Clan Wars A Video Editorial By Pat Willis#224534

Who Are The Real Bad Guys A Galaxy Gossip Video By Pat Willis#224534

Editors note * this is for fun not to be taken as news or fact hence why it is listed under Galaxy Gossip.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Solderbot Hive Equipment Review by David McCallum : #701548

There are moments when... well, to put it in very PC terms, you have a moment.


And I freely admit, I may have had a bit of a moment when one of my clan mates pointed this piece out to me. My, haven't we just been spoiled recently.


Now I admit he was being a bit facetious since we have this long running difference of opinion.


You see, he is a big proponent of shields. Shields above all else.


Now you know me. Love a shield. Believe I've said so in the past.


But while I may say that, its probably only so i can get it in the sack. Because while I'm... well, you know.... I'd be thinking about Auto Repair.


I mean, just look at it... with out drooling if you can.


A book value of 56 Niodes, 1101 Bioptics and 1909 Ferrite for a chassis piece that gives you a dodge
value of 9, a 35% Wide Fork shield (love a shield!) but also that oh so sexy Auto Repair factor of 2.


And no penalty!


Again!


OK, so if it did have a downside, it's the fact it can only fit in a 100 ton chassis... unless of course you think big is beautiful, and why shouldn't you.


We should probably have a look at what it is replacing, and bear in mind that it is auto repair we are after.


Funnily enough they are both engines.


There's the Gigabot Swarm. Now I haven't reviewed this formally, but its not bad. A bit slow on the speed stakes, but you do get some bonus dodge and shield along with auto repair, and no  penalties. Its worth a second glance to pair this up with the Hive to get a reasonable auto repair value while not limiting yourself in chassis options.


The other is the now very unfortunate loser, the Reaper Core. It's that kickback. Everyone hates it, most tolerate it but everyone had hoped we had left it behind once we advanced past 75 tons. To be forced to use it for your big mechs was just... a turn off.


Still, unless you are of masochistic tendencies, you no longer have to tolerate that sort of... treatment.


Now, please excuse me... I believe I may have a dinner date.



Submitted by David McCallum : #701548

Evolve Or Die By Pat Willis#224534

The Brotherhood, one of the oldest if not currently the oldest clan family in Mecha Galaxy and where I personally hang my hat. They have seen many great players pass through the clan halls and call it home. They battled all the greats in the game from the old days like Cyberstorm, and Murderbots back before they were AFF. They were often fierce competitors in KOTM, and the clan halls were adorned with many first-place medals from both Clan and Faction Wars. But like many great old houses age has set in; cracks are beginning to show.

The first major crack was many brothers breaking off from the clan to start something new with Fusion. They were perusing their own play style and trying to start something different in the galaxy. Not saying anything against them or theirs mind you just stating that such a clan formation from the bulk of another major clan family is a rather large crack in the cohesion of any clan.

Morale thus over all took a major hit and given the remaining numbers in the active clan family results varied from war to war on how the remaining brothers and sisters performed overall. If the result wasn’t necessarily a desired one, or the expected, well of course morale suffers that much more. No matter how you try to hide it, or who you are it is felt. So, another major crack in the old regal house. Going from a solid Gold medal winning clan to a more all over the board situation with various clans bringing home whatever they could pick up.

Alliances were made here and there that before wouldn’t have even been considered. Some worked favorably, some had a mediocre outcome, and others crashed and burned horribly. The clan everyone used to want to team up with had to basically outsource to other families to make temporary alliances to get the job done. This further effects morale, performance, and showings for the clan’s trophies.

We also had brothers retire from the game entirely or pass away. Such things will always affect the ones still playing. We can chalk that up to further morale decline. What that left us with is a once old and great name slowly dying due to break offs, morale loss, decline in membership, and a spotty performance in KOTM and C.W.

But, we are the Brotherhood. We do not lie down to die so easily. The powers that be have recognized these things. They have read the writing on the wall, and they refuse to accept it. A life line has been offered to the Brotherhood from an unexpected direction. The life line has come from the Dragons clan family.

Dragons leadership has offered a full cooperative and even alliance with the Brotherhood across all clans and divisions. Dragons as many know are a newer but solid name in the Galaxy for a clan family. They have some of the game’s best pilots, hold overall decent levels, and are consecutive performers on the battle field, as well as generally good folk.

