10 replies to this topic

[Hit the Deck]

With our current MWO construction rules, I think I still prefer a well designed Omnimech (mainly the number and location of fixed hardwares) than a Battlemech with a decent number and variety of hardpoints because it's so much fun mixing and matching omnipods to create a host of different builds! Some good examples of this are the Dire Wolf, Timberwolf, and Stormcrow (the original trifecta).

They do need the omnipods to offer decent hardpoints though, because without it there's no advantage to be had. Also, I feel that in MWO the heavier Omnimechs can't have an optimal engine without being too slow or too fast and in this case, a specific variant of Battlemech with good hardpoints (number, type, and location) is always superior if we are talking about the "meta".

Still, that special Battlemech is special and could only be born once in a blue moon (recent example is the KDK-3). They are also literally one trick ponies. Because of those reasons, I still prefer well designed Omnimechs because they are well, like I said earlier, more flexible and fun! I can almost feel the advantage of Omnimechs in a lengthy campaign (too bad that HBS' BT won't have Omnimechs - at least at release).

What about you?

Edited by Hit the Deck, 28 May 2016 - 06:58 PM.

[LordKnightFandragon]

Battlemechs, the limitations of the Omni system feel overly restrictive for reasons that defy all logic.

By the logic used to limit omnis, the remodeling of a house would be impossible, since the house is already built in X way, and it cant be changed.

Edited by LordKnightFandragon, 28 May 2016 - 05:31 PM.

[Nightmare1]

I prefer regular BattleMechs because they're not locked down. I can do so much more with an unlocked chassis than I can with an Omni chassis because I can vary everything about it rather than just the hardpoints. So what if you can min/max your Mech by selecting all the same hardpoints on an Omni? You wind up with only a handful of viable loadouts because the locked chassis doesn't give you the tonnage to freestyle.

[El Bandito]

Omnimechs can sure save you mechbays, since most of the time a single variant can be configured into boating different kinds of weapons. With battlemechs, you will need three mechsbays for energy, missile, and ballistic builds--HBK-IIC and Wolverine, to name some examples...

So for those interested in having diverse selection of mechs without the need to spend tons of MC on mechbays, omnimechs are the way to go.

Edited by El Bandito, 28 May 2016 - 05:47 PM.

[Brandarr Gunnarson]

I like Omnimechs, generally. I love the flexibility of swapping hardpoints. BUT, not all Omnis have equipment synergy; which is a key to their success.

Equipment synergy is something Battlemechs do better than Omnimechs. The downside is that the synergy might be in a build or weapons loadout that you just don't like or do well in!

[Malachy Karrde]

I prefer the customizability of omni mech hard points. If I want 15 lasers on my Dire wolf, swap out a couple components and I can run it. Same with ballistics, even missiles. I don't give a frak about the engine or endo being locked to be honest. I build a mech weapons first and everything else falls into place after.

[Andi Nagasia]

both Have Merits but Battle Mechs are Inherently better,
why do i think Battle Mechs are Better?

For a Battle mech to be Good, it must have,
1) Good Shape/HitBoxes,
2) Good HardPoints/HardPoint Locations(Hard Point Inflation helps this),

For an OmniMech to be Good it must have,
1) Good Shape/HitBoxes,
2) Good HardPoints/HardPoint Locations(Accross Several Variants(but no Hard Point Inflation),
3) must have a good Sized Engine(too Much or Too Little of an Engine can Kill an Omni),
4) must have at Minimal Locked Equipment(many OmniMechs get left behind with Locked Equipment),
5) an Upgrade is Preferable(many OmniMechs get left behind as Locked Upgrades),

on Many Occasions Hard Point Inflation will Save a BattleMech,
We see this on Mechs such as the KingCrab where most Canon Varants only have 2B, 1E, & 1M,

but as OmniMechs dont get Hard Point Inflation and have Locked Equipment,
so all WHK have 7 Locked(NonEngine) DHS even if your Only Running Large Ballistics,
a most ADRs have the same Hard Points on each Variants Maxing out at only 5 HardPoints,
a NVA will Never have Endo or Ferro, Forcing it to Run Only Builds with lots of Light Energy,
for an OmniMech you ether Have it(SCR, TBR) or you Dont,


for many OmniMechs its Guilt by Association,
as any Buff to the OmniSystem will seem like a Buff to the SCR/TBR,
and will be declined based only on that the TBR will grow Stronger, Even if it Wont,
(for Instance Unlocking Endo wont Change the SCR/TBR)
(Unlocking NonEngine DHS wont Change the SCR/TBR)

[Ultimax]

I think to answer it requires some assumptions.

1) Assuming the Battlemech and Omni-mech in question both have "good" overall hardpoints in good locations.
2) Assuming they are of very similar tonnage.
3) Assuming both are clan mechs.


Then I would take the Battlemech.

Once you have good hardpoints in good locations, even if its just one variant out of 5 - the flexibility in unlocked equipment is better.

[FupDup]

I actually like Omnis more often than not, unless that particular Omni has a really bad base chassis. Mister Potatohead is a fun minigame.

Edited by FupDup, 28 May 2016 - 07:29 PM.

[Xetelian]

Battlemechs>Omnimechs

Omni can change hard points but nothing else
Battle mechs are restricted to their hardpoints but they can still be good hardpoints

[Lostdragon]

I prefer battlemechs. Certain omnimechs have the perfect combination of upgrades, engine size, and hardpoints available. Too many other less powerful omnimechs suffer from having tons of locked equipment because of omnimech construction rules designed to keep the good omnimechs in line.

I would much rather have a chassis with a lot of locked hardpoints (such as the Kodiak) with the ability to change engines, upgrades, and no locked equipment than an omnimech that has 6 locked JJ, a fixed BAP, and a locked engine that is too small (such as the MLX).

Some battlemechs have anemic hardpoints or an unfavorable mix of hardpoints, but mechs like the Kodiak that have variants with a wide variety of many hardpoints offer more potential to tweak and create lots of useful builds due to lack of fixed equipment and unlocked upgrades.

In MWO the construction system is bassackwards, omnimechs are more restrictive and battlemechs offer full customization.