Vizi Mecha Review By Pat Willis#224534

The Vizi mecha is a reward mecha handed out by the Craftsmen guild as rewards for particular raids, wars, or tourneys. As such it's basically a restricted mecha and no real pertinent information is available unless you have one, or an army of them laying around. They are 45 ton mechas that are unique in the fact that they get bonuses to all weapon types, as opposed to most mechas who only concentrate on one or two weapon types at best.

It also has the abilities of  Fork, Splash, Slow, Shield, and 3X damage. Rounding out an already versatile design. Of course with the addition of equipment you can fine tune those particular skills to a razors edge or add others like Crit-Kill for fun. These mechas are fun, they excell at all weapon types, zip around the battlefield with the right engine/speed set up, and are relatively inexpensive to upgrade and level up as they are crystal based mecha.

Now of course there have to be some limiting factors in there somewhere given it is a jack of all trades with weapon set up. That trade off looks to come in the form of limited equipment slots. But think it through it is a 45 ton mecha with just about every inch of its tech going towards weapon bonuses and a few select other tricks, of course the equipment slots are going to be a bit on the skim side, this isn't the God Mecha you know. But for what it is, well I have to admit it's pretty dammed cool. So if you own one or more take pride, if not go get one! Cause when you get down to it I'd rather have some of these in my corner than not.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Nifthel Mecha Review By Pat Willis#224534

This is a former Star Factories design now turned over to Alpha Corporation, weighing in at 40 tons, and costing 1,800 Ferrite, 1,200 Bioptics, and 64 Crystal. Its starter weapons are fairly simple as it comes with 4 Sleet Storms, and an Adv. Cannon. For an ice mecha this one is fairly versatile by build design it is made to field both ice and projectile weapons.

If properly equipped with higher end ice and projectile weapons this little mecha could be a nasty surprise for those who would seek to challenge it. Of course as with all mechas it gets equipment slots and more weapon slots as it levels  up, as well as bonuses to its ice and projectile weapons. It also packs the slow ability by design to help out with clogging an opponent mechas joints and gears thus slowing it for better and easier hits.

As it is a lower tonnage mecha don't expect a lot of equipment slots, there is only so much room after all. But you can build up the engines so that speed is respectable, cockpit is minimal so investment in niode gear for extra accuracy is recommended, as well as with the chassis for the dodge potential.

Shielding is likewise on the trim side so choose wisely. All in all these are fine little mechas that will do their best before they are blasted apart. If equipped right with both equipment and weapons they have the potential to be a tough opponent mecha that can stand up to some serious punishment. As a fan of ice mechas I can strongly recommend this ice/slug thrower combo. It may not be pretty, it may not pack a ton of slots, but if utilized right and in the right spot in your formation this mecha can and will shine.








Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

The Awakening By Brian D.Wise#17026

The battlefields of Novum 4, again display the armies of ever growing clones of Drake Novum. As, Commandant Brian D. Wise, stared out into the sea of clones, he could easily make out there faces. Richard Millich, Raukox, Jeff Christopher, and the other members of RND past and even the new AFF were all there. Leading the clones he didn't even need to look, because it was always the same thing. Him staring right back at him. Splashed on his cockpit his name, butchered ever so comedically, Wise Brain.

Brian jumped up, smacking his head into the windscreen of his personal Torrent, as he looked out on the test field. The nightmares were occurring again, and as fate would have it, the news report was mentioning the rise of Drake's latest wave of clones starting to cause waves once again.

Brian slammed his fist into the console of his mech.

"DAMNIT!"

Brian D. Wise, thought to himself he was going to do something about Drake this time, something major. A plan started to slowly form in Brian's mind.

Submitted by Brian D.Wise#17026

Hex Cannon Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

Today we're looking at the crystal slug thrower that is available to levels 67 and up, the Hex Cannon. All pertinent purchase info is within the side image, note there are no restrictions or limits on this weapon. As usual we'll be seeing how the weapon stacks up to the closest  beneath, and above it in levels.

Up first we have the level 59 Wrecker Shot. It has a straight damage of 50, a speed of 105, and the weapon ability of trample at 4%. The Hex Cannon adds 8 to the straight damage, looses a point of speed, but keeps the weapon ability, and at the same percentage. So same basic gun, a touch slower, but with more punch.

