11-18-2006, 12:54 AM
Agreed with the posts earlier.
Tanks in LR really need OB to survive and attack, simply because other ACs can simply pellet you with projectiles (especialy missiles) outside your effective range.
The analogy between a Thai-kickboxer and a Kung-fu dude would have been inadiquate since both martial artists have the same effective range (distance of the arms and legs from the opponent, give or take a few meters for the lunges made by both fighters), and fighters with the same effective range, striking power, and speed would mean that the fighter's defense would determine the last man standing. In AC terms, this would translate as 'damage racing' where two ACs duke it out at CQ with as much weaponry in the shortest amount of time in the hopes that the opponent's AC gives in.
However, that is not the case often in AC as different weapons on different ACs have different effective ranges as well. Apocalypse's current configuration can only dish out its weapons at best in medium range with the GL (and its rate of fire is as slow as hell), and the poor sized lockbox does not help at all (notice the BIG difference when you arm the NIX for the left hand and equip the F73H as your FCS). At best, you'd be hitting ACs from a range no more than 250m, and coupled witht the tank's current top speed makes it very poor at distance control, meaning faster ACs can peck at you from a range beyond 300 and continuously backpedal outside your effective range.
A better analogy would be a longbow archer and a knight with a sword. The archer can move faster than a knight and is equiped with a bow. He is also not encumbered by the armor worn by a Knight, but he has enough running speed to get away from a Knight's sword.
The knight can take punishment thanks to its armor and can deal damage with its sword, however it has a problem going after its targets, especialy if they can run faster than the knight can (add that the knight's armor would significantly decrease the knight's stamina).
At the end of the day, the archer would have taken pot-shots with its bow without having the knight ever touch him. Now, lets give the knight a fighting chance by giving him a horse (hint: OB). The knight can now joust towards his opponent, and he can also take whatever his opponent throws at him thanks to its armor, making it harder for the archer to take-down his target.
Grimlok's suggestions are a good start and you might also want to take a look at Nix's tank (http://ravenrepublic.net/index.php?showtopic=305) which is a good example of the type of tank I'm talking about:
This is an example of a balanced, heavy armor tank, where it has the potential for mobility while not compromising defense. It also has accurate weapons for dealing with pesky lightweights (no offense to anyone
) and retains the OB function to help in distance control.
Using a tank can be very hard, but with practice it can be one of the more devastating AC types in the game. The tank works, but it can be made much better.
Oh, and some quick advise when using tanks:
Missiles and energy weapons are your WORST enemy (especialy the former) so its all worth it to invest in EN defense in tuning and different anti-missile systems (decoys, chaff, and AMS).
Tanks in LR really need OB to survive and attack, simply because other ACs can simply pellet you with projectiles (especialy missiles) outside your effective range.
The analogy between a Thai-kickboxer and a Kung-fu dude would have been inadiquate since both martial artists have the same effective range (distance of the arms and legs from the opponent, give or take a few meters for the lunges made by both fighters), and fighters with the same effective range, striking power, and speed would mean that the fighter's defense would determine the last man standing. In AC terms, this would translate as 'damage racing' where two ACs duke it out at CQ with as much weaponry in the shortest amount of time in the hopes that the opponent's AC gives in.
However, that is not the case often in AC as different weapons on different ACs have different effective ranges as well. Apocalypse's current configuration can only dish out its weapons at best in medium range with the GL (and its rate of fire is as slow as hell), and the poor sized lockbox does not help at all (notice the BIG difference when you arm the NIX for the left hand and equip the F73H as your FCS). At best, you'd be hitting ACs from a range no more than 250m, and coupled witht the tank's current top speed makes it very poor at distance control, meaning faster ACs can peck at you from a range beyond 300 and continuously backpedal outside your effective range.
A better analogy would be a longbow archer and a knight with a sword. The archer can move faster than a knight and is equiped with a bow. He is also not encumbered by the armor worn by a Knight, but he has enough running speed to get away from a Knight's sword.
The knight can take punishment thanks to its armor and can deal damage with its sword, however it has a problem going after its targets, especialy if they can run faster than the knight can (add that the knight's armor would significantly decrease the knight's stamina).
At the end of the day, the archer would have taken pot-shots with its bow without having the knight ever touch him. Now, lets give the knight a fighting chance by giving him a horse (hint: OB). The knight can now joust towards his opponent, and he can also take whatever his opponent throws at him thanks to its armor, making it harder for the archer to take-down his target.
Grimlok's suggestions are a good start and you might also want to take a look at Nix's tank (http://ravenrepublic.net/index.php?showtopic=305) which is a good example of the type of tank I'm talking about:
Quote: For the third time, this tank of mine has evolved. I'm finding out that tanks are a lot harder to fine-tune than other types of ACs. However, I think (hopefully) this AC is ready for some human versus. I can't wait. tongue.gif
Head: YH15-DRONE
Core: C06-EOS
Arms: A04-BABOON
Legs: CR-LT81A2
Booster: built in
FCS: CR-F73H
Generator: CR-G91
Radiator: ANANDA
Inside: I05D-MEDUSA DECOY DISPENSER
Extension: RENGA MISSILE COUNTER
Back Unit R: CR-WB78GL GRENADE LAUNCHER
Back Unit L: CR-WB91LGL LINEARGUN
Arm Unit R: CR-WR73RS SNIPER RIFLE
Arm Unit L: CR-WH01HP HANDGUN
Since I've got 2400/1800 defense, I'm a little vulnerable to energy weapons. However, I'm banking on the fact that most designs with energy weapons have shell weapons too, so things will even out. Also, if I'm persistent with my GL Jousting, the opponent is bound to have less AP than me at all times.
This is an example of a balanced, heavy armor tank, where it has the potential for mobility while not compromising defense. It also has accurate weapons for dealing with pesky lightweights (no offense to anyone
) and retains the OB function to help in distance control.Using a tank can be very hard, but with practice it can be one of the more devastating AC types in the game. The tank works, but it can be made much better.
Oh, and some quick advise when using tanks:
Missiles and energy weapons are your WORST enemy (especialy the former) so its all worth it to invest in EN defense in tuning and different anti-missile systems (decoys, chaff, and AMS).
