26 replies to this topic

[xengk]

After receiving a free mech bay on the weekend, I pick up that discounted Protector that I always wanted. The 3 day PT lets me complete Basic on it in half a day.

Now Im in the market for 2 more Orion so that I can unlock Elite, and looking for advice from Orion pilots.

A little back story.
I am primary a medium mech pilot, often in the direct fire support and PPC sniper role.
I don't boat LRM mainly because of my high latency causing me to require extended time to achieve lock. But will install one or two launchers to balance out a build that lack ranged attack.

This is my currently build for the PROTECTOR.
The single PPC is there to give me a little range attack while moving into brawl range to maximize the AC/20, twin ML and ASRM4.

So far I have my eyes on these variant:
ON1-M
ON1-K

Thanks in advance.

[Tahribator]

Welcome to the Orion master race! First, please consider these:

• Take some time to check out its hitboxes. They're really unique and let you control incoming damage precisely, but they will also get you killed/disarmed very quickly if you don't recognize their weakness. Take a look at this.
  
• The standard Orion variants have mostly arm-mounted weaponry, combined with the fact that the Orion arms hang a bit too low for comfort, you will have to expose yourself almost fully every time you engage. Because of this, Orions don't make good long range direct fire support mechs. You will not be able to keep up with the poptarts or numerious hillhumping Stalkers and Jagermechs, which dish damage with almost impunity.
  
• Combine both of the previous points and you have an incredibly tanky mech that is bad at long range fights. This gives them the natural role of brawlers, and indeed they are an absolute beast at brawling. They can mount a decent STD engine for good mobility and mount an absolutely frightening amount of weaponry and DHS on top of that.

Also these are my rules for my Orions:

• Don't mount an XL(sides are extremely easy to take out)
  
• Mount a STD300 minimum for mobility
  
• A lot of heatsinks, if there's one mech you can't afford shutting down with, it's this one.
  
• Do not get caught one vs many, where you can't dictate where you take damage(You'll lose sides quickly). Always face the guy with the big gun.
  
• Fight on level ground.

You already have the Protector which with its hardpoint layout already makes V and M obsolete. VA and K would be my choices, simply because they specialize in their armament. VA makes an excellent SRM brawler and will only get beastier when they fix the SRM issues. K is a great energy boat, able to do heat-efficient combos like AC20+4ML. You might also want to take a look at this thread.

Here's what I use for the variants I just suggested.

• PROTECTOR for an all-rounder, PROTECTOR for my absolutely best brawler in this game,
  
• ON1-K is my mobile brawler. Very effective but low-hanging arms hurt it in maps with lots of elevation.
  
• ON1-VA is a fun SRM brawler, though admittedly not very effective right now.

Edited by Tahribator, 31 March 2014 - 01:05 AM.

[Modo44]

You can do XL Orions, but only with medium- and long-range weapons. Trying to brawl in an XL Orion will get you blown up in a hurry.

My OinK carries AC20+2xLL+2xML, STD295. The alpha is nice, and torso+arm twist enough to put it in reliably. When I feel like some speed, I do AC10+2xPPC+2xML, XL325-340. Both builds use MLs only as backup/alpha increase. The main energy+gun heat is not that bad. (Thank you, Smurfy Weaponlab.)

Another illustration of how to XL Orion is the VA. For semi turret mode, take AC10+2xLL+4xLRM5, XL300. This one just hangs with an assault, and fires nearly constantly at the same targets. You can also do the poor man's Timberwolf with 2xERLL+SRM24, XL350 or 2xERPPC+4xSSRM2, XL325. Those two are more a proof of concept, really not fitting with the current ballistic-heavy meta. Nonetheless, they work OK if you take care to not rush close early. If you like to throw some rain, it will also fit 2xALRM15+2xARLM10+2xML, XL300.

I would only recommend buying the M variant if you have a serious need for another XL300 engine. The Protector can do most things better thanks to the torso energy hardpoint.

Do not LB10-X unless you have other weapons to open up armor. The damage spread is too big, and the range terrible. An upgrade to AC10 is a no-brainer.

Edited by Modo44, 31 March 2014 - 01:37 AM.

[xengk]

Thanks for the replies.

Since the recommendation for the K variant overlaps, it will be the next Orion to add to my stable.
Will pick up a VA later after I store up enough CBill for upgrades and complete basic on the K.

@Tahribator
Thanks for sharing that site, I checked out some of the play video of the K and love how cool running it is.
I assume it have double Basic?
An alpha is only about 28% of the heat cap, and cools right down to 12% by the time you are ready for the next burst.

However, I don't have a STD310 laying around and have to substitute with a spare STD300, add on another ton of ammo and max the armour on legs. (I think 6t is alot for a single AC20)


@Modo44
As much as I love my 5xLRM5 Kintaro days, my days of LRM usage are over due to worsening latency.
Might consider an Alphaboat instead.
ON1-VA -2xPPC, 1xAC/20

I usually use the LBX as a swatter gun to pepper long range target if I dont have any long range weapon or to smack light mech up close. Im not too confident of nailing lights with an AC with my latency, that is a job for my pulse laser and streaks.

Edited by xengk, 31 March 2014 - 02:59 PM.

[Spheroid]

I would skip the M unless you needed a 300XL. The K can be built to many of the same loadouts.

Edited by Spheroid, 31 March 2014 - 07:35 AM.

[Fuggles]

I don't own the protector. That being said I like in this order the V, the K, the VA, and the M I haven't tried because it's hardpoints make my head hurt.

