66 replies to this topic

[VonBruinwald]

What 2018 loyalty 'mechs are you hoping to see?

Personally I'm hoping for the Catapult-C2. It can work as a ballistic pop-tart or keep the traditional LRM load-out with backup MG's.

Example stock load-out;



The dual AMS is a tribute to the Jester.

[Bud Crue]

Not sure. I mean, I didn’t buy anything this year for reasons, and I can’t imagine anything that PGI could do to get me to buy even if the loyalty mechs were super duper. Still I can see them doing some interesting mechs to try and convince some other marks into throwing some cash at them. Maybe something like the Crab-30...the one with ECM. Some folks still seem to like ECM, but Crabs are still fairly popular, so maybe that would be a good candidate for a loyalty mech. Along the same lines, perhaps something like the Maurader 5L again just for the novelty of a stealth Marauder (obviously no triple strength myomers, etc).

Clan side I have no idea what might be enticing these days.

[storm0545]

I wouldn't mind a IS thunderbolt with 3 or 4 AMS slots like the Clan Pir-1

[FLG 01]

Since I am only eligable for IS loyality Mechs...


Marauder MAD-9S and -9M: adding ECM and hardpoints to my favourite Mech

Wolfhound WLF-5: bigger engine and MASC, yeah!

Phoenix Hawk PXX-7S: MASC and a lot of energy hardpoints (lack of HP kills the -3S)

Bushwacker BSW-L1: AC/20 in the arm allowing XL engines (LB-20X is impossible in MWO)

Rifleman RFL-8D: Jump Jets!

[Battlemaster56]

Personally just want the Dire Wolf C brings ecm and 2 extra missile pods one in each arm and with some pod mixing I can bring 5 to 6 missiles to bring.

Anything else I may have some intrest, but really most of the fun mechs I see is in the Dark Age and Jihad.

[SilentFenris]

The only "new" releases were 2015 with King Crab and Vulture, we will probably continue to only get new variants of pre-existing mechs.

Shadowhawk 2Hb and Warhammer 9D perhaps?

[Juodas Varnas]

Loyalty Quads for everyone!

[Abaddun]

I know it's 21 years away from release, but...... the Battlemaster-4L

You know you want it........

I know you want it......

[Battlemaster56]

It be nice to see the Clan refits of SLDF Exodus mechs, be something different and allow to add variants that are basically refits, but that be pushing the envelope to much.

[Josh Seles]

I'd like to see the MAD-9S Marauder. The workable build and ECM actually aren't why I want it. I want it because it comes stock upgraded with a Light Engine and Endo structure. Nice for stock matches in Critical Rocket's streams.
Besides that, I don't know. I'd have to do some looking around on Sarna.net.

[WrathOfDeadguy]

COM-1C (Ballistic Commando!), COM-4H (Hardpoint inflation for the 'Mando- 6xM+2xE)
UM-R70 (RAC5 Urbie)

KFX-A (the Gauss Fox that inspired the IS Hollander)
ADR-E (2xM+5xE)

RFL-7M (ECM), RFL-8D(JJs)

There are probably some others, but those are the most personally interesting possibilities.

[MechaBattler]

Vindicator with stealth armor. lolz.

Or how about a Thunderbolt with ECM. Not that ECM is as strong as it once was.

[BrunoSSace]

Hunchback with jumpjets or ecm.
Thunderbolt with 3 or 4 ams
A new jag be nice
New bushwacker
A mech with 6 energy and masc

[Jay Leon Hart]

Hm, let's see...

Usual criteria for my choices;
- New hardpoints
- New equipment (ECM, JJs, MASC)
- Not a previous Loyalty Reward

Previous rewards;

Spoiler

2014
MC - Centurion
Any package - Atlas
Top tier package - King Crab

2015
MC - Cicada
Any IS package - Wolverine
Top tier IS package - Zeus
Any Clan package - Nova
Top tier Clan package - Executioner

2016
MC - Blackjack
Any IS package - Cataphract
Top tier IS package - Stalker
Any Clan package - Hellbringer
Top tier Clan package - Summoner x2

2017
MC - Urbanmech
Any IS package - Griffin
Top tier IS package - Victor
Any Clan package - Kit Fox
Top tier Clan package - Linebacker

General guess?
MC - IS Light
Any IS package - IS Medium
Top tier IS package - IS Heavy
Any Clan package - Clan Medium
Top tier Clan package - Clan Assault

