I can understand why so many people love the Cicada, speed being one major factor, I would wager, but also because it mounts, as well as dish out a fair amount of damage on an enemy enemy and get get away (for the most part) unscathed, but even with the cost of armour it has, I was wondering which of the builds do each Cicada pilot out there facture the most? I am curious as the I have tried several light trial mechs now (sadly they have not changed in a while!) and feel that I would like to move up to a Cicada, even if it is a Medium.
Until the CRB-27 Crab becomes buyable with C-Bills, I will snatch up them all, the Cicada I feel wuld be a challenging 'Mech at first to master, but something I really want to do, since I have mastered the ************* of my other four 'Mechs.
2
So (Again) With Cicada
Started by Timicon, May 05 2015 08:14 PM
29 replies to this topic
#2
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- Storm
- 10,823 posts
Member
- LocationBergen, Norway, FRR
Posted 05 May 2015 - 08:24 PM
In 2013, before quirks and hardpoint inflation, the CDA-2A with XL280 or XL300 and 6 medium lasers was a severely underestimated mech. Not a lot of mechs had the combination of speed, relative small size, 30 damage pinpoint alpha and, compared to the very hot JR7-F builds, relatively good DPS.
Today, after quirks and hardpoint inflation, the Cicada is a bit outdated and obsolete. It still has the advantage of being relatively small compared to most medium mechs, but its firepower isn't really that impressive in the current meta. And most heavy and assault mechs today are a lot faster than they used to be, because so many people are using huge XL engines. So it's not as maneuverable as it used to be, by comparative standards.
It's a fun mech though. It's a fun challenge, as you say. Here's how I play my Cicadas.
CDA-2A: XL280, 6xML (My best one)
CDA-2B: STD280, 5xML, AMS. (Very hot, but good survivability)
CDA-3C: ER PPC, AC5. (A fun troll build, but arguably the worst of all Cicadas)
CDA-3M: ECM, Gauss, 4 tons of ammo. (Even more fun, and a lot more dangerous than the 3C. Amazing how easy it is to avoid attention)
Haven't played the X-5, but as far as I can tell, it's even more outdated than it was when it came out, since SSRMs have been severely nerfed. Remember when SSRMs used to be a big deal? People thought the X-5 would be the ultimate light mech hunter, but I've hardly seen anyone consistently do well with this mech.
Today, after quirks and hardpoint inflation, the Cicada is a bit outdated and obsolete. It still has the advantage of being relatively small compared to most medium mechs, but its firepower isn't really that impressive in the current meta. And most heavy and assault mechs today are a lot faster than they used to be, because so many people are using huge XL engines. So it's not as maneuverable as it used to be, by comparative standards.
It's a fun mech though. It's a fun challenge, as you say. Here's how I play my Cicadas.
CDA-2A: XL280, 6xML (My best one)
CDA-2B: STD280, 5xML, AMS. (Very hot, but good survivability)
CDA-3C: ER PPC, AC5. (A fun troll build, but arguably the worst of all Cicadas)
CDA-3M: ECM, Gauss, 4 tons of ammo. (Even more fun, and a lot more dangerous than the 3C. Amazing how easy it is to avoid attention)
Haven't played the X-5, but as far as I can tell, it's even more outdated than it was when it came out, since SSRMs have been severely nerfed. Remember when SSRMs used to be a big deal? People thought the X-5 would be the ultimate light mech hunter, but I've hardly seen anyone consistently do well with this mech.
#3
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- The Wolf
- 2,984 posts
Member
Posted 05 May 2015 - 08:29 PM
The Cicada is a tough little 'Mech. But speed is life in them. Bit like an oversized Jenner without jump jets and the option to go ballistic on some variants.
#4
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- Knight Errant
- 9,942 posts
Member
- LocationDueling on Solaris
Posted 05 May 2015 - 08:33 PM
The X-5 is ok. 4 Medium lasers is what is used most and thats not much firepower or range. I have a SRM raven that does well with 2 SRM 4's and 3 medium lasers, ECM, but the X-5 just doesnt do great in that direction.
