38 replies to this topic

[Y E O N N E]

As somebody who runs all of them, has the most play-time in them out of all 'Mechs owned, and has also gotten his Ace of Spades in them, the must-buys are:
LCT-1E
LCT-PB

The last required one is a toss-up between:
LCT-3M
LCT-1M

It's a toss-up because, if the only reason you want to buy a 3M is to run 5xML on it, then you are wasting C-bills. If you buy it to run 2xAMS, then it's worth it. I choose the SPL on it because it's a different flavor than ML; if I want ML I will just run the 1E or PB. The LCT-1M performs similarly to the SPL-equipped 3M at knife-fighting range with a minor hit in overall DPS but is far more flexible in choice of engagement range with MedLas that can hit out to 432 meters with the module. SRM2 allow rapid iteration of shots with an inherently tight spread, making it decently effective against other Lights as well.

LCT-3S is a mini-Huginn, and the V-variants are just MG hard-mode (unless you are a square and run with a single ERLL). They are all entertaining, but the best are the four above.

Edited by Yeonne Greene, 29 July 2015 - 06:46 PM.

[Tiger Dad]

I am a horrible Locust pilot. But I love playing with the speed and low profile. Things that annoy me most about them (and it's probably more my playstyle than the chassis) is that I get overheated A LOT. I tend to poke, shoot, poke, shoot and then I gotta run cause I can't any more cause I am hot and would shut down in next shot. And being shut down in a Locust facing enemy mechs (even weakened ones) is a death sentence. But running away in my little mech is hard too. Your "teammates" seem to want to huddle around you and use you as a meat shield (even if you are 20 tons) and getting out causes a lot of damage due to collisions now. So I need to adjust. And even if you get out, seismic modules tell enemies where you are, so don't try to hide in spots near the enemy cause they are waiting to alpha you in the face! #SpeedIsLife #KeepMoving #20sHaveNoArmor

[TheCharlatan]

My favorite is the Pirates Bane.
It's just awesome.
Following that is the 1E, mean little machine. Gets blown up pretty often though.
The third one is harder to choose.
I went with the 1V. OK if you have modules, pretty crappy without (DPS is sooooooooo low).
I know this is not very informative, but the title calls for locust pilots, and i am proud to be one, so i could not resist.

[Vandul]

DAYLEET, on 29 July 2015 - 02:33 PM, said:

Just so you know, the mg hardpoints are terrible, they blind you in normal vision, heatvision and night vision, makes chasing and aiming at the same time hard.

The canopy glass of all locust feels like it's been compressed not cut smaller so it makes super dirty and foggy on some map and become such an hindrance that i removed it even tohugh i liked it on my other mech.

Those are 2 problem with the LCT that have been identified and asked to be fixed for ever so don't ever hope for them to be fixed.



I don't know what you would do with 1 ams much less 2. I don't even equip radar depriv on my light anymore and i would strongly recomend shock absorbance on LCT.

[Dino Might]

Locusts in order of my preference:

1E
3M
1V
PB
3V
3S
1M

The 1E can do medium or small pulse lasers - both builds are phenomenal
The 3M used to be the king of small pulse - it's still decent
The 1V is something to have fun sniping with - run with 1 ERLL "like a square" and pretend you're trying to bore a hole through a Death Star blast door with a light saber. It will take a while. Also, you can still overheat it running 13 DHS with that ERLL. That's impressive.
The PB is good, but doesn't stand out in any way for me. I don't like the lack of arm mounted lasers. 1.5 tons for ECM breaks most of my powerhouse builds, so I just don't run it as much because I like playing murderbot rather than support.
The 3V is fun for one reason - 140+m range flamers. I don't like it otherwise.
The 3S is okay when you want to SRM bomb one or two mechs. It can't hold the ammo to do any more. I don't prefer it.
The 1M is my least favorite. Fun if you want to play LRM dingy, but totally ineffective. Use it or the 3V when you just want some laughs.

