Locust IIC
| Locust IIC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Class: | Light Mech | |
| Faction: | Clan | |
| Ticket cost: | 3 upon destruction | |
| Tier: | 4 | |
| Tonnage: | 25 tons | |
| Speed: | ? km/h (? km/h with MASC) | |
| Torso yaw: | 360° | |
| Torso pitch: | -?° to +?° while standing -?° to +?° while crouching | |
| Variant Armament | ||
| Variant | Weapons | Equipment |
| Prime: Price: 35 400 CBills Total armor: 23 968 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
|
|
| A: Price: 36 900 CBills Total armor: 23 968 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
||
| B: Price: 43 000 CBills Total armor: 23 968 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
|
|
| C: Price: 33 800 CBills Total armor: 23 968 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
||
| D: Price: 31 000 CBills Total armor: 27 897 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
||
| E: Price: 41 500 CBills Total armor: 23 968 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
||
| F: Price: 44 500 CBills Total armor: 22 006 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
||
| G: Price: 33 900 CBills Total armor: 23 968 Engine Size: LTV 160 |
||
| Armor Points Distribution | ||
|
| ||
All stats current as of release 0.15.3
The Locust is the fast light mech. The mech however, is weak in terms of armor and can easily be destroyed if the pilot is over confident.
Contents
Roles and Gameplay Hints
Prime
The Prime is probably one of the best Solitaires available. Its cHLL gives it a high-heat, high-exposure, high-damage medium-range punch. The Prime also mounts 3 cHSLs in its arms and side torso as backup weapons. At 4 DHSes, the highest number of any Solitaire, the Prime can only barely handle its heat. Being equipped with only heavy lasers means that the Prime is forced to face its opponent for extended periods of time denying the Prime the ability to torso twist after each volley to conceal it's main gun. The Prime works best when used in concert with other mechs that can soak up damage for it.
Variant A
The A is also a hot-running mech like the Prime. Instead of a cHLL, the A is equipped with a cLPL giving it a 850m range, far beyond the Prime's 600m range. For short-range the A has 3 cSRM2s. The pin-point accuracy of the A's weapons make it excellent for shooting off arms and focusing individual components, or killing Battle Armor using the SRMs in a chain-fire configuration. Clever use of the A's improved Jump Jets enable it to kite slow enemies until support can arrive.
Variant B
In effect the most manoeuvrable variant, if not the fastest ground unit, period, Solitaire B augments its blinding speed with MASC and Jump Jets. Using its agility to discreetly get into a spotting vantage point, it's capable of using its TAG to designate targets for friendly artillery units. Its main armament is a cERLBL capable of pinpoint strikes to 900m out, a range . Backing that up are a pair of cSPL for point defence and two Machineguns for long range harassment and increased protection against BA. All in all its weaponry isn't very threatening, but it's the superior choice compared to the C variant, the only other Solitaire equipped with MASC. It's not uncommon to see it as a starter in TC, picked by players hoping to get the first cap. Its two DHS have no chance of managing the careless use all of its equipment and weaponry.
Variant C
The C variant is the flamer boat of the bunch. One of the three Solitaires equipped with MASC, it is capable of reaching the fastest land speeds in the game (212kph), leading itself well to fast initial caps, or stealthy backcap duty. Its armament consists of four Flamers meant for overheating heat intensive opponents, making some of the heavier clan assets especially attractive targets if singled out. Pilots should keep in mind that overheating enemies counts as them killing themselves, resulting in no extra points for the flamer boat. This is somewhat alleviated by the variant's pair of ATM3(HE) that allow you to lay your claim on the damage percentage dealt on the enemy, despite not being a straight on threatening weapon. All in all this is a very situational asset, dedicated to annoying enemies by having them frantically reach for the coolant button while covering their line of sight in flames and shaking their screen with missiles.
Variant D
What used to be a variant carrying an oversized LBX20 was scaled down to keep with build rules and common sense. Solitaire D now carries a single LBX10, not as powerful as its predecessor but always reliable. A pair of Small Lasers and two Machineguns provide backup firepower for the mid to close range engagements it will find itself in, and are a collective nightmare for approaching Battle Armour. Compared to the other Solitaires it generates minimal heat, but at the same time doesn't sport any heatsinks besides those supplied with its reactor. Forgoing flashy weaponry or fancy equipment it is afforded an 0.5 ton of armour while making it the cheapest solitaire, allowing the user to donate significant sums to fellow players at game start.
Variant E
The Solitaire E is one of the best snipers out of all light mechs. The E mounts a Clan Extended Range PPC and Standard Jump Jets, which allow for very long range poptarting. It carries on the Solitaire tradition by mounting an array of close range weapons, including some 3 cERSBLs and 2 Machine Guns for hunting battle armor.
Variant F
This variant of the Solitaire trades direct firepower and armor for an unparalleled movement suite with its MASC and the GECM to move unnoticed. Its cERSBLs and cMPLs allow it to silently remove enemy rear torsos in between bouts of sneaking onto objectives.
Variant G
While most Solitaires opt for dropping a high alpha strike and scurrying out of the fray, this one has significantly more sustain with its UAC5 enabling it to have significantly higher DPS, especially coupled with its fast recycling SSRM2s assisting in close engagements. A single cERMBL keeps the Solitaire's burst alpha somewhat relevant at 700m as well.
History
The Locust IIC released in 0.11.0.
Canon
One of the best known BattleMechs in the Inner Sphere for its low production and operation costs, the Locust is also well known in the Clans. In 2832, Clan Mongoose unleashed an upgraded version of the venerable 'Mech on the Clans, known as the Locust IIC. The speedy design complemented Mongoose tactics, enabling them to win many Trials. When Clan Smoke Jaguar absorbed the Mongooses, they became the owners of the production line on Circe. This subsequently fell to Clan Jade Falcon following the de facto annihilation of the Jaguars. In addition to those three Clans, Clan Wolf has often used the Locust IIC as a garrison unit. Since it is a second-line unit Inner Sphere MechWarriors rarely see it in action.
Date Introduced ? during the Era known as "?" (? - ?) - Unit Role: ?
