23 replies to this topic

[Kanatta Jing]

Okay so the wonderful thing about variants from a business perspective is the ability to sell the same digital model 4 times, right? Well lets just assume that is the case.

So the leading reason to buy all the Variants is for the different hardpoints right? Wait, compare the following Dragons. (Yes these are the ones we've gleaned as being in the game.)

DRG-1N

1xLRM-10
1xAutocannon/5
2xMedium Lasers

DRG-1C

1xLRM-10
1xAutocannon/2
2xMedium Lasers

DRG-5N

1xLRM-10
1xUltra Autocannon/5
1xMedium Lasers

If you have the Prime Variant DRG-1N why would you buy the DRG-1C? It has the exact same hardpoints. But the DRG-1C has more armor?

Maybe you'd buy variants because you can't change the armor amount? That doesn't sound right.

And the DRG-5N litterally is just the DRG-1N with a new gun and a Medium Laser taken off.

Maybe the option to buy the Ultra Autocannon/5 is only available for the 5N? Maybe but that's kinda iffy ground.

Maybe... Maybe each Dragon has a Mech efficiency row just for their characteristic AC? What if the DRG-1N just can't do what a DRG-1C can do with an AC/2?

Edited by Kanatta Jing, 27 June 2012 - 10:50 PM.

[Spleenslitta]

It could also have something to do with how many module slots are available for each variant.

[Woodstock]

well ...firstly ...who says sell?

we have no idea how the economy of the game will work.

Secondly ... the variants will have radically different digital models and on top of that they will have different hardpoint configs

E.G.
The CN9-A (stock variant of the Centurion) mounts a AC/10 as its main weapon.
The CN9-AL replaces the AC/10 with a large laser and more armour = different model ... different customisation options.

[Hikaru]

Yep, from what we know so far, there's no reason to by one variant from another except the hardpoints. Yet another reason why picking the Dragon for release makes no sense. The Panther only has 2 variants that fit the 3049 timeframe. The prime variant has actually one more hardpoint than the alternate, older variant. There would be no reason to purchase the alternate variant, so releasing the 'mech wouldn't make any sense, despite the relatively high demand for it. The only thing I can think of is that maybe they allow you to only own one 'mech of each variant, but you can own multiple variants. That way you can roll 4 Jenners, for example, during the sequential drop game mode.

[Tincan Nightmare]

You forgot about the Grand Dragon variant that mounts a PPC instead of an autocannon. Then you get some good energy hardpoints.

[Kanatta Jing]

Tincan Nightmare, on 27 June 2012 - 11:04 PM, said:

You forgot about the Grand Dragon variant that mounts a PPC instead of an autocannon. Then you get some good energy hardpoints.

Not yet confiirmed. But yeah it's probably out there.

[Clan Warrior]

I don't think we going to see every single variant for particular mech. Unless they've included previous minor variant upgrades I don't see the need for it. They jumped from CPLT-C1 right up to CPLT-K2 which is a major variant upgrade to the chassis. If they have Catapult variants in between C1 and K2 that be nice but if it's only minor or insignificant upgrade then I guess it's better to jump to a major variant upgrade like K2 with the catapult and skip previous variants.

Also I think they going to hand pick and balance each mech variant to make sure that there is enough variety for different variants and therefore many more player made configurations.

I'm sure game play is a factor. They want to make sure that each class is useful and unique.

Edited by Clan Warrior, 27 June 2012 - 11:25 PM.

[Woodstock]

For me this game is all about the customisation.

The only stock variant i like is the shadowhawk one

[WarLiege]

Maybe they will have other extras we still don't know will be included with them yet that we can choose from.
(Ex.) Go with the so-and so variant model and get the extra laser...Or go with same variant 'minus-laser' and get an extra set of custom mech skins or some other device??

Edited by WarLiege, 27 June 2012 - 11:41 PM.

[Woodstock]

Do we know variants will be sold for real money?

I haven't seen any comment on how we will get access to different variants.

[Kanatta Jing]

Woodstock, on 27 June 2012 - 11:42 PM, said:

Do we know variants will be sold for real money?

I haven't seen any comment on how we will get access to different variants.

Variants show up with the regular Mechs when you go to "buy mech" and can be purchased with C-bills or MC.

Atleast that is how they appear.

