Should I go MAX for a while?

[Knuckles]

Hi all

I played a Vanu engineer/medic during beta. I liked it a lot but it sure took some time getting all those certs, and I just felt that I was lacking in firepower while I built up the character (except for the Lancer), and all those repairs that I did� Maybe I would have been more effective right at the front line, instead of repairing yet another turret? So I�ve been toying with this idea:

- Is it feasible to start out as a MAX instead and save up all the extra points (once You have the MAX certs that You want) and stash them in the certs that I will be using at high levels?

Let me explain: First I�ll get all the MAX certs. All the points I get from then on, hopefully at a faster rate than if I�d been a �grunt�, I�ll stash into reinforced, medium Assault, AV, engineering and so on.

At some point I�ll start forgetting the MAX certs and put those points into the final stuff I need to build myself a well rounded grunt, fully engineer/medic capable.

I tried out a few MAX suits, during beta, and found that I was only �so so� as a MAX player.

- Any good Vanu MAX players out there, that can give me a few tips on what to think about (other than �fly if they shoot at Ya!�)?

Thanks for reading.

[Edit: spelling]

[Hellsfire123]

Thats why i say MAX units need more prereqs. As it stands now, to many people are doing exactly what you are doing. We end up with an almost 1:1 ratio of grunts to maxs as long as both sides of the battle have a tower or base to spawn with.

Yes it is a ligitimate way to get the cert points you need, but realize your adding to the increasing number of maxs squads out there. Also, once you've used MAX for the probally 12 lvls you want, are you really gonna wanna switch to a grunt armor thats much easier to kill, just to repair or hack?

[Knuckles]

Ok - I am high jacking my own thread here, but what the heck! If I'm not entitled to, then who is?

Hellsfire123:

I'm more a grunt at heart, than a MAX (or a Reaver pilot or whatever). I just like to have that versatility, that I can do anything, go anywhere and as a medic/engineer I'm able to up my combat 'longevity' quite alot. Add to this, that after getting the Surge implant, I got absolutelt lethal on the battle field (a number of MAXs found out that the hard way in the last few days of the beta .)

I will turn 'grunt' ASAP, because that's what I like playing and am probably best at.

[�io]

Originally posted by Hellsfire123
Thats why i say MAX units need more prereqs. As it stands now, to many people are doing exactly what you are doing. We end up with an almost 1:1 ratio of grunts to maxs as long as both sides of the battle have a tower or base to spawn with.

Agreed, reavers also need to be changed IMO, probably upped to 5 pts or something, way too many of those right now.

[AcidCat]

I also was getting frustrated with Reavers - but then I realized there was no point in complaining - the AA Max is only two certs. And with so many Reavers around, it is really worth it. I love to see them scramble to get the hell outta dodge when I open up on 'em.

[kerosene31]

The basic strategy right now is to start a character and get to br3 before you leave the sanctuary. Pick Medium assault and a Max and go out and have fun. From there you can get more specialized. Then when you hit 4 you can go AA Max as well

[Big Bro]

Personally I think the cert requirements are fine for MAXs. I guess you could argue that requiring Reinforced Armor as a cert to open the MAX certs, and that would make sense.

First off, you can get BR3 very easily without leaving the sanctuary. That gives you 6 cert points. People can play MAX even if you force them to get RA first.

To me it's all about the role you want to fill. I personally chose this path, and it worked out just fine:

BR3: Engineering + Medium Assault
BR4: Combat Engineering

When coupled with my buddy Marauder driver, we pretty much didn't care about MAXs. I'd either place spitfires, or pound 'em with the marauder main turret. My boomers work nice too.

People complain about MAX a lot, but I don't see why. That's what they are designed to do. Take a crapload of damage, and deal a crapload of damage back. I don't expect many people to go toe-to-toe against a MAX rambo-style and come back in one piece. Think of a different way.

[EVILPIG]

Originally posted by =NCG=Big Bro
Personally I think the cert requirements are fine for MAXs.




People complain about MAX a lot, but I don't see why. That's what they are designed to do. Take a crapload of damage, and deal a crapload of damage back. I don't expect many people to go toe-to-toe against a MAX rambo-style and come back in one piece. Think of a different way.

LOL--you have a Dual Cycler in your banner. Of course you think it's fine!!