Much like my Commando I use the 4 medium lasers and 2 SSRM 2's. I peek at larger mechs and do ok and can hunt light mechs very well.
My most successfull was the 2 ERLL Cicada I was running which I then sold and replaced with a 2 ERLL X-4 Raven. Does just as well with smaller profile, lighter weight and jump jets...
The X-5 is an extremely fast medium mech with low firepower, low armor, but the ability to have good matches in. The quirked medium lasers do make the most of medium lasers though.
Much like my Commando I use the 4 medium lasers and 2 SSRM 2's. I peek at larger mechs and do ok and can hunt light mechs very well.
My most successfull was the 2 ERLL Cicada I was running which I then sold and replaced with a 2 ERLL X-4 Raven. Does just as well with smaller profile, lighter weight and jump jets...
The X-5 is an extremely fast medium mech with low firepower, low armor, but the ability to have good matches in. The quirked medium lasers do make the most of medium lasers though.
Edited by Johnny Z, 05 May 2015 - 08:44 PM.
#5
Posted 05 May 2015 - 08:56 PM
I bought an X-5 in the recent sale and I love it. I use it to screen my teams bigger mechs.
My unit and I dropped with a Splat Cat, my X-5, a Cicada 3M with a UAC5 and 4ML, and a Griffin 2N. I ran in with the X-5 running interference with 2 SRM4s and 4MLs and lured them back into a death pit of SRM60.
Was simply amazing.
My unit and I dropped with a Splat Cat, my X-5, a Cicada 3M with a UAC5 and 4ML, and a Griffin 2N. I ran in with the X-5 running interference with 2 SRM4s and 4MLs and lured them back into a death pit of SRM60.
Was simply amazing.
#6
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-
- 3,607 posts
Member
- LocationLos Angeles, CA
Posted 05 May 2015 - 09:02 PM
-2A with XLs engine and 6x MLs is a great light hunter and back stabber...just play it like a light with better survivability.
I used to run mind with MPLs, though that might have been 4x MPLs and 2x SLs. I always prefer bare-minimum face time, and the SLs provided cool running if you got stuck in a knife fight.
I used to run mind with MPLs, though that might have been 4x MPLs and 2x SLs. I always prefer bare-minimum face time, and the SLs provided cool running if you got stuck in a knife fight.
Edited by CocoaJin, 05 May 2015 - 09:03 PM.
#7
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- The 1 Percent
- 3,519 posts
Member
Posted 05 May 2015 - 09:14 PM
I quite like my "outdated" Cicadas.
That said, I have never been too terribly concerned about metas, KDR etc., either.
However, this is my favorite X-5 build that I believe I found on another forum some time ago (so as to not take credit for it);
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7af91ffe92f80a0
It's squishy, but has a decent punch as long as the SRMs last. I primarily use it when I want to grind out C-bills and still feel challenged.
That said, I have never been too terribly concerned about metas, KDR etc., either.
However, this is my favorite X-5 build that I believe I found on another forum some time ago (so as to not take credit for it);
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7af91ffe92f80a0
It's squishy, but has a decent punch as long as the SRMs last. I primarily use it when I want to grind out C-bills and still feel challenged.
Edited by TLBFestus, 05 May 2015 - 09:15 PM.
#8
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- Big Daddy
- 26,736 posts
Member
- LocationStill doing ungodly amount of damage, but with more accuracy.
Posted 05 May 2015 - 10:25 PM
#9
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-
- 3,990 posts
Member
- LocationUSA
Posted 05 May 2015 - 10:58 PM
All I ever saw were the 2xPPC+ECM cicada's running around, or 2xERLL+ECM for a long long time.
Then PPC's got nerfed, ppl switched to LPL or ERLL builds only, then ERLL got its duration bumped up (still pondering WTF reason IS-ERLL got its duration lengthened), and then you just stopped seeing them at all, except very rarely here and there.
I've been using the stock build of ML + UAC-5 since quirks, and its ok, but one place you don't want to be is up close and personal in a light/medium like the Cicada.
Then PPC's got nerfed, ppl switched to LPL or ERLL builds only, then ERLL got its duration bumped up (still pondering WTF reason IS-ERLL got its duration lengthened), and then you just stopped seeing them at all, except very rarely here and there.
