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Post by xdesperado on Jun 9, 2016 16:03:36 GMT -5
BoT: It's gotta be the Neptune for me - just something about xeno rounding the corner and finding CHUGGA-CHUGGA-CHUGGA-CHUGGA-CHUGGA
And while your Neptune is standing there frozen in place waiting to go chuga chuga he hears the screams of his teammates about the onrushing horde of Xeno coming at them from the next intersection. Meanwhile my Hydra blankets the area of the first corner with Napalm and then moves up with rest of squad to greet that horde of Xeno with yet more Fire! Let's face it Neptunes are overpowered semi mobile sentry turrets. They are fine in holding actions but on a fluid battle field their lack of mobility limits their usefulness and fact that they can't do much to help rest of team other than provide overkill on most enemies is another mark against them. The Hydra can provide more than just area denial and with proper gearing is easily able to keep up with the fastest squads.
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Post by ntsheep on Jun 9, 2016 16:26:31 GMT -5
I'd like to point out that the best armors for both Hydras and Neptunes reduce their MP and both classes pair well with a Soldier that has at least 4 points in Rallying Charge. I've never had a problem keeping my Neptunes moving. It's also important to point out that MP reducing gear sets the -MP for reducing heat. So yes you may not be able to move as much, but your heat stays manageable. I'll admit I tend to pull Neptunes out more than Hydras some times, but when I do have a Hydra, watching xeno explode into a puff of fire and smoke is pretty darn cool.
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Post by En1gma on Jun 9, 2016 17:03:29 GMT -5
-MP gear plus Full Vent = glorified Sentry Turret. Sorry Neptunes...
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Post by ntsheep on Jun 9, 2016 17:32:17 GMT -5
Hydras also have access to -MP and a talent that increases their total heat. That's pretty similar to what Neptunes can do with -MP gear plus Full Vent. Full Vent also goes down in the total number of turns you have to deal with it's negative effects the more you raise it. I'm still not saying one is better than the other. They both have very strong points to have them on your team. While the Hydras attacks can stop a spawn point and they have an attack that can slow down enemies, the Neptunes attack slows them down more and has a better range. Hydras can be a little better at hit n' run tactics but a Neptune doesn't have to run if the enemy can't even move more than one square at a time. It all comes down to personal preference.
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Post by xdesperado on Jun 9, 2016 17:58:48 GMT -5
Hydra's Talent for dealing with heat also increases their damage output and doesn't slow them down so it's a win/win/win deal. Also I've never given a Hydra any -MP Armor as the movement penalty vs any bonuses just isn't worth it in my opinion. Want/need to cool down then just don't make the extra moves instead of having armor always slowing you down.
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Post by ntsheep on Jun 9, 2016 18:39:36 GMT -5
I've never used -MP armor on my Neptunes either. Most of the flamers a Hydra can equip have enough damage already for me. There's also plenty of other ways to increase every ones damage total. My Hydra's never really overheat. Hellstorm once it get high enough blows away most xenos and doesn't generate a lot of heat. Only other talent I really use is Napalm Charge. I've tried the other ones. I like those best.
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Post by Brutus Aurelius on Jun 9, 2016 21:29:35 GMT -5
A Neptune specced for a mobile loadout, for me, uses Direct Burst for their main attack. Suppressing Fire, Stabilize Platform, and Full Vent if needed.
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Post by En1gma on Jun 9, 2016 21:47:27 GMT -5
I still can't envision a Neptune as someone who can keep up with the squad... Full Auto-- no more MP Stabilize Platform-- no more MP Full Vent-- drop MP in half.
I can see the merits of using Direct Burst as a main attack, but I still just see it as a Soldier that can use Suppressing Fire. Burst Fire can't even hit for the full template.
God I want a retry on that challenge-- I feel like the Hydra would seriously bring the pain on the Neptune with the recent changes. It's just so difficult to quantify the two against each other.
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Post by En1gma on Jun 9, 2016 21:49:39 GMT -5
We need a new Templar face option with some sort of sunglasses for all the fire the Hydras put down.
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Post by ntsheep on Jun 9, 2016 22:29:53 GMT -5
It's not that using some Neptune attacks takes away MP, it' that your taking an action that requires you to stand still so you can't move. Keeping up with the squad isn't a problem if you plan things out first. That's one of the things that makes the game fun. Taking your time to look at the battlefield and deciding what to do.
I think you should try looking at it from a different point of view. While Hydras can move, shoot, then move again (if they even have enough MP), you need to position your Neptune before you attack. Move, make sure your where you want to be, then shoot.
Another important thing to remember, no matter if you're using a Hydra or Neptune, is your tactics attribute. Their main attacks are based on it. It doesn't matter how big your damage area is if you don't have the matching tactics number to hit all those squares.
Again I'm not really saying one is better than the other. I have preference for Neptunes, but don't think they are better than Hydras. On big maps where I can field a large force, everyone comes out and joins the fun. The levels where you need a Hydra are a blast, pardon the pun.
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Post by fallen on Jun 9, 2016 22:49:38 GMT -5
We need a new Templar face option with some sort of sunglasses for all the fire the Hydras put down. Lol someone with big flare protector glasses and flames reflecting in them would be oh so cool!
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Post by ntsheep on Jun 9, 2016 22:52:44 GMT -5
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Post by algesan on Jun 10, 2016 2:32:19 GMT -5
We need a new Templar face option with some sort of sunglasses for all the fire the Hydras put down. Lol someone with big flare protector glasses and flames reflecting in them would be oh so cool! Don't forget the big cigar.
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Post by algesan on Jun 10, 2016 2:37:26 GMT -5
I still can't envision a Neptune as someone who can keep up with the squad... Full Auto-- no more MP Stabilize Platform-- no more MP Full Vent-- drop MP in half. I can see the merits of using Direct Burst as a main attack, but I still just see it as a Soldier that can use Suppressing Fire. Burst Fire can't even hit for the full template. God I want a retry on that challenge-- I feel like the Hydra would seriously bring the pain on the Neptune with the recent changes. It's just so difficult to quantify the two against each other. And I've never had a problem with a Neptune keeping up with the squad. It all depends on the situation. OTOH, I've had to deal with not being able to use a Hydra to clear the way ahead, so I have to get ready to take a charge and survive.
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Post by xdesperado on Jun 10, 2016 3:20:03 GMT -5
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