[101011]

This is approximately what I run in my ON1-K: ON1-K
Prior to the reset, I had a 1.61 W/L ratio in it. The key to it is knowing how to use the ST as a shield; the left side of my build has nothing too important on it, allowing you to use it to shield your much more valuable AC/20. Get up close, unload, and make sure you keep that left side facing the enemy. This is, of course, helped by the fact that the LT is bigger than the RT, so people seem to naturally target it.

Edited by 101011, 31 March 2014 - 09:15 AM.

[Tastian]

I ran my V as a Sniper: 2xAC2 and 2xPPC with 325xl and 16 DHS:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b753be7b7020f31

It can be hot and since the PPCs got hotter, I'd probably switch them out for 2 ER Large Lasers and a 350xl:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f98f1c34bb41abc


The K I ran as a missile boat: 2 LRM 15s and 4 Medium Lasers. It was quick like a Heavy and could still keep the lights away with the 4 lasers. The M I sold cause I could never find a successful build for myself.

[Clideb50]

If you want to try a fun Protector build, I'd try this one out. I came across this looking at builds for other 'mechs and decided to give it a try.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...67b199ce430a4cd

More of a DPS build than a high alpha build, but it tears through opponents; especially if you can catch them off guard or by themselves.

[Magos Titanicus]

My Orion Lance:

PROTECTOR


ON1-K


ON1-V



ON1-VA

Edited by Magos Titanicus, 31 March 2014 - 10:54 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

I'm at work so I can't offer my complete specs, but aside from my Protector which has a 325xl, my other two Orions run a 300xl with 2 large lasers+3 LRM15s, and a 300xl with 2 large lasers, ultraAC5, 4 SSRMs+bap

[xengk]

I see a number of the buildout spotting XL engine and the suicidal combo of XL + GR.
It made sense if the build are for ranged engagement but some of them looks like it was made for brawling range.

[Modo44]

Yeah, I took the Gauss Rifle out even from standard engine builds. Putting one in the torso is just asking for trouble, especially with a mech not really suited for sniping.

xengk, on 31 March 2014 - 02:30 AM, said:

ON1-VA -2xPPC, 1xAC/20

This fits on any Orion, BTW. Consider switching to LLs for more speed, better cooling, and more ammo.

BTW, my current Protector has 2xAC5+PPC+2xML. The alpha seems puny, but the combination of speed and DPS can really wreck someone's day. Upgrade with ERPPC to really reach out and touch people.

Edited by Modo44, 02 April 2014 - 07:30 AM.

[LastPaladin]

Get the VA, you won't regret it. I use 1 AC5, 2 PPCs, 4 streaks, and it really cleans up.

[cSand]

I've been really liking the M lately:
1 LPL, 1 SRM 6, 2 MLAS (arms)
2 SRM 4 (torso)
Take out the XL though.. use it on something else!
Watch yourself at long range and stay in cover but once you're in close bring the pain

[Daekar]

My Protector runs the meta: 2xAC5 in the RT and a PPC in the LT and LA. Works surprisingly well.

My K had the traditional 4xML, AC/20, and 2xLRM5, but I swapped the 300STD into my Flame, so now it has a 360XL and 4 LrgLas. Go back and forth on how many should be ER. Even though the arms are low mounted, it works better than I expected. Ghost heat is rough on alpha strikes though. Probably will switch it up when SRMs are fixed.

[xengk]

PROTECTOR
With the improvement to SRM hit detection, I swapped out the lone PPC in the Protector and replace it with a pair of ASRM4.
Sacrificing my sole range attack weapon to force me into a more aggressive playstyle.
The AC/20 is now my "range weapon", using it hit targets at 500m. With 28 shots, I find the load sufficient for a single match, unless it was a drawn out one with many camper/sniper and well into 10+ minutes.

Im comfortable with this build and my average kill count and damage has gone up from before.
Currently working to unlock Master on the P.

[Picone]

Gadzooks why are you running 4xac20 ammo?

I used to run a similar build in terms of ac20, 2xml... srm is still ****** so I ran streaks instead but.

I'm playing with this at the moment. Not saying its ideal but its a lot of fun and I'm actually getting more damage with it than the ac20 builds.

STD300, 2x LL, 1xLRM20+A, 2x MG 1x Flamer

Edit: Protector build. I'm in the market for some variants myself

Tahribator put up some great advice in his first post. Protectors are naturally brawlers so personally I wouldnt run XL or try to snipe in it...

Looking forward to them unfucking the srms. Still LRM20A is deadly don't forget you can fire down to 180m with it. Actually works better at close ranges with artemis. It doesnt have to be a long range support weapon.

Edited by Picone, 19 April 2014 - 01:54 AM.

[xengk]

I usually need about 3t of ammo.
But since I hardly have heat problem with it, so don't need an extra DHS.
An extra 7 shots for me to slap target at 500m for 10 pinpoint damage, not too shabby.

SRM are still far from perfect but they are registering better now and I have score good result with them at my Ping.
However, my Ping is terrible for LRM use so I just cannot use them until there is improvement to my connection.

[Dale Grible]

Just bought my second orion. I have the M done with basic running.....1 gauss (30 rds) 1 LL 2 ML
and 2 srm6 for up close and pesonal engagements. Gauss is great for at range initial engagemments. You could make the LL Er since heat is not a major prob. 290 std for 62.8 kph.

Just had a match at 838 dmg and 3 kills. (Follow that DDC! lol)

Orion is an escort mech, jack of all trades and master of none allowing for different builds but at the end of the day you are a.....PROTECTOR! U do not scout and do not charge 1st into battle. Escort those assaults.

I am working on my V. 1 ac2, 1 ac5, 2 ml and 1 lrm 15. Trying 3 srm 6 but its not that good IMO.

Just understand your mission role and any mech is great.

Orion is tricky but fun