The situation now is up to the Brotherhood to decide the fate of our ancient and noble name. Our leadership is listening to each and every one of us who has a question, concern or idea pertaining to the saving of our clan. Spirits are high, doubt is beginning to give way to hope. Will we survive as the Brotherhood still, will we become Dragons, or will there be a totally new emerging force that will yet be born?

Either way there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the Brotherhood, and it looks to be a Dragon’s flame.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

That New Car Smell By Kenneth Hicks ID# 846092

So, here we are. We’ve weathered the mad scramble that was making 5-7 player clans, we limited it to one Specialist. Now we get to take this baby out for a drive.

Squad Wars 3317 brings into a new era of tactical fighting. It’s twice the preparation and zero room for error. After Battle One, we’ve all seen some surprises. It’s almost like a fresh start.

On the positive side, this has seriously taken a lot of the “insert rod A into slot B” mechanics out of Clan War. Level strength has never been so important as it is now. I’ve seen some excellent squads that came as a bit of a surprise, and squads disappoint for the same reason. A fair and accurate strength check of your clansmen has helped out several groups so far.

On the negative side, I don’t like what’s becoming of Specialists. I honestly wanted to see this aspect evolve with new types of formations to make people work a bit more. But with the single spec. per squad rule, it’s made the concept all but obsolete.

Those are the two biggest areas of impact that I’ve seen so far. If you have an example, input, or an opinion, please comment below (niodes!) or post it as a comment on this page and I’ll work those into another piece (if you do this, give your player ID for moar niodes!)

As always, this is Kenneth Hicks, signing out.
<End Transmission>

Power Node Equipment Review by David McCallum : #701548

Its not often that you see an equipment manufacturer go bankrupt, but we have just observed it.

Kinetic Converter, you are the weakest link...

Goodbye!

Seriously though, there is now no need for them. Scrap 'em all. Remove their taint from all catalogues.

Replace all photographs with those of the Power Node engine.

1440 Ferrite, 1300 Bioptics and 62 Crystal is a touch more expensive, but lets face it, if you can level up a 100 ton mech, its the sort of price you sneeze at.

And for that paltry sum, instead of a flat speed rating of 5, you get a speed rating of 6.

But wait, there's more!

You get a built in Ice damage boost of 5% to every Ice weapon!

And if you are one of our first callers (well, any caller to be honest) we'll throw in a bonus of 2% freeze absolutely free!!

And the best part is yet to come...

There are no penalties.

Lets just see how that rolls around the tongue.

No penalties.

No penalties!

No Penalties!!

Don't think there's anything more to say really...



Submitted by David McCallum : #701548

Battle Upgrade Equipment Review By Pat Willis#224534

For 30-45 ton mechas we have this chassis equipment piece. This will cost 218 Ferrite, 158 Bioptics, and 26 Crystal. For all that you get a Dodge of (9), Shield of (4), and fire vulnerability of 11%.

I'm sure anyone who reads these pages knows what I am about to say next, when will the techs ever get it through their heads to make a equipment piece or shielding that will not hinder you with vulnerabilities. Oh I know shield it cover it that way. Then I got a whole nother vulnerability to work with because of the way everything is vulnerable to everything else. I used to be so excited like the rest of you thinking the addition of equipment would be a god send. Now I am realizing the majority of equipment is vulnerable to something else, how is that helpful? So like with most equipment pieces containing vulnerabilities I say pass it by save your resources for pieces that are worth while. Like maybe spinal bracing for 25-50 ton mecha with a dodge of 12 no add ons beyond that and only 2 more crystal for the cost.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Betting On Squd Wars 3317 By Kenneth Hicks ID846092

Commissar Mech Review by David McCallum : #701548

Ah, the fickleness of youth.


Being one of the newest mechs out there, according to Junior Pilot, they are the 'Best Mech Ever'. When Cherry Blossom Mechworks started production and put them on sale as an introductory offer, Junior Pilot decided that a 20 ton specialisation was the way to go and purchased a full squadron.


Now, I'm all for specialists, but even on sale it seemed... excessive. Ah well, wisdom comes with age, and Junior Pilot has a long way to go.


Now this is not the first mech that has been declared the 'Best Mech Ever'.


