SawzAll

I've spent about $1,000 total on this game over the course of 2 years.
I've seen the promise of balancing frantic brute but the numbers that it was assigned when it was "balanced" actually make it more unbalanced (i.e. less random).  You can waltz into the arena with an almost completely divine, almost completely premium team you spend untold hours perfecting and they can destroy you just by basically mashing buttons.
And before you say it, no, I'm not building counters specific to frantic brute because my luck dictates that the moment I do, I meet the worst possible teams that don't use frantic brute.  I always build balanced and I try to build META.
Until frantic brute is ACTUALLY balanced, I am done spending any money on this game.  The way to do this is very freaking simple: make it a 2 shot Spartan Carnage.  That way Spartan is significantly better (you know, like, PREMIUM?!).
To those who would say that this might piss off many players, honestly every "balance" update we've had pissed off someone, so it doesn't matter.  It's not like there aren't a dozen other things about this game that are freaking annoying anyways.
And by the way, if you wonder how I almost never end up at rank 1 with a rank 1 inventory, it's because I simply don't feel like this game is worth hours of my time.  I do my five daily, that's it.
So there it is.  I said it.  Until that item is balanced, I'm done spending money on SM.  This isn't an ultimatum, just an expression of my decision.  To be honest, stuff like this makes me feel like I'm an idiot for spending money on this game.  So maybe if that's true and I'm an idiot for spending money on SM, I should wise up and stop spending money on this game.  Pretty easy solution.

I've spent about $1,000 total on this game over the course of 2 years.
I've seen the promise of balancing frantic brute but the numbers that it was assigned when it was "balanced" actually make it more unbalanced (i.e. less random).  You can waltz into the arena with an almost completely divine, almost completely premium team you spend untold hours perfecting and they can destroy you just by basically mashing buttons.
And before you say it, no, I'm not building counters specific to frantic brute because my luck dictates that the moment I do, I meet the worst possible teams that don't use frantic brute.  I always build balanced and I try to build META.
Until frantic brute is ACTUALLY balanced, I am done spending any money on this game.  The way to do this is very freaking simple: make it a 2 shot Spartan Carnage.  That way Spartan is significantly better (you know, like, PREMIUM?!).
To those who would say that this might piss off many players, honestly every "balance" update we've had pissed off someone, so it doesn't matter.  It's not like there aren't a dozen other things about this game that are freaking annoying anyways.
And by the way, if you wonder how I almost never end up at rank 1 with a rank 1 inventory, it's because I simply don't feel like this game is worth hours of my time.  I do my five daily, that's it.
So there it is.  I said it.  Until that item is balanced, I'm done spending money on SM.  This isn't an ultimatum, just an expression of my decision.  To be honest, stuff like this makes me feel like I'm an idiot for spending money on this game.  So maybe if that's true and I'm an idiot for spending money on SM, I should wise up and stop spending money on this game.  Pretty easy solution.

I've spent about $1,000 total on this game over the course of 2 years.
I've seen the promise of balancing frantic brute but the numbers that it was assigned when it was "balanced" actually make it more unbalanced (i.e. less random).  You can waltz into the arena with an almost completely divine, almost completely premium team you spend untold hours perfecting and they can destroy you just by basically mashing buttons.
And before you say it, no, I'm not building counters specific to frantic brute because my luck dictates that the moment I do, I meet the worst possible teams that don't use frantic brute.  I always build balanced and I try to build META.
Until frantic brute is ACTUALLY balanced, I am done spending any money on this game.  The way to do this is very freaking simple: make it a 2 shot Spartan Carnage.  That way Spartan is significantly better (you know, like, PREMIUM?!).
To those who would say that this might piss off many players, honestly every "balance" update we've had pissed off someone, so it doesn't matter.  It's not like there aren't a dozen other things about this game that are freaking annoying anyways.
And by the way, if you wonder how I almost never end up at rank 1 with a rank 1 inventory, it's because I simply don't feel like this game is worth hours of my time.  I do my five daily, that's it.
So there it is.  I said it.  Until that item is balanced, I'm done spending money on SM.  This isn't an ultimatum, just an expression of my decision.  To be honest, stuff like this makes me feel like I'm an idiot for spending money on this game.  So maybe if that's true and I'm an idiot for spending money on SM, I should wise up and stop spending money on this game.  Pretty easy solution.

