Utopian
Sergeant
Reged: 02/18/05
Posts: 147
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A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
#158944 - 06/17/10 10:52 AM (138.163.106.71)
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To those players who have just started playing this addiction we call Neveron, the most frustrating thing about a game based upon the Battletech Universe is that there are no ‘mechs available to beginners.
In order to make your first ‘mech purchase, a player has to save literally for weeks. Even more frustrating is the funds cap at level 0, limiting a player to $25 million.
However, the good news is that once a player reaches level one, the cap is removed, and he or she can save up for that first elusive battlemech.
But what to buy?
Battlemechs dropped on the market by Neveron Arms Sales, Inc (NASI) tend to be inflated in price and in some cases inferior to their player produced cousins. This is not a bad thing as this gives the new player opportunities to purchase player produced ‘mechs at cheaper prices.
This guide will give you some insights to help you make that first mech purchase.
STG-TS Stinger, STG-NC Stinger, WSP-LA Wasp, FLE-GW Flea
These are some of the very first player produced ‘mechs out there. You’ll also notice that they are rarely available. These are all standard mechs just renamed, apart from the STG-NC which is modified to mount an LRM.
In short, these are not ‘mechs that have any real use unless you stable them for training or are really desperate to get units into the field. Due to the average pilots skills in the game and their very weak armor, these ‘mechs will not serve you well in combat. But in a pinch, they may make the difference between victory or defeat.
Locust-GW
Believe it or not, This version of the Locust isn’t too bad. It has excellent movement and very good firepower for its size, however it is at the cost of armor protection. If you need to hunt the above four ‘mechs, this would be a good choice.
Thorn-NC
For those not familiar with the Thorn, the Thorn-NC is almost the same with one notable exception. It drops a medium laser for an outstanding ECM suite. However, this mech is rarely seen on the market and lacks the all important jump jets. A stealth tower will give you similar ECM coverage for a lot less.
UM-GP
The Urbie. This oddity can be a great asset or a major hindrance. On the plus side, it’s commonly available on the market and packs an autocannon 10. However this ‘mech is so slow that it’s guaranteed to take hits faster than you can say “crap”. Almost any unit can out maneuver it, making it a deathtrap for any pilot skill 4 or above. But if you use a lot of them, massed autocannons will have a great chance of dropping an attacker. For the price, this ‘mech makes a great trainer, it’s availability on the market makes it good for hot dropping on tents, and in a pinch can hold off most light tanks.
PNT-NC
The Panther NC is actually a useful player produced ‘mech that has both good traits and a few disadvantages. First off, it’s PPC with give you unlimited shots at range, providing you have a skilled pilot. It’s SRM’s are very useful for engaging light tanks such as the Scorpion or Guardian. However, once it’s engaged, it armor won’t last long and while it can jump, it’s still slower than most light ‘mechs. Expect the Panther to take a lot of damage in battle and be prepared to lose a few. Overall, this is a good ‘mech for general duties.
HNT-WOB
The infamous Hornet. As much as I like to make fun of this ‘mech, (If you’ve read “Neveron: A story of blood, sweat, and beverages”) I actually am in the opinion that this ‘mech may be the best buy overall for an empire looking for it’s first ‘mech purchase. Cheap and readily available, the WOB Hornet offers good maneuverability as well as the capability to engage targets at all ranges. It’s LRM-5 rack give the player the ability to engage tanks at long range and its jump jets ensure that enemies can be kept at that range. In close its small and medium lasers can follow up on any hits all ready scored, and against some light ‘mechs this will be enough to ensure a victory. On the negative side, The Hornet is still slightly slower than the average light ‘mech and its armor is a bit on the weak side. But as your empire grows, the Hornet may be the choice for you. It also makes a great stable ‘mech for training due to the price.
JVN-10F
The Javelin. This player produced ‘mech is just plain dangerous. 4 medium lasers in the torsos give it survivability coupled with excellent jump capabilities and maneuverability. With a good pilot at the controls, the Jav can easily drop most light ‘mechs out there. It also makes and excellent dueling ‘mech. Couple the weapons and maneuverability with the heat sinks it has, and you have a light ’mech that can fire everything often and repeatedly. The only disadvantage to this design is the lack of missiles, which are ideal inducing critical hits and busting tanks.
