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Other BattleTech Games => MechWarrior and BattleTech Computer | Console Games => Topic started by: martian on 13 April 2024, 13:41:52

Title: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 13 April 2024, 13:41:52
(https://i.imgur.com/GPAEiKB.jpg)

The first IS Omnimech coming to MWO - the Black Hawk-KU.

Tonnage

Mechs

It will arrive in the April game patch.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Sapphirus on 13 April 2024, 13:59:09
I know it ain't my job to post MWO announcements but still!  I'm hyped!
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 13 April 2024, 14:21:34
I know it ain't my job to post MWO announcements but still!
Post whatever you wish.  azn

I'm hyped!
I am not. The Clan Black Hawk kinda sucks in MWO, so I am mildly interested if this IS heavy copycat will suck less.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Cyc on 13 April 2024, 16:20:19
Okay so model wise the shots they've shown are really the existing Nova model with some bolt-ons, so similar to the "UrbanMech IIC"s Legends they released, but the post indicates they are considering others.

I guess if they stick to that logic they can easily bolt-on-ify the Cicada, Firestarter and Blackjack. But would be Veeeeeeery big bolt-ons to make a Vulture or Thor/Loki become an Avatar or Sunder IMO and the differences in body shape might make it hard to recreate Raptor or Owens that looks anything like the tabletop versions.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: BATTLEMASTER on 13 April 2024, 17:25:57
I am not. The Clan Black Hawk kinda sucks in MWO, so I am mildly interested if this IS heavy copycat will suck less.

Only the Prime is worth its salt, and I play it like I do on tabletop - attack and jump out.  It's made me a top scorer in many matches!

The Black Hawk-KU is low-hanging fruit and probably why it was chosen as the first IS omnimech in MWO - it's one of the most-direct copies of a Clan omnimech made by the Inner Sphere in canon, the other being the Battle Cobra.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Wrangler on 13 April 2024, 19:09:46
MWO tends to improve things, so I think it will be interesting.

Getting IS OmniMech is interesting, but...does this mean this will be in MW5 Clans? (I mean in an expansion, I know ain't showing up during the invasion...)

Likely, this guy will be better put together.  I hope they do other OmniMechs like the Blackjack.  I do like Owens, but it's really support/scout but it's heatsink situation sucks.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 14 April 2024, 02:44:12
Okay so model wise the shots they've shown are really the existing Nova model with some bolt-ons, so similar to the "UrbanMech IIC"s Legends they released, but the post indicates they are considering others.

I guess if they stick to that logic they can easily bolt-on-ify the Cicada, Firestarter and Blackjack.
Reusing all those 'Mechs would be quite easy. Just as you said, add some cosmetic plates on Firestarter or Blackjack and you have Firestarter Omni and Blackjack II. No problem.

But would be Veeeeeeery big bolt-ons to make a Vulture or Thor/Loki become an Avatar or Sunder IMO and the differences in body shape might make it hard to recreate Raptor or Owens that looks anything like the tabletop versions.
I think that in the case of Avatar and Sunder PGI would go with all-new models. The difference would be probably too big. I also think that we will have to wait for some time to see them added.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 14 April 2024, 03:37:30
Only the Prime is worth its salt, and I play it like I do on tabletop - attack and jump out.  It's made me a top scorer in many matches!

The Black Hawk-KU is low-hanging fruit and probably why it was chosen as the first IS omnimech in MWO - it's one of the most-direct copies of a Clan omnimech made by the Inner Sphere in canon, the other being the Battle Cobra.
The problem is that with copying the Clan Black Hawk, you are also copying all it weaknesses: broad profile, low arms, etc. And on top of it you are adding IS weaknesses.  :smiley:

MWO tends to improve things, so I think it will be interesting.
PGI can always slap some ridiculous quirks on it.

Getting IS OmniMech is interesting, but...does this mean this will be in MW5 Clans? (I mean in an expansion, I know ain't showing up during the invasion...)
I guess that any future expansion packs would depend on how successful the base game will be.

Likely, this guy will be better put together.  I hope they do other OmniMechs like the Blackjack.  I do like Owens, but it's really support/scout but it's heatsink situation sucks.
Strider is the same case.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 16 April 2024, 11:46:27
So it is as I expected: PGI is giving the upcoming Black Hawk-KU strong armor / structure quirks to boost its side torsos.

