Cicada 3M Build Ideas
#1
Posted 14 December 2012 - 07:39 AM
I chose the 3M for a few reasons. I wanted an ECM capable mech, but I despise having to fight other lights. I didn't want to fly a Com or Raven and give the other team another light. Similarly, while the Atlas DC looks amazing, I've been piloting a few heavy mechs lately and wanted something with a little speed. It also seemed like it would be fun to round out the medium mechs since I already have several Hunchies and Cents.
But I'm having trouble visualizing an effective build. The very first thing I did was take out the SPLAS and CASE (of debatable value to an XL mech) to get my ECM in there. ECM is obviously essential, but I'm game for any other ideas.
Playing around with it a bit, I immediately liked swapping out the stock UAC5 with an LBX. Dropped down to a XL290 to free up the tonnage. While the LBX is heavier and the damage is unfocused, the laxity in precision aiming was definitely appreciated while maintaining a high speed. Backed up with 2 MLAS, I felt like I had respectable, if not mind blowing, damage potential. But my ammo stores were shallow and it felt like the mech was capable of more.
I tried putting the XL320 back in and filling the chasis with 4 MPLAS and as many DHS as I could. The results were mixed. Fun ankle biter, but very limited. Granted an ECM Cicada is goign to end up in a lot of close range conflicts, but it still feels bad to have no way of damaging a mech more than 300m away.
I could do a mix of LLAS and MLAS to have more flexibility I suppose.
How are other people building their 3Ms? Any tips on how to best contribute to the team piloting this little bug?
#2
Posted 14 December 2012 - 08:08 AM
I might try changing to a 300XL and using the extra tonnage to put MPLs on there instead. If I get a bazillion space bux and have nothing better to do with them, that is.
EDIT: Oh, you said 4 MPL before. I cannot read!
Edited by Keijo, 14 December 2012 - 08:12 AM.
#3
Posted 14 December 2012 - 01:30 PM
#4
Posted 15 December 2012 - 04:06 AM
A 320XL with 4 MLAS and an AC/2 (1 ton ammo) seemed to work OK for me. Have to experiment a bit more.
#5
Posted 15 December 2012 - 04:20 AM
General Pace, on 14 December 2012 - 01:30 PM, said:
This. Never stick around to actually FIGHT in this mech, your job is simply to annoy enemies, sometimes making them break formation and chase you, and softening up targets. I LOVE this mech. I do prefer the 5 or 6 laser variant a bit more, but then you don't get the ECM which means a bit more survivability.
Its one downside is heat, however the speed more than makes up for it, as long as you can keep yourself moving fast and break engagements before you overheat, you'll cool down quickly and be out of harms way while doing so, just make sure you NEVER fire off the overheating round in front of another mech, even fully armored up, this mech isn't build for taking alphas.
#6
Posted 16 December 2012 - 03:27 AM
Not sure it's the best CDA-3M build ever, but it works ok with me.
#7
Posted 16 December 2012 - 03:38 AM
Why do I even own Cataphracts after this?
Edited by Murku, 16 December 2012 - 03:40 AM.
#8
Posted 16 December 2012 - 04:01 AM
nice for hit'n run, but it's not very good agianst raven 3L's because of the streaks.
Edited by Flapdrol, 16 December 2012 - 04:03 AM.
#9
Posted 21 December 2012 - 11:09 AM
Haven't tried out ecm yet tho, should i invest?
#10
Posted 21 December 2012 - 11:13 AM
Demonbreaker, on 21 December 2012 - 11:09 AM, said:
Haven't tried out ecm yet tho, should i invest?
Simple answer: YES. If for no other reason than the increased difficulty in your enemies gaining missile lock for their LRMs and SSRMs.
#11
Posted 22 December 2012 - 07:50 AM
I used to run 4 x MPL but switched back to usual lasers due to lesser weight and heat generation wich allowed me to drop another DHS, install BAP and get almost full armor (damn, I even have some armor on its empty arms)
The only type of targets I can't deal with is ECM-equipped light mechs with Streaks. There isn't much you can do against them with your lasers (but maybe it's just the fact that I'm on the other side of the globe and my ping's around 160-220 ms). But you can always fall back to your team and that's another reason I prefer 4 x ML and 232 points of armor over 4 x MPL and much less armor.
