With the Grasshopper and Zeus release, I'm now sitting on three STD 280s and three STD 320s. I'm wondering if I should keep these for other builds so I don't have to buy them back later, or just sell them once I no longer need them as placeholders for 275/325s. I haven't checked recently, but don't recall the 280 or 320 being the max rating for any particular mech that actually benefits from using STD, but I also haven't exactly been able to get around to buying, much less equipping, a lot of heavies and assaults, so I'm not knowledgeable about good builds that might utilize these engines well. Thoughts?
I sold all the 280s, the 320s are still useful for a lot of Zeus builds it seems so I'll be keeping them around for a while.
Like others have said, the 320s can actually be used for a lot of different builds where you don't have quite the weight for a 325, but still want the nice speed. The 280 though, yeah I usually sell; 275 is pretty much always a better choice.
Thanks guys! Looks like I'll be holding onto the 320s to at least wait and see what builds I'll be trying in the higher weightclasses, but the 280s will get jettisoned once I no longer need them just to make a mech function.
Oh.. there's also this handy thread: https://www.mechspecs.com/threads/redundant-engines-to-avoid-or-sell.7202/
That thread is why I knew they weren't redundant engines, but 'not redundant' isn't the same thing as 'useful'. Checking the builds forums, I have found a lot of STD 320 builds that look good that either don't have good compromises when trying to go to 325 or don't need the additional space internalizing the heat sink provides...can't really say the same thing for the 280. Not really in the same boat as the XL 280 where if you're using the 275, the only reason NOT to use the 280 are maximum engine restrictions (which seems to come up a fair bit for that one) or not owning one yet. It's sort of like "well, if you've got a half ton you're not using for ANYTHING else". Which, since I need them just to make certain mechs droppable at the moment means I may very well find them useful enough to keep on perma. But we'll see.
Oh, I'm saving my single heat sinks until I can buy a mech with them. 500+ now... Ontopic: I keep at least one of each size, though to be honest I rarely sell a engine. You never know and it'd feel pretty stupid spending money rebuying them.
To remain ontopic that is exactly one of the two reasons why I never sell components. 1/ you never know when they will come handy And 2/ I'm already spending too much time moving modules between mechs. I won't start moving equipment around as well. As such I need spares, and a LOT,...
I run out of patience sometimes when I'm grinding for something and then those single HS's, crappy standard engines, and even on occasion an AC20 will get "recycled" for C-bills. I've also sold a lot of PPC's because I'd rather run barefoot through a tack factory than load them on a mech.
On the topic of "never selling engines" . . . did you guys REALLY keep the STD160s from your Locusts? I mean, let's face it: When would you ever want an engine that size, and NOT go XL? Using a STD160 is as much a waste as using an XL250 or 275 --- you can always upgrade to a 170, with absolutely no penalties. For these reasons, I think I'll sell my 2 STD160s; and I recommend doing it yourself as well, unless you really don't care about C-Bills at all, and don't mind letting them just sit in your garage collecting nuclear particles.
hehe STD I pitched the std locust engine quicker than how fast it dies typically! I did want to make a stalker std 160 build but quickly thougth better of that idea.
The only build that comes to my mind with a STD280, where it does have some advantages over the 275. And still the 275 is probably better because you can pump some shieldarm for a very minimal speed drops.
Maybe it could fit some of the new mechs? I didn't teorycraft with them, but I saw many STDs around. Something like this for example. The STD engine is nice here.