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Little Help With Mediums?


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#1 Riverboat Sam

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Posted 12 September 2014 - 10:12 PM

I'm a few months into this game. I leveled up three Jenners first, then three Kitfoxes, and finally three Adders. I finished mastering my Adder Prime just tonight. I was scoring 300 to 500 damage a game and getting at least one kill most games.

Well, now I've taken the step up to my Novas. I'm working on leveling them up and it's like I've started all over again. Getting stuffed match after match. Only getting about 50 damage a match.

I'm running a Nova with 2xLPL and 2xERML plus two additional heat sinks. Seems a good balance of weapons.

Any suggestions on transitioning from lights to mediums? I could use all the help I can get!

#2 UrsusMorologus

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Posted 12 September 2014 - 10:33 PM

I've recently switched from Firestarters to Shadowhawks and had the same problem--lack of speed really makes it difficult to avoid damage, and lack of hit-points makes it hard to absorb damage. What I am doing to compensate is to be less of a target, basically keep some distance and dont be on the front drawing enemy focus fire if you can help it. Anytime they get close start moving away and let one of the heavies charge in to soak up the fire. My build is setupf for a range of 400m so I try to keep them +200 at least, duck behind walls a lot, jj and run, whatever. And if you do get caught out, work on rotating your torso to spread out damage and let your arms sponge some of it up. Nova has JJ and you should be able to jump a little and rotate fast with just a couple. You probably will be fighting closer distances though.

Edited by UrsusMorologus, 12 September 2014 - 10:35 PM.


#3 Spheroid

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Posted 12 September 2014 - 10:41 PM

Start by ditching those heavy pulse lasers and investing in more efficient mlas and slas. Don't go overboard on guns because ghost heat kicks in beyond the sixth laser on small and mediums.

Other than that make sure to use omni-pods that don't have negative quirks. Using the Nova-prime pods is a handicap for most builds as is the Nova-B ballistic arm.

You can also extend your engagement range by adding a targeting computer and or using the mlas range module. I certainly would not commit to a brawler build until you have finished elite.

My recommendations

Nova-S or Nova-Prime with S arms
6x mlas + TC1
Weapon Group 1: 6x
Weapon Group 2: 2x

Nova-B
LPL (Left B arm)
2x mlas (Right Prime Arm)
4x slas (Right Prime Arm)
2x mg (1/2 ton ammo)

optional

TC1
TAG
more MG

Weapon Group 1: LPL, 2x mlas, TAG
Weapon Group 2 : 2x mlas, 4x slas, TAG, MG

Edited by Spheroid, 12 September 2014 - 11:11 PM.


#4 Roughneck45

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 04:55 AM

The two defining features of the Nova are the jump jets and the the gorilla arms, so its best to go full brawl or jump sniper with it.

NVA-PRIME
Put the arms on separate weapon groups and another for the MG's. Fight at Mlas range, use the mg's when the enemy closes on you. If heat becomes a problem you can drop one of the arms down to smalls and add more heatsinks and/or machine gun ammo.

NVA-PRIME
Its a pop tart. Stay in the back, use cover, and fight at range.

These two were the most successful builds I used when leveling the Nova.

#5 Riverboat Sam

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 06:01 AM

Thanks for the help. I'm beginning to get the hang of this mech.

I was laboring under the misapprehension that once I graduated from lights to mediums I would be able to stand toe to toe with the big guys. Um. No! It's actually a lot worse. In lights I could move fast enough to get out of trouble, or just get out of the way. The Nova is just enough slower to deny me the freedom to work the flanks and go off on my own like I could get away with in a light. I learned from another post that the only successful way to pilot a medium is to, "follow the big guy". Which, under the right circumstances, can mean running with a pack of mediums. Most of the time it means following and supporting the assaults, ONLY. Since I changed to that tactic I'm doing a lot better.

I also found a build that works pretty well for me. 2xAC LBX2 with 2 tons of ammo, 4xERML. Sweet and simple. The ERMLs do more damage than the LBX2's, but with the current nerfs in place I just couldn't comfortably run any more ERMLs. The LBX2's have their charm too. They do OK damage and they just scare the crap out of enemy mechs. I'm not sure if it's the boom, boom or the splat, splat of the shells hitting them - but even Atlas's will back off when I cut loose with those things. It keeps me alive long enough to use the lasers to better effect. They're the weapons that really do the killing.

Edited by Enlil09, 13 September 2014 - 06:02 AM.


#6 Redshift2k5

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 07:02 AM

The Nova is fairly fragile. Other mediums can go "toe to toe" better, but the Nova has less armor than the 55 ton IS mediums and less advantageous hitboxes.

