TheArisen, on 01 April 2019 - 05:36 PM, said:
Nice lists although I'm not sure digitrade counts as a niche per se but oh well.
Wasp/Stinger are the only reasonable choice imo at 20t for a jumper.
At 25 tons the Brigand makes the most sense with the Nexus/Jackrabbit being a close second as the JR also could be a 25t mg boat
I really like the Flashman but honestly it'd straight up replace the BK unless it's hit boxes were messed up (Hit boxes determine destiny). I'd suggest the Dragon Fire instead. Ballistic in the arms with no LAA, ecm, compact torso with an excellent frontal profile and the weapon mounts to use it.
Longbow as long as PGI makes their own version of the NAIS. Gunslinger also bring the ballistics & ecm but also includes JJs. At 85 tons it still gets 1t jjs so it's quite nice. The plentiful energy HPs & round body that should roll dmg are also quite excellent.
For Clans I'd only suggest looking at the Black Python because even with moderatly good HBs it'll be a total monster and it could have fairly good HBs depending on PGI of course.
I use digitigrade legs as a niche because cosmetically it's something rather rare, which makes it an artistic selling point for variety's sake. Therefore I also use it as a selling point over other generic humanoids that might be available for a similar role.
Flashman wouldn't necessarily replace the Black Knight, especially depending on what they do for hardpoints and hit boxes. Besides, if it proves to be a truly good chassis, then it might encourage PGI to actually give the Black Knight improved quirks.
Gunslinger might be nice, but personally I think it's fugly and -more importantly- it's not the only true "Classic" in the Assault class. Honestly, after all the effort PGI put forth to finally send HG packing, permanently, they're essentially obligated to do the Classics in a newfound glory . . . also I believe Alex would do it some good artistic justice.
The reason my clan list doesn't go over 50t is because I honestly just don't care about anything bigger than that. 55t in Clans are already very solidly represented from their admittedly limited selection; and we're already got the IICs for the Rifleman, Warhammer, and Marauder. I'd push for the Phoenix Hawk IIC, but we're missing core tech for a number of variants (particularly my favorite, the 6).
As for the Black Python, it looks like it could do to the Timber Wolf what the Vapor Eagle did to the Stormcrow . . . I think it'd be a really strong mech. I just don't care about it. However, that does feed my final statement . . . I listed the mechs I want, but there are plenty of others that the game could use.