32 replies to this topic

[ghostXzero]

Do I have to buy 3 variants of each mech to unlock the elite mech tree? Or is there a cheaper way to get variants?

Currently, I have the Atlas AS7-K, which costs an expensive 13k CB. The variants of it each costs 10k CB. Owning 3 variants will also take up 3 of the 4 mech slots.

Do I really have to go through all this to unlock the elite mech tree?

[Allekai]

yes that's the only way

Edited by Allekai, 02 January 2013 - 12:57 AM.

[AlexEss]

It is the only "real" grind in this and there is no way to avoid it. But seeing as you do in no way shape or form NEED to do it i feel it is ok. It is more of "makes your life easier" kind of thing.

[GODzillaGSPB]

If there is a favorit among the variantes, you can keep this one in the end, with all skills unlocked, and sell the other three. The skills for your favorit variant will not reset.

[OneEyed Jack]

None of the skills reset, they just don't show as trained if you don't currently own the mech. They do show next to the skills though where it shows x/8, x/4 or x/1, respectively. I do suggest that if you choose to Elite the chassis, take the extra time to train all the Elite skills in each of the 3 at least on the first mech in each class. For one thing, I've found that once I have those skills, I often prefer a different variant to the one I'd planned on when I started out. For another, it unlocks Master for every chassis in the weight class (Light, Med, Hvy or Assault). You may or may not care about that now, but you never know if there may come a time down the road where you will (some mechs only come with 1, and can benefit from at least 2), and having to re-buy all those chassis to do it is a real pain in the arse.

[Mack1]

ghostXzero, on 02 January 2013 - 12:55 AM, said:

Do I have to buy 3 variants of each mech to unlock the elite mech tree? Or is there a cheaper way to get variants?

Currently, I have the Atlas AS7-K, which costs an expensive 13k CB. The variants of it each costs 10k CB. Owning 3 variants will also take up 3 of the 4 mech slots.

Do I really have to go through all this to unlock the elite mech tree?

Yes but really don't bother, the upgrades suck and the modules are not that good considering the grind and Cbills involved. This is one area this game fails miserably. In WOT the grind gives very good rewards such as bigger and more powerful weapons, in MWO you get gems like starting up and shutting down faster or a horrible enhanced zoom feature that looks like someone using an antique telescope while riding on a bike doing drugs.

[GODzillaGSPB]

OneEyed Jack, on 02 January 2013 - 07:06 AM, said:

None of the skills reset, they just don't show as trained if you don't currently own the mech. They do show next to the skills though where it shows x/8, x/4 or x/1, respectively. I do suggest that if you choose to Elite the chassis, take the extra time to train all the Elite skills in each of the 3 at least on the first mech in each class. For one thing, I've found that once I have those skills, I often prefer a different variant to the one I'd planned on when I started out. For another, it unlocks Master for every chassis in the weight class (Light, Med, Hvy or Assault). You may or may not care about that now, but you never know if there may come a time down the road where you will (some mechs only come with 1, and can benefit from at least 2), and having to re-buy all those chassis to do it is a real pain in the arse.

Ah, so you mean those skills even remain when I sell that mech? Cool and nice to know.

[Grraarrgghh]

Mack1, on 02 January 2013 - 07:13 AM, said:

Yes but really don't bother, the upgrades suck and the modules are not that good considering the grind and Cbills involved. This is one area this game fails miserably. In WOT the grind gives very good rewards such as bigger and more powerful weapons, in MWO you get gems like starting up and shutting down faster or a horrible enhanced zoom feature that looks like someone using an antique telescope while riding on a bike doing drugs.

Speed tweak is useless?

Spoken like a true pubbie.

[Tasorin]

AlexEss, on 02 January 2013 - 02:43 AM, said:

It is the only "real" grind in this and there is no way to avoid it. But seeing as you do in no way shape or form NEED to do it i feel it is ok. It is more of "makes your life easier" kind of thing.

The only way to avoid grinding out the additional two basic tree's of a mek frame you want to Elite out is to convert XP from a mek frame (usually the one you play a ton) with MC to GPX. Then spend the GXP on the basic tree for the other two mech frames of the same type and never have to play a match in either of the inferior models.

One of the few things I would spend MC on in all honesty. It's also one of the few things PGI got right out of the gate. The conversion ratio from XP to GXP is 1:1 and the cost of MC for the conversion escapes right now, but its really low and worth spending founders MC on.

Other then XP to GXP conversion, the only other thing worth spending MC on is additional premium time and additional Mek Bay slots.

