M2 vs A2

[Dirtbag_Leader]

So I've been building up a Herc chain for quite a while and now that it's close, I'm still undecided on whether I want to go for the M2 or the A2. I do NOT want a C2 due to the lack of the chin turret for a copilot. I've really never been able to fill all the turrets on the A2 and don't use bombs that often, so halving the cargo room seems like a big sacrifice. On the other hand, I have my chain set up so that the A2 is only a $40 premium. Any drunken TEST opinions to share? o7!

 

[Bambooza]

So I've been building up a Herc chain for quite a while and now that it's close, I'm still undecided on whether I want to go for the M2 or the A2. I do NOT want a C2 due to the lack of the chin turret for a copilot. I've really never been able to fill all the turrets on the A2 and don't use bombs that often, so halving the cargo room seems like a big sacrifice. On the other hand, I have my chain set up so that the A2 is only a $40 premium. Any drunken TEST opinions to share? o7!

If your not going to use it as a bomber then giving up the cargo space for a unused feature seems like a waste.

 

[Ayeteeone]

The chin turret is only moderately useful. You need a person in the gunner seat to make it worthwhile, so if you have a friend to fly with regularly then it helps.

The turrets controlled by the co-pilot are also annoying. Last time I used them, had to choose between upper and lower, with the upper having a very limited range of motion. They were ganged together but it was not a happy experience. If you are looking for a bit of forward-firing damage then the lower turret has 360 degree coverage.

A close friend of mine who loves to run cargo absolutely regrets upgrading his C2 to an M2, but can't go back because he'd lose all the discounts applied to that package. If you are not using the bombs, and not planning to move a full Fireteam of TEST dummies, neither of the more expensive ships are likely to improve your game experience.

 

[Talonsbane]

My suggestion is simple, if you're sure that you want the M2 for the cargo & whatever else fits hauling it can provide with it's extra chin turret and armor that isn't in the game yet, then go ahead & upgrade to that. IF you're still unsure about the A2, there's no permanent harm in slowly gathering steps to it in case you choose to make that step in the future. Just remember that if you step ahead of where you want the ship to be, the only way back is melting the ship / package that ship is in & starting the CCU dance for it all over again. Worst case scenario, you melt the extra CCUs for store credit later to use on something else.

 

[Bambooza]

The chin turret is only moderately useful. You need a person in the gunner seat to make it worthwhile, so if you have a friend to fly with regularly then it helps.

The turrets controlled by the co-pilot are also annoying. Last time I used them, had to choose between upper and lower, with the upper having a very limited range of motion. They were ganged together but it was not a happy experience. If you are looking for a bit of forward-firing damage then the lower turret has 360 degree coverage.

A close friend of mine who loves to run cargo absolutely regrets upgrading his C2 to an M2, but can't go back because he'd lose all the discounts applied to that package. If you are not using the bombs, and not planning to move a full Fireteam of TEST dummies, neither of the more expensive ships are likely to improve your game experience.

Ya not upgrading my C2. Was never very convinced that the extra armor of the M2 was worth the loss in cargo capacity and now with the Ironclad it makes even less sense. I am sure the M2 will have a purpose just not sure what it is at the moment.

 

[Talonsbane]

I'm adding a M2 to my fleet soon, but I'm doing so in addition to keeping my C2. Turning my Scoundrel Pack into a Crusader Pack of sorts as it'll have a MSR, both Ions, C2 & M2. Eventually, I'll replace the Ranger CV with another Crusader ship, most likely a Genesis.

 

[BUTUZ]

C2 for me dont think the compromises in the m2 are worth it

 

[Dirtbag_Leader]

See I know that the C2 tends to be the general consensus however I MOSTLY fly ships of this size with a crew of 2-3, and on my aUEC purchased A2 we'd almost always man the chin turret for the additional forward firepower, with the belly turret being for the occasions when we had 3 people. I *think* I care much less about the 150 SCU cargo difference the M2 gives up than the vehicle storage capacity that the A2 gives up, though even in the A2 it's still pretty plentiful. I guess I need to rent a C2 for a while and see how live is with the belly turret rather than the chin turret. . .
And because of the way my CCU chains have shaken out, my only viable paths are -> C2 -> A2 or straight to M2, can't 'stop' at M2 in the middle, oh well!

