squirrel]

Goose, on 06 November 2013 - 09:28 AM, said:

Why do people still think there's going to be a Flea? Since the Locust has taught everyone "legging is easy," stuff below, say, 45 tons isn't even fun anymore, and it's never been rewarding.

What would a Flea do that a Locust couldn't, anyways?

The Cicada works well for me.
I voted 30t as I sometimes use the ECM Spider. Fast, jumpy and cloaked.
Also the Jenner works fine for me.

[Voivode]

Commando was fun before the speed buff, now it's stupid fun. Commando is coming into its own at 171 kph

[MonkeyCheese]

When they come I will drive them, if they ever come...

[Kyynele]

stjobe, on 06 November 2013 - 07:14 AM, said:

Of course we're looking forward to the Flea:
---
It's basically a better LCT-3M, the only good Locust variant. But what we're really looking forward to is role warfare, where these 'mechs at least have a chance to shine.

Can you educate me why the Flea would be any better than the Locust?

I fear it will slower by default, with MASC it will likely be limited to the then current speed cap which will likely be the regular cruising speed for the Locust. It won't have JJs (only the 15 ton variant has those, I doubt that'll make an appearance), which means it won't be able to abuse HSR like spiders. It will likely have just as little leg armor as the Locusts thus dying just as fast. The weapon hardpoints seems to be about the same on the full energy variants?

I really like piloting lights, but after the Locust I find it really hard to get excited by the Flea. Is there something I'm not aware of?

[stjobe]

Kyynele, on 07 November 2013 - 05:57 AM, said:

Can you educate me why the Flea would be any better than the Locust?

I fear it will slower by default, with MASC it will likely be limited to the then current speed cap which will likely be the regular cruising speed for the Locust. It won't have JJs (only the 15 ton variant has those, I doubt that'll make an appearance), which means it won't be able to abuse HSR like spiders. It will likely have just as little leg armor as the Locusts thus dying just as fast. The weapon hardpoints seems to be about the same on the full energy variants?

I really like piloting lights, but after the Locust I find it really hard to get excited by the Flea. Is there something I'm not aware of?

The LCT-3M is a capable, if extremely fragile 'mech; with a punch like an AC/20 and a 150+ kph top speed, it can be made to work well (or, at least a lot better than the other LCT variants - 2-4 kill games aren't unusual) if you know what you're doing.

The Flea will be the same: Fragile, but with a punch well over its weight.

And regarding the speed, as I said the Commando was a 97 kph 'mech in TT as well, and it's now the fastest 'mech in the game. I don't think we need to worry that the Flea will be slow - especially not when engaging MASC.

[Training Instructor]

I'm looking forward to the Flea as long as it's engine capped at like 150 so that it's completely compromised on critical spaces and speed.

[Deathlike]

stjobe, on 07 November 2013 - 06:03 AM, said:

The LCT-3M is a capable, if extremely fragile 'mech; with a punch like an AC/20 and a 150+ kph top speed, it can be made to work well (or, at least a lot better than the other LCT variants - 2-4 kill games aren't unusual) if you know what you're doing.

I ate a 3M and a 1V in the Com-1D the other day. It was nom nom delicious.

Free kills for other non-Lolcusts IMO.

Edited by Deathlike, 07 November 2013 - 12:14 PM.

[FerrolupisXIII]

With the current engine formula, the stock flea comes with a 120 engine, so its max cap would be 170 (168 rounded up to nearest size) which means it will go 151 once you get speed tweak. this is the only assumption we can make as of right now, and we do not know how fast MASC will make you go. MASC is also situational compared to the locust's constant 170 kph.

the MWO wiki page has the FLE-4, FLE-15, and FLE-17 listed for the mech chassis. none of them have jump jets which would have been a minor saving grace, and only one would have slightly more firepower than the locust (two machine guns and 5 mediums would be possible, not a significant increase)

so, with all that in mind... i think it will be strictly inferior to the Locust. which is already a situational mech. i've seen people pull off fantastic games in it, but that's all about pilot skill. the same pilot in another light would probably do even better.