20517 replies to this topic

[Der BruzZzler von Wiesndoof]

Ahasver, on 20 September 2013 - 05:08 AM, said:

... is there hope that things like the Hatchet can be used in the future?

Hopefully NOT!

[Justy Starflare]

Why not a wolfhound or a panther? For the lights,
don't have to worry about the speed cap with them.
The Vulcan, Dervish, Clint and wolf trap are good
candidates for the medium class. As for the heavies
I'd love to see reworked versions of the archer the
rifleman, war hammer and marauder, the 2750 tro
Heavies would work and would give ComStar players
Something to scream about or even the grasshopper.
As for the assaults my favorite class is love to see
the Charger for many reasons. , the hatamato chi the
Zeus, cyclops and banshee. As for the charger could
you imagine an 80 ton mech with all energy weapons
and an ecm flanking you.

[Bishop Steiner]

Justy Starflare, on 20 September 2013 - 06:24 PM, said:

Why not a wolfhound or a panther? For the lights,
don't have to worry about the speed cap with them.
The Vulcan, Dervish, Clint and wolf trap are good
candidates for the medium class. As for the heavies
I'd love to see reworked versions of the archer the
rifleman, war hammer and marauder, the 2750 tro
Heavies would work and would give ComStar players
Something to scream about or even the grasshopper.
As for the assaults my favorite class is love to see
the Charger for many reasons. , the hatamato chi the
Zeus, cyclops and banshee. As for the charger could
you imagine an 80 ton mech with all energy weapons
and an ecm flanking you.

Panther is slow, slow light equals DEAD.
Wolfhound is all energy, and is only moderately fast. TOtally outclassed by the two existing 35 tonners, which have better hardpoints, and often times JJs.

Vulcan or Dervish I would be all for. Meh on the Wolftrap. Kinda a poor man's Centurion.

You will likely never see the Archer, Rifleman, Ost -Mechs, Marauder, Crusader or Warhammer, due tobeing tied ot the Macross anime, and thus, HG lawsuit fodder.

The 2750 TRO does have some nice options, most are nearly extinct outside the Comguards at this time.

[CDLord HHGD]

Justy Starflare, on 20 September 2013 - 06:24 PM, said:

Why not a wolfhound or a panther? For the lights,
don't have to worry about the speed cap with them.
The Vulcan, Dervish, Clint and wolf trap are good
candidates for the medium class. As for the heavies
I'd love to see reworked versions of the archer the
rifleman, war hammer and marauder, the 2750 tro
Heavies would work and would give ComStar players
Something to scream about or even the grasshopper.
As for the assaults my favorite class is love to see
the Charger for many reasons. , the hatamato chi the
Zeus, cyclops and banshee. As for the charger could
you imagine an 80 ton mech with all energy weapons
and an ecm flanking you.

Jagermech is a reworked Rifleman...... Cataphract/Marauder, Archer...... Not sure. Point is, FASA already had to come up with analogs for those mechs due to the lawsuit and the gaps left in their lineup.

[Odanan]

cdlord, on 21 September 2013 - 07:06 AM, said:

Jagermech is a reworked Rifleman...... Cataphract/Marauder, Archer...... Not sure. Point is, FASA already had to come up with analogs for those mechs due to the lawsuit and the gaps left in their lineup.

Catapult has the same weapons of the Archer.

[BarHaid]

cdlord, on 21 September 2013 - 07:06 AM, said:

Jagermech is a reworked Rifleman...... Cataphract/Marauder, Archer...... Not sure. Point is, FASA already had to come up with analogs for those mechs due to the lawsuit and the gaps left in their lineup.

Odanan, on 21 September 2013 - 11:00 AM, said:

Catapult has the same weapons of the Archer.

Yeah,but only kinda. All those mechs were designed at the same time. Even the cataphract came out before the unseen fiasco.

[Phoenix Branson]

I'm thinking the Mongoose would be a much better choice to add to MWO than the Firestarter as the Flamer weapon still sucks. Obviously, I would love the UrbanMech, but they would have to change the engine ratings which is probably a very low priority. It would be cool if they added one light 'Mech from TRO 2750.

http://www.sarna.net...l_Readout:_2750

Off Topic. I found a cool video that shows the new map for MWO, Island Metropolis...

[Jack Gallows]

Most of those 'mechs were designed simultaneously or very shortly after each other. As Barhaid puts it, they were all crafted before the lawsuit meaning that they had already been around before FASA lost the unseen/reseen.