I've been using the stock build of ML + UAC-5 since quirks, and its ok, but one place you don't want to be is up close and personal in a light/medium like the Cicada.
#10
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- Civil Servant
- 6,558 posts
Member
- LocationUSA
Posted 05 May 2015 - 11:02 PM
My favourite by far is the 3M with two LPLs. You can keep firing for a very long time in extended engagements and you can help out in long range trading as well. I like it a lot better than the LL+ML builds, or any of the ballistic builds.
Hwat!
Herein you will find the list of all currently FRR aligned units. This includes House units and Merc Units. The Official Government of the FRR, the Riksdag, encourages all units fighting for the FRR to register here. It will allow the FRR to better coordinate our efforts and get an idea of our strength.
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Unit Name: [ISEN] Isengrim
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Contract Length: Permanent
Website: www.waesir.com/hall
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Competitive unit.
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Unit Name: 1st Hussars
Timezone: NA(EST) & EU(CET)
Contacts: Pestolents (XO), Gevurah (Lt.Com), & Pando Box (CO)
Unit Size: ~90
Contract Length: Permanent
Website: http://1sthussars.enjin.com
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Typically play 7pm-2am in each timezone, most active Wednesday - Sunday.
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Finland/EU based unit.
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Website: reddit.com/r/Yggdrasill
Other: We label ourselves as Competent, not Competitive. We don't get tryhard about the game, but we do take things seriously when it comes to 12 mans, or especially now with CW out. We have a ts, a steam group, and made a Subreddit. Contact one of us if you wish to apply.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: 1st Blue Vengeance Naglfar's Journey
Timezone: EU (GMT+1), German Unit
Contacts: Toshiro Moto, Klappstapten
Unit Size: 30+
Contract Length: 28 days, likely to go permanent
Website: www.blue-vengeance.de
Other: We are somewhere between casual and competitive. We have regular 12 man training drops and try to keep our edge, but we don't take ourselves too serious, or better, we don't take ourselves serious at all. ^^
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: 325th Marine Speditionstyrka [325]
Timezone: GMT+1 (Madrid- Europe)
Contacts: Hug Kesse (CO), Neofito3000 (XO)
Unit Size: 8 (company)
Contract Length: Permanent, Loyalist unit
Website:
Other: Monday - Friday 19:00 - 21:00 we do 4-6 mech drop
Saturday - Sunday all day, variable mech drops.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: [SoR] The Skjaldborg
Timezone: NA &EU
Contacts: Damon Howe, StalaggtIKE
Unit Size: 50-80
Contract Length: Varying - Never against FRR
Website: http://www.theskjaldborg.com/index.php
Other:
We hold practices on various evenings, including Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (NA). Those are the best times to find us en mass, but we play at peak NA hours throughout the week. We also have EU activity during their prime times.
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Timezone: NA
Contacts: Malzel(CO), Brandaron (XO)
Unit Size: 50+ Active
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: 1strdr.enjin.com
Other:
Official practice nights are Tuesday and Friday, although we've got folks on nearly all the time. We play on the FRR Hub TS server and are always looking for a few good pilots, especially for our competitive squad, Sons of Muspell.
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Unit Name: [VRGD] Varangian Guard
Timezone: UTC+3
Contacts: FightFox
Unit Size: 54
Contract Length: 28 Days
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Other:
Teamspeak: ts.vanguard.ru
Prime time: 16-20 UTC
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Timezone: NA
Contacts: Theaus
Unit Size: Lance
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website:
Other:
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Unit Name: (OMC) Oceanic Mercenary Corporation
Timezone: Australia/Asia
Contacts: live1991, themoob
Unit Size: 20-30
Contract Length: TBA
Website: www.omcmwo.com
Other:
We're not really that dedicated to FRR, we just want a good fight against the Clans and Kurita.
