46 replies to this topic

[Shell Game]

As the topic states NO GO!

I just logged in and played the fully mastered Highlander 733C and Heavy Metal. I loaded in a max 325 engine into the 733C and a max 330 engine into the Heavy Metal. To my horror, they were both still extremely sluggish and difficult to aim at any target for the most part. The torso weapons were extremely unresponsive. The tracking was horrible waiting for the torso to slowly move to the target. I found the Heavy Metal somewhat playable with the arm lock off and all of the weapons located in the arms. The only quirks that were noticeable, thereby improving play, were the internal structure and armor ones. I have to say that those quirks were greatly needed and a special thanks for those. However, those quirks weren't enough to satisfy me overall... So these mechs are returning back to the "Mechbay" until more positive changes arrive.

My suggestions on ways to ultimately fix this mech to the point where it is at least playable...

1. Significant quirks are needed to both yaw and pitch speed. +25% bonus to both?

2. +5% speed bonus is nice but not enough

3. Increase the engine cap, that would allow this mech to move faster and remain balanced in some way, by the use of tonnage weight for speed.

4. Jump jets need to provide actual thrust, which translates into "lift", instead of a limited "hover" effect where the fuel is quickly expended with limited results. My Direwolf-S performs significantly better.

I have a feeling these mechs may have a future in a limited LRM role, which I refuse to play.

Or is it time for a new 90 ton mech to replace it? What does everyone else think about this?

Edited by EpicWarlord, 18 March 2015 - 03:37 AM.

[TheFuzzyBunny]

Tried it. It's better. Though by better I mean it's the fly sitting on the poop instead of the poop itself. The core problem is the JJs. Everything else on the Metal is barely good enough, though I'd change it's size module as it feels like it is Huge and not Large.

[PorkCereal]

Pre quirk update i was still putting up consistant 500+ damage games in an ac20 srm ll build. Its still a beast if played right.

[lshtaria]

As far as assaults go I think the Highlander is quite XL friendly with its shape, hitboxes and armour buffs. I would say I'm an above average player but by no means expert and I torso twist reasonably well. In the 6 matches I've played so far since the update, all of my deaths have been via the CT with armour stripped on at least 1 of the STs. Waiting for the 7th to launch now but I'm getting seriously peed off with the matchmaker and the derp teams it's giving me at the moment.

I run this build:

Smeggy Metal

My favourite aspect of the build is what I call "FaceTime". That is, the amount of time you can lay firepower onto another mech to suppressive them defensively. With appropriate timing on the gauss it's almost a continuous stream of fire which forces your opponent into facing you if they want to return suppressive fire.

Ok the HGN isn't as nimble as it used to be but I dusted off my HM after this patch and I'm enjoying it again.

[Sewman]

I took my HGN-732 out for a spin after the armour quirks. I didn't know exactly what they were after the incremental updates so I looked it up - Currently:
ADDITIONAL STRUCTURE (LL): 10.00
ADDITIONAL STRUCTURE (RL): 10.00
ADDITIONAL STRUCTURE (LT): 10.00
ADDITIONAL STRUCTURE (RT): 10.00
ADDITIONAL STRUCTURE (CT): 14.00
ADDITIONAL ARMOR (LA): 15.00
ADDITIONAL ARMOR (RA): 15.00
GAUSS RIFLE COOLDOWN: 7.50%
BALLISTIC COOLDOWN: 7.50 %
MISSILE COOLDOWN: 10.00 %
LASER DURATION: -10.00 %
ACCELERATION RATE (LOW SPEED): 5.00 %
ACCELERATION RATE (MED SPEED): 5.00 %
ACCELERATION RATE (HIGH SPEED): 5.00 %
DECELERATION RATE (LOW SPEED): 5.00 %
DECELERATION RATE (MED SPEED): 5.00 %
DECELERATION RATE (HIGH SPEED): 5.00 %
REVERSE SPEED: 5.00 %
SPEED: 5.00 %

I actually do think it's a better now, especially if you're really concious of shielding with your arm. It's got 2 recent updates going for it. Firing 3 LLAS / Lpulse simultaneously doesn't give it ghost heat anymore so I'm trying out Gauss and 3X either Lpulse (or LLAS for better heat efficiency) XL 300 or 325 depending on if you want better heat or more agility (if you can even call it that).

Over a handful of games, I died early a couple times with less than 200 dmg, was top damage a few times, and had a 700+ and 800+ dmg game. The quick deaths are more frequent than I'd like to admit.

I don't think it's competitive or dominant, but it does survive a bit longer making it a bit more viable. I'm still thinking it will still collect dust if you have other assault choices but it was encouraging to be able to see higher average damage numbers back - something that was pretty much impossible, especially when the 3 laser ghost heat was still in effect.

