20517 replies to this topic

[Adridos]

SgtMagor, on 27 July 2013 - 07:27 AM, said:

if that's right there is only room for 2 more assaults, Banshee, Devastator?

Devastator doesn't have enough variants... and is one of the mechs that signify the "brokeness" of the current mechlab iteration. I don' think we'll see that beast at all.

Edited by Adridos, 27 July 2013 - 07:41 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

SgtMagor, on 27 July 2013 - 07:27 AM, said:

if that's right there is only room for 2 more assaults, Banshee, Devastator?

Cyclops and Annihilator.

Filling every tonnage bracket just to fill every tonnage bracket seems MEH.

But I could go for Annihilator and Banshee, or Banshee and King Crab, or King Crab and Annihilator.

but this thread needs

MOAR

[SgtMagor]

come on Dev's throw us a bone

[Strum Wealh]

Odanan, on 27 July 2013 - 06:41 AM, said:

It is the same Orion. The painting and the angle are misleading you.

(heck, it even has the same window, even if Alex Iglesias said he would change it)

Hmmm...

Though, it is in someone's colors - but, who's?

[Odanan]

Maverick01, on 27 July 2013 - 07:22 AM, said:

I'm thinking we are going to have a total of 32 Inner Sphere BattleMechs before they announce the Clans. With that in mind, it means we might have this lineup when all is said and done (--- my picks )...

Light
Commando
Spider
Raven
Jenner
Flea
Locust
--- Firestarter
--- UrbanMech

Medium
Cicada
Blackjack
Centurion
Hunchback
Trebuchet
Shadow Hawk
Wolverine
--- Assassin

Heavy
Dragon
Quickdraw
Catapult
JagerMech
Cataphract
Orion
Thunderbolt
--- Guillotine

Assault
Awesome
Victor
Stalker
Highlander
Atlas
Battlemaster
--- Cyclops
--- Banshee

Great, great list!
I agree with everything, except for the Guillotine. Guillotine was my guess for next heavy but, after the Quickdraw, it is irrelevant. The same for Grasshopper.

I'm unsure about the next heavy tough... maybe... Lancelot? (there aren't many other options, you know).

And, about the #8 medium, you know, it could be the Griffin, after all...

[Butane9000]

Maverick01, on 27 July 2013 - 07:22 AM, said:

I'm thinking we are going to have a total of 32 Inner Sphere BattleMechs before they announce the Clans. With that in mind, it means we might have this lineup when all is said and done (--- my picks )...

Light
Commando
Spider
Raven
Jenner
Flea
Locust
--- Firestarter
--- UrbanMech

Medium
Cicada
Blackjack
Centurion
Hunchback
Trebuchet
Shadow Hawk
Wolverine
--- Assassin

Heavy
Dragon
Quickdraw
Catapult
JagerMech
Cataphract
Orion
Thunderbolt
--- Guillotine

Assault
Awesome
Victor
Stalker
Highlander
Atlas
Battlemaster
--- Cyclops
--- Banshee

I'll raise you these!
Unreleased in italics
My guesses in bold
* marks a same weight IIC variant
- Role, based on Sarna (which is based on the intro rulebook)

Lights
Locust (20)
Flea (20)
Mongoose (25)
Commando (25)* - Striker, Scout
Hermes (30)
Spider (30) - Scout
Raven (35)
Jenner (35)* - Striker


Mediums
Cicada (40) - Scout
Clint (40)* - Scout
Blackjack (45)
Hunchback (50)* - Juggernaut
Centurion (50)
Trebuchet (50) - Missile Boat
Shadow Hawk (55) - Skirmisher
Wolverine (55)

Heavies
Dragon (60) - Brawler
Quickdraw (60)
Catapult (65) - Missile Boat
Jagermech (65) - Sniper
Thunder Bolt (65)
Cataphract (70)
Guillotine (70)*
Orion (75)*