Many of them came about due to lore reasons. Some 'mechs just were not plentiful depending on what faction you were talking about so they had to devise a similar 'mech to try to capture the role or intended performance using their own tech/assembly plants. Add in the fact that some designs were EXTREMELY rare regardless of who owned what as some production lines were damaged beyond then current repair abilities during the Succession Wars rendering old designs non reproducible. Wasn't until a few discoveries (Helm Memory Core, example) that some older but more advanced designs were able to be constructed again or retooled to actually work as intended, assuming they had found the blueprints/production facility for them.

Maverick01, on 21 September 2013 - 08:26 PM, said:

I'm thinking the Mongoose would be a much better choice to add to MWO than the Firestarter as the Flamer weapon still sucks. Obviously, I would love the UrbanMech, but they would have to change the engine ratings which is probably a very low priority. It would be cool if they added one light 'Mech from TRO 2750.

I'd rather see the Mercury, as it was the father of all Omnimechs and I love lore junk like that.

Maverick01, on 21 September 2013 - 08:26 PM, said:

Off Topic. I found a cool video that shows the new map for MWO, Island Metropolis...

Not sure you're allowed to post that. Is that a leak or did PGI allow them to use the map?

[Bishop Steiner]

Maverick01, on 21 September 2013 - 08:26 PM, said:

I'm thinking the Mongoose would be a much better choice to add to MWO than the Firestarter as the Flamer weapon still sucks. Obviously, I would love the UrbanMech, but they would have to change the engine ratings which is probably a very low priority. It would be cool if they added one light 'Mech from TRO 2750.

http://www.sarna.net...l_Readout:_2750

Off Topic. I found a cool video that shows the new map for MWO, Island Metropolis...

The flamer is just the stock weapon and those get changed anyhow. What the Firestarter HAS is 6 energy hardpoints, 2 ballistic and jump jets. AS much as I love the Mongoose, all it really has is speed in comparison.

[Jin Ma]

Maverick01, on 21 September 2013 - 08:26 PM, said:

I'm thinking the Mongoose would be a much better choice to add to MWO than the Firestarter as the Flamer weapon still sucks. Obviously, I would love the UrbanMech, but they would have to change the engine ratings which is probably a very low priority. It would be cool if they added one light 'Mech from TRO 2750.

http://www.sarna.net...l_Readout:_2750

Off Topic. I found a cool video that shows the new map for MWO, Island Metropolis...

good find.

Wish the water was a less muddy color though.

The map looks great i hope they don't apply any dirty filters to it.

[Bishop Steiner]

Jin Ma, on 21 September 2013 - 08:51 PM, said:

good find.

Wish the water was a less muddy color though.

The map looks great i hope they don't apply any dirty filters to it.

wish the water was deep enough to immerse in. THAT would make it a 10 outta 10.

Well, that and a certain King Crab rising from it's depths to dispatch all the naysayers and haters

[Odanan]

Bishop Steiner, on 21 September 2013 - 08:53 PM, said:

wish the water was deep enough to immerse in. THAT would make it a 10 outta 10.

Only MW2GBL had the balls to make combat under water... judging for MW4 and MWO, mechs do not sink.

BTW, except for the shallow waters, the map looks great!

[ReguIus]

Even if combat wasn't allowed while under water, it could have offered some nice tactical options. Like if 100% submerged -> not detectable with sensors (except for seismic). Now, River City could be interesting with that kind of feature...

Anyway, give us Banshee!

[Jack Gallows]

Water combat opens up a whole new can of worms I don't think PGI would ever care to really tackle.

Otherwise...

LIGHT:

Mercury - The reason the Clans have their OmniMechs is because of the lore of this little guy. It's as light as a Commando except it's base speed is MUCH faster, though with MW:O caps it'll be just as fast as any other light 'mech. It's base variant mounts at least 4 energy hard points, and gives the devs an excuse to try to figure out how to fit MASC into the game (although I'm unsure of MASC's reintroducton into the IS.) However, most of it's variants are carbon copies so it'd have to go the way of the Spider and be given extra hardpoints.

http://www.sarna.net...Mercury.jpg.png

Panther - Why not have the Panther after putting the Dragon in game? Has enough variants to vary it up a bit, and while it might be slow (which is usually anathema to light mechs in MW:O,) it has a really strong punch for it's size while carrying jump jets. It's an alternative to the all laser boating Wolfhound, but only by so much.

