Sickboy78, on 24 January 2015 - 09:14 AM, said:
I disagree. Clan still beats IS at close range. You can't fit 5 ultra AC/5s on any IS mech, not even close. All that screen shake is hell, even at close range. You also can't put the kind of alpha firepower on a IS mech. Clan mechs also by and large are more maneuverable and faster. Stormcrow can do 90 without having to sacrifice any of the firepower that you would in an IS. Granted, the lights are a bit slow and I don't particularly like clan mechs compared to IS in the light category but no one pilots lights anyway, usually less than 10% when I check play lists. I still do well in my clan lights, just a different play style (more support role than scout or sniper). Most of the time people pilot heavies and Assaults with mediums 3rd and lights a very distant 4th. ECM coverage I would say is comparable between clans and IS. I seem to find unfortunately, that AMS is fairly useless no matter what (even my kitfox with ECM and 3 AMS gets overwhelmed with LRMS). The save on damage seems with any AMS clan or otherwise in negligible.
Also, Clans have XL engines and don't suffer the same detriments with them as IS, you can lose a shoulder with Clan, IS, you are dead. Also, with the exception of the direwolf, it gives clan mechs quicker response times when heavier mechs are dealing with something fast. I can't corner a Timberwolf with a light solo and expect to be able to peck away at it because it turns to quickly and can respond to speed. So, all in all, I have to believe that Clans are still far more advantageous.
Holy necros batman!
As for your argument:
The King crab beats the dakka wolf hands down every time. Try the Various Dakka Crab builds, and you'll see. Like 4xUAC5s (significantly better than the DWF, since it's single shot, which means it has less chance of jamming mid barrage), 4xAC5s+2xAC2s (absolute nightmare)... etc.
The Dakkawolf is by and large, a very situational build, which makes it extremely lackluster. I wouldn't even list it in the top 10 good builds on clan mechs. Especially since every single one of it's builds can be negated by simply walking sideways. Seriously, even an atlas at close range can outmaneuver a DWF.
As for the Stormcrow being a very good medium, I would say that is true, but what about the Nova, or the Ice Ferret? I don't think people even remember the Ice Ferret is in the game anymore.
One or two good chassis is okay. The IS has counters as well (shadowhawk, centurions, and Hunchbacks for mediums. Thunderbolts, Cataphracts, and Orions for heavies ... etc.)
You also seem to forget that clan mechs are on average much hotter. Also, once they lose those fragile side torsos, their heat management is crippled even more. Just because the mech can fit more guns, doesn't mean it's better.
Right now, there are two exceptionally top tier chassis in the clan arsenal: The timberwolf (predictably), and the Stormcrow. With the Hellbringer a close third, and the Direwolf fourth.
Most clan mechs can't outbrawls their IS counterparts, and those that can, have to have the set up specifically for it.
Here's a better, more relevant to our times description of how the two techs work:
IS: Niche mechs. Each mech is okay at one or two roles, but exceptionally good at one thing.
Clan: Generalist mechs, jack of all trades, master of none.
So clan mechs can beat an IS mech if the IS mech is outside it's niche. However, they lose to it in it's favored role.
For example, a DWF can out-snipe an Atlas, and possibly a King Crab (depends on pilot skill in that match up. I've had it go either way many times). However, the DWF absolutely loses to the Atlas in a brawl. It can never spread damage like the Atlas can, and it can't deal with it's PP FLD set up (AC20+ASRM6s+MLs).
The quirks we now have help settle an IS mech into it's niche. Which can exacerbate their edge in that field to near broken levels sometimes (TDR-9S). Learn the niche, if you want to go IS vs. Clans, and abuse it. Draw them into the range best suits you, and win there.