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I lose more titans to engine explosions (due to other titans exploding in Close Combat) than anything else. I read in the manual that a shield will help some against an engine explosion but I'm using Recon / light mechs now so I don't have the space to spare for anything but a minimal shield.

Another question is if I jump up a level or two before the titan explodes, does that cound as being 1-2 hexes away for damage or do I still take the full brunt of the explosion?

The advantage of getting a green scan is you know where your opponent's engine is and can tell when you're getting close to destroying it ... and can place shots to disable or behead, rather than explode. Of course, for information, rather than shot placement, any of your titans could be doing the scanning. Generally, I always try to disable with my CC titans, then move away while another titan finishes the downed machine off.

I doubt the effect of jumping that you talk about, as as most you can get 60 m away, while two hexes is 666 m, but you'll not have time to actually initiate a jump when you've been warned a titan is going to explode.

I like to go for the legs in cc; once their on the ground you can circle and scan for OXP and finish it off at your liesure.

KiloOhm wrote:I lose more titans to engine explosions (due to other titans exploding in Close Combat) than anything else. I read in the manual that a shield will help some against an engine explosion but I'm using Recon / light mechs now so I don't have the space to spare for anything but a minimal shield.

Another question is if I jump up a level or two before the titan explodes, does that cound as being 1-2 hexes away for damage or do I still take the full brunt of the explosion?

No, jumping won't help, in fact, it'll probably hurt you more, since you'll take the damage from the explosion, plus it will most likely knock you out of the air, so you'll take falling damage, too.

Like the others said, the best way to survive engine explosions is to avoid setting them off in the first place. If your opponent's engine location is getting close to destroyed, back off your CC titans and let someone with some range finish them off, or try called shots to other locations, if you have the skill and/or scan.

Or make sure they explode while they're immersed, you'll only take half damage

Yeah, I know I should just target specific locations but the problem is my guys are green / rookie so they can't target specific parts unless the titan is on the ground (their to hit is usually below 60%). I guess until my guys get a little better I should not go so CC heavy. But I love the damage soooo much!

How do you even target specific loactions?

If your 'to hit' is 85% or higher with a given weapon, and you have a yellow or better scan of your target, you can click the green crosshairs in the left side of your attack window to aim for specific bodyparts. Your 'to hit' will significantly decrease, depending on targeted location, weapon type (energy, cannon or CC - missiles cannot call shots) and distance to target.
Check out the unofficial guide attached in a sticky thread in the main forum for more details.

Oh come on... even Bert the Turtle knows how to survive a little explosion!



DUCK and COVER!:D



From the darker side of Americana: http://chemistry.about.com/cs/history/v/aavid030103.htm

A very good point. I have yet to see a turtle explode.