7 replies to this topic

[Hoop Snake]

So I just picked up a new Blackjack since it seemed like the sort of mech I'd like (relatively new player). While neat and everything I am finding that for its a medium its rather slow. As a new player the sheer choice of engines is a little intimidating. What do all of you use to make your Blackjack move a little faster? XL or Standard?

[maimaimi]

XL engine - lighter, but if you loose a shoulder you will die (unless its a clan XL engine, in which case you wont)

standard engine - Heavier, but the only way to kill you is to destroy your torso

[Felix von Buelow]

maimaimi, on 14 September 2016 - 11:24 PM, said:

standard engine - Heavier, but the only way to kill you is to destroy your center torso

...or your head, or your legs...
I would suggest to use a XL engine. The increased mobility in regards to speed and torso twist let you spread damage more easily, netting you a better survivability than with a STD engine. The hit boxes of the side torsos are okay, definitely not a bullet magnet, and the arms can shield okay-ish. Just dont forget to torso twist and you can be faster and pack a bigger punch than with a STD engine.

[TercieI]

The best BJ builds us an XL. Either the XL235 (max) or the XL225 to gain an extra half ton at the cost of just a couple KPH. You don't want to go below that because you'll need an additional DHS somewhere and it won't be a TrueDub.

Edit: Yeah, Blackjacks (exc: 1X) are a bit slow for mediums.

Edited by TercieI, 15 September 2016 - 04:19 AM.

[Audacious Aubergine]

Blackjacks are made of paper in the first place and will generally die if something heavy so much as gives it a stern look, so you might as well slap an XL into it if you can afford it. Although some of them have considerable structure quirks so those might need to be sneezed at to explode in a fiery mess, which is just another argument for putting an XL into it

[SlightlyMobileTurret]

They USED to have considerable structure quirks.

Also, Blackjacks have some of the highest mounts in the game. If you're getting shot back, you're doing it wrong.

[Ruccus]

Yup, the Blackjack is a glass cannon so you want to make it the biggest cannon you can then stand by bigger mechs who might take enemy fire for you.

Here's a standard build (though not accurate f/b armour): BJ-3

Just remember the 90m minimum range on the PPCs. An alternative is to drop a bit of armour to add more jump jets and/or a 235XL (like this: BJ-3). You can also swap the PPCs for ERPPCs, but that build runs hotter.

Here's a more adventurous build: BJ-3 A 40 point alpha between 100m and 270m, cycling roughly at 4 seconds, though don't miss because you won't get many shots before overheating.

[justcallme A S H]

Yeah you gotta XL the Blackjack, there is just no other option.

That said they die really easy now after quirk removal... If you get outta position, because of this, you're gonna have a really bad day. Even with a max engine, they are a bit slow (except for the 1X), so it takes a bit more thinking/timing to get everything other than the 1X working nicely.