61 replies to this topic

[Durant Carlyle]

3. The Locust is the lightest 'Mech in the game. It carries the least armor and the least weaponry. That doesn't make it worthless.

5. Of course you try to survive. However, lights are the least likely to survive in the game. If you aren't going to survive anyway, heavily damaging a larger 'Mech is a good exchange.

FupDup -- having the Locust along with the Victor is better than just having an Atlas versus the Jenner and Jagermech. And tonnage limits are more limiting when there are more than two on a side.

[-Muta-]

Orodain, on 09 November 2013 - 06:39 PM, said:

all light mechs are garbage aside from spider.

Thats only cause its hitbox are broken compared to other lights.

I'd own you so fast in ANY light mech...

[FupDup]

Durant Carlyle, on 10 November 2013 - 07:16 PM, said:

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FupDup -- having the Locust along with the Victor is better than just having an Atlas versus the Jenner and Jagermech. And tonnage limits are more limiting when there are more than two on a side.

Tonnage limits aren't going to change the player counts. Each team gets 12 players, unless somebody disconnects. As such, your example of 1 Atlas versus 1 Victor and 1 Locust will be impossible (unless we factor in disconnects).

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

They are underpowered for three reasons

The first being that they are nearly the size of the Jenner, with nearly half the tonnage and armor (LOL PGI Scale)

The second, and most unfortunate, is that they have working hitboxes.

And lastly, that both Assault and Conquest are essentially glorified team death matches, and the Locust is a mech that lacks the ability to kill or support the larger mechs in any significant way.


So, there's that.

[Durant Carlyle]

FupDup, on 10 November 2013 - 07:19 PM, said:

Tonnage limits aren't going to change the player counts. Each team gets 12 players, unless somebody disconnects. As such, your example of 1 Atlas versus 1 Victor and 1 Locust will be impossible (unless we factor in disconnects).

You misunderstood. I was highlighting your example. You said that the team of 1 Locust and 1 Victor had only 1 effective pilot and might as well not take the Locust but should instead put the 20 tons into something else. That could only be upgrading the Victor to an Atlas. And I said I'd rather have the Locust and Victor to face off against the Jenner and Jagermech (instead of just the Atlas versus the Jenner/Jagermech team).

mwhighlander, on 10 November 2013 - 07:21 PM, said:

...the Locust is a mech that lacks the ability to kill or support the larger mechs in any significant way.

Keep thinking that way. Locust pilots like myself really like it when you underestimate us.

Edited by Durant Carlyle, 10 November 2013 - 07:41 PM.

[FupDup]

Durant Carlyle, on 10 November 2013 - 07:40 PM, said:

You misunderstood. I was highlighting your example. You said that the team of 1 Locust and 1 Victor had only 1 effective pilot and might as well not take the Locust but should instead put the 20 tons into something else. That could only be upgrading the Victor to an Atlas. And I said I'd rather have the Locust and Victor to face off against the Jenner and Jagermech (instead of just the Atlas versus the Jenner/Jagermech team).

Oh, I see what you meant now.

To be fair, that 20 extra tons could be used on other mechs than the Victor, i.e. upgrade a random medium on that team to a heavy or whatever.

[Deathlike]

Durant Carlyle, on 10 November 2013 - 07:40 PM, said:

You misunderstood. I was highlighting your example. You said that the team of 1 Locust and 1 Victor had only 1 effective pilot and might as well not take the Locust but should instead put the 20 tons into something else. That could only be upgrading the Victor to an Atlas. And I said I'd rather have the Locust and Victor to face off against the Jenner and Jagermech (instead of just the Atlas versus the Jenner/Jagermech team).

That's not what likely to happen though.

If people want to see more Assaults on the field, there will simply be more Jenners/Ravens/Spiders fielded instead of a Locust.

If the tonnage limits favor a Locust+Atlas combo, a Jenner+Stalker or Spider+Highlander is still better.

If tonnage limits favor a Locust+Highlander combo, a Jenner+Cataphract or Spider+Victor combo is still better.

Locust+Stalker < Spider/Jenner+Cataphract

Locust+Victor < Spider+Cataphract or Jenner+Quickdraw

Locust+Cataphract < Spider+Quickdraw or Jenner+Shadowhawk.

For those that think upgrading a Highlander to an Atlas is a better option, you could also field a Cataphract or 2 to field more HIghlanders or Victors.

Quote

Keep thinking that way. Locust pilots like myself really like it when you underestimate us.

Every single time I run a Commando, let alone a Jenner to find a Locust near me, it's almost assured to be toast.

[Durant Carlyle]

We will see how the Spider fares, once its hit boxes are tuned up like the Locust's have been from the beginning.

Heavier 'Mech doesn't mean automatic win, no matter what class you're talking about.

