7 replies to this topic

[Reyge]

Not sure if this topic has been brought up before, but it's definitely worth repeating. Has anyone else noticed that the Cicada's head hitbox is just WAAAAY too large? I typically pilot a Cicada, and the problem became readily apparent the first time I piloted it. Any time I get destroyed, it's because I was shot in the head. Never the torso or legs... always the head. Could this be corrected in a future patch? Is it on the menu to be fixed soon?

[RockWolf]

Well IMO its the mechs character flaw, its another way to give it personality. None of the mechs are perfect Examples: Hunchbacks right torso, Centurions right arm, catapults ears,Dragons center torso, Atlas slow turning speed, etc.

Just try not to look at the enemy when your not firing, because anyway if they can hit the head, the center torso is right under if they slightly miss. ^^

Edited by RockWolf, 31 October 2012 - 04:03 PM.

[soulfire]

dd

[Alex Wolfe]

RockWolf, on 31 October 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

Well IMO its the mechs character flaw, its another way to give it personality. None of the mechs are perfect Examples: Hunchbacks right torso, Centurions right arm, catapults ears,Dragons center torso, Atlas slow turning speed, etc.

The problem is that such personal quirks, while welcome, still need to be balanced or mechs go unused if they get in the way too much. Personality is fine, a tangible handicap isn't.

It just leads to the unpopularity of the Cicada ("medium Jenner with huge head and no JJ"), Centurion (Fatty McFlapdoor von Uselessarm), Awesome (walking bullseye) when you can get the "handicap-less" alternatives just as easily: Jenner, HBK SP instead of Cent/any other HBK (SP isn't even much of a Hunchback, it's more of an Inner Sphere Ryoken with its hardpoint setup), Atlas instead of AWS and so forth.

There need to be some benefits to go with the drawbacks as well, like in Catapult's case whose huge head is a secondary concern, considering excellent hardpoints, JJ and ridiculous torso twist.

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 01 November 2012 - 03:50 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

It is probably still much too soon to tell if the cicada's head hitbox is too big or just right. Obviously as a cicada pilot it will always be 'too big', but there are overarching gameplay balance issues at work.

Certainly not impossible, the Commando, Awesome, and Atlas all had their head headboxes redefined, but the Cicada is a medium mech with a frightening maximum speed which is an advantage not to be overlooked.

[SquareSphere]

Yes it's huge but not as bad as the first round of Atlas head hit box in CB. It's not unmanageable though, just keep moving fast and try to be more aware of not always having your front facing the enemy.

Example, I always group fire my weapons to NOT have a continuous rate of fire. This allows me to torso twist my front away while the weapons are recycling and makes me far more survivable than using my Jenner.

[The Basilisk]

I think this is in fact on of the oldest concerns that came up with virtualy EVERY chassis.
And the answer to it is NO
The Hitbox is right as it is. Besides from its generaly weak armor the protrusing cockpit of the cicada are is its weak spot.
Normaly this would be worsened by the fact the BT canon Cicada can't turn its torso much like the Locust.
Both facts are negated somewhat by the cicadas high speed.
Conclusion:
Never stand still, don't stay turned to and focused on a foe for its revenge will hit you right in the face.

[Alex Wolfe]

The Basilisk, on 01 November 2012 - 06:22 AM, said:

The Hitbox is right as it is. Besides from its generaly weak armor the protrusing cockpit of the cicada are is its weak spot.
Normaly this would be worsened by the fact the BT canon Cicada can't turn its torso much like the Locust.
Both facts are negated somewhat by the cicadas high speed.

"BT canon" Cicada can turn its torso just like every other mech, unless you're using the "highly optional auxilliary rules", though, which were modeled after the art and not the rules. Instead of conforming to that, MWO changes the art to fit the primary rules. Btw, in TT its head isn't any easier to hit than any other mechs' either .

The Basilisk, on 01 November 2012 - 06:22 AM, said:

Both facts are negated somewhat by the cicadas high speed.

Your argument is negated by the existence of similarily speedy mechs with better hitboxes. It's nice that you can enjoy even a gimp mech, I guess, but don't pretend it's not gimped.

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 01 November 2012 - 08:40 AM.