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The latest wave of Clan Hero 'Mechs were announced for pre-order last week, and since then there's been a lot of discussion regarding the unique Loadouts offered by some of these Heroes. In particular, some in the community have expressed issues with specific cases where a new Clan Hero is introducing entirely new Loadout capabilities not shared by standard variants attainable with C-Bills.
That is a completely valid concern, and this post will contain some details covering how we are addressing these cases.
Full details are provided for each 'Mech through the main body of this post, but let's start with a summary of the actions we are taking:
Clan Hero Loadout Changes & Refunds
The following Clan Heroes have received changes to their original Loadouts:
If you purchased any of the above Heroes and wish to request a refund based on the Loadout changes outlined later in this post please get in touch with Support services at billing@mwomercs.com. Our Support team will be happy to issue a full refund for your affected Hero purchase as soon as possible. If you acquired any of the above Heroes we will also be contacting you directly by e-mail soon to notify you of the Loadout changes.
Please note that due to the cart-based system used for the Clan Heroes we may need to issue a refund for all of your purchased Clan Hero 'Mechs if they were all purchased in a single transaction. For example, if you purchased an IFR-RC (loadout changed), GAR-KW (not changed), and the HBR-VI (not changed) in a single transaction we will need to issue a full refund for the whole transaction.
If you wish to request a refund for any of the other Clan Hero variants in this wave for another reason - such as the pending release of the new standard variants detailed later in this post - please get in touch with Support at billing@mwomercs.com and we'll be happy to help.
We would like to apologize sincerely for any frustration you may encounter as a result of this process.
New Standard Variants
The following standard variants will be simultaneously released in-game for purchase with C-Bills in the August patch.
These 'Mechs will be attainable through standard means in-game the day of the patch for C-Bills, and are an attempt to offer new and interesting alternative Loadout options for Clan pilots to coincide with the initial release stage of the Clan Hero 'Mechs.
• Arctic Cheetah ACH-E
• Mist Lynx MLX-G
• Ice Ferret IFR-P
• Shadow Cat SHC-H
• Mad Dog MDD-H
• Ebon Jaguar EBJ-D
• Hellbringer HBR-P
• Gargoyle GAR-E
• Executioner EXE-Q
Hero and New Variant Details
Arctic Cheetah [Hero Unchanged]
While the ACH-SH will enable Cheetah pilots to utilize 2 Ballistic Hardpoints in the Right Torso and 1 Missile Hardpoint in the Left Torso - both of which are cases of new Hardpoint options for the Arctic Cheetah - we don't believe these virtues make the Shard and its OmniPods essential items for Arctic Cheetah pilots.
In addition to the Arctic Cheetah ACH-SH Hero 'Mech the August patch will include the release of the canon ACH-E variant, available for direct purchase in-game with C-Bills.
| Arctic Cheetah | ACH-SH Hero Loadout | ACH-E Loadout |
| LA | 2 Energy | 3 Ballistic |
| LT | 1 Missile | 2 Energy |
| CT | None | None |
| RT | 2 Ballistic | 1 Energy |
| RA | 2 Energy | 3 Ballistic |
Mist Lynx [Hero Unchanged]
The presence of 2 Energy Hardpoints in the Right Torso of the MLX-ED represented a first for the Mist Lynx chassis in MechWarrior Online, making the MLX-ED the only Mist Lynx variant with Weapon hardpoints in a Side Torso. This characteristic would have made the MLX-ED Right Torso OmniPod an essential piece of equipment for Mist Lynx pilots.
To account for this we are releasing a standard MLX-G variant - attainable with C-Bills - in the August patch. This canon variant will enable Mist Lynx pilots to acquire a 2 Energy Right Torso OmniPod without needing to own the MLX-ED Hero. The MLX Hero does still retain its unique 2M Left Arm OmniPod.
| Mist Lynx | MLX-ED Hero Loadout | MLX-G Loadout |
| LA | 2 Missile | 1 Energy 4 Ballistic |
| LT | None | None |
| CT | None | None |
| RT | 2 Energy | 2 Energy |
| RA | 2 Energy | 1 Energy 4 Ballistic |
Ice Ferret [Hero Changed]
The introduction of ECM into the Left Torso of the IFR-RC again represented another first, making the IFR-RC the only Ice Ferret variant in MechWarrior Online with an ECM suite. With the single LT Missile Hardpoint in the IFR-C being the only other functional LT OmniPod for the Ice Ferret chassis, the presence of an ECM suite in the LT OmniPod would have made it an essential OmniPod for the bulk of Ice Ferret pilots. As a result we have opted to move the ECM for the IFR-RC Hero from the Left Torso to the Center Torso. The IFR-RC does however retain its unique 1M Right Torso OmniPod.
Additionally, the August patch will include the release of a new IFR-P variant, available for direct purchase in-game with C-Bills. This is a non-canon Ice Ferret build for MechWarrior Online, as no existing canon variant of the Ice Ferret features an ECM suite. As with the IFR-RC, the IFR-P features an ECM suite in the CT. This will enable Ice Ferret pilots to utilize the ECM suite without needing to own the Hero.
| Ice Ferret | IFR-RC Hero New Loadout | IFR-P Loadout |
| LA | 2 Energy | 1 Energy 1 Missile |
| LT | None | None |
| CT | ECM | ECM |
| RT | 1 Missile | 1 Energy |
| RA | 1 Ballistic | 2 Energy |
Shadow Cat [Hero Changed]
The presence of two Missile Hardpoints in the Right Torso OmniPod of the Shadow Cat represented a straight upgrade in capabilities compared to the single Missile Hardpoint located in the Right Torso OmniPod of the SHC-A. As a result, we have opted to reduce this the SHC-MI Right Torso OmniPod to feature a single Missile Hardpoint to match the SHC-A in functionality. The SHC-MI Hero does however retain its unique 1E1B Right Arm OmniPod.