Shortlist;
IS Light - Javelin, Firestarter, Wolfhound
IS Medium - Vindicator, Crab, Kintaro
IS Heavy - Quickdraw, Rifleman, Thunderbolt, Archer, Grasshopper, Warhammer
Clan Medium - Huntsman
Clan Assault - Warhawk, Dire Wolf

IS Light

Spoiler

Javelin - JVN-11F

Quote

Also produced during the Jihad this variant was introduced in 3070 and removes the weapons and equipment of the 11D to carry a Snub-Nose PPC supplemented by two trios of Machine Guns, with each trio linked through a Machine Gun Array. This low-heat model is devastating to unarmored infantry, though it is less prevalent than the 11D within the AFFS.[4] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 827[5]

Firestarter - FS9-P

Quote

Manufactured by the Circinus Federation in 3064, the -P is similar to the -S, but it uses ten double heat sinks. It removes the defensive and scouting equipment, as well as a half-ton of armor to add and additional Small Laser and a pair of SRM-2s. The missile launchers are commonly loaded with Inferno rounds. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 775[9]

Firestarter - FS9-S1

Quote

The FS9-S1 is identical to the FS9-S except that it carries a Guardian ECM Suite instead of the Beagle Active Probe. BV (1.0) = 613[21], BV (2.0) = 820[10]

Wolfhound - WLF-4WA

Quote

An electronic warfare variant of the WLF-4W model introduced in 3071, the 4WA retains the trio of torso mounted Fusigon Longtooth Light PPCs, but exchanges the arm-mounted lasers for a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (2.0) = 1,050 [13]

Wolfhound - WLF-5

Quote

A post-Jihad variant produced on Arc-Royal alongside the WLF-4W in 3079, the WLF-5 is built on an Endo Steel frame and is powered by the larger 245 rated XL Engine to increase its ground speed by 20 km/h, capable of almost 150 km/h in short bursts due to the inclusion of MASC. Replacing the armament of lasers with an array of PPCs; a right-arm mounted Hound's-tooth Snub-Nose PPC is supported by a pair of torso-mounted Defiance 1002 Light PPCs.[9] BV (2.0) = 1,290[14]

IS Medium

Spoiler

Vindicator - VND-4L

Quote

The 4L Vindicator is a major upgrade to the design, part of Ceres Metal's efforts to revive the line i[/color]n 3063. The engine has been replaced with a 225-rated extralight engine, granting the 'Mech a top speed of 86.4 km/h, and its jumping distance was increased to 150 meters with an additional jump jet. The 'Mech uses double heat sinks for its advanced weapons load, which includes an ER PPC and LRM-5 for striking power at long range and an ER medium laser and medium pulse laser for short range work. Finally, the 'Mech carries a Guardian ECM Suite and is protected with nine tons of Stealth Armor, making it harder to target at range. The 4L became a common design among Shadow Lances following their introduction. BV (1.0) = 1,177, BV (2.0) = 1,493[13]

Crab - CRB-30

Quote

The CRB-30 is a complete rework of the CRB-27 Crab introduced in 3061. To start, the standard engine has been replaced with an ExtraLight model. The CRB-30 puts this free weight to good use by replacing the twin large lasers with a pair of ER PPCs and upgrading the medium and small lasers to an ER Medium Laser and an ER Small Laser. The standard heat sinks have all been replaced with double heat sinks, though two have been removed, so the PPCs must use volley fire. The last part of this upgrade is the addition of a Guardian ECM Suite and an improved C3 computer.[13] BV (1.0) = 1,204 (C3: 188)[14][15], BV (2.0) = 1,509

Kintaro -KTO-K

Quote

An upgrade to the KTO-C, the KTO-K removed the Large Laser and LRM launcher to upgrade the short-range missiles to Streak SRM-6s. The lasers were upgraded to ER Medium Lasers and a third was added. The most significant difference was the addition of Jump jets to allow the unit to leap up to 150 meters. BV (2.0)= 1,571[18]

IS Heavy

Spoiler

Quickdraw - QKD-5Mr

Quote

A field refit of the 5M introduced during the Jihad, this version uses ER Medium Lasers in the arms, adds a Guardian ECM Suite, a Targeting Computer, and an Artemis IV FCS. To make room for this new equipment, engineers removed a heat sink and the one-shot missile launcher.[12] BV (2.0) = 1,465[13]

