14 replies to this topic

[Deathlike]

Seeing so many related complaint threads gave me a few ideas on going about balancing this... while there are related issues that should be addressed (fixed JJs vs not-fixed and Madcat vs Summoner), I think the biggest issue is still loadout related primarily, due to the limited hardpoints it can field.

While my original idea previously regarding this was to inflate hardpoints on existing chassis omnipods, we can actually add more through omnipods like the Kitfox-C's ECM arm, let alone the Nova-A's AMS RT.

Given that situation, I have three solutions... they can be taken for what they are, or whatever, and I'm sure suggested omnipod quirks should be applied, but these are to be taken as is as an idea.

1) Summoner-C Left Arm 2B - the build itself has a CUAC20 - Having seen it been designed similar to the Highlander-733C's arm, this should be alright...

2) Summoner-C Right Arm 3E - the build itself has 2 energy weapons (CERLRG + CERSML) - The Summoner-D already has a pair for each arm, so this would allow the C to be unique.

3) Summoner-M Left Torso, 1E, 1M - the build itself uses a CSSRM6 and CERSML - I'm not sure if this is within the timeline (someone else that knows better can correct me). It has a major implication for the missile boat side of things as it is superior to the Summoner-B's LT, so some negative quirk needs to apply for sure (outside of losing AMS, which can be siphoned off the Summoner-D's RT). Having TAG for a missile boat is important, so this can be very powerful as a change. Also, since most mechs have high mounted torso weapons, this is the kind of thing that would be rather gamechanging, so it requires grave considerations for such a bump.

All 3 do not have to be added.. a combination would probably be OK (probably #1 and #3, as #2 looks bad when #3 is available) and the regular mechs would be introduced similar to the Phoenix Pack post-pack additions.

This is something to think about as I've stated before... the Thor needs better hardpoints, and this is the best way I can think of to be a fair way of accomplishing this.

[Metus regem]

Hell the Summoner M would make for an interesting hero version, since it does have a named pilot in the lore... And yes, he really did make it into the lore....

[Targetloc]

If they'd just let us remove 4 of the jump jets (keep one in the CT locked to keep that 'all Summoners are jump capable' flavour) it would be fine.

[Deathlike]

Metus regem, on 19 September 2014 - 02:16 PM, said:

Hell the Summoner M would make for an interesting hero version, since it does have a named pilot in the lore... And yes, he really did make it into the lore....

That is a very different and difficult discussion to be had... with regards to "hero clan mechs". It would be very problematic IMO.

[Mcgral18]

Q and G side torsi have the same Missile hardpoints as the Vulture A, just a bit out of timeline.

Q is actually 3M+E and 3M.

Edited by Mcgral18, 19 September 2014 - 02:39 PM.

[pbiggz]

two words: Chassis Perks.

Static % armor increase, allow us to toggle endo/standard internals, and allow us to take off up to 3 jumpjets.

Maybe inflate the missile hardpoints on the prime and b's left torso.

[Deathlike]

Mcgral18, on 19 September 2014 - 02:39 PM, said:

Q and G side torsi have the same Missile hardpoints as the Vulture A, just a bit out of timeline.

Q is actually 3M+E and 3M.

We can't have nice things like Heavy Lasers. Imagine what Paul would do with those...

[Ultimax]

I agree this is the lowest hanging fruit for Summoner improvements, outside of quirks.


Good omni-pod choices, especially energy in the torso.



Time line is flexible imo, these are just omni-pods, not the full mech.

They could be experimental pods, or prototypes, etc.

Edited by Ultimatum X, 19 September 2014 - 03:02 PM.

[KamikazeRat]

great thing about Omni-pods, is they don't have to be a specific variant that exists...just "ooo look, summoner leg omnipods without JJ" with some minor negative quirk to offset the weight you just saved (-5%accel/decel or something)

[Monkey Lover]

I think it would be best to just remove the summoner from the game and give everyone timbers.

[Khobai]

What good does adding a 2B arm do? The Thor doesnt have tonnage for ballistics.

[Koniving]

I run 2 ballistics just fine.
My problem is I can't carry my ballistics on my arms, I have to make one of my side torsos very large and easily destroyed by slapping my second ballistic there instead.

My side torsos are huge. I don't need to make it quite a bit larger by slapping an AC up there.

Also MG nuts would appreciate the Zero heat firepower solution as a backup weapon for higher heat weapons.

[Jonathan Paine]

Summoner is a horrible mech for three reasons:
1. No endo = lack of spare tonnage
2. Few hard points = Cant boat smaller weapons to make up for lack of tonnage
3. A Center Torso that you could hit from space!

[Deathlike]

Just a reminder... as far as what I'm told, PGI hasn't inflated the hardpoints of Clan Mechs (if that isn't the case, please let it be known).

Suggestion #1 and #2 inflates said hardpoints on the Summoner-C, just for variety. I'm trying to keep the suggestion similar to #3 where no inflation is required... so I'm just spitting out ideas for the most part.

Summoner-F's arms seems interesting, but I'm totally unsure of where it is in the timeline. Both Arms have a 1E, 1B hardpoint configuration and a missile+energy side torso (I assume both are in the Left Torso, if the sarna description is to be believed) and would be similar to the Summoner-M's LT.

[Tremendous Upside]

This is far and away the "easiest" way to deal with underperforming clan mechs (imo). Definitely would be in favor of it.