10 replies to this topic

[bowlie]

Im wondering how to play a good cicada. What should my role be on the team? how do I deal damage? im coming from playing an awesome and its a big change.

[Deathlike]

The rules/roles used for lights pretty much apply to the Cicada. The best usage of any "light" mech is to shoot and fade (or shoot and hide). Speed is life (you will want to use the fastest engine possible, usually an XL based one for tonnage).

For a Cicada, you may want to start with the ECM version (CDA-3M) and then goto the 2A and/or 2B. The 3C should be avoided unless you really want a challenge. The X5 (you need to pay with MC/real money) is fine and is an optional replacement for the 2B.

You'll be using lots of medium lasers a lot. That's all I have off the top of my head.

Edited by Deathlike, 29 May 2013 - 01:12 PM.

[BoPop]

pretty much what he said. I luvvvvvs cicada. mebe 1 of my favs, possibly.

[Loc Nar]

Bigger Xl engine
DHS
FF
Endo

Keep them fast and simple, and don't skimp armor but shave to round tonnage. Name of the game is support/escorting/skirmishing/hit and run, but not a sniper or a brawler although some like to PPC them up. The 3C model is the weakest of the lot.

[InRev]

I literally (2 minutes ago) just posted this in another forum about lights but the same applies:

http://mwomercs.com/...ost__p__2399509

I play a "Noisy Cricket" 3M Cicada. Build here:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...476541dae95faae

A couple things. I play a Cicada almost exclusively and I do well with it but it's because I play like a coward. Survival is your top priority and it can be pretty damn hard, due to the size of the thing and the fact that the jutting head is considered the CT, meaning you can be cored from the side. Try not to sit still, ever, and try not to duel other lights unless you are in an X-5 with streaks. A lot of people expect you to scout, but if you do, do not get into a position where you will be stuck in a brawl. Play conservatively.

Basically, I try to be as big a pain in the *** as possible. I hit people where they don't expect it and make them decide whether to face me, and turn their back on my team, or let me keep plinking them in the back. The ECM on the 3M allows you to get into positions where you can do this, and seismic sensor allows you to detect any possible responders.

If you aren't good with PPCs while moving fast, swap them for medium or large lasers, a bigger engine and more heatsinks and armor until you get used to the decision making process. Regardless, Jenners and Ravens will probably kill you so don't engage them alone.

I love my bugs but they are unforgiving. I used to try to play them like a jenner, but they are too big, don't turn as well and lack jump jets. Instead, play them like a guerilla mech.

[NRP]

I absolutely friggin LOVE my X-5! I pilot it way too aggressively though, and usually end up getting a harsh reminder how fragile these things are. Listen to the guys who posted above me. That seems like the best way to play a Cicada.

[bowlie]

Trust me to buy the 3c Im running it with 2xac2 but I can only really do 200 damage a game

[Xeno Phalcon]

I ran a ERLL/4xMG 3C before I swapped to the blacjack. I would hang with bigger mechs and offer fire support/chase away spiders, but mostly I like the placement of the mguns in relation to the cockpit - feels looks and sounds cool

[Ayestes]

You are a Striker and play mostly like a Light. However I would not recommend just sticking in the max XL engine and instead you should hover around 280-300, at most a 325. Anything above a 300 and you start losing efficiency where a Jenner would probably be better. An XL300 gives you 15 tons of payload to play with and still gives you 133kph. Tactically, a Cicada will still play like a Light though.

[Darwins Dog]

Oh look! Another chance to plug my Comprehensive Guide to the Cicada. That thread has lots of builds, tips, and discussions from several members of the community.

As for some specific tips: shoot and scoot are the first that come to mind. Always stay on the move and support a bigger mech. Don't try to take on a lerger mech one on one. Think of yourself as a fighter escort for a bomber. Try using a 300XL engine, rather than a 340XL. The temptation is to go as fast as possible, but the difference between the two is 5 tons. That's the difference between adding a medium laser, or a large laser and a heatsink.

For the variants: I like the 3M for ECM cover, but keep in mind that it's the least maneuverable of all Cicadas. It makes a great escort for an LRM boat or something like that. The 2B is better than the 2A imo. The 2A has one more weapon, but the arm mounts of the 2B make it so much easier to keep weapons on target. The 3C was fun with 2 AC/2s on it, but I haven't tried it since the latest MG buff. 4 ballistic points on a 40 ton mech are hard to fill. The X-5 is fantastic if you are willing to spend a little real money. It is my go-to cbill grinder.

Also: ^^^ what they said.

[Ursus_Spiritus]

I posted this in response to some ********** Heavy/Assault pilot griping about lighter mechs and our play style.

8100d 5p4tt3r, on 23 May 2013 - 09:03 AM, said:

Dear Heavy/Assault pilot(s) that are griping and under appreciating we Light/Medium (I pilot a Cicada) pilots because we are working in a number of roles such as -

Scout - Finding the enemy so you can slug it out at 100m in their face.
ECM/Jamming - Enabling you to lock on at distance with LRM/Direct fire/protecting your slow a$$ from LRM/Direct fire.
Anti Light/Med - Keeping their lights/mediums from coring you from behind.
Capping bases - Saving your expensive "toy" from taking too much damage before the end of the round.
(thank us when/if they re-add repair cost)
Lastly - Coring heavier mechs from the rear - WE ARE HELPING, even if we do 5dps, 1dps or 20dps. IT is a TEAM effort.

I can sit back and watch the fight from a distance and when that heavy/assualt that is pristine/crit in the rear, takes you down, then comes hunting for me because he has no other targets and they know we are still alive... or we can plink at their wide/softer rear armor and crit/distract and or even get a kill...

Just because we don't do 50dps to the CT with an alpha, doesn't mean we are useless.

P.S.... 4 Med Lsrs to a rear torso HURT.... I know this because I can core an assault in 3-4 alphas.. and NOT over heat... just saying..

Take from this a positive aspect of being a Cicada pilot.

I run 4Med Lsr, ECM, AMS and the largest XL engine for a max speed of 147 (with speed tweak), so I can run down most lights, run circles around all heavies/assaults and distance myself from most meds (except really fast Cents). Lately I find myself leading a lot of light mech lances because I can hold more armor than a Raven/Jenner and usually take them down with little trouble. I can generally go 1v1 with other Cicadas and either chase them off or finish while my heavier brethren are slugging it out.

I am not the fastest but I can get terrain/distance between myself and most threats and or dodge LRMs.

Edited by 8100d 5p4tt3r, 30 May 2013 - 08:06 AM.