157 replies to this topic

[Volume]

(This is pasted from Sarna, bear with me while I clean it up.)

Dragon:

Production information

• Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
  
• Model: DRG-1N
  
• Class: Heavy
  
• Cost: 5,036,800 C-bills

Technical specifications

• Mass: 60 tons
  
• Chassis: Alshain Type 56-60H
  
• Armor: Starshield (10.5 Tons)
  
• Engine: Vlar 300
  
• Speed: 86.4 km/h
  
• Jump Jets: None

Armament

• 1xLRM-10
  
• 1xAutocannon/5
  
• 2xMedium Lasers

BV (1.0): 952
BV (2.0):1,125^[1]


Centurion:

Production information

• Manufacturer: Manufacturer Corean Enterprises, Jalastar Aerospace
  
• Model: CN9-A
  
• Class: Medium
  
• Cost: 3,491,500 C-bills

Technical specifications

• Mass: 50 tons
  
• Chassis: Corean Model K7
  
• Armor: 8.5 tons of StarGuard III
  
• Engine: Nissan 200
  
• Speed: 64.8 km/h
  
• Jump Jets: None

Armament

• 1xAutocannon/10
  
• 1xLRM-10
  
• 2xMedium Lasers

BV (1.0): 772
BV (2.0):945^[1]



Is slightly faster movement speed and 1.5 tons more armor (not much of a difference) really worth 1,545,300 C-bills and a 180 BV difference?

Not to mention if we have drop costs or drop limits, 60 tons vs 50 tons...Might cost even more to maintain.

The only thing I can think of is that the Dragon might cost less if you're with the Draconis Combine, and the Centurion might be cheaper if you're with the Fed Suns...But really, that's kind of a big difference.

Edited by Volume, 25 January 2012 - 03:21 PM.

[Garth Erlam]

1.5 more tons of armour is, what, 18% more armour? And 35% higher speed.

I personally like the Dragon more, because of the speed and extremely high armour.

[Kodiak Jorgensson]

tough choice for me, i like both designs. but i'll probably go for the dragon. 86.4 KM/h is pritty fast for a Heavy of this time peroid if iam not mistaken?

[Volume]

Garth Erlam, on 25 January 2012 - 03:19 PM, said:

1.5 more tons of armour is, what, 18% more armour? And 35% higher speed.

I personally like the Dragon more, because of the speed and extremely high armour.

I respect that, but I feel that since the AC/10 does 2x the damage of a AC/5, the Centurion would be a better choice.

I know that obviously this game won't be based around 1v1 situations, but if it came to a 1v1, that AC/10 is more of a difference than the speed and the armor. Assuming standard recycle rates and both 'Mechs moving at top speed, the Dragon will be wasted before it can use its 86.4 km/h to "escape" the Centurion.

And if they're supposed to play the same sort of brawler/striker role, then the Centurion would most likely it better thanks to the extra damage, unless he's focused down (in which case if the Dragon is focused down, he'd survive a little longer, but the end result would most likely be the same).

The speed might help with tactical maneuvering, but since neither Chassis has jumpjets, I fail to see how 21.6 km/h is going to be an instrumental advantage - perhaps it would help with range control? If the Dragon stays out of range of the AC/10 and Med Lasers, both 'Mechs can attack with an LRM10, but the Dragon would still be able to use the AC/5...

[Garth Erlam]

The AC/5 has a far greater range though. So you could skirmish your way to a victory against a quite frustrated Centurion pilot. Keep in mind 86/kmh is insanely fast for a Heavy 'Mech, especially in this time period.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

If there is a 'mechlab, you could always just scrounge up enough tonnage to upgrade that AC5 for an AC10 anyway.


Edit: Choice will always come down to personal preferance.

Edited by mwhighlander, 25 January 2012 - 03:34 PM.

[Frantic Pryde]

Dragon all day. 85kph is about minimum acceptable speed for me.

Edited by Frantic Pryde, 25 January 2012 - 03:34 PM.

[Red Beard]

I always go for the faster more maneuverable mechs. Speed and agility are the unseen weapon on the battlefiled.

[Galban]

Dragon long range mech, Centurion is a medium range mech... Dragon has the speed to stay at range and take some hits compared to the Cent.

[Volume]

Garth Erlam, on 25 January 2012 - 03:31 PM, said:

The AC/5 has a far greater range though. So you could skirmish your way to a victory against a quite frustrated Centurion pilot. Keep in mind 86/kmh is insanely fast for a Heavy 'Mech, especially in this time period.

Absolutely, and I'm not denying that. However, depending on the terrain, and this game supposedly features a lot of "urban" environments, how often will that Dragon be able to maintain that optimal range where the Centurion can only shoot back with LRMs? I'm thinking not so much. And if the Centurion is under pressure from the Dragon at a bad range, he can try one of the following...

