That edit was all for you Jackal.
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TLDR: what in the holy hell is the role/function/niche of the Black Knight in this era of the game? What can it do that another mech can't do better?
Rant:
So I was once a pokemech player. I wanted them all, and I believed that all mechs should have a role and function and be somewhat "equivalent" to other mechs. I bought into this fiction because PGI (Paul at the time) said that was indeed the case (see the old info-tech PTS thread for reference).
Which brings me to the Black Knight.
When released this mech was OK but was pretty fragile. Then PGI as part of the second great re-quickening in late 2015 gave IS mechs the extra 10% energy range, and the BKs other excellent quirks including improved hit boxes, that led many clan players into near epileptic fits of rage what with the IS having a mech that could in theory stand up to a Timberwolf (other than the T-Bolt 5ss with its super duper mpl quirks of the time (RIP)).
Fast forward a year to 2016 and rescale and the the great nerffening (three times) of the BK (not to mention its increase in height) and then finally this year with the elimination of most weapon specific offensive quirks, and I am now at the point of wondering WTF is the function of this mech and why should I even consider taking one into a match?
I have 5 of them. All with very different builds. Yet NEVER does it ever enter my mind to take this mech over a Marauder, or even the Orion, or even a Grasshopper or Warhammer anymore. And in QP (group queue) I will take the Timberwolf (negative quirks and all) or a Night Gyr over the BK if a 75 is warranted.
The hardpoints are all waist to mid chest high (at best), the builds are all energy, the quirks are uninspired, all decent builds run fairly hot and all without much distinction over other energy boats. So I ask you, what is the point now of the BK in this day and age of mostly defensive quirks, and with a chassis that is distinctive only for the odd extra sensor range quirk...on an energy boat?
As it is the only reason I am ever inspired to take ANY of the BKs is because how sharp I think they look. Beyond looks though, I'd rather play any other 75 ton mech and damn near any 70 or 65 ton mech for that matter. Help me out here. Give me a reason not to shelve these things.
Edited by Bud Crue, 27 September 2017 - 11:35 AM.