[Deathlike]

Durant Carlyle, on 10 November 2013 - 08:06 PM, said:

We will see how the Spider fares, once its hit boxes are tuned up like the Locust's have been from the beginning.

I don't think Spiders will go brawling anytime soon with the hitbox change. I only mention them for their mobility with ECM (just the 5D).

Quote

Heavier 'Mech doesn't mean automatic win, no matter what class you're talking about.

That's true, but in the case of the Locust, anything bigger than it is already better than it (Command, Spider, Jenner, and Raven are all better than it by design).

If there was something I could genuinely defend the Locust with, I would use it, but I simply cannot find something that a bigger Light mech can't do better than a Locust as of this point in time.

Edited by Deathlike, 10 November 2013 - 08:15 PM.

[Durant Carlyle]

Like I said, keep underestimating Locusts and their pilots. We like it that way.

Edited by Durant Carlyle, 10 November 2013 - 09:45 PM.

[ShadowbaneX]

Locusts exist in one of three states:

• Pristine
  
• Legged
  
• Destroyed

Typically, the order is 1, 2, 3, with 2 & 3 usually being within seconds of each other, although occasionally it skips 2 altogether and goes right from 1 to 3. There isn't much to be done about this, it's just one of the truths of the existence for the Locust.


Having said that, my 2.0 KDR in the Locust-1V and 1.2 in the Locust-3M means that while the Locust can and will explode by having other mechs look at it, also means that there are many other pilots out there that see a Locust and think "oooh! easy way to pad my KDR!" If is a great joy to abuse those pilots.

I will admit there are times that I come to a stop for scouting or to line up a shot. Most of the time death does not immediately appear. Having said that though, there are times where I instantly fall over having been the recipient from a Gauss, PPC, and/or AC/20 salvo.

Edited by ShadowbaneX, 10 November 2013 - 10:02 PM.

[Ghogiel]

I love the couple few replies to this thread.

Locusts are hard to hit?

Spiders are the best light mech?

It's like some people are playing a different game.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

Durant Carlyle, on 10 November 2013 - 07:40 PM, said:

Keep thinking that way. Locust pilots like myself really like it when you underestimate us.

Pilots like me love it when people take locusts, too.

[theta123]

i have only started to play locust since 2 days ago
and before that i did not had Any..ANY light mech experience


And i am having a great time with many kills in my pockets.

[JimboFBX]

my 3 x LRM5 + TAG 3S ain't bad for the tonnage. With 540 ammo it runs out about when the match is going to end, if you choose your shots wisely. The low profile lets you hide behind small hills and buildings and the high speed lets get within range of targets quickly. Obviously, if you see another mech you run away and hopefully you have teammates who can shoot a light mech that's chasing you.

[Zarlaren]

I made the mistake of buying the Locust some time ago I was not pleased.

Paper armor and tissue paper internals make it the wimpest mech in existance It might be a good choice for anti personal but not fighting other mechs. One AC/20 round can blow this mech to pieces even with full armor.

Edited by Zarla, 11 November 2013 - 06:45 AM.

[MeiSooHaityu]

ColonelMetus, on 09 November 2013 - 06:30 PM, said:

...so everyone targets them first for the free kill

That's how a lot of teams loose a match. It is funny to see half a team chasing one or two lights though. With a good portion of a team tied up with a light, the rest of the team (now outnumbered) gets steamrolled by the enemy. Divide and conquer.

In reality, I think I might be more inclined to avoid the Locust (other than the occasional pot-shot) because the damage they can inflict is marginal at best. I would rather try and put down damage on the bigger threats.

I suppose the only way I would chase down a light (like the Locust) for an easy kill is if I was in a light-killer type setup Medium (like a Cicada or Swayback).

[oldradagast]

My only complaint about the Locust is the needlessly cluttered cockpit view. I get it - they wanted to go for "cramped" but it's a decision that reduces the pilot's visibility when awareness and speed are the only real weapons this mech has. Also, if they can make armored glass large enough to provide some mechs (Awesome, etc.) with a nearly unblocked view, why does the Locust have more crossbeams and obstructions than any other mech in the game... and it's the smallest one? Makes no sense...

[Ironmongrel]

I absolutely love my locust, except possibly the missile variant. I have more kills than deaths in the thing. Sure, I don't do the highest damage on my team for the game, but I do contribute.
My play style is stick with the group, assist in ripping down enemy mechs. When an enemy sees an dual AC/20 Jager, an Atlas, and a locust, the locust is the lowest priority. Once an enemy's armour is down, I hunt them down. Seeing an area without armour to me is like a shark smelling blood.
Love the locust, may not be as effective, but it is one hell of a time.

[Malleus011]

I do hope that future maps and CW/role warfare give the Locust a reason for being. I love the little bugs, but they're certainly squishy.