Welcome back, Freeborn.

Greetings Mechwarriors,

You may or may not have noticed that I haven’t posted anything in several months. Well, we’re all back here now, so let’s do our best to pick back up where we left off. The previous post expressed my disappointment with the announcement of a third wave of Clan ‘Mechs.  It wasn’t long after that that I stepped away from MWO until recently. I don’t know what it was, but I just lost interest. I had just gotten the content released for the Resistance pack, Zeus included, but I just wasn’t to be enthused. I’ll be honest, and I’ll address this more below, I was a little disappointed with the Resistance ‘Mechs. It was also evident at that time that our Unit Leader was going to be taking a prolonged hiatus. I wish I had had the time to take his place, but I just didn’t. So, with that, it was a lot of fun playing with the members of the Lyran Mechanized Cavalry.

So, now I have my own Unit and almost anyone is welcome to join. There will be no organization what-so-ever. There probably won’t even be communication. But, just think, you could still be a part of it. Like I said, I just don’t have the time to do much other than play casually. What’s that? Sure, I’ll answer that question you didn’t think to ask. My Unit is based off of the Taurian Guard: Hell’s Heart Regiment. Because, why not? I’ve always been a fan of Asterion and Theseus. Even the color scheme for this regiment isn’t so bad, once you find how to apply it.

Right?

There have been additions to the Community Warfare map roster, almost none of which I’ve played on. Going back to Community Warfare is going to take longer than going back to PUGs. And, much wow, the addition of the Urban Mech. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “That’s a fine way to waste $40, buddy.” I suppose if you want to spend $40 on trolling, then hey, don’t let me stop you.

I previously mentioned that I wasn’t completely sold on the Resistance ‘Mechs when they came out and I had had a chance to climb into the cockpit. The Resistance ‘Mechs are the Panther, Enforcer, Grasshopper, and Zeus, each with variants. As I had assumed would happen, the Enforcer quickly became my favorite of the bunch and finally opened my heart to the I.S. UAC/5. It’s been a while since these ‘Mechs came out, so I’ve given the Grasshopper a second chance. Next time, I will post some tactics and on why I'm starting to like it more and more. Now that I think about it, there have been only a few ‘Mechs that I’ve completely given up on so far...Which reminds me! I bought a Timber Wolf and I love it.

I jump for a livin'

I’d also like to thank everyone that is reading this blog, even though I don’t know who you are. Honestly, if I met you in real life, we’d start with a handshake, end with a high five, and part ways with a level of intimacy that would surprise even you. I’ve gotten around 1350 views since November, 2014. Let’s just say that that is much more than I expected to ever get. Without the traffic that I’ve gotten so far, I’d probably not have the motivation to keep going with this. Someday I may even put more effort in my writing (I lurv commas). Thank you to the Misfir3 for posting a link to this blog on the LMC website. Please feel free to add you email address to the Follow Me box and click Add! It’ll make my day if you do. I'll try to return the favor.

Good luck and good hunting, pilots.

Really? THAT's what you've been up to?

Greetings Mechwarriors,

I must say that I'm a little disappointed. I'm certainly not surprised, but I am at least a little taken aback. I had been thinking about doing a post on the new Resistance Mechs, the Panther and Enforcer, that were recently released, or a post about what kind of music that I like to listen to while I play MWO, or a post about my change of opinion on the Ultra AC/5, or a post about my participation in a really, really fun community run event, or a post about how freaking sweet this is...but no, I think I need to address my disappointment.

This past Monday, PGI announced the pre-order availability of the Wave III Clan Collection. Really? That's what you've been up to, PGI? How about a different game type? How about more match making options? How about not breaking two things while patching one? How about really putting the finishing touches on this game before starting development on another one? Here's a great example of what I mean.

Adding those ovals was a comparable effort.

Six cockpit screens, with a seventh off to the right, that display absolutely nothing. I'm sure most people that have been playing this game for more than a month have just learned to ignore these screens and work around them, but these are a glaring omission. Shouldn't these display something? Wouldn't it be great if these were customizable? Why not let players choose parts of the HUD to instead display on these cockpit screens? Wouldn't that add to the immersion since I know that I'm not wearing a neurohelmet?

