32 replies to this topic

[Thell]

Is the Cicada or Dragon worth it? I know a lot of people say Dragon's aren't good but I don't really care about super meta must get 1000 damage, I just care about being effective enough while having fun and I have seen Dragon's do well. I do like the looks of the Misery as well but I usually can't stand slow and clumsy mechs unless I am in a big assault mech with lots of firepower.

[SgtMagor]

been thinking about the Flame for a while, but I decided that I prefer jump jetting mechs because I never max my weapon load out and the xtra mobility is more important to me.now if the Flame had jets I would buy one.

[zagibu]

You can have fun in all mechs, if you play them like they are meant to be used. The Dragon has an inherent chassis weakness in its geometry that makes him not the first choice for brawling. But it's the fastest Heavy, so it can be an effective skirmisher.

The Cicada is basically a light with more armor and weapons. It's also the heaviest mech (besides the Atlas D-DC) with an ECM variant, so it's often used as kind of a trailblazer, directing the path of assaults.

Both of these mechs aren't really recommended for beginners, though. Also, the Misery IS a big assault mech with lots of firepower.

[Otto Cannon]

The Misery is a big assault mech with lots of firepower. Use a std engine and you're extremely hard to kill.

Not sure I can recommend any non-jumping mech these days though.

[Modo44]

The Flame and the Misery are good mechs. Trying the Dragon 1C or Stalker 3F beforehand would tell you if you like the chassis enough to spend money on a hero. The Cicada is like an easy to hit Raven, or a Jenner without jump jets -- avoid. From a competitive standpoint, none of those have jump jets, which makes them inferior to other mechs currently available.

[John MatriX82]

Mech on sale scale:

Misery>>Boar's>>>>>>>Cicada X5/Flame.

In few words, I'd stay away from the last two, the BH is imho only decent when compared to other Atlases (you must be an eager atlas fan, then D-DC and even D can be considered a more suitable choice).

Misery shares 1st choice for an hero mech along with the Dragon Slayer, although the DS has the JJ advantage that makes it a little bit better. Imho of course.

Edited by John MatriX82, 18 January 2014 - 02:57 AM.

[CtrlAltWheee]

Love the x-5. Love cicadas in general.

[TB Freelancer]

I've got all four of those mechs, though I'm not loving the Boar's Head yet, but I just played 3 rounds with it so far. Out of the other three, the Misery has been a hands down favorite of mine since it was released, before that it was the Flame. The X5 is a great mech as well, so long as you play to its strengths.

Note on the Flame. It was a great mech before ghost heat and the PPCs got increased heat, decreased projectile velocity. Right now its an OK mech, but like other mechs in my stable (I have 91), some sink with weapon changes, others rise. Its a mech with good hard points and I suspect it will get good again as the weapon balances shift away from ballistics being so dominant.

[IceCase88]

Of the two you are asking about I own the Flame. It is the best Dragon chassis and a very fun mech. It does have a huge CT but it is very versatile. I find it is best as a hit and run mech for my playstyle. You can load it with a huge XL engine and hard hitting close range weaponry. Since its ballistic hardpoint is in the torso you can effectively mount an AC20 or a Gauss. It can be a hit and run mech, brawler, long range support platform, among other roles. You can throw in an AC2 with LRM10 and ERLLs/PPCs. You can do a Gauss plus 2 LL like the champion Dragon. The possibilities are endless. I find mounting a XL engine is the option because the CT is so huge you are more likely to die from CT torso damage than side torsi damage.

I have not played the Cicada but the X5 intrigues me. I might buy a C-bill variant and try it out before the sale ends just to see what I think of it. I just bought the Boars Head and Misery. I am trying to relearn the Atlas and attempting to find a loadout that fits me. The Misery is a good option because the Stalker is a good platform. It tanks damage well and carries a versatile array of weaponry.

Edited by IceCase88, 18 January 2014 - 05:19 AM.

[TercieI]

The X-5 is right with the 3M for "best Cicada." It's still an overgrown jump-less JR7-D, really, but I adore mine.

It's also close to "ready to play," unlike some heroes. Swap the SRMs for streaks and drop in a BAP and it's ready to roll. (I prefer to drop to the XL320 that comes with the 3M to run cooler, too, but that's optional).

[Bromineberry]

Stay away from the Flame. Imho PGI ruined the Dragon with the last hitbox tweak.

[Wintersdark]

The Flame is a fun mech, and arguably the best Dragon, but it is still a Dragon. If you're looking to be ultra-competitive, Dragon's just aren't. But, with that in mind, player skill is more important than chassis. You can do fine in a Dragon, particularly a Flame.

Basically, if you like Dragon play- and it's a unique playstyle - then the Flame is a great mech to romp about in and grab that sexy cbill bonus.

It was my first Hero mech, back when it was released, and I've never regretted purchasing it. But, I'll repeat: It's a great mech if you like Dragons.

[Turist0AT]

Thell, on 18 January 2014 - 02:01 AM, said:

I do like the looks of the Misery as well but I usually can't stand slow and clumsy mechs unless I am in a big assault mech with lots of firepower.

Like Misery....?

