Wow, Cyclops CP-10-Z's "Battle Computer" is amazing!

[HonorKnight]

This is certainly a new automatic-pick for me in lance building from now on, and it seems to be valid in skirmish matches too:

This Battle Computer appears to be unique to Cyclops CP-10-Z (like the Hatchet is to the Hatchetman). The effect applies to all members of your lance as long as you have this 'Mech with this component intact. It seems that it can't be removed to be put on a different 'Mech, not even the other variant of Cyclops.

Before anyone asks, I checked and it does not stack if you have 2 of these. However, since it *does* stack with Master Tactician, this combination allows some significant bending of the normal initiative rules which can improve your ability to reserve and double-attack or hit-and-run before the opponent can respond:
1: You can boost a Medium, such as Hatchetman, to go in stage 5 (previously only attainable with Lights) instead of the usual stage 3
2: You can boost an Assault, such as Cyclops, to go in stage 3 with the Mediums instead of the usual stage 1

 

[Unruly Marmite]

It amuses me that this is directly above a discussion titled "Cyclops disappoints".

On topic, I'm torn about it. The effect is amazing, but stock it's...not appealing. Mainly close range weapons on something with paper armour and a passive that acts as a big old "Kill me" sign? Genius amirite? Of course, it works lorewise. Maybe a custom version with an extra LRM-10 and an AC-10?

The other variant of the Cyclops though...7 missile hardpoints? That's potentially 42 SRMs in a volley. Think of the stability damage...

 

[Kereminde]

Wait, no CP-10-Q?

. . . darnit.

 

[Unruly Marmite]

Wait, no CP-10-Q?

. . . darnit.

The second variant is the 10-Q. It's in game, just probably overlooked since it doesn't have the battle computer.

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

That Battle Computer is Niiiiice

 

[LongRange]

On topic, I'm torn about it. The effect is amazing, but stock it's...not appealing. Mainly close range weapons on something with paper armour and a passive that acts as a big old "Kill me" sign? Genius amirite? Of course, it works lorewise. Maybe a custom version with an extra LRM-10 and an AC-10

This is sort of where I was coming from in my other post.

Didn’t evaluate the other variant...yet.

 

[Kereminde]

The second variant is the 10-Q. It's in game, just probably overlooked since it doesn't have the battle computer.

Ah, right.

. . . I need to parse this. And figure out if I pay Yang enough, he can move it like he did the hatchet.

("Boss, all he did is have the Atlas hold the Hatchetman arm.")

 

[LemurFromTheId]

I'm not a fan of game design where a support unit is weak itself but makes other units passively better by its mere presence. I find it profoundly dissatisfying when I have to drag along a sub-par mech just so my other mechs could perform better.

So... no matter how powerful the battle computer is - and it does look very powerful - I'm probably not going to bother with the Cyclops. I want all my mechs to be good at what they do, not just good at what they are.

 

[Kereminde]

I'm not a fan of game design where a support unit is weak itself but makes other units passively better by its mere presence. I find it profoundly dissatisfying when I have to drag along a sub-par mech just so my other mechs could perform better.

So... no matter how powerful the battle computer is - and it does look very powerful - I'm probably not going to bother with the Cyclops. I want all my mechs to be good at what they do, not just good at what they are.

Oh, with the right refits, it'll be pretty decent. The thing about 'Mechs in this game is they're not just designed to be what they are, but also "what else can be done with this chassis from the hardpoints and weight?" must be asked and then thought about what pretty little "nobody will ever do that" events may happen. I mean, we had someone who beat the game solely on AC/2s. "Nobody's going to do that." And someone did.

 

[stjobe]

I'm not a fan of game design where a support unit is weak itself but makes other units passively better by its mere presence. I find it profoundly dissatisfying when I have to drag along a sub-par mech just so my other mechs could perform better.

So... no matter how powerful the battle computer is - and it does look very powerful - I'm probably not going to bother with the Cyclops. I want all my mechs to be good at what they do, not just good at what they are.