Edited by Sewman, 19 March 2015 - 12:46 PM.

[Remains Intact]

highlander is still complete trash.

[Hit the Deck]

I have a mastered 732 and 733C and I do ok with them, provided that my team plays well so I can get into position to unleash the SRM6 (I build them pretty much like Atlases: Gauss or AC/20, medium or large lasers, and SRM6). I've tried making various builds which could let me to get into stare fight with other assaults or heavies from a distance but I think there's none of it because of the small number of hardpoints.

I also wish we had a 350 engine cap. I could fit an XL350 to a certain 732 build (gauss, lasers, srm6).

[Voivode]

Was never a big fan of Highlanders, the only one I have is the 733P running as an LRM mech. It does seem to sit in a funny spot where it isn't as agile as the lower tonnage assaults and it isn't as tough/powerful as the higher tonnage ones.

[NRP]

The way PGI totally kills mechs with the Nerf bat makes me very reluctant to buy any new mechs.

[Topshot Tiger]

Remains Intact, on 19 March 2015 - 09:07 PM, said:

highlander is still complete trash.

I have to say I agree. Lackluster quirks, and hes heavily outclassed by shorter and quicker assaults like Battlemaster or Warhawk.

[Gas Guzzler]

yeah, I mean those jump jets are the most sluggish (even with 4-5) and are SO HOT. It is nuts. Use them on caustic or tourmaline and you will be holding back all game. It sucks.

[MacBeth]

It's a band aid for sure, but I feel like the Highlanders received a fairly decent band aid for the time being, I've particularly found the speed and turn rate tweaks to be incredibly useful.

[rolly]

Ugh that's crappy to hear, I just got back into the game and temped to dust off the HGN only to hear about these mixed quirks.

This mech seems to be a shadow of its former self due to these ham handed quirks/nerfs= Querfs? An assault mech known iconically for its jump jets = nerfed so that they're only useful for climbing curbs. HGN known for its gauss? = Nerf that so that it won't be exploited. yay! Why muddy a mechs best features?

[Dagon Zur]

HGN is quite good now, exept for the JJs, but that is general problem with JJs.

[Shell Game]

Dagon Zur, on 21 March 2015 - 02:51 PM, said:

HGN is quite good now, exept for the JJs, but that is general problem with JJs.

I have to disagree with you on the Highlander being quite good. If it were as simple as removing all the jumpjets and playing it like a right-hand biased Battlemaster I would. We could call this new mech style "The LowLander." The turning and torso movement need quite a bit of help. The mech moves more like a 100 ton assault mech than an 85 and this is where the problem lies.

Edited by EpicWarlord, 21 March 2015 - 03:31 PM.

[Shell Game]

TheFuzzyBunny, on 18 March 2015 - 12:31 PM, said:

Tried it. It's better. Though by better I mean it's the fly sitting on the poop instead of the poop itself. The core problem is the JJs. Everything else on the Metal is barely good enough, though I'd change it's size module as it feels like it is Huge and not Large.

Yep FuzzyBunny, lets just remove the JJ and call it the Lowlander....

[TheFuzzyBunny]

EpicWarlord, on 21 March 2015 - 03:30 PM, said:

I have to disagree with you on the Highlander being quite good. If it were as simple as removing all the jumpjets and playing it like a right-hand biased Battlemaster I would. We could call this new mech style "The LowLander." The turning and torso movement need quite a bit of help. The mech moves more like a 100 ton assault mech than an 85 and this is where the problem lies.

90 ton, but yeah. I'm a dedicated assault pilot. I've mastered them all but the Gargoyle. The Highlander is damn near the worst, if not the worst, in agility and responsiveness.

Edited by TheFuzzyBunny, 21 March 2015 - 03:40 PM.

[Summon3r]

HGN is one of those mechs like the Summoner that need JJ thrust quirks, and the excuse that there is no tool for that is BS

[Gas Guzzler]

Summon3r, on 21 March 2015 - 03:55 PM, said:

HGN is one of those mechs like the Summoner that need JJ thrust quirks, and the excuse that there is no tool for that is BS

Well it would be a lot easier for the Highlander. Just fix Class 1 JJs, the hottest, heaviest, and worst performing jets in the game.

Edited by Gas Guzzler, 21 March 2015 - 04:39 PM.

[rolly]

Summon3r, on 21 March 2015 - 03:55 PM, said:

HGN is one of those mechs like the Summoner that need JJ thrust quirks, and the excuse that there is no tool for that is BS

EXACTLY.

If we're going with the quirk system permanently, give the Summoner and the Lowlander back their attribute they're most known for agility through jump jets.