[Thunder Lips Express]

Thell, on 18 January 2014 - 02:01 AM, said:

Is the Cicada or Dragon worth it? I know a lot of people say Dragon's aren't good but I don't really care about super meta must get 1000 damage, I just care about being effective enough while having fun and I have seen Dragon's do well. I do like the looks of the Misery as well but I usually can't stand slow and clumsy mechs unless I am in a big assault mech with lots of firepower.

out of all the dragons i like the flame the most. i don't play it often but i do have fun in it.
the x5 is also a good mech if you like cicada's. but i am easier to please then most people i suppose so take my advice with a grain of salt

[Bishop Steiner]

John MatriX82, on 18 January 2014 - 02:57 AM, said:

Mech on sale scale:

Misery>>Boar's>>>>>>>Cicada X5/Flame.

In few words, I'd stay away from the last two, the BH is imho only decent when compared to other Atlases (you must be an eager atlas fan, then D-DC and even D can be considered a more suitable choice).

Misery shares 1st choice for an hero mech along with the Dragon Slayer, although the DS has the JJ advantage that makes it a little bit better. Imho of course.

Misery first with DragonSlayer?

John, John, John...... both need to get in line behind the Ilya and Firebrand. The Misery, DragonSlayer and Protector do a nice job in the second tier though.

[NRP]

IMO these are all good mechs (I've mastered them all). The BH is probably the hardest to find a loadout that suits you because of the limited ballistic and missile hard points and the fact that energy builds in general are pretty disadvantaged these days.

The Flame is a fun mech because of the arm weapons and the torso ballstic, both of which make it easy to aim and use the respective weapon types. However, the Dragon was a lot more effective prior to the Gauss nerf. If you want to go fast (and you should), you are basically limited to an AC/10 ( which is lackluster imo).

Edited by NRP, 18 January 2014 - 10:17 AM.

[John MatriX82]

Bishop Steiner, on 18 January 2014 - 09:16 AM, said:

Misery first with DragonSlayer?

John, John, John...... both need to get in line behind the Ilya and Firebrand. The Misery, DragonSlayer and Protector do a nice job in the second tier though.

Nah nanah mate, you know.. for me rank II are HM, IM, FB, if you want you can add a YLW and BH. All the rest (as the Protector) is tier III (along with GB, TDK, PB, X-5, F&F) aka stay away from them

Play @ uber Elo and then you'll tell me if you see a Protector anywhere.. it's all 733Cs (HMs are rare), Misery (or at least it was until the AC 20 nerf when I was still playing the game at the beginning of December), 4xERLL Stks -of course 3F is the most used-, DS and other Victors.. if there has to be a CTF that's the 3D or a Jager, medium is the Shawk, light is the Jenner, sometimes a spider or a 3L.

There's no way I'm going to take an IM over a 3D if I have to go CTF. And I own the IM (regretting it, if I could sell it for MCs I'd do it gladly) .. I wasn't touching the thing because of lack of JJ and low-mounted ballistic hardpoints. Sure, 3x UACs can be fun, but not effective vs jumpsniper long range meta, those sides pop in no time and DPS isn't going to help you against SJRs, Blackstones or Lords

[Bishop Steiner]

John MatriX82, on 18 January 2014 - 12:28 PM, said:

Nah nanah mate, you know.. for me rank II are HM, IM, FB, if you want you can add a YLW and BH. All the rest (as the Protector) is tier III (along with GB, TDK, PB, X-5, F&F) aka stay away from them

Play @ uber Elo and then you'll tell me if you see a Protector anywhere.. it's all 733Cs (HMs are rare), Misery (or at least it was until the AC 20 nerf when I was still playing the game at the beginning of December), 4xERLL Stks -of course 3F is the most used-, DS and other Victors.. if there has to be a CTF that's the 3D or a Jager, medium is the Shawk, light is the Jenner, sometimes a spider or a 3L.

There's no way I'm going to take an IM over a 3D if I have to go CTF. And I own the IM (regretting it, if I could sell it for MCs I'd do it gladly) .. I wasn't touching the thing because of lack of JJ and low-mounted ballistic hardpoints. Sure, 3x UACs can be fun, but not effective vs jumpsniper long range meta, those sides pop in no time and DPS isn't going to help you against SJRs, Blackstones or Lords

meh. much more to life than what is the metarape of the month. Dear god, if that was all I played for, i would have left from sheer boredom months ago. Different chassis have their places. Last I checked, I generally do play against the cream. I have yet to let it decide my mech choice. Nothing more enjoyable than reaming out a High ELO braggart with a "non-viable" mech like my YLW, or such. Not much more boring than playing PPC Pogostick though.

[LiGhtningFF13]

Take the Misery/Stalker M, really worth the money. I'm very satisfied since its first annoncement last year!

[Roughneck45]

Misery is a superb mech. I think it is the best stalker variant.

Flame is the best Dragon because of the high mounted ballistic slot, but it is a Dragon, so make sure you like using them first. Get the 1C, it has the same hardpoints, just different locations.

X-5 is ok, it is the only cicada that can take missiles.

Boars head is solid, but the standard variants are a bit more flexible with builds IMO.