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a different way to classify mechs: speed and role.


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#1 Bianca Flowers

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Posted 05 November 2011 - 04:47 AM

The most common way to classify mechs are by weight, but IMHO Role and Speed are a better match for mechs

an Ostscout, Jenner, Wolfhound, and Panther are all 35 tons, but very different roles.

Oscscout, at 8/12/8 with a single medium laser, is a pure recon/scout mech. Get in, see the baddies, get the hell out..

The Jenner, with high speed, light armor and a ton of weapons is a scout hunter mech, it can recon, but its designed to quickly kill light mechs.

The Wolfhound, with its 96 kph top speed and lack of jump jets, all energy weaponry, and heavy armor, is a Strke mech. Its too slow to scout, but can in a pinch, but has speed and firepower to tangle with larger mechs, and its all-energy armament makes ideal for breakthroughs and behind enemy lines fighting.

The Panther has very heavy armament (a PPC!), but it's SLOW: 4/6/4. It can never scout. a Panther is best standing just behind some heavy mech that looks like a more dangerous threat and sniping away with its PPC. Panther Packs (a lance or even company composed of nothing but Panthers) are very, VERY dangerous, concentrating fire can injure or cripple almost any mech.

all 35 tons, very different roles.

I divide into 3 basic roles based on speed:
7/11 or faster is Scout/Recon
5/8 to 6/9 is Striker
4/6 or slower is Heavy.


Scout is divided into 'pure recon' like a LCT-1V, Spider, Assassin, or Ostscout, and hunter-killers like the Jenner, LCT-1E, or Stealth. Some mechs., like the Mongoose, and Venom, can fulfill both roles well. 3050+ tech adds snipers like the Jackal

Strikers are close range (Phoenix Hawk, Javelin, Ostroc), or fire support (Griffiin, Valkyrie, Trebuchet), Able to fight against larger mechs with maneuverability and playing with range games, A few try to mix it up (Dervish, Scorpion), but usually end up not having enough firepower at either range.

the lightest models in the Striker class (Stinger, Wasp, Hornet), are really designed as rear area Security Mechs, and training mechs...generally they don't belong in a pitched battle, but can manage small skirmishes.

Heavies are divided into Close Assault (Hunchback, Victor, Axman), Direct Fire Support (Rifleman, Awesome, Warhammer-6D), Indirect Fire Support (Archer, Catapult), all-around (Atlas, Orion), and Specialty (Urbanmech, Cyclops)

lances are more effective when speeds and roles match and complement each other

#2 Brixx

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Posted 05 November 2011 - 04:54 AM

I think this classification depends a lot on how we are allowed to customize our mechs. Because I can imagine that a lot of people choose loadouts that do not necessarily fit into the categories the stock mech would be in. But if we did not have that choice I think that would be a good idea... if people sticked to what the Mech was designed for.

#3 Bianca Flowers

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Posted 05 November 2011 - 04:59 AM

that is fine. a mech's role can change with its loadout (This is the *point* on Omnimechs). a CN9-A Centurion is a heavy with a mixed fire support role (LRM-10, AC/10). but the CN9-AH, which replaces the weapons with an AC/20 becomes a close assault heavy. The CPLT-C1 is an all around heavy that leans towards Indirect Fire Support (2 LRM-15, 4 MLs), the CPLT-K2 is a Direct Fire Support mech (2 PPC, 2 ML, 2 MG)

Edited by Bianca Flowers, 05 November 2011 - 05:00 AM.


#4 Brixx

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Posted 05 November 2011 - 05:07 AM

If people sticked to this and not just started boating again. I like the idea though... because actually it tells you what to do on the battlefield. I just hope people would stick to this and not just run around headlessly trying to alphastrike everything in range again. But those aren´t OmniMechs or did I misunderstand something? I thought the first Omnis came with the clans and didn´t exist before?

#5 Bianca Flowers

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Posted 05 November 2011 - 05:19 AM

they did, but mech variants have existed from the beginning. Omnis just do it EASIER

#6 Bianca Flowers

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Posted 05 November 2011 - 12:10 PM

bump?

#7 Samson

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Posted 05 November 2011 - 12:19 PM

I would say that using role/speed as a subcategory would work better. A light striker vs a medium striker might represent the same role but are very different assets to consider on the battlefield. Woe betide someone who mistakes a medium brawler with an assault brawler.

Still, all things considered, this is a good idea and a great way to organize mech assets on the battlefield.

#8 Bianca Flowers

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Posted 06 November 2011 - 04:48 AM

weight still certainly matters. There is a big difference between a Panther and an Awesome, both are direct fire support mechs, but you would employ them in relatively similar ways.

Edited by Bianca Flowers, 06 November 2011 - 04:49 AM.


#9 Barantor

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Posted 06 November 2011 - 05:58 AM

Division like this is what I would want to see too and is what exists for Champions in League of Legends. In LoL the champs have roles (tank, carry, jungler, etc) and these roles help show what it is good at. Each role is represented well by a variety of champions with different abilities, so you get a good mix instead of one or two champs being able to do everything.

#10 Razor Kotovsky

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Posted 06 November 2011 - 08:38 AM

What an insight!!

SPG - lrm boats
HT - brawler assaults
MT - brawler heavies and slow mediums
LT - brawler lights ans fast mediums
AT - direct fire boats

Now we just need premium Mackie.

/troll

Mechs are ******* versatile, this is their main cherry.
Pilot defines the loadout and tactics. If he needs help on his own decision he is bad and should **** off back to world of ******* tanks, period.

Edited by Razor Kotovsky, 06 November 2011 - 08:42 AM.


#11 ice trey

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Posted 06 November 2011 - 08:47 AM

I'm afraid that neither the Jenner, nor the Commando, are scout hunters.

These 'mechs are what are called "Strikers". they're fast moving 'mechs that can deal significant damage, often at the cost of armor. They're not made to hunt lights so much as they're made to outmaneuver and harass slower units.

Like the Jenner, 10 heat sinks, but it can generate 15 heat from weapons fire, alone. It's made to run behind an opponent, alpha strike at it's vitals, and then jump or run behind cover to cool off and prep another volley. The same kind of idea can be found with the Commando, though the Commando tends to be a much slower mover. Both of these can also be used to breach the enemy's lines and wreak havoc on their support and infrastructure. Both they, and scout 'mechs, can be used to take out enemy repair facilities, ammo depots, and the ilk. However, as can be expected, Strikers do this better due to more firepower. They're more likely to be able to trash a target before anyone notices, whereas a Spider or Assassin would still be whittling away at it.

#12 Bianca Flowers

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Posted 16 February 2012 - 03:46 PM

Bump.

Oh, Ghod, thread resurrection!

Actually, I just wondered how this speed/role idea looks next to the modules planning and role warfare.

#13 ManDaisy

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Posted 16 February 2012 - 04:00 PM

Mouse
Cat
Dog
Fat Pig
Land Cow

I think thats a sums up the roles nicely.

Edited by ManDaisy, 16 February 2012 - 04:01 PM.


#14 Bianca Flowers

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Posted 16 February 2012 - 06:37 PM

are you talking roles or just the Chinese Zodiac?

#15 ManDaisy

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Posted 16 February 2012 - 09:11 PM

both?

#16 EDMW CSN

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Posted 17 February 2012 - 01:32 AM

View PostManDaisy, on 16 February 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

Mouse
Cat
Dog
Fat Pig
Land Cow

I think thats a sums up the roles nicely.



I called Daishi/Daisy Land Pigs.
Oh well it is the same.





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