ETA: oh yeah, for ALL of these mechs, even the 1M, you get something better than any other mech chassis, because it's a Locust - GTGFST (screw you commandos with your overengined stick-people designs - you don't count).

Edited by Dino Might, 30 July 2015 - 08:25 AM.

[topgun505]

PB allows you to easily get in behind the lines and chew through back armor. But it will take you several salvos to burn through it.

The 1E, however, will make short work of anything if you get behind someone but is a bit more difficult to get in position without being detected. They can also fight on inclines better than the PB.

But those would be the two I would focus on.

[TercieI]

Dino Might, on 30 July 2015 - 08:22 AM, said:

The PB is good, but doesn't stand out in any way for me. I don't like the lack of arm mounted lasers. 1.5 tons for ECM breaks

QFT. If there's such a thing as an "overrated Locust" it's the PB. Simply doesn't compare to the 1E.

[Spheroid]

1E > PB > 3M > 1M > 1S > 1V > 3V

[Lorian Sunrider]

Thanks for all the input guys

[DONTOR]

Lorian Sunrider, on 29 July 2015 - 01:42 PM, said:

But now, I feel the need for speed.

Then buy a Commando, they go faster!

[Dino Might]

DONTOR, on 30 July 2015 - 08:47 AM, said:

Then buy a Commando, they go faster!

Burn the (technically correct) heretic!

[Y E O N N E]

Dino Might, on 30 July 2015 - 08:22 AM, said:

The 1V is something to have fun sniping with - run with 1 ERLL "like a square" and pretend you're trying to bore a hole through a Death Star blast door with a light saber. It will take a while. Also, you can still overheat it running 13 DHS with that ERLL. That's impressive.

Neener, neener, neener, what a square!

[Durant Carlyle]

The Locust has been one of my favorite 'Mechs since I first read Decision at Thunder RIft, the first BattleTech novel. I have eight Locusts, all variants plus an extra 3M.

I like them all -- even the missile-bound ones. The different variants require adjustments to play style and give good variety so you're not just doing the same thing over and over again. I have fun when I drive my Locusts.

[Dino Might]

As I sit atop 1.25M mech XP on the 1E, I wonder how many cbills I'd have now if they'd made that one the special (P) variant...

[DAYLEET]

Terciel1976, on 30 July 2015 - 08:40 AM, said:

QFT. If there's such a thing as an "overrated Locust" it's the PB. Simply doesn't compare to the 1E.

You don't have to be the bane of pirates, a peoples champion, a Hero, you can be a lowly River Thug-1E. EH! RIVER THUG!

[ilKhan_OrHan]

If you are going to spend real money on a light mech, forget Pirate's Bane, get the Tier 1 Wave III Clan pack a.k.a. Arctic Cheetah. I one-shot Lolcusts in mine.

You are in a clan anyways, you could use it for CW.

Arctic Cheetah IS the light meta from this point out.

[Fiona Marshe]

Get the 1V to play in stock matches.

In stock, the little ******* is mean, vindictive and rips apart damaged assaults in an attack run.

[Dino Might]

ilKhan_OrHan, on 30 July 2015 - 02:58 PM, said:

If you are going to spend real money on a light mech, forget Pirate's Bane, get the Tier 1 Wave III Clan pack a.k.a. Arctic Cheetah. I one-shot Lolcusts in mine.

You are in a clan anyways, you could use it for CW.

Arctic Cheetah IS the light meta from this point out.

Locust is not played for the ease of use. It's chosen because it is flat out fun. If I wanted to club baby seals, I'd join this guy:

[Y E O N N E]

ilKhan_OrHan, on 30 July 2015 - 02:58 PM, said:

If you are going to spend real money on a light mech, forget Pirate's Bane, get the Tier 1 Wave III Clan pack a.k.a. Arctic Cheetah. I one-shot Lolcusts in mine.

You are in a clan anyways, you could use it for CW.

Arctic Cheetah IS the light meta from this point out.