6 replies to this topic

[UrsusMorologus]

I'm thinking about buying the Cicada Mastery pack, which has the 3M, 2A(C), and X-5 plus some goodies. I have room in my lineup for a stealth sniper, and I like the idea of 4xML w/ 2xSRM4 on the X-5, but I'm unsure on builds and poking around with smurfy I'm not even really sure they are viable. No idea what to do with the 2A(C), could be useful as a fast shotgun with 2xERPPC or a fast laser boat with 6x MLs but heat and speed is a problem for both builds, and I have other mechs with 6+ lasers already so I dont know if thats even worth it.

Looking for thoughts, ideas, whatever

[Rear Admiral Tier 6]

X5 is great with dual PPCs or 4 medium lasers and streaks,i had best success with ppc:s

Champion build for the A is the best there is,leave it alone

[CMetz]

I've actually found with the 2A that if you drop one of the medium lasers from the champion build and add a heat sink you can crank out a higher rate of damage. That being said- my builds:

2A- 5 ML, keep same armor as champion (redistribute front/back as desired), max engine
X5- 4 ML, 2 SSRM-2, Beagle, XL330
3M- 2 ML, LB10x OR 2 PPCs OR 2 ERLL

CDA's are actually my winningest mech and I currently hold a 4+ KDR on my 2A

[Darwins Dog]

A long time ago I had a thread going about good cicada builds. If I can find it again, I will link it for you..

In the mean time:
The 3M works well with 2xPPCs or ERLL with ML backup (those two are classics). For grins you can pack a Gauss rifle in there (fun but not a great build). I have mine with AC/5, 4xML, and XL295. It works quite well. The thing to remember about the 3M is that it is less maneuverable than the other cicadas. Still fast, but less able to duel other lights.

The 2A(c ) is set up as the classic build. If heat is a problem, you might try what CMetz said, or you can take the XL 330 out of your X-5 which will give you 1 more ton as well. Alternatively you can swap in some SPL (I've run 3 and 3 to great effect). This build is well suited to hit-and-run, so running hot is not a big problem, and once you get the elites done, the heat isn't bad at all.

The X-5 is hampered by the tube counts. Your missiles will fire in volleys of 2 from each launcher. Many peole say that this makes them more accurate, but I'm not entirely convinced. The main thing is that it takes some getting used to. I still hold out hope that this will be addressed when the CDAs get their geometry pass. I do run mine with SRM6s and 4xML.

One note for both the X-5 and 2A:
Engines above 300XL get VERY inefficient. The weight increases much faster than your speed. Due to that, at max speed there is nothing the X-5 or 2A can do that a jenner can't do better and with JJ. CDA has better torso twist and pitch (by a small margin).

If you put in a 300XL, then you get a combination of speed and firepower that no other chassis in the game can match. 133 kph (with tweak) and 16 tons free. Fast enough to chase away lights or get away from a bad situation, and enough firepower to cause some real damage.

[UrsusMorologus]

This is what I was using when I finished mastering them

CDA-3M w XL300 1xLL 1xERPPC -- sneak behind enemy lines, and once the teammates start raining down LRMs you pop the hostiles with ERPPC, or if you find yourself in a brawl you can sweep with the LL and punch with the ERPPC for a fairly effective combo

CDA-X5 w XL300 4xML 2xASRM4 -- very solid striker, strip the armor then pop their internal structures, and collect your winnings

CDA-2A(C) w XL320 6ML -- this one is no good to play aggressively since it dies faster than it can kill, but it will rack up a lot of points if you treat it like an escort for the assault lance and jump in and out of strike position as needed while they are drawing aggro fire

They are probably my favorite grinder mechs now

Edited by UrsusMorologus, 19 October 2014 - 05:45 PM.

[MrEdweird]

I run this:
Linky!

While I have had great success with a 4ML + 2SRM6 + XL300 (because you lose a lot of tonnage above XL300 and dont gain too much) and had some of my best rounds C-Bill-wise in it I found this setup to be making better use. This is primarily because I don't have the best FPS or internet connection so sometimes I miss the SRM volleys completely. And I don't mind the tube count at all - it spreads the heat out and helps you hit moving targets. Plus you get a Hunchback 4SP with less heat efficiency 10 tons lower....

I just found that it's better to be more heat efficient and keep spamming your MLas, be faster and also have a guaranteed 4SRMs hit your target every time you fire them with a clear line of sight. The negative is that I don't have BAP to counter ECM but then I just switch to basically heat-neutral MLas spam.

[InspectorG]

XL300, 2 LPL strip arm armor down.

Little Face-time required.