12 replies to this topic

[MacAddict4Life]

I've read through a lot of threads about the Cicada... and just grown confused! If I am considering a build based on a fairly large number of reasonably small energy weapons, which Cicada do I want? Is there really a chance to put 6 lasers in the 2A? What are the advantages to the 2B, besides default equipment differences? Is there any advantage to the 3M beyond the ballistics hardpoint (again, default equipment isn't a different I am concerned about here, unless there's a reason the 2A/2B can't be upgraded to the XL engine or something).

[Xjin]

The Cicada-2A with a xl, (300 to 320 no more no less) endo+dhs with 5 medium lasers will have near max armor. Heat is a problem if you just let lose or on hot map. My 2A fires all lasers at once will only raise up to about %35 heat on forest/city and cools off quick. I have a 320xl with two dhs in it, and two on each side torso- for a total of 16dhs. This is a costly build (mostly the 320xl and dhs) and if you get totally trashed in a match you can have a 100k repair bill. That is unlikely and the normal bill for repair is around 50-60k. 4-6 shots of 5xmlasers will slag your self any Atlas from behind. I've killed one in 3, critical shot to his XL.

That is just MY build for the 2A. The Cicada can be outfitted quite nicely, even the 3C. They can be a hunter-killer / Assassin like my 2A to a full on skirmisher with good armor (200 or so out of 274 max) with 3mlasers and an AC2/AC5 on a 3M.

Edited by Xjin, 19 November 2012 - 09:13 PM.

[MacAddict4Life]

What about pulse lasers? It seems like, on a super fast mech, they would be a stronger choice.

Is the 2A with 5ML better than, say, the 2B with 4ML and 2 SPL or some such? (Until I buy something I can't actually see most of the customization interface.)

[Nekrotik]

My first mech was the 2A and it has always been my favorite. I run it with the 300xl and 6ml (DHS). It is expensive to outfit but has great speed and damage. If you look at the hardpoints on each variation youll see that the 2A and 3M have good hardpoints. The 3C has just bad hardpoints and why choose the 2B when you can just have the 2A.

I recommend the 2A

[Xjin]

MacAddict4Life, on 19 November 2012 - 09:17 PM, said:

What about pulse lasers? It seems like, on a super fast mech, they would be a stronger choice.

Is the 2A with 5ML better than, say, the 2B with 4ML and 2 SPL or some such? (Until I buy something I can't actually see most of the customization interface.)

Depends on your play style, honestly. I would skip on SPL as the 90m range is bad for you. MPL would be better but they are 2 tons+higher heat to Mlasers 1 ton and less heat. The range of MPL are not that much of a problem, as the speed you can run at helps you get into and out of a fight.

The 2A has 6 energy hard points, two on each part of the torso. The 2B only has 5 hard points for energy, and they can both mount AMS. The 3C has only 1 energy hard point, but four for ballistics. The 3M has 4 energy and one ballistic hard point/s. The 3M comes stocked with an XL and DHS, so it costs 7mill. Also the 3M will have less armor do to the tonnage of good ballistic guns and there ammo + case. a good 3C will have low armor as well, making the 3C and 3M better suited for hit and run/ force recon with other heavier scouts.

[Xelrah]

If cicada then only 6 ML 2A.

[Zeke Steiner]

Go with the model that has laser hardpoints in its arms. Trust me, its better. Get close and stay elevated to protect yourself from those Torso mounted heavy hitters. Fair warning, the Cicada isn't the cheapest mech to groom into a warmachine. Have enough c-bills for its XL engine and DBH. And put more armor on your butt than normal. You'll be fast but you won't always be facing your enemy nor would you want to with you Head Hit box smack dab in the middle of your CT.

[Boitameuh]

Got a 300XL, DHS, 6 Med Laser build. Fast and powerful, especially with the elite upgrades unlocked.

I also had a 2B with 2 LL and 2 ML, it was funny to melt standing commando's heads at 500m with the large lasers.

