Hi, I am up to the part where the Durandel has to go to Paris to stop the Zaftran attack. Thing is, during recent fights, a wanzer or two has "died", and as a result, I have almost no money to upgrade my wanzers with the new gear that has come in. I tried the simulators, but the 9-12 ones are still to hard to for me. So I came the the conclusion that maybe it has something to do with my wanzers and the way I made them?

Elsa:
Body: Frost C
Arms: Avenir 2
Legs: Zora B2
Weapons: 2 machine guns, I forget which ones
BP: none

Zead, Hermes:
old equipment from last shop upgrade

Latona:
same as Elsa, but Weapons are double Press Needles and a EMP backpack.

Bosch:
old equipment from last shop upgrade, and I made him use a Rifle, and I bought computer upgrades so he has a 3LV in it.

Beck:
old equipment from last shop upgrade.

anyhow, i know it isnt too detailed (ill have to write it up next time i play) but maybe there is a "suggested" way to customize my wanzers and the pilots? thanks in advance!

it sounds like ya got a bunch of parts all hobbled together and their not working real well together. i recommendd building mission-specific wanzers that excell at one particular role each. Elsa is real good with an assualt (+o evasion body, +10% hit arms, +10 or more legs) and a misslier wanzer for Zead.

i recommend:

Elsa: an assualt/gunner

Zead: missiler

Hermes: default repair or custom built into whatever role you want (i made him a sniper).

Latona: default melee role is good. you may want to remove the EMP backpack though for more powerfull malee strikes.

Bosch: deafult recon role works for him.

Beck: i personally like a strong assualt team. he is my assualt wingman to Elsa. i custom built him an assualt.

bottom line is that you can custom build each wanzer yourself or just buy a package deal through wanzer shop. it's up to you.

I don't know which shop your talking about but I have the 3rd shop and I just beat the Megafloat base. If you get a new shop at St 26 then I cannot help you, but my team is working pretty well.

Elsa:Assault(melee/gunner)
Grayeye/Press Needle

Zead:Missile(2)/Bazooka(ya, I have that much power)
Banish/Magicbox/MGR-1B

Hermes:Repairman/SG
RP2E/Forget the SG name

Latona:Melee(2)
Dual Press Needle

Bosch:Sniper
Scrab

Beck:Radio/Missile
Connector/Skull

So far that team is working pretty good, the only thing that needs some work is Beck needs way more power for some decent parts. Everybody linked(except Beck) so were kickin' ass. Latona is my OHW(One Hit Wonder) and her, Hermes and Elsa are my main attack force that get in there and tear through them. Zead and Bosch work under cover and sneakily. Beck works solo so far. I don't know what your strategy is so I can't give you any other pointers. If you try switching to that style it may work out for you alittle better.

If i were you i would do it like this, because this is the best way to do it...keeping their weapons like that is how i beat the game...latter on...if you win the vampire weapon arms...give them to zead because belive me...the last durandal level is gonna be tough

Elsa: Assault Gunner
strongest machine guns you have

Zead: Double Missile
if you can you could also add a weapon to his arms, or add a bazooka..if it can take the weight

Hermes: Repairman
best repair pack you can afford plus machine guns

Latona: Sniper...if you can..buy the skill >aim< its helpful
and equip her with a turbo backpack(if possible) and buy her some ammo for her riffle(best riffle you have)

Bosch: Machine Guns
Keep his sensor...it will come in handy

Beck: Radio/Missile
Connector/Skull


hope it helps...see yah

Here's what I've found has worked for Elsa's team.

Elsa-->Zenith V parts w/FV-24 II machine guns and Averla (or State 20) shotgun. Basically, she's the default double-wielding assault character.

Zead, Beck-->Geity parts w/Blackpanther missiles and a Rock Jack bazooka. The bazooka will allow them to join in links and with the nasty damage the Rock Jack does to enemies, this should help finish them off real quick.

Hermes-->Tatou 2 body, left arm, and leg w/Prosion right arm and either a Crusader or a Last Stake. But get the BEST repair pack you can get.

Latona-->Prosion parts w/Crusader, Last Stake combination, and the BEST repair pack you can get (same as Hermes). With Latona wielding a repair pack, you can have TWO repair units healing everyone else.

Bosch-->Zenith V parts w/two FV-24 II or Artassaut machine guns. I turned him into a double-wielding assault unit so he can have more power to his machine gun attacks, and be able to pull off a Double Shot I to Elsa's Double Shot II.

Equip Elsa, Zead, Bosch, and Beck with turbo packs, and fill them with all the ammo you can get your hands on.

And equip everyone with the absolute BEST skills that you can get, provided they match up with the weapons your pilots already have on their wanzers. You'll have to go into simulator for a while to get everyone up to speed but it's well worth it.