Possible Hero Mechs:
Minobu Tetsuhara, friend of Jaime Wolf and founder of the Ryuken, originally piloted his family's Panther, a mech nicknamed Katana Kat. Later he would switch to a Vindicator, and later still he would pilot a Dragon. Katana Kat would pass to his brother, Fuhito Tetsuhara, who used it successfully during the Fourth Succession War.

Tomoe Sakade, wife of Theodore Kurita, used a Panther during her early career, up until its destruction during the Fourth Succession War.

http://www.sarna.net...25_Panther1.jpg

Wolfhound - The Wolfhound is definitely a favorite in universe and out, and I'd personally love to see this little 'mech make it into MW:O. It's fast enough to be as fast as the rest of the lights while still mounting great armor and weaponry, and Alex's concept art would probably be mind blowing (like all the others are.) I've been a fan of this 'mech for a VERY long time, and it's my favorite for next light to be included...but I'd be happy that it got in at all down the road. Also...

Possible Hero Mechs:
Daniel Allard, who received one of the prototypes in 3028 after the destruction of his Valkyrie in 3027. Originally a stock WLF-1 model, it was later upgraded to WLF-2 standard and finally with Clan-tech weapons salvaged from the Battle of Luthien. Allard continued to pilot his Wolfhound even after rising to overall command of the Kell Hounds up until his death on Graceland in 3069 during combat against Clan Jade Falcon.

Phelan Kell, son of Morgan Kell, also piloted a Wolfhound while serving with the Hounds until his capture by Clan Wolf in 3049. After being dissected and studied by Clan scientists, when Phelan was granted full warrior status Khan Ulric Kerensky authorized the reconstruction of his Wolfhound to become the aforementioned Wolfhound IIC variant.

http://www.sarna.net...f/Wolfhound.jpg

MEDIUM:

Clint - Fast, jumps, and has a lot of variants. I like it much better then the alternatives (unless we get the Unseen/Reseen, covered later.) Another 'mech I'd like to see Alex tackle, visually.

http://www.sarna.net...3025_Clint1.jpg

HEAVY:

Axman - Forget a second that it's got a melee weapon, which pretty much nulifies this mech just by that virtue. Or don't, and just read on anyway for the fun of it! It's kinda slow (but that's fixable,) and it carries jump jets. Has a decent amount of variants (one with ECM!!!) and pretty much any Mechwarrior knows this Battlemech, in universe and out. Could always go the route pictured below to fit it into the game.

Spoiler

http://fc01.devianta...ord-d4tbq9n.jpg

Possible Hero Mechs:
Adam Steiner piloted a AXM-2N variant at the opening of the Clan Invasion. The 6X variant was developed primarily in the hopes of pandering to the Archon's use of the Axman during the Clan Invasion.

Information is ammunition, baby!

http://www.sarna.net..._Axeman.jpg.png

Guillotine - I'd prefer this over the other non unseen/reseen Battlemechs. Old Star League design with decent variants (though, not super varied,) mounts jump jets, and would just look cool redone.

http://www.sarna.net...try_%282%29.jpg

ASSAULT:

Hatamoto-Chi - Because Space Samurai. I'm drawn to this 'mech aesthetically. While I really want this or the Cyclops to be the next Assault, I'm doing it purely off of how it looks because it's variants don't vary at all. It's a cooler looking Thug, and has a lore link to the Charger that's kind of interesting.

Possible Hero Mechs:
HTM-27T Hatamoto-Chi Daniel - Personally awarded by Coordinator Takashi Kurita to Sorenson’s Sabres commander Daniel Sorenson in the lead-up to the War of 3039, the 'Mech Daniel received was a bridging design between the early field-test HTM-26T and the later production HTM-27T. Dropping two tons of armor and outfitted with a bulkier and less refined Endo-Steel chassis, enough weight was saved to mount a pair of experimental Luthien Armor Works developed LB 10-X AC prototypes in it arms and a pair of Telos SRM-4 launchers in its chest. A ton of reloads for each SRM launcher and four tons of autocannon reloads in its CASE protected side torsos kept the 'Mech in the thick of battle.

http://www.sarna.net...amoto-Kaeru.jpg

Cyclops - This 'mech needs a redesign visually from Alex, and it'd be a good solid choice for the next Assault due to it's weight and decent variants (though, many are almost identicle but that can be padded out.) Good candidate for ECM on another Assault, and is often seen as another strong command style mech. This is the 'mech I want to see above all others as the next Assault.

