18 replies to this topic

[Mujinn]

I know there are probably 50 topics already out there on this but I am looking for new prospective on the XL engine. I can see both sides of the issue, going wit stander makes you less vulnerable to dying to your sides torso being shot out but the XL frees up a lot of tonnage for better weapon setups. I am looking to see what you all have to say on this to see if its worth the extra tonnage or not.

[xe N on]

As stated in the other 50 threads it depends on mech and role of the mech.

There is no global statement to XL or to STD.

[POOTYTANGASAUR]

My rule of thumb is std if i want survivability and if i am in a mech with weight to spare like assualts or some heavies. But i go xl if i want really heavy weapons and speed or if the mech is too light to be useful without an xl. Like lights and some mediums.

[t Khrist]

In my opinion it mainly depends on the class and chassis you're using. Generally all lights and most mediums utilize XL's, in contrast almost all assaults and most heavies use standards. Reasoning behind this includes lights and mediums needing lighter engines in order to fit armaments, etc. into their small frames, as well as their speed enabling them to avoid the loss of their side torsos: the "run and gun" tactic. Exceptions for these classes generally include centurions, hunchbacks, and blackjacks, where the mechs are better suited for standard engines. Heavies and assaults typically use standard engines for the opposite reasons; speed is not as important due to higher armor, higher tonnage limits allow for the greater weight of standards along with armaments, etc. These reasons revolve around the fact that since those classes are slower and larger in size, there is a higher risk of loosing a side torso, which with an XL engine would mean death. Exceptions include dragons, and sometimes awesomes, but there's pretty much no reason to have an XL in an assault. Dragons require the greater speed a lighter, higher rated engine provides due to their massive CT's. This is my own little list of engine rules, but I hope it helps. See you on the battlefield!!

[Bront]

Ask yourselves these questions

1) Do you need the speed?
2) Do you need the tonnage?
3) Do you need the space?
4) Does your mech tend to lose side torsos easily? (May vary by playstyle)
5) Do you have the cash and wish to spend it?

Some mechs benefit from the speed, some don't. Some can spare the tonnage for a larger standard engine, some can't. Some mechs need those extra 6 crit slots, or conversely, some need the HS Storage of a larger engine. Some mechs are friendlier to XLs by having side torsos that tend not to blow up (either good protecting arms, or a damage magnet of a CT from the front). And XLs are expensive.

Generally, lights need the speed (generally without exception, and should be running an XL). Outside of that, it's complicated. Assaults need the durability of not worrying about losing a side torso, though the Battlemaster runs an XL well, as can the Victor and Awesome, it's debatable in the highlander, and a bad thing in the Atlas and Stalker. Some mediums and heavies run XLs well, others do not. Sometimes it just depends on the build.

Ultimately, there's no "once size fits all" answer for this. Some folks won't run XLs outside of a light for any reason, while others swear by XLs and throw them in everything.

[DarthPeanut]

Depends on the build for me.

Ranged build, I will go XL if it benefits me in needed ammo or other things.

Brawler.. STD.

Edited by DarthPeanut, 23 February 2014 - 02:19 PM.

[Roughneck45]

Lights, Cicadas, and Dragons always get XL's.

Go standard for everything else, unless you are dying to try a loadout that is only XL friendly. The survivability gained from using a standard always outweighs the benefits of an XL engine to me.

[Kin3ticX]

It depends on the theory or statistics

An Atlas is more likely to get right torso'd first. XL "bad". Once in a while something else is lost first, but a STD engine is better.
A light mech is more likely to get legged first. XL "okay". Once in a while a light mech gets side torso'd first. I'll still drive an XL anyways.

A Dragon is more likely to get CT'd first. XL "okay". Once in a while it will get side torso'd first but I'll still use the XL.

you get the idea.......

Its sort of the same with rear armor

Front armor will save me 9 out of 10 times. Rear armor will save me 1 out of 10 times. Therefore I will put paper thin rear armor and if I get backed stabbed I will still do it anyways.

Edited by Kin3ticX, 23 February 2014 - 03:06 PM.

[Dramborleg]

Unlike some choices available to the player, both options are viable. It depends heavily on the mech; in general you want to run an XL if you have the slots for it unless you're running a Stalker or a Hunchback or any one of the many other mechs with chunky side torso hitboxes.

[Macksheen]

I'm a speed freak - so I generally run things that are XL-friendly ... but it is indeed a case by case basis.

Some mechs are more likely to get CT-killed than ST's ... Catapults, Dragons as mentioned - and can load up on the XL more safely. Others simply need more speed to put their firepower in specific spots.

Those that can't avoid losing a ST are right out - Hunchies, Atlas, etc.

[Lord Reaver]

Roughneck45, on 23 February 2014 - 02:20 PM, said:

Lights, Cicadas, and Dragons always get XL's.

Go standard for everything else, unless you are dying to try a loadout that is only XL friendly. The survivability gained from using a standard always outweighs the benefits of an XL engine to me.

Don't forget Catapults, for the same reason as Dragons.

[Roughneck45]

Lord Reaver, on 23 February 2014 - 06:10 PM, said:

Don't forget Catapults, for the same reason as Dragons.

True.

Forgot to mention them because I've had my K2 set up as an AC40 for so long! lol

[Sug]

It depends on the mech, the build, and your playstyle.

[DONTOR]

Most JJ capable mechs can roll damage more effectivly than non JJ ones so XLs are generally pretty safe in these aswell. Victors, Shawks, Quickdraws, Griffins, Wolverines, Phract 3D, not so much Highlanders for me although some people do like them with XLs.

[Dawnstealer]

As others have said, it depends on the mech, more than anything. XLs in a Stalker, Atlas, Hunchback and a couple others are death sentences.

On the flip side, they're practically required in most Lights. Also, most of the Phoenix mechs can run XLs comfortably, along with Catapults, Victors, and so on.

It really depends on the mech.

[Flyto]

Simple (albeit expensive) way of judging it: Start with an XL. Whenever you die, note which body parts you lost.

After lots of matches, if you are frequently losing side torsoes, consider changing to a standard engine. If you usually die to CT or legs, then the XL is fine!

(There are some mechs and roles where it's obvious, though. Lights with STDs don't really work, and heavy ballistic builds on jagers, for instance...)

[John Buford]

Another way to look at it is if you are running out of tonnage think XL's and if you are running out of Crit spaces think Std. Now this is a VERY simplified way of deciding what you need but there is a lot of good advice already in this thread so just put them all together.

[990Dreams]

If you are gonna be moving fast enough to negate the vulnerability XL is okay.

If you are slow enough your shoulders are at risk don't use an XL.

If you are at risk of being legged and have an XL, the ammo explosion channels into the shoulder. The SPD-5K( C) had that problem with me a few times and I was really annoyed by it.

Keep your shoulders armored if you use an XL.

That's all I got, cause I normally run standards instead of XLs.

[Turist0AT]

TO XL OR NOT TO XL?

Take XL. You can always go back to STD if you die too much. The increased firepower in many cases is able to compensate for the decreased durability.

Edited by Turist0AT, 27 February 2014 - 01:21 AM.