After considering it carefully. Weighting all pros and cons.
I think we're better off with skill tree.
Just choosing between bad and worse option here.
Why it's not that great?
Because we know PGI probably won't expand and keep on working on this skill tree to make it even better and more interesting. Tune it so it responds to each mech in the game in a unique way. Case by case scenario.
As we all know PGI is more of a general/broad nerf/buffs rather than specific, surgical changes.
Why it's great?
Because it's a new thing to the game that haven't changed much in 2+ years. New mech packs don't count as "new content" in a game that desperately needs new stuff to do/play with. It adds some customization to the mechs.... but as mentioned above PGI needs to keep on working on it, and expand it. It's a good start, but don't stop here.
What would be great?
Going mech by mech and tuning skill tree accordingly. Add more nodes, new and interesting types (just like magazine is), add/adjust more stuff to skill tree for underdog/underperfoming mechs. For example CN9-D could have added additional nodes entirely related to LBX10 cooldown so you could get the mech exactly where it was.
In fact any mech that has only 1-2 of a hardpoint type : e.g. a mech has only 2x energy hardpoints on left arm - add additional firepower nodes that would for example offer a more powerful (yet underboated) firepower output to large laser (or some other energy weapon type).
Just like CN9-D could get additional Lbx10 nodes related to reduction of cooldown and even additional lbx10 spread reduction nodes.
So for example CN9-D would be a mech that has bigger and better nodes related specifically to LBX weaponry (so you could maybe put lbx20 or 2xlbx5 when its available), with additional (or just existing ones have bigger bonuses) nodes with additional cooldown, spread and better range/velocity (or nodes that are lil bit better than regular ones and mixed on top of that : +5% range +10% velocity - in one node)
CN9-AH could be a dedicated regular AC variant that has bigger bonuses related to AC2/5/10/20
CN9-A could have UAC20/10 (when its available) related quirks that would for uac10 have 20-30% jam chance reduction + additional nodes to spend points to reduce jam duration (more points you put smaller jam duration)
To sum it up to have more points to further channel your customization. Mech by mech.
Priority to mechs that have 6-8 or less weapon hardpoints (like 2E, 2M, 2B) - AMS don't count.
But we're talking about mechs that have 2 or 3 different types of hardpoints. mechs that have only 6-8 of same type could be thought about later on - because those mechs can boat stuff and be viable.
I'm only talking in here about mechs that aren't META. (which cn9-d obviously is not... its a fun mech but not for comp play - I mean you probably could... but I'm not the competetive type).
Oh those additional nodes would require bigger investement in skill tree and going thru bigger part of the skill tree (to the bottom).
Add to auxiliary a skill point on the bottom of the tree that adds +1 AMS (and maybe after 1-3 additional points spent, unlocks another +1 AMS) slot to existing one. If mech don't have the model for that you just get double bonus from existing AMS, whilst it eats up 2x the AMS ammo/2x heat gen (when LAMS become available).
Those are just few ideas how to approach skill tree.
There is so much more PGI can do with it to make it AWESOME.
What will happen time will tell.
Edited by lazytopaz, 19 May 2017 - 01:21 AM.
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B3R3ND, on 19 May 2017 - 12:01 AM, said:
