#as oposed to present(past) max

[kucka-g]

look at this baby proudly prancing around with his bomb

[mechagalaxy]

KOTM  Lightning Strike (25ton)

Mountain Climbing Mecha Combat

Interview with Cora Soco Hiller(#959778)

Brought to you by ANN, A Newschannell for Mecha Combat

Higlighting the December 3319 Lightning Strike.

A New climb was underway, and this time it was on K4, and 25ton max. I got my Hoplites ready and went to the mountain and claimed the top. Then I had to leave my formation and return to the office. Paulzillas illfated decision to leave me in command as he went on a vacation with the Bunnies had the horrible consequence of paperwork at an unimaginable scale. During my few minutes out the piles had grown to small hills. I wondered how supposedly innate objects could breed at such a rate, perhaps Jorge could develop sterile paperwork when he came back? Digging ineffectively at the stacks I heard the door open, but the paperwork obstructed my view of both the monitors and the door. "Hi boss" Ah Caitlyn. Perhaps she would blast the paperwork to confetti, a stray shot or two to put me in the infirmary would elevate someone else to command. It might cost me an arm and a leg, but seemed cheap at the price. No such luck. She maneuvered around the paper mounds that had sported on the floor and came over to my side of the desk. Holding out a chip she told in a scolding voice; "Boss, what were you thinking? Using Hoplites on K4, they are so outdated my 20 tonners blew them apart without breaking a sweat. The footage is here"

She was of course right. The hype from the Star Factories about the Hoplites linking defensive capabilities is either a boldfaced lie, or they remove those capabilities before selling the mechs to us mercenaries. Going over to the hangar and adjusting my twenties would take some time, perhaps the paperwork would emigrate somewhere else in while I was gone? My modified 20`s got the top easily enough. As there was six hours left to the scramble I went back to the office and saw to my dismay that the paperwork had tripled in size, even Paulzillas massive desk was groaning under the weight. Could I get away? No, the chains of responsibility held me firmly in place.

At the ten minutes to scramble I went back to the mountain and claimed the top.

The field was perhaps not as strong as it had been on K2, but it was plenty strong enough. In addition to me, Caitlyn, Rob and Eric from Star League there was was Goetz, Himmelhan, ChenRobbins and Beagle from the AFF, Allgood and Wiseman from BSLR, Chin, Toenjes and Marszalek from Heroes. Even with strong names as those, I felt that perhaps KiloTone (dragons) and Newburn (Bunnies) would be the strongest competition.

The first minutes was a slugfest, I took and lost the top several times, but then it settled to mostly a duel between me and Newburn. I would beat him about three times out of five, and after twenty minutes he stopped attacking. Could I hope he was out of energy? I was down to my last two supers, the normal Hatorades was consumed already. An attack from Toenjes took the top at the half hour mark, but he was easily dethroned. Perhaps it would end with me at top? At the 45 minute mark Newburn was back and took the top. I don’t know if he had gotten new supers, or just saved his energy. No matter, I blew him easily down. But he retook the top and my counterattack was a failure, swearing to myself I launched a new one, but the light flashed and it was over. I had lost gold by 15 Seconds, but it had been a good fight. Those who stood in piles of debris at the tops and received Nephillax, Gold and invitations to higher mountains this time were:

Div 1 (16 Players): Charles Newburn, Varangian Bunnies (7m,48s) Div 2 (20 Players): Daniel Scott, HF: Special Operations Group (2m,21s) Div 3 (25 Players): Mark K Penner, Zeon (20h,26m) Div 4 (36 Players): Christian Newburn, Warlords of Bunny (15s) Div 5 (29 Players): William Pierce, Heroes Support (16m,27s) Div 6 (33 Players): James Blewitt, Smurf Brigade (1m,2s) Div 7 (37 Players): John Quest, Knights of Chaos (21h,42m) Div 8 (30 Players): Jack Wade, Mad Pork (9s) Div 9 (38 Players): Cora Soco Hiller, today and tomorrow 1 (1m,48s) Div 10 (32 Players): Beowulf1313, Mech Point Acadamy - Squad (3m,34s) Div 11 (10 Players): Stug Hill, 144th Caissan Light Cavallery (10m,37s) Div 12 (15 Players): Tommy Scott, Borg Squad Wars (12h,32m)

Total Players: 321, Total Medals 175 (of 180 possible)

This scramble lasted for around 45 minutes, and there was variable fighting. Two Golds decided last fiften seconds, another six during last fiften minutes. on the other hand, two Golds were held for over 15 hours.