[Nitsch]

Back to the question that started the thread.

VS MAX do a few things really well:

1) Kill other MAX's (especally outdoors). I love it when a TR Max clamps down during a fight.... i simply fly over them and waste his potted butt. Many fights just jumpin in the air throws them outa whack and gives those precious seconds to finish them off. If there are trees around jump and a tree and use it as cover.

2) Base assault. Other maxes have to walk around to the entrances of a base then walk up the stairs to get to the action. VS maxes can just jump in the middle of the base off the bat. I like to jump on top of the highest point in the base and assault people from above.

Use your jump jets to get superior position and for element of suprise. That is the VS MAX's advantage... play with them, they are the most fun MAX in the game.

[Big Bro]

Originally posted by EVILPIG
LOL--you have a Dual Cycler in your banner. Of course you think it's fine!!

Well yes, I think they're cool and such, but I don't have a MAX cert whatsoever. I haven't played a MAX character for about 4 weeks.

Everyone complains about MAXs, but they are so one-dimensional. You can't hold a REK so you can't hack anything. You are totally dependent upon your teammates for that kind of thing. Hell you can't hold a Command Uplink Device! That really shot it for me. I plan on being CR5 all the way.

I'll give you that they are powerful MoFos, but they have weaknesses and drawbacks too.

They can't re-equip as a MAX at an AMS. They can't just hop into any vehicle. They can't hack, heal, or fix anything (huge drawback). They can't really do much of anything but kill things and take lots of damage.

The thing is...no matter how much people complain about them, there's always the answer of having a MAX from your side to help take care of the enemy MAX. There's no imbalance here, just non-MAX people upset that they can't easily kill the big bad guy.

[Big Bro]

Originally posted by Nitsch
Back to the question that started the thread...

Thanks for answering the question intelligently. I played VS AI MAX for about a week and liked it for the reasons you stated. I also have to stress how important it is to change your ammo up. Don't use Armor Piercing mode if you are going up against infantry, and DO use AP mode when going up against other MAX units and vehicles. It will greatly decrease the amount of time needed to paste your enemy.

Wait...I'm TR....shaddup Bro.

[EVILPIG]

Originally posted by =NCG=Big Bro
Well yes, I think they're cool and such, but I don't have a MAX cert whatsoever. I haven't played a MAX character for about 4 weeks.

Everyone complains about MAXs, but they are so one-dimensional. You can't hold a REK so you can't hack anything. You are totally dependent upon your teammates for that kind of thing. Hell you can't hold a Command Uplink Device! That really shot it for me. I plan on being CR5 all the way.

I'll give you that they are powerful MoFos, but they have weaknesses and drawbacks too.

They can't re-equip as a MAX at an AMS. They can't just hop into any vehicle. They can't hack, heal, or fix anything (huge drawback). They can't really do much of anything but kill things and take lots of damage.

The thing is...no matter how much people complain about them, there's always the answer of having a MAX from your side to help take care of the enemy MAX. There's no imbalance here, just non-MAX people upset that they can't easily kill the big bad guy.

Excellent points Big Bro. My post was a poke at the insanely overpowered Dual Cycler of course, not you. The DC is probably a big reason why MAXs do get do much flak.

I would encourage NC players to use MAXs. It usually seems we don't have enough of them. Thier staying power is an asset. Ultimately, it's going to come down to your preference. If your not having fun, try something else. Afterall, fun is why we play the game.

[Doppler]

Having never played them i can only speak from my personal experiences facing them. The two most powerfull abilities of vanu max's are their ability to leap over/onto structures.

The other ability is to be able to dodge decimator rockets and other good max killers, or leap over ehicles trying to run them over. Having said all this Vanu max's major downside is when they go indoors, even the NG's worthless shield ability trumps them once their inside.

[Knuckles]

Thank You kindly for all of Your replies.

Having said all this Vanu max's major downside is when they go indoors, even the NG's worthless shield ability trumps them once their inside.

Will the Personal Shield help anything indoors? I've read that it's not very good, but if it's the one thing that might help me get one or two more kills, then it's worth it IMO.

[�io]

The NC MAX's ability needs to be upped a bit IMO. The shield only takes a few shots of normal med assault weapons so forget using it against AV or heavy guns.