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Unit Name: Oden Battlemech Regiment (Oden)
Timezone: UTC+1 (CET)
Contacts: Carle Wrede
Unit Size: 10
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website:
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Unit is based on RL friends in Sweden and as such is a Swedish speaking Unit.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: Brotherhood of RANDleSt [BoR]
Timezone: All
Contacts: Brother MEX
Unit Size: 40+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: http://www.clans.de/...rhood-of-randis
Other:
We label ourselves as casual, not competitive. We don't get tryhard about the game, and accept EVERYONE as any member fielding the [BoR] tag is allowed to invite recurits into our unit, especially now with CW out.
Contact me on Comstar EU ( eu1.mech-connect.net no password) in the Austra Channel if you need more informatiin!
Servus, MEX
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: Old Dragon Battle Group (OLD)
Timezone: US, Australian and Norway
Contacts: Jonathan Paine, Divine Retribution
Unit Size: 39
Contract Length: 28 Days - Expires in February
Website: http://www.2old2play...enre/mech-forum
Other:
We are a casual merc corp that is liekly to remain contracted to the FRR for the forseeable future. Mostly fighting along the FRR/GB border. We are open to players of all skill and experience levels over the age of 25 (most everyone in MWO). Most active from ~2000hrs EST to 0300hrs EST. Though casual we've earned our keep thus far by winning more CW battles than we've lost.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: SchatteNBrigade (SNB)
Timezone: UTC+1 Germany
Contacts: Nachtigall, Taxi Hayate, OXVII
Unit Size: 30+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: http://www.schattenbrigade.enjin.com/
Other:
Teamspeak: schattenbrigade.enjinvoice.com
Prime Time: 18 - 22h
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: Reaper's Wraith (TPI)
Timezone: UTC+8 Australia
Contacts: Starwolf1991, Bendeximo
Unit Size: 6+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website:
Other:
FRR loyalists
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [-RH-] Royal Harriers
Timezone: EU (GMT+3)
Contacts: EldenLance, PaulFlip
Unit Size: 6+
Contract Length: Permanent
Website:
Other:
Friends only unit.
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Unit Name: [BoS] Brotherhood of Steel
Timezone: EU usually 20.00 - 23.00 o'clock GMT
Contacts: Zongoose, Markbrandhauber
Unit Size: 19
Contract Length: 28 days
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [FRIR] Free Rasalhague Irregular Militia
Timezone: NA EST, all times imaginable.
Contacts: Sandersson Jankins
Unit Size: 8-12
Contract Length: Permanent
Website: N/A voice comms is TS3; frisianfaggots.typefrag.com
Other:
Competent unit of relative newcomers, with a couple lovers of battletech lore. Mostly a group of friends that have known and fought together in other games, but don't worry we welcome new faces. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere in TS with coordination interspersed with banter or regular chat.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [HWC] Haven Wolves Company
Timezone: GMT +2
Contacts: Onigami (Signals), Furball42 (CO), ShadowedR (XO)
Unit Size: 6 and working on recruitment in local area
Contract Length: Permanent (Loyalist)
Other:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thorsdays and some Saturdays - active mostly at 16:00 - 12:00 GMT. We are casual but not afraid to get our hands dirty in some nefarious way if necessary.
____________________________________________________
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Timezone: USA EST
Contacts: Fabricator Generals: Soulstrom, McGruberr
Unit Size: 10+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: monitor.enjin.com
Other:
We are the Monitors. We believe in balance, no faction can become too powerful. We help factions in need. Although our specialty is defense, we excel in offense as well. We are not mercenaries, we are not pirates, we signed with no faction, but fight for the betterment of all. "There is no Peace; only Balance."
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [331] 331st R.B.M.D Minneosta Tribe
Timezone: EU
Contacts: ClaymoreRelliK, Ivanskij, Rushin Roulette, Grauluchs
Unit Size: 45+
Contract Length: 28 days
Website: www.minnesotatribe.eu
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Hwat!
Herein you will find the list of all currently FRR aligned units. This includes House units and Merc Units. The Official Government of the FRR, the Riksdag, encourages all units fighting for the FRR to register here. It will allow the FRR to better coordinate our efforts and get an idea of our strength.