I've spent about $1,000 total on this game over the course of 2 years.
I've seen the promise of balancing frantic brute but the numbers that it was assigned when it was "balanced" actually make it more unbalanced (i.e. less random).  You can waltz into the arena with an almost completely divine, almost completely premium team you spend untold hours perfecting and they can destroy you just by basically mashing buttons.
And before you say it, no, I'm not building counters specific to frantic brute because my luck dictates that the moment I do, I meet the worst possible teams that don't use frantic brute.  I always build balanced and I try to build META.
Until frantic brute is ACTUALLY balanced, I am done spending any money on this game.  The way to do this is very freaking simple: make it a 2 shot Spartan Carnage.  That way Spartan is significantly better (you know, like, PREMIUM?!).
To those who would say that this might piss off many players, honestly every "balance" update we've had pissed off someone, so it doesn't matter.  It's not like there aren't a dozen other things about this game that are freaking annoying anyways.
And by the way, if you wonder how I almost never end up at rank 1 with a rank 1 inventory, it's because I simply don't feel like this game is worth hours of my time.  I do my five daily, that's it.
So there it is.  I said it.  Until that item is balanced, I'm done spending money on SM.  This isn't an ultimatum, just an expression of my decision.  To be honest, stuff like this makes me feel like I'm an idiot for spending money on this game.  So maybe if that's true and I'm an idiot for spending money on SM, I should wise up and stop spending money on this game.  Pretty easy solution.

I've spent about $1,000 total on this game over the course of 2 years.
I've seen the promise of balancing frantic brute but the numbers that it was assigned when it was "balanced" actually make it more unbalanced (i.e. less random).  You can waltz into the arena with an almost completely divine, almost completely premium team you spend untold hours perfecting and they can destroy you just by basically mashing buttons.
And before you say it, no, I'm not building counters specific to frantic brute because my luck dictates that the moment I do, I meet the worst possible teams that don't use frantic brute.  I always build balanced and I try to build META.
Until frantic brute is ACTUALLY balanced, I am done spending any money on this game.  The way to do this is very freaking simple: make it a 2 shot Spartan Carnage.  That way Spartan is significantly better (you know, like, PREMIUM?!).
To those who would say that this might piss off many players, honestly every "balance" update we've had pissed off someone, so it doesn't matter.  It's not like there aren't a dozen other things about this game that are freaking annoying anyways.
And by the way, if you wonder how I almost never end up at rank 1 with a rank 1 inventory, it's because I simply don't feel like this game is worth hours of my time.  I do my five daily, that's it.
So there it is.  I said it.  Until that item is balanced, I'm done spending money on SM.  This isn't an ultimatum, just an expression of my decision.  To be honest, stuff like this makes me feel like I'm an idiot for spending money on this game.  So maybe if that's true and I'm an idiot for spending money on SM, I should wise up and stop spending money on this game.  Pretty easy solution.

