Known Hacks Equipment Review By Pat Willis#224534

At the other end of the weight spectrum we have the Known Hacks cockpit equipment piece, for mechas 0-25 tons. Costing 183 Ferrite, 200 Bioptics, and 9 Niodes, this little beauty comes with a Slow of (5), Laser Damage of +4%, and Freeze of 6%. Nothing too fancy but also you won't break the bank in getting a couple and installing them on your smaller mecha.

Lets face it the little guys can use all the help they can get when it comes to things like Raids, CW, FW, or KOTM. You never know who or what you are going to go up against so you use everything at your disposal, well provided you don't have a hanger of nothing but loose mechas laying around anyways. This packs in slow which is great but not as good as Freeze, but it has that too so you are covered, and the added laser damage is always welcome. All in all a very solid piece of equipment and of course if you can stack multiples of this on one mech you are ahead of the curve for the lower ranges.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

View From The Top By Ron Frye#879655

Submitted by Ron Frye#879655

Division Balancing By Pat Willis#224534

Clan Wars 3313 are by now concluded unless there were any overtime matches. This clan war saw a new way of gathering a clans average to line up divisions for the war. We saw that the bottom four players of each clan would not be counted or factored into clan average for divisional consideration.

Hold up the bottom 4?

Yup.

And clans routinely require about 8 or 9 folks to even be a clan?

Yup again.

See the issue here? This has effectively cut some clans in basically half, to be totally disregarded in the clan average to decide the fight card. Now how can you really have a clan war when you have such lopsided matches? You're effectively punishing small clans for being small, and tossing them to the wolves.

I realize the Devs were trying to shake things up, and try something new. I get that, I really do. What I do not get is how chopping clans in half for averages seemed like a good idea. Some clans of course will fight well beyond their division, others wouldn't have much of a chance even with standard averaging.

This is true for every clan war no matter how divisions are lined up. However this decision that was made and carried out in game doesn't even allow clans to try if they are small. Half their people right out of the gate are taken right out of the process. No one except for the top players in the top brackets of their divisions are really playing on a level field.

Yes I know war isn't fair, this is a war game, etc, etc, etc. But here's the key word in that sentence sparky, "GAME." Yes some games are unfair as well, toss in RNG and we could debate all day about how skewed the game is or isn't. None of that matters however as this isn't real life, nor is it the RNG. This is people making decisions at the end of the day that we have to live with as players using their game.

As such we can only provide appropriate feedback for things that are done. In this case my stance on the issue at hand is, that was an extremely bad idea. You crippled clans right out of the gate and paved the way for some highly lopsided divisions. Normally I don't say much about how wars are set up. This time even I couldn't believe it. So Devs how about we never do that again. The process wasn't thought through it seems, and the results were highly one sided at best.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Orbit Core Equipment Review by David McCallum #701548

Sometimes I don't like this job.


And I'm not necessarily talking about having to constantly put up with Patrick's socks. Or his snoring after he's had one too many at one of his 'executive lunches'.


No, its the fact that to do a decent review, you actually have to spend some hard earned coinage (and yes, it is hard earned putting up with socks and snoring) to get hands on experience with the kit we have to give our opinion on.

So it was with the Fext. Anecdotal evidence on that beasty and its potential 9 x damage meant that I had to get hold of one, but of course freebies are limited to 1st division clans only. And my recovery raccoons can recognise mechs to recovery but aren't discerning when it comes to specific types.


So my own Fext, actually purchased with actual fundage has been a work in progress. It's a good job that the progress on my Fext has coincided with progress on gear for it being released.


Of course the big problem with these beasts are their speed. While not as slow as a Potatotron, the Fext still has a speed rating somewhere between Patrick's hand heading towards his wallet when there's a round of drinks to be purchased and Kenneth doing a video piece.


In other words, the very opposite of fast.


At least the Orbit Core goes some way towards addressing that issue.


2068 Ferrite, 1432 Bioptics and a hefty 58 Niodes gets you a speed rating of 7, the ability to slow an opponent by 3 on a successful hit and of course a 4% increase in Laser output.


That's it, and I don't mean that in any form of a derogatory manner.


Kindly note the complete lack of drawbacks. Check for yourself. None.


Finally the designers have got the kinks out of the big kit pieces, meaning that it is now more worth it than ever.


Let's just have a quick comparison with some of the other engines around.


Crystal, there's the good old Kinetic Converter with a speed rating of 5. Slower and without bonuses.


Anzus, slower with the dreaded Kickback. VASMIR, slower, geared for flame and missile vulnerable.


Even going up to Niode engines, all have drawbacks apart from the Gigabot Swarm which is slower than treacle in midwinter and the Zentron Thrusters.


Ah, Zentron. Lovely engine. Come back to me on them when I have a Notos, because as good as they are, it makes about as much sense fitting one of these on a Fext as it does asking the A.N.N. crew to go teetotal for a week.


Nope, if you have the funds for a Fext, make sure you have the simoleans for engines as well, because these things are just the right fit.



Submitted by David McCallum #701548

Interview with Legendary Pilot Cher Lee Player ID# 875837 By Kenneth Hicks Player ID# 846092

Today’s interview is with newly decorated Legendary Pilot Cher Lee.

With over 30 King of the Mountain wins to his record, Cher has managed to get on the bad side of more than a few pilots in the quadrant. With fists shaking over their heads and cries of “unfair”, all have felt the the First Place finish in a KoTM slip away from them at least once to this devious pilot and his eye raising arsenal of impressively decked out mechas.