I guess if your only metric is "how much damage can it put out" or "how much damage can it take", the Cyclops could be considered "sub-par". However, if you take into account that it has the potential to increase the damage output of its lance-mates (and/or decrease the damage taken by them since dead enemies do zero damage), it's not looking so bad. Its Battle Computer is a force multiplier, and the 'Mech itself does carry an AC/20.

 

[Nichino]

Uh oh, this means I'm going to need to work this bad-boy into my starting roster...

 

[HonorKnight]

Oh, with the right refits, it'll be pretty decent. The thing about 'Mechs in this game is they're not just designed to be what they are, but also "what else can be done with this chassis from the hardpoints and weight?" must be asked and then thought about what pretty little "nobody will ever do that" events may happen. I mean, we had someone who beat the game solely on AC/2s. "Nobody's going to do that." And someone did.

To be fair, it does have some fundamental flaws that can't be fixed with a refit:

1: It is past the ideal curve of tonnage vs speed. A 'Mech with this same speed anywhere in the tonnage range of 75-85 would have 42.5 tons available to use on armor, weapons, ammo, jump jets, etc. whereas this heavier 90-ton 'Mech of the same speed actually has lower available tonnage at 41 due to the huge engine required to keep a 'Mech this big moving that fast. So even though this computer adds no tonnage by itself, in practical terms it costs you 1.5 tons relative to your alternative Assaults at this speed.

2: It is just over the threshold where 'Mechs need 2-ton "Assault" class Jump Jets. For Assault 'Mechs at 85 tons and below, you only need 1-ton "Heavy" Jump Jets. So between that and the reduced available tonnage to start with, you probably won't want to refit this one with jump jets. With the nerf to Bulwark, maximizing evasion with jump jets is more important than ever, so the lack of Jump Jets can be a big drawback.

 

[Kereminde]

To be fair, it does have some fundamental flaws that can't be fixed with a refit:

Yup.

But this is the Succession Wars era, all 'Mechs which aren't named "Jenner" come with drawbacks.

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

Yup.

But this is the Succession Wars era, all 'Mechs which aren't named "Jenner" come with drawbacks.

Heck, even the Jenner seems to be pretty under armored for a 35 ton light. It just so happens that the Jenner's drawback is more easier to deal with .

 

[Kereminde]

Heck, even the Jenner seems to be pretty under armored for a 35 ton light. It just so happens that the Jenner's drawback is more easier to deal with .

See I thought you'd mention the heat sink issues

 

[scJazz]

See I thought you'd mention the heat sink issues

in CBT... the heat issues suck less than arm flippy backstabbing goodness

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

See I thought you'd mention the heat sink issues

Pull the SRM4 and ammo. It fixes the armor issue and helps deal with the heat issues, and take almost no time to do. Two birds, one stone .

 

[HBS_CaptKerberos]

Glad you guys are appreciating the power of the Battle Computer, I understand that some people still won't be whelmed by the 10-Z or 10-Q, but the thing is not all Mechs/Chassis are created equal.

BATTLETECH diverges from the CBT/TT in many ways, but one way it does not is the caste system of mechs. There are bad mechs and we've left them bad. The Cyclops is a command mech, not a battle line brawler (even though it likes to cosplay as one). I had hoped that the set up with this Battle Computer would push people to bring it in specific situations even if it lacks the firepower of an equally heavy mech.

Yet to be seen if that was accomplished, but happy to see people responding to it all. Expect more equipment and gear to add chunky benefits like this in the future.

 

[HBS_CaptKerberos]

Pull the SRM4 and ammo. It fixes the armor issue and helps deal with the heat issues, and take almost no time to do. Two birds, one stone .

Love this JR7-D load out, always my first move in career mode. Pull the launcher and ammo, add a SHS and a ton of armor.

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

Love this JR7-D load out, always my first move in career mode. Pull the launcher and ammo, add a SHS and a ton of armor.