Rednose Laser Review By Pat Willis#224534

Looking back through my image files of limited release Niode weapons I happened to find this little holiday gem. So I figured even though we may not be able to purchase them any longer, doesn't mean we can not review them. The image and information are all correct for when the weapon was released but please note it is no longer available (minus coming equipped on one of the Reindeer mecha this CW.)

Well lets look at the weapon available below it. This is a level 50 and above weapon so the next niode laser weapon down would be the Flavian Spear, available at level 45. Which has a damage of 70, a speed of 100 and a crit kill ability of 15%. The Rednose laser burys both the speed and damage, adds another ability by giving you Precision perks, and gaining a 14% 2x damage rating, so you only lose 1% of an ability.

The one up from that is the Black Widow Laser, it's available at level 57. It sports 85 Damage, 101 speed and the ability of Crit kill at 17%. Again the Rednose laser comes out on top in both speed and damage. and again the weapon abilities are a slight trade off in percentage, to gain a mecha perk when firing this weapon.

As always your skill point allotment, mecha build stats, and equipment load out will play a huge factor in how this weapon handles for you. But just doing a straight up stat comparison this looks to be the superior laser when compared to both the niode lasers available in levels beneath and above it. It is a limited release weapon to coincide with the holidays, so if you are going to get one I'd suggest doing it now.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Jurassic Thunder Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

Currently these wicked missile systems are only available on the Apatotron mecha, as a weapon system for a 100 ton mecha they need to be bad assed to be standard equipment. These do not disappoint. They sport a Speed of 90, a Damage of 126, and have Wide Fork of 20%, as well as freeze of 51%.

Now as folks know I am not a fan of the new big mecha, or more to the point not a fan of the less than stellar equipment available for them at the time they were released. However the weapons they have on them can be pretty devastating if used on other mecha. For instance I have 4 of these I swap back and forth between my missile boat mechas like the Anubis, or mechas I have modified for missile usage like Frozen Dream my Frigis. In the case of Frozen Dream he utilizes multiple Hawkeye M.M. Targeting systems in his cockpit slots which allow for +7% missile damage. Spread that across 4 cockpit slots and my Frigis winds up with a small +28% bonus to missile damage.

Not much, but more than enough to cause a mess when things like its inbuilt  x3, x2, crit-kill, or fork ability go off . Seeing as we're already dealing with a high damage weapon the modifiers going off are just really icing on the cake. No they aren't the fastest missile system out there. the Sniper Rack, Arbalest, and Metal Mamba all have speeds at 100.  But for damage and abilities I would say it has competition in the Arbalest missile system. Which does 125 damage, the previously discussed speed of 100, and the abilities of Fork at 84% and Splash at 12%. All in all a hell of a weapon and if you find your Apatotron not being of much use aside from soaking up enemy fire, well why not go ahead and part the weapons out to mechas who can use them and their equipment effectively?












Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Lizard Brain Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

Today we'll be looking at a nasty Niode fire weapon available to levels 67 and up. All prices in the image are current, and there are no more sales going on for weapons. As usual we'll be comparing this weapon to what is available beneath it, and above it level wise.

So lets jump right in with the Kojin Stove, the niode fire weapon available to pilots level 59 and up. It sports 85 straight damage, has a speed of 105, and has weapon abilities of Burn at 33%, as well as Splash of 5%.

Well the Brain here has 95 straight damage so a win there, looses out by a point in speed, but has  higher Burn and Splash percentages. So the Lizard Brain is definitely an upgrade from the Stove.

Above the Brain available at level 76 we have the niode fire weapon the Hephaistos. This weapon does 105 Straight damage, has a speed of 104, and abilities of Burn at 38%, and Splash at 11%.

Needless to say the Hephaistos is indeed an upgrade from the Brain as it sports more straight damage, the same speed, and the abilities of the weapon just seem to go up in percentages as they go up in piloting level. So the end result is that the Lizard Brain is exactly where it should be between these two offerings of fire, and a worthy addition to any fire based arsenal.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Khron Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

Please note this picture was taken during a 15% off sale, and is not reflective of current prices.

We have a genuine Niode ice weapon of awesomeness available to levels 87 and up. As usual we will be determining the weapons usefulness by comparing it to the similar weapons beneath and above it in level.

So how does it stack up? Well beneath it at level 80 is the Sikuliaq niode ice weapon which deals out 105 damage,has a speed of 99, and has two weapon abilities. Freeze at 35%, and Slow at (6). So the Khron is a nice step up, and worth the upgrade as it has better damage, the same speed, and  better abilities by 5%, and 1 point.

