Machete Weapon Review By Molliere Daffue #599258

Another limited testing weapon that is on the market and only 150 Machete has been made.


The Machete Is an Elite Projectile weapon that can be obtained at lv 16 for a bargain at 450 Ferrite, 360 Bioptics and 25 Niodes or 5 for only 100 Niodes. The Machete comes with a base damage of 45 and 105 speed.


This low lv Projectile weapon packs quit a punch. Only the Ferrite Storm that can be obtained at lv 36 can stand up to it with a base damage of 50.


Both the Machete and Ferrite Storm was designed by the same man Dr Charles. The Machete is built in a similar way to the Ferrite Storm, but instead of hailing thousands of bullets per second at it opponent. The Machete only fires 1 bullet every 10 seconds giving it an added precision rating of 4 and 2X Damage equal to 3%.


As the description of the weapon say “You just messed with the wrong pilot. Machete Kills.”



Submitted by Molliere Daffue  #599258

Uses For Food by David McCallum #701548

Submitted by David McCallum #701548

On The Menu by David McCallum #701548

You scoff at the potato and bacon, the sour cream and chives.


Yet you sit there munching your bacon sandwich, happy to hear tales of the secret Order of the Potato and their exploits...


You realise not that yours is a racial memory, either of pilots who have gone long since or from the very mechs with which you interface.


There was a time when we fought for our very existence, our mechs too light to deal with that with which we fought. Their systems were to advanced and they lurked and ambushed us with abandon.


Yet as humans, we thought outside the square, employing cunning and guile where we lacked metal. We turned the tide.


It was not a warrior who saved us but member of the camp entourage. A cook, some say a chef.


Hearing that the enemy hid in ambush, he suggested the potato to flush them out. It needed to be fired at low velocity else it disintegrate, but it will be faster than wildlife yet slower than gunfire. The odd speed should confusion motion sensors and elicit an automated response from a hidden mech.



It was suggested that rocks could be used, as they were more plentiful. But the chef tapped his nose and told them to stick with the potato for when jammed in a barrel there would be no windage.


And it worked as he had said. A well placed potato would activate an enemy mech that was hull down, and it would be mobbed by lighter human mechs.


But the victory was short lived, and in short order the enemy began to ignore potatoes.


When he heard of this, the chef nodded and said he had expected this. Most likely they had adjusted their threat recognition systems, and tied infra red with motion detection.  Potatoes must be stored at a cool temperature. If both motion and heat did not register at the same time, the threat was not valid.


A potato could not be heated thus, for while baked or boiled would give the heat signature needed, once fired it would simply be mashed...


And thus he gave us bacon, and the enemy could not help but respond and so they died in droves.


Forced them back we did, however they were not finished. Their gates ended in inhospitable places. On desert worlds they regrouped, places so hot that the heat of bacon was a norm.


So it was cold that was needed now. The chef passed forth sour cream, both cold to touch and yet fluid, so it would adhere and outline the hard lines of a mech so that it stood out against the smooth and ever changing dunes.


They made their final stand on lifeless rocks and cold dead moons. We know them now as the Yomi Reefs, but as a battle ground it froze potatoes to their barrels, leached the heat from bacon. Even sour cream was useless, for without an atmosphere the rocks were already cold and the light was stark and shadowed, while rocks were jagged and linear without the wearing of water and wind to smooth it.


The chef only nodded, for he knew the enemy had made its final mistake. Food was life, and in a lifeless place, no food could grow. And so he chopped chives and told them to fire these upon the enemy to mark them.


They did not understand, for what use where green stalks? He smiled, for there was no green in the Yomi Reefs, where light does not reach and air does not exist. If it has green and moves it is the enemy, and you will hit it.


We use these tactics still against newer enemies; Bismarck, Drocha, Drake, Xerxes.


We match our heavies to their heavies and flush out their lights so ours may face them.


We send forth those that most would think mad, those who run in Ant and Anzu, armed with only Potato and Bacon, with Sour Cream and Chive. Those who test the waters and flush out the vast enemy forces so our battle lines may respond as appropriate.


Those who on some level can remember the way and the weapons that chef gave us.


Is that all that was on the menu you ask?


Never underestimate the power of the food... there are always new recipes for success.

Submited by David McCallum #701548

Cockpit Quotes By Monk Malone/Ron Frye#879655

Submitted by Ron Frye#879655

Cockpit Quotes By Monk Malone/Ron Frye#879655

 Submitted by Ron Frye#879655

Editors Choice... by Pat Willis #224534 and David McCallum #701548

David: So Patrick thought we should do a few more paragraphs to summarise, because at the end of the day we are in agreement that this is one of, if not the best mech out there at present, even if its for different reasons.


