Two questions

[kardar233]

I checked through the FAQ and made a quick search for these, but didn't turn up anything conclusive, so here we go.

1. If a 'Mech lab is implemented, will it work under the same tonnage/criticals system as CBT, so I will essentially be able to make anything I've made in SSW in the game itself?

2. If a 'Mech lab isn't implemented, will we be able to choose from canon configurations and variants? For example, if I want my favoured little toy the HMH-6D as my usual 'Mech, will I have to settle for a -3D as it's the main official model?

If I'm going over old ground, please point me to the thread in question, but I didn't find anything in the searches, so I'm hoping it's fair game.

[Rally]

1. It won't. Here's how it'll be: http://www.youtube.com/user/MechLivingLegends#p/u/11/cRvqRHszJho

2. Until the mechlab is done, there are 4 variants of each mech to chose from. Some of those variants are taken from CBT, others are made up.

[Profane Arbiter]

Interesting vid. It doesn't mention but, any word as to whether we'll be able to adjust engines or armor?

[ThunderHawk819]

Afraid not. what you see is what you get in that area. Engines and armor are totally off limits to modification. The weapons strictly deal with tonnage available plus you cannot remove weapon hardpoints like that of the Cougar, Kodiak, or Atlas. If the aforementioned Mechs come with missiles in their torsos, then you can only remove say, an LRM 20 for LRM 15 ammo instead. I hope I got that right.

[Clownmite]

Afraid not. what you see is what you get in that area. Engines and armor are totally off limits to modification.

Do you know that for a fact? I don't think any of the devs have said anything one way or another on this.

[thedrunkennoob]

Afraid not. what you see is what you get in that area. Engines and armor are totally off limits to modification.

Do you know that for a fact? I don't think any of the devs have said anything one way or another on this.

They have stated that due to limitations in Cryengine, armor levels will not be changeable. Don't know if this has changed. Can't confirm the engine part however.   
Shame. No leg armor stripping for me...

[kardar233]

What about sinks? If I'm going to go for a design change like the Swayback, I'm going to want more than just the in-engine heat sinks.

[Temphage]

Really hoping for engines... the Mad Dog is waaay too slow. In fact I daresay unless you like missile boating, it's the crappiest Heavy we have.

[Profane Arbiter]

Really hoping for engines... the Mad Dog is waaay too slow. In fact I daresay unless you like missile boating, it's the crappiest Heavy we have.

Of the 3 mechs you can get at 60k, I think it's the best choice. I like the catapults jump jets, but their weapon loadouts are fairly crappy. The Warhammer seems a bit low in the armor department and the variants that are good tend to run hot. The Vulture has 3 solid options, the 2 cgauss, the 4 dual streak SRMs, and the 4 LRM20s, each a good choice on this or that map in this or that situation. The vulture also has uninhibited torso twisting, so it can run at full speed away while still shooting directly behind itself. The absolute only thing I wish the vulture had was jump jets.

To that point...will we be able to add or remove equipment like jump jets, heat sinks ECM, AMS BAP, MASC etc?