24 replies to this topic

[Capnflintlock]

Was looking for a fun, 45 ton mech to pickup for my CW slot. So I ended up choosing the VND-1AA for its jump jets, and double AMS system. After a while of playing it, I just couldn't get the high cap engines, and bunny hopping strat down. In the end, I settled for a well rounded build, like my usual mechs.

Equipment:
255 XL
10 DHS
224 / 306 armor
x2 AMS (2 tons of ammo)

Stats:
Speed: 100.98 kph
Heat Management: 1.14

Armor
Weaponry:
x1 ppc
x3 medium lasers
x1 lrm 15 (3 tons of ammo)

I surprisingly opted to drop the jumpjets, and play it like a normal support mech. I stay near the back of my team, and drop down ppc pulses and lrms down on whatever's being targeted. I do a decent amount of damage, and I gut any lrm swaths that are coming toward my team at the same time. When enemies move in close I start using medium lasers, and use my speed to get past the 90 meter mark to keep using my ppc.

Overall the build does a decent amount of damage, doesn't overheat to badly, and supports the team at the same time.

What variants do you guys use, and what are your builds?

[N a p e s]

VND-1AA is my favorite Vindy equipped with 2 PPCs, TAG, a bunch of jump jets and a max engine (295XL).

I do some very minor poptarting while mostly just staying mobile and hitting enemies where it hurts. 20 points of pinpoint damage every few seconds and with super manageable heat. Its a great little mech.

Don't really like the 1X, the SIB with SRMs and mediums can be fun if not a little limited.

[DemonicDonut]

1AA w/ xl280, max JJs, 2x PPC and 1x ML. Radar dep and seismic. Poptart

[NRP]

The Vindicator is a pretty underwhelming mech. I honestly think blackjacks are better.

[stealthraccoon]

I've been loving the 1AA with stock weapons load out but adding endo/DHS/ferro/Artemis to max out armor and JJ's with 295xl - I did the dual Plc rig but I miss using my crappy single missile slot (having a single LRM5 or SSRM2 is like my security blanket).

The Vindi has surprisingly been my most consistent chassis - and the thing will have moments of zombie glory on occasion when I drop down to a std250 engine.

Edited by stealthraccoon, 15 February 2015 - 04:42 PM.

[Bigbacon]

1R- 235XL, 5xMPL, Max JJs, lots of DHS.

[Kjudoon]

AMS is 3 tons wasted space.

You are better off with JJs and/or MPLs. Drop the LRMs to a 10 and add heat sinks.


Huh... may have to try this build myself

LRMs are best on the 1X and ignore the ballistics.

[xengk]

1AA - Assault Escort
3x MPL, 1x PPC, 2x AMS w 3t, 5JJ, XL250, 11 DHS
PPC for hitting large target at distant, the MPLs for chasing away lights that try to flank your assault.
Dual AMS with range and overload module for umbrella, the AMS burn through 2t of ammo easily.

1R - PPC poptart
3x ML, 2x PPC, 4JJ, XL225, 13 DHS
Pop and Pew
Medium lasers for point defend.

Blues - Brawler
2x LL, 2x ASRM4, 1x ML, 3JJ, XL250, 10 DHS
Rebuilt into a brawler after the support role have been past on to 1AA.
Run with heavies and mediums, either support with LL behind frontline or go up close and mix things up.

[Corbenik]

So the 1x is useless?

[Nullmancer]

pretty much. If it had one more energy hardpoint and one less ballistic it would be much improved.

[Corbenik]

Nullmancer, on 28 March 2015 - 06:27 PM, said:

pretty much. If it had one more energy hardpoint and one less ballistic it would be much improved.

ah i see thank

[Kjudoon]

Corbenik, on 28 March 2015 - 04:07 PM, said:

So the 1x is useless?

Hardly!

You have to realize that the ballistic hardpoints are junk. If you are really REALLY desperate to use bullets I would suggest either the PPC with a UAC5 or LB10x. Both are viable builds, just not fantastic IMHO because I dont use that playstyle well.

What is often ignored is its role as a stone cold harrasser.
I strongly recommend trying it with a PPC, 1ML and an LRM10 or 15 depending on your taste. Exceptionally good at anything? Pfft... no! But it is an incredible amount of fun as you have a weapon for all ranges but your real sweet spot is between 180 and 270 where all weapons can confuse an enemy as you strip him down or add that little extra something to take him down.

Do not skimp on the XL or JJs. Manouverability is your strongest asset and random jumps and hops with turns make you a horrid target when running away thanks to your beautiful geometry.

The vindie is a very role specific mech, and the 1X is unable to focus, so be that rangy generalist that can hep in all seasons and escort the big boys.


