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[sycocys]

Alright, this suggestion is a two parter that works together. I'll start with the mirrored hardpoints because that should be the easiest to implement. I really think something like this should be done before steam launch to really fill out the mechbay options.

Mirrored Hardpoints -
on at least older chassis, but for some of the newer ones as well - just do the older ones first please they really need some new flavor.

Mechs like the Centurions, Hunchbacks and Dragons that have somewhat limited variant options, are very restricted by most of their variants having all their hardpoints on one side of the mech. There's a couple new ones that do this as well, which is equally troubling for playing as that mech because 100% of incoming fire is looking to disable the location your entire weapon system is on.

This could be mitigated somewhat by having mirror versions of these mechs, just switch the hardpoints and models to the opposite side. Add an "M" or something to the variant name, I know its not cannon - but really this game has strayed a good ways from canon at this point anyhow.

What this does as far as game play is give players the option of choosing a mech that matches the attack approach they prefer while offering up a little bit of variation defensively since these mechs will now have variants with locations on the opposite side for opponents to consider.

That's the easy one, I think a bunch of us were asking for this a while back but I'd really like to revisit this especially before steam release to open the door to a lot of variation on the field.

Old Mechs new variants -

Now I'm not looking to make overpowered versions of these older mechs, just some more options to have fun with. I prefer Hunchbacks myself, but a lot of the older mechs seem to have just been left at the wayside and need some new variants canon or not.

Couple suggestions:
Hunchbacks -
Similar to the 4sp - replace the missile launchers with 2 energy hardpoints, and drop the arms to 1 energy each.
Similar to the 4g - just add another ac mount on the other shoulder, with only 1 energy on each arm and 1 on the head.
more similar to the blackjack - but there should imo be a machine gunner variant with 6-8 MG slots and 2-3 energy hardpoints (arms/head)

Centurions -
Ballistic slots on both arms for dual ac action
A torso missile only variant with two shield arms
I'd like a MG troll variant as well because I find them truly fun in the highly mobile mediums

Dragons -
The same things as the other two (maybe minus the MG variants, but plus something with some serious flamer quirks because it is a dragon after all)

Even the Commandos need some new variations put into place, I realize that a lot of people have left these guys by the wayside in the new alpha wars, but they are still one of the most effective light brawlers in the game because of their maneuverability but they have horrible hard point choices.
If there were a 1-2 energy 3-4 ballistic (MG) variant, and a 6 energy variant with small laser quirks these guys could once again compete against the firestarters and much faster lights.

The speedy brawlers of old definitely need some fresh variants built even if they aren't in sarna or canon in any way, they've been neglected for a long time. Some of the newer mechs have 6-7 variants without counting champion versions, even something as simple as mirrored version do add flavor to these old mechs because players can take new approaches around the same maps we've had forever.