Novas are good for hit n' run, and they are fairly mobile and can jump fairly well, so you want to move around to get beside/behind an enemy that is shooting at your teammate, or go up and over structures (a Nova on top of the large building in River City can do a lot of damage).

Don't be where the enemy expects you to be, if you spend too long on one side of the group or on one side of some cover, reposition to find a fresh vantage point. Be mobile, but don't try to dance around in the open like a Light can do.

My favorite Nova is 6 ERML plus 4 MGs, but ymmv

Edited by Redshift2k5, 13 September 2014 - 07:03 AM.


#7 Ruccus

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 08:16 AM

View PostEnlil09, on 13 September 2014 - 06:01 AM, said:

Thanks for the help. I'm beginning to get the hang of this mech.

I was laboring under the misapprehension that once I graduated from lights to mediums I would be able to stand toe to toe with the big guys. Um. No! It's actually a lot worse. In lights I could move fast enough to get out of trouble, or just get out of the way. The Nova is just enough slower to deny me the freedom to work the flanks and go off on my own like I could get away with in a light. I learned from another post that the only successful way to pilot a medium is to, "follow the big guy". Which, under the right circumstances, can mean running with a pack of mediums. Most of the time it means following and supporting the assaults, ONLY. Since I changed to that tactic I'm doing a lot better.


Yes, the best success for a medium is before the start of the match look at the rest of your team's mechs, find the ones running assaults (WHK, DWF, HGN, AS7, BNC, AWS, VTR, BLR, STK and their heroes) and say "Hey there, big guy - you're my new best buddy! Where you go, I'll go." and just add your damage output to theirs.

With the Nova specifically, it's 'barn door' wide so on my Novas I usually link all of the left arm's weapons to the left mouse button and all of the right arm's weapons to the right mouse button, so as I'm escorting the Assault I only have to show half of my body to fire around my Assault teammate without unloading the other arm's weaponry into the back of him).

The Nova will get a lot better once you master it though - speed tweak always helps and the Nova really needs the double basics to better manage the heat its weapons produce.

#8 ImperialKnight

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 08:45 AM

You ARE essentially starting over, not only do you not have the 2X Basics, you are also learning a new class of mechs. You can't expect each weight class to play the same way

As you move up each weight class, you have to think about positioning more and more as you have less and less speed to maneuver if you are caught out of position.

Novas are not the best medium mechs, they are fragile and have big hitboxes. So you really have to ninja and/or stay with other priority targets as other people have already mentioned.

To feel the power of the medium weight class, you really have to be in Shadowhawks, Griffins or Stormcrow SRM brawlers, which go fast, hit hard and roll damage relatively well.


View PostEnlil09, on 12 September 2014 - 10:12 PM, said:

I'm a few months into this game. I leveled up three Jenners first, then three Kitfoxes, and finally three Adders. I finished mastering my Adder Prime just tonight. I was scoring 300 to 500 damage a game and getting at least one kill most games.

Well, now I've taken the step up to my Novas. I'm working on leveling them up and it's like I've started all over again. Getting stuffed match after match. Only getting about 50 damage a match.

I'm running a Nova with 2xLPL and 2xERML plus two additional heat sinks. Seems a good balance of weapons.

Any suggestions on transitioning from lights to mediums? I could use all the help I can get!


#9 The Basilisk

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 08:53 AM

A major Problem when using mediums is you are as large as most heavys, got the same speed but only 2/3rd their armor and much less firepower/ sustained firepower.
That means you have to stay out of trubble or take some heavys with you.
The best role for most meds is sidekick or rearguard duty for a heavy or for a faster assault.
Stay with the pack, chase of stragglers or cocky lights but return to the bulk of your team as soon as you can.
ANY ambush will be the last thing you experience on the map or at least the end of your armor in this game.
This doesn't mean you have to be totaly passive. Whatch out for spotters and chase them of, whatch for light distractors an give em some.
But always don't go too far away from your assaults and heavys.
To be able to bring your firepower to bear you have to present a more temting target to last long enough.

Edited by The Basilisk, 13 September 2014 - 08:57 AM.


#10 Topshot Tiger

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 08:45 PM

I honestly would have picked a more versatile medium to start with. Centurion is a good mech to learn on. Also your role as a medium should be support. Follow around the assaults and finish people off.

#11 Revorn

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 09:02 PM

Iam fine with the Cent D, a Gauss and 2 Medium Lasers. Ususaly i prefared 2 AC2, but the Nerf you know.

Mediums could be intresting and usefull. User your Speed to catch up fast with the Pack after harrassing from the Flanks, or go Assault and Heavy Guarian Role.

Edited by Revorn, 13 September 2014 - 09:02 PM.


