Design Preferences

juris · 10-25-2021, 05:39 PM

I would say in classic mid size and pickups ruled as the engines were a perfect fit. Once superconductors and plat cats came along the other body types became much more viable (you no longer needed a super power plant for a luxury or a large plant for a compact).

Once component armor came along the big cars got a boost. A lux with sloped armor and bunch of CA with the same weapons package as a mid size is almost the same cost.

Agree RLs are a high power to cost weapon, but they are pretty bad vs metal armor. In the game of rock-paper-scissors if you go with a RL build and face metal armor you are screwed.

Agree flaming oil is the best dropped weapon - 25 shots!

Agree fire extinguishers are (almost) mandatory

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magesmiley

Interesting how my design thoughts stack up against others'.
In general, I tried to be unpredictable in my arena vehicles. I'd change things up a lot.

Compact, Mid, Luxury are the core bodies I typically used, depending on division and concept. I did use the occasional pickup and even van if needed. And trikes in lower divisions.

Weapon-wise, rocket launchers were my go-to weapon, typically with incendiary rounds. The flaming oil jet was my go-to dropped weapon. In general, I found these to be very effective. Far too many players underestimate how effective fire can be as a weapon.
Second tier stuff included things like the recoilless rifle, blast cannon, flame cloud ejector and the occasional laser.
I did use metal armor, provided I could get a lot of it. Typically backed by some plastic or component armor. I did have some designs with horrific things like 23 points of metal on one side (the others weren't as well armored). The look on peoples' faces as it shrugged off a 20 point ATG (w/APFSDS ammo) shot made it entirely worth it.
Most of my designs actually used plain plastic armor.
Gear... Always carry a fire extinguisher was my #1 mandate. A portable was good enough for division 5. Regular for 10, 15, and sometimes 20. Improved above that. And ALL road vehicles had to have one.