Then above it available to level 75 and up pilots is the H. Blast Plate. That gives a 63 straight damage, speed of 104, and weapon ability of trample at 5%.  So our Hex Cannon gets beaten out by 5 points in straight damage, speed is equal on both, and the H. Blast Plate raises the weapon ability of trample by 1%. So pretty much as expected for a crystal weapon upgrade.

Bottom line is the Hex Cannon sits just where it should, squarely between the two weapons. Also it can be used to augment an existing arsenal of the other two weapons if you have a mecha that specializes in projectile damage. After all as far as crystal weapons go this is pretty decent all around. Add in skill point allocation, mecha build bonuses, and equipment augmentation, you could be looking at a severely strong punch for your level. As well as augment your trample capabilities.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

FOF Targeting Equipment Review By John Ringo #899287

Welcome my friend to Jamar’s House of Finery! We only have the finest equipment and weapons your Niodes can buy. I am Jamar, your humble host. Can I interest you in a Meson Drive or a V.I.M. Board? Oh, you are looking for a cockpit that is 30 Tons or less with a large boost to Missile Damage? I have just the thing! This FOF Targeting cockpit satisfies your needs and has much more to offer. Please take a look at the brochure for all the item stats.

5 to Precision is a solid stat for any mech in this weight class and the boost to 2X Damage would complement a Trooper very well with its native 2X Damage as it grows in levels. The extra 4% Projectile Damage could go very well on a Warhorse or an iMech. You wanted a boot to your Missile Damage and this unit has a 10% boost! If you have a Banshee or a Shocklite you could see large dividends with this cockpit.

By law I am only able tell sell you up to 40 of these units in total. If you want more than that you will have to try and win them as a prize or take some as a spoil of war in a raid on the warehouses of your enemy. How many can I provide for you today?

Submitted By John Ringo #899287

Rumors Around The RND Clan By Pat Willis#224534

In this line of work you hear a lot of interesting rumors, especially involving the ever changing clan landscapes on the Clan War front. The most recent rumor I have heard pertains to the RND clan family, only time will tell if it pans out to be truth or not.

What I have heard that they want to do is try and get top end players and newbies in the same level unit to as my source put it "Break the game open and re level the playing field". The line of thought here being to develop a critical mass of sorts through the restructuring of the clans, it keeps the flood gates open by other clans having to match strategy. By way of ripple effect changes out more than just one division. Ideally spreading like a wave through all divisions and making things "new and fresh" again for all involved. 

Now admittedly this will take more than a few top guns, high levels, and big respected names in the community to pull off. That alone is a massive undertaking, simply trying to convince folks of this vision. Not to mention the math that would go into balancing out all these high end/ low end clans to achieve the proper average for a  targeted division. But understanding is they are going to do all of this publicly. Presumably on the players page and across all other aspects of Mecha Galaxy. Their reasoning for such is that no one can then cry about being left out, or back room deals, or no one having a good and proper say on the issue.

Will they pull it off? Will other players find their offer attractive enough to join in or maybe follow their example? Would it really effect all divisions and restructure the game or is that just idealistic thinking?

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

Twin Grazer Weapon Review By John Ringo #899287

This niode laser weapon is not as flashy as some but at 125 Damage and 100 Speed it gets the job done. Now if you have skill points invested in lasers and a mech with laser damage bonuses things can get excited in a hurry. Mix in this weapons 10% boost to 2X and 3X damage and the right gear you can go from exciting straight to your foe vaporized to sub-atomic particles.

Now because this weapon is not for sale in the store we can’t talk about at what level you could have bought it and the cost so I looked and found the Blue Dragon to be the closest niode laser for sale. The Blue Dragon is 125 Damage and 104 Speed and is available at Level 107. For now, you can get yours when you purchase a Pike mech and you might find it as an even prize if you are lucky.

Love niodes? Are you always finding them in short supply? Write a story, editorial, mech review and send it in to The Galaxy Gathering and get paid the cold, hard niodes your army needs to take your game play to the next level. Until next time, Cheers!

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Submitted By John Ringo #899287

Blackout Wave Weapon Review By John Ringo #899287

This Ice niode weapon is not for sale in the open market. You might find it as a prize some day in a KotM or the MV. For now, you can get yours when you purchase a Pike mech.