FFL-4A
The Firefly. This ‘mech is probably the best of the bunch. With good armor and maneuverability, excellent firepower coupled with an LRM-5, the Firefly can engage targets at all ranges. 3 medium lasers back by 4 small lasers ensures a world of hurt on anything it fires on. The only drawback is the speed, which is slightly below average for a 35 ton design. Readily available on the market, the Firefly makes an excellent frontline ‘mech for small empires.
WTH-1
At 40 tons, the Whitworth is the second largest player produced ‘mech on the market. Twin LRM-10’s backed with 3 medium lasers. The advantages and disadvantages cancel each other out, superior long range firepower hampered by below average armor and speed. With only 12 reloads per LRM rack, the only way to extend the endurance of the Whitworth is to fire only one LRM rack at a time and only with high percentage shots. However, this ‘mech will tear up other light ‘mechs, such as the Urbanmech.
VND-FC
The largest player produced ‘mech currently, the Vindicator weighs in at 45 tons. If you’re looking for a command ‘mech, the Vindie might be for you. Slow and sporting average armor for its size, this ‘mech may not seem worth the cost as it only sports a large and medium laser. However, this is more than made up for by the best sensor suite available on a player produced unit. Definitely worth a spot in your military, even if its there just to scout the enemy first.
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Neveron: A Story of Blood, Sweat and Beverages or: How I learned to stop worrying about Peel while enjoying my beer
http://mattbuck.irongalaxy.com/neveron/index.html
Edited by Utopian (06/17/10 02:55 PM)
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Hythos
Sergeant
Reged: 05/09/10
Posts: 148
Loc: USA
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Utopian]
#158947 - 06/20/10 10:59 PM (76.171.112.134)
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Thanks Utopian
Seeing the least-costly mech at a 30mil price-tag makes me wonder if anyone is selling anything any more...
I do understand that may be the break-even point of materials required to build them, but IF they could be produced more cheaply (for, say 15mil), light mechs will obviously actually sell - rather than sitting on the market for a year or two (real time).
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Utopian
Sergeant
Reged: 02/18/05
Posts: 147
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Hythos]
#158948 - 06/21/10 08:26 AM (70.181.189.132)
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One thing I should point out, with TA's and FL discounts, It is possible to get 'mechs like the Hornet for dirt cheap. In the intrest of security, my empire has a TA with an un-named 'mech producer who is offering Hornets at $16 million each.
Yet further proof that finding a good faction is critical to survival in game
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Neveron: A Story of Blood, Sweat and Beverages or: How I learned to stop worrying about Peel while enjoying my beer
http://mattbuck.irongalaxy.com/neveron/index.html
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mattbuck
Eeyore
Reged: 02/13/04
Posts: 3285
Loc: Nottingham, UK
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Utopian]
#158949 - 06/21/10 10:18 AM (95.148.188.217)
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There really has been very little mech price inflation at the lower end of the market for the past 6 years.
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Haha, you people think admins still look at these forums.
Visit the Platonian! Updated! Stuff! Things! Click!
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pete
Newbie
Reged: 05/05/08
Posts: 19
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: mattbuck]
#158950 - 06/21/10 04:34 PM (98.24.130.93)
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break even price for hornets is currently $30M..fix the resource prices and the mech prices will follow
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ghostrider
Lieutenant
Reged: 03/26/10
Posts: 522
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: pete]
#158951 - 06/21/10 08:28 PM (70.170.54.41)
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there is one more player made mech. The wyvern.
with an lrm 10 pack, backed up by a large laser, with a 6 pack of srms, and 2 small lasers, it is a decent mech. it is a little slow with a 4/6/4 but the jets help a little. with only 12 heatsinks, it can run a little hot.
also at 45 tons it ties the vindie-fc for the heaviest player made mech to date, though the vindies sensor package is much better.
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Utopian
Sergeant
Reged: 02/18/05
Posts: 147
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: ghostrider]
#158952 - 06/22/10 08:32 AM (70.181.189.132)
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I totally forgot about that one, I've seen it on the market, but it's been a while. Good catch!
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Neveron: A Story of Blood, Sweat and Beverages or: How I learned to stop worrying about Peel while enjoying my beer
http://mattbuck.irongalaxy.com/neveron/index.html
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Slash_KTD
Private
Reged: 02/17/10
Posts: 27
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Utopian]
#160260 - 02/08/11 09:31 PM (75.100.158.230)
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actually if you have your own mines the break even is much lower pete at this present time SG as a whole is selling just over breakeven on most things a few we have to work the prices down but its still in the test phase for us at present.
As shadow works on things im hoping that the mines get fixed to a point that we can always have tons of equipt up.