Patrick:  It’s rare that David and I agree on things around here but when we do agree it’s usually over something special like the Antithesis mecha.

These mechas were introduced during the first Faction Wars back in 3282 by Dr. Drake during his clone armies push to take over the galaxy in the first post Faction War raid. The Brotherhood won the day, stopped Drake, and captured his mecha producing plant. As a reward for beating back Drake and his army everyone in the Brotherhood got one of these mechas before selling off the plant to Alpha Corporation.

I have had the Anti in and out of my lines since that time. I’ll get distracted of course by shiny new mechas that come out, and now and again put my Anti on the back burner while I try out a new mecha model, but I always come back to it. The reason for me always returning back to that model is simple, it is one of the most efficient mechas in its tonnage range.


David: We also have clan-mates who go on forever about this mech that they've just managed to get a fifty squillion percent damage bonus for, or have packed in so much freeze it could even make Patrick look cool...

I can't say anything like that about my Antithesii. I don't need to. I've piloted mine for the better part of a year and a half, and even though I was so cash strapped that the first one hit the field with mainly crystal gear, it just performed. No matter what line, no matter what position, it just drops into the formation and gets the job done with no fuss.

They perform so well that they just fly under the radar. Upgrade time comes around and they are overlooked. There is always something else that needs the boost more, another mech that needs a helping hand to stop it from being tonight's star victim.


Patrick: The main selling point for me is the huge dodge that can be put into this mecha. Put the right equip in there and this machine dances around incoming fire before coming in close to deliver the killing blow. They are adaptable to just about any combat situation or line up that may be necessary. They have some of the fastest weapons you can install on mechas, of course being projectile based.


David: From my point of view, the thing to remember is that sometimes what you see on paper doesn't translate onto the battlefield. We have all had shiny new mechs that look brilliant, but no matter what equipment load you give them, what weapons you arm them with or what position in your force you slot them into, they just end up being a disappointment.


Patrick: In my mind you just can’t go wrong with fast firing projectile weapons backed by build bonuses, amplified by equipment, and add in a huge dodge. Those factors alone make for a devastating machine, and it just gets better as it levels! I mean we really can’t say enough good things about having this mecha in your line up/squad.


David: New event needing a new formation? The first question isn't "what do I need?", it's "is my Antithesis eligible?"

I have 2 Antithesis in a formation of 29 mechs. When it comes to replacing that pair, there are currently 27 mechs ahead of them that will be getting shelved first.


Patrick: So what David and I are saying is simply, when you can obtain one do so! This mecha pays for itself many times over in combat. We have seen fit to give this mecha our very first Editor’s Choice award! Based on the fact we both find this mecha to be so versatile, and adaptable to just about any and every combat situation.


David: The Antithesis. It should give itself two thumbs up.... oh hang on, there's the weakness... it doesn't have thumbs!

Submitted by Pat Willis #224534 and David McCallum #701548

Double Booster Equipment Review by David McCallum #701548

Oooh, presents! Love a present!


And the good thing about presents is that sometimes you get something that you really like that you would just never buy for yourself.


Take this Double Booster that somebody left at mine while they were in a drunken stupor at New Year. Sometimes it pays to invite the Bunnies over, always good for a giggle. And some free stuff.


Now, if I'd bought it, I would have paid 208 Ferrite, 191 Bioptics and 11 Niodes for an engine piece
that serves well on up to  25 tone chassis with a speed rating of 23 and gives a 4% chance at a fork
shot.


In essence, it's a simple lightweight piston design in a tried and trusted V-twin configuration. Easy to build, easy to maintain and that slight lateral vibration gives the chance of your shot raking off to the the sides.


Compared to anything around it, it's a faster engine than anything that doesn't top out at the 25 ton mark, even without any bonuses to other attributes. For the Ant brigades, it is actually the slowest of the engines on offer; The Block Charge (which doesn't even cost any crystal) is still the fastest and cheapest thing on the market.


The only other engine on offer is the Cogwerk Micro Block, and it is this that you need to make a comparison with. Costs are around the same. The Cogwerk gives 25 speed and an auto repair of 1, the Booster gives 23 speed and 4% fork.


Swings and roundabouts some may say.