Possible Hero Mech:
General Ariana Winston, Commanding Officer of the Eridani Light Horse between 3045 to 3060, piloted a modified Cyclops which featured a dual-cockpit for command and coordination purposes. She is perhaps best known for assuming command of the reborn SLDF's Task Force Serpent after Morgan Hasek-Davion's assassination and leading the bloody campaign to destroy Clan Smoke Jaguar on their homeworld of Huntress, though she was killed during the effort.

http://www.sarna.net...yclops1.jpg.png

RESEEN/UNSEEN: (Posting while fully knowing we may NEVER seen the Unseen.)

Valkyrie - Small, fast, can jump, and has a number of variants. Can't do much with 30 tons and it really ends up being another Spider, but we need some new takes on these old Unseen so we can get over all the hooplah once and for all. I've always liked the Valkyrie, and in the end the light field is covered with anything unique already with what's in game...it's mostly preference at this point and I'd prefer to see this.

http://www.sarna.net...5_Valkyrie1.jpg

Ostscout - It's a pod with legs, but hoping Alex would change that (as he has done so awesome for so many 'mechs.) I've liked this 'mech in table top and prefer it over Ravens for various reason, not all due to their perfomances. This 'mech really wouldn't survive MW:O due to it's paltry and bad variants as electronic warfare is important...but not nearly as powerful as it is in TT.

http://www.sarna.net...stscout.jpg.png

Phoenix_Hawk - This damn machine has more variants then you can shake a stick at. Lower end of the weight scale for Mediums, but it's got it all where it counts. It's a real workhorse medium and a 'mech I'd dearly love see get a redesign. Especially because of...

Possible Hero Mech:
Shin Yodama piloted a Phoenix Hawk for much of his early career in the DCMS, including the Clan Invasion.

http://www.sarna.net...x-3025phawk.jpg


Warhammer - I don't even have to write a description. I really don't. But I'm going to anyway! Probably the most iconic Battlemech in all of Battletech, the Warhammer is the machine most people first think of (unless they're dirty Clanners,) and is basically the face of Battletech for most of us. It has a good spread of weapons, it sits at 75 tons making it a good weight to allow for customization...and well it's the bloody Warhammer! It's not like one of the two most deadliest pilots in all of the Inner Sphere pilots it or anything and is the most high profile, even above Kai Allard-Liao (who's technically in game already.)

Possible Hero Mechs:

*Natasha Kerensky piloted a jet black Warhammer while still serving with Wolf's Dragoons. (Who doesn't love the Black Widow?)

Colonel Donovan Fresnel of the 75th Royal Hussar Regiment became the first SLDF "Gunslinger" to achieve a draw against a DCMS Marauder in 2687 on the world of Minakuchi during an hour-long duel.

Tai-sa Yorinaga Kurita was a House Kurita warrior who gained notoriety for killing Ian Davion and battling mercenary Colonel Morgan Kell.

http://www.sarna.net...rhammer.jpg.png

[Adridos]

Jack Gallows, on 22 September 2013 - 05:30 AM, said:

Panther - Why not have the Panther after putting the Dragon in game? Has enough variants to vary it up a bit, and while it might be slow (which is usually anathema to light mechs in MW:O,) it has a really strong punch for it's size while carrying jump jets. It's an alternative to the all laser boating Wolfhound, but only by so much.

Weve discussed this many times over, Jack.

The reason you dont want to put Panther into the game is mechlab. With it, theres absolutely nothing Panther could even partially excel at compared to other light mechs. Strong punch for its size applies only when youre up against designs with 2 med lasers max, not when every light can carry a duo of PPCs around and be faster than what would be considered the physical maximum in the IS.

Edited by Adridos, 22 September 2013 - 05:52 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

Jack Gallows, on 22 September 2013 - 05:30 AM, said:

Water combat opens up a whole new can of worms I don't think PGI would ever care to really tackle.

Otherwise...