Additionally, the August patch will include the release of the canon SHC-H variant, available for direct purchase in-game with C-Bills.
| Shadow Cat | SHC-MI Hero Loadout | SHC-H Loadout |
| LA | 1 Energy | None |
| LT | None | 1 Missile |
| CT | None | None |
| RT | 1 Missile | None |
| RA | 1 Energy 1 Ballistic | 1 Energy |
Mad Dog [Hero Unchanged]
While the MDD-BA Hero is currently the only Mad Dog variant slated for MechWarrior Online with Ballistic Hardpoints in either Side Torso, the threat posed by Ballistic Hardpoints in the Mad Dog Side Torsos is heavily contingent upon their physical locations. The final placements are not yet fully determined, but these Ballistic Hardpoints will not be at uppermost mount location/Cockpit level for the Mad Dog.
The August patch will also feature the release of the canon MDD-H variant, available for direct purchase with C-Bills.
| Mad Dog | MDD-BA Hero Loadout | MDD-H Loadout |
| LA | 2 Energy | 3 Energy |
| LT | 1 Ballistic | 1 Missile |
| CT | None | None |
| RT | 1 Ballistic | 1 Missile |
| RA | 2 Energy | 1 Energy |
Ebon Jaguar [Hero Unchanged]
While the EBJ-EC will allow Ebon Jaguar pilots to load dual Ballistics in high locations, we believe that the hitbox and tonnage trade-offs required to do so provide this Hero and its OmniPods with unique characteristics without straying into essential OmniPod territory when compared to the other EBJ variants.
The August patch will also feature the release of the canon EBJ-D variant, available for direct purchase with C-Bills.
| Ebon Jaguar | EBJ-EC Hero Loadout | EBJ-D Loadout |
| LA | 1 Energy 1 Missile | 1 Ballistic |
| LT | 1 Ballistic | 1 Energy |
| CT | None | None |
| RT | 1 Energy | 2 Energy |
| RA | 1 Energy 1 Missile | 1 Ballistic |
Hellbringer [Hero Unchanged]
The presence of 2 Energy Hardpoints in the Right Torso of the HBR-VI would have made the RT Hero OmniPod essential equipment for Hellbringer pilots aiming for an Energy-focused build. While the HBR can already be a strong Energy-focused 'Mech, the bulk of its Energy capabilities are focused in its left side. Enabling Hero owners to spread out and generalize their primary weapon systems by equipping the 2E RT OmniPod would have made it an ideal choice available only through direct currency purchase.
To account for this, the August patch will include the release of a new HBR-P variant, available for direct purchase in-game with C-Bills. This is a non-canon Hellbringer build for MechWarrior Online, and will enable Hellbringer pilots to utilize a 2 Energy Right Torso OmniPod without needing to own the Hero. The HBR Hero does still retain its unique 2M Right Arm OmniPod.
| Hellbringer | HBR-VI Hero Loadout | HBR-P New Loadout |
| LA | 2 Energy | 2 Energy |
| LT | 2 Energy | 1 Missile |
| CT | None | None |
| RT | 2 Energy | 2 Energy |
| RA | 2 Missile | 1 Energy |
Gargoyle [Hero Unchanged]
The introduction of weapon Hardpoints into the Left and Right Torso OmniPods of the GAR-KW was a first for the Gargoyle chassis in MechWarrior Online, making the Hero the only option for fielding weaponry in either Side Torso.
To help account for this, the August patch will include the release of the GAR-E variant, available for direct purchase in-game with C-Bills. This is a canon Gargoyle build, which enables Gargoyle pilots to utilize Left and Right Torso weapon Hardpoints without needing to own the Hero.
| Gargoyle | GAR-KW Hero Loadout | GAR-E Loadout |
| LA | 1 Ballistic | 2 Energy |
| LT | 2 Missile | 2 Energy 1 Missile |
| CT | 1 Energy | None |
| RT | 1 Missile | 2 Energy |
| RA | 1 Ballistic | 1 Missile |
Executioner [Hero Changed]
The 2 Missile Hardpoints in both the LT and RT OmniPods of the original EXE-CH Loadout - in combination with their tightly clustered locations - represented too significant an expansion in Missile weapon capabilities for the Executioner chassis. As a result we are reducing both OmniPods to a single Missile Hardpoint.
Additionally, the August patch will include the release of the EXE-E variant, available for direct purchase in-game with C-Bills. This is a canon Executioner build, which will enable Executioner pilots to utilize a new 3 Energy Right Torso OmniPod.
| Executioner | EXE-CH Hero Loadout | EXE-E Loadout |
| LA | 3 Energy | 2 Missile |
| LT | 1 Missile | None |
| CT | None | None |
| RT | 1 Missile | 3 Energy |
| RA | 1 Ballistic | 2 Energy |
