57 replies to this topic

[Major Tom]

It just depends.
In the TT I used to prefer a Catapult over a Thunderbolt because the Captapult had symetrical weapons systems. But after a while I began to really appreciate the Thunderbots variety at any range. Now-a-days, I prefer to pick my weapon loadout before my chassis, which sometimes leads to a symetrical design and sometimes not.

Do you consider a Warhammer symetrical? it is pretty close until the SRM6 and flood light.

[Haleion]

Symmetry is good and has its place on the battle field but I love a Mech that is purpose built for a particular role or method of fighting. If you need a speed demon/scout then it's light armor with little to no pop but LOTS of engine. A fire platform Mech should have lots of longrange weapons and decent armor but little need for mobility or close up defense. Wanna rush the gates?, then you want a bruiser that can move with a speed just a hair above plodding, armored to the hilt, and with serious medium to close range damage potential. My favorite design of all time is a modified Assassin that used a mix of level 2 and 3 tech that was armored to the hilt, fast as ____, and could hit you with a Clan ER PPC to slow you down, then run up close and turn your chassis into a pool of molten steel with 8 ER Small Lasers. It was a terrific Hunter-Killer Mech to send behind (or though) enemy lines and target lone mechs or perform gorilla attacks on heavier opponents.

[osito]

I do like the looks of the symmetrical designs. Yet i usually pilot mechs with multiple range weapons. I wouldn't mind seeing a thug in the game. 2 ppc and 2 srm 6 is a good weapons package. I chose 3057 due to the fact that alot of the new mechs and variants used the new tech from the helm core. In 3050 tro the i.s is really just starting to put new tech and mechs into the field. A couple years later all new mechs based on the foundtech are in mass production.

[Melissia]

A bit of both. The Cicada for example does asymmetry quite well as did the old Raven (the new one I'm ambivalent about, but it still has its coolness factor). Meanwhile the Catapult does symmetry well.

[DaZur]

Major Tom, on 11 May 2012 - 10:21 AM, said:

It just depends.
In the TT I used to prefer a Catapult over a Thunderbolt because the Captapult had symetrical weapons systems. But after a while I began to really appreciate the Thunderbots variety at any range. Now-a-days, I prefer to pick my weapon loadout before my chassis, which sometimes leads to a symetrical design and sometimes not.

Do you consider a Warhammer symetrical? it is pretty close until the SRM6 and flood light.

I would consider the Warhammer a symmetrical design. Reason being it's primaries are bilateral with the SRM being the only asymmetrical load out. I guess I should further refine my definition to pertain primarily to a Mechs main weapons...

[Ramien]

3050 and asymmetrical mechs for me. The Hunchback is the Hunchback because of that asymmetry. The Hunchback IIC shouldn't even be called a Hunchback anymore, since it loses the hunch. Any specialist mech like the Raven that uses TAG or NARC beacons are going to be at least somewhat asymmetrical, since those systems aren't usually redundant. About the only thing that I really have to see symmetrical are the arrangements of jump jets on any mechs that have them.

[Kasiagora]

Very good question, DaZur and I'm finding it interesting how even the poll results are between 3025 vs 3050, and asymmetrical vs symmetrical.

I prefer my mechs to be largely symmetrical, but with a few asymmetrical things. One of my favorite mech designs is the Grasshopper, where everything's mirrored left to right, except half of its face is a missile launcher. Many of the 3025 designs have symmetrical designs except one forearm is a cannon, or there's a missile rack over one shoulder. I like that too. I like things to be just a bit askew.

On a related note I love the look of the BMW 1100RR. The body work is pretty much the same on either side of the bike, but the headlights are different shapes and the cooling ducts are different from one-another too. Very nice.

[Jakebob]

Rifleman and Marauder.. my 2 favorite mechs, both symmetrical.

[Eximar]

Jakebob, on 11 May 2012 - 02:22 PM, said:

Rifleman and Marauder.. my 2 favorite mechs, both symmetrical.