I also realize that I have adjusted my in-game FOV to give me more visibility and that not doing so could reduce the visibility of these displays, but, I mean, really. There's not even a speck of a hint on a quickly passing breeze that anything even remotely having to do with these screens will ever be implemented. So, again, I say, "really?"



Good luck and good hunting, pilots.

The Wolverine Champion Mech. The WVR-7D.

Greetings Mechwarriors,

When I started playing this game, it took me a long time to find my niche. After many, many, painful hours of gameplay, it turns out that I'm a medium Mech pilot at heart. Honestly, that kind of worked out like I had originally hoped. There was some sort of, dare I say it, romanticism to being a medium pilot. Agile, resilient, and able to provide fast and effect fire support, that's a medium Mech. Of course, assault and heavy Mechs are appealing because of their shear firepower, but calling them quick is almost moronic. Yeah, that's right.

After trying and failing at piloting a Hunchback, I sold it for a Wolverine. I've had that Wolverine in my Mech bay for around six months and don't plan on selling it. I've had even more fun after outfitting it with a Gauss Rifle! But, as much as it seems like I could, I'm not going to once again talk about my beloved Wolverine. I am, however, going to talk about the Wolverine that I don't have! The Wolverine that no one has, but the one we deserve. This is especially true after the "Quirkening" that put down the, large pulse laser based, "Wubverine" once and for all.

I'm talking about the Wolverine Hero Mech that isn't available in MWO. The Wolverine is one of only a couple long-standing Mechs that don't have a Hero version. Hero versions usually: have special quirks, are only available for real money, have a custom camo pattern, and give a +30% C-Bill bonus to each match. "Why not the Wolverine?", I hear you ask, and I concur. But, what would such a Hero Mech look like? Of course, here's my wild jab at it.

There are only a few Wolverine variants that were produced and available around or before 3050, the current in-game year. This limits the options greatly, considering the total number of variants that would later be developed for this Mech; eight more in all. There are currently three variants of this Mech available in MWO. In my opinion, there are only two available variants for a Wolverine Hero Mech, the WVR-7D and WVR-7M. I'm only going to talk about a Wolverine Hero Mech based off of the WVR-7D. If you're more interested in the 7M, whenever I say "ultra auto-cannon/5", just think "ER large laser" and get over it.

The WVR-7D would come standard with a XL 275 engine, double heat sinks, Ferro-Fibrous armor, standard structure, and quirks to boot. The "real" 7D was equipped with Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry, an equipment that would allow a Mech to move at twice its standard walking speed! This equipment was best used sparingly though, as it could cause leg actuator failure. This equipment isn't featured in MWO, and I certainly don't think they should add it, but I think they should increase the maximum engine size of the WVR-7D to reflect that capability. Well, let's just look at what I think would be a stock loadout.

Now, that's a sexy Mech.

I'm not suggesting that the WVR-7D come with all the modules seen here, but that would be awesome. I am suggesting some pretty beefy UAC/5 quirks, though. How's about:

Additional Strucure (RA) +25
Torso Twist Rate (YAW) +25%
Energy Range +25%
Energy Heat Generation -12.5%
Missile Cooldown +20%
UAC/5 Cooldown +25%
UAC/5 Range +12.5%
UAC/5 Heat Generation -25%

C-Bill Bonus +5,000,000%

This thing would be a beast, for sure. I think PGI is scared of the possibilities. They fear the Wolverine. That's it, I'm sure. That's the only reason that I can think of as to why PGI wouldn't have come out with a Wolverine Hero Mech. I mean, heck, I'd still buy the thing if the "custom camo pattern" was a tasteful nude of Patrick Swayze and Lea Thompson. Don't picture it. Shameful passions aside, I am still hoping that PGI gets around to giving its players a Wolverine Hero. Alas, I can hope all I want, but I can never prove that I haven't thought waaaaaay too much about this.

Good luck and good hunting, pilots.

Sources:

http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Wolverine_(BattleMech)

http://haveno.info/BT%20-%20TechManual.pdf

You know what, PGI? I'll take it.