I've spent about $1,000 total on this game over the course of 2 years.
I've seen the promise of balancing frantic brute but the numbers that it was assigned when it was "balanced" actually make it more unbalanced (i.e. less random).  You can waltz into the arena with an almost completely divine, almost completely premium team you spend untold hours perfecting and they can destroy you just by basically mashing buttons.
And before you say it, no, I'm not building counters specific to frantic brute because my luck dictates that the moment I do, I meet the worst possible teams that don't use frantic brute.  I always build balanced and I try to build META.
Until frantic brute is ACTUALLY balanced, I am done spending any money on this game.  The way to do this is very freaking simple: make it a 2 shot Spartan Carnage.  That way Spartan is significantly better (you know, like, PREMIUM?!).
To those who would say that this might piss off many players, honestly every "balance" update we've had pissed off someone, so it doesn't matter.  It's not like there aren't a dozen other things about this game that are freaking annoying anyways.
And by the way, if you wonder how I almost never end up at rank 1 with a rank 1 inventory, it's because I simply don't feel like this game is worth hours of my time.  I do my five daily, that's it.
So there it is.  I said it.  Until that item is balanced, I'm done spending money on SM.  This isn't an ultimatum, just an expression of my decision.  To be honest, stuff like this makes me feel like I'm an idiot for spending money on this game.  So maybe if that's true and I'm an idiot for spending money on SM, I should wise up and stop spending money on this game.  Pretty easy solution.

My opinion, if you need basically everything and especially arena coins, this is your deal.  If you have at least 2 full fortress mechs and need random stuff that usually isn't in a deal, this is for you.  For those who need fortresses or specific items, probably wait.

My opinion, if you need basically everything and especially arena coins, this is your deal.  If you have at least 2 full fortress mechs and need random stuff that usually isn't in a deal, this is for you.  For those who need fortresses or specific items, probably wait.

My opinion, if you need basically everything and especially arena coins, this is your deal.  If you have at least 2 full fortress mechs and need random stuff that usually isn't in a deal, this is for you.  For those who need fortresses or specific items, probably wait.

My opinion, if you need basically everything and especially arena coins, this is your deal.  If you have at least 2 full fortress mechs and need random stuff that usually isn't in a deal, this is for you.  For those who need fortresses or specific items, probably wait.

On our side it said $20

On our side it said $20

Thanks everyone for responding. I ran several simulations in workshop unlimited comparing hollow spectral armor to energy -free armor. Because energy free has better heat statistics and is lighter in weight I found that I was able to just put another Platinum armor module on my physical mech and it would usually be either equal or slightly better than fighting it against the same physical mech but with Holo spectral armor.
 
So for now I'm going to build some generic legendary items and when I have enough I'm going to upgrade the energy free and then turn it into mythical and use it temporarily in my physical mech because it is technically better than Zarkares.
that way if I get a monkey torso later I can save this armor for an energy free build. But I found that if I just stack the heat and energy modules slightly differently this torso seems to work out good on paper and in WU.
the only person I saw in the top 10 that was using energy free armor was using it as an energy free heat build. I think that it's possible that if I build it right I could do an energy free heat hugger or close to it.

you can get R1 with it. I use the item in different configurations. 👍

I will be brave and say that the toxicity won't be missed from the old forum.
However, there was a lot of good information on the old forum that we need to make sure we provide on the new forum.
So I hope people start writing threads about random things.

I'm going to say it right now:
If you're new to the game, defense matrix is a great deal for you if you don't have enough fortresses to run 3 mechs in full META mode.
I've gotten to R2 with 3 x defense matrix in 3v3 heat.
BUT if you don't need a defense matrix, this deal isn't the best for you.  In that case, save for fortress/quad/overload deals.

Thanks bro.

I'm going to say it right now:
If you're new to the game, defense matrix is a great deal for you if you don't have enough fortresses to run 3 mechs in full META mode.
I've gotten to R2 with 3 x defense matrix in 3v3 heat.
BUT if you don't need a defense matrix, this deal isn't the best for you.  In that case, save for fortress/quad/overload deals.

I'm going to say it right now:
If you're new to the game, defense matrix is a great deal for you if you don't have enough fortresses to run 3 mechs in full META mode.
I've gotten to R2 with 3 x defense matrix in 3v3 heat.
BUT if you don't need a defense matrix, this deal isn't the best for you.  In that case, save for fortress/quad/overload deals.

Any BASE FACTORY at L20? Maybe can provide a torso epic or legend. It is expensive but can help the risk. I do not remember your grinding habit. Any grinding to get fortune boxes? 
Maybe this can help to collect fortune boxes to get a torso. Click on Conclusion and will take you there. 
 

