Alan Davion, on 27 July 2015 - 07:43 PM, said:
Yeah I actually commented on that already.
Maybe though, if you grouped up the Stinger, Phoenix Hawk, Crusader and Longbow, called that group two, we could then put the Marauder II in as the "Loyalty" mech like the Mad Dog was for Clan 1 and 2.
Actually scratch that... The Marauder II should be the top tier group 1 pack, and the Longbow be the top tier group 2 pack, and the Warhammer should be the "Loyalty" bonus mech.
Try your hand at this and see what you can come up with?
Honestly, I think you're pushing a bit too hard to try to get the Marauder II into the theoretical package in question. As much as I wouldn't care one way or another (assaults are not my thing), it's a far stretch to add it. Here's my logic, take it or leave it:
1. The Marauder II only has 2 viable variants to offer at this current time, and it'd be really difficult to fudge other variants that have something new and unique to offer (people already complain that many variants are too similar). Seriously, go back and look at all the different variants of chassis throughout the unseen mechs . . . there are so many that are just weapon swaps of the same hardpoints, or actually shaving off hardpoints to do things like add heat sinks, that it's difficult to get unique mechs in there.
2. Also, coming up with something that's more unique (let alone two of them for the Marauder II) that doesn't ruin the flavor of the chassis would be difficult. Just look at the wonderful reception of the PGI designed Resistance variants (hint: overall, they weren't looked upon all that kindly). At least the Origins IIC PGI variants do derive from variants that exist, but are too far ahead of the timeline (Hunchback IIC is a perfect example of this).
3. We've already got 2 IS 100 ton mechs with several potentials already out there that aren't integrated yet, either (Annihilator, Imp, etc.). While I wouldn't complain about the Marauder II, it's a pretty far stretch to add with the tonnage distributions and number of Assault chassis to add . . . that'd also have more to offer in uniqueness.
4. Cosmetically, it looks so close to the original Marauder it'd be a bit of a long stretch to add it at this point in time. I know there's people who want it, but that's still pushing it . . . even with Alex's concept art magic. Further still, in relation to this, if people want the Marauder IIC added to the game, then that'll be another mech (which it's an assault, too), that'll have very similar appearance, same flavor, and pretty much the same functionality.
Alan Davion, on 27 July 2015 - 08:13 PM, said:
Well there's no other hundred ton mech among the Macross derived Unseen, so it kind of needs to be part of the overall package, if we actually do ever get these mechs.
Not true, as long as people are willing to accept a different package structure then what we've been typically been getting. Given the amount of support in this thread for the package concept, I don't think that's an issue.
On the other hand, one really difficult facet (which is why I had opted for the package design that I did) is that we don't have even numbers of weight classes in even a remote sense, and we are extremely overloaded with heavies.
So you end up with 3 lights, 1 medium, 5 heavies, and 1 assault if you look at it from that perspective. IF people really wanted to add the OST series to the mix, then you're looking at 7 heavies and 4 lights. Now THAT is just not happening for any package.
As another thought, if they decided to add these mechs, and just filter them into other packages . . . that opens up a whole other can of worms.
Also, they could turn around and have the community vote on the mechs that'd be introduced with a "typical" 4 mech package, which would pretty much guarantee the Phoenix Hawk and Longbow as shoe-ins, and then leave a bloodbath for the other two slots. Afterwards they could probably take the runners-up and have those voted on for a two mech reinforcement pack, not unlike the original Phoenix package.