Assaults
Awesome (80) - Sniper
Victor (80)
Stalker (85)
Battlemaster (85)
Cyclops (90)
Highlander (90)*
Banshee (95) - Sniper
Atlas (100) - Juggernaut

Available mechs (if they ever add in more IS mechs past the known "32")
- Urbanmech (30) (fan favorite)
- Firefly (30) (alternate option to Spider, missile hard points)
- Wolfhound (35)
- Panther (35)
- Firestarter (35) (Strong contender for one of the remaining light spots)
----------------------------
- Hermes II (40)
- Assassin (40)
- Sentinel (40)
- Whitworth (40)
- Vindicator (45)
- Phoenix Hawk (45) (reseen)
- Hatchetman (45) (if they ever introduce melee this is a garaunteed unit)
- Wyvern (45)
- Crab (50)
- Enforcer (50)
- Hoplite (55) (fast heavy medium)
- Dervish (55)
- Kintaro (55)
----------------------------
- Lancelot (60)
- Champion (60)
- Warhammer (70) (reseen?)
- Grasshopper (70)
- Black Knight (75)
- Flashman (75)
- Marauder (75) (reseen?)
----------------------------
- Charger (80)
- Hatamoto-Chi (80)
- Zeus (80)
- Thug (80)
- Crockett (85)
- Shogun (85)
- Emperor (90)
- Mauler (90)
- Annihilator (100)
- Devastator (100)
- King Crab (100)
- Imp (100)

So they've got lots of mechs to choose from. Lots of mediums and assaults too. Note I know some of those don't have the 3 required variants but theyr'e on the list because the devs have officially thrown out the keeping directly to the timeline though they seem to be keeping to it softly.

I chose the Mongoose and Hermes because both are Humanoid bipedal lights which are a rarity among the currently light lineup. They also are in the lighter weight classes and the Mongoose is a command light.
I chose the Clint because it has a IIC variant that doesn't change the tonnage. It also is in the lighest medium weight bracket.
I chose the Guillotine because it has a IIC variant that doesn't change the tonnage.
I chose the Banshee because it's a unique tonnage and the Cyclops for a command assault.

Them choices.

[Scrawny Cowboy]

Odanan, on 27 July 2013 - 09:47 AM, said:

Great, great list!
I agree with everything, except for the Guillotine. Guillotine was my guess for next heavy but, after the Quickdraw, it is irrelevant. The same for Grasshopper.

I'm unsure about the next heavy tough... maybe... Lancelot? (there aren't many other options, you know).

And, about the #8 medium, you know, it could be the Griffin, after all...

Agreed, though I'm still clinging to the idea that the King Crab will be one of the next assaults. Probably after the Banshee for the tonnage gap sake.

[Odanan]

King Crab? Well, I can live with that...
But what about the AC/20s in the arms?

[Strum Wealh]

Butane9000, on 27 July 2013 - 10:54 AM, said:

I'll raise you these!
Unreleased in italics
My guesses in bold
* marks a same weight IIC variant
- Role, based on Sarna (which is based on the intro rulebook)

Lights
Locust (20)
Flea (20)
Mongoose (25)
Commando (25)* - Striker, Scout
Hermes (30)
Spider (30) - Scout
Raven (35)
Jenner (35)* - Striker


Mediums
Cicada (40) - Scout
Clint (40)* - Scout
Blackjack (45)
Hunchback (50)* - Juggernaut
Centurion (50)
Trebuchet (50) - Missile Boat
Shadow Hawk (55) - Skirmisher
Wolverine (55)

Heavies
Dragon (60) - Brawler
Quickdraw (60)
Catapult (65) - Missile Boat
Jagermech (65) - Sniper
Thunder Bolt (65)
Cataphract (70)
Guillotine (70)*
Orion (75)*