Going up to the next Niode ice weapon we have the Boreas main weapon the Winter's Grasp sitting at level 101. It has 125 damage, 100 speed, and Freeze of 50%, as well as Slow of (9). The Khron is soundly beaten across all areas by this upgrade.

So what we have here is a higher mid range weapon that sits comfortably between its  lower, and higher counterparts, just as it should. It isn't overpowered, or under-powered . It does exactly as advertised and on the right mecha probably a bit more.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

In Depth Equipment Round Table By The Galaxy Gathering Editorial Staff

This week's topic for the round table discussion is a follow up discussion to the arguments surrounding the issues of penalties to weapons, gear, equipment and mechs. How do you feel about the concept of balancing the game and reflecting the size and power of higher tonnage mechs and gear by increasing the amount of slots that heavier gear takes up? For example: A 50 ton engine takes up one slot, but a 100 ton capacity engine would take up two slots *twice the power, twice the size, twice the amount of space required*. The floor is now open to questions, responses, and commentary.

(the beer is in the ice cooler to the left of the snack table and the hard liquor is in the cabinet under the bar)

Ken -  I'm all for common sense penalties with gear and weapons as , well... they make sense. Examples being flying gear being susceptible to missiles, freeze gear being susceptible to projectiles, etc. I even agree with niode gear and weapons having a significant advantage over it's crystal counterparts.

What I find highly annoying (I believe I used the phrased "Pissed Off About") is limitation on the numbers of certain weapons that you can obtain. Do you have a full line of Fexts? Well unless you dump a shit tone of $$ into niodes, you'll be using lasers 40 levels below you to compensate for the numbers. Have 5 Ignis? Which is even more plausible since it's been a prize for so long? Same thing. You end up filling weapon slots with weaksauce flame-spitters. Unless a factory was taken out due to sabotage or incursions, putting a limit on the number of weapons manufactured is just idiotic.

Ron - Limitations on weapons is a raw topic for all of us....the previous round table on that one left us all with a bad taste in our mouths....I'm with you....if there are going to be any limitations on weapons there needs to be a sound and solid reason for it.....but, what I am asking in this discussion is should heavier gear require more slots than lighter gear

Ken - In a way, I feel the limitations are built in. An engine for a light mech will give you +25 speed while the comparable engine for a 100 tonner gives you +5. Why? Size.

Processors for light mechs will give you a +4 or +6 precision while processors for larger mechs go up over +10. Why? More room for processing chips.

Now at the same time, I do see inconsistencies to this formula. mech cockpits over 80 tons seem to suffer in the precision department as opposed to getting better. Why...

Without going back through, several pieces of gear exclusively made for 100 tonners suffers as opposed to the 80-95 ton gear range, when it had been doing nothing but improve up to that point.
This is an inconsistency that makes no sense. It's like we're being punished for fielding larger mechs.

Pat -  Bigger equipment pieces to take up more slots and deliver more actual stat mods as opposed to the crap show we have now hell yes I'm all for it. Limits to me make no sense as I said in the last convo if you can afford it you should be able to buy it. Now if said item is on sale in the mystery vortex you have a chance at getting it so technically it is still available beyond the limits listed in the shop. But that is a one in however many chance. I want an option past the shop, past the pirate controlled vortex, gimme....a junk dealer! Yeah a junk dealer don't you see? Then we can go over the limits listed and the parts make sense to be vulnerable or take negatives to stats because they are refurbished parts.

Also we need to know basic stat limits of mechas . Okay for instance does the formula for mecha speed have a top number the rng just doesn't go above? What is it? What is the upper limit for things like Precision? Where is the line for dodge?

See that is what makes this game so frustrating, we have an idea of what we want the mecha to do in game and how it should look stat wise. But unless you seriously crunch the numbers and get all spread sheet with it no real explanation has been offered up. For instance.... Okay what does dodge do? It allows you to avoid incoming fire. But how? your number has to beat theirs and throw in some random luck with the rng. Okay well how do we build those numbers up, what effects what, where are the numerical cut offs and what past that is a waste of resources? Cause by rights I have a 129 Precision rating on my fave Boreas, and he hits maybe 50% of the time. I want to understand in game rules why he is missing, what I can do to correct this and how to pad for future fights. See that is a problem I'm level 117 been playing for over two years and still have very simple basic rules questions. Imagine what it is like for a newbie?