Quote from: Piranha Games Inc.
There were a few ideas internally on how to deal with the Black Hawk-KU having a locked XL, like many other IS Omnimechs. The cleanest solution in the end was to just give hefty survival quirks to the side torsos. We didn’t want to give it a unique engine type or make it like a clan XL since a change like that would have to be uniformly applied to any IS Omnimechs if we add more down the road, and that felt like a slippery slope when some are more susceptible to being XL checked than others.

I’m pretty confident the total health the BHKU will have in the STs will help compensate for the forced XL, but also keep in mind that this is also our first IS Omnimech. We may not get it right on the first try, but if the BHKU is lacking we’ll certainly buff it as soon as we can. My hope is that this goes well enough that we can look at more IS Omnis in the future.

Well, I guess that this solves it for possible future Avatar or Sunder OmniMechs.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Wrangler on 16 April 2024, 20:03:42
It will be certainly be interest, I guess we have more IS OmniMechs coming I guess. I do think there other designs needed fill out stuff. Nice mix I mean, we could use couple OmniMechs here and there from IS.   However, majority of them are crappy until like 2nd Gens for IS comes out.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 17 April 2024, 06:10:47
It will be certainly be interest, I guess we have more IS OmniMechs coming I guess. I do think there other designs needed fill out stuff. Nice mix I mean, we could use couple OmniMechs here and there from IS.   However, majority of them are crappy until like 2nd Gens for IS comes out.
I guess that PGI will follow with not so crappy IS Omnis that can be created easily: Firestarter Omni, Blackjack II and Raptor.

Their models are in the game already.

You just add some irremovable bolt-ons and armor plates to bulk them out, just like they did with Black Hawk-KU (because they are heavier than their BattleMech predecessors) and you are good to go. They all have double heat sinks and their fixed extralight engines should not matter too much. After all, people usually run XLEs on them anyway.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Wrangler on 17 April 2024, 06:14:12
waitwaitwait, the in game as in MWO? I've not ever seen a Raptor anything in the game.   

Sure Black Hawk and Firestarter are in the game, but their OmniMEch version supposed to be larger, bulkier and blockier.  I guess it doesn't matter what they look like, but you'd think they put more effort.   Raptor could pass what moded as Flea, but I'm not so sure.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 17 April 2024, 13:02:10
waitwaitwait, the in game as in MWO? I've not ever seen a Raptor anything in the game.   

Sure Black Hawk and Firestarter are in the game, but their OmniMEch version supposed to be larger, bulkier and blockier.  I guess it doesn't matter what they look like, but you'd think they put more effort.   Raptor could pass what moded as Flea, but I'm not so sure.
Yesterday I created this compound image. Click on the thumbnail to see the full-size picture, please:

(http://i.imgur.com/UuaYlb2m.jpg) (https://imgur.com/UuaYlb2)

You can see the Black Hawk (already in the game) and the Black Hawk-KU (to be added the next week).

As you can see, PGI added just one rectangular box on the side of the torso and one rectangular box on the top of the torso. Then they slapped three sets of pipes on the 'Mech. Adding a small box on the leg and adjusting the shape of the knee pad completed the job. Ninety-five percent of the new Black Hawk-KU is still the same old Black Hawk game model.

If you can do this with the Black Hawk, you can do the same with the Firestarter. You could just a few hoses on the 'Mech (see the Dark Age Firestarter), slap some cosmetic items on it and call it Firestarter II. Easy job.

The Blackjack II is more angular than the standard Blackjack, but again this is nothing what a few angular bolt-ons could not solve.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 19 April 2024, 23:12:48
So now we know what those survivability quirks are:

BHKU-O
Well, I have expected stronger side torso protection, but I guess that Cauldron think that this is enough.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Cyc on 20 April 2024, 05:01:47
and already people bitching over lack of torso hardpoints. Makes me wonder if they will turn the only table-top config that does (Albert Benton's Jihad era one) into a Hero 'Mech.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 20 April 2024, 05:42:16
and already people bitching over lack of torso hardpoints.
Yeah.

However, it is possible that PGI creates such 'Mech sooner or later. After all, Crab "Florentine" is completely different from other Crab variants.

Makes me wonder if they will turn the only table-top config that does (Albert Benton's Jihad era one) into a Hero 'Mech.
We do not call them "Hero" 'Mechs anymore. Now they are "Legendary".  :grin:
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Cyc on 20 April 2024, 16:18:33
We do not call them "Hero" 'Mechs anymore. Now they are "Legendary".  :grin:

Lucky Charm event seems to qualify that once they go MC purchasable they become Heroes. And the Longbow just muddied the waters by having both :)
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 20 April 2024, 17:00:48
Lucky Charm event seems to qualify that once they go MC purchasable they become Heroes. And the Longbow just muddied the waters by having both :)
I was joking.  :wink:

PGI announced a few weeks ago that it will be so.

