20 replies to this topic

[0Life]

So, at this point, even when I opt to pick up some Premium time I find that the only variants that I play are the Champion models. Sure, if I have picked up a new chassis, I will work that mech over, regardless of hero status, but as soon as I do, back to a Hero mech.

That being said, if you have a few Champions, regardless of Premium time, do you find that you often run non-Hero mechs? Sure, if you love a chassis and particular variant and intend to buy no other mechs until something particular comes out, okay. You are not really the kind of person I am looking for to respond.Feel free to, if you want, but I will likely just gloss over whatever you say, so fair warning.

Is there a point to keeping the non-hero variants that you do not particularly care about once you get all the unlocks you care about?

[Buckminster]

I keep everything.

The big thing is I hate the loss you take when you sell a mech - that's an awful lot of C-bills you'll never see again. But I've also found that as I play through my mechs, that it's nice to go back to some of the variants I haven't played in a while and brush off the dust. It helps keep things fresh while we're waiting for stuff like CW. Just recently I pulled out my old Cat-C1, tweaked the weapons a little, and it was a nice change of pace from the ballistic mechs I've mostly been playing.

If I don't have any particular mech I'm trying to level up, I do tend to go to the Hero and Phoenix mechs, as I like the C-bills bonus I get. Sometimes they don't have the best hardpoint layout for the chassis, but I can usually come up with something that works well enough.

[Xeno Phalcon]

I don't buy chumpion mechs under any circumstances, hell I sold the Centurion one they gave us to afford a griffin. Hero mechs depends on the mech, how much I like the hero version and most importantly of all: is it on sale.

So far only one to meet that criteria was the Protector during a 50% off sale, which at the time I had also mastered ON1-K and ON1-VA - That being said Iv spent much of my time playing Griffins of late, there was just no fooling way I was going to invest so deeply into Project Phoenix packs for a mech I wasn't even remotely sure id like or not so I dont have any (P) model for it, just standards. Now if they made a hero griffin I might be tempted, but the PP suckers would be up in arms if that was done before 2016 so i'll more than likely move onto a Nova before then, as $60 for a clan pack scam is vastly more appealing than how PP was done.

[NextGame]

I keep all my mechs (currently 121, 1 of each variant and 2 jenner d's (founders and sarahs).

Theres a few reasons for this

1) completionist.
2) I sometimes do 12 mans, and the unit I am in has preset builds, if I retain all my mechs I give them flexibility and myself more chance of getting a game.
3) Todays meta chassis are tomorrows trash. We don't know what crazy balance implementations are coming for us and which mechs will be best in patches to come.

That said, my go-to mechs once something is levelled, are the hero variants mostly because they are better for cbill generation.

[RushOutlaw]

I tend to keep one of each mech usually my favourite variant. I sell mechs i don't like though regardless of if it means i don't own that mech type anymore.

I tend to have 1 or two mastered mechs from each class.

[Novalov]

RushOutlaw, on 06 March 2014 - 11:58 AM, said:

I tend to keep one of each mech usually my favourite variant. I sell mechs i don't like though regardless of if it means i don't own that mech type anymore.

I tend to have 1 or two mastered mechs from each class.

Likewise I tend to play each variant of a chassis while mastering, then decide which I enjoyed the most and keep that one, sell off the rest and move on to a new weight class or another mech in that said weight class, rinse and repeat. I'm not sure how this will effect me later on as CW is not here nor do I have a unit (more's the pity) but having fun anyway.

[Lord Perversor]

Xeno Phalcon, on 06 March 2014 - 04:49 AM, said:

I don't buy chumpion mechs under any circumstances, hell I sold the Centurion one they gave us to afford a griffin. Hero mechs depends on the mech, how much I like the hero version and most importantly of all: is it on sale.