LIGHT:

Mercury - The reason the Clans have their OmniMechs is because of the lore of this little guy. It's as light as a Commando except it's base speed is MUCH faster, though with MW:O caps it'll be just as fast as any other light 'mech. It's base variant mounts at least 4 energy hard points, and gives the devs an excuse to try to figure out how to fit MASC into the game (although I'm unsure of MASC's reintroducton into the IS.) However, most of it's variants are carbon copies so it'd have to go the way of the Spider and be given extra hardpoints.

http://www.sarna.net...Mercury.jpg.png

Panther - Why not have the Panther after putting the Dragon in game? Has enough variants to vary it up a bit, and while it might be slow (which is usually anathema to light mechs in MW:O,) it has a really strong punch for it's size while carrying jump jets. It's an alternative to the all laser boating Wolfhound, but only by so much.

Possible Hero Mechs:
Minobu Tetsuhara, friend of Jaime Wolf and founder of the Ryuken, originally piloted his family's Panther, a mech nicknamed Katana Kat. Later he would switch to a Vindicator, and later still he would pilot a Dragon. Katana Kat would pass to his brother, Fuhito Tetsuhara, who used it successfully during the Fourth Succession War.

Tomoe Sakade, wife of Theodore Kurita, used a Panther during her early career, up until its destruction during the Fourth Succession War.

http://www.sarna.net...25_Panther1.jpg

Wolfhound - The Wolfhound is definitely a favorite in universe and out, and I'd personally love to see this little 'mech make it into MW:O. It's fast enough to be as fast as the rest of the lights while still mounting great armor and weaponry, and Alex's concept art would probably be mind blowing (like all the others are.) I've been a fan of this 'mech for a VERY long time, and it's my favorite for next light to be included...but I'd be happy that it got in at all down the road. Also...

Possible Hero Mechs:
Daniel Allard, who received one of the prototypes in 3028 after the destruction of his Valkyrie in 3027. Originally a stock WLF-1 model, it was later upgraded to WLF-2 standard and finally with Clan-tech weapons salvaged from the Battle of Luthien. Allard continued to pilot his Wolfhound even after rising to overall command of the Kell Hounds up until his death on Graceland in 3069 during combat against Clan Jade Falcon.

Phelan Kell, son of Morgan Kell, also piloted a Wolfhound while serving with the Hounds until his capture by Clan Wolf in 3049. After being dissected and studied by Clan scientists, when Phelan was granted full warrior status Khan Ulric Kerensky authorized the reconstruction of his Wolfhound to become the aforementioned Wolfhound IIC variant.

http://www.sarna.net...f/Wolfhound.jpg

MEDIUM:

Clint - Fast, jumps, and has a lot of variants. I like it much better then the alternatives (unless we get the Unseen/Reseen, covered later.) Another 'mech I'd like to see Alex tackle, visually.

http://www.sarna.net...3025_Clint1.jpg

HEAVY:

Axman - Forget a second that it's got a melee weapon, which pretty much nulifies this mech just by that virtue. Or don't, and just read on anyway for the fun of it! It's kinda slow (but that's fixable,) and it carries jump jets. Has a decent amount of variants (one with ECM!!!) and pretty much any Mechwarrior knows this Battlemech, in universe and out. Could always go the route pictured below to fit it into the game.

Spoiler

http://fc01.devianta...ord-d4tbq9n.jpg

Possible Hero Mechs:
Adam Steiner piloted a AXM-2N variant at the opening of the Clan Invasion. The 6X variant was developed primarily in the hopes of pandering to the Archon's use of the Axman during the Clan Invasion.

Information is ammunition, baby!

http://www.sarna.net..._Axeman.jpg.png

Guillotine - I'd prefer this over the other non unseen/reseen Battlemechs. Old Star League design with decent variants (though, not super varied,) mounts jump jets, and would just look cool redone.

http://www.sarna.net...try_%282%29.jpg

ASSAULT:

Hatamoto-Chi - Because Space Samurai. I'm drawn to this 'mech aesthetically. While I really want this or the Cyclops to be the next Assault, I'm doing it purely off of how it looks because it's variants don't vary at all. It's a cooler looking Thug, and has a lore link to the Charger that's kind of interesting.

Possible Hero Mechs:
HTM-27T Hatamoto-Chi Daniel - Personally awarded by Coordinator Takashi Kurita to Sorenson’s Sabres commander Daniel Sorenson in the lead-up to the War of 3039, the 'Mech Daniel received was a bridging design between the early field-test HTM-26T and the later production HTM-27T. Dropping two tons of armor and outfitted with a bulkier and less refined Endo-Steel chassis, enough weight was saved to mount a pair of experimental Luthien Armor Works developed LB 10-X AC prototypes in it arms and a pair of Telos SRM-4 launchers in its chest. A ton of reloads for each SRM launcher and four tons of autocannon reloads in its CASE protected side torsos kept the 'Mech in the thick of battle.

http://www.sarna.net...amoto-Kaeru.jpg

Cyclops - This 'mech needs a redesign visually from Alex, and it'd be a good solid choice for the next Assault due to it's weight and decent variants (though, many are almost identicle but that can be padded out.) Good candidate for ECM on another Assault, and is often seen as another strong command style mech. This is the 'mech I want to see above all others as the next Assault.