Rifleman - RFL-7M

Quote

A "Project Phoenix" model built by Vicore Industries and introduced in 3066, the 7M was intended to act as a long-range sniper unit. It was armed with two Light Gauss Rifles, six ER Medium Lasers, a Small Laser, and a Guardian ECM Suite. Both the Blakists and the Free Worlds League used this Rifleman to provide protection to their command units.[10][29] BV (1.0) = 1,166,[30] BV (2.0) = 1,521[31]

Rifleman - RFL-8D

Quote

The definitive "Project Phoenix" model, the 8D is intended as more of a line unit. It mounts two Mydron Model RC Rotary Autocannon/5s with six tons of ammunition split between the arms, a pair of Bright-Blossom ER Medium Lasers also mounted in either arm, eleven double heat sinks and twelve tons of Kallon Royalstar armor, the heaviest of any known Rifleman variant. Until the arrival of the 7X, it was also the only known Rifleman variant to mount jump jets, with two in either leg for a total jumping distance of 120 meters. To carry all this additional weight, the 8D uses a Kallon Type XV Endo Steel chassis and Hermes 240 XL engine, although it still mounts the same excellent Garret electronics.[33][34][32] BV (1.0) = 1,664,[13] BV (2.0) = 1,777[35]

Thunderbolt - TDR-7SE

Quote

The 7SE variant introduced in 3067 takes the upgrade of the Thunderbolt even further. The structure has been redesigned to use an Endo Steel structure and the 'Mech also uses Ferro-Fibrous armor and double heat sinks to further save weight. The saved weight has been used to focus the role of the 7SE into a long range 'Mech. The 'Mechs maneuverability has been enhanced with four jump jets for a jumping distance of one hundred and twenty meters while the primary weapon is a Gauss Rifle. This is backed up by three Medium Pulse Lasers in the torso with a fourth mounted on the left arm and, finally, the 7SE carries a Guardian ECM Suite to protect against advanced enemy electronics. BV (1.0) = 1,737, BV (2.0) = 1,809[19]

Thunderbolt - TDR-10SE

Quote

Introduced in 3067, the 10SE is built around new technologies. The 'Mech has an Endo Steel chassis and is armored with twelve and a half tons of armor. The use of MASC gives it superior maneuverability capable of bursts of speed up to 86.4 kph and four jump jets gives it a jumping capability of one hundred twenty meters. Finally, the 'Mech's arsenal includes an ER PPC and three ER medium lasers which are linked to a Targeting Computer and an LRM-10 launcher. The 'Mech uses a Guardian ECM suite to help defend against advanced enemy targeting and communications systems. BV (1.0) = 1,630, BV (2.0) = 2,008[28]

Archer - ARC-7L

Quote

Built for the Capellan Confederation by Earthwerks in 3067, the 7L variant of the Archer incorporated new Stealth Armor and a Guardian ECM Suite for protection against enemy electronics in addition to making the Archer harder to target. The 'Mech carried twelve and a half tons of Stealth Armor and was armed with two LRM-20 launchers and two ER Medium Lasers. The trade-off for this massive upgrade was that the 'Mech's top speed was reduced to 54 km/h. In an attempt to compensate for this, the 'Mech also had three jump jets mounted, making it capable of jumping up to ninety meters at a time. The 7L was slated to enter the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces' new Shadow Lances.[11] BV (1.0) = 1,612[citation needed], BV (2.0) = 1,920[26]

Grasshopper - GHR-7K

Quote

An upgrade of the 6K introduced in 3068, the 7K replaces the weapons with an eye toward making the Grasshopper independent of supply concerns common during the Jihad. Two arm-mounted Light PPCs provide long-range firepower, while short-range firepower is provided by twin torso-mounted Snub-Nose PPCs. A head-mounted ER Medium Laser takes the place of one of the 6K's heat sinks, while the addition of a Guardian ECM Suite and C3 slave unit makes this Grasshopper a difficult-to-detect guerrilla fighter.[9] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,806[15]

Warhammer - WHM-9D

Quote

Taking the concept of the 6D even further, the 9D was built in 3067 on an Endo Steel chassis and used an XL Engine to upgrade the maximum speed to 86 km/h. The 'Mech carried thirteen and a half tons of armor and was armed with two ER PPCs and two ER medium lasers. The 'Mech's weapons were all linked to an advanced Targeting Computer, allowing the Warhammer to direct its firepower with uncanny accuracy. The 9D also has the additional advantage of being able to jump up to ninety meters with three jump jets added to the 'Mech.[42] BV (1.0) = 1,841,[16] BV (2.0) = 2,152[43]