#12 Lordred

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Posted 14 September 2014 - 08:53 PM

Mediums are dead with our current game balance.

#13 Redshift2k5

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Posted 14 September 2014 - 09:07 PM

View PostLordred, on 14 September 2014 - 08:53 PM, said:

Mediums are dead with our current game balance.


In a world where everyone has to have the best of the best, all the time, sure, but there are several reasons to run a medium even if they are sub-optimal. Cheap, mobile, personal preference for looks/shape/lore/hardpoints, sake of variety, required for teams greater than 9 players, etc

There are lots of specific builds you need a Medium mech to pull off, either due to weapons, engine restrictions, or whatever, or putting the same build on a Medium instead of a Heavy offers superior speed/mobility (Blackjacks with an AC20 and a few MLs were very popular, and while a CTF can bring the same weapons it does so with a bigger target and less mobility)

Edited by Redshift2k5, 14 September 2014 - 09:10 PM.


#14 Kiiyor

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Posted 14 September 2014 - 09:50 PM

First, don't beat yourself up about your performance in the Nova. It's not great as far as mediums go, and the recent laser nerfs hit it like an Atlas airdropped from orbit with the pilot asleep at the helm.

There are those that will argue the point, but they will likely be established and skilled players, which is exactly what the Nova needs to shine (IMHO, of course).

The trouble is that mediums are not very forgiving in general as far as mechs go. There are notable exceptions; the SHawk and Griff are great, and the StormCrow is doom incarnate, the very shadow of death itself, stalking the battlefield like some sort of deadly combination of both carrion and apex predator. The rest of the medium stable suffer enormously from lack of speed, survivability and firepower. Generally, you can pick any two of those pillars to build for, but not all three, and this is why mediums tend to suffer when compare to... well, everything else.

#15 Riverboat Sam

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Posted 15 September 2014 - 01:41 PM

Thanks again for all the helpful responses.

Not leveling up my Nova's isn't an option because, for better or worse I bought the full Clan pack and am determined to level up each prime in the pack to master. Until I finish that I won't be buying any more (except for Clan Wave 2 of course ;-)

This last weekend was brutal, but I finished getting all my Nova's through their basics. Next is getting the prime up to master. It has been a very frustrating experience at times because I'm just not the type that can hang back. Once the action gets going I want to be up front. Which never goes that well. I have to learn to, "control my aggression", as Mack1 likes to say. I'm getting there - slowly. Thanks again for the help and encouragement.

Can't wait to move on to the Stormcrow.

And, by the way, I have to wonder - why did PGI choose to give heavies, and even some assaults, the same mobility as mediums? I can see how that kills off the medium. But, in community warfare, you will have to pilot every class of mech in a match as I understand it, so I'm determined not to be complacent and only learn the weight classes that I find easy.

Edited by Enlil09, 15 September 2014 - 01:43 PM.


#16 LT. HARDCASE

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Posted 15 September 2014 - 03:23 PM

View PostEnlil09, on 15 September 2014 - 01:41 PM, said:


And, by the way, I have to wonder - why did PGI choose to give heavies, and even some assaults, the same mobility as mediums? I can see how that kills off the medium. But, in community warfare, you will have to pilot every class of mech in a match as I understand it, so I'm determined not to be complacent and only learn the weight classes that I find easy.

They may sorta have the speed, but they sure don't have the agility of the best mediums. You'll understand this well once you dump the Nova for the Stormcrow.

Also, one key to piloting mediums well, is to avoid taking damage recklessly, early in the match. You need all of your armor for when things finally into medium range and closer.

I usually find a rock or building and just hide for the first couple minutes.

Edited by Kevjack, 15 September 2014 - 03:35 PM.


#17 Red October911

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Posted 15 September 2014 - 08:42 PM

I play meds so much it's become an addiction :P

The best thing to do is make yourself scarce, fire from range if you can then switch position instantly. Keep the opponent guessing, reappear at different locations almost like playing a light sniper, although you have more bang for your buck.

Always stick close to friendlies, mediums excel on having friendlies soak up must of the damage while you go unnoticed and sneak in damage into the enemy mech.

CQB meds rely on the team to make a push or any opportunities you can jump on (i.e. scouts that venture around your friends, lone wolves that YOLO, enemies that have been pushed back and are on the run).

The down side of a med is ofc, your only as good as your team. If your team happens to be a bunch of mindless sardines odds are you'll DIAF. Ofc that could be said for every mech weight but meds more so since you don't have the speed to escape harm if you try to hit and run and not enough armor to fight 1 v 1 against other hvys or assaults so you must hope your team makes up for your disadvantages.

Hope this helps!





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