Edited by Aurel Atero, 22 December 2012 - 07:52 AM.
#12
Posted 22 December 2012 - 08:16 AM
XL 340
4 Medium Lasers
AMS w/ 1 ton of ammo
ECM
Endo, maxed FF armor, and as many DHS as I can fit
I honestly really hate what the 3M has turned into however...
I'm so use to the 2A with 6 medium lasers and XL 340 that it just seems like garbage damage wise. Because you don't have streaks yourself, the only use for the ECM when you're by yourself is to defend against streaks. But really, 1 v 1, it seems like the Raven 3L is king now. It can counter your ECM and keep up with you, outputting more damage than you'll be able to unless you REALLY make your shots count. You can fry a Commando 2D pretty easy though as long as they don't get the jump on you.
That being said, I've tried 4 mediums lasers, 4 medium pulses and pretty much every combo between but it just doesn't pack the punch of the 2A for the heat cost. Maybe it is just me because I personally hate pulse lasers in general, but I just wish using an autocannon would be more viable...
Using 4 mediums seems to work the best in my experience though. You can basically hold down your alpha strike button and dish out constant damage while pulling over 150 kph. Moving that fast you can easily solo any mech other than a light with good maneuvering, it will just take a long time compared to the 2A.
From a team fight perspective, I think the 3M might be more useful staying with the main group and giving ECM/AMS and carrying an autocannon of your choice... Doing this you'll probably only be going 100~ish kph is you don't use an XL and want full armor with AMS too. You'll have to completely change your fighting style to act like a real 'medium' mech because of this.
I've tried this and never really had much fun. It seems like your damage output is restricted because you need to stay with the team to survive. Still seems more useful in some situtations perhaps.
#13
Posted 22 December 2012 - 08:33 AM
I dont think that image worked... soooooo LINKS! If that doesnt work than.... I just dont know anything.
#14
Posted 22 December 2012 - 09:44 AM
Then just playing around since I haven't put an LBX10 on a mech yet, I stripped it, put an LBX10 with 2 tons ammo and 3SL... kinda fun, doing almost as much damage.
Lots of possibilities with the hard points and extra weight, =)
#15
Posted 23 December 2012 - 08:41 AM
3xML (2CT, 1RT)
1xSL (LT)
1xAC/2 (LT)
1xAMS
1xECM
2xtons AC/2 ammo
1xton AMS ammo
I can't say I do a lot of damage, but that's not the playstyle I go for. Mostly I find that Atlas that is all alone and punch through his rear armor for an easy kill, or scout whoever I can for any missle boats. With speed tweak, I've been going 142.6 kph, so I'm also usually the fasted little bug on the field.
#16
Posted 23 December 2012 - 08:59 AM
#18
Posted 23 December 2012 - 06:56 PM
#19
Posted 24 December 2012 - 06:18 AM
Remarius, on 23 December 2012 - 08:59 AM, said:
every engine I've equipped so far has benefited from the bonus. You can get a cicada up to 148 kph with its biggest engine and speed tweak.
#20
Posted 24 December 2012 - 02:42 PM
Ehrithane, on 24 December 2012 - 06:18 AM, said:
Thats the reported speed. I understand and buddy did a test ingame. 1 mech running at 140.2 and next to him was 150kph. The 140 never got passed by the 150. I am thinking that the speed shows up on screen but your speed is still the lower one. I could be wrong but anything above 140 is a waste since the actual speed doesnt match what the speedometer says. Its like a race car with an restricter plate on it. I could be wrong...Hopefully there is a true response from PGI. In general the Cicada is a line skirmisher and not a light mech hunter. The speed in brawling helps a ton because most of my shots are on heavys are on the back. My true skirmisher is the flame with 360xl 4 ml and lbx 10. with speed tweak he moves at 102.9. Very fast for a heavy. My ranking doesnt reflect my actions. Getting 6 plus assists and mybe 1 kill. I will still earn more Cbills then most not counting the hero bonus but would wind up at the bottom 3. The ranking is based on kills. 1 kill and 48 damage is ranked higher then 400 damage and 6 assists. Go figure.
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