51 replies to this topic

[Wingbreaker]

Frankly, during the test, I was more wary of running into a fully customized IS mech than any of the builds I was seeing on Cmechs.

Timber wolves could pack a nice punch, but they had a bad tendency to forget the little things, and most people were running them stock.

Summoners are tough, but people havent quite gotten the shielding down yet.

Kitfoxes were a pain in the ass when there were two or three, but a lone example wasnt much to deal with.

Adders can spread damage very well with a good pilot, but their damage output is anemic.

Dakka-wolves? Too slow, you can always out maneuver them. On the ocassion of an actual decent build, though, I'd stay the hell away from a dire wolf.

Warhawks, well, they're excellent snipers, but people were trying to use them up close. Doesn't seem to end well.

Now the two that I did actually hate to see were well piloted novas and stormcrows.

Both are fast, both are extremely maneuverable, and both can lay down a metric ton of hurt.

That being said, I knew that guy in the kitted dragon slayer knows what he's doing, and will give me a run for my money. I knew a Stalker was going to be a pain in the ass to take out side by side. I knew the Cataphract jumping in the background could easily core out my much faster little 'mechs.

Is it going to be chalked up to pilot experience in these mechs? Maybe, but I wouldn't count the IS mechs out. They did not crumple under foot.

[Creovex]

ogy, on 14 June 2014 - 02:09 AM, said:

So I have seen a couple of vids of the recent test servers and those of us that paid for IS mechs seem to have gotten royally screwed !

I saw a trailer for Ride Along and thought damn that movie is going to be insanely funny... then I rented it and was disappointed. Lesson: Don't believe all the hype till you try it yourself.

[Monkey Lover]

I felt screwed buying my IS mechs long before the clans showed up "

[Shredhead]

I was on the test server, and I can only agree to the OP's statement. It's go clan or go home, no balance at all.
Clans are twice as durable with XL engines, have 1.5 - 2 times the firepower of IS mechs, 2-3 times the range and no problems with heat whatsoever.

[Wintersdark]

Eh, I've got 50 is mechs, many paid for with real money (including but not limited to 6 hero mechs), and I've never regretted a dime of that.

[Ngamok]

Hawk819, on 14 June 2014 - 03:01 AM, said:

Here here. I have full package, bi-monthly payment, and I'm happy with both Founder's and Clan Packages. Perhaps it is something to do with the loadout you have chosen, freebirth, quiaff?

Nothing will stop me from playing my HBK-4G(F) ever.

Livewyr, on 14 June 2014 - 05:51 AM, said:

I'm selling my IS mechs. Not because they're worse than the Clans, but because the clans fit my playstyle better. That TBR speed man.. that TBR speed. (Now just imagine if they gave the clans the exact same customization freedom they gave the IS, along with the omnipods.. *that* would be worth crying over.)

In the hand of a novice, a clan mech would be demonstrably worse than an IS mech, because of build limitations, longer laser burn times, heat, etc.. but in the hands of a skilled player using it for its purpose.. it is advanced as it should be.

PGI just about nailed it.

But I have 70 mechs !

[Wintersdark]

Shredhead, on 14 June 2014 - 06:52 AM, said:

I was on the test server, and I can only agree to the OP's statement. It's go clan or go home, no balance at all.
Clans are twice as durable with XL engines, have 1.5 - 2 times the firepower of IS mechs, 2-3 times the range and no problems with heat whatsoever.

Not twice as durable - they're still cored via CT, and some like the Timberwolf and Direwolf have very easy to hit CT's. Then, Clans need extended time on target to deliver their damage, which IS mechs can exploit to spread damage. IS mechs can deliver heavy front loaded pinpoint damage then twist defensively.

IS mechs are fine.

Also, IS mechs can elect to go STD engine and remain fighting with both side torsos gone, making them MORE durable.

[Bishop Steiner]

ogy, on 14 June 2014 - 02:09 AM, said:

So I have seen a couple of vids of the recent test servers and those of us that paid for IS mechs seem to have gotten royally screwed !

Nope.

Both sides have advantages. IS has a huge advantage in FLD weaponry, and generally higher mobility Lights and Assaults.
Clans are slightly more durable thanks to their XLs (but generally have slightly worse hitboxes) and have (in most cases, slightly) Superior Energy Weapons. But their LRMs are a long stream that gets swatted easily, and their ballistics are DoT.

A detailed breakdown can be found HERE:
http://mwomercs.com/...34#entry3461134

[blackicmenace]

Tahribator, on 14 June 2014 - 02:09 AM, said:

Nope. My IS mechs did fine, if not better during the test. We'll know for sure when Clans release and builds settle though.

Yup, I tested and came to the same conclusion. Was still able to get top damage dealer in IS mechs competing with mostly Clan mechs so clearly they can compete just fine. Guess we will truly know when mastered clans roll out in masses but I think its going to be fine.

[Grimlox]

Wintersdark, on 14 June 2014 - 05:25 AM, said:

The strongest IS builds are still the strongest builds.

Clans rely on damage over time, and may seem stronger at lower Elo levels but once you get into more skilled play, the front-loaded damage of IS mechs is still going to keep them competitive. Clan autocannons are not nearly as effective as IS autocannons, and Clan's only have high-heat ERPPCs that still do the same 10 damage as low-head IS PPC's.

As such, the PPC/AC5 mechs are still going to be quite effective, and IS will continue to rule the poptart thing.

So does that mean IS pilots are going to be stuck using the few PPFLD meta builds to be competitive with any clan mechs. I was really hoping it would shake the meta up. If the only side with the freedom to run a variety of builds and be competitive in PUG matches is clans then I will have to either get with the clan program or get out because I don't think I can enjoy being forced into playing pop tart meta IS mechs to be competitive.

