42 replies to this topic

[jeffsw6]

I have bought a CDA-X5 and am wondering how people customize them. The stock configuration of 4xML 2xSRM2 13 DHS XL330 seems like just enough to annoy enemies and has plenty of speed, but not much punch. However, I suspect I won't live long if I give up maneuverability. Is the stock load-out already ideal?

I did install the Sensor Range and 360 Target modules.

[jay35]

Aside from swapping out the type of missiles, there's not a whole lot of builds that improve on the stock loadout from what I've seen.

[Tahribator]

Stock loadout is pretty optimal. Any other improvements in firepower require pretty hefty comprimises in either speed or armor.

[JayVrb]

I built one HERE online, haven't bought it yet though so i can't speak of its efficiency (I'm waiting for an MC sale of sorts so i don't have to pay a full $15.00 for a hero mech).

I'm excited once i get around to buying it, but i have a slightly similar build in my 3M and it is a whole bunch of fun to run! Similar in the sense it utilizes the XL 300 and does just fine as a striker/support mech. It will also shred Ravens now if you direct all your fire to their puny legs. There's few things in MWO that give me as much satisfaction as denying an ECM Raven 1 of its legs.

[jeffsw6]

Vrbas, on 01 April 2013 - 12:47 PM, said:

I built one HERE online

Why a CASE and an XL engine? Isn't that a useless combination?

[Esplodin]

Warning: Troll Build

Spoiler

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f3756304d0ad426

[Irvine]

Vrbas, on 01 April 2013 - 12:47 PM, said:

There's few things in MWO that give me as much satisfaction as denying an ECM Raven 1 of its legs.

This should be a mech bumper sticker...new MC item devs?

[BladeSplint]

Swap out the SRM2's for SRM4's and drop some armor if you're good at evading damage

[JayVrb]

jeffsw6, on 01 April 2013 - 01:29 PM, said:

Why a CASE and an XL engine? Isn't that a useless combination?

Not really. There's still a chance they hit my ammo before they hit my engine... as far as i understand, if an ammo area gets 1 crit it blows, where an engine has more hitpoints.

*I could be totally wrong, and if that's the case there's .5 tons i get back to use on something else maybe

Edited by Vrbas, 01 April 2013 - 01:58 PM.

[Nathan Foxbane]

Esplodin, on 01 April 2013 - 01:36 PM, said:

Warning: Troll Build

Spoiler

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f3756304d0ad426

A proper lolcada needs twin 20s.

[jeffsw6]

What other Cicadas are good? I need to choose 2 more. It seems like about 12 to 15 tons is the most armaments they can reasonably carry.

CDA-3M: I was thinking of buying it to try one that has ECM
CDA-3C seems kind of gimp given the weight of guns and total ineffectiveness of the MG
CDA-2A and CDA-2B I guess you just load these up with ML or MPL and manage heat carefully?

The Cicadas would sure be more attractive if there were some gun options between 6 tons and .. that's really it, since the Machine Gun is total trash.

[TruePoindexter]

Swap the SRM2's for SSRM2's and well... not much else?

As for Cicada's I prefer the 2A, 2B, and 3M. The new X5 would be in my bay if I hadn't finished Cicada's awhile ago.

Stay far away from the 3C... far far far far far away.

[FerretGR]

I run my Cicadas with an XL300, after speed tweak they're still plenty fast (130) and there's that much more room for weaponry. If you've got a 300 lying around, try putting one in and running 4ML, 2SRM6 (the 12 missiles fire in 3 groups of 4 which can be jarring), or 2 LL, 2 SRM4. As for the rest, the 2A and the 3M would be my choice: the torso mounted hardpoints of the 2A last longer, and the 3M is a no-brainer with ECM.

+1 for stay away from 3C

ETA: if you want to keep the speed where it is, as others have pointed out, the stock build for the X-5 is pretty optimal.

Edited by FerretGR, 01 April 2013 - 03:36 PM.

[Rayah]

Vrbas, on 01 April 2013 - 12:47 PM, said:

I built one HERE online, haven't bought it yet though so i can't speak of its efficiency

Y u no put ur ammo in yo legs???

Edited by Rayzor, 01 April 2013 - 03:46 PM.

[JayVrb]

Rayzor, on 01 April 2013 - 03:46 PM, said:

Y u no put ur ammo in yo legs???

My legs tend to get shredded fast, i don't slow down or anything they're just easy to hit i guess.

[Trauglodyte]

Endo, FF, and a 300xl is what you'll need to start out with: Option #1 - Er Lrg Laser, 2 Md Lasers, 2 Streaks, w/ 4 DHSs; Option #2, 4 Md Lasers w/ 2 SRM 4s and 4 DHS, and Option #3 4 Md Lasers w/ 2 LRM5s and 4 DHSs. Don't laugh or under estimate the LRMs on the "bug". It gives you a ranged potential and, as you're driving a Cicada (especially the X-5), you should be skirting the fringes and weakening people up before you strafe said target.

[jeffsw6]

I decided on the CDA-3M for my second one. I noticed that its arms do not hold any armaments. Is there any reason not to remove all the armor from them and re-allocate elsewhere? An arm with no weapons doesn't seem like a big loss if it gets blown off.

[Carrioncrows]

Right now i am happy with:

XL255
Endo
FF
Full armor
13 DHS

x2 larges
x2 mediums
lrm5 (x1 ton of ammo)

less zoom zoom and more boom boom

[Esplodin]

Nathan Foxbane, on 01 April 2013 - 02:17 PM, said:

A proper lolcada needs twin 20s.

That just makes it double trololcada!

[FerretGR]

jeffsw6, on 01 April 2013 - 04:25 PM, said:

I decided on the CDA-3M for my second one. I noticed that its arms do not hold any armaments. Is there any reason not to remove all the armor from them and re-allocate elsewhere? An arm with no weapons doesn't seem like a big loss if it gets blown off.

Personally, I run with full armor, maybe a slight reduction on the arms when necessary. Think of them as shields protecting your XL engine and weapons.