FRR UNIT REGISTRATION
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: [ISEN] Isengrim
Timezone: NA & AUS
Contacts: Mech The Dane(NA), Kamikaze Viking (AUS), Isabelle, Grim De Grim, Tarogato
Unit Size: 30
Contract Length: Permanent
Website: www.waesir.com/hall
Other:
Competitive unit.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: 1st Hussars
Timezone: NA(EST) & EU(CET)
Contacts: Pestolents (XO), Gevurah (Lt.Com), & Pando Box (CO)
Unit Size: ~90
Contract Length: Permanent
Website: http://1sthussars.enjin.com
Other:
Typically play 7pm-2am in each timezone, most active Wednesday - Sunday.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: ASE MERCENARY CORPORATION [ASE]
Timezone: EU
Contacts: Jasmu (CO), Troopie
Unit Size: 125
Contract Length: Two weeks
Website:
Other:
Finland/EU based unit.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: 5th Drakøns
Timezone: NA (EST)
Contacts: Vhetra, Veralas, KVLTCLUTCH, Do I Care, SBDNinja
Unit Size: 30+
Contract Length: Permanent
Website: reddit.com/r/Yggdrasill
Other: We label ourselves as Competent, not Competitive. We don't get tryhard about the game, but we do take things seriously when it comes to 12 mans, or especially now with CW out. We have a ts, a steam group, and made a Subreddit. Contact one of us if you wish to apply.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: 1st Blue Vengeance Naglfar's Journey
Timezone: EU (GMT+1), German Unit
Contacts: Toshiro Moto, Klappstapten
Unit Size: 30+
Contract Length: 28 days, likely to go permanent
Website: www.blue-vengeance.de
Other: We are somewhere between casual and competitive. We have regular 12 man training drops and try to keep our edge, but we don't take ourselves too serious, or better, we don't take ourselves serious at all. ^^
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: 325th Marine Speditionstyrka [325]
Timezone: GMT+1 (Madrid- Europe)
Contacts: Hug Kesse (CO), Neofito3000 (XO)
Unit Size: 8 (company)
Contract Length: Permanent, Loyalist unit
Website:
Other: Monday - Friday 19:00 - 21:00 we do 4-6 mech drop
Saturday - Sunday all day, variable mech drops.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: [SoR] The Skjaldborg
Timezone: NA &EU
Contacts: Damon Howe, StalaggtIKE
Unit Size: 50-80
Contract Length: Varying - Never against FRR
Website: http://www.theskjaldborg.com/index.php
Other:
We hold practices on various evenings, including Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (NA). Those are the best times to find us en mass, but we play at peak NA hours throughout the week. We also have EU activity during their prime times.
________________________________________________________
Unit Name: 1st Rasalhague Dragonregimente
Timezone: NA
Contacts: Malzel(CO), Brandaron (XO)
Unit Size: 50+ Active
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: 1strdr.enjin.com
Other:
Official practice nights are Tuesday and Friday, although we've got folks on nearly all the time. We play on the FRR Hub TS server and are always looking for a few good pilots, especially for our competitive squad, Sons of Muspell.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [VRGD] Varangian Guard
Timezone: UTC+3
Contacts: FightFox
Unit Size: 54
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: http://vanguard.ru/ Russian
Other:
Teamspeak: ts.vanguard.ru
Prime time: 16-20 UTC
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [-SO-]Sons of Odin
Timezone: NA
Contacts: Theaus
Unit Size: Lance
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website:
Other:
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: (OMC) Oceanic Mercenary Corporation
Timezone: Australia/Asia
Contacts: live1991, themoob
Unit Size: 20-30
Contract Length: TBA
Website: www.omcmwo.com
Other:
We're not really that dedicated to FRR, we just want a good fight against the Clans and Kurita.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: Oden Battlemech Regiment (Oden)
Timezone: UTC+1 (CET)
Contacts: Carle Wrede
Unit Size: 10
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website:
Other:
Unit is based on RL friends in Sweden and as such is a Swedish speaking Unit.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: Brotherhood of RANDleSt [BoR]
Timezone: All
Contacts: Brother MEX
Unit Size: 40+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: http://www.clans.de/...rhood-of-randis
Other:
We label ourselves as casual, not competitive. We don't get tryhard about the game, and accept EVERYONE as any member fielding the [BoR] tag is allowed to invite recurits into our unit, especially now with CW out.