Also if you have any doubts about resourse costs look at the breakeven page look at the base costs that will show you what troubles the manufactures that dont have mines run into in a in a different post i showed the markup using a hunter,its straight up ugly,shadow has said the future of nev is new players being on noob you can afford to pay thru the nose for tanks and light mechs were bringing the costs down in the hopes that when new people show up they can actually buy a few huters and not let there emp sit for 3 months to get the money rember true noobs dont know anybody and i know i sat on noob island to test nev before i spoke to anybody.
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mattbuck
Eeyore
Reged: 02/13/04
Posts: 3285
Loc: Nottingham, UK
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Slash_KTD]
#160444 - 02/14/11 11:43 AM (95.148.186.137)
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To give you an idea, at current costs, ignoring the cost of buying the weapons, breakeven on the UM-GP is about 40mil.
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Haha, you people think admins still look at these forums.
Visit the Platonian! Updated! Stuff! Things! Click!
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Slash_KTD
Private
Reged: 02/17/10
Posts: 27
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: mattbuck]
#160532 - 02/17/11 02:13 PM (75.100.158.230)
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if you buy the minerals or dont reset the breakeven calc whch is the biggest mistake people make.Every tme you goto the break even calc you have to reset it to the lower costs.and mechs are Wrong on the break even,when i took the ammounts of minerals and multiplied by the lower costs of mined minerals it was actually under the low break even and i used a firefly to work it out.
Mech: FFL-4A 1 $61,200,000 $49,851,959 22.8% <-- high break even
Mech: FFL-4A 1 $61,200,000 $25,830,038 136.9% <low break even using base costs this is calced by 50 units mined per nev day(basic 40,000/50=800)close but not perfect
Mech: FFL-4A 188,348 75 .000 61.000 132.000 106.000 48.000 45.000
192 basic 192 x 800=153,600
61 comb 61 x 4,000=244,000
132 prec 132 x 8,000=1,056,000
106 ree 106 x 16,000=1,696,000
48 radio 48 x 40,000=1,920,000
45 nev 45 x 80,000=3,600,000
Total=8,669,600
now ths is base price for the mech not counting the value of factory workers,storage of mechs tell you sell them,storage of minerals and comming mines(mine opperating costs are what give you the base costs)
weapons are the weird part as it stands you DONT have to have weapons on hand to build mechs and ive checked before and it didnt seem that extra resourses were taken to cover the weapons but will run some tests and report back so that everyone can know
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Slash_KTD
Private
Reged: 02/17/10
Posts: 27
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Slash_KTD]
#160533 - 02/17/11 02:18 PM (75.100.158.230)
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I blame myself and all producers why there arnt a bunch of new players as we have made the costs to high for them to play and see if they like the game.It forces them into factions and to make important decisions before they have a great grasp of the game.
Im working on getting my prices lower and im still making money,fireflyes will be comming down in price when i know the resell bug is gone ve already payed 1 fine and am not going to pay another if i can help it
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KJI_3x6
Lieutenant
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 649
Loc: Minnesota, North Korea
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Slash_KTD]
#160560 - 02/17/11 11:47 PM (71.193.82.41)
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Quote:
I blame myself and all producers why there arnt a bunch of new players as we have made the costs to high for them to play and see if they like the game.It forces them into factions and to make important decisions before they have a great grasp of the game.
Im working on getting my prices lower and im still making money,fireflyes will be comming down in price when i know the resell bug is gone ve already payed 1 fine and am not going to pay another if i can help it
this is a rock solid admission and if everyone on nev where more like this, the game would be in better shape. somebody actually taking initiative and finding fault in something they have done in the past and trying to rectify it to better the game is something this entire community needs more of.
kudos to you sir.
KJI 100% REAL MAN
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My d*** rumble in the jungle; your d*** got touched by your uncle.
My d*** double feature screen; your d*** went straight to dvd.
ME > you
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Slash_KTD
Private
Reged: 02/17/10
Posts: 27
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: KJI_3x6]
#160697 - 02/23/11 10:08 PM (75.100.158.230)
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thank you for your support
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damian
Private
Reged: 02/13/10
Posts: 36
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Re: A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND ASSESMENT OF PLAYER PRODUCED BATTLEMECHS
[Re: Slash_KTD]
#160763 - 02/26/11 06:45 PM (98.226.90.138)
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to add to this post some SG as a group is offering about as low as we can go pricing on almost anything we can produce tanks as well as mechs are offered much cheaper than most who dont use the BE calc properly
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