11 replies to this topic

[BanditUnknown]

Okay so I realize the CDA-3C is not a popular mech, but I've put together real fast moving brawler build that I think is viable.

Weapons:
Ultra AC/5 x2
MG x2
Flamer x1

Ferro Fibrous Armor
Endo Steel Structure
Standard Heat Sinks

XL 225 Engine with a top speed of 91kph
1x Heatsink in the Torso, and 9 in the engine. Absolute minimum the game will let me use. Heat is a non-issue thus far.

18 Armor on the head,
14/15 Legs
23 L/R Torso
30 Center

4 in the rear/arms

Yes it's squishy, but this baby is meant to catch stragglers alone and put them down fast. The flamethrower (in my testing so far) is a great way to shut down larger mechs, and the super AC/5s + MGs put out a pretty insane amount of damage for its size.

Without the MGs and the flamer, it doesn't really shred things up like it should, which makes it unsuitable for solo work. I'd consider dropping some armor to put a bigger engine in it, but I wanted to go for a trade-off of speed and survivability.

[B L O O D W I T C H]

Where is its natural habitat? t5?
There is a lot "wrong" with your cada. From the slowness combined with an XL to the armorvalues, lack of DHS, MG (at least only 2) effectively being wasted tonnage. Low ammo count.

But then again, if it works for you in your tier, heck, do it.
I run mine with dual 20's at times so i'm not the one who should judge.

[jss78]

I used to run "overgunned and underengined" Cicadas when I was a new player.

They are not exactly awful though of course suboptimal. If you take just about any 'mech with 80+ kph speed and a couple of big guns in high mounts, if you play carefully around your bigger buddies you'll get lots of decent games at any tier.

At least recently, there were quite a bit of Cicadas running around with relatively small engines and 3xLL/ERLL, I think even 3xLPL.

But then again, if this is what you do, you could just as well get a Blackjack or a Jager.

[BanditUnknown]

jss78, on 20 August 2016 - 02:40 AM, said:

But then again, if this is what you do, you could just as well get a Blackjack or a Jager.

I do have a Jager in my deck actually. I was looking for something that did the Jagers work in a lower weight class. Putting a bigger engine on it seems suboptimal because the hitbox is so big - it needs to be able to absorb some damage. 91kph isn't exactly slow either.

[Spheroid]

My honest opinion is that this terrible build. Please go back to the drawing board.

[Rock Roller]

Unfortunately you are giving up your main advantage: Speed for iffy firepower. 5 MPL would rock that level of firepower at close to lower medium range for a lot less tonnage. Now your build gives you a bit of range poke but its not going to be a good thing in the long run.

When playing a mech that goes fast...go fast. Big guys can throw big volleys but if they cant hit you, free kills for you. From my lights to my fast mediums its about decent firepower and maneuverability. If one has to be short changed its the firepower.

[Old-dirty B]

A 3C without an ERPPC is just .... not a proper 3C! Why not make use of the uber awesome quirks for the ERPPC is beyond me, that weapon just rocks on this build.

The best build imo is (and ive been running this mech alot! One of my favorites):
Erppc (duh!)
Ac5 (on the same torso as the ppc)
2,5 ton ac5 ammo
xl285 (+/-125km/h)

[Spheroid]

Lets discuss the numerous problems with your build. First of all you needlessly have armor on the head and arms while neglecting vital areas like the CT and legs. If you lose a leg you are dead so I don't know why you set your values so low here.

Secondly you have a flamer and SHS. How exactly do you intend on using this effectively?

Generally flamers are used by in your face brawlers. UAC5s are not brawling weapons. Anything you fight will destroy you at that range unless it is crippled and nearly dead.

Also your ammo is criminally low. One ton per gun is not enough and because you filled up your slots with ferro you can't add anymore. The machine ammo is excessive and should be reduced or removed entirely. At your armor values ferro only salves half a ton. Definitely not worth the fourteen slot investment of critical space.


Your loadout is 22 tons. Think of all the better combinations you could have done...

ER PPC + 4x mg
ER PPC + AC-5
PPC + AC-10
2x AC-5
LPLAS/ER PPC + LBX10
3x AC-2

The 3C is easily the worst Cicada. Don't compound its weaknesses by using bad builds.

Edited by Spheroid, 21 August 2016 - 01:37 PM.

[sperkins]

Lotta good lessons here, don't let the sting get to you.

With the the cicada you don't want to try and strengthen the weaknesses (hitbox, armor, etc) instead you want to strengthen its strengths (speed, maneuverability, accel/decel). You don't need armor if you don't get hit.

For you, OP I recommend the cicada 3m. Mount yer uac5 but add a couple MLs, ECM and as big an XL as enough ammo (2.5T) allows. Stay with the heavies (don't crowd em) and focus on their targets and chasing down cored enemies as necessary without getting separated.

Very fun forgiving playstyle. (Though I still prefer a brawler x5 cause I'm a glutton for punishment ><)

Good hunting.

[Aleksandr Sergeyevich Kerensky]

If you want to be a "cannon master"... Go big or go home!

Nothing says master of auto-Cannons like ac20s...

Rock 2x ac20s and throw caution to the wind! And stomp your enemies with reckless abandon!

[General Solo]

Spheroid, on 21 August 2016 - 12:15 PM, said:

Lets discuss the numerous problems with your build. First of all you needlessly have armor on the head and arms while neglecting vital areas like the CT and legs. If you lose a leg you are dead so I don't know why you set your values so low here.

Secondly you have a flamer and SHS. How exactly do you intend on using this effectively?

Generally flamers are used by in your face brawlers. UAC5s are not brawling weapons. Anything you fight will destroy you at that range unless it is crippled and nearly dead.

Also your ammo is criminally low. One ton per gun is not enough and because you filled up your slots with ferro you can't add anymore. The machine ammo is excessive and should be reduced or removed entirely. At your armor values ferro only salves half a ton. Definitely not worth the fourteen slot investment of critical space.


Your loadout is 22 tons. Think of all the better combinations you could have done...

ER PPC + 4x mg
ER PPC + AC-5
PPC + AC-10
2x AC-5
LPLAS/ER PPC + LBX10
3x AC-2

The 3C is easily the worst Cicada. Don't compound its weaknesses by using bad builds.

ER PPC + 4x mg
Think AR-15 firing ERPPC rounds on semi auto
It a cheeky poken beast

[Neput Z34]

IF you are attempting CDA-3C serious build, then use ERPPC and AC5, or maybe LL and 2x AC2

IF you are feeling like trolling the enemy, then try this CDA-3C "40 ton Fire Ant"