Greetings Mechwarriors,

Although I, too, hold the Capital NH, "Nerf-Hammer" in as much disdain as anyone, I can't help but shrug off this latest blow. I'd like to think that one person in my Unit is single-handedly responsible for this crap:

New:
WVR-6K
Additional Structure (RA) +18
Large Laser Range +12.5%
Energy Weapon Range +12.5%
Energy Weapon Cooldown +15%
Energy Weapon Heat Gen -12.5%
Large Laser Heat Gen -12.5%
Laser Duration -15%
Missile Weapon Cooldown +15%
Torso Yaw Speed +15%

Old:
Additional Structure (RA) +18
Torso Yaw Speed +25%
Energy Range +25%
Energy Cooldown +12.5%
Energy Heat Gen -12.5%
Missile Range +15%
Large Pulse Laser Range +25%
Large Pulse Laser Cooldown +12.5%
Large Pulse Laser Heat Gen -12.5%

Talk about a different ball game...High five!

Essentially, they've taken away all of the Wolverine-6K's Large Pulse Laser bonuses. If no one has noticed, the large pulse laser is a formidable weapon and you could fit four on this 'Mech! Talk about being able to send a lot of electrons down range quickly. This change in balance wasn't really surprising.

The reason that I say that I'm perfectly happy with this upcoming patch is that only two 'Mechs I own are affected, the BLR-1S and the ON1-P. The Protector, ON1-P, loses its bonuses for the AC/20, but gains a +10% bonus to both Gauss and ballistic cooldowns. I already happen to own the Gauss Cooldown 5 module, currently on my WVR-6R( and yes, it's a blast), which will gain me an additional +12% bonus to my Gauss cooldown. I lose the Missile Range bonus, but I don't really need it for, all the four whopping tons of, two LRM 5s. A 15% bonus to energy range, heat generation, and duration? I'll take it, considering I have two ERLLs and the ERLL Cooldown 5 module... The SRM6 bonuses? PGI, you couldn't give them away. I'm glad to lose them. I do mourn the lose of the AC/20, though. I've been having a lot of fun with it. It's also regrettable that the Gauss is more easily destroyed, but hey, I was nursing my right torso anyway.

The BLR-1S also gets bonuses that will work in my favor. It loses the bonus to LRM15 cooldown and heat generation, but I wasn't using them anyway. I've had much more luck chain firing a LRM 10 and a LRM5. The missile cooldown and heat generation bonuses get kicked up from 10% to 12.5% anyway. Keep it comin'. For what I'm going to lose in the energy weapon heat generation bonus, I'm getting twice the bonus to energy weapon range. +25%? My ERLL are starting to look like mom and dad's favorite of their children on Christmas Eve. The range bonus also is looking pretty good for the two MPLs I just put in a couple of weeks ago.

So, to all the Nerf hatters...ha ha. No, but really, chin up kid. This round of changes in balance will just change up the gameplay. Maybe we'll start to see less touting, gloating, ERPPC boating Thunderbolts. Just sayin'. Unfortunately for you, my BLR is still going to be spouting out "lurms" like an Olsen twin's lunch. I'm honestly glad to see a change in 'Mech Quirks because it will change up gameplay. I mean, to soften the blow, PGI is also giving away a free 'Mech bay (about a buck fity), right?!  They feel your pain. It will be interesting to see how these new Quirks play out against the upcoming Panther, PNT-10K(R) and Enforcer, ENF-5D(R). Speaking of, I'm excitedly awaiting the LB 10-X Quirks for the Enforcer! Can you say "breaching charge"? *Clack-clack*

Good luck and good hunting, pilots.




Sources:
http://lyranmechcavalry.com/forum_threads/1952530
http://mwomercs.com/forums/topic/189410-sneak-peek-is-quirk-phase-2-feb-17-2015-patch/
http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/#mechs_quirks

Isn't this interesting?

Greetings Mechwarriors,

As a bonus...current Clan Territory in CW with lore overlay:

Looks about right, albeit a little early. Next up, the Wolverine Champion 'Mech.

Good luck and good hunting, pilots.





Sources:
http://ppc.warhawkenterprises.com/theclans/clanspace.html
http://www.norrisdev.com/mwocw/