Assaults
Awesome (80) - Sniper
Victor (80)
Stalker (85)
Battlemaster (85)
Cyclops (90)
Highlander (90)*
Banshee (95) - Sniper
Atlas (100) - Juggernaut

Available mechs (if they ever add in more IS mechs past the known "32")
- Urbanmech (30) (fan favorite)
- Firefly (30) (alternate option to Spider, missile hard points)
- Wolfhound (35)
- Panther (35)
- Firestarter (35) (Strong contender for one of the remaining light spots)
----------------------------
- Hermes II (40)
- Assassin (40)
- Sentinel (40)
- Whitworth (40)
- Vindicator (45)
- Phoenix Hawk (45) (reseen)
- Hatchetman (45) (if they ever introduce melee this is a garaunteed unit)
- Wyvern (45)
- Crab (50)
- Enforcer (50)
- Hoplite (55) (fast heavy medium)
- Dervish (55)
- Kintaro (55)
----------------------------
- Lancelot (60)
- Champion (60)
- Warhammer (70) (reseen?)
- Grasshopper (70)
- Black Knight (75)
- Flashman (75)
- Marauder (75) (reseen?)
----------------------------
- Charger (80)
- Hatamoto-Chi (80)
- Zeus (80)
- Thug (80)
- Crockett (85)
- Shogun (85)
- Emperor (90)
- Mauler (90)
- Annihilator (100)
- Devastator (100)
- King Crab (100)
- Imp (100)

So they've got lots of mechs to choose from. Lots of mediums and assaults too. Note I know some of those don't have the 3 required variants but theyr'e on the list because the devs have officially thrown out the keeping directly to the timeline though they seem to be keeping to it softly.

I chose the Mongoose and Hermes because both are Humanoid bipedal lights which are a rarity among the currently light lineup. They also are in the lighter weight classes and the Mongoose is a command light.
I chose the Clint because it has a IIC variant that doesn't change the tonnage. It also is in the lighest medium weight bracket.
I chose the Guillotine because it has a IIC variant that doesn't change the tonnage.
I chose the Banshee because it's a unique tonnage and the Cyclops for a command assault.

Them choices.

Though, for one of the Light and the Medium, they could double-up with the 30-ton Hermes (with its HER-1S, HER-1A, and HER-1B variants; the HER-3S/3S1/3S2 variants might also be available, but require MASC to be implemented) and the 40-ton Hermes II (with its HER-2S, HER-2M, HER-4K, and HER-5S variants).

For the other Light 'Mech, the Mongoose could flesh out the 25-ton bracket with the "basic/standard" MON-66 variant (uses Endo Steel, FF Armor, and Beagle), the MON-69 variant (-1 Beagle, +1 laser, +1 SRM-2), the MON-70 variant (-1 Beagle, -1 laser, +2 flamers), the MON-67 variant (no LosTech, + armor), and/or the MON-68 variant (no LosTech, mounts a single LL in the RA).
It's also one of the few 'Mechs that is outfitted with the digitigrade/"double-knee" leg design.

For the remaining Heavy, I could see the Grasshopper (with its GHR-5H, GHR-5J, and GHR-5N variants) having a decent chance of winning out over the Guillotine; while the Grasshopper has fewer timeline-appropriate variants (three, to the Guillotine's four), there is more variation in terms of weapon numbers and placement among the Grasshopper variants (whereas, by contrast, all of the Guillotine variants have exactly the same minimum hardpoints in exactly the same places, and would need to have more than six total hardpoints (and, thus, more hardpoints than every other Heavy 'Mech in-game thus far) to create any variation).

