7 replies to this topic

[Max Dragon]

So there are several, "OMGZ STEAKCATS ZO OPEEEEZZZ" threads on here. So, I thought i would make an accurate and fair assessment of it.

First off, This is just for the standard 6 streak Cat A1. Disadvantages. Splash damage, 270 range, ammo, Pop the ears and its useless. Also, people forget that the cockpit is huge on the front, and the dps is less than many other builds on other mechs when shooting just at ct or other spot on mech. Also, if you chain fire them to increase Cockpit rocking dps is further lowered.

Advantages, Missile shake the cockpit, Missiles home to the target very well. They are light weight and cool weapons so a large engine can be used with jump jets for added maneuverability. Low heat and decent recycle.


OK, so as described above you don't have to aim for them much and you can build a fast maneuverable mech with descent CC on a newer player, but You have to get in close range and if the other player is a good shot you can quickly be dispatched by taking off your ears or out damaging you on your ct.

Now if you just take that, its not that op. At least to me it doesn't sound that op to me.

Personal opinion: I think the cockpit rocking is what bothers people the most. At least for the aforementioned forum posters. People panic in the cockpit and freakout when it starts shaking and it is the death of them. I like this feature the most actually. As being cool and focused in the heat of a fierce battle is one of the greatest hallmarks of a great warrior. I know that some people also have a memory leak that sometimes causes them to drop to 5 frames a second during missile barrages, but i cant help you there. Sure the devs should fix the memory leak, but at the same time that doesn't mean you are correct in thinking that part of streaks is op.

If you get past that cockpit rocking then really all you have to do is make sure you dont let the cat close on you without putting significant damage in him as he closes. To be honest there are a flurry of builds that relies on getting close and brawling it out. So, if you see someone closing, you need to be shooting them while you have the advantage and not wait till they are up on you. Also, if you work on your shots or are already good at shooting you can easily out damage or disable them via shooting ears off.

Now as far as lights vs streak cats. I think it works, because a light can always out run a streak cat and its the light pilot that chooses to close with a mech he knows can kill him up close. It creates a counter to the lights running circles around the heavier/slower mechs and forces them to run away or die. I mean how many times do you see a light kill a atlas or lighter by just running circles around mech. Sure the heavier mech needs to probably work on his aim, but with a streak cat it allows more safety to the slower guys and frees them from the CC of having a jenner on your six coring you out, and allows you to fire freely even though there is a light mech about.

Fixes: I really don't think there is much to fix. Knowing the disadvantages and staying cool in the pilot seat, you can kill a streak cat more times than he can kill you. Now you could take out the cockpit rocking, but I honestly think that would weaken the game as I view staying cool in the seat as part of player skill if they fix the memory leak on missle barrages that is. You could lessen the damage, but I don't think that will work as you can already out damage it. and the mech has to close with you giving you a chance to put damage in it before it gets there assuring a victory in the brawl.

The only thing I can think of is increasing the cycle time, which decreases damage again, or increases the heat. Now some have also suggested increasing the lock time based on the number of streaks on the mech. I like this and it might appease some of the aforementioned forum posters, but then they will probably still complain about something else. The problem is this ends up lowering the dps and effectiveness out of the players hand.

Also, I was thinking of a way to slow down the mech and to decrease its effectiveness slightly, but still with skill you would have the same effect as now. I came up with, for each streak you put on your mech it makes the reticule smaller and it also would decrease, based on the number you put on your mech, the time that your cross hairs can be off the reticule before you lose lock. This puts more player skill into the game and less guaranteed shooting. It causes the player to want to run its mech smoothly focusing their shots constantly which will effect the players maneuverability and cause them to focus on staying in range and constantly over the target.

Now this would be a "nerf" that wouldn't effect damage or effectiveness of the weapon, but at the same time cause the player to work harder to get those guaranteed shots and cause them to make more mistakes. This would allow "certain" pilots to be less effective and "others" to stay the same.

Now this may not stop any complaining, but what really will. If the devs knew that they would be millionaires already. I think that they are fine the way they are, but have given a solution if "nerfing" is demanded. You know if you get down to what I think. There are far more important things that need attention than this debate at this time. What do you guys think of my ideas, or do you have any ideas of your own?

[JimSuperBleeder]

They are only annoying when there a multiples in a group and any build would be if you had 4 of them chasing you around.

Once the new MM kicks in they will be around the pug world and we'll just have to deal with it. With the premade groups you'd hope that there would be a common etiquette to not have people being of dicks and have a teams full of them.

[Max Dragon]

JimSuperBleeder, on 03 December 2012 - 05:22 PM, said:

They are only annoying when there a multiples in a group and any build would be if you had 4 of them chasing you around.

Once the new MM kicks in they will be around the pug world and we'll just have to deal with it. With the premade groups you'd hope that there would be a common etiquette to not have people being of dicks and have a teams full of them.

Is that really the fault of the devs to nerf something though? Also, can't people shoot at the steak cats and soften them up before they come to make a brawl easy. If you allow them to minimize there disadvantages and maximize there strengths its not really their or the devs fault to fix it.

[RedDragon]

The only problem is with the screen shake and the smoke. With this gone, StreakCats are only mechs that don't need skill to use, do average damage and are easy to cripple, especially over long ranges.

[HighlandCoo]

Will be mitigated when ECM is in - can no longer "boat" all missles without the risk of being completely neutered

[Team Leader]

It only needs a slight change. Maybe make them have to hold down the trigger to start lock, and the second it does, it fires automatically? On top of the lock onto joints fix that would be perfect.

[Max Dragon]

HighlandCoo, on 03 December 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

Will be mitigated when ECM is in - can no longer "boat" all missles without the risk of being completely neutered

I think this might nerf the Lrm/Streak hybrid, but as there range is 270 and ecm, as they have eluded to its present iteration, limits locks to 300 meters.

[Ryolacap]

They just need fixed and fast, the real problem is lock on and lock-ons through hills and stuff. Should be lock-ons only by the streak user. ANother huge problem is they always go for center torso, something might get in the way but they do try for center. Most of the streak users, who load up, are pretty weak in the skill department and need them to be any player what so ever, but now a lot of players are using them.... 80% have at least 1-2, which is a ridiculous. They are an exploit, an identified error by the devs and plan to be fixed, just because they can’t fix them fast enough doesn’t mean it’s any less of a cheat or exploit. If you use them, you are in the same category as the farmers. You are exploiters. I am pretty sick and tired of getting my center cored out by all non-skilled cheaters out there
Please hurry with the fix
~Commando pilot

Edited by Ryolacap, 03 December 2012 - 06:13 PM.