Ron -  Now that opens up an entirely new possibility Patrick....used and refurbished parts.....bonuses and penalties based on the quality of the item in question....examples: poor, standard, above standard, premium.....giving mod.s of -5, 0, +5 and +10 to the speed bonuses on an engine.

David - I'm just making sure I have the topic right in my mind... would you be wanting to fit a 100 ton piece into a 50 ton chassis, on the understanding it will take 2 slots on the 50 instead of 1 on the 100?

Because to me, you already have larger 'sized' slots on bigger mechs, that's why they can take gear in the larger tonnage range.

Besides, bigger mechs have more slots anyway, so as an example, to get +10 speed, a 100 tonner has to use 2 x kinetic converters at +5 each vs a single Max Torque in a 75 ton.

Ron - True.......but if that is the case, then why does a 100 ton mech use one slot to equip an engine that is geared for 90 to 100 tonnage and also uses the same entire slot for an engine that is geared for mechs 50 to 95 tons? Seems to me you could fit two of those smaller engines in a space that large....or vice versa.

From there the discussion devolved into a comparison of mecha schematics and builds mixed with copious amounts of alcohol. Tune in next time....

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

Kanabo Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

This monster weapon is a slug thrower for levels 113 and up. It costs 2,600 Ferrite, 900 Bioptics and 58 Niodes. It has a limit of 70, and a bulk option to buy 5 for 232 niodes. It does 125 straight damage, has 105 speed and does 3x damage at 30%, with Trample at 6% for abilities.

By way of comparison the Chronysis Rail is available at level 92, does 115 straight damage, has a speed of 107, and  packs same x3 at 30%, but has Precision of 9 as opposed to Trample of 6%. So the Kanabo packs more punch, at a slightly slower speed with a bit extra on the back end for abilities. Recommended for solid artillery heavy mechas to get all the bonuses you can out of it.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Revenge of the Fat Jolly Git by David McCallum : #701548

One of these days, we will actually finish off an enemy bent on Galactic domination.


It really is bad form the way we just give them a good kicking, then they slink away only to come and annoy us at the most inopportune moment.


Still, its not as if we were hoping for a holiday or anything like that. Just because we've set the Unification forces in retreat, doesn't mean we aren't ready to leap reindeer like to everyone's defence... again.


Yes, it's around that time when old 'Red 'n' Tubby is showing his fluffy face... I wonder what he's after this time, apart from making himself a right royal pain in the posterior?


Still, the Military is on to it, and any pilot who wants a head start in getting to a readiness state can partake of some wargames to see how they are going to fare.


General Nova’s EVIL SANTA XMAS CHALLENGE

Evil Santa and his minions have recently been sighted in several locations around the galaxy. Pilots in the area have reported hearing strange songs playing over the comms and galactic authorities are investigating these tunes to see if they contain any malicious system viruses, but have so far found them to be benign. 

Many pilots believe that it is likely that Evil Santa will attempt another conquest of our galaxy soon. Evil Santa has a history of causing trouble wherever he goes. 

During Evil Santa's last attempt, Gen. Nova managed to get his hands on a few of the mecha left behind. He has decided to host a Xmas Challenge to assist the Mercenary Clans with preparations to fight Evil Santa.

All pilots now have a chance to test their strength against a few of the mecha Evil Santa is known to use. To take advantage of this opportunity, deploy a single line of your best mecha against Evil Santa’s mechs. For an extra challenge, use less than your maximum tonnage and prove that you are an elite warrior.

Single Line Lowest Tonnage:

Level 32-61
Level 62-99
Level 100-129
Level 130-158
Level 159-199
Level 200+

Single Line Lowest Level:
Level 32-61
Level 62-99
Level 100-129
Level 130-158
Level 159-199
Level 200+

Lowest Level (Up to 350 tons) Level 1-31
Lowest Tonnage (Unlimited Formation) Level 1-31

RULES TO PARTICIPATE: Attack General Nova and then copy the permalink from your battle feed for the battle that you want to submit. All pilots level 32 and above must use a single line of mecha to attack. Please note that the single line may be any line in your base, as long as all your mecha are in one (vertical) line. It does NOT have to be your front line. 

General Nova will accept only one (1) entry per player. Your entry will be considered in BOTH categories (Lowest Level and Lowest Tonnage) for your level group listed above.

Please be sure that your entry is the one you want to use before you submit it to General Nova. If multiple entries are sent in, only the first will be counted. Spamming General Nova may be considered grounds for disqualification.

This event will run from server reset (00:00) on 12/10 to the end of the day on 12/12 (23:59). 

TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY: Message General Nova through his profile (using in-game mail) and include the permalink for your submission in the message. Please state your level at the time of the battle in the message subject line.

PRIZES: The Lowest Level pilot and Lowest Tonnage formation in each grouping to defeat the challenge will be named the winner for that group and will receive the prize listed. Only one prize will be awarded per player.
In the case of a tie, the entry submitted first will win. A higher mech count will also be used as a tie breaker (Ex: 4 Ogguns will win against 2 Reapers.) 


Winners will receive a free weapon: 
Level 32-61 (H. Blast Plate)
Level 62-99 (Glace)
Level 100-129 (Silencer)
Level 130-158 (Sniper Rack)
Level 159-199 (Phyrenado)
Level 200+ (Leviathan)
Lowest Level (Up to 350 tons) Level 1-31 (Res Laser)
Lowest Tonnage (Unlimited) Level 1-31 (Ol' Willie Pete)


So, we may as well start getting into the spirit of mass destruction (either by firepower or alcohol)... looks like us pilots have another grind ahead of us.
Submitted by David McCallum : #701548

Breaking the Fourth Wall by David McCallum : #701548

Here's a few questions for you.


Is Patrick:

A) A drunken sot / slave-driver with delusions of greatness or

B) A guy who likes sci-fi, big mechs, monsters and is dealing with a job that has cruddy hours that he quite enjoys?


Is Kenneth:

A) Easily conned into doing the menial and degrading jobs around the office or

B) A Gamer with a new job he is seriously enjoying but is taking up a heck of a lot of his time which his rather large ginger cat is going to make him pay for in the only way that cats can?


Am I:

A) Heck, just generally awesome in all respects.

B) See above.


In game, your answers should have been all A's. However real life, it is of course B's.


Except question 3... A would have been acceptable for that one in either case.


The thing that gets me about this community is that when it comes to communicating, we swap between 'in character' and 'breaking the fourth wall' with consummate ease. I respect that in a community that enjoys its escapism, but is well grounded enough to step out into real life to deal with actual issues.


Heck, we could be playing 'World of Warcraft', then things would be going seriously psycho. Talk about not being in touch with reality.


One of the best examples are the dev team.


If you think about it, especially over the course of this year, they have constantly churned out new material... not just game tweaks and page layout enhancements (think about the moving of the $$$ buffs away from the lottery button enhancement) but new story lines, solo play mission zones and the temporary mission pages that you can earn Niodes for spotting first.


The creative work behind that must be intensive and somewhat draining. And immersive, because each and every piece must be 'in universe' and 'in character'.


And yet if there is a game mechanic query or bug report, the wall is shattered and it gets attended to.


And you know what?


The odd flame war aside, its not just the devs that do it. We all do.


Just an observation from a pilot who has been out on patrol for 4 days straight and is seriously looking forward to his own bed sometime within the next 24 hours...

Submitted by David McCallum : #701548

We Need Your Submissions By Pat Willis#224534

Hello folks, yes I know I've covered this issue before in no small detail. However the fact remains this is a player fueled and run site. As such we need more players chiming in. A lot of you say well I'm not that great a writer. You don't have to be.

Look writing is pretty simple write how you would talk. So you can't think up a story line for pilot stories. No problem do a review. Probably the simplest thing we have on this site are the reviews. Start off with I like this, or dislike this weapon/equipment piece/mecha because.... and insert your reasons. Before you know it you can have a decent length review written up and ready to submit. We just ask you keep the language PG-13 as this is a more open audience.

Clan lore is another good one. There are many well put together, and groomed clans out there. We want to know more about you all!! Get some clan lore together. What are your rules, do you have them at all? How do you operate, what faction do you support? Who is in charge, who are the grunts, any legendary pilots in your ranks? What is your clans back story, how did you all come together? Memorable battles, wars, raids, or KOTM? Any logos to go with it all?(that last one try to keep it as original and non copy write protected as possible.) Got any rival players, or clans that are a thorn in your clans side?

As if I have to mention it we of course pay out niodes for submissions. Unless all you want to do is hear myself and my editorial staff ramble on day in and day out, or see us have to close up shop for good we need your submissions. Writing isn't too hard, writing an opinion is even easier. Try it, send it to us, lets us be the judge.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Typhoon Clan Logo By Germán Jaramillo Pulido#685605

Submitted by Germán Jaramillo Pulido#685605

Leviathan Clan Logo By Germán Jaramillo Pulido#685605

 Submitted by Germán Jaramillo Pulido#685605