[Tuhalu]

Until they get around to actually buffing machine guns, stay away from the 2C. The 2A, 2B and 3M are all fine.

• The 2A has 6 energy points, which are ALL on the torso, putting you at a disadvantage in hilly terrain. It also has only 1 module slot. This may be a problem in the future when there are more modules to choose from that are actually good.
  
• The 2B has 5 energy points, 4 of which are in the arms, giving you an advantage on hilly terrain. It has 2 module slots.
  
• The 3M has 4 energy points and 1 ballistic, all in the torso, so again you are at a disadvantage in hilly terrain. It has two module slots. It comes with a 320XL and Double Heat Sinks as stock.

One build that has served me well on all of these variants is to go with a 280XL, 17 DHS, ES, 4MPL, TAG and nearly full armor (-18 from max with this build). Medium Pulse Lasers are very good on high speed mechs and against high speed targets. TAG makes LRMs actually hit enemy light mechs, but you can leave it off on the 3M due to it's lower number of energy hardpoints.

With 17 DHS and 4 MPL, you can fire quite a bit before you start overheating. Going to 5 MPL (by dropping the TAG or going to the 2A) will make you overheat a lot faster and I found it a lot harder to avoid shutdown due to an itchy trigger finger. 4MPL will take the head off an enemy mech if they stand still long enough for 2 full volleys.

If you feel the need, you can put on an AMS with 1 ton of ammo and add 16 points more armor in exchange for 2 DHS pretty easily.

With all the efficiencies you'll go about 113kph with the 280XL. It's not the fastest any mech can go, but if you need that, you are better off with a Jenner. The Jenner has more tonnage free for weapons at those higher speeds and can mount Jump Jets. Practically speaking, you will probably spend some time with a 320XL and lesser numbers of heat sinks and/or normal medium lasers as you work up the cash to buy everything you need. I'm talking about the final build with all efficiencies here.

[SquareSphere]

2B if you want arm swing 2A if you're wanting raw energy weapon potential.

I go with an unconventional load on my 2a. 4SL + 2ML SHS 300XL AMS ES

Prefer to knife fight (4SL) but need a moderate punch at distance for pot shots (2ML). Going with more ML might provide higher alpha, but the low heat from the SL give me more damage over time and are easier to handle against faster mechs.

[Sandra McCrow]

I do love cicadas... well... I do love killing them. The important tip from what's written in here - is Armour - tank her well. Tank her really well. It's just pain to watch cicadas going down very fast by being legged. I still haven't bought mine, but my jenner experience tells me that a full armour set worth getting rid of 6th mlas. And cicada has a much easier to hit profile

[Chrithu]

CDA-2A all the way. If piloted the right way that thing is a beast.

My current loadout:

6 Medium Lasers
BAP
XL 315
FF, ES and DH upgrades
Full Armor
2 additional HS in Engine Slots

With this setup you have no heat problems, fare at ~120 kph (137 kph when Elite) and do hell of a lot of damage. It can be used as a scout. I prefer using it's speed to sneak past the enemy lines and then see what they do. If I find singled out LRM boats that stood behind they are my first target. Stay away from Streakheavy builds though.

[Tuhalu]

Jason Parker, on 27 November 2012 - 12:49 AM, said:

6 Medium Lasers
2 additional HS in Engine Slots

With this setup you have no heat problems

The words "no" and "heat problems" don't go together when talking about 12 double heat sinks and 6 medium lasers. 6 medium lasers = 60 heat in 10 seconds at max firing rate. 12 double heat sinks reduce your heat by 22.8 heat per 10 seconds. Your heat cap with 12 DHS is 44. You will shut down after 4 consecutive volleys. That is 13 seconds of firing which costs 78 heat, while removing only 29.64 heat, putting you on 48.36 heat.

I can't call any mech that overheats in 13 seconds a "no heat problems" mech!

Edit: You'll probably last 17 seconds with all the heat related efficiencies maxed out.

Edited by Tuhalu, 27 November 2012 - 02:33 AM.