==========================================
MechAssault (Xbox) - Elemental Guide

Author: Frank Provo ([email protected])
GameFAQs Username: mosaic
Version: 1.0
Date: September 19, 2003
==========================================

Table of Contents

[1] Introduction
[2] Basic Specs
[3] Elemental 101
[4] Weapons In-Depth
[5] Vs. Other Mechs
[6] Game Type Tactics
[7] FAQs
[8] Acknowledgments

---------------
1. Introduction
---------------

The Elemental is the big joke of MechAssault. Only new players that are
unfamiliar with the fact that the Elemental is just a power suit are
likely to choose it, along with a few folks looking for a wacky change
of pace from their usual serious mechs.

I don't mind if other sites reprint this guide, provided my name stays
with it and none of the text is altered.

If you care to disagree with anything I've put in the guide or have
changes to recommend, feel free to e-mail me and I'll do my best to
incorporate them.

--------------
2. Basic Specs
--------------

Mech Name: Elemental
Class: Power Armor
Weight: 5 tons
Armor: 1013
Size: Tiny
Speed: 13 mph (woo!)
Cooldown: 9 seconds
Offense: (energy)     Pulse Laser x1
        (missile)    Crossbow Missile x2
Defense: Jump Jets

An Elemental does not leave behind salvage items.

----------------
3. Elemental 101
----------------

If you're insane enough to use an Elemental, then you need to keep your
wits about you if you want to survive. The Elemental isn't particularly
speedy, but its size and jump jets do make it a little more maneuverable
than your typical heavy and large mechs. Size is the Elemental's only
advantage -- it's so small that you'll usually be ignored in a heated
battle. Only if someone notices you in their targeting reticule will they
bother to attack.

Of course, if they do attack, you're probably toast unless the opponent is
launching Crossbows.

Stay on the outskirts of the battle and try to steal kills -- that's what
the Elemental is good for in Destruction and Not It matches. Assuming that
you're trying to gather kills that is. Perching atop hills and buildings is
a great way to "blend in." Many people play the Elemental as a way to explore
a level, which isn't a terrible idea. Attacking another mech directly in an
Elemental is a sure way to welcome death. If you can't run away from a fight,
then dive right in and try to hide at the feet of your opponent. At least
you'll be amused as they jink about trying to find you.

On dark maps, such as Junkyard and Demolition Town, an Elemental is slightly
more useful ... which isn't saying much.

-------------------
4. Weapons In-Depth
-------------------

** PULSE LASER X1 - Energy Weapon

Pros: None
Cons: Low Damage per Shot, Low Accuracy

LVL 1 - Amount: ---, Damage: 15 , Damage Per Second: approx. 57
LVL 2 - Amount: 100, Damage: 17 , Damage Per Second: approx. 75
LVL 3 - Amount:  67, Damage: 16 , Damage Per Second: approx. 99

Pulse Lasers are most effective as a close-range weapon, and a close-range
battle is an Elemental's worst nightmare. Even against the weakest true
mech, you'll need to fire your Pulse Laser for 47 seconds before they core
breach. If you're trying to stay hidden, the Pulse Laser is good because
it gives an opponent less time to orient to your position.

** CROSSBOW X2 - Missile Weapon

Pros: Above Average Accuracy Close to Mid-Range
Cons: High Heat (for Elemental)

LVL 1 - Amount: ---, Damage:  87
LVL 2 - Amount: 100, Damage: 122
LVL 3 - Amount:  78, Damage: 158

Unfortunately, every shot you take with the Crossbows eats up a bar of heat,
and the Elemental has the worst heat capacity of any mech in the game.
You'll overheat after 14 straight volleys if you don't pause to cool down
in between. That may be enough to take out a weak mech, like a Corvus or
Raven... if the pilot stands perfectly still. Nonetheless, the fire rate of
the Crossbows may allow you to steal a kill or two in Destruction and Not It
matches. The downside is that a stream of Crossbows completely reveals your
position -- it's like an explosive "kick me" sign.

** Jump Jets - Defensive Weapon

An Elemental can activate its Jump Jets for 3 full seconds. After that, they
take 2 seconds to recharge. Unfortunately, the jump jets aren't as strong as
those found on larger mechs, so you won't be able to fly onto the top of
some surfaces you would in say a Puma or Catapult. If you're trying to run
away from an attacker, the jump jets come in handy -- run backwards in a zig
zag fashion and use your jets to fly unpredictably. The Elemental's tiny size
will make it tough for an enemy to hit you ... unless they have missiles or
PPCs anyway.

For people who just want to mess around and have fun, the Elemental's jump
jets are its saving grace. You can use them to land on top of other mechs,
sometimes hitching rides. You can use them to leap into salvage piles and
take power-ups away from other players... attracting either their ire or
their whimsy.

BTW, have you ever noticed that if you pause and unpause (hit Start) at the
Apex of your jump jets, that you can fly even higher until they run out?

------------------
5. Vs. Other Mechs
------------------

** Atlas

Missiles will kill you.

** Belial

Missiles or Gauss will kill you.

** Bowman

Warhammers will kill you.

** Catapult et al

Dead.

You get the idea. If you're going to take on another mech, make it another
Elemental, or maybe a Corvus. You probably won't win that fight, but the
Corvus' lack of missiles means that you may actually do a measurable amount
of damage.

--------------------
6. Game Type Tactics
--------------------

** Destruction

Attack smokers and steal kills.

** Team Destruction

Your teammates will probably destroy you, or ask you to leave.

** Last Man Standing

Chances are, you'll be one of the final two or three standing at the end.
Maybe the other mech will be badly damaged and you'll be able to finish it
off for the win. If not, you're toast.

** Team Last Man

Your teammates will probably ask you to sit in the corner, while they
make a note to never play with you again.

** Not It!

Attack smokers and steal kills. Not It is one of the few modes where
playing an Elemental is somewhat acceptable. Sure, everyone that
becomes it will pick on you if you're nearby, but you'll also be able
to score a few points during an average 15 minute match.

** Capture the Flag

I don't play much CTF, but it seems to me that the Elemental would make a
great runner -- until it took the flag and was blown up by a Promee's
Warhammer or a Rag's Javelin missiles. Yeah, the host will probably boot
you out of the room.

** Giant Killers

You have no choice but to use an Elemental in this mode. Since it's you
and a bunch of other Elementals against a larger mech, you can forget any
strategy and just launch missile after missile at your target. If they
start gunning for you, though, hide behind something.

-------
7. FAQs
-------

Q. Is this guide a joke?

A. Yes and no. Sure, no one in their right mind picks an Elemental,
but those that do are usually trying to spice up the game a little.
I respect that.

Q. What maps is the Elemental good on?

A. If you're trying to stay alive, any map is fine -- just find a
high spot to perch on or wait around the corner from the battle. Maps
with low visibility, such as Demolition Town, Junkyard, Frosty, and Hell's
Kitchen make it possible for an Elemental to hide right in plain sight.

------------------
8. Acknowledgments
------------------

Thank you FASA Studio, Day 1 Studios, and Microsoft Game Studios for
making this game.

I'll add contributors names / emails / whatevers here once I get a few
emails.


    FAQ Copyright (c) 2003 Frank Provo. All Rights Reserved.

You are viewing proxied material from gopher.endangeredsoft.org. The copyright of proxied material belongs to its original authors. Any comments or complaints in relation to proxied material should be directed to the original authors of the content concerned. Please see the disclaimer for more details.