[Sug]

Mack1, on 02 January 2013 - 07:13 AM, said:

Yes but really don't bother, the upgrades suck and the modules are not that good considering the grind and Cbills involved. This is one area this game fails miserably. In WOT the grind gives very good rewards such as bigger and more powerful weapons

It's worth unlocking Elite to get the 2x bonus to Basic. The xp skills are not worthless, they're just not mandatory. I like how in MWO someone can pick up a new mech and not be completely outclassed by someone that's unlocked all the skills.

[Kdogg788]

Buying all three variants to get the high skills is the only way. I really don't get why people complain so much about this. You can still buy one mech and get all the basics, but if you expect to attain the double skill bonus as well as the higher bonuses on the Elite level and additional modules (which will make a larger impact once more are added), then you should expect to put the work in and not have the mech mastered out in an hour.

-k

[Mackman]

Why are people suggesting selling the Mech's, when Mech Bays are so absurdly cheap? You get four more bays for $7, and if you've put enough time in to fill up your first four, surely the game is worth seven dollars?

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

I think the real question here is... why the hell did you buy an AS7-K?

[IceSerpent]

Mackman, on 02 January 2013 - 08:26 AM, said:

Why are people suggesting selling the Mech's, when Mech Bays are so absurdly cheap? You get four more bays for $7, and if you've put enough time in to fill up your first four, surely the game is worth seven dollars?

Because if you only use one variant, there's absolutely no reason to keep the other two?

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

Mackman, on 02 January 2013 - 08:26 AM, said:

Why are people suggesting selling the Mech's, when Mech Bays are so absurdly cheap? You get four more bays for $7, and if you've put enough time in to fill up your first four, surely the game is worth seven dollars?

What's 300MC x 20? They add up, and also, most variants you're just going to drop as soon as they hit 4/4 Elite anyway. The 2X and 4X Ravens for example, are utterly useless except to unlock Master for the much superior 3L. Almost every lineup has 1 variant that's much better than the others. For 4 of them, it's the one with the ECM. For Hunchbacks, it's the 4SP. For Stalkers, it's the 55. A few, such as Cataphract, are left up for debate or preference but still, you're going to just favor 1 eventually and drop the rest once they hit 4/4 Elite. Why buy more slots when I can just throw away the 4/4 Elite rides I no longer even want and just use those for free? It's not wasteful to throw away old 4/4 Elite rides you no longer want. It's wasteful to buy new slots when you don't need to.

Edited by Bluten, 02 January 2013 - 08:37 AM.

[Ngamok]

Mack1, on 02 January 2013 - 07:13 AM, said:

Yes but really don't bother, the upgrades suck and the modules are not that good considering the grind and Cbills involved. This is one area this game fails miserably. In WOT the grind gives very good rewards such as bigger and more powerful weapons, in MWO you get gems like starting up and shutting down faster or a horrible enhanced zoom feature that looks like someone using an antique telescope while riding on a bike doing drugs.

I the basic and elite boxes are worth it yes, the master, not really. The sniper PiP and the 360 degree sensor is only ones I liked, but not necessary.

[Kdogg788]

To each his own I guess. I even have my Jenner K kicking around. Having those other variants enables me to drop in different mechs with differing loadouts and hardpoints when I want to mix it up some, even if I know they aren't min maxed to the gills like some mech types are. It's more "fun" for me to have more mechs at my disposal. "Fun", not "superior with the current game rules and ECM state", perish the thought!

-k

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

Mack1, on 02 January 2013 - 07:13 AM, said:

Yes but really don't bother, the upgrades suck and the modules are not that good considering the grind and Cbills involved. This is one area this game fails miserably. In WOT the grind gives very good rewards such as bigger and more powerful weapons, in MWO you get gems like starting up and shutting down faster or a horrible enhanced zoom feature that looks like someone using an antique telescope while riding on a bike doing drugs.

I always thought of it as a grease covered lens. But the capture module is actually worth it if you're going to try to take bases in this game. The rest however... don't really matter much.

[Remarius]

Mack1, on 02 January 2013 - 07:13 AM, said:

Yes but really don't bother, the upgrades suck and the modules are not that good considering the grind and Cbills involved. This is one area this game fails miserably. In WOT the grind gives very good rewards such as bigger and more powerful weapons, in MWO you get gems like starting up and shutting down faster or a horrible enhanced zoom feature that looks like someone using an antique telescope while riding on a bike doing drugs.

That has to be sarcasm. I'd agree on the advanced zoom but unless you play extraordinarily safe the expert upgrades are all useful (except for pinpoint if no weapons in the arms).

[Kdogg788]

Speed tweak helps with every mech. Quick ignition can save your life if you can power back on quick enough, and fast fire can speed up ballistic and laser recharge rates enough to get that last shot in a one on one duel.

-k