Alex did yet another beautiful job on the Cyclops. Mech porn, through and through and love love love the head on that beast.
And it's nice to see that they are adding a specialized piece of equipment ot it. the Tacticon 2000 BattleComp.
Q: What is the "Tacticon B-2000 Battle Computer" mentioned on the Cyclops page?
The Tacticon B-2000 Battle Computer is a modified version of the standard Sensor suite found in the Head component of most 'Mechs. As with the Life Support system and the Cockpit, the standard Sensor suite is a piece of Fixed Equipment; it takes up 0 usable slots and weighs 0 tonnes.
The Sensor suite is what allows your 'Mech to use its standard targeting abilities.
The B-2000 Battle Computer is a special version of this standard Sensor suite, and is currently exclusive to the Cyclops chassis. It replaces the standard Sensor suite, takes up 0 usable slots, and weighs 0 tonnes.
The B-2000 Battle Computer provides the following benefits, on top of the standard abilities of the basic Sensor suite:
• Boosts the standard Sensor Range of the Cyclops 'Mech.
• Boosts the standard Sensor Range of any ally 'Mechs within radius of the Cyclops.
This sounds good, though the range is as yet undetermined. That's understandable because it because it will need in house testing, and let's face it, neither the Cyclops nor the BattleComp even exist in house, yet. So whatever base range they are thinking will undoubtedly change for better or worse with testing.
All to the GOOD.
But.... will it matter, regardless
The average drop sees 3+ ECM mechs per side, at least in my Tier. So unless the Tacticon 2000 provides some resistance to, or ECM Busting capability..... that extra range will just be countered the majority of most matches, anyhow.
SO, I posed this question to Russ, not expecting an immediate reply, but as food for thought.
Let's be objective. It has a prominent CT, and exposed STs the arms will do little or nothing to block. So it is not going to have great hitboxes.
Some, like the Sleipner have interesting hardpoint mixes.... but the mounts if following the art and traditional placement will be waist height, mostly. So your mech will see a LOT of exposure, and does not have the geometry to twist and absorb it. 1 model of the reinforcements get's ECM, which will help SOME but not enough in actual combat.
So....what can be done?
1) If some modules will boost it's range more it would help
2) If it's special ability also expanded friendly BAP radius it might help.
3) If the Tacticon actually could ignore ECM to some degree (like BAP overcome 1 enemy ECM) then it might help.
4) ??????
Because if it's sensor bonus is just blocked by ECM..... why would you bring one instead of an Atlas or Wubshee?
Edited by Bishop Steiner, 19 April 2016 - 05:45 PM.