Contact me on Comstar EU ( eu1.mech-connect.net no password) in the Austra Channel if you need more informatiin!
Servus, MEX
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: Old Dragon Battle Group (OLD)
Timezone: US, Australian and Norway
Contacts: Jonathan Paine, Divine Retribution
Unit Size: 39
Contract Length: 28 Days - Expires in February
Website: http://www.2old2play...enre/mech-forum
Other:
We are a casual merc corp that is liekly to remain contracted to the FRR for the forseeable future. Mostly fighting along the FRR/GB border. We are open to players of all skill and experience levels over the age of 25 (most everyone in MWO). Most active from ~2000hrs EST to 0300hrs EST. Though casual we've earned our keep thus far by winning more CW battles than we've lost.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: SchatteNBrigade (SNB)
Timezone: UTC+1 Germany
Contacts: Nachtigall, Taxi Hayate, OXVII
Unit Size: 30+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: http://www.schattenbrigade.enjin.com/
Other:
Teamspeak: schattenbrigade.enjinvoice.com
Prime Time: 18 - 22h
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: Reaper's Wraith (TPI)
Timezone: UTC+8 Australia
Contacts: Starwolf1991, Bendeximo
Unit Size: 6+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website:
Other:
FRR loyalists
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [-RH-] Royal Harriers
Timezone: EU (GMT+3)
Contacts: EldenLance, PaulFlip
Unit Size: 6+
Contract Length: Permanent
Website:
Other:
Friends only unit.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [BoS] Brotherhood of Steel
Timezone: EU usually 20.00 - 23.00 o'clock GMT
Contacts: Zongoose, Markbrandhauber
Unit Size: 19
Contract Length: 28 days
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [FRIR] Free Rasalhague Irregular Militia
Timezone: NA EST, all times imaginable.
Contacts: Sandersson Jankins
Unit Size: 8-12
Contract Length: Permanent
Website: N/A voice comms is TS3; frisianfaggots.typefrag.com
Other:
Competent unit of relative newcomers, with a couple lovers of battletech lore. Mostly a group of friends that have known and fought together in other games, but don't worry we welcome new faces. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere in TS with coordination interspersed with banter or regular chat.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [HWC] Haven Wolves Company
Timezone: GMT +2
Contacts: Onigami (Signals), Furball42 (CO), ShadowedR (XO)
Unit Size: 6 and working on recruitment in local area
Contract Length: Permanent (Loyalist)
Other:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thorsdays and some Saturdays - active mostly at 16:00 - 12:00 GMT. We are casual but not afraid to get our hands dirty in some nefarious way if necessary.
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [-M-] Monitors
Timezone: USA EST
Contacts: Fabricator Generals: Soulstrom, McGruberr
Unit Size: 10+
Contract Length: 28 Days
Website: monitor.enjin.com
Other:
We are the Monitors. We believe in balance, no faction can become too powerful. We help factions in need. Although our specialty is defense, we excel in offense as well. We are not mercenaries, we are not pirates, we signed with no faction, but fight for the betterment of all. "There is no Peace; only Balance."
____________________________________________________
Unit Name: [331] 331st R.B.M.D Minneosta Tribe
Timezone: EU
Contacts: ClaymoreRelliK, Ivanskij, Rushin Roulette, Grauluchs
Unit Size: 45+
Contract Length: 28 days
Website: www.minnesotatribe.eu
Other:
Competitive anti-clan unit. We will probably be residing in Rasalhague until the map gets reset.
Edited by Tarogato, 25 December 2015 - 01:31 PM.
#11
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- Elite Founder
- 4,397 posts
Member
Posted 05 May 2015 - 11:03 PM
Since very early on the Cicada has been a no go, haven't seen a build I liked, feel like you sacrifice way too much for speed.
Now I own an IFR. The IFR Prime is the Bonus Cbill variant and the one with the worst quirks.
However I love my IFR and I now wish I would have played Cicadas ages ago.
