Is it worth putting an XL 320/340 in my 2A?

Thread in 'Cicada' started by Vorus, Apr 23, 2013.

  1. Vorus

    Vorus Active Member

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    First of all, I apologize if this thread goes somewhere else, since it really isn't a build thread.

    This is my current 2A build. I've had a lot of success with it, and it currintly has my highest k/d ratio of any 'Mech I own (3.16, 100% pugging. A little proud of that.) and the second highest w/l ratio. (1.44)



    I'm thinking up upgrading to an XL 320, to get more speed. But I drop to 45% heat efficiency. (Also dropping AMS.) I could also drop 40 points of armor from legs and arms, and squeeze in the 340, for top speed, like so:



    Is 45% heat efficiency viable with this build? It seems like it should be to me. Will I really see a good benefit from the added speed? And yes, I do have Speed Tweak unlocked.

    I'm a fairly casual player, so I don't have a boatload of CBills, so I don't want to deplete my stash if it's not going to help much.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 6, 2014
  2. TheWatchman

    TheWatchman Dispossessed

  3. skribs

    skribs Min-Max Maniac

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    Try not to remove armor from the legs of anything 40 tons and under, as that is likely where you will be focused. Center torso is also important.

    The Cicada is technically most optimal (read: better than a Jenner and a Centurion) in the 280-300 XL range. If you want to play Light, which is what the Cicada does really well, then the 340 XL is the best option. The Jenner 7F Grimm variant has 43% efficiency, so I'd say 45% is just fine. At the "optimal" speed, you get more DHS and it works more like a quick-moving direct damage dealer. At max speed, you're more of a skirmisher; dish out a few hits then get out of sight. In both cases, though, the difference isn't too harsh.

    Use weapon groups of 2-3-alpha or 3-3-alpha to offset heat issues.
     
  4. Michael

    Michael Grand Poobah

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    Moved to the appropriate area.
     
  5. Vorus

    Vorus Active Member

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    Man, if I had money I'd seriously straight-up buy you a gaming rig so you could play already. The best I can offer is my experience as a computer technician. If you need any help in diagnosing your rig, PM me, I'll be happy to do whatever I can to get you up and running.

    That's kinda of the way I was leaning, after thinking it over some more. I can get the exact DPS and heat efficiency out of a Jenner, and get 1kph more too. So, the Cicada's only advantage is it can put on more DHS than a Jenner can carry, albeit at a lower speed. So it seemed logical to use that advantage.


    Thanks for the input guys, and thanks for moving the thread. :)
     
  6. skribs

    skribs Min-Max Maniac

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    The advantage of having a Cicada moving at "light" speed, despite the slight loss of spare tonnage compared with a Jenner, is that you have a Medium mech filling the Light role. This doesn't mean much for the normal state of the game as it currently stands, but it will matter when weight balancing is back in, and it matters in league play.

    My unit on Tuesdays and Thursdays (well, mainly Tuesdays, as we don't have the people Thursday) typically does internal 8v8. In order to try and improve our chances to get against each other, we do weight balancing, typically 2-2-2-2. The team that brings a Cicada instead of a 50-ton medium has an extra Mech in the light pack, which can increase the chances of winning the LvL battle, making objectives and harassing much easier.
    Similiarly, the RHOD league will do different weight matchups each week. So if your strat calls for 2 lights, and there's only one light this week, you might as well bring a Cicada.
     
  7. UntamedZer0

    UntamedZer0 Well-Known Member

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    To answer the topic in a word: yes.

    45% is very viable. Common mistake with heat efficiency is how well you set up your weapon groups. My 2A runs 4 groups I have a group for each pair of lasers and an alpha group (something I only do on a few mechs). When I run hot I only use a pair of lasers at a time and can ride the top of my heat scale without shutting down. You have the speed to disengage and cool off anyways. A Cicada is more of a hit and run mech than lights since it can not jump and has a little larger profile to hit. So is more accurate to say heat up and run. Often I break for a moment, cool off and jump back in from a new angle.

    Being clever and thinking your way through your fights will eliminate many of these issues.
     
  8. Vorus

    Vorus Active Member

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    But if I'm going to run full speed, with 6 MLas at 45%, why not run this instead, and have a smaller profile?



    That's why I'm thinking that if I'm going to use the CDA, I might as well use the advantage of more space for DHS. Otherwise, I'm just a bigger, slightly slower Jenner.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 6, 2014
  9. skribs

    skribs Min-Max Maniac

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    45% vs. 50% efficiency isn't a whole lot of difference. The sustained DPS for both builds is pretty similar.

    You are right, though. At 150 kph, the Jenner is better. Your options are to keep the Cicada for weight-balancing reasons mentioned above and just pretend to be a Light, use the Cicada as a 130 kph skirmisher/harasser, or level a Jenner instead.
     
  10. Vorus

    Vorus Active Member

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    I went ahead and bought the XL340, figured that way I have the option of playing it either way I prefer. It's a little faster than I'm used to running, but it's nice to be able to have more control over my engagements.
     
  11. UntamedZer0

    UntamedZer0 Well-Known Member

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    Cicadas can do the light/fast thing. Often a Cicada pilot feels thrust into the role because they are smaller and fast. I still stand behind Cicadas being the best heavy/assault lance escort out there if the role is filled properly. You can provide a myriad of support options to said lance whether it be ECM and flanking support or anti-light support. A Cicada can fill all of those roles. Start pitting it against similar light and things get a bit more tough.

    I love Jenners but I just didn't feel the Jenner F. I like the 2A better even though it can not jump. Jumping is another beast entirely that I feel can't be quantified on paper and is entirely dependent upon the skills of the pilot to make useful in combat. I just need to step away from that one less I go on a pop tard vs actually knowing how to jump rant.
     
  12. skribs

    skribs Min-Max Maniac

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    Except I wouldn't consider a poptart Jenner a viable option ;)

    Poptarting needs to be nerfed. Until then, I'm going to use the tactic on the Mechs I have set up for it.
     
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