So far only one to meet that criteria was the Protector during a 50% off sale, which at the time I had also mastered ON1-K and ON1-VA - That being said Iv spent much of my time playing Griffins of late, there was just no fooling way I was going to invest so deeply into Project Phoenix packs for a mech I wasn't even remotely sure id like or not so I dont have any (P) model for it, just standards. Now if they made a hero griffin I might be tempted, but the PP suckers would be up in arms if that was done before 2016 so i'll more than likely move onto a Nova before then, as $60 for a clan pack scam is vastly more appealing than how PP was done.

With a bit of luck we may get a Griffin Hero mechs in around a year, year and half.. bit far but still possible.

At 1st i just mastered chassis and sold the variants i disliked lately i'm just hoarding any Mech i master, and keep them fully operational since i tend to use personalized fits on each different variant, sometimes for a change of pace sometimes for the Lulz of old good times.

My favourite Mech it's still the Flame with 4x Meds and Gauss (until i can swap an LBX-20) followed by my JM6-S Quad Ac/2

[Buckminster]

Lord Perversor, on 06 March 2014 - 12:17 PM, said:

With a bit of luck we may get a Griffin Hero mechs in around a year, year and half.. bit far but still possible.

I'll be curious to see how this all goes down once the Clans come on board. Hopefully PGI won't abandon the IS in favor of producing more Clan stuff.

[Amsro]

I mostly use my Hero Variants, but I do have a few C-Bill mechs that I still use regularly. Typically its because they do something the Hero Mechs cannot.

Cataphract 4X - Quad AC/5
Spider 5K - Quad Machine Gun *see Ember
Trebuchet 3C - Ninja Medium
Catapult A1 - 6 SSRM2 trollcat
Battlemaster 1D - Trip AC/2

I still use every mech I own now and then. But those are the main ones.

[Basskicker]

I love my hero mechs... but there are some cbill variants I love too and play them their fair share. Case in point, the D-DC over the Boar's Head. My Jm6-DD and Jm6-A over the Firebrand. My Fs9-S over the Ember. I would have stopped playing a long time ago if the only mechs worth playing were mechs that could only be bought by RL money. Even when I grind c-bills I don't always choose a Hero. I will take other mechs for their play style, loadout, and for the fun of it.

Why not play other mechs? Even so-called bad variants can be fun if you take the time to find a build that works for you (which Atm, seems to be about the only thing this game is about)

[Lord Perversor]

Buckminster, on 06 March 2014 - 06:13 PM, said:

I'll be curious to see how this all goes down once the Clans come on board. Hopefully PGI won't abandon the IS in favor of producing more Clan stuff.

They said about delivering 2x Mechs monthly (1 for IS 1 for Clans) and if ppl likedsuch delivery rate, they'll try to keep it.

On theory when june hits we'll start to see the new Clan mechs each month a long a new IS chassis.

Edited by Lord Perversor, 06 March 2014 - 08:19 PM.

[RiotHero]

The only mech I've sold was the Jenner K, although I am considering get rid of the Cat C4 because I have other mechs that outclass it in every way. When I level up a mech I tend to keep one main one that I like with a good build and then keep the other two with completely different builds. Say maybe one with all short ranged, one long range, one mixed or a jump sniper, brawler, and all arounder.

To many times I see people put basically the same build on every mech variant of the chassis. If you do that of course you are going to not like the rest, it's boring. Like how people buy a firebrand and not even use the high energy hard points. They just slap dual whatever on all of them and call it a day.

The main point of a hero mech is to make cbills what use are they if you are just going to sell off the mechs and only play the hero anyway?

[Buckminster]

RiotHero, on 07 March 2014 - 09:54 PM, said:

To many times I see people put basically the same build on every mech variant of the chassis. If you do that of course you are going to not like the rest, it's boring. Like how people buy a firebrand and not even use the high energy hard points. They just slap dual whatever on all of them and call it a day.

I've seen this too (with the Firebrand). I guess I get it - if you really want to play an AC/40 Jager, you might as well get the c-bill bonus. But I have to agree - I have my Firebrand setup like the old Rifleman, which is the precise reason I bought it in the first place.

Edited by Buckminster, 08 March 2014 - 07:14 AM.