Now I own an IFR. The IFR Prime is the Bonus Cbill variant and the one with the worst quirks.
However I love my IFR and I now wish I would have played Cicadas ages ago.
#13
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-
- Philanthropist
- 1,476 posts
Member
Posted 06 May 2015 - 04:22 AM
I run the classic 2A with a 340XL and 6xML. Strip the arms of armor to get an extra DHS in there.
I tried lots of different builds in the 2B, but eventually settled on 5xMPL with a 330XL to chase the quirks. 4xSPL and 1xLPL (I think it used a 300XL) was also pretty good.
Waaay back in the day I ran my 3C with 2xAC/2 and about a 275XL, but that was before the BJ-1 and when MG's really sucked. These days I go for 4xMG and ERPPC. The quirks let you fire the PPC non-stop for 15-20 shots before heat is a problem.
I swap between two builds on the 3M. One is the XL295 with UAC/5 and 4xML. Stick with the fatties and take pot shots where you can. The other runs 2xML and 2xLL with an XL300. Both run ECM of course.
The X-5 is my most played mech ever. 4xML and 2xSRM2 with XL 340 is great. The missile quirks let them fire really quickly. Sometimes I slow it down (XL300) for 2xSRM6s. The thing to remember there is that you have only 2 tubes each so they will fire in volleys. The upside is that they are really accurate once you get used to it. My hope is that the geometry pass will give them dynamic tubes. If that happens, X-5 will be a beast.
I tried lots of different builds in the 2B, but eventually settled on 5xMPL with a 330XL to chase the quirks. 4xSPL and 1xLPL (I think it used a 300XL) was also pretty good.
Waaay back in the day I ran my 3C with 2xAC/2 and about a 275XL, but that was before the BJ-1 and when MG's really sucked. These days I go for 4xMG and ERPPC. The quirks let you fire the PPC non-stop for 15-20 shots before heat is a problem.
I swap between two builds on the 3M. One is the XL295 with UAC/5 and 4xML. Stick with the fatties and take pot shots where you can. The other runs 2xML and 2xLL with an XL300. Both run ECM of course.
The X-5 is my most played mech ever. 4xML and 2xSRM2 with XL 340 is great. The missile quirks let them fire really quickly. Sometimes I slow it down (XL300) for 2xSRM6s. The thing to remember there is that you have only 2 tubes each so they will fire in volleys. The upside is that they are really accurate once you get used to it. My hope is that the geometry pass will give them dynamic tubes. If that happens, X-5 will be a beast.
#14
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- Heavy Lifter
- 576 posts
Member
Posted 06 May 2015 - 05:39 AM
The 2B with 5mpls is my favourite and probably the best offensive CDA. Runs very cool, shoots very fast and has decent range on the mpls thanks to its quirks. The 2A with 6mls I found kinda blah and just a 40t version of the JR7-F really.
The 3M is a decent ECM supporter, but does seem to be somewhat "outdated" due to the plethora of newer ECM mechs out there now that bring more to the table than just ECM with a bit pew pew on the side.
The 3M is a decent ECM supporter, but does seem to be somewhat "outdated" due to the plethora of newer ECM mechs out there now that bring more to the table than just ECM with a bit pew pew on the side.
#15
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- Bridesmaid
- 361 posts
Member
Posted 06 May 2015 - 05:52 AM
I <3 Cicadas. No builds since Smurfy isn't working for me right now for some reason.
My 2A is, IIRC, a 320XL, or maybe 300, can't recall off hand. But then 6 MLs. I only played it once since quirks, and somehow got a 500 damage, but 0 kill game. But I expect it will continue to be good for me when I use it.
My 2B - I -think- is a 330XL (MIGHT be a 320, or 300), and runs 5 MPLs. This is my Happy Place mech, the one I can drop in and almost certainly have a stellar match. Though I need to be careful or I mess up my ELO and suck in any other non-Cicada mediums.
2C - ERPPC, 4 MGs. Just... not much. the one variant I don't do well.
3M - 2 ERLLs, 2 MLs. ECM, and the biggest engine leftover after max armor. My other 'Ace' mech. I may not get kills in it, since I suck at holding Lasers on target, but I WILL get high damage and points.
