Cookiemonter669, on 01 July 2014 - 10:44 AM, said:
Adjust your playing style to counter the clans.
IS ballistics are superior to the clan ones.
Free tip: something with AC20
IS versatility is also far better, since you can customize your core, like engine speed, etc. You got any idea how much the Warhawk is boned by having 10 additional hardlocked DHS? Not just to it's weapon loadout but to their survivability, as if someone takes your RT, any ballistic or missiles and their ammo pretty much just went away. You might have a couple energy in the LA, but that is it. The RT is every bit the prime target on most builds that it is on an Atlas.
Lights are moving at the speed of most IS Mediums, and their Assaults are not only generally glacially slow, but low on the agility scale, too. The Stormcrow and TWolf are remotely "Top Tier" mechs. And While the TWolf may be a little OP in the TimberTart role that "Compys" want to run, it really has not dominated using any other build, although it is a dang good, versatile and well balanced Heavy Mech. The Stormcrow is very strong, but it's CT, largely DoT arsenal and lack of JJs keep it from being "better" than the Shadowhawk, and probably sits somewhere between the Shad and the Griffin/Centurion in rankings.
Kitfox has a nice little niche as a Shield and NARC'er, but is not exactly putting the fear of God into IS Lights, Adder and Summoner are supremely limited, though workable. Direwhale? Has one "Meta" build, and while capable of a large amount of firepower is almost a bloody turret it's so immobile, which combined with DoT weapons and a huge bloody CT, means it has the guns, but not really the durability to be some fearsome beast.
The Nova? Fun design, horribly strapped for weapon tonnage, with mediocre speed and horrible hitboxes. JJs help, but since 95% carry all their firepower (sans a few MG, or possible an AC.... in which case it has nearly no back up weaponry) in their arms, are extremely easy to neuter, though if you ignore one, in short bursts, they can put out some nice damage.
Moral of the story largely being that most people need to stop panicking, actually study their opponents, and adapt. Because they are hardly the unstoppable ogre hordes of fluff, TT and lore.
And yes, I have all my TWolvs, Stormcrows, Summoners and Warhawks at least fully elited and unlocked, though on a couple mastered.