Mech I just cannot get to work

[stjobe]

I'd take any Locust over a Cicada 2A at any point in time.

The Cicada is literally a double Locust:

"The Cicada was introduced amidst rising tensions in 2740 by HartfordCo Industries in an attempt to capitalize on the growing need for BattleMechs. At the time Bergan Industries had cornered the market in light recon 'Mechs with their Locust and HartfordCo's only prior experience was building communications and targeting systems. Nevertheless the company designed their 'Mech to compete directly with the Locust by making it just as fast but twice as large, allowing the Cicada to carry slightly better weaponry and give it an edge in physical combat, all while keeping costs down."​

- sarna.net entry for Cicada​

 

[Harmon Ward]

Agreed. Getting charged by something that weights 40 tons going fast is much worse than being charge by something going the same speed with half the mass.

Plus, the Cicada has double the internal structure. As a player I tend to pull my recon units off the line before they get destroyed. It is easier to toe that line with a Cicada.

 

[Shark7]

The Cicada is literally a double Locust:

"The Cicada was introduced amidst rising tensions in 2740 by HartfordCo Industries in an attempt to capitalize on the growing need for BattleMechs. At the time Bergan Industries had cornered the market in light recon 'Mechs with their Locust and HartfordCo's only prior experience was building communications and targeting systems. Nevertheless the company designed their 'Mech to compete directly with the Locust by making it just as fast but twice as large, allowing the Cicada to carry slightly better weaponry and give it an edge in physical combat, all while keeping costs down."​

- sarna.net entry for Cicada​

Yes it is. Which also makes it a twice as easy to hit. On a serious note though, I think the Locust in the game is better due to the increased defense and initiative the light mechs get over the mediums. That is why I would choose the Locust. Both the Locust and Cicada are really only good as back-stab mechs: that is to run in behind an opponent, fire into the back, and then move away at high speed again on the next turn.

 

[Wayward Son 5]

I've used the Locust (all versions) successfully in many engagements up to 4-skull missions. The trick is to keep it in its intended role of a scout. When piloted by a mechwarrior with Sensor Lock (and Sure Footing, then Ace Pilot at higher levels), backed up by indirect fire support (Javelin-A, Trebuchet, Catapult, Archer, whatever you've got), you can kite enemies around the map for several turns while they take LRM hits. Keep the Locust moving as far as it can, as a rule, and use the Sensor Lock over the weapons when possible. Crisscross the battlefield if you need, just keep the evasion high. If you see an opening on an enemy, like stripped armor over ammo storage, AND you can close without exposing yourself to too much retaliation, then the Locust can dart in and let its MGs do their crit-causing work to finish them off or eliminate a weapon system. If the OpFor doesn't take the bait and turns toward the support mechs, then the Locust can outflank them and cut through their rear armor.

 

[Harmon Ward]

That would work. The game includes some nice equipment for that sort of work. The 1/2 Ton of Ammo and MG++ gives you a ton and a half for additional equipment and armor.