[Werewolf486 ScorpS]

Most hero mechs aren't as good as the standard mechs. The Wang is better then any standard Centurion, but not by much. The rest of the hero mechs are actually the worst of the line, so I can't understand why anyone would buy them. I think PGI should have just made the best variant of the line a hero. For an example most would agree that the Hunchback-4SP is the best of the HBK's and that should have been the Hero, You would have the standard 4SP and then a Hero 4SP with all the bonuses. I can't believe people spent real money to buy those Hero mechs as bad as most of them are.

[Thumper3]

I also keep everything, 70 and counting.

Not only do you take a huge loss on selling, but then as we all know PGI swings the nerf/buff bat wide and hard. What 'sucks' today may be the king of the battlefield in a few months. If you sold it, now you have to buy it back at full price.

I run my HERO mechs to grind out c-bills, usually with premium time only if I am going to be able to dedicate large chunks of time to playing. Buying PT for a couple 2 hour sessions is pointless. Especially since I am trying to limit the money I give out until we get some more promises fullfilled in good faith. Once we start seeing some promised features before we get features no one cares about (3rd person, cockpit freaking glass, turrets, ect) then that may change.

I have my guilty pleasure builds I run on occasion, and then grinding up new chassis and builds and getting them mastered.

Werewolf486, on 08 March 2014 - 08:19 AM, said:

Most hero mechs aren't as good as the standard mechs. .

Especially lately. At least early hero's were viable, and some were actually much better. The FLAME (only dragon that can sport an AC20), the Illya and the Firebrand....awesome chassis, the Heavy Metal is no slouch. But lately, it's like they are TRYING to make it pay to lose. The Grid Iron? Ridiculous hardpoints, useless. I have been waiting for a hero Hunchie forever........and I was just sad when that was what they gave us. The new La Malinche? Looks like they used a blind monkey and a dartboard to pick out hardpoints and locations.

[0Life]

I agree with a number of you on various points, and thank you all for your feedback.

I just find the c-bill grind in non-heroes when you do not have PT to be, well, daunting. Even in a good round, trying to save up for one of the really expensive mechs seems like a hell of a slog, even if you can dedicate a full weekend or more to the grind. Merely my opinion though, in that I want to be able to feel like I am actually getting somewhere when grinding, rather than spinning my wheels trying to get up 8 mill when all I have is a single million.

[KnowBuddy]

sneeking, on 06 March 2014 - 06:40 PM, said:

im a fan of the a1c but I run it 300xl 2xlrm20 artemus and instead of pissing rocket rainbows across the map I tack on the heels of a brawling wolf pack and fire line of sight single volleys.

Erm, why use the A1 then? Both the C1 and C4 can do the same, plus bring a TAG and some non-missile backup weapons. Any © is pretty silly after you've mastered it. Just curious as to your reasoning.

Back on topic, I think there was some confusion between Champion and Hero 'Mechs somewhere in this thread. Honestly, I run exclusively Heroes and (F)s (except the HBK... that thing never really fit for me) unless there's a specific variant that I have an especially good time piloting. However, most of the time, that C-Bills bonus is much more enjoyable to me than running slightly higher damage/kill numbers. Champion 'Mechs are not worth MC and I would not buy them at any price.

Edited by KnowBuddy, 12 March 2014 - 07:20 PM.

[KnowBuddy]

sneeking, on 14 March 2014 - 04:40 AM, said:

because I want too, because I can.

and just because all my weight is dedicated to engine armour launchers and rockets, 1t for anything that isn't making me run faster jump higher take a hit or isnt another volly of rockets is wasted space when im in this mode.

oh n the op did touch on champions thats why I mentioned it.

No problem, I was curious because I'd always like to learn more about options and what has worked well for other folks. I let some of my own opinion and judgements creep in, but I wasn't trying to criticize your choice, simply understand it. Also on reflection, my statement that the champion XP bonus is silly after you have mastered a champion chassis is technically incorrect, since it still provides a 10% bonus to GXP gain. My opinion is still that champion 'Mechs are not worth the MC cost, since I would prioritize my use of MC for C-Bill gain over XP gain.