This weapon does 137 Damage with 105 Speed. The closest niode gun in the store I could find to this is the Amarok that does 135 Damage at 103 Speed and you can buy one at Level 118.

Now let’s talk about the bonuses on this interesting weapon. You have a 37% Freeze chance making this a great pairing with a Boreas or another mech you have Freeze boosting gear equipped. The bonus I really love on this gun is the 27% chance to Fork. I try to find creative ways to use Ice damage in my formations, so having an Ice Gun with a solid Fork chance would work well for some of my builds on the day I am fortunate enough to get one.

This concludes my quick review of this weapon. If you would like to review a weapon, equipment or mech or have a story or mech build etc to share, write it up and send it to The Galaxy Gathering. We pay good niodes for player submitted work! Until next time Happy Hunting!

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Submitted by John Ringo #899287

Pike Mecha Review By John Ringo#899287

Greetings pilot! Welcome to Shock and Awe your un equaled distributor of Mechs and MOAR! I can see that you are a discerning individual of both taste and skill. May I direct your attention to our newest arrival from Alpha Corporation – The Pike. No war is too big, no local uprising to small. With this Mech you can crush them all!

Now I am very sorry to have to ask this but I need to see your pilot ID card. You see you must be pilot level 128 or better to buy this unit. I have also taken the liberty to check your credit balance and I see that you have much more than the needed 25,200 Ferrite, 17,000 Bioptics and 140 Niodes to take this home. Here is a brochure that explains the basics and then how well it will perform after you invest in upgrades:

280 AP
12 Gun Slots (You will gain a new slot every 3 levels)
2X Damage 5%
3X Damage 3%
Freeze 5%
Shield (5)
Speed - 34

At level 227 you get the following:

Gun Slots – 75
3X Damage 25%
2X Damage 38%
1.5X Damage 40%
Precision (17)
Crit-Kill 6%
Fork 14%
Freeze 30%
Slow (9)
Wide Fork 15%
Shield (40)
Fork Shield 35%
Wide Fork Shield 60%
Auto Repair (4)
Speed +1

Cockpit Slots – 7
Chassis Slots – 8
Shield Slots – 6
Engine Slots – 6

Now imagine yourself at the controls laying waste to every foe who stands against you and a few of them who do not run away fast enough. You will be the envy of everyone not fortunate enough to own one. Why General Nova himself was just here placing an order for enough Pike’s to go on a Colony Drop. How many can I put you down for?

Submitted by John Ringo #899287

Double Trouble Weapon Review By Pat Willis#224534

This is a niode fire weapon, and from what I can tell has no listing in the shop. I got it for top 25 in a recent KOTM so it could be a limited release or retired weapon. I have no real information on levels, restrictions or any of the usual information. This review is going to have some guess work to it so bear with me.

I can compare this with the level 37 Liquid Torch weapon. That has 52 Straight Damage, a Speed of 104, and the weapon ability of Burn at 16%. They are fairly similar as the damage varies by 1 point in the D.T.'s favor, Speed is a 1 point variation in the L.T.'s favor, and the L.T. has a higher percentage for its weapon ability, where as the D.T. has two abilities at lower percentages.

So a fairly comparable weapon really. Not a bad idea for a backup weapon seeing as you would be limited on what you can hook up to your mecha by how many you can obtain. Splash, as well as Burn are some nasty abilities for damage and some mecha specialize in one or the other with build stats. All told a solid weapon that holds up well next to its more well known cousin.

Submitted by Pat Willis#224534

A Word From Sgt. Ron By Ron Frye#879655

An interesting suggestion was made in the player forums by William Morris. His suggestion is that clan leaders should have the option of posting a message at the top of the clan page in the clan tab.

This would give leaders the opportunity to put out important information to all clan members in game rather than on exterior face book pages, web sites, or the cumbersome method of messaging each and every member of their clan. I think this is a fabulous idea and I personally invite everyone reading this short article to comment below on their opinion of the matter.

*Editors note - Since the overhaul of the site comments are not the option they used to be. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We do invite you to submit your opinion to us on this or any other game related matter, we do of course pay niodes.

Submitted by Ron Frye#897655
Editors note by Pat Willis#224534