41 replies to this topic

[FrostCollar]

So, I've got Ravens, I've got Cicadas, I've got Centurions, I've got Hunchbacks, I even had a dalliance with the Spider. However, in the current meta none of these mechs are all that fun. As a light I'm capping more than ever before and not enjoying the boredom of that, but skirmishing with heavier mechs is deadlier than ever before. However, I've got a fair about of CBills sitting around waiting for a use.

So, tell me - what Heavy or Assault chassis would you suggest I pick up?

[Koreanese]

cataphract 3D

[Roughneck45]

For the meta right now? Cata 3D or Highlander 732.

In general? Highlanders, Atlases, and Stalkers are all solid choices. Cataphracts are the best heavies, but the others can be quite a bit of fun as well.

[Alekzander Smirnoff]

I love my HGN-733C, I use this build. Its basically an atlas -10 tons, -ecm, with JJ. Kills up close!

[Pater Mors]

Alekzander Smirnoff, on 29 April 2013 - 01:46 PM, said:

I love my HGN-733C, I use this build. Its basically an atlas -10 tons, -ecm, with JJ. Kills up close!

This. Best match last night netted me 720 damage, 2 kills and 6 assists. I don't run jump jets though and plan on dropping the AC/20 for 2x UAC5 and 2x LL when I am not poor.

[tayhimself]

Cataphract 3D - followed by the 1X and 2X.
-OR-
Highlander - the 733C variant or a sniper 732.
-OR-
Stalker if you're dying to try 6 PPC or 4 ERPPC.

Aside: the 733C variant I use is similar to Bishop Steiner and One Medic Army (search their posts) rather than the one posted here. This one is more brawl oriented while the one I use is more ranged. Either way, the HGN's are fun mechs and the Heavy Metal is a fun hero.

[Skyfaller]

You cant go wrong with either the stalker 3F or the 5S (same mech really except the 3F has 1 ams and torso twists 90 degrees while the S has 2 AMS and torso twist is 60 degrees).

Brutal firepower, ample tonnage to equip it.

[Merky Merc]

Cataphracts can go, nearly, as fast as hunchbacks and they don't vaporize immediately. And stuff.

[Tennex]

heavy class is very versicle.

if you like to be a ******* tank. play heavies.
assaults might be too foreign for your tastes

[Skyfaller]

assaults soak more damage than heavies though. Heck I take beatings in my stalker that would take down two jagers or catapults and I keep truckin'.

Personally the only heavy I think is worth bothering using is the catapult. Jumpjets, missiles, energy weps..very mobile, well armored, packs a punch and versatile. The other heavies have glaring weaknesses ... the jager for example just sucks horribly in shoulder armor rating.. once you know where to aim you can blow the shoulders off them in just one or 2 hits depending on your loadout. Dragons are nimble but their legs are very weakly protected. Cataphracts are stout and are well armored, armed and mobile.. but they're just big fat easy to hit and even easier to aim for individual sections which makes it a joy to be able to focus all fire on a specific section and pop it off.

[Bishop Steiner]

Jager-DD with Dual AC/20 and Mediums is like the Hunchback/Centurion from Hell.

Cataphracts are among the best combos of speed/ armor and firepower in the game (and of course the 3D has JJ)

The Highlander does pretty much everything an Atlas can... and jumps to boot, giving it far better maneuverability.

[ZonbiBadger]

Sell me on an Assault says the Steiner haha.

[DukeDublin]

If you like it fast pick up the 'might-as-well-be-a-medium'' Dragon. Strap a gauss in the arm of a 1C or 3 Ac2's in a 5N and you've got a powerful striker. Make sure to fit nothing smaller than a 300 atleast! Always use every hardpoint and always XL the engine.

The Dragon is accredited to a flexible role that I can only describe as 'jack-of-all-trades'.

[Blue Hymn]

I'll offer a different suggestion.

Buy an Awesome 8Q. It has great torso twist and a wide field of firing angle, especially with the arm. The cockpit view also provides a wide range of vision for your sides, so you have a better situational awareness of your surrounding. Not only that, most Awesomes, when configured properly can run past 60kph and can take out people from a distance if you're good with lasers. It's much more suited for a support role, but it can used to devastating effect for your team.

Ballistics and wide center hitbox are its only flaws, so make sure to use cover accordingly if you're being fired at.

[Takony]

Heavy: (didn't try Jager, Dragon)
Cataphract 3D, you can try everything on it from XL-s to STD engines, from dual UAC5 to AC20+ERPPC, gauss, you name it, can be a potpart, can be a jump-brawler, really neat, my favourite heavy (I use it with AC20 RT ERPPC LT 2ML R/LA JJ STD 280 or 300).
Torso weapon mounts are in high position, mostly, if you can see it you can shoot it, very important aspect of mech handling.
Also very good speed and mobility with JJ-s (1 is usually enpugh for jump-turning or traversing obstacles, 2 is enough for almost everything).

Catapults: you can fit every cheese build on them, 2xAC20 K2, 4xPPC K2, 6xSRM6/4 A1, streak-cat, etc, and it is a nice chassis, very viable with XL engines (XL 300 most versatile). I went for A1, K2, C1 . Weapon mounts also high, paired with low profile. But cockpit is huge, expect to be headshotted more often than in other mechs.