The OP did use the word "Champions" but never used that word in the form of "Heroes and/or Champions," etc. The way I read the OP was that the use of "Champions" was mistaken based on the context, so my brain replaced any instance of the word "Champion" with the word "Hero" and the post made much more sense and then aligned with the actual questions explicitly asked. I could definitely be wrong, but I stand by my interpretation on re-reading the OP.

Edited by KnowBuddy, 14 March 2014 - 12:46 PM.

[Buckminster]

KnowBuddy, on 12 March 2014 - 07:15 PM, said:

Erm, why use the A1 then? Both the C1 and C4 can do the same, plus bring a TAG and some non-missile backup weapons. Any © is pretty silly after you've mastered it. Just curious as to your reasoning.

Back on topic, I think there was some confusion between Champion and Hero 'Mechs somewhere in this thread. Honestly, I run exclusively Heroes and (F)s (except the HBK... that thing never really fit for me) unless there's a specific variant that I have an especially good time piloting. However, most of the time, that C-Bills bonus is much more enjoyable to me than running slightly higher damage/kill numbers. Champion 'Mechs are not worth MC and I would not buy them at any price.

I don't think I'd say that running a Champ is silly once you've mastered it. That XP bonus also applies to your GXP gain, which will help a lot with grinding through for modules. And it'll also depend on what they end up doing when they revamp the XP and skill trees - having that XP may mean something.

As for a Champ not being worth the MC price - that depends on your situation. If you are a recreational player with more spendable $ than time, then I think a Champ can be totally worth it. They come pre-upgraded, which means you get a decent mech right off the bat, rather than having to grind for the additional C-bills to add DHS, ES, and what not. Take the Cent-A Champ for example - You can spend 1850 MC, or you spend 8.8 million C-bills. Assuming 100k C-bills on an average match, and that's 90 matches you need to play to buy and equip the mech. For me, that's almost a two months of play time. So do I spend $15 for a mech I can play now, or do I spend 2 months of play grinding to buy and equip the mech? For a lot of people, it's worth the $15.

Edited for grammar.

Edited by Buckminster, 14 March 2014 - 08:44 AM.

[KnowBuddy]

Buckminster, on 14 March 2014 - 08:39 AM, said:

I don't think I'd say that running a Champ is silly once you've mastered it. That XP bonus also applies to your GXP gain, which will help a lot with grinding through for modules. And it'll also depend on what they end up doing when they revamp the XP and skill trees - having that XP may mean something.

As for a Champ not being worth the MC price - that depends on your situation. If you are a recreational player with more spendable $ than time, then I think a Champ can be totally worth it. They come pre-upgraded, which means you get a decent mech right off the bat, rather than having to grind for the additional C-bills to add DHS, ES, and what not. Take the Cent-A Champ for example - You can spend 1850 MC, or you spend 8.8 million C-bills. Assuming 100k C-bills on an average match, and that's 90 matches you need to play to buy and equip the mech. For me, that's almost a two months of play time. So do I spend $15 for a mech I can play now, or do I spend 2 months of play grinding to buy and equip the mech? For a lot of people, it's worth the $15.

Edited for grammar.

Agreed on your first point, as you can see from my followup post:

KnowBuddy, on 14 March 2014 - 08:28 AM, said:

Also on reflection, my statement that the champion XP bonus is silly after you have mastered a champion chassis is technically incorrect, since it still provides a 10% bonus to GXP gain.

Good take on the trade-offs, definitely valid points. My opinion, stated as my opinion (*disclaimer: all statements made by me are my personal opinion, your opinion may vary*), differs slightly. I would regret purchasing a champion or non-hero 'Mech with MC because I view that as a lost opportunity to use the same MC for something uniquely not-available by any other means, and since I prioritize gaining and optimizing variants which minimize the current C-Bill grind. This is because while I have more than enough money, my available supply of MC is finite and will continue to be so for a while.