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Good Sniper Mechs


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#1 REllana

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 01:23 AM

I've been playing around with med-range PPC Hunchbank builds,but I'd like to try a long-range which I can sit back and pick my targets from cover,then reposition and repeat the process if I need to. However I have no idea what mechs are good for this. I'd prefer something reasonably fast,if possible,in the medium/heavy range,and I'd also like it to have some slots for some SRM's or lasers,just to deal with pesky lights,if I need to.

#2 Gattsus

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 01:32 AM

This is known as "the PPC/Gauss meta". It usually involved the Victors featuring PPC+AC5s/Gauss.

As historic note, these kind of builds made MWO quite un-enjoyable for many players since it involved poptarting (using jumpets shooting and falling into cover immediately after firing) that in addition to the high FLD (front loaded damage ) and pin-point damage (PPD) nature of the weapons used became "the PPC/Gauss -poptarting meta".

You can check https://www.mechspecs.com/ for the builds you're looking for and for other builds.


(for example 1PPC+2AC5 is about 20 damage to a single component which after a few shots, 2-3, to the torsos of medium-heavy mechs not to mention lights, means death to XL engines)

Edited by Gattsus, 03 January 2015 - 01:37 AM.


#3 pwnface

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 01:56 AM

TDR-9S with a STD270 engine and 3x ERPPCs is the most popular right now.
JM6-S with 2x Gauss is also incredibly potent.
STK or BLR with 4xERLL is great for sniping also.

#4 RupeyUK

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 02:25 AM

For something with a little more manoeuvrability, you could try a blackjack with ac5s or er lge, or shadowhawk 2k with 3 er lge. I'm really enjoying the latter, move at 100 kph plus, jumps and has good survivability even with an xl.

#5 MarineTech

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 02:35 AM

Thanks to the most recent quirk pass, the Hunchback Grid Iron is making a pretty decent sniper.

I only mounts a single gauss, but it's rate of fire makes up for it along with it's high-mounted position on the mech.

#6 Motörhead

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 02:56 AM

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c7636cd69cdcd9b

hot but with 28 DHS it can cool off.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...13fc2167d889839

cooler version, probably easier to use.

Edited by fx8320, 03 January 2015 - 03:03 AM.


#7 Devil Fox

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 03:24 AM

What have been suggested is the best choice. Typically the lighter the machine the less addition weapons for back-up you'll carry as all tonnage goes into your main weaponary, engine and the heatsinks required to carry the build.

At present the best long range weapons are the Guass, ERLL, and PPC/ERPPC. There are a number of chassis that can pull these off depending on quirks and weapon type you're looking for for IS mechs. Clan mechs tend to favour laser vomit (ERLL/ERML) or Guass/ERPPC combinations (if you have clan mechs).

For the Guass, the Grid Iron, Dual Guass Jagermech or Cataphract are typically the mechs that would field the weapon most efficently and carry enough ammunition. The quirk for the Grid Iron Guass make's it between an AC5 and AC10 in firing speed, whilst the Jagermech provides ample room for ammo and very high mounts for sniping over ridges. The last one is the Cataphract (the 3D most likely) lets you utilise jumpjet's for some less risky over the hill shots but have low mounted weapons overall.

ERLL use is typically reserved for either light mechs (Raven 3L), medium mechs such as the Shadow Hawk 2K which features very high left torso energy mounts for ridge peeking, or more towards the assault mechs like the Stalkers and some Battlemasters where speed can be maintained by larger engines, and the 4ERLL are cooled by enormous amounts of DHS.

PPC/ERPPC are quirked on a few mechs, the best at present is the Thunderbolt 9S with ERPPC quirks making it an extremely powerful mech with over half the heat and recycle time cut via quirks. Similarly the Cicada 3C has a ERPPC quirk, and both the Vindicators and Blackjacks come with PPC quirks that reduce heat and cycle time as well as increase range.

The IS mechs do provide options but are often specialised, so you need to research the mech and your playstyle before committing. The Clans tend to be alot more flexible in how they load up such long range sniper builds. I would suggest going to smurfy and try some loadouts, even look at mechspec for the builds and comments on how they perform. If all else fails hit google and youtube to watch some videos of the builds in action.

#8 Bigbacon

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 09:34 AM

can do a Dragon 1C with 4ERLL with XL280 or 300 no problems. lots of extra tonnage for DHS and BAP.

#9 Lily from animove

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Posted 05 January 2015 - 03:57 AM

any mech having high E mountpoints is a goodsniper if it can dual ERPPC.

Edited by Lily from animove, 05 January 2015 - 03:57 AM.


#10 NUJRSYDEVIL

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Posted 05 January 2015 - 05:58 AM

The Spider is a great sniper. I have seen a few people running the ERPPC or ERLL w/ ECM to perfection.

#11 ContingencyPlan

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Posted 06 January 2015 - 12:27 PM

Grid-Iron (the hero hunchback) running Gauss and MLs or MPLs as supplement.

Jagermechs

Blackjacks

Cicada

Catapult K2

#12 Dagon Zur

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Posted 06 January 2015 - 12:50 PM

...dont forget about Trebuchet 7K , it is perfect for GAUSS+ERPPC

#13 Rear Admiral Tier 6

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Posted 19 January 2015 - 06:23 PM

Quickdraw 4G with XL300,use 4 ER LL and chainfire them,the range quirks are awesome.

#14 R D Stunna

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Posted 28 January 2015 - 11:29 AM

I am running the medium Cicada 3m with 2 ERLLs and the x4 zoom module. I really like the Cicada 3m as it is rather fast, i think 129 kph, starting off, has high hardpoints for the ERLLs, and has an ecm. Only downside to the Cicada 3m is the stock XL engine. So you have to be very careful when getting into fights unless you change it.

#15 Rear Admiral Tier 6

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Posted 31 January 2015 - 08:36 AM

View PostDagon Zur, on 06 January 2015 - 12:50 PM, said:

...dont forget about Trebuchet 7K , it is perfect for GAUSS+ERPPC


ahem,the quirkening gave us 2 PPC + AC5,fast snapsnots at same alpha,range might be a issue but not so much.

#16 HlynkaCG

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Posted 02 February 2015 - 05:27 PM

Seeing as the others have already covered the basics, here are some sniper builds that I have run over the years...
  • Hlynka's Hefty Helper: Base Defense TDR-9S, My primary mech in CW at the moment, it has 2 ER PPCs for trading shots at range and 3 medium pulse lasers for dealing with those pesky light-mech rushes.
  • Head-Hunter: Dual Gauss JM-6S, 2 Guass 2 Medium lasers, a much more specialized sniper build. It is pricier and less durable than the TDR-9S, but harder hitting at longer ranges. With practice (and a little luck) you will be removing Atlases' cockpits on a semi-regular basis at 600m.
  • Thumper: Classic HBK-4G with shoulder mounted Gauss Rifle, For the sniper on a budget, this solid all-around performer can be yours for less than 5 million CBills. Just make sure that you shield that Hunch.
  • Laser-back: A Modified HBK-4P with 3 ER Large Lasers in place of the default 6 mediums. You can also run this build with a pair of PPCs and an additional heatsink.
  • Old MechDonald: CBill Farmer SHD-2K, 2 shoulder mounted ER Large Lasers for sniping and general combat, LRM 10 and spotting laser (TAG) for farming assists. Jump-jets because why the heck not. ;)
  • Laser-Jack: Classic BJ-3 with ER Large Lasers, Another build for the sniper on a budget, run it "as is" or save up for the bigger engine. Same build can be run on the BJ-1X as well just ditch the Jets for additional heat-sinks or medium lasers.






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