X5 - This one I'm forgetting how I built at the moment, think it was pretty similar to the 3m though, just sans ECM, obviously.
Other than the C, I'll do good. Almsot every single time. Easily my favorite mech in the game.
It's got the speed and firepower of a Jenner, no JJs to be fair, BUT... It also has more armor, great hardpoint locations, and people tend to ignore them if they're not using ECM. Great mechs.
My 2A is, IIRC, a 320XL, or maybe 300, can't recall off hand. But then 6 MLs. I only played it once since quirks, and somehow got a 500 damage, but 0 kill game. But I expect it will continue to be good for me when I use it.
My 2B - I -think- is a 330XL (MIGHT be a 320, or 300), and runs 5 MPLs. This is my Happy Place mech, the one I can drop in and almost certainly have a stellar match. Though I need to be careful or I mess up my ELO and suck in any other non-Cicada mediums.
2C - ERPPC, 4 MGs. Just... not much. the one variant I don't do well.
3M - 2 ERLLs, 2 MLs. ECM, and the biggest engine leftover after max armor. My other 'Ace' mech. I may not get kills in it, since I suck at holding Lasers on target, but I WILL get high damage and points.
X5 - This one I'm forgetting how I built at the moment, think it was pretty similar to the 3m though, just sans ECM, obviously.
Other than the C, I'll do good. Almsot every single time. Easily my favorite mech in the game.
It's got the speed and firepower of a Jenner, no JJs to be fair, BUT... It also has more armor, great hardpoint locations, and people tend to ignore them if they're not using ECM. Great mechs.
#17
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- Ace Of Spades
- 26,888 posts
Member
- LocationThe Keeper of Memes
Posted 06 May 2015 - 06:08 AM
The Cicada's issue in a nutshell is that it's a light trapped in a medium's body.
#18
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- Ace Of Spades
- 3,806 posts
Member
- LocationStuck on a piece of Commando in my Ice Ferret
Posted 06 May 2015 - 06:25 AM
2 PPCs is still a great striker/ flanker/ sniper/ harraser, back up small lasers or a ERPPC w/ PPC, that way you can still do damage up close. I think I use an XL295 or XL300 in mine.
#19
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- The Money Maker
- 583 posts
Member
- Locationchewing his lower lip
Posted 06 May 2015 - 06:28 AM
I hope the CDA-3F comes out in the next Gift Store release. I want mah jumping Cicada. Stock will probably look something like this (substitute JJ in place of ammo):
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a65ee3eae83419e
Guessing it would have 4E hardpoints total, which is fine for using large lasers.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a65ee3eae83419e
Guessing it would have 4E hardpoints total, which is fine for using large lasers.
#20
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- Survivor
- 1,236 posts
Member
- LocationConnecticut, USA
Posted 06 May 2015 - 06:40 AM
FupDup, on 06 May 2015 - 06:08 AM, said:
The Cicada's issue in a nutshell is that it's a light trapped in a medium's body.
That, and coupled with its light mech speeds, people think they can play it like a Jenner or Firestarter, but it is much too big and easy to hit for that.
Cicada's have one of the most unique playstyles in this game, imo. It's more of a guerilla mech. You want to keep about 300 meters away from the bad guy to try to keep your profile down while using your speed to hit them where you are not expected to be. If you dogfight in it like a Jenner, you will die horribly.
It's not a Tier 1 mech, by any means, but it is by far my favorite. My best matches ever have been in an X-5, of all things.
(also, most of the builds in this thread make Baby Mechjesus cry, but Dulahan is spot on with his)
DONTOR, on 06 May 2015 - 06:25 AM, said:
2 PPCs is still a great striker/ flanker/ sniper/ harraser, back up small lasers or a ERPPC w/ PPC, that way you can still do damage up close. I think I use an XL295 or XL300 in mine.
Placed top 10 in Cicadas twice using dual peep, but when they bumped PPCs to 10 heat and ERPPCs to 15, that basically killed the build for me. It would always red-line, even with the lower heat, so the heat increase was too much.
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