I think that we are going to see some Legendary Hero Black Hawk-KU sooner or later.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 23 April 2024, 15:38:59
Now we know how PGI has solved the problem of BHKU-OX:
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Wrangler on 23 April 2024, 17:39:05
I guess C3 not possible given this isn't team / faction game
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: BATTLEMASTER on 23 April 2024, 18:58:57
I guess C3 not possible given this isn't team / faction game

I'm not sure how they could do C3 that wasn't redundant with how targets are shared across teammates now :undecided:
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 23 April 2024, 23:34:19
I guess C3 not possible given this isn't team / faction game
Well, if functional C3 networks were possible in a quarter century old game (i.e. MechWarrior 3), I would say that they should be possible in 2024 (i.e. MechWarrior Online).

I'm not sure how they could do C3 that wasn't redundant with how targets are shared across teammates now :undecided:
I guess that there would be some ways: For example, extended range of weapons for a 'Mech that uses the spotter equipped with C3 Slave.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Akamia on 23 April 2024, 23:56:46
So, my predictions were off by a little bit; I anticipated the heavier Black Hawk would be somewhat larger than the Nova, but it turns out they are exactly the same size. I suppose I should not be surprised by this.

Still don't have one myself, but I want one. I've seen them in the wild, and they seem to be holding their own; the added beef on their side torsos is definitely keeping them in the fight long enough to be useful. It was mildly amusing fighting them in my Nova Prime. lol
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 24 April 2024, 04:18:33
So, my predictions were off by a little bit; I anticipated the heavier Black Hawk would be somewhat larger than the Nova, but it turns out they are exactly the same size. I suppose I should not be surprised by this.
I posted the size comparison image in my post#12.

Still don't have one myself, but I want one.
Do not forget to tell us, how the 'Mech works for you.

I've seen them in the wild, and they seem to be holding their own; the added beef on their side torsos is definitely keeping them in the fight long enough to be useful. It was mildly amusing fighting them in my Nova Prime. lol
Who did emerge victorious from the battle? The Clanner scum or the Inner Sphere filth?  :wink:
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Wrangler on 24 April 2024, 05:43:14
From the other day fighting, I haven't seen much of their ability to shine. Looks like a lot of people bought the thing though which is good for PGI.  I'm not so eager to grab it yet, essentially it's a Nova with a backpack and some bulky add-ons. I'm sure there's stuff baked into its quirks to make it a little different, but I'm kind of disappointed but given their budgetarian/programming staff shortages we should be grateful  we are getting anything.  I expected the Nova to be shorter than the Blackhawk, it really would need to be that way. Cuz I got the most impressions that KU was narrower and taller.  MWO does really do squat size Mechs too well.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 24 April 2024, 06:12:24
From the other day fighting, I haven't seen much of their ability to shine. Looks like a lot of people bought the thing though which is good for PGI.  I'm not so eager to grab it yet, essentially it's a Nova with a backpack and some bulky add-ons. I'm sure there's stuff baked into its quirks to make it a little different, but I'm kind of disappointed but given their budgetarian/programming staff shortages we should be grateful  we are getting anything.  I expected the Nova to be shorter than the Blackhawk, it really would need to be that way. Cuz I got the most impressions that KU was narrower and taller.  MWO does really do squat size Mechs too well.
I am on the fence. I own four Clan Black Hawks and even though they are not among my most favorite 'Mechs, I know how to use them, if I want to or need to. But I am just not sure if I am willing to spend twenty dollars on another four Black Hawks, even if they use Inner Sphere technology.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Akamia on 26 April 2024, 03:52:59
Who did emerge victorious from the battle? The Clanner scum or the Inner Sphere filth?  :wink:
Results inconclusive. There were often other teammates to account for. :tongue:

I'd love to see what happens in a one-on-one duel, though. lol

I suspect the Black Hawk-KU will win more often than not in that setting, if for no other reason than the Inner Sphere tech base has better dueling tools at its disposal these days (ironically enough) but I might be surprised that the matchup is more even than it looks. Despite the side torso quirks, an Inner Sphere XL is still an Inner Sphere XL, so that vulnerability might be an equalizer here.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Wrangler on 26 April 2024, 05:30:13
I forgot how vulnerable MWO xl engine Mechs were. I seldomly use Mechs in close range combat with those engines.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Akamia on 26 April 2024, 06:12:17
The uber quirks on the ballistic arms of the Black Hawk-KU allow for some rather insane DPS using ultra autocannons. This thing can probably kill you pretty fast before its XL becomes an issue. lol
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 27 April 2024, 02:19:14
Results inconclusive. There were often other teammates to account for. :tongue:

I'd love to see what happens in a one-on-one duel, though. lol
Nobody honors the sacred ritual of zellbrigen these days.  :smiley:

I suspect the Black Hawk-KU will win more often than not in that setting, if for no other reason than the Inner Sphere tech base has better dueling tools at its disposal these days (ironically enough) but I might be surprised that the matchup is more even than it looks. Despite the side torso quirks, an Inner Sphere XL is still an Inner Sphere XL, so that vulnerability might be an equalizer here.
Well, the Black Hawk-KU is 60-tonner, and that means more armor and more internal structure. On the other hand, the Clan Omni runs Clan XLE and that is a serious advantage, even if the 'Mech itself sports less armor.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 27 April 2024, 02:34:15
The uber quirks on the ballistic arms of the Black Hawk-KU allow for some rather insane DPS using ultra autocannons. This thing can probably kill you pretty fast before its XL becomes an issue. lol
I think that the old Clan Black Hawk has still its uses, even without those ridiculous quirks:

(http://i.imgur.com/le7AwZkm.jpg) (https://imgur.com/le7AwZk)

Knowing where exactly you should apply the force is sometimes as good as running some overquirked 'Mech. I got the same number of kills as somebody who bought the 'Mech of the Month, even without spamming damage left and right.

And I survived until the end.  :smiley:
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Akamia on 29 April 2024, 19:50:21
So I gave the BHKU some play yesterday – received it as a gift from one of my partners – and I think I love this thing. I was running it most of the day in a wolfpack with a bunch of friends who happen to be light mains. We didn't win every game, but we generally did pretty well, I think. lol

My (S) variants are still in stock configuration, because that's just how I like to play things, but my normal variants are built as x2 UAC/5 (BHKU-O) and SXPL boat (BHKU-OX). Haven't tried the UACs in a live game yet, but testing grounds is promising. SXPL was hilarious fun in a flank my wolfpack did on Solaris City.

I hope more pods come out for this thing, because I want to see more. lol
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 30 April 2024, 01:20:42
I hope more pods come out for this thing, because I want to see more. lol
PGI can re-use many existing Clan Black Hawk components and that means much easier work. I am sure that new OmniPods will appear sooner or later.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Akamia on 30 April 2024, 12:49:39
My UAC/5 build is a glass cannon, and boy did I really feel it. Got fast kills, but I think I died in every single game I brought it to, even the ones I won. lol

If there's a better way to do UAC/5s on this, I'd love to see it. For now, that's the release event done. Time to go back to the Special versions I liked best, and my other ’Mechs. :D
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 30 April 2024, 14:18:33
My UAC/5 build is a glass cannon, and boy did I really feel it. Got fast kills, but I think I died in every single game I brought it to, even the ones I won. lol

If there's a better way to do UAC/5s on this, I'd love to see it. For now, that's the release event done. Time to go back to the Special versions I liked best, and my other ’Mechs. :D
17 tons of pod space limit possible loadouts. The only way to get around it is with some ridiculous quirks that ensure that you would have to carry only some minimal supply of ammo.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Cyc on 03 May 2024, 17:26:52
Even dropping back to ordinary AC/5s which make use of the quirks is still a great option.
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 03 May 2024, 23:43:31
Even dropping back to ordinary AC/5s which make use of the quirks is still a great option.
Untill they change those quirks ...  :smiley:
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Cyc on 04 May 2024, 02:09:00
Untill they change those quirks ...  :smiley:

Even playing maybe each only once a day at most I'll have plenty of time to grind them to 91/91 before they defang them :)
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 04 May 2024, 05:06:09
Even playing maybe each only once a day at most I'll have plenty of time to grind them to 91/91 before they defang them :)
As usual, I would start worrying with the approaching date of the MCs / C-Bills availability.  :grin:
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: Wrangler on 04 May 2024, 06:47:13
The design quirks are being changed?
Title: Re: MWO Black Hawk-KU
Post by: martian on 04 May 2024, 07:08:19
The design quirks are being changed?
I have not heard about it.