Cher also along with the Legendary Pilot status, received one of the coolest back stories for a pilot in the game: “Cher “TorHel” Lee became infamous for riding at the forefront of his impressive mecha squadron on his Sever class mecha, Witch’s Titty,, that was rigged with a set of illegally-upgraded Torsion Helix chassis. A shady character, even his clan mates say he is just as likely to stab you in the back as he is to shake your hand, and he is well known to trample on friend and foe alike to get to the top of the mountain. A skilled tactician, Lee is always on the hunt for the next colony seeking mercenary aid—though whether he will decide to destroy their foes or burn them to the ground is anyone’s guess. He lives by a simple motto: “Rules? What rules?”

So Cher, first off, I’d like to congratulate you on your Legendary Pilot status. How does it feel?
Cher: If feels amazing being a Legendary Pilot. I’ve wanted to be one since my level 40s. It’s not something you get everyday.

Ken: During the announcement of your reward, the topic of camping came up. What are your feelings on staying at a level for a long amount of time? Do you feel it impacts the game positively or negatively?

Cher: What are my feelings on stay at a low level for a long time? That’s a hard question to answer. I feel it’s a good thing.. Do I feel like I can impact the game in a negative way? No. In a positive way? Again, no. I can’t impact anyone’s game. What I do and how I do  is up to me. Just like how anyone else plays. Do I feel like I’m bully the lower division? Yes. Why? Because I like to stay in control.

Ken: What are your current predictions in Clan Wars? Are there any upcoming matches that you are watching out for in particular? Care to predict any upsets?

Cher: For my predictions for clan wars, I believe that Dragon owns all of its divisions. We have to step up our game. The match I’ll like to see again is Division 3 MMI vs AFF. That has been a very interesting battle and I think it’s going be rather close.

Ken: Finally, any subjects or matters you would like to discuss? What's on the top of Cher's mind?
Cher: So far the Mecha Galaxy has been going great for me. The sales have decreased a bit, but they have given out more free stuff than they have in the past.

Ken: Well I want to thank you today for coming down to talk with us, and good luck in your future battles!

Cher: Thank you for this interview.
<end transmission>

 





Submitted by  Cher Lee Player ID# 875837 & Kenneth Hicks Player ID# 846092

MG Archives by Ron Frye#879655

Submitted by Ron Frye#879655

Whoops By Ron Frye#879655

Submitted by Ron Frye#879655

Semi - Stable Power Field Equipment Review By Pat Willis#224534

For mechas between 45-65 tons this engine piece may just be for you. It boasts an impressive Speed of +17, Trample of 4%, Freeze at 9%, and is laser vulnerable at 8%. It costs 240 Ferrite, 285  Bioptics, and 40 Niodes to purchase one.

As with most vulnerabilities it is at best annoying side effect of trying to customize your mecha, and easily nullified by proper shielding and mecha build. Trample, and Freeze aren't bad for the weight class honestly, but it's the speed that wins out on this one. A +17 is great for this sized mecha, remember if you're fast enough you can shoot first, as long as your precision rating is good enough that first shot can be the hit that kicks it all off for battle. Maybe even a crit-hit if you have it set up that way. Either way that is one heck of a boost for that weight range.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Antimatter Dome Equipment Review By Pat Willis#224534

For mechas in the 45-65 ton range we have this shielding equipment piece. One will cost you 420 Ferrite, 500 Bioptics, and 30 Niodes per unit. Each one has the abilities of Trample Shield at 44%, Missile Shield at 35%, Laser Vulnerable at 11%, Fork Shield at 50%, Splash Shield at 20% and Shield at [10].

That's a whole lot of damage coverage in one equipment piece, the laser vulnerability as has been discussed in the past isn't that big of an issue. Get proper shielding on your mecha and it becomes a non issue. Look at all the things it does cover and to what percentages, and I think we can agree this is going to be a much used and very familiar equipment piece out on the battle field.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Cogwerk Micro Block Equipment Review By Pat Willis#224534

A Niode engine piece for mechas 0-25 tons. It costs 143 Ferrite, 242 Bioptics, and 11 Niodes.  It provides Speed at +25, and Auto Repair [1]. Not much to this engine honestly, but what it does have is pretty decent. The speed bonuses alone is pretty good. Most smaller mechas are rather fast in comparison to their larger tonnage cousins.

Auto repair is always a bonus, it can keep you in a fight for that one round you need to nail that crit - hit. On the other hand, auto- repair does nothing for you, if you yourself are the victim of said crit-hit. If you have the room and want a fast machine with limited repair then just stack these bad boys and go to town.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Another Look At The Keradon By Pat Willis#224534

I did a mecha review on this model once before but I thought it deserved another looking at. This model of mecha was my first real taste of a niode mecha in my rookie piloting days. Something about it for a lower level just starting out is highly appealing, well at last it was for me. It served me long and well until it finally came time to retire it and replace it with bigger stronger mecha.

What makes the Keradon so special you may ask, well it starts off with the abilities of Trample 3%, and x3 damage in its build. These of course go higher as it levels up and it gets the secondary ability of x2 damage. With proper equipment these can be monsters in and of themselves. The trample damage is always a great ability and the times two and three damage can often reduce higher tonnage/level mechs to molten slag. The weapons it comes equipped with aren't bad but you would be smart to change them out when you can as you will out grow them quickly.

The mech itself is handy to hold onto for slot fillers in your formation as you get into bigger and badder mechs, also they come in handy for lighter tonnage events. They are not the speed demon that the fabled Smilodons are, but they are no slouches either. They hit hard and make their presence felt on the battlefield. They are a wise investment either for the immediate future or even for the short term and wind up collecting dust in your hanger until a particular event comes along, in any event these will make many pilots happy and pack a hell of a punch.

They have a long and proud history of serving across the galaxy, it becomes more apparent as to why this is when you see one in action. Properly outfitted in weapons and equipment they can hold the line with the best of them. Oh they will succumb to heavy fire, or a crit kill like any mecha, but they will give one hell of a show before they go down.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534