1: Get into cover, which will break targetting due to breaking LoS, and the Dragon can't hit you. (Might force the Dragon to come towards you?)
2: Charge straight at the Dragon. As far as I know, while the Dragon might have a top speed of 86.4 km/h, I don't think it can run backwards at that speed, and I don't think it has 360 degree torso twist...So the Dragon will be forced to backpedal at a slower speed, allowing the Centurion to catch up, or it is forced to turn around and run forward.

I suppose that the Dragon could "kite" the Centurion, assuming you're fighting in a 5KM wide open field, and depending on how quickly the Dragon can turn and how far it can torso twist.

In an urban situation with other 'Mechs around, the Centurion seems to have a better "toolkit" for combat than the Dragon, at far less of the cost.

[gunghoblazes]

Personally for me I would pick the centurion, Good medium to short range weaponry is where i like to be. I do understand however if the fight was at extreme weapon ranges(assuming both mechwarriors are equally skilled) that the dragon would eventually wear down the smaller centurion. Thats were drawing the dragon into a closer ranged brawl would be key I think.

[Coralld]

I'd pick the Centurion. More armor or not, that AC/10 is going to hurt if the dragon got smacked by it. And as some have pointed out here already, the Devs said their will be a number of way's for a mech to take cover in one form or another, so the Centurion can lead the Dragon into a mid range fire fight, or creep up on it. Really comes down to how smart the pilots manover, other wise it could go either way.

[karish]

more speed more armor = life

[Godzilla Enthusiast]

Dragon. Better speed means I can choose the battle ground. Better armor means I that I should be able to last long enough to take down the ac/10 on the arm. Less heat generation means I don't have to worry about heat like he does.

We both have lrms and my speed means that I am a better spotter for my catapult buddy.

[Mason Grimm]

karish, on 25 January 2012 - 04:17 PM, said:

more speed more armor = life

That is the same discussion that is going on HERE

Personally I like the lore of the Centurion better than the Dragon but pound for pound the Dragon beats the Centurion on an open field any day. Get it in to the city where you can reduce it's speed advantage and nullify it's AC5 advantage then the Dragon isn't so "be all to end all" between the two.

It's a case of "situational dependant"

[FACEman Peck]

Since I have to chose between these two, I'll have to go with the Dragon. But, I'll go with whatever 'Mech has the most guns. The faster I can level the enemy, the better. Speed is OK for me, armor is an obvious yes. Me+armor+guns+decent speed=leveled opponent. Oh yeah, 18% more armor won't help a whole lot, but it's a start.

When are the other assault 'Mechs coming out?

[SilentWolff]

I dont know why you would compare the two. Your comparing apples to oranges, a medium mech vs a heavy. The more important question would be, why would you ever run a dragon as a heavy mech at only 60 tons vs any other heavy mech?

I hate to break it to everyone, but the Dragon has always been a crap heavy mech imo. I dont think we EVER used it playing the board game. Now, depending on how tonnage is used for drops, it may find a role in this new game, time will tell.

The Centurion on the other hand, has always been a solid medium mech and I'm glad to see it in game.

[Thorn Hallis]

As its 3049 I would expect to see a Grand Dragon variant, which outguns the Centurion.

[Coralld]

Mason Grimm, on 25 January 2012 - 04:22 PM, said:

That is the same discussion that is going on HERE

Personally I like the lore of the Centurion better than the Dragon but pound for pound the Dragon beats the Centurion on an open field any day. Get it in to the city where you can reduce it's speed advantage and nullify it's AC5 advantage then the Dragon isn't so "be all to end all" between the two.

It's a case of "situational dependant"

Well put, and like I said, it really comes down to how smart the pilots are. A smart Centuion pilot is not going to play the Dragon's game of fight and kite, just as a smart Dragon pilot is not going to be dumb and rush head long at the Centurion.

[Godzilla Enthusiast]

SilentWolff, on 25 January 2012 - 04:37 PM, said:

I dont know why you would compare the two. Your comparing apples to oranges, a medium mech vs a heavy. The more important question would be, why would you ever run a dragon as a heavy mech at only 60 tons vs any other heavy mech?

I hate to break it to everyone, but the Dragon has always been a crap heavy mech imo. I dont think we EVER used it playing the board game. Now, depending on how tonnage is used for drops, it may find a role in this new game, time will tell.

The Centurion on the other hand, has always been a solid medium mech and I'm glad to see it in game.

The dragon should not be thought of as a heavy. It is a chunky medium. If the wolverine. Is a medium then the dragon is surely close enough.