I am posting this specifically to catalog good builds that have a future in top ranks, possibly.  This is basically a list of past and present META mechs but in a middle ranks form that doesn't have a lot of premiums.  This is basically a list that I believe will help middle rank players prioritize what they upgrade so that they can get to top ranks faster.
Note that I will be using monkey torsos because monkey torsos basically rule the middle ranks.  You'll stay at rank 6/7 with these builds.  This is basically the step right before you would end up getting a vest and max protector / defense matrix and ending up in rank 4-5, or whatever other premium resistance, etc.  This list assumes monkey torsos but no quad cores or overload preventors (no big deal: you can substitute for the modules below as you see fit).
These will particularly be immune to the average energy mech if you max the modules out.
Avatar-style boiler:

Mid-ranks heat damage #1:

Heat Damage #2:

Note that I believe heat point is better than heat protector drone but it may or may not work out for you.
Your average energy drainer:

Note: I believe face shocker is a bit better, but it depends on whether you can tolerate the 3 turn thing.
Claw Physical from old META:

My own "all range" physical that worked remarkably well in mid ranks (especially against energy mechs)

Obviously you can substitute another frantic if you want, or reckless plus night eagle, but this one worked very well against middle rank energy players (assuming they didn't have a krap ton of premiums)
Untested Dual Nightfall
 

I have not tested this, but I have faced this in the arena once or twice.  I can't remember who played it, but dual nightfall is genius.  Night eagle helps keep people out of frantic range, and back breaker is only used to knock people into nightfall range.  So this is a testing build.
Once you get premium resistance, you'll "graduate" out of this "middle ranks META".  (This isn't META, by the way.)  But it was an idea for people who want to upgrade stuff.  The avatar style boiler only gets better with premiums, and can beat some of the hard RAID and gold portal levels.  As well it will help you beat 1v1 campaign.
Everything else is just your "average" example.
Again, this isn't META, this is just a helpful idea post.  I have tested all of these except the dual nightfall and they work great in middle ranks.
EDIT: some caveats though, really quick:
First, I only run rounded in the arena, that's just me.  I don't play the whole game of running soft counters and then trying to use matchmaking.  This means that I had a bunch of maxed modules, so when I got MPV and some defense matrices, I literally shot up from rank 7 to rank 4.  Rounded is just how I roll.  Not saying soft counters aren't valid, it's just not me.
Second, I would intentionally run a randomizer in the arena in terms of what mechs I picked in middle ranks.  This is because I would get at least 1 win per day of someone who either picked the wrong mechs or tried to switch mechs to compensate.  I was taught if someone switches mechs, I should switch mechs too.  This means one win per day was someone quitting out because they picked the wrong mechs.
If you want to run soft counters or hard counters, this is not the list for you.  Nothing wrong with counters, I'm just not into them.

My opinion, the fastest way is with all level 20 gold mines in the base.
Build commons and power kits.
Then what I do is upgrade 4 commons to 3 x level 10 and one level 5, then use that to max a rare power kit.
Then I use the rare power kit to upgrade the items.  Like when they're myth.
I can build like almost 4 legendaries in a day that way.
But when I build legendaries I upgrade an epic items by using one max rare power kit and then 3 x level 10 common power kit and one level 8 common power kit.

False, I do not live in a subway station.
The next person runs dual frantic brute.

My opinion, the fastest way is with all level 20 gold mines in the base.
Build commons and power kits.
Then what I do is upgrade 4 commons to 3 x level 10 and one level 5, then use that to max a rare power kit.
Then I use the rare power kit to upgrade the items.  Like when they're myth.
I can build like almost 4 legendaries in a day that way.
But when I build legendaries I upgrade an epic items by using one max rare power kit and then 3 x level 10 common power kit and one level 8 common power kit.

That's not how it works.  You made a claim, now back it up.