Jager: I was spoiled by Catapult+XL+JJ, so when I learned that Jager has too wide side torso, I refrained from buying it. Still many nice builds on it, and the ever-present AC40 of course .

Assault: (never tried Stalker or Awesome)
Atlas is nice but with the SRM nerf, it is a bit meek.
Highlander: I was reluctant to buy it, but I am kinda pleased now. The arm-mounted AC20/Gauss doesn't get blown off so soon as in the case of an Atlas, and the torso mounted energy weapons are fairly high positioned, to help you with shooting over obstacles, whereas the Atlas shoots from its behind, arm mounted energy weapons are positioned too low.
JJ helps to spread damage: you can shield yourself with your legs, in addition to your arms as well, so don't skimp (too much) armor on legs.
My only gripe on the Highlander is that the cockpit view is crap (too much bars, side fins are too obtrusive), but nervermind.

Observation on Stalker: the fact that damage intended for the CT spreads between all three torso parts makes Stalkers quite sturdy with STD engines. Aim for the ears, kill it from he sides! Also low profile, high mounted weapon slots.

Have fun, and don't be suprised that asasults are just as "fragile" as other weight classes, but or a different reason: you are slow and easy to hit, so spread that damage.

Edited by Takony, 30 April 2013 - 12:32 AM.

[Kahoumono]

I would suggest the catapract or jager for you. The jager is my go to mech. I am also stuck with what mech to buy. I have all mastered except highlander, stalker, awesome, dragon, cicada, jenner and spider. None of those really appeal to me.

[Kiiyor]

Awesome 9m.

Because it costs a zillion-bajillion dollars. Because it is as sleek and graceful as a forty foot high metal turnip. Because it attracts attention like a man in a prison wearing only a gee-string and a pair of pink cowboy boots while waving a fist full of 20's around. Because it's hardpoint load out is utterly bizarre. Because with an XL380 you can keep pace with most mediums and remain as survivable as anyone running a standard engine, as your Oprah fat CT will have been vaporised long before your STs ever take critical damage.

Because if you can persevere with its shortcomings, it will make you a better pilot. An AWESOME pilot. You'll look at all those other fancy gits prancing around in their venerable Atlases or fantastically overgunned Stalkers and scoff at how easy they have it. I like to think of the Atlas as assault mech training wheels. In an Awesome, YOUR TRAINING WHEELS ARE MADE OF C4 DRENCHED IN NITROGLYCERINE.

YOUR VICTORIES WILL BE EARNED IN BLOOD. Mostly yours, but still. I should be in sales.

[Pater Mors]

Kiiyor, on 30 April 2013 - 05:11 AM, said:

Awesome 9m.

Because it costs a zillion-bajillion dollars. Because it is as sleek and graceful as a forty foot high metal turnip. Because it attracts attention like a man in a prison wearing only a gee-string and a pair of pink cowboy boots while waving a fist full of 20's around. Because it's hardpoint load out is utterly bizarre. Because with an XL380 you can keep pace with most mediums and remain as survivable as anyone running a standard engine, as your Oprah fat CT will have been vaporised long before your STs ever take critical damage.

Because if you can persevere with its shortcomings, it will make you a better pilot. An AWESOME pilot. You'll look at all those other fancy gits prancing around in their venerable Atlases or fantastically overgunned Stalkers and scoff at how easy they have it. I like to think of the Atlas as assault mech training wheels. In an Awesome, YOUR TRAINING WHEELS ARE MADE OF C4 DRENCHED IN NITROGLYCERINE.

YOUR VICTORIES WILL BE EARNED IN BLOOD. Mostly yours, but still. I should be in sales.

[Villz]

Depends what you want it for.
1) Overall:
Probably the 3F stalker tbh either 6 Large Lasers or 4 PPCs and 2medium lasers

2) Brawling:
DDC all the way baby. 2xlarge lasers 3xASRM6's and an AC-20. Nothing wins face to face 1v1 vs that

3) Sniping
Highlander all day drop sniper god

[Mafalin]

Kiiyor, on 30 April 2013 - 05:11 AM, said:

Awesome 9m.

Because it costs a zillion-bajillion dollars. Because it is as sleek and graceful as a forty foot high metal turnip. Because it attracts attention like a man in a prison wearing only a gee-string and a pair of pink cowboy boots while waving a fist full of 20's around. Because it's hardpoint load out is utterly bizarre. Because with an XL380 you can keep pace with most mediums and remain as survivable as anyone running a standard engine, as your Oprah fat CT will have been vaporised long before your STs ever take critical damage.

Because if you can persevere with its shortcomings, it will make you a better pilot. An AWESOME pilot. You'll look at all those other fancy gits prancing around in their venerable Atlases or fantastically overgunned Stalkers and scoff at how easy they have it. I like to think of the Atlas as assault mech training wheels. In an Awesome, YOUR TRAINING WHEELS ARE MADE OF C4 DRENCHED IN NITROGLYCERINE.

YOUR VICTORIES WILL BE EARNED IN BLOOD. Mostly yours, but still. I should be in sales.

Damnit, now I want an Awesome!