The thing is, as soon as somebody starts asking for niode payment, you need to make sure you are getting value for money, and a piece that will keep its value over time. AR 1 does not hold value. At the top level, a Red Ant fight, or 20 ton specialists for that matter, consist of who can shoot first and making sure you can one-shot your opponent. There's a good reason why we consider the lighter ton specialists to be... not right in the head.


Don't get me wrong. I've served my time in Red Ants. Won a gold piloting them in the first Specialist War. But that was back before Red Ants were sexy again. I take my hat off to those mad sods who strap themselves into light mechs as specialists war after war.


But I digress, because the point is that AR of any sort is useless when you are facing a fight in which if you are hit then your are dead.


So even dropping 2 points of speed, 4% fork is going to give you something that will provide a useful investment.


But you know what? For what for me was a freebie, the best place to put this on is another freebie. Iv'e got a Novum that's been looking for a decent secondary engine for a while... a Scrub Grub is nice in the primary slot, but I think I could well be replacing the Radium Engine with this puppy.

Submited by David McCallum #701548

The Anti- Antithesis Review by David McCallum #701548

No, I'm not anti the Antithesis. Far from it in fact.


I'm anti the fact that my esteemed boss Pat just can't do justice to this marvelous piece of machinery, so I'm here to set the record straight.


Forgive him, he's obviously still suffering the effects of overindulgence from the holiday period.


I'm not going to bore you with the cost, or how many tons of engines you can bolt into it. Look that up if you need to.


I'm going to cover the important things that he missed. The things that really matter to the discerning modern day pilot.


Yes, Drake may be as mad as a British bovine of the 1990's, but boy could he build a stylish looking machine. The styling could only be more stylish if you put it in a tuxedo and called it Mr Bond.


You can buy it in any colour, as long as it's sexy black. In fact, the only thing that could make this mech more sexy is if it had a red light flashing from side to side and by it speaking to you, probably by continually mistakenly calling you Michael.


Looks aren't everything though.


At the end of that day, you need to know that when you invest in a mech you are getting your hard fought (or looted) moneys worth. So let's see what the 'Thesis is up against. And just for the record, just like Obergruppenführer Willis, I'm telling it how it is based on experience with these mechs in battle.


Well for starters, top pilots know that at present, the 90 tonners are the go-to weight for mainline mechs. Yes, you can get better armour and throw weight from the heavier mechs, but the after market add-ons have just not delivered.


Until the manufacturers wake up and realise that we pilots aren't interested in the dross that they are producing for the higher tonnage beasts, we are going to continue with the tried and trusted 90 ton and below chassis to bulk out our battle lines. So already the 'Thesis is sitting in amongst the top level of mechs for the top level pilots.


And what is it up against? OK, lets look at crystal based first, the bargain basement of the 90 ton class.


There's the Jadoon that looks like it just crawled onto the beach to try and get away from something yellow, oblong and slightly spongy. The same description in fact, that is apt for its hitting power and defensibility.


Or the Magnus, that promises so much and does indeed deliver on it, as long as you wait for it... waiting... waiting... still waiting... oops, sorry, I'm dead.


That only leaves the dino mechs. Oh, they look beautiful, especially the Ignis. But at the end of the day, they are one trick ponies. Good if you have a stupid opponent (a very rare occurrence) or good if you have geared them for a very specialized role in your line.


But at the end of the day, when your front lines have clashed and the smoke clears, the mech most likely to be left standing is the Antithesis.


I don't know why. On paper, there are other mechs that excel, but in the heat of battle they just don't deliver. It could be that in building in such a diverse range of bonuses that Drake managed to hit on the mix that turned this one into the 90 ton equivalent of the Oggun.


I have a feeling its a combination of the built in agility that make it such a dodgy geezer coupled with the veritable plethora of chassis slots that make it float like a butterfly. Add in the ability to sap away the speed of its opponent, its there for the long haul; not quite getting hit and just draining away the speed and energy of its opposite number.


Maybe Drake was watching re-runs of the Rumble in the Jungle when he designed it... so much fits when you think about it.


Maybe that's why the Snavurm love it so much....

Submitted by David McCallum #701548

Antithesis Mecha Review By Pat Willis#224534

Today we are looking at the 90 ton Niode mecha created by the mad Dr. Drake. Please note you will need a minimum heavy pilot skill of 45, and normal purchase price of one is 15,500 Ferrite, 12,200 Bioptics, and 145 niodes. Start weapons are 1 Vadar projectile weapon, 2 Hex Cannon projectile weapons, 1 Shrieking Pain projectile weapon, 1 Bullseye Rail projectile weapon, 2 Mag chain flame weapons, 1 Chunky shot projectile weapon, and 4 Rail Cannon projectile weapons.

