’Mech of the Week: BLD-** Blade

[garhkal]

Yea, all in one arm is dumb, all in the arms, is ok if they'r split.

[Colt Ward]

Why?  All in one arm will have the mechwarrior retreating instead of trying to hang on when the weapons are lost.  Besides, anything significant enough to take the arm off in one blow stands a good chance of endangering the side torso's engine.

[packhntr]

XL Engine, XL Gyro in a torso with standard case...with three tons of ammo.  Something sets the ammo off, it's done.  An arm has 12pts armor as does the torso....  won't take much

[Weirdo]

Why?  All in one arm will have the mechwarrior retreating instead of trying to hang on when the weapons are lost.  Besides, anything significant enough to take the arm off in one blow stands a good chance of endangering the side torso's engine.

There is something to be said for a clear indicator that your harassment and strike unit is in over its head, and the battlefield in question is too hot for a wee little Blade. I like to think that by design, the "Your arm is gone" warning light flashes ”GO HOME" to the pilot, thus contributing to the longevity and overall experience level of Republic light mech pilots.

[packhntr]

There is something to be said for a clear indicator that your harassment and strike unit is in over its head, and the battlefield in question is too hot for a wee little Blade. I like to think that by design, the "Your arm is gone" warning light flashes ”GO HOME" to the pilot, thus contributing to the longevity and overall experience level of Republic light mech pilots.

Somewhat agree.  However, there is something to be said about having a weapon or two to cover your retreat

[Orin J.]

Somewhat agree.  However, there is something to be said about having a weapon or two to cover your retreat

ideally, those would belong to your fellow soldiers. it's a lot easier to run away when someone else is able to provide your covering fire.

[grimlock1]

There is something to be said for a clear indicator that your harassment and strike unit is in over its head, and the battlefield in question is too hot for a wee little Blade. I like to think that by design, the "Your arm is gone" warning light flashes ”GO HOME" to the pilot, thus contributing to the longevity and overall experience level of Republic light mech pilots.

If your main weapon is gone, that's a pretty good suggestion that it's time to go home.  That said, I like the idea of having some secondary weapons to discourage a potentially wounded enemy from trying to pounce, while I try to get away. But this is largely irrelevant in pickup games.

[Greatclub]

I was very sad when I looked again and saw 35 tons. Light mechs can't be part of rifle lances, otherwise Blades would be prime candidates.

Other than that meta flaw, it's a wicked little light in the best tradition of the wolfhound.