Possible Hero Mech:
General Ariana Winston, Commanding Officer of the Eridani Light Horse between 3045 to 3060, piloted a modified Cyclops which featured a dual-cockpit for command and coordination purposes. She is perhaps best known for assuming command of the reborn SLDF's Task Force Serpent after Morgan Hasek-Davion's assassination and leading the bloody campaign to destroy Clan Smoke Jaguar on their homeworld of Huntress, though she was killed during the effort.

http://www.sarna.net...yclops1.jpg.png

RESEEN/UNSEEN: (Posting while fully knowing we may NEVER seen the Unseen.)

Valkyrie - Small, fast, can jump, and has a number of variants. Can't do much with 30 tons and it really ends up being another Spider, but we need some new takes on these old Unseen so we can get over all the hooplah once and for all. I've always liked the Valkyrie, and in the end the light field is covered with anything unique already with what's in game...it's mostly preference at this point and I'd prefer to see this.

http://www.sarna.net...5_Valkyrie1.jpg

Ostscout - It's a pod with legs, but hoping Alex would change that (as he has done so awesome for so many 'mechs.) I've liked this 'mech in table top and prefer it over Ravens for various reason, not all due to their perfomances. This 'mech really wouldn't survive MW:O due to it's paltry and bad variants as electronic warfare is important...but not nearly as powerful as it is in TT.

http://www.sarna.net...stscout.jpg.png

Phoenix_Hawk - This damn machine has more variants then you can shake a stick at. Lower end of the weight scale for Mediums, but it's got it all where it counts. It's a real workhorse medium and a 'mech I'd dearly love see get a redesign. Especially because of...

Possible Hero Mech:
Shin Yodama piloted a Phoenix Hawk for much of his early career in the DCMS, including the Clan Invasion.

http://www.sarna.net...x-3025phawk.jpg


Warhammer - I don't even have to write a description. I really don't. But I'm going to anyway! Probably the most iconic Battlemech in all of Battletech, the Warhammer is the machine most people first think of (unless they're dirty Clanners,) and is basically the face of Battletech for most of us. It has a good spread of weapons, it sits at 75 tons making it a good weight to allow for customization...and well it's the bloody Warhammer! It's not like one of the two most deadliest pilots in all of the Inner Sphere pilots it or anything and is the most high profile, even above Kai Allard-Liao (who's technically in game already.)

Possible Hero Mechs:

*Natasha Kerensky piloted a jet black Warhammer while still serving with Wolf's Dragoons. (Who doesn't love the Black Widow?)

Colonel Donovan Fresnel of the 75th Royal Hussar Regiment became the first SLDF "Gunslinger" to achieve a draw against a DCMS Marauder in 2687 on the world of Minakuchi during an hour-long duel.

Tai-sa Yorinaga Kurita was a House Kurita warrior who gained notoriety for killing Ian Davion and battling mercenary Colonel Morgan Kell.

http://www.sarna.net...rhammer.jpg.png

Have to second what Adridos said. And the same issues crop up with the Wolfhound. Aside form there not being enough canon variants at this time, what does it do that the Raven and Jenner don't totally outclass it in?

The Raven is just as fast, can carry just as much armor, and has a variety of hard points, whereas the Wolfhound has ....energy. And one version has JJs, another has ECM. The Jenner, can pack as much armor, has as many energy hardpoints AND missiles, jumps, and is faster.

In the current Mechlab implementation, they simply are outclassed. Which is why, despite the protests of the "Pros" I have always pushed for sized hardpoints and armor caps (allow up to 35-50% more armor than the stock version , with the cap still being the max the tonnage class can handle) similar to speed caps. Why would you play a relatively fragile Jagermech when you could drive a heavily armored Cataphract instead? Well, with sized Hardpoints, the Phract would have more armor, but much less potent weaponry probably. So one trades off, High endurance, or high firepower. It preserves roles, while allowing or reasonable customization, whereas now, everything kind of ends up in a min/maxed muddle, and as such, some units, like the Panther, Urbanmech and Wolfhound, are just flat outclassed.

