27 replies to this topic

[Narcissistic Martyr]

Of those, the crab is probaly the most durable and most meta choice.

The Enforcer is fun and quite good.

Vindicator is bad because PPCs are bad/

Cicada suffers from being really big compared to the 35 ton light mechs whioch do the same role.

[MeiSooHaityu]

I'll need more time behind the controls of a Cicada, but I think...

Cicada > Crab.

Hard points seem a bit higher on the Cicada. The Cicada's front profile (torso wise) is about the same size.

Cicada is weaker armor wise at 40 tons, but offsets it with speed. That 2A with 6 MLasers, ok cooling, and 130+ kph is nice. Other downside of the Cicada is it's longer legs, but rarely have I been legged.

Maybe the 2B Cicada (MPLaser build) is better handled by the Crab due to the weapon's shorter range and the Crab's better durability, but for an intermediate range poker/sniper, I prefer the Cicada I think.

Plus the Cicada has an ECM variant which is always nice.

Edited by MeiSooHaityu, 22 January 2016 - 10:47 AM.

[Thunder Lips Express]

Out of the four options you gave I prefer the cicada. Admittedly I haven't played my crab yet. I don't have a particular reason I prefer the cicada other then I think it looks great. I suck with mediums other then the stormcrow and centurion. Are you sure they are odd the table?

[mr Zonke]

Enforcer 4R, (5mlas and 1 ac10 with 2t ammo) is easily my favourite mech in the game. If you reaally want to win, go with 3 llas and 2 mlas instead but it's more fun with the ac10.

What makes the Enforcer awesome is it's ability to spread damage and relatively slim silhouette as well as it's very respectable firepower.
It's kinda slow though so good situational awareness is key.

It's great as kind of a support brawler, stick with the heavys/assaults, use your manoeuvrability and JJ's to augment what they do.
Poke when they poke, flank when they push, "secure" their kills, keep the lights off them, ?, profit.

I love that mech, cicadas and blackjacks are good and fun too. Shadow hawks are lots of fun.

But the enforcer is perfect!

[sycocys]

Well Vinidactors kind of suck, so I'd start there.

[Monkey Lover]

Don't do the bj they're going to nerf again here soon.

[Bishop Steiner]

Lord Perversor, on 22 January 2016 - 08:28 AM, said:

Well i just run out of Mechs to master on my Hangar so just aiming to master a new med.

Right now i'm considering:

Crab : seems boring most of config are high energy and little else
Enforcer: Ballistic with energy
Vindicator: Energy with some option for ballistic
Cicada: Zoom and boom tactics !

So for first time i'm hoping for the community to convince me on wich chassis to master!

Share your opinion!

if you like Go Fast, Cicada.
If you like versatile brawly trooper, Enforcer.
If you need to take a nap? Crab. Most snooze worthy boring vanilla build options of anythign but a Wolfhound
Wish I could recommend VND, but even as a fan I must admit it's kinda bad.

[Dulahan]

Hi, my name is Dulahan and I'm a member of the Cicada Cult.

So I think you know my answer.

With the 3F likely going Cbills soon enough (Presuming you don't have one already!) you can get 3 very different and fun playstyles in just 3 (Admittedly, I have all of them, because I love the chassis).

The 2A (340XL, 6 MLs) or 2B (5 MPLs) are great speedy skirmishers. Like a Jenner, but... not. Seriously, people will say it's just a bigger Jenner. Well, let me add this. So? I'm a Cicada fanatic. Yet somehow in the same 6 ML build in a Cicada I can consistently outscore what I do in a Jenner. Wanna know why? Well, I do too. Though it's likely a threat assessment thing. People are terrified of JEnners, and they ignore Cicadas. Probably a bit of not knowing the best way to deal with them either. I notice most people go for their legs, but... Cicada legs at max armor are generally moer durable than the torsos!

Either way, yeah, it may seem like a Jenner, but there's gotta be something that makes it work so much better for me on a consistent basis!

The 3M? It has the Magic Jesus Box. that's one wonderful little boon all its own. Builds aside, it's good, and super CW friendly. Seriously, I'm... honestly rather close to buying another one just for those CW weekends.

Finally, the 3F: Jumpjets. Combined with the speed even a 300XL engine gives you? You've got hands down one of the most maneuverable mechs in the entire game. And it will have a decent amount of firepower on top of that.

the X5 Hero is great too, if you want it. It's got wonderful quirks, especially beam range. Heck, it can even missile a bit. I don't do that though. It's basically a cooler running 3M for me, since it just doesn't have ECM but I build it the same. That said, the torso hardpoints are higher mounted, so it's a good ridge humper too, a couple ERLLs or ERPPCs work pretty spiffy.

The 2C is the only one I don't really suggest. Sadly. It's just too light a mech for Ballistics to work well, and only one Energy leaves it almost defenseless if it has enough ballistics to be worth it. But still have one just because!

Now, if not the wonderful lovely mech that is the Cicada? Then Crabs. Hell, if you're a Cicada Pilot, the Crab should treat you well as well! Admittedly, less variety, but two variants are amazing.

Why, you now ask? It's essentially a slightly slower Cicada with heavier defenses and more firepower, and fully articulated arms (which is useful in its own way). Many will advocate for Zombie Meching them, I disagree. They're still small, and all variants can easily top 100kph, some 110, and the CRB-20 can hit 121.9kph!

The two "keepers" as it were, for a good Cicada lover?

the CRB-20 - 350XL, 2 LL, 3 ML. This bad boy can go 121.9 KPH. that's FAST when you consider how much firepower that is! Seriously fast. Keep in mind the majority of stuff just as fast? Doesn't have the Alpha strike you do.

The CRB-27SL - It has Jumpjets. What you do from there is up to you, but it does LPLs really well. 3 LPLs is one. 2 LPL, 3 ML another. 2LPL, 3MPL still another (40 point nearly pinpoint Alpha!). - Actually, levelling this sucker? I could see dropping a MPL and adding TAG being super useful too. I never thought of that, now kinda wish I had! Still a 34 point alpha, will run slightly cooler, and sweet, sweet TAG assist XP and money to help the team. Especially coupled with its maneuverability.

Beyond those, just go with whatever third variant you think is best. There's no wrong answer, probably decide which one has the quirks you want to build around and go from there.