Pugnacious Stoat, on 21 November 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:
I'm surprised that you saw cicadas running streaks, since none of the cicada variants has any missile hardpoints. But that's not really important. The problem with circling streak boats is that the catapult has an extremely large torso twist range. That makes it difficult to get out of its firing arc. Still, you may be right that tight circling is a viable tactic, even against a competent pilot--I have more experimenting to do. I would have been more cautious with my original post, but most of the streak advocates in this thread seemed to be conceding that there was no way to beat streaks in a light mech at close range, and saying that was fine.
That brings me to the second part of your post, where you say that light mechs should have no realistic chance against larger ones. I disagree with you entirely, and it's got nothing to do with what I feel entitled to as a light mech pilot. In fact, I wouldn't call myself a light mech pilot at all--I played a jenner sometimes in closed beta, but I've spent most of my time since open beta in a hunchback, atlas, or awesome. I got my first cicada several days ago. (I know that's not actually a light mech, but it plays like one). Even when I'm in my atlas, I don't mind the fact that a light mech can pick me apart if I'm not on my game. If I'm not mistaken, PGI has stated several times that they want smaller mechs to be viable in this game, and not just for scouting. The game is much more interesting when you have a variety of mechs fighting on the field, and when players can achieve victory through piloting skill, rather than simply trading alpha strikes to the center torso. Disregarding streaks, do fast mechs have it too easy right now? Absolutely. Lag-shield, no knock-downs, etc. But once those issues are addressed, sufficiently skilled pilots should still be able to make up for a tonnage deficit by utilizing superior maneuverability and speed.
It is absolutely moronic to believe that a 25 ton Commando should have ANY sort of chance, one on one, against a 100 ton Atlas. If they're trying to build a game to 'enable' that, they're building the most craptastic mediocrity since EQ2.
Four times the weight, many times that in alpha power, at least as much weight in armor as the Commando itself, hell a Commando could BE an Atlas leg, and you're telling me it should have a 'realisitc' chance, one on one?!?!!?
The only permissable advantages a light 'mech should have are its tiny hit boxes, its extremely short stature, its speed and its manueverability. Nerfing weapons systems to accomodate the survivability of lazy, inept players is financial suicide ANY game. Solo lights are NOT battle line 'mechs, they're scouts, skirmishers, quick response units. The only viable against larger 'mechs is 'wolf packing', which requires coordination, cooperation and communication. Yeah, that is REALLY hard, no sarcasm, as most PUGs piloting light 'mechs are incapable of any of that even at the most basic level.
What are you smoking? Get rid of it, they've used DDT insecticide on it!
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