Voras, on 22 November 2015 - 02:57 AM, said:
1st: Nice topic, gives a good overview.
2nd: Wouldn't it be a smart move for PGI to add at least the two ready-to-go mastery bundles (WVR and TDR) for the Steam launch? Does anybody know something about them?
1st:
Thanks!
2nd:
I think so, yes. Also considering that 3 TDR and 1 WVR (6K!) make for a very credible CW dropdeck at the time of this writing (Incoming Nerfs!). It'll depend on the 3rd Wheel variant somewhat. (See below).
Appogee, on 22 November 2015 - 03:23 AM, said:
Wolverine...? Are you trying to cause new players to ragequit and uninstall?
I agree with the Thunderbolt. You could add Battlemaster and Shadowhawk.
'Bolt pack will be pretty serviceable, regardless of 3rd Wheel variant. However, I'd be rooting for the -5SS for 3rd Wheel, regardless of the upcoming range nerf being tested. (Play Test Server quirks
here)
The 5SS "only" got a range nerf, which won't hurt it as badly as the heat-gen nerf on the 9S (25% ERPPC to 20% ERPPC). This is already virtually guaranteed to be the 3rd Wheel because of either playtime or ownership metrics, which seem to be the most solid indicators of popularity when determining why a variant gets picked as 3rd Wheel (there's more geekery for this in the OP)
(warning: stronger opinioneering follows)
I don't think that nerf to heat on the 9S was necessary for any reason whatsoever. It already ran more than hot enough to keep it in line. Even a buff to a net 30% less heat gen wouldn't have begun to make it OP, and would have made it pretty workable. The very first quirk pass gave us a 50%(!) heat gen buff, which actually was pretty game-changing. They were flat out dominant in CW matches, vs IS or ClanTech. This (ed: the heat nerf, that is) would have made it the least-favorable variant hands-down (in my opinion), except that for reasons that aren't readily apparent to me, the 5S received net nerfs on most quirks. I figure that 9S will get new meta builds, or collect dust for folks.
Adding insult to injury, the 5S (which was debatably the least-dominant variant) had its status cemented as least-dominant, getting heat-gen nerfs, range nerfs on the LL (from 25% total down to 15% generic on PTS), and a ML beam duration nerf (25% ML to 15% generic, probably a net benefit for LL-boat builds though). Then again, maybe it's too much for the 9S, and it sinks to the bottom of the chassis.
Regarding the Wolverines, yeah, that's gonna be a rough experience for a while:
The 6K(C) would have been the main reason to get the WVR pack. It's getting a whoopin' with the nerf bat, in the form of cooldown and heatgen nerfs. I'm not sure it's going to see much use after the patch (ed: certainly not as much), I think the meta's going to move elsewhere.
Quarantine seems like it needs
something more, even beyond the PTS buffs. I'm guesstimating a build like
this for it seems effective enough to grind out, anyhow. Edit2Add: Looks like the meta build for it eschews the single dakka point to pack 3LL on the arm witha couple of SRMs on in the torso. It's kind of a 6K/6R hybrid, so plenty of options
3rd Wheel:
6R is a serviceable dakka-boat, but requires a fair amount of skill and situational awareness to perform well in. It's a "leaner" DRG-1N (tonnage, geometry, max armor values) with JJ-availability, for whatever that's worth.
7D is limited by its hardpoints and tonnage. MASC isn't enough in it's current state, but because lots of folks got the Loyalty variant and some may want the MASC novelty once it's available for c-bills, I consider it a darkhorse for the pack based on "ownership" numbers. IMO, folks will flip (in a bad way) if this one's chosen, because it still needs considerable help (UAC quirks good start, crazy missile cooldown quirks might help, but tonnage still strangles builds). I'm still trying to find a troll build that I can grind it out with (next up: UAC5+AC2 trollboat
).
7K is sort of like a GRF-1N as a SRM6 brawler, but with less-favorable geometry and less assymetry (not a true "deadside").
I'm thinking that 6R (dakka!) or 7K (brawlin'!) would be the most favorable fit, but it comes down to popularity, according to whichever metrics PGI uses. Here's hoping 6R or 7K can carry hard in the mechbay and land the coveted 3rd Wheel status.
Voras, on 22 November 2015 - 08:37 AM, said:
Any addition, no matter the 'quality' of the mech, to the existing bundles is positive in my opinion.
And the Shadowhawk is already available as a bundle, and for the Battlemaster there is still the (C) variant missing.
Agreed. If they've got the pieces, it doesn't take much prodding to get PGI to put the Bundle together. Whether any prodding
should be required is a step or two deeper into an argument that
shouldn't have to exist, IMO. If you've got the pieces, why not release the pack.
Why wait to monetize your product further? I don't see a reason, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Neither does it mean that we'll agree with the reason.
It's their call. That said, they're a little preoccupied with some of the other work in the upcoming patch. Maybe if we spam them a little, they'll cram it into the next patch.
Battlemaster and Locust (Phoenix Pack), Awesome and Commando (Closed-Beta Era) are the last 'mechs from the pre-Invasion Era to lack champions. They've all got Heroes, so we just need them to put up threads on the forums to propose Champion variants/builds for voting. Like WVR and TDR, once we've got the pieces, we can get the Packs/Bundles.
TL;DR: Yes to packs, WVR is gonna be rough post-nerf (TDR less funtastic, too). BLR, is a veteran 'mech who's overdue for a champ and pack (LCT, AWS, COM, too)
Thanks guys, I'm surprised I had this much to say.
Edit: fixed PTS link, also clarity
Edited by Virlutris, 12 December 2015 - 06:43 AM.
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