Playstyle really. Why would I bother with Flak when I can just charge away from C4 soldiers. Its pretty obvious when they pull it out. I've never been C4ed when I'm actually paying attention and have charge equipped. Auto-Repair ROCKS. I don't know how many times outfit engies can't get to me, or pubbie engies won't heal you at all. Whats worse, if you shoot them, 99% of them take it personally and start shooting back. Auto-repair keeps me sane, as I play MAX 90% of the time nowadays, and solo-MAXing really depends on nano-repair.
pump pump pump. /&/(/&(/%%&&/ NERF pumpshotguns!!1!! or i just 7shot you with it no need to waste c4 on max
They did pre-Gu08 on a sliver of heatlh. I don't know how much health they have after a hit now. I lot more I would guess
Pre-buff they did, now with the buff they survive with a goodly amount of health left. If I am to believe all that I read, some people said that it leaves you with ~50% health. I have not tested it myself though, so yeah...
all three utilies are a must have now to be honest, i got all of them and you're gonna need them for each and every loadout KINETIC for NC more importantly since we're often being harrassed from mid/long range on AI loadouts AUTOREPAIR for AI loadouts when soloing or if you don't have a dedicated engi FLAK ARMOR for AA loadouts especially or for AV if vehicles are going to fight back at you, if not you can probably pick autorepair i don't know what i'll use mostly once the Aegis shield is in my hands
I personally like Kinetic Armor 5 because I have Maxed Out Passive System; literally, I can grab another Max if I die. Survivability is off the chart as I can kill off a group of infantry (group of 6) losing no more than 50% hp. Double Nebula + extended Mags makes my Max a close range killing machine. I think Kinetic Armor 5 is useful for me since I play my Max like I do with my LA. Ambush/Surprise hard and most HA won't have their rockets out in time. I also like group surprise/ambush because of the following: - Literally shoot each other making kills a lot easier - Slow them down from firing because they do not want to hit their team mate I also pay attention to where engineers are located before going out; therefore, when I get low on HP, I run back knowing they will most likely be in that area or nearby. Matherson's Vanu are excellent repairers and supportive and could not ask for a better server! Kinetic Armor 5 fits my style well compared to flak/nano. Flak, I am exceptionally aware of ambushing LA and somewhat aware of claymores/bouncing betties. If this is your play style, KA5 is the way to go in my opinion.
You can survive TWO C4 with maxed Flak armor. the first rank lets you survive 1 (with a little bit of health)