I'm still hoping to see both the Madcat and the Vulture to be decent mechs.
Compared to the Thor;
They're both more expensive 236 and 223 respectively.
In fact, they're both more expensive than the Loki at 220!
They both problably be shorter ranged(no 14 inch weapons to dilute the points)
They both problably don't use up points adding jump jets.

It's still so hard to see what the design team may throw at us, but I know these designs won't be as focused as the Loki, since the Loki really only has one decent weapon system, and a 'throw on' ballastic attack(3 damage, 6 inch range single target weapon doesn't take up many points).
I actually wouldn't be surprised to see a 12 inch weapon on the Madcat, with a 6-8 inch ballastic attack. Speeds and attacks of 10.
The Vulture mayl be a little more spread around, or this may be the heavy version of the Zeus.
Defense, well I'm hoping for them to continue the pattern of 21 base.
On the Vulture, I'm expecting to see a 8 inch range on the ballastic, and a 10 inch range on the energy.
Now the heatdial/vent rating is anyone's guess. I'm HOPING for better than the Thor, but I don't expect quite as good as the Loki's.

Having reached the inexorable conclusion, through playing the piece, that the Summoner is, in fact, quite naff, I've decided to chear myself up by looking at stuff that does NOT suffer from the same stigma.

While we didn't get any other nons in the set, Vanguard has presented us with a few options that are definitely worth investigating, especially with our MDFA Faction Pride.

The one unit that doesn't have JJs that I like very much is the GS Gambit. With Mila Mazur on board, it becomes quite an accurate little blighter, and veru handy for those occasions when you have something nice and ballistic to back it up. Short lived, but with Evade on board you are looking at a 24 DV. I like it.

The new Jackalope, "Sparky" makes a great pal for CJF light units - I've started using this with "Thumper", and it tends to make a Star of CJF last quite a bit longer. The 16 inch range is great, even if it lacks a huge wallop, but there are ways around this - Artemis IV isn't a bad option.

The Sendaway Osiris, "Thunderthighs", is a great pal for the PXH - shorter range, but a damage that lasts far longer. Pulse is a super option, especially if you use this as your second hitter. The MDFA is available for only 4 clicks, but the pilot ability, the hilarious "Not in the Face!", makes this a good investment in points for the budding Star Commander.

Both Gunslinger Mad Dogs are worth a look, although you'd be better using another pilot rather than Hart in "Emperor". Both of these mechs pack very handy ballistic capability, and although they lack the range of the Summoner, neither fields the same level of heat problems. "Bringit" and piilot make for an awesome duo, and the only thing that could improve this situation still further is if there was a Jump Jet Gear for Heavies, rather than the cop-out Jump Pack.

Of the RISC that I've seen, TSEMP ain't too bad, but of course it lacks the move shoot that is indicative of CJF Light formations. Overcharger? Now that's for us - the up side is a potential boost to AO range. If it fails or malfunctions, chances are we'll still be out of retaliation range if you are using it wisely. As for others, I'll post more later.

So the Summoner is more or less a flashy paperweight on the field. :( such a cool sculpt though. Oh well there is always Tremor with the LRMs removed and the proper arms attached :devious:

The simple fact is that the SMR loses to the LK on so many levels, it isn't worth your effort to save the 13 points - you can get the SMR to perform, but it requires specific tactics that most players shy away from - playing the odds.

Use the Pulse gear. Insane as it sounds, you've got to open your eyes and realise that, yes, you ARE going to have heat trouble. Playing carefully will just make your mech perform sub par. This is a heavy mech with long lasting damage. Make sure your first hit puts a dent in the primary target, then spend your time unloading into everything else. Given that you'll be packing a 20 inch AO, that isn't bad, especially with a 4 Damage attached - but when it comes down to it, a LK is going to do better for you nine times out of ten.

Having played this mech now in six games, the games where it actually made a decent account of itself was when I accepted that it had shutdown every other game, why not just try and dish it while you can?

If Heavies ever get Coolant pod, the SMR will lap it up.

The problem with Coolant Pod is that, even with the difference it'll make to the Thor... it'll still be better on the Loki. OTHER THAN ballistic damage and range (which, to my twisted way of thinking, isn't as important as the heat dial) the Loki can push harder and longer and do more damage doing it. Sure, you can pulse with the Thor and close fast, but you'll still pop the hypothetical Coolant Pod one turn earlier than the Loki will and you'll get fewer turns of activity after the pod pops on the Thor than the Loki.