• GHR-5H: 1 energy hardpoint in each of the LA, LT, CT, RT, and RA; 1 missile hardpoint in the HD; 1 AMS hardpoint in the LT
  
• GRH-5J: 2 energy hardpoints in each arm; 1 energy hardpoint in the CT, 1 missile hardpoint in the HD; 1 AMS hardpoint in the LT
  
• GHR-5N: 1 energy hardpoint in each of the LA, LT, HD, and RA; 2 energy hardpoints in the RT; 1 AMS hardpoint in the LT

As an alternate proposal for the GRH-5J, it could be equipped with 1 energy hardpoint in each arm, 2 energy hardpoints in the CT, 1 missile hardpoint in the HD, 1 AMS hardpoint in the LT, and one ECM hardpoint in the LT; the loss of one weapon hardpoint (for a total of five) in exchange for ECM capability is intended to play up the Grasshopper's role as "a stealthy hunter-killer of light and medium 'Mechs".

In terms of Assaults, I agree that the Banshee and Cyclops are probably the top candidates, for reasons respectively given here and here.
(Note: BTE seems to change its links around every few months, so older posts with BTE links may no longer link to the correct 'Mech.)

[Bishop Steiner]

Odanan, on 27 July 2013 - 12:59 PM, said:

King Crab? Well, I can live with that...
But what about the AC/20s in the arms?

what about them?

[Odanan]

Bishop Steiner, on 27 July 2013 - 03:06 PM, said:

what about them?

You can't fit AC20s in an arm with lower arm and hand actuators in MWO, like the King Crab has. This is only allowed in TT because there is a special rule of splitting the weapon in 2 parts (one goes to the side torso).

[Phoenix Branson]

Odanan, on 27 July 2013 - 03:19 PM, said:

You can't fit AC20s in an arm with lower arm and hand actuators in MWO, like the King Crab has. This is only allowed in TT because there is a special rule of splitting the weapon in 2 parts (one goes to the side torso).

If PGI really wants to eventually have the King Crab in the game, who cares if they "bend" the rules.

[Odanan]

So, I was bored and playing with the Smurfy's mechlab and decided to speculate the Shadow Hawk's variants.

We know the "primary" variant (SHD-2H), but which 2 of the 3 below will be in the game?

SHD-2H - confirmed

RA 1e (Medium Laser)
RT 2m (LRM5)
C
H 1m (SRM2)
LT 3b (AC/5)
LA

--------------------
SHD-2Hb

RA 1e (Medium Laser)
RT 1m (SSRM2)
C
H 1m (SSRM2)
LT 2b (LB10-X)
LA 1e (Medium Laser)

--------------------
SHD-2K

RA
RT 3m (LRM5)
C
H
LT 3e (PPC)
LA

--------------------
SHD-2D

RA 1e (Medium Laser)
RT 1m (LRM5)
C 1m (SRM2)
H 1m (SRM2)
LT 1b (AC/5)
LA 1e (Medium Laser)

[Bishop Steiner]

Odanan, on 27 July 2013 - 03:19 PM, said:

You can't fit AC20s in an arm with lower arm and hand actuators in MWO, like the King Crab has. This is only allowed in TT because there is a special rule of splitting the weapon in 2 parts (one goes to the side torso).

Yes, but you really don't NEED those actuators, and for balance purposes, if Victors and YLW can't get lateral movement, then I sure don't wan't to see the KGC get it.

THE CLAWS ARE STILL TOTALLY DOABLE. They really just serve as armored covers to protect the guns, like the flaps on a catapult or Centy. So simply use them as such with cooler cosmetics.

Ain't like it was ever used to pick up a commando and rend it in half anyhow.

[Strum Wealh]

Odanan, on 27 July 2013 - 05:23 PM, said:

So, I was bored and playing with the Smurfy's mechlab and decided to speculate the Shadow Hawk's variants.

We know the "primary" variant (SHD-2H), but which 2 of the 3 below will be in the game?

