Michael Coxon - You are welcome Mr Ross!
Steve Ross - Mick, the smoke is just about cleared, the scrap merchants have picked the arena clean of the debris and the medals and prizes are out. ZEON did pretty much what the fan base and book makers expected and slew everything in their path during the wars. How is it going with the clan and, more personally yourself, now that the screaming is over?
Michael Coxon - It's been an interesting FW and then a relatively clean sweep in the last CW for us. Most of us were ready for all specializations this time which is why we made 200+ kills in each round. Only Clan to do that I believe but really enjoyed doubling up with Cyberstorm for FW. Nice couple of mechs achieved from the battle filed right there!
Steve Ross - Very true sir, I thought the Storm faction was a real blast. Great bunch of guys too. Now, it was touched on before during interviews and player's page chat, but I'd like to get your take on the quite frankly surprising appearance of ZEON in division 4 of the last war. Something of a shocker would you say? Not quite the challenge the clan's fighters were expecting?
Michael Coxon - No we were expecting to have been raised a division especially after obtaining several levels each during FW, in fact I suggest that our rivals were expecting it too. Seems SH5 weren't happy to be pitted against us again judging by the whining but great respect should go to John T Mainer and his crew as they weren't daunted and actually fought us to achieve their 50 wins.
Steve Ross - And some very humbling words from John after the fact. Still, I guess everyone gained levels in the FW's so it kinda pulled the whole boat along re' levels rather than just the few fighters. This said, the ZEON war machine will eventually have to step up to the plate and enter the cross hairs of the force that is The RED COMET (MMI). I believe this has happened once in the past and it was a schooling in battlefield play that ZEON received. Do you think your guys n gals can offer a better account of themselves in the future against such a show stopping clan as TRC?
Michael Coxon - Funnier things have happened at sea! We like the "have at them" attitude and we will try our best as we always have done. Zeon has shown that we are a force to be reckoned with and that will not change just because we will be considered as the minnows when we do get put into Div 3. We'll assess our tactics and plan accordingly, our intel people are already looking it. We have a team ethic and T.J. (Da Boss!) leads well, asks us for our opinions and incorporates all those thoughts into his battle plan. We are actually itching to take on Div 3 but that doesn't mean that Zeon disrespects any of the opponents that we have already meet on the battlefield, well not publicly anyway!
Steve Ross - lol I don't feel any ill will by ZEON towards anyone in truth, but we all know the barrack room walls hide a myriad of secrets eh? I have to say it will be very interesting to see how things play out in div 3 for your clan. There are many fans and fighters alike who think ZEON are more than capable of punching above their weight, and given the fact that ZEON have never taken less than silver in any wars I would suggest the bookies figures will be tricky to balance. Now another subject to bring up, and as you are about to enter the raid yourself it is significant; The matter of prizes. There seems to be an increasing number of less desirable crystal items being offered up as winnings for such events. You yourself are predominantly a crystal player. Do you see crystal artifacts as just rewards for tournament achievements, or, like a number who have voiced their opinions, do you think crystal gear as winnings is a bit insulting to the competitor's efforts?
Michael Coxon - High end crystal gear is fair dues but credit card bills aren't paid for with crystals! Achievements paid for with crystal gear is a bit of a cop out by the devs really as the constant farming will eventually pay for it. That being said mech development and CW wins in higher divisions can really only be achieved by a mixture of load outs. Those of us that are predominantly crystal players may get a little peeved, if our time spent upgrading and fighting, is only rewarded with stuff that wouldn't be in the forefront of a scrap yard!
Steve Ross - A sentiment echoed by many Mick. I think there are a number of ways to see this facet of the galaxy, but I agree with you that a prize should be worth something more than easily acquired low-tech. Staying with the fact that you are a 'crystal first' player, and seeing your laudable kills with a high rolling clan such as ZEON, do you have a favorite mech or weapon in your crystal arsenal, or any little tricks or tips that new to galaxy wannabies might find useful to hear?
Michael Coxon - Speed, Accuracy, Dodge and Shielding followed with heavy and fast load outs. I go for the hit first and hit hardest as I can heal when it's all over! Time to sleep when my pilots and mechs are dead! Also teaming mechs up in the lines works favorably especially when you "double or treble tag" mechs. As for mechs, I'm partial to torrents before I got my Boreas leveled but the Regis is upgrading fast. Got to love that white spiked Boreas when it's over level 90, hoping the Regis gets up quick as it is destined to treble tag on my front line.
Steve Ross - Sound advice from a man who has seen it first hand. Mick, it's been a pleasure as always my friend. Good luck in the raid, and keep one eye on that 3rd division. She's coming up fast.
Michael Coxon - Nice speaking to you and let's think of the havoc that we will cause with player swapping in-clans when we get there!
Submitted by Steve Ross 162076 & Mick Coxon 657279