Project Phoenix (Reseen and stuff) + now updated with Saber pack.

[eldaec]

So basically the locust is the size of a spider and the other 3 are the size of a large heavy or small assault.

You'd think it wouldn't be so hard to keep size proportional to weight.

[Falconeer]

By the way, they announced the Locust will go as fast as 170 Kph, and the 3M variant will have 5 energy hardpoints and 2AMS to defend itself from streaks. Interesting.

About weight and size, it's a known fact that they fucked up some of the early 'mechs, but for these recent ones they are providing with explanations based on game balancing and other things that aren't simply based on "more weight = more size". I can't recollect them all here, but in general I didn't disagree too much. The Shadow Hawk for example is a high mobility 'mech with very good armour. It is the same weight of a Kintaro and it is pretty much the same height (but not the same width). The Thunderbolt is short, but it is wide. Hmmmm

[Shannow]

By the way, they announced the Locust will go as fast as 170 Kph, and the 3M variant will have 5 energy hardpoints and 2AMS to defend itself from streaks. Interesting.

Oh this isn't going to be annoying or anything.

[Falconeer]

New video, Phoenix 'mechs preview.

Gods, the view from the Shadow Hawk cockpit, with the cannon sticking out on the left, is gorgeous. (Around 0:43)

[Ironwood]

That Battlemaster looks MUCH better when it's moving.  Much.

[Sir T]

It could hardly look worse.

[5150]

I have to say I'm really enjoying using the Thunderbolt SE currently (the one with jumpjets)

Not sure why, but I'm pleased there is now a heavy Mech I don't feel crap in (Catapult)*

Not having much fun in the Battlemaster so far but that might be that I'm too broke from grinding chassis over the double XP weekend to do much with the fits yet.

*Yes I have the Muromets and it is a gibmachine but I'm old school Battletech and like a mix of weapons ranges on my Mechs, unfortunately LRM fitted Catapults suffer at close range (except the Streak-Cat which suffers at anything other than short range)

[5150]

Uh, wrong side.  And don't we have enough 'mechs who stash everything in the RT already?

Oddly that's the only variant with the launcher on that side

[Falconeer]

I really like that the Thunderbolts are so different, with differently sized launchers on different shoulders. In love with the 'mech. Doesn't look like my favourite from the 80s at all, but an instant crush for this "loosely inspired by" version. Also, it moves and feels like a truck, and I love trucks (it is why I love the Awesome).

Screenshots of the Thunderbolt 5S (P) and the Thunderbolt 5SS. The back of the huge launcher on the 5S looks like a gigantic subwoofer.

[5150]

By the way, they announced the Locust will go as fast as 170 Kph, and the 3M variant will have 5 energy hardpoints and 2AMS to defend itself from streaks. Interesting.

Oh this isn't going to be annoying or anything.

The most annoying thing right now is the packs of Locust you get in some games (think I've seen 4 at one point). Killing them with LRM fire seems pretty effective as they are so fragile (if your spotters can stay on them).

Hopefully once the novelty wears off and/or people finish the basic boxes we'll start to see less of them.

[Shannow]

Wow a lot of people paid for these packages if last nights drops were any indication...I'd say 3/4 of the mechs I dropped with in 6 battles were BLRs, SHDs, LCTs etc

It's also glorious cause obviously a lot of them haven't played in a while and they suck.

[Ironwood]

Watching a lot of Battlemasters in action and they really seem to have some quite awesome survivability.  One last night got utterly fucking hammered by everything and was almost bright red all over and STILL took two down before the match ended.  Yes, he was still alive at the end.

The other mechs I'm not sure about, but I do like the massive fuck off guns sticking out the side of the cockpit.

[eldaec]

Shadowhawk is the first medium I've been happy with ballistics on. Having fun swapping ac5s out for multiple ac2s.

[Falconeer]

The Shadow Hawk cannon is so pretty. I love the animation from the cockpit, the barrel "recoiling" after every shot. So cool.

[Shannow]

Personally though I think the shd from the outside looks as ugly as sin

[5150]

Personally though I think the shd from the outside looks as ugly as sin

Agreed I'm not a fan of the Hawk either inside or out.

Can't really put my finger on why, the limited ammo might be [part of] it.

The 4 missile Locust has my attention, shame I cant get more than 3 streaks on with Beagle (and without Beagle I never seem to get a lock!) unless I want to downgrade the engine (and die)