SHD-2H - confirmed

RA 1e (Medium Laser)
RT 2m (LRM5)
C
H 1m (SRM2)
LT 3b (AC/5)
LA

--------------------
SHD-2Hb

RA 1e (Medium Laser)
RT 1m (SSRM2)
C
H 1m (SSRM2)
LT 2b (LB10-X)
LA 1e (Medium Laser)

--------------------
SHD-2K

RA
RT 3m (LRM5)
C
H
LT 3e (PPC)
LA

--------------------
SHD-2D

RA 1e (Medium Laser)
RT 1m (LRM5)
C 1m (SRM2)
H 1m (SRM2)
LT 1b (AC/5)
LA 1e (Medium Laser)

Given that PGI has thus far avoided implementing the SLDF Royals variants on several other 'Mechs, the SHD-2Hb is probably not going to happen.

The 3H, 2D, 2K, 5M, and 2D2 should all be possibilities, though.

Edited by Strum Wealh, 27 July 2013 - 06:13 PM.

[Phoenix Branson]

Bishop Steiner, on 27 July 2013 - 08:15 AM, said:

Cyclops and Annihilator.

Filling every tonnage bracket just to fill every tonnage bracket seems MEH.

But I could go for Annihilator and Banshee, or Banshee and King Crab, or King Crab and Annihilator.

but this thread needs

MOAR

Bishop, don't get me wrong I would love to see the Annihilator, but don't you think 4 Gauss Rifles would break the game? I'm trying to figure out how they would implement this 'Mech into the game without having balance issues. Thoughts?

[Riordan Lionheart]

it does only go like 25 kph

[Phoenix Branson]

The developers should consider adding the Lancelot to MWO. This 60 ton heavy BattleMech has a lot of speed and firepower to bring to the table in a slender package. It would fill the role of a high speed raider at 97.2 km/h. Yes, this mech is an energy boat, but also has variants with ballistic hardpoints. I'm actually thinking this would probably be the best choice for the next heavy mech (if we get one ). Thoughts?

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Lancelot

Edited by Maverick01, 27 July 2013 - 07:00 PM.

[Joachim Viltry]

Maverick01, on 27 July 2013 - 06:55 PM, said:

I'm actually thinking this would probably be the best choice for the next heavy mech (if we get one ). Thoughts?

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Lancelot

Looking at it, reminded me about my favorite 60 ton mech with an 'interesting' visual profile...
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Champion

Even though the champion is admittedly very similar in hardpoint concept to the dragon, I have to admit to having a soft spot for the old girl (I blame MW3). And really, not having the missiles relegated to the CT, makes it more adaptable than the dragon...

Of course, as you mentioned the lancelot has speed going for it.

Either the Lancelot or the Champion would be nice to have, both have striking aesthetics, and would provide some visual diversity. Either one would be an interesting addition. I'd give better odds to the Lancelot, but I am not certain as to why I feel that way. Regardless my fanboyishness wants the Champion.

[Bishop Steiner]

Maverick01, on 27 July 2013 - 06:40 PM, said:

Bishop, don't get me wrong I would love to see the Annihilator, but don't you think 4 Gauss Rifles would break the game? I'm trying to figure out how they would implement this 'Mech into the game without having balance issues. Thoughts?

Go and build a 4 gauss unit in Remlab. You'll get a kick out of it dude. You go slow as heck. Basically its real hard to balance the tonnage, crits and such on this beast to actually optimize it.

Mind you, with Clan Tech, it's very doable. But compared to the Warhawk, Direwolf and such, a 32 kph 12.5 ton or armor mech is less than noteworthy.

And part of it si much like what they did with the Stalker. Nerf the heck out of it's mobility. Sure, if you charge it head on, you are screwed, but you SHOPULD be screwed charging an Annihilator.

But it should be easy as HECK to flank it, especially as it's engine cap will be PATHETIC. 1.4 multiplier? so what a 240 max Engine? Good news is that an XL wouldn't even need to be considered.

(Of course, for me, the 4 Gauss is kinda boring. 2 AC/20 (side torsos) 2 Mediums (CT), 2 ER PPC , that would be more my speed.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 27 July 2013 - 08:06 PM.