A Vulture by another name, anyone?

Greeting Mechwarriors,

I was excited to find the background image for my page. I had wanted to find an image that looked like it was from the old cut-away Battletech books and, look at that, I even found a 'Mech I like. Plus, it matches the color scheme. But, for anyone unfamiliar with the 'Mech represented, it's almost meaningless. With a dash on context, you might be as happy as I am with the selection.

So, what's that in the background? That's the Mad Dog Clan 'Mech, nicknamed the "Vulture" by the first Inner Sphere (IS) pilots that engaged it. This 'Mech was widely used within the Clans after its production began in 2963 by Clan Smoke Jaguar. The overall purpose of this Heavy 'Mech is to provide opportunistic fire-support. The tactic used by Mad Dog pilots mainly employed hanging back from the front lines, waiting for an easy target. If faced with an opponent inside its optimal range, the Mad Dog doesn't want for a means to protect itself.

The majority of the variants for this 'Mech allow for the mounting of several missile racks, whether they be defensive short range missile (SRM) or offensive long range missile (LRM) stagings. Heck, you could even do both. Other defensive options include the punch of ballistic weapons and/or medium range energy weapons. The tactics previously mentioned and the general theme of variant loadouts translated pretty well into MWO, although sometimes it makes more sense to play completely defensively. There are a ton of options thanks to the Omni-pods, interchangeable torso and arm components, available.

Love that camo pattern combo. Ain't it purtty?

If used properly, this 'Mech has the maneuverability and damage potential to make someone worry about stumbling into one while trying to flank your allies. Is it the best Clan 'Mech available in the game? Nah, not even close. Can you still have fun with it? Can you still use it to fend off larger 'Mechs? Can you still use it to dispose of stupid Jenners? Can you still use it to slice, dice, and julienne your way to some sweet Cbill (CB) earnings? Of course, don't be dense! Why else would I be writing this? I recommend that you buy one immediately! NOW! Spread forth the folds of your wallet and dispense currency, chumps. Just kidding, but, seriously, try it out. It's even available as a Trial 'Mech at the moment.

Here's a peak at my current Mad Dog build. I chose the defensive route.

Currently 8.5milCB into this week's event. Cha-ching!


Good luck and good hunting, pilots.





Sources:
http://metamechs.com/mwo-guides/master-guides/mad-dog/
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Mad_Dog_(Vulture)

Before ECM was a thing...

Some decent gameplay with the LMC.

*Yawn* Oh, you're still here?

Greetings Mechwarriors,

Once again, it's been a while since I've posted anything on here. I didn't mean to let it fall by the wayside, but obviously my efforts were disingenuous.

There have been even more changes to the game since the last time that I've posted. I can't really speak to any of the changes that have come to the CW Meta or anything having to do with the abysmal state of IS space right now. It's clear who took over CW. *puts hands on hip and adds a cocked head stare*

I had thought to make my next post about the Grasshopper because I had been trying to earn enough XP to Master it. Well, in the meantime I mastered all three of them and then moved on. I moved on to my Atlas and did the same..and then my BlackJack. Now, I'm working slowly (as slow as people that prefer IE) on my Vindicator. I dare you to prove to me that someone can have a favorite Vindicator.

For the next week, there is an event going on. Let's be honest though, there's almost always some event going on in MWO. This week's is the "Blood Money" event. Ooooooo, how edgy. This is an event that rewards the people who purchased the Resistance I 'Mech Pack and gives more rewards to anyone who bought the Resistance II 'Mech Pack. Even though I only fall into the former category, I'm looking forward to earning a cool 20,000,000CB just for playing with the 'Mechs I bought. That'll afford me any 'Mech in the game. I'd get a Gargoyle if I'd ever heard a good thing about it.

So, back to my point, I'm back in my Grasshopper! Aaaand touting some new trollin' camo. Well, I suppose it's more just for fun than trolling, but hey. I put it across all my Resistance I 'Mechs.

Drop that spoon, Mr. Bonaparte

"You know what?" he asked rhetorically. I don't really feel like writing about loadouts or anything. The Meta be damned! I want to talk about something that has actually got me somewhat excited; these gosh-darn "new" maps. Two of the public maps have been refined, expanded, polished, dusted off, and tossed metaphorically at our faces. And not in that order, #hotfixfreepatch. The upgrades to each of the maps include mostly an increase in size, level of detail, flanking lanes, and invisible geometry to get stuck on.

There are now light posts and tress that you can knock over! *bonk bonk bonk* Yes, the noise you just made in your head is pretty close to the noise that the trees make as you topple them over effortlessly. They don't sound very much like a tree (you know, 'cause I'm an arborist for sure) and I think there may only be two variances on the sound effect. I've seen people on the MWO forums complain about the noise being a distraction from immersion, but those people need to immerse themselves in about ten feet of water. That reminds me, there are now collision noises and more collision damage. *bonk clang bonk clang*

These new maps look spectacular though, they really do. Well, compared to the rest of the game. I'm definitely in favor of improvements and expansions to the maps. I don't know why this isn't a priority over the release of new 'Mechs for the game...oh wait, the maps are free, duh.

I have actually done a little bit of trolling in this game recently and I loved it. I've even seen other people follow suit! I may have started something! And by "following suit", I mean dinosaur suit.

"Okay, kids, say goodbye to Barney"

Good luck and good hunting, pilots.