[nitpick]The Marauder would actually be asymmetrical, as the AC, while drawn to look as if it is centrally located, is a side torso weapon[/nitpick]

[Tannhauser Gate]

I prefer general chassis symmetry with antennae and protruding components and weapon barrels asymmetry being ok. The arms can be asymmetrical as well to a point. I dont like small squidy joints on arms like on a maurader or madcat that resemble articulated pods from martian invaders from the 50s and 60s. I much perfer the realistic heavy mechanical look that FD and MWO are currently going for.

[Yeach]

I would like an asymentrical mirrored mech.
http://mwomercs.com/...__fromsearch__1

[Zakatak]

Depends if the mech itself is asymmetrical or not, I guess. If the "stock" version of a mech is a mirror image left to right, I always arm it exactly the same on each side. If the mech is asymmetrical, I arm it as such. Yes, I do have mild OCD. Symmetry alone doesn't really determine if a mech looks good or not, though. Bushwacker is sexy, Bowman is puke worthy. Catapult is hot, Hunchback IIC is not.

I like all the tech levels that are set in 3050's. Anything before feels too limited, anything after feels too chaotic. All the iconic weapons and mechs are available in this era too.

Edited by Zakatak, 11 May 2012 - 09:00 PM.

[LordDeathStrike]

warhammer is the sweetest looking battletech mech of all time.

[ethnic minority]

I voted symmetrical. Asymmetrical is logical, but leads to some personal bad habits in me:

I tend to end up sacrificing one side's armour in order to keep the guns on the other side alive, especially on lopsided configurations like the centurion or hunchback (big gun on one side, support guns on the other) - leading up to the circle of death. Worst of all, the opponent can catch on to this and get rid of the 'big gun' early on, if you get into an unlucky circle of death, with my more important side facing inward to the circle. It seems to me that the MWO devs are hinting towards this kind of behavior with the centurion - with one big gun arm, the other obviously carrying a shield motif and mounting no weapons.

With symmetrical configs, evenly spreading out the weapons means that I have less to lose if one side gets blown out. Alternatively, knowing that both sides are equally vulnerable, I tend to shirk risky but high reward moves and opt for conservative, cover-intensive tactics.

I guess that's why the best brawlers are asymmetrical and the best support mechs are symmetrical.

[Zakatak]

One thing about asymmetrical mechs is that smaller enemies will know which locations to aim for, making the job easier for big mechs. I know for a fact my Gauss Dragon is going to have it's arm sheared off by a bunch of annoying Jenner's and Cicada's early in the match because they know to shoot for my 'batin arm.

...although. If I have a Catapult, Awesome, or Jenner, people are just going to think "hmmm, this'll do" and just pound away at the CT. Not good for my longevity.

[Deathz Jester]

As long as it does it's job, and isn't hideous does it matter?

[Victor Morson]

It's unfortunate that there's 2 votes off now, because the poll itself had symmetry for a while.

3058 is really my tech sweet spot (though I do like some of the tech from 3070, as well as the MW4 mechs, a lot of designs were bad about then), but I voted against symmetry. The catch being I really don't want ALL 'mechs like that, just as a variety.

For example, this is what makes the Orion and Thor stand out instantly, or the Hunchback canon to be so noticeable. If every 'mech did it, it'd all start to blend in. We need both.

[Thorqemada]

I prefer the 3025 tech and dont care if its symmetric.
If i build a personalized Mech in the Lab its will probably be asymmetrical.
I dont like the Omni-Machs at all - they be more efficient but have much less flair and spirit.

[neodym]

I like symmetrical girls but for mechs I dont care

[Terick]

DaZur, on 11 May 2012 - 07:31 AM, said:

I wonder is my being ambidextrous has anything to do with my penchant for symmetry?

... It's either that or it's my OCD kicking in again.

I have to ask then...

Why do you have a Zeus (different arm weapons and hence different arms) in your signature?