6 replies to this topic

[stalima]

Just notieced the Vindicator-4L, from 3063 and actually it looks like it could be a complete game changer for the vindicator, it is essentially a vindicator that gets an ECM and base engine size of 225 with a nice set of weapon hardpoints available at least, meaning this variant could actually be better than most of the current vindicators put together AND make the whole chassis a very serious competitor for its weight at the same time.

What do you think, could the 4L raise the vindicator from obscurity to fight anew if they put it in?

[stealthraccoon]

Please please PLEASE PGI, we need this mech!

Look, the Capellans gave the galaxy Stealth Armor, give us our sneaky Vindi's, 'Phracts and Ravens!

Edited by stealthraccoon, 17 March 2017 - 03:24 PM.

[Virlutris]

Sadly, tech is only one of the issues that marginalizes the Vindy.

The biggest problem is the mix-and-match, kitchen sink hardpoints spread all over the mech.

Where new tech is going to help is most (I think):

1) obviously ECM (maybe stealth armor?) helps with getting not-shot on the variant that can take them, and

2) it may help if the Vindy can make better use of its one (or 2 on SIB) missile hardpoint. I've read speculation that a nice MRM40 or some such will help those single missile mounting mechs.

3) maybe different lasers or ACs will help, but this feels more like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, or fine-tuning a Yugo. (I'd rather this weren't the case, by the way.)

My money is on the missile tech making the biggest impact in useability for the chassis overall, if anything can actually help them short of gawd-level quirkening. Poor Vindies

[WrathOfDeadguy]

Even without any new variants, the new tech is going to be huge for the Vindi-crater.

MRMs change the whole game- one of the VND's greatest weaknesses is having the bulk of its firepower in its squishy, squishy arms... but now even one or two missile mounts is sufficient to carry a build. Better, MRMs give the VND a big-punch, high-mounted weapon. Depending on the way PGI implements MRMs (mainly if they're a single cluster launch or a staggered volley), they could actually result in some VND builds being good. Think about this: a VND-1AA, with an MRM40 on the shoulder, a 255+ engine, and some backup lasers. Compare that with a similar setup on the much slower BJ-2 (max 235), or the PXH-R with its easily destroyed arm hardpoints.

The 1X is also worth mentioning here... currently it's the most limited of the VNDs, with only two fairly mediocre (viable) builds: 2xAC5, or AC5/10 + PPC. New tech adds in UAC10, RAC5, 2xRAC2, Heavy PPC, and Light Gauss. That's an explosion of punchy guns for a very, very weak chassis (more big guns are a passive buff to low-guncount 'Mechs, in relation to stronger options that already had the firepower). That won't make the variant a good one; it'll still be hamstrung by its other shortcomings, but right now it's one of the worst 'Mechs in the game, and any buff is worth having.

The VND never be at the head of the medium rankings- the geometry simply won't permit that without truly obscene quirks. However... yeah, 3060s tech helps the Vindi.How much it helps depends on PGI and the balance dartboard, but this has the potential to be the largest single buff the chassis has had to date.

[50 50]

Every mech has it's strengths and weaknesses, some are just not combat beasts.
This is more of a reflection of the design of the game modes not allowing mechs that have more of a support role to show their value as much.
While we have short duration, arena style matches the field will always be dominated by those mechs that can excel in that environment.

Personally I would like to see more mechs like the Vindicator on the battlefield so I grand hope is that we get an evolution of the way Faction Play is designed allowing a grander scope to each conflict.

It will be interesting to see what the new tech does for many of the mechs.

[Orkimedes]

Personally, I think that the addition of Light Fusion will be a pretty big boost to the vindy. IS XL engines are a huge risk right because the torso's are so squishy. All vindicators have the ability to spread firepower over both torso's (and head) to some capacity, which means surviving the loss of one side torso does not make it practically harmless while still not having to deal with the heavy weight of the standard engines. While this applies to all IS mechs, it is a much needed boost since facing up against clanners the aspect the vindy struggles the most with the most atm, since you either don't have the tonnage for firepower/DPS or the survivability. With the new tech you will gain a foothold on the middle ground. An ECM capable variant should also be a big deal, since you can do some sneaky stuff with being a jumpjet-capable medium mech and all that.

[Damnedtroll]

Vindicator are not horrible, just buyed two of them and found them quite tanky with the quirk. The low mounted weapons in the arms is the most annoying thing. You need to act like a pure flanking sneaky ******* with them to extract something but it's fun.

The -1x with 3mg, 1 mpls, 1 Lpls and 1 srm6 is doing descent damage when brawling.

Done a support variant -1r with an lrm15 and 4 mpls, done descent damage sometimes over 600, mostly with the pulse while the lrm harass the enemy for closing in short range.