First off:
PGI - well done! Once again you're releasing pure awesome, keep it up!
Alek Ituin, on 07 December 2014 - 09:19 PM, said:
Yes, because IRL tactics don't call for targeting command structure above most everything. Which, as it happens, carries over to BT. In fact there was even a Mech designed specifically to kill commanders and their Mechs, either SLDF or Jihad era. Inferior combat chassis make inferior command vehicles, because the chassis itself is inferior. Despite you trying desperately to come up with a reason the KGC should be inferior, all evidence points to the contrary.
KGC:
Easily down an Atlas in its weaker C&C variant
Take multiple Lances and cause guaranteed casualties
Annihilate opponents in close-combat
Can compete well with the Clans in its "Clan Buster" variant
Atlas:
3 extra tons of armor
"superior" C&C abilities
Intimidation factor?
Can pick up mediums and throw them around like rag dolls
Honestly, the lore speaks for itself. The only reason the Atlas is "superior" as a C&C Mech is because lore says so, despite the KGC being superior in almost all aspects. Command Mechs should and must be capable of defending themselves (or scurrying away), which is why a large number are based on Assault Chassis, and not weak ones at that. Lore even supports this fact, just as much as it supports the Atlas somehow being better for C&C duties.
Nothing about the Atlas lends itself to being more versatile for C&C duties, at all. I implore you to come up with some plausible reason as to why the KGC is less versatile, keeping in mind that they're both 100 tons (and can easily make room for equipment).
OH, and you seem to forget that there are such a thing as "battlefield commanders", which both command forces, and fight with them. There's entire history books full of people like that, and most of the notable ones were notable because they were good at it. Not every commander hangs back and does the desk jockey routine, staring at maps and waiting for reports.
Alek,
The Atlas was a Command mech (in lore) not just because of it being 100 tons, not just because of it's use of armor, and not just because it brought a lot of weapons.
The Atlas was a Command mech because of the
Sattelite Uplink targeting computer - a device that provides an an initiative bonus to the entire side of the battlefield, at cost to the mech (hits to piloting rolls, gunnery roles, and inability to spot for, or fire upon enemies using LRM indirect fire).
Being a commander involves commanding - the King Crab, even the 010, does not provide the "Act first" bonus that having a single Atlas does. The Atlas's armor and weapons prove it to be a formidable mech to attempt to 'snipe' if you were attempting to remove that said field bonus.
As for Mechwarrior Online, yes, the Atlas is being somewhat hit hard by the release of the King Crab. 10 hardpoints is nothing to sneeze at. Is the King Crab a "better" mech? Time will tell. The high-mount energy hardpoints alone give it an incredible advantage over the Atlas, and the ability to bring dual heavy ballistics gives it a potential role all its own in the Inner Sphere, especially when considering it is now like the Jager mech - able to bring an XL engine and AC 20's.
Do I think the Atlas is a worse mech in MWO than the King Crab? Honestly, very likely. It wouldn't be too bad if PGI were to give the Atlas's hardpoints a once-over, and perhaps add one hardpoint to every model to bring it in-line with more modern mechs.
Is the Atlas my favorite mech in MWO? Hands-down, yes. After all, they may have discontinued the F-14 Tomcat, but that doesn't make it not my favorite fighter plane of all time.
9
I guess the tech to make a full hand movment is so OP it needs it's own crit slot. Expains why the Dragon's X-Claw hand doesn't have one either.