I recall when Junior Pilot had yet to earn their licence. We watched archaic vid-slugs of primitive fighting mechs in action. When they recognised the Axebot as being available on the open market, it was declared 'Best Mech Ever'. I was even derided for not having any and pestered to the point of insanity until I gave in and bought one. I never did actually, Junior Pilot just got bored eventually and wandered off. It was a close run thing though.


Then came graduation from pilot school and a few jaunts around the Pirate Moon, hauling in a Nerio and Trooper. These mecha were capable of conquering the Galaxy, and were therefore the 'Best Mechs Ever'.


I must admit, those mechs have served well. With the advent on Squad wars and the need for brevet promotions, way down at the bottom end of the divisions, Junior Pilot is leading a group. As such, and leading from the front, those mechs helped bring in two solid KotM bronzes.


But in the quest for the bounty from a third, they were not up to the task. They were replaced by Luisons, which even though they are crystal, they are, of course, the 'Best Mech Ever'. A solid and hard won silver was the prize.


And all the while, under their dust covers at the back of the hanger , unused, untested, all but forgotten by the fickleness of youth, sat a reserve formation.


And the War Gods smiled upon Junior Pilot, and for the fourth and final medal needed for the big bounty, they called forth the 20 tonners.


There were some sharks down there. Dragons, newly minted alumni from the Mech Point Academy. Highlanders are always a handful. They fielded Shocklites and Axebots. A few brave souls took to the field in Red Ants.


And yes, there was the odd captured Commissar.


I had never seen them in action before, and it felt strange to not be in the driving seat. However as a spectator, I had the chance to weigh the odds first.


Here's what the book says. 35 Niodes, 500 Bioptics and 550 Ferrite gets you a 20 ton mech with all the advantages inherited from the Red Ant plus more besides. That means it's a heck of a laser mech, but it also starts picking up speed boosts very quickly while being able to slow an opponent down on any successful shot. The Axebot favours engine modules and rightly needs it in a match up as the Commissar gets so much speed just built in. The Comissar can devote that other internal space to other things and seems to favour chassis enhancements making it a far more slippery target.


Add in its 4 weapon slots with another every 4 levels compared to the 3 and 7 of the Shocklite and the 3 and 5 of the Axebot, it starts with a higher throw weight and just gets better.


Now we already know that a Shocklite is vastly outmatched by the Axebot, but how will the Commisar stack up?


Yes, it has better damage potential with its chosen weapon type and can fire faster, but the Axebot is rightly feared with its built in ability to Crit Kill and its damage multipliers. The Axebot has the track record. It was going to be interesting to see how the newcomer fared against it.


It was a very thrilling contest, if a little short, which was perhaps disappointing. Junior Pilot was attacked by higher level opponents with both well tricked Shocklites and heavily armed Axebots.


But at the end of the day, direct observation can attest to the fact that the Commissar is up to the task.


A fourth medal in a row and a 100 niode bounty declared that, according to the fickleness of youth, the bright shiny new Nephilax in the hanger was indeed the 'Best Mech Ever'.


But from what I saw, just for a few moments at the top of the mountain the Commissar has very rightly earned a title.


It was the 'Best Mech Ever'.

Submitted by David McCallum : #701548

Round Table Topic Weapon Limits By The Galaxy Gathering Editorial Staff

Round Table Discussion Summary
Recorded by Sgt Ron Frye from the minutes of the meeting

Here is recorded the minutes of the second weekly round table discussion, summarized, but still containing all of the burps, warts, farts and cursing. So, if you have either a delicate constitution or an aversion to a group of greasy, smelly, ill mannered wrench jockeys scratching their itchy places and spitting in the corners of the room....stop reading and run......run far........run fast......and pray you escaped its clutches.......

Topic of Discussion:
Should there be limits on the number of specific weapons or equipment owned by a player, or should the max caps be raised or even lifted entirely.

David McCallum:
I think in terms of game balance it is a very sensible idea to have limits in place... I also like the fact that the limits can be broken if the extra's are given as prizes.
I think the thing missing is an "in game" or "lore" explanation as to why... and it can be as simple as a government imposed arms limitation to ensure nobody builds up enough force to form a breakaway kingdom.
The thing is if you do that, you'd almost be forced to start limiting numbers of mech type as well, which would hurt revenue, cause the top end wallet pilots to have a hissy fit and at the lower end, seriously mess up the specialists.