Clan Medium

Spoiler

Huntsman - HMN-H

Quote

A powerful reconnaissance unit, the Huntsman H carries an Active Probe and an ECM Suite. It also mounts a pair of ER Large Lasers, a Heavy Small Laser, and four Heavy Medium Lasers that are all tied to an advanced Targeting Computer. Six additional double heat sinks strain to keep heat levels manageable. BV (1.0) = 2,060[1][19][20], BV (2.0) = 2,495[21]

Clan Assault

Spoiler

Warhawk - WHK-F

Quote

Apparently designed to reduce heat, this configuration of the Warhawk carries a single ER PPC in each arm backed up by an LRM-20 and LRM-10. A torso-mounted Ultra AC/2 rounds out the weapons. Like most Warhawk variants, this version carries an advanced Targeting Computer. BV (2.0) = 2,775[14]

Dire Wolf - DWF-C

Quote

The C configuration is configured to be highly mobile and flexible. The Dire Wolf C can jump up to ninety meters. The primary weapons carried are a pair of ER PPCs. These are supported by two new ATM 6 launchers which are capable of firing missiles that are intended for short, intermediate, and long ranges. The Cconfiguration also carries four Medium Pulse Lasers and a single shot Streak SRM-4 launcher. The direct fire weapons are all linked to a Targeting Computer, increasing their lethality, and the C configuration is protected from enemy electronic warfare equipment with an ECM Suite. BV (1.0) = 3,290[1][9], BV (2.0) = 3,610[2][10]

Final guess;
MC - WLF-5
Any IS package - CRB-30
Top tier IS package - TDR-10SE
Any Clan package - HMN-H
Top tier Clan package - WHK-F

[Kho_Eddorum]

I 100% want to see an Ice Ferret IFR-A variant, with some hefty armor quirks added on, as well as a change to the ballistic arm's slot allowance so we can get a UAC-20 for the Ultra Deathfridge 9000.

[JediPanther]

Mgs on the K2 are unimpressive. If you're using mgs on the K2 the enemy is too close. The cat is a 65 tonne able to dual guass,10 or 20. Mgs maybe if you're going hppcs or just want to er ll poke but if you really just want laser vomit cat get the Jester.

About the only mechs I have interest in are the sting/wasp lams. Pgi still nerfs lights either though direct nerfs like the recent jenner 14 arm armor nerf or a nerf to weapons it would use like spls. I've been abusing the Jenners both IS and Clan just to make them an outlier again but I've been running the worst load outs and lack of armor I can think of to tank my stats with them. Been running them pretty much exclusively this month letting my other 80 or so mechs just rot in the mech lab.

Perhaps if they see the Jenners with really shity low *** dmg and kill scores they might give them a real buff but the only buff they desperately need is to go back to their original size. I've bought no mechs this year using real money so far. The last one was stockpiled mc from events and a 50% off sale. Skiped the feas and the pirs as fleas would be almost identical to my seven lcts. Pirs are just meh and I've tested them all in testing grounds. Only the 4 ams one might be fun as an ams only troll but I've got the nova and tri-ams fox for that.

A lrm and mg only cat would be on par with the cptl-a1 lrm 5 spamer for most defenseless build on a catapult. Might as well just power down and exit the match as soon as a light finds you in that thing because not even a uav will help you even if you had a semi competent team.

Edited by JediPanther, 07 August 2018 - 07:25 PM.

[Alkabides]

Whoever suggested putting masc on a wolfhound should themselves receive be a special loyalty mech. Bravo.

[Y E O N N E]

Raptor.

The very first Loyalty 'Mechs were brand new 'Mechs when they came out (KGC), no reason they can't do that again.

[The6thMessenger]

Direwolf with ECM CT, and missile arms.

Timber Wolf with 3B high-mount left-torso, and missile center-torso.

King crab with jump-jets.

Marauder with Ballistic Right torso, and missile left torso

Wolfhound with 4 Energy Hardpoints and JJ.

[Y E O N N E]

I will also accept some apocryphal MAD variant that has a ballistic in each arm and moves the two displaced energy weapons into the right torso.