I think that maybe we are looking at the wrong approach to getting these tweaks. Maybe it isn't the chassis itself that changes should be applied to be rather the module system and how it interacts/affects certain chassis with regards to modules. The latest patch with the new "Shock Absorbance" module got me thinking.
Lets take a look at a few modules:
Adv. Targeting Decay
- Current Version - "+3.5 seconds to target retention when equipped"
*However, since lights are designed for scouting, why not break out the class further and state the following give perks to classes that are geared to use it for play style? -
- Improved Version - "+3.5 seconds to target retention when equipped, if equipped by a light mech, retention is increased by +1 seconds"
Advanced Zoom
- Current Version - "A picture-in-picture long range zoom with 4x magnification."
*A snipers tool, why not buff the concept towards those who equip it as such"
- Improved Version - "A picture-in-picture long range zoom with 4x magnification, if a Gauss or ER PPC, ER Large Laser are equipped the long range zoom is increase to a 5x magnification."
Machine Gun Range 2
- Current Version - "Increases the long range of machine guns by 5.2 meters, increase maximum range by 10.2 meters."
*A tool for scouts, some mediums and other builds that can benefit from the low damage done by the weapon but get a perk for using more of them
-Improved Version - "Increases the long range of machine guns by 5.2 meters, increase maximum range by 10.2 meters. When equipped with more than 3x MGs, rate of fire is increased by .05"
Shock Absorbance
- Current Version - "
- Light 'Mechs: 35% fall damage reduction
- Medium 'Mechs: 30% fall damage reduction
- Heavy 'Mechs: 25% fall damage reduction
- Assault 'Mechs: 20% fall damage reduction
- Light 'Mechs: 35% fall damage reduction
- Medium 'Mechs: 30% fall damage reduction
- Heavy 'Mechs: 25% fall damage reduction
- Assault 'Mechs: 20% fall damage reduction
- If equipped by a fixed JJ mech, a 10% additional fall reduction is added
Proposed New Modules:
PPC Heat 2
-Concept/Version - "Decreases Ghost Heat by -1 when firing more then 3x PPCs, when equipped on an Awesome, Ghost Heat is further reduced by an additional -2"
Hardened Armor Module
-Concept/Version - "When equipped on a mech, the base core armor components are increased by the following values:"
- Light 'Mechs: +1 armor points to CT, RT, LT
- Medium 'Mechs: +2 armor points to CT, RT, LT
- Heavy 'Mechs: +3 armor points to CT, RT, LT
- Assault 'Mechs: +4 armor points to CT, RT, LT
Final Thought:
I can go on and on regarding each chassis, the ability to use the pilot tree modules to build in the perks/tweaks to help bring them back into play or even make their play more fun. The thought is that it will make you want to master mechs to get that added module slot to be able to stack multiple modules that have geared perks on them towards a mech.
ie. An Awesome with a "Hardened Armor 2", a "PPC Heat 2" and some other module would be a new reason to play the mech towards its original design....
I hate running the same modules as the spice of the week, but overall, I would love to see more diversity and use of other modules, even mech specific ones, to really push you to want to master and gain modules.. . Not just drop with Air Strike, Radar Deprivation and something else on every single mech....
Thoughts?