15 replies to this topic

[Scout Derek]

We all know about the Clan Wave III mechs, that the Shadowcat and Executioner will have MASC, but what about the IS?

I love clan mechs at heart, and will 70% of the time use them. But I feel that the IS will be undermined once the Wave III releases for those that bought it (me included).

Can someone please give me a list to show what IS mechs currently will get MASC?
I have that feeling that once wave 3 arrives or a bit before it, someone will pipe up about it, some IS pilots will start complaining about it, then we'll have to deal with some 20+ topics before we get a mech. (FYI, not complaining, want to get this unthought of topic ridded of before more follow)

[TercieI]

They haven't put any MASC-capable variants in game for just this reason.

[A Large Infant]

As with ECM, this arbitrary gifting of brokentech to random mechs is detrimental to balance

[SweetJackal]

I do remember that there is a Cataphract variant with MASC but that is the only chassis currently in the game that comes to mind. As said before they have been avoiding putting in MASC mechs until now because they didn't have any idea how they would make it work.

[Tarogato]

CTF-3L is the only one I know off hand. Perhaps Sarna to the rescue...

---

TDR-10SE has MASC and ECM. 3067, but I feel like if Russ wants IS to have an ECM heavy, he'll break the timeline if he needs to.

CN9-D3D and CN9-D5, but they have 3060 tech like Light Gauss and RAC/5

WVR-7D has MASC, a UAC/5, a MPL in the cockpit, and an SRM6

WVR-7M has MASC two ERLL, two MPL in the cockpit, and an SRM6

WVR-8D, but it has 3060 tech, like RAC/2 and ERML.

... that's all I can find so far.

Edited by Tarogato, 02 April 2015 - 03:39 PM.

[Mcgral18]

The CTF-3L is an upgraded 1X, identical hardpoints with MASC.

[Malthorn]

They may finally release the Flea.

[Armorine]

Too fast. Break cryengine

[Impyrium]

If they implement it properly, there'll be a downside to using it to balance the pros of using it, which means it should be relatively balanced against non-MASC 'Mechs. Also I predict that it's not going to be game changing feature, considering PGI's track record of implementing things...

[Quicksilver Aberration]

Terciel1976, on 02 April 2015 - 02:41 PM, said:

They haven't put any MASC-capable variants in game for just this reason.

They have had the Cataphract 3L in the game files since the Cataphract was introduced for what its worth. Outside of that, the only mechs with MASC capable variants within the current timeline are 2-3 Wolverine variants but none of those are in the game files. They would also probably require some extra modeling due to one having an energy in the side torso so I wouldn't expect them unless they add the dynamic geometry when they finally get to making a hero for the Wolverine.

[FupDup]

Meeso Thorny, on 02 April 2015 - 02:42 PM, said:

As with ECM, this arbitrary gifting of brokentech to random mechs is detrimental to balance

On the flipside, having all mechs carrying the same equipment is boring as crap.

Balance the equipment itself and there won't be a need to have everybody and their grandmother mounting MASC on their mechs.

[Escef]

Inner Sphere mechs will likely either have a MASC hardpoint or simply be labeled as MASC capable/not MASC capable. Furthermore, I expect MASC capable mechs to have tightly regulated engine caps, such that even with MASC active the top speed will be below 180 kph. I doubt MASC capable mechs will have engine caps higher than 7.5xTonnage (e.g., a MASC capable 35 ton mech would likely have an engine cap of around 260, working out to a likely top speed with MASC of around 175).

Edited by Escef, 02 April 2015 - 06:58 PM.

[El Bandito]

Wait until the Supercharger somehow gets implemented. In lore it can be used with MASC together for a real WTFBBQ speed increase (around 50% of max speed), at the cost of potential catastrophic failure.

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

Edited by El Bandito, 02 April 2015 - 07:00 PM.

[Quicksilver Aberration]

El Bandito, on 02 April 2015 - 06:59 PM, said:

at the cost of potential catastrophic failure.\

You suffer up to 2 engine crits which isn't as significant as you losing the use of your legs (which directly limits your MP). You may run hotter but at least you can still move further than two hexes a turn.

[Brody319]

here is the problem with IS MASC.
1. 180 kph is the speed limit of the game.
2. If you restrict the engine limit so it doesn't break the game with MASC, then that mech becomes useless without it
3. If you don't restrict the engine but you put a limit on how fast the mech goes then MASC becomes useless in favor of just bringing a bigger engine.

The Reason Clan's got the MASC first is because they cannot change their engines so as long as it doesn't break the speed limit in lore there is no problem.

I imagine that some assaults and heavies could have MASC but mediums and Lights will probably need a lot of tweaking before we get MASC for them.

[SweetJackal]

Brody319, on 02 April 2015 - 07:11 PM, said:

here is the problem with IS MASC.
1. 180 kph is the speed limit of the game.
2. If you restrict the engine limit so it doesn't break the game with MASC, then that mech becomes useless without it
3. If you don't restrict the engine but you put a limit on how fast the mech goes then MASC becomes useless in favor of just bringing a bigger engine.

The Reason Clan's got the MASC first is because they cannot change their engines so as long as it doesn't break the speed limit in lore there is no problem.

I imagine that some assaults and heavies could have MASC but mediums and Lights will probably need a lot of tweaking before we get MASC for them.

MASC will likely be treated as JJ and ECM for the IS, having a special hardpoint that a mech has to have in order to have MASC mounted on it. Meaning they have strict control over what variants can have MASC and as such they can ensure that mechs that can mount MASC have lower engine caps to ensure they don't break the speed barrier. Creates the opportunity for balanced sidegrades.