Right now, with the degree of customization available, we actually have LESS viable chassis than we would if w had sized hardpoints.

[Odanan]

Sorry to *** that, but I don't like your selection of mechs, Jack.
Except for the Cyclops (which I expect after the Banshee), they are mostly boring or redundant.

[CDLord HHGD]

Personally, I see no reason for the exclusion of ANY chassis. Sure, there are some we'd like to see before the others, and lets disconnect the addition of mechs from any other game development.* With PGI's creative license on creating content to fill gaps just because there aren't time period variants doesn't mean PGI cannot mix and match hardpoints. If anything, the only thing that should be held to the timeline is new mech development and technology. There are plenty of lore examples that take an advanced mech and downgrade the tech to account for lostech.

People hated on the Victor "oh it's just a small Highlander", yet I see Victors shining. People said that with the Raven, the Jenner is useless. Not so. I am willing to bet that someone somewhere out there can make a Panther work for them. I'll be among those trying. I quite enjoy my Orion, yet people will argue that there's nothing the Orion that some assault can't do better. So what? It's all about player enjoyment. In that, I think EVERY SINGLE CHASSIS out there should eventually* be in this game. Why? Why not? Give us EVERYTHING and let the individual decide what works best and how....

*Placed these in here to specify that not everything has to happen right away and there are priorities that supersede a niche mech chassis.

Edited by cdlord, 22 September 2013 - 10:35 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

cdlord, on 22 September 2013 - 10:34 AM, said:

Personally, I see no reason for the exclusion of ANY chassis. Sure, there are some we'd like to see before the others, and lets disconnect the addition of mechs from any other game development.* With PGI's creative license on creating content to fill gaps just because there aren't time period variants doesn't mean PGI cannot mix and match hardpoints. If anything, the only thing that should be held to the timeline is new mech development and technology. There are plenty of lore examples that take an advanced mech and downgrade the tech to account for lostech.

People hated on the Victor "oh it's just a small Highlander", yet I see Victors shining. People said that with the Raven, the Jenner is useless. Not so. I am willing to bet that someone somewhere out there can make a Panther work for them. I'll be among those trying. I quite enjoy my Orion, yet people will argue that there's nothing the Orion that some assault can't do better. So what? It's all about player enjoyment. In that, I think EVERY SINGLE CHASSIS out there should eventually* be in this game. Why? Why not? Give us EVERYTHING and let the individual decide what works best and how....

*Placed these in here to specify that not everything has to happen right away and there are priorities that supersede a niche mech chassis.

I would like to agree. But look at the examples I quoted and why. We have chassis now, that are essentially ignored, because they are comparatively speaking, outclassed.

I WOULD like to see them all in. But if we already have chassis now which are not played, essentially, and they cost the amount Russ and Bryan have said to make in the first place, how does it make sense to spend months and 35k+ on a game asset if no one uses it. If the Spider didn't have such borked hit registration, it would be virtually unused. The Commando is used by die hards and trolls. THe Awesome and Dragon by people who like to suffer. Too many chassis only see one viable variant. (Who uses a Raven 2 or 4x in comp play?)

Without giving the ability to put each chassis in a specific ROLE, they become redundant, or worse, just plain BAD compared to the other options. Some, like the Urbanmech, are gonna be bad no matter what. But if we don't rein in the MEchlab, and actually preserve roles and chassis diversity, there is no point. It's sad, because so many people cry that sized hardpoints limit diversity, but time and again, the opposite has proven true, because it (particularly if combined with armor limits) preserves each mechs role, while allowing a degree of personalisation.

[Nathan Foxbane]

The Panther could probably make a name for itself as an escort 'Mech once tonnage limits come it. It is fast enough to keep up with heavier units, hits hard enough to be discouraging to other lights, mobile enough to set up good ambush positions, durable enough to have some decent combat endurance, and tops it all off with being light enough not to hog your company's available tonnage. It would also be a harder target to hit than some equivalent designs like the Vindicator which is ten tons heavier. Similar arguments could be made for the Wolfhound.

Most of the 'Mechs that can be put in that are currently very outclassed come into their own with tonnage limits. Especially if those limits are severe enough to justify sacrificing some speed on lighter chassis for more fire power.