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I'm going to say something that probably won't make much sense, but I'll try anyway. After playing this game for years, I don't think about things like "air braking" and "side shifting" and "nosing up" or "nosing down", or any of the subtler mechanics of the game. I find that the less I think, the more I feel - and that, holds me in good stead online and for me, that's where it matters most.
However, I do advise dedicated noobs to change their airbrake and thrust settings, and leave it after that. They'll figure it out - eventually.
Sometimes, we can over think an issue, or problem and this only makes it harder to do what needs to be done when it matters. I don't like to "think" about wipeout game mechanics. Even 2.51 didn't affect me, the game felt more or less the same - Wipeout feels natural to me. Other racing games, based on reality - don't. Weird as that sounds, it's the truth.
And Icaras... well, she's my baby. I'm still getting personal bests online here and there and I believe anyone can. Just don't foster a defeatist mentality because of 2.51... it aint worth it. This game is too much fun to let an update kill it. We still race online, we still have fun... and eventually, we'll still break some records... maybe.
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I am also an Icaras pilot primarily. After getting max loyalty on Goteki 45 and Feisar, It felt like Icaras had a good balance between both. I still do the occasional mixup and race with Mirage and Harimau, but all my best scores are with Icaras.
The max speed thing I don't think comes into play all too much - the weapons during races help balance everything when used strategically. It's like pilots have said before, its not the craft - its the skills that matter :)
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An updated post (for what its worth)
So now that I'm playing online I'm also seeing a huge influx of Icaras ships. I recently got max loyalty on it and have been working on mastering some harder tracks in reverse phantom. I'm actually finding that assegai and harimau are much better for things like chenghou project, metropia reverse and a few other circuits.
I have a hard time sticking with any team until I have max loyalty across the board :P
Why don't more people play phantom events online? From my limited perspective it seems like venom/flash and sometimes rapier comes down to who gets the weapons first, and who gets lucky. Phantom is more about straight agility and skill with risk/reward regarding absorbs and BR tactics. Maybe that is just me. It seems like if you hit a bomb early on against an icaras lineup, your doomed to never catch up - and god forbid you get eliminated in the 2nd/3rd lap.
Not really hating because like I said i'm primarily an Icaras pilot (over 20 hours flight time with the team) but now that I'm branching out past goteki/feisar it the lower speed classes seem fairly unbalanced in this regard. :/
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For venom/flash icaras is unrestricted the best ship. Thats all. The better handling of feisar/harimau is absolutely no advantage on these speedclasses. On phantom icaras is worse than other ships until you have really great lines. I would explain the fact that there are morelow speed events with every player's preference to play that speed he is best at it because the chance for fun is higher. But that doesnt mean that venom/flash requires less skill. It is a different kind of skill which could be easier to get. But thats only a supposition :p
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Raizza, I agree.
The slower speeds provide a completely different challenge online. definitely not noob speed class. More like, "phantom pro get beat down here" class :D
As for the mechanics... chain BR's and getting air on venom flash - you have to make that air, not just take it for granted as in phantom.
btw, Raizza, when will you next be online? It's been a while since i've had my behind handed to me by you ;)
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Atm im rarely at home due to my final examens. Maybe im once in a week online and then i spend my time alone on the tracks. I think ill settle some speedlap records after having more time and then ill be there for you ;)
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stop it, you're scaring me :D speed laps huh? This means you might have a few more tricks up your sleeve to leave me in the dust (again)... oh dear :) Looking forward to it mate.
Almost forgot, hey - good luck with the exams. Ace 'em, :)