OR

 

[Daak Gelrin]

For me, I'm keeping my M2 for the armor. I know it's not really a thing right now but I'm holding out hope that the advertised heavy armor will really make this ship a tough nut to crack.

 

[wmk]

I love my A2, however I'm not sure if it's worth to upgrade M2 to it.

You lose a rear entry for larger vehicles like Tonks, and small ships like Aurora, Pisces or MPUV. I mean, you can drive Ballista and Spartan over the bomb bay railings, but I'm not sure if it would be possible in the future.

You lose some cargo space, and you get a lot of unwanted attention -- your ship is an infamous jump-town-griefer after all.

That said, there is one aspect of the Starlifter family which is still unknown at this stage: an armor. I can't find the source now, but as far as I remember, C2 supposed to have a light armor, M2 medium and A2 heavy. Erkul says C2 and M2 armor have 1,000 hp, while A2 has... 20,000 hp. I guess M2's number is incorrect; I can imagine both M2 and A2 having the same heavy armor, but we'll see...

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A2 with Nursa and MPUV in the cargo hold

 

[Sky Captain]

I was challenged by the C2/M2/A2 tradeoffs too, until I decided to look past their similarities to see them as very different ships for very different jobs. That led me to pick up the A2 for use as a specialized 'high threat hauler', knowing I have other military haulers to cover other hauling jobs. I also picked up the A2 for its eventual "bombing game'", seeing it as a step up from the Retaliator. Ultimately, the A2 was a decision to buy a very specialized ship for a very specialized job, rather than picking up a more generalized ship that would have replicated roles already covered by my fleet.

 

[Talonsbane]

I was challenged by the Hercules C2/M2/A2 tradeoffs too, until I decided to look past their similarities to see them as different ships for different jobs. In the end I picked up the A2 for use as a specialized 'high threat hauler', knowing I have other military haulers to cover other hauling jobs. I also picked up the A2 for its eventual "bombing game'", seeing it as a step up from the Retaliator.

Wouldn't the Polaris be the step up from the Retaliator, 6x S9 torps to 24x S10 torps?

 

[Sky Captain]

Agreed ... for the torpedo version of bombing.

 

[Talonsbane]

Agreed ... for the torpedo version of bombing.

Personally, the #1 reason I'd have to upgrade to an A2 would be IF I'd be able to substitute the S10 bombs with alcohol kegs with parachutes, so that I could ensure that every TESTie gets thoroughly "bombed" in the most TESTified ways possible during our gatherings. Until then, my C2 will have to suffice in non-hostile zones with my M2 covering the hostile areas. Cheers!

 

[Sky Captain]

...The #1 reason I'd have to upgrade to an A2 would be IF I'd be able to substitute the S10 bombs with alcohol kegs with parachutes...

Now there's an idea that would quadruple the value of the A2!

 

[Ayeteeone]

Ya not upgrading my C2. Was never very convinced that the extra armor of the M2 was worth the loss in cargo capacity and now with the Ironclad it makes even less sense. I am sure the M2 will have a purpose just not sure what it is at the moment.

Breaking News! (and a good laugh!) The friend of mine mentioned in that post took about 30 seconds to upgrade his M2 to an Ironclad Assault for the Princely Sum of $5.

I like the M2 for it's purpose but in his case the upgrade was a genuine steal.

 

[Dirtbag_Leader]

Breaking News! (and a good laugh!) The friend of mine mentioned in that post took about 30 seconds to upgrade his M2 to an Ironclad Assault for the Princely Sum of $5.

And in more breaking news, I also grabbed that $5 CCU, but seems that the Assault has ALREADY increased in price $10, making our $5 worth $15!