I hope with all my might that at least one of the IV Twins is decent. I can take a 50% failure rate: a Loki/Vulture/MC combo in whatever fashion would be great. If there's the Loki and then there's everything else, not so much.

Why not use the Summoner with the CJF/CNC Situational? Then its heat might be a little more managable. Also, with the better heat, you'll have more room for cooler gear that isn't Extra heatsinks or whatever it was called (Ryohara and Decoy or Stark and IT come to mind). Yeah, you're allying with a faction that gets high off of "visions" half the time, but at least you'll also have access to some units that cover some of CJF weakness: Infiltrators and long-ranged combat (IE: ATVs and PHK Is). Of course, why not just use the Hellbringer in this SA...

I could see the Summoner benifiting from the CNC Sit alliance, it'll reduce its heat effects anyway.

Now, I'm going to defer to White Knight who has actually played the piece, but some things that come to mind here.

There are some things going for the Summoner that the Loki doesn't, but again it implies specific tactics.

Putting Streaks on the Summoner may be fun with alot of blocking. Even nastier, get wingman with Homing beacon.

The Summoner does have the 1st strike potential that outdoes the Loki, the Loki's assault range, at best is what, 18 inches? The Thor on the other hand can have a potential 21 inch assault range.

The Summoner seems to be a better battlefield sniper as well. Plunking the mech in hindering terrain, and sniping at opposing targets is something you just won't do with the Loki(aside form using a jump pack). In short, the Summoner seems to be more able to take advantage of terrain than the Loki can.

Overall though, its obvious that the Loki is far superior the to Thor overall, as it much more pushable, is way better in close combat, and has devastating ranged firepower. Every time I've used the Loki I haven't been sorry(though my opponents have!).

Even in 600 point battles, the CNC/CJF SA is a little limited. I'm not saying that its not a bad SA - the benefits can be immense. The issue for me is that unlike a lot of other SAs, this one can probably only benefit 2 or maybe 3 pieces. Lets take a combination of the PH1 and the Nebula Wendigo with the LE Kisho NC. Both mechs really benefit from the SA but you're looking at around 350 points on 2 mechs - nothing more powerful than a medium. The SA is, in effect, costing you 20 points per mech. Add in a 3rd mech and you've eaten up your support. I would imagine a PH1 swarm may just cut in but paying out 40 points just to get past the Thor's poorheat dial seems a bit much.

Then again, doesn't Additional Heatsinks cost 43 points for Heavies? Also, the SA can be applied to more than one unit even if is only 2 (I see no 1/450 on the card- at least on MWRealms). And like I said, you have access to some unit types CJF lacks. Finally, you can even play HK units with this SA so as long as you got the other 2 factions in it. Say hello to HK Solitaires and "Kuro Ha". :devious:

Not to change the subject off of the Summoner or anything but Set Retirement is no more :grin: . Our Sylph will not leave us any time soone :devious:

Also of note: EBAs and Kelswas. We'll keep our 24 DV nightmare forever and ever. And I never have to put away the greatest infantry sculpt.

And my GHK conversions will still be Boingy Boingy Boingy Splatting for many a moon... :devious:

Anyone worried that the game might become a little too free form? Local bans (read "House Rules") worry me, since they often evoke a different style of play from National events etc.

No, Additional Heat Sinks costs 49 points and is one of the worst-priced gears in the game... (mumblemumble...) :rolleyes:

I think the "Wizkids house rules" events will ensure that that won't be to much of an issue but time will tell.

Hey Guys, long time, no talk :-( I'm having to quit playing Mechwarrior for personal reasons. Its a sad story but oh well. Ca Sirrah Sirrah (whatever will be will be). In any case, my humongoid Jade Falcon army has been placed on "that certain auction," site that rhymes with eday. The auction number is 250000985995 As you can tell, I'm Jade Falcon 4 life. Well, 4 life up until this point anyways. I should still be at nationals if I'm not dead. Too bad to, I was looking forward to some Mad Cat love (purrrrrr).

On a lighter note, I have really appreciated being part of this community. I have always gotten all the help I needed from everyone that I asked for it from. And we got those damn'ed twins nerfed too BOOYAH! (hahaha like that was important) I bet we'll still see some at nationals.