[Pygar]

ogy, on 14 June 2014 - 02:09 AM, said:

So I have seen a couple of vids of the recent test servers and those of us that paid for IS mechs seem to have gotten royally screwed !

Naw, it's not going to be like that....IS mechs will still be fine post launch- they aren't going to have the same new car smell as the Clans, but Clans will also be available to everybody eventually.

And whatever you do don't sell off your IS mechs, not only will they still be useful, but eventually "2C" weapons will come out too. (Not to mention that the game really screws you when you try to sell mechs and gear, not worth it.)

Oh and don't forget- test server is going live again on Sunday....everybody who is curious should jump on and check it out!

Edited by Pygar, 14 June 2014 - 07:18 AM.

[Wingbreaker]

Grimlox, on 14 June 2014 - 07:12 AM, said:

I was really hoping it would shake the meta up.

It most likely will with SRMs making a return. We shall see when it goes live.

[Grimlox]

Wingbreaker, on 14 June 2014 - 07:17 AM, said:

It most likely will with SRMs making a return. We shall see when it goes live.

That's the big one I'm hoping for. I used to have fun punishing players with a well flanking cent bomb. Could even make my Pretty Baby worth running again. As long as I don't feel like I need to resort to pop tart meta I will be happy, clans or no clans.

[Wintersdark]

Grimlox, on 14 June 2014 - 07:12 AM, said:

So does that mean IS pilots are going to be stuck using the few PPFLD meta builds to be competitive with any clan mechs. I was really hoping it would shake the meta up. If the only side with the freedom to run a variety of builds and be competitive in PUG matches is clans then I will have to either get with the clan program or get out because I don't think I can enjoy being forced into playing pop tart meta IS mechs to be competitive.

Well, yes and no. IS pilots had to run those builds to be really competitive at the high end regardless. To be competitive in pug matches, you can run any decent build without worries, just like you always have. You don't need to poptart, but if you just run lasers and such, you'll be as competitive as you always where.

Bishop Steiner's linked thread above is a very good read and very accurate as to how balance plays out.

Grimlox, on 14 June 2014 - 07:36 AM, said:

That's the big one I'm hoping for. I used to have fun punishing players with a well flanking cent bomb. Could even make my Pretty Baby worth running again. As long as I don't feel like I need to resort to pop tart meta I will be happy, clans or no clans.

Mmmhmm. Strong SRM's are a lynchpin of brawling. They certainly worked a lot better in the test for me, though I heard some mixed reports.

We'll see how it plays out in live.

[ErikModi]

Just about the only thing overbalanced in Clan 'Mechs is the Nova. My Clanmates were running with 12 ER Small Lasers and 4 Machine Guns, and the amount of hurt those things could put out was beyond staggering. The trick, as I understand it, was to fire one arm's worth of lasers, wait one half second, then fire the other arm's worth of lasers. In one second, that's damage equal to or exceeding a quad UAC/20 build at comparable range with a MUCH faster refresh time. And for no heat whatsoever. These guys were routinely walking straight up to Dire Wolves and wiping them out in one or two volleys and walking away unscathed.

Other than that, Clan 'Mechs didn't seem any more powerful than IS 'Mechs, just more versatile. Timber Wolves can be very effective missile platforms, relatively long-range snipers, and excellent brawlers, all in one package and build. Building to do just one of those things actually seems to decrease their overall effectiveness, from what I was seeing.

My Summoner performed adequately, but not amazingly. Part of that was me not really having the time to learn to play it, and part of it was running for (and often against) the above CheeseNova build.

[cSand]

ogy, on 14 June 2014 - 02:09 AM, said:

So I have seen a couple of vids of the recent test servers and those of us that paid for IS mechs seem to have gotten royally screwed !

lol

Sorry bud, Can't put this lightly so I'll just say it like it is:

You're wrong.


have a nice weekend though!

WarWolfSW, on 14 June 2014 - 06:57 AM, said:

Ton for ton the IS builds could go toe to toe with the clan mechs. It all comes down to the Mechwarrior behind the controls.

This, I would like it twice if I could

Shredhead, on 14 June 2014 - 06:52 AM, said:

I was on the test server, and I can only agree to the OP's statement. It's go clan or go home, no balance at all.
Clans are twice as durable with XL engines, have 1.5 - 2 times the firepower of IS mechs, 2-3 times the range and no problems with heat whatsoever.

Did you play with any IS mechs on PTS?

Cause I did - a lot. No issues. Hell, even my Awesomes were bringing pain.

Just cause you can't deal with it, doesn't mean it's broken

Edited by cSand, 14 June 2014 - 09:41 AM.

[Aresye]

R Razor, on 14 June 2014 - 03:25 AM, said:

Actually if his argument was that the game was P2W then you just validated it by admitting you paid more for a more powerful (in theory anyway) set of tools.

No, his argument was that because he paid for IS mechs, it would be unfair that the Clans are better, which is directly establishing an argument based off P2W logic.

Thus, if his argument is P2W, Clan packs are more expensive, and therefore should be better.

I wasn't arguing whether or not the game is P2W. That's a different argument altogether. Just pointing out the illogical fallacies of the original complaint.

[AgroAlba]

I actually did better and did more damage in my IS mechs. Play it first, then form your opinion.

[darkchylde]

ogy, on 14 June 2014 - 02:09 AM, said:

So I have seen a couple of vids of the recent test servers and those of us that paid for IS mechs seem to have gotten royally screwed !

If that's the case - care to explain how I was taking out Golden Clan mechs in my Golden Boy? And no they were not on my team. Heck, even my Atlas took on 2 Dire Wolves and won - was kinda funny running circles around them.

[Y E O N N E]

Clans OP?

There's a good joke.

Signed,
Dedicated Inner Sphere Pilot