No single clan got more than one Gold, the bunnies got two as a group. No player managed to repeat Gold winning performance this time either.

I got on the horn to try and contact some winner and get an interview. Some were to busy to answer, others I couldn't even get com connection to. There were also those who had been interviewed recently, and my readers would probably want some fresh perspective. Someone tousled my hair and I spun round to an embrace by wife, daughters standing to the side with bronzes. Although it might start to look partisan posting family interviews, when none else step forward, and your wife (Cora Soco Hiller(#959778)) are there...

Sten Hugo Hiller Congratulations on your gold dearest.

Cora Soco Hiller Thank you, you got close to one yourself.

Sten Hugo Hiller Close only count in missile strikes and splash. You started your career back in `09, first Gold was in the December `15 Point Mech Panic, and this was your second?

Cora Soco Hiller Yes, I generally try to participate in all contests, but I have a low tonnage compared to many my level.

Sten Hugo Hiller So I can assume you prefer the limited formats then?

Cora Soco Hiller Actually, I like the unlimited better, as you have to stretch yourself to excel, but I do better in the limited formats.

Sten Hugo Hiller So what are your take on the different limited formats, the weapon types suit you well?

Cora Soco Hiller They are the closest to unlimited, and I don’t do very well, but when you get a bronze agoinst those 50 % heavier than you it is an accomplishment.

Sten Hugo Hiller How about the rainbows then?

Cora Soco Hiller The single is easiest to fill. My hangar have few mechs, and fewer fully upgraded. I think there is five or six mechs difference between my single and my triple rainbow.

Sten Hugo Hiller The third general type is weight limit. Do you like mech type or max tonnage better?

Cora Soco Hiller Max tonnage. That is where you have to fine-tune mechs and placement to get the most out of your resources. Anyone can put a formation full of Hoplites on the board, using six different mech types and getting the most out of them is more of an challenge.

Sten Hugo Hiller That is provided you have those mechs and mechtypes. There was recently a reduction in the number of medals. how do you feel about that change?

Cora Soco Hiller It makes it harder, especially for us in the 12-20 position. But when I manage to get a medal I know I have earned it, not like those who show up in a division and get medals handed out free because a lack of contestants.

Sten Hugo Hiller You mentioned having several not upgraded mechs. Is the resource situation troubling for you?

Cora Soco Hiller You can say that again. I really wish we could get a new clickathlon, resources in the three or four digit range as prices would help many. Leveling up is not really the answer, because you then need new mechs and equipment to stay competative.

Sten Hugo Hiller Going back to the KOTMs for a moment. What would your favorite event be, past, present or future?

Cora Soco Hiller A Niode only event, all mechs, weapons and equipment must be niode. Just kidding. But a serial point mech, Top Row could be interesting.

Sten Hugo Hiller From your mouth to the Developers ears. You have mentioned getting the most out of limited resources. As you have been around and gotten a nice medalcollection to prove it, what mechs/weapons/equipment will you recomend?

Cora Soco Hiller Any weapon having a special ability should be carefully considered. Freeze, and slow will give you time to finish them, crit might take the opposing mech out in a lucky shot. Splash, fork, wide fork and trample is helpful, as long as your target have other mechs nearby. Burn might seem weak, but another hit can ignite the oposing mech. Wild is actually a good ability in my mind. It can help you get more shots on another target and reduce opponents number of mechs faster. The multiples are a nice addition, especially in combination with equipment who enhance it. Kickback is the one that should place the weapon in the sell quee. It doesn’t always, as some of them have so high damagepotential that until you have more weapons, you cant afford to not use them. Equipmentwise, unless you have much more resources than me, you should consider getting items that can be used over a big tonnage range. Then it is just save the different formations after you swap equipment pieces onto them. Mechwise, doing the missions might get you some mechs, keep them and try to upgrade them. Most Niode mechs are much better than same weight Crystal mechs. Personally I try to keep enough light and medium weights (up to 50 ton) upgraded so I can be competitive in at least some of the KOTMs.

Sten Hugo Hiller A very well thought out answer, now do you have any final words?

Cora Soco Hiller It is mothers day you oaf, take me and the girls out for a dinner and a nice cake. I am sure my gift is somewhere in your quarters.

I was not so sure, but I could probably go to powder my nose and get a com back to some subordinate to take care of it.

Upcoming event: King Chrono Bring your best formation to the mountain and get lots of pictures taken with you at, or near the top. Winner will be the one with most points at end, not necessarily the one on the top.

Event ends February 13 between 1500 and 1600 New York Time.