9 replies to this topic

[Poopy Joe]

What is Different about an XL Engine compared to a Normal?

[Lavrenti]

Poopy Joe, on 10 November 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

What is Different about an XL Engine compared to a Normal?

Well, it's a lot lighter so it saves you tons for other things. But it also requires an extra 6 critical slots, 3 in each side torso. That means if you lose one of them your engine is destroyed, which will in turn destroy your mech.

[Elizander]

Poopy Joe, on 10 November 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

What is Different about an XL Engine compared to a Normal?

They are the same speeds as the non-XL engines but they are lighter so you have more Tons to play around with. They take up 3 critical slots on each side torso (LT/RT) as explained earlier so you have less Critical Slots (this prevents the use of an AC/20 on a side torso, for example and can stack up quickly with Endo Steel and DHS space requirements).

You can use the extra space to either 1) Get a bigger engine to go faster and make your mech more responsive or 2) get more weapons or equipment while maintaining the same speed or so.

[Tickdoff Tank]

As the posters above have said, the XL weighs much less, but takes up more space and is more vulnerable to destruction due to the extra space.

I reccomend XL engines for Light mechs, all Cicadas, all Dragons and "support" Catapults. The XL engine is not well suited to a brawling mech because if the brawler loses a side torso it will (usually) be quickly destroyed by damage to the engine, if it had a standard engine it takes a center torso destruction to kill your engine.

That said, I have seen some people make great use of an XL engine in mechs that I would not expect to find one in. In those cases they are relying on the additional firepower and speed that the XL engine weight reduction allows. (Again, the XL does not increase your speed, but it may allow you to fit a higher rating of engine for the same weight)

The only Hunchback I would ever run an XL in is the SP, due to the smaller side torsos, but even then I think it is more risk than you should take.

[Khobai]

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The XL engine is not well suited to a brawling mech

I use XL on all of my brawling Atlases. The way I see it, if I can't kill 2-3 enemy mechs before my side torso is destroyed, then I shouldn't be playing an Atlas in the first place.

[Tickdoff Tank]

Khobai, on 10 November 2012 - 08:11 PM, said:

I use XL on all of my brawling Atlases. The way I see it, if I can't kill 2-3 enemy mechs before my side torso is destroyed, then I shouldn't be playing an Atlas in the first place.

That is a valid point of view, and I know several people that feel the same way, but I just find that it makes an Atlas too squishy. A couple well placed shots from a couple good pilots can kill you far faster than they should. But the extra weaponry and speed the weight savings allow some punishing damage and maneuverability.

[Khobai]

Oh it definitely makes you squishier, theres no question about that, but the advantage you gain in heatsinks and sustained dps is completely worth it. Especially if youve mastered the art of torso twisting to avoid torso hits.

[Scratx]

In a nutshell, XL trades performance for vulnerability. You get more performance out of your mech due to more available weight in exchange for dying if you ever lose any torso component.

Did I mention some people are good at killing side torsos and always aim at right torso first? (even against a standard engine atlas, killing half or more of your weapons is a sensible strategy... so it's win/win)

[dubplate]

Khobai, on 10 November 2012 - 08:11 PM, said:

I use XL on all of my brawling Atlases. The way I see it, if I can't kill 2-3 enemy mechs before my side torso is destroyed, then I shouldn't be playing an Atlas in the first place.

What sort of repair bills do you see with this? I haven't even taken my Atlas out since OB while I build up some c-bills just due to cost.

[Khobai]

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Did I mention some people are good at killing side torsos and always aim at right torso first? (even against a standard engine atlas, killing half or more of your weapons is a sensible strategy... so it's win/win)

Again.. torso twisting counters that. Good players rotate the damaged sections of their mech away from the enemy and only fire when the enemy's most damaging weapons are on cooldown. Terrain can also be used to block the damaged side of your mech.

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What sort of repair bills do you see with this? I haven't even taken my Atlas out since OB while I build up some c-bills just due to cost.

I hardly ever die. I have 181 kills and 10 deaths. And the only reason I even have deaths at all is because of phase 1 matchmaking putting so many bad players on my team. I average about 200k per match after repairs with my founders mech and not having to pay for ammo since you can turn off auto-rearm and get 75% free ammo.

Staying alive is actually very easy in this game even with an XL engine. You just need to hug terrain, rotate damaged parts of your mech away from the enemy, and dont get seperated from your team. Most of the time when I see pugs die its because they go off on their own or follow 1-2 other pugs and then they all end up getting killed.

Edited by Khobai, 10 November 2012 - 09:43 PM.