Sudden bolt of inspiration...

Gonna have to see if it is viable. Will come back later.

[_____]

Several options for VND-1X:

PPC-AC10 poptart: XL235, 2JJ, PPC, AC10 with 3 tons ammo. Drop the leg armor to mid 30s.
"Hollander II": Gauss + 3.5 tons ammo, XL235, 2JJ, 2MLs for backup
(Very) Close support: 2 STD 235, 2 MPL, 3 MG 2t ammo, 1 ASRM6 1.5 tons, 2 JJs

All of them are pretty underwhelming compared to alternatives, but they're viable builds. The 1X doesn't really do anything well so take that for what it is.

The Vindicator is one of our unit's "preferred" RP mechs so we've got a lot of experience with them.

Edited by BlackhawkSC, 29 March 2015 - 01:21 AM.

[Dagon Zur]

Im currently using these 3 builds for leveling the cute "stormtrooper" mech..

VND-AA: 2xPPC, 1ML, XL265, 4JJs

VND-1X: LBX10 (or AC10), ERPPC, SLAS, XL235, 1JJ

VND-SIB: 3xML (or 2MPL), 2xASRM6, STD235, 1JJ

..fun lil' mech, a bit lacking in firepower, armor and engines, but still fun...and looking good, the default camo is nice for coloring...

[Kjudoon]

Okay, an idea hit me to use a shadowhawk CW build, or a close approximation that has been very successful for me.

It's a little lighter on the ammo, but otherwise, it's the same power as the SHD

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7afbab73364abdf

I have not had a chance to test it, and will try it out in the future, but seems like it could be a great alternative build even though I ignore the quirks.

Edited by Kjudoon, 29 March 2015 - 04:25 AM.

[Nullmancer]

back in the day, I levelled the three normal Vindicators, I kept the AA, and sold the 1R and 1X. Needed the mech bays and all. Now while the 1X truly sucked for me, the 1R wasnt that bad at all but compared to the extra jumpjets and engine rating of the AA, it couldnt compare.

back then, I envisioned a kind of medium spotter role for the AA something roughly like this VND-1AA

nowadays I run it something like this VND-1AA


I repurchased the 1R a while ago, I think i gave it a griffin-esque loadout, which i had actually used a lot back when levelling the chassis, something like this VND-1R

but now its a pulseboat with dual LPL and MPL's, kinda boring

I repurchased the 1X a few weeks ago, because i was inspired after playing a guass/ml build on my ENF 4R. I did this VND-1X and i expected it to be kinda meh, and it was quite meh. I tried again to find a loadout i liked, failed, and sold off the chassis again. If it could fit in one more med laser it wouldnt of been so meh, thus my comment a few posts above

Edited by Nullmancer, 29 March 2015 - 08:00 AM.

[xxSilverWolfxx]

1AA with max XL 295 engine, 4 JJ, dual ppcs and one ML. Very fun to play
Sometimes I run with 1 ppc, 3 MPLs and dual AMSs. Put it behind a big assault like King Crab or someting really help those LRM-magnets get into their killing range without a scratch, then pop out and flank enemies.

For me the the only one standard variant of the VND that work is the 1AA, haven't tried the SIB.

Edited by xxSilverWolfxx, 30 March 2015 - 04:42 AM.

[Elizander]

Sadly I just play mine like an oversized Raven with JJs and no ECM

ST. IVES' BLUES

[Bigbacon]

Corbenik, on 28 March 2015 - 04:07 PM, said:

So the 1x is useless?

i've had tons of good rounds wit 2x AC5 + 2MLs

1 like the 1R like this, 235XL 5xMPL, BAP, many DHS
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ea1f3f124d95ed0

SIB
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a22abe4e38a05c9

Edited by Bigbacon, 01 April 2015 - 04:05 AM.

[HelBound]

So I bough the SIB during the hero sale, bought the VND-1AA and VND-1X when I had the Cbills.
At first I was underwhelmed by the variants. I couldn't find a role I liked for the SIB and had mixed feelings about the others.

Went for the brawler build for the SIB and after mastering the unit Im actually enjoying it. I like to really utilize the JJ and jump in and out of cover to take people down quickly. Seismic really helps there.

Here are my builds;
St.Ives Blue
Pulls about 600-800 damage usually. If its a long range game its garbage.

VND-1AA
Not really my style but it throws PPC fire like no bodies business. Usually sits around 300dmg.

VND-1X
Meh, its okay.

When Im done mastering the VND-1AA I'll sell the VND-1X. Probably keep the VND-1AA, defiantly the SIB.