[Derek Icelord]

Extra data on Dragon variants:

DRG-1N:

Spoiler

Armor: Standard, 10 tons (160 points)
Engine: Standard 300 Rating (top speed of ~86 kph)
Internals: Standard
Heat Sinks: Single, 10
Jump Jets: None
Weapons:

• Head: None
  
• Center Torso: LRM-10 (2 tons of ammo in left torso)
  
• Right Torso: None
  
• Left Torso: Medium Laser
  
• Right Arm: AC/5 (2 tons of ammo in right torso)
  
• Left Arm: Medium Laser

Max Heat for weapons is 11.

DRG-1C:

Spoiler

Armor: Standard, 13 tons (201 points)
Engine: Standard 300 Rating (top speed of ~86 kph)
Internals: Standard
Heat Sinks: Single, 10
Jump Jets: None
Weapons:

• Head: None
  
• Center Torso: LRM-10 (2 tons of ammo in left torso)
  
• Right Torso: None
  
• Left Torso: Medium Laser
  
• Right Arm: AC/2 (1 ton of ammo in right torso)
  
• Left Arm: Medium Laser

Max Heat for weapons is 11.

DRG-5N:

Spoiler

Armor: Standard, 10 tons (160 points)
Engine: Standard 300 Rating (top speed of ~86 kph)
Internals: Standard
Heat Sinks: Single, 10
Jump Jets: None
Weapons:

• Head: None
  
• Center Torso: LRM-10 (2 tons of ammo in left torso w/ CASE)
  
• Right Torso: None
  
• Left Torso: None
  
• Right Arm: Ultra AC/5 (1 ton of ammo in right torso w/ CASE)
  
• Left Arm: Medium Laser

Max Heat for weapons is 9.

So the 1C uses the tonnage saved with the AC/2 for 3 extra tons of armor, while the 5N uses the tonnage saved by dropping 1 ton of AC ammo and a Medium Laser for 2 CASE systems. The 5N does have fewer hard points, however.

Given the sample 'Mech variant experience tree they showed us, requiring pilots to gain the same level of proficiency with all variants before being able to move on to the next level will mostly likely be the crippling factor for some 'Mechs. Some players may like that the Dragon variants are rather samey, so they can just throw on a similar loadout on each and not change playstyle. Other 'Mechs with a more varied offering may suffer since players will have to move out of their "comfort zone" more often.

Edited by Derek Icelord, 27 June 2012 - 11:47 PM.

[Woodstock]

Kanatta Jing, on 27 June 2012 - 11:45 PM, said:

Variants show up with the regular Mechs when you go to "buy mech" and can be purchased with C-bills or MC.

Atleast that is how they appear.

That's cool cos ideally I wanna skip the CN9-A and go right to the CN9-AL

[Reoh]

It's possible to modify primaries slightly off spec anyway. While the canonical Dragon variants have similar hardpoint usage, the unused hardpoints they offer may yet be different.

[Schtirlitz]

Variants. variants...
Waiting for Omnimechs

[Derek Icelord]

Just wondering, where are these Dragon variants confirmed? Specifically the 1C and 5N.

[Kreisel]

Reoh, on 28 June 2012 - 12:17 AM, said:

It's possible to modify primaries slightly off spec anyway. While the canonical Dragon variants have similar hardpoint usage, the unused hardpoints they offer may yet be different.

This is the only thing that really make sense, if the devs are going to stick to what they said multiple times about 'no point including variants with redundant hardpoints in the game' so... pretty sure that means there is going to be at least some creative licence cause after for instance we KNOW there is a jenner in game that is the same weapons as another just minus a SRM...

[Death Mallet]

I'm wondering if engine size/type will be fixed to the chassis. So if you want a different engine, you have to buy the appropriate variant.

[Seabear]

The Dragon is not the best example of variantsa and their place in the game. A better example would be the Centurion. Compare the basic model with the 9AL. The original is based on the autocannon while the 9-AL is based on the large laser with all other weapons basically remaining the sqame (plus extra armor, heatsinksand 1 small laser. The former is a standard use medium with the latter being a guerrilla fighter. The latter is also for those (like me) who prefer lasers to ACs.
One variant of the Dragon that should be included was the Grand Dragon a variant with a PPC instead of the AC. This variant was so successful that it became the new standard (with a new mane).

[SilvaDraconis]

Why trade in last years truck for this years truck.

Well because Sir/Madam, this years truck has that super fancy window widget and a tuned port exhaust making the engine sound more powerful.

Not all models were all that different on the inside, but watch them closely. Some were very different.