As usual I will be reviewing this mecha based off of what I own and how it has performed for me when brought up to my piloting level. Alright looking at build bonuses before equipment is installed it has the following abilities - Trample, Slow, built in Dodge, built in Precision, Projectile Damage bonuses, Wide Fork, Freeze, and Crit-Kill.

At my current level of 109 I have available to me 6 Cockpit slots, 6 Chassis slots, 4 Engine slots, and 4 Shield slots. Pretty standard fare for your bigger mecha really. It gives you some room to play around but doesn't get crazy with the installed modifications.

Of course you can modify yours however you may like to accept any weapon load out that works for you, but these mechas really shine with projectile weapons. Also with the starting build stats for Precision and Dodge, this is one accurate, and hard to hit mecha on the battle field. You will have to fiddle around a bit to get it up to an acceptable speed as they are rather slow to start, and not a lot of wiggle room in the engine slot department means you'll have to get creative.

All in all these are a solid buy, as long as you keep in mind its build stats and build off those you could have one hell of a stream lined slug thrower on your squad. I have seen these in action on both sides as the defender, and the aggressor these mechas specialize in making mince meat out of the enemy. Add high power and quick firing weapons to the mix and this is one bad machine.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Mecha Review Of The Yallan By Pat Willis#224534

We'll be looking at the crystal based life form of a  mecha the Yallan today. These are 95 ton monsters requiring a heavy skill of 50 to pilot. Normal going price for purchasing one is 17,000 Ferrite, 14,500 Bioptics, and 375 Crystal. It will come with 2 Setaline Torch fire weapons, 2 Chemthrower fire weapons, 2 Hyper Amp laser weapons, and 4 Veridian Beam laser weapons.

So as usual the question is, are they worth all the resources to buy and expend in leveling them up? I own a couple so I'll do the review based on those, both are at my current level of 109. Alright to start with the build bonuses on this mecha are as follows, Fire Damage, Laser Damage, Trample shield, Splash shield, Fork, Fire Shield, Ice Shield, and Laser Shield with a missile vulnerability much like the Jadoon and Novum/Klarn mecha.

They have 5 Cockpit slots, 4 Chassis slots, 5 Engine slots, and 7 Shield slots(at my current level mind you). Now that is a pretty decent amount to work with, and if you aren't afraid of investing in your mecha, some of the higher end equipment pieces for this weight class can really make it shine. As equipment seems to go to hell at 100 tons this is a great mecha to go nuts with experimenting on seeing as it is at that cut off point.

The main focus of this mecha is fire damage, with a secondary specialization in laser weapons. As fire has an impressive selection of both niode, and non niode weapons your choices here are very much open, likewise with the lasers. But seeing as it does seem to prioritize fire weapon damage over laser I would load that up pretty solid.

As with most of the larger mechas you have room to play around with your customizing, and the impressive amount of shield slots makes for some great combinations and added defense. This is not a fast mecha by any means mind you, and engines will only eek so much out of it. So keep that in mind when building yours up. These are some very decent heavy hitters on the battle field and are a good addition to any squad looking to add some BBQ support to the team.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Welcome To The New Year By Pat Willis#224534

I bet we're all looking or feeling a little rough today, but we made it folks! We made it through yet another year. Another year of whining on the game boards, shouts of  "MOAR" on the players page, ever feuding Clan wars and raids left behind us.

This past year brought many surprises. The AFF fractured, The Brotherhood lost members who started Fusion, MMI had some copy write issues but got them solved. Cyberstorm vanished seemingly overnight after Fusion was formed (make of it what you will I'm only reporting that it happened.)  The Boreas, Anubis, and Fext came out this year, oh yeah and those other 100 ton targets. More equipment came out favoring the lighter smaller mechas but leaving the new big bad toys pretty much with shoddy work all year.

We can only speculate what the new year will bring in. More changes to CW formats are almost a certainty, we should have a Faction War or two coming up in the future, and of course more raids as usually follow the monthly CW. Personally I'm hoping for equipment that just does its job and doesn't take speed penalties or leave you with vulnerabilities like so many of the bigger pieces do now.

Well we made it through another year is my point here, so be you friend or foe, I salute you for hanging in there for another year. I look forward to seeing you in the tourneys and circuits. Happy New Year one and all, and happy hunting.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534