Ron Frye:
you know..........after being in several of these forums over the past few months i am seeing over and over that the biggest issue in game is this........a reason.......i think we need more lore....and i mean core lore....how things work.......why they work the way that they do......etc

Patrick Willis:
Agree on the lore portion we need it plain and simple. Pertaining to weapon limits I personally feel if you can afford it you should buy it. Now say you have a limit of 60 of a given laser type. Your formation packs in Regis, Fext, Bishops, etc. Laser users basically, and you want them all decked out with said laser. However with weapon slots on the bigger mechas being more, which makes sense given the size, you may want to stock more in to them than the other models. But even at that those mechas who receive laser X are fine but as you go down the line you get thinner and thinner on who can pack what, as a result most of you heavy weapons move into your first couple lines and everything after that by default gets progressively weaker as you stock them with whatever is available, given you have passed up the limits available in the shop. (Possible with the mecha build signature weapon installed at purchase of a new mecha or very slowly and painfully in the mystery vortex.)

Ron Frye:
i could see some weapons being limited in availability.....for example a weapon that predates current tech levels being found in a large cache somewhere and being sold on the black market....perhaps the arms dealers ration out the maximum per customer to appease all of their client base, and it would explain the total available for purchase......the only thing i argue is a weapon being dropped into the game with no rhyme or reason behind its existence or an explanation as to why there are only a few of them and why a player can only have an even fewer amount than that..........i am sure there are reasons for it.......i am sure there is a story in there waiting to be told........i just want to hear that story instead of buying a load of digital bullshit.

Patrick Willis:
Just playing the numbers game say weapon x has a limit of 40 to it, you run a 30 mecha formation. Say 5 guns to a mech thats 8 mechs with great guns and the rest of the formation SOL.

Ron Frye:
i feel your pain mate.........myself, i can handle being SOL in my formation IF someone can tell me WHY i am SOL lol lol

Kenneth Hicks:
limit's on weapons is really starting to piss me off. I can't think of a single reason in game lore or common sense physics why this should be a thing.....same goes for equipment....

(it was at this point the meeting began to ramble off topic due to excessive indulgence in the free beverages offered to them at the meeting....said beverages being the sole motivating factor involved in their attendance.....the rest of the evening dissolved into a blurred rampage ranging from the board room off the mech bay, out into the street, thru several local pubs, and ending in the living room of some sweet old lady who made the mistake of opening her door when they knocked.....any follow up questions you may have on the above topic of debate should be clearly printed in large type on a 3x5 index card and mailed to Sgt Ron Frye, inmate number 014482, cellblock 6a, cell 4, in the care of the Cogworthy Correctional Institute, Gamiedy Prime)

Contributed by Ron Frye#879655, Kenneth Hicks#846092, David McCallum#701548, Pat Willis#224534

Late Edition : Chrono Events by David McCallum : #701548

Sorry for the tardiness of this post, it would appear we had an invasion of sorts to repel.... one led by unprocessed Turducken Cover ammunition.


From what I can gather, there have been a number of casualties with pilots out of action left right and centre.


But there is another recent event I wanted to address that keeps making pilots groan like participants in the aftermath of a family feast... yet another KotM chrono event.


Now I freely admit I avoid these like Kenneth avoids doing videos, having only participated in one which, while I managed to eke out a gold was only done through a session that last over 24 hours in the cockpit (I kid you not...) and is not one that I wish to repeat.


However I had the chance to view one of my junior pilots in action, attempting to chase the recent bonus bounty of gaining 3 medals in a row.


A very creditable performance (if I say so myself, one is allowed to take a certain pride in knowing that for once somebody has actually listened to your advice...) which saw them duke it out for a well earned silver.


And the thing that struck me was that it was an extremely valid training excersize.


Not only good in gauging an opponents strength so you can see whom you can attack to gain the best points tally, but though prolonged attack runs working out what is and isn't working.


In this particular case, the realization that their world conquering Nerio was past its use by date and having the good sense to buy and level a Luison to replace it with on the fly.... a decision that payed dividends and not only gained better prizes (plus the bonus 3 mission bounty) but has set them up far stronger for the upcoming Squad War.


So, moral of this tale?


While something may not necessarily be to your liking, there is always a glass half full somwehere.

Submitted by David McCallum : #701548