7 replies to this topic

[Koe]

This is, in fact, not one of Edgar's poems. This is an early guide to turning a certain Light mech - which is quickly growing on me - into something that will make you feel like a badass. Here you will find building guides, tips, and tactics for the Raven.

Presumably, you could use what you find here for any Light mech.

I will be adding to this frequently as I learn more ways to use this small-but-mighty bird.

Raven vx.1
Name: Seras
Original chasis: RVN-4X

Weapons: Two medium lasers, 1 SRM6 with 1 ton of ammo, one extra jumpjet, and one extra heatsink
Engine: XL220
One ton leftover, distribute armor points as seen fit

This is my first mech. As such I am still tinkering with the system - if you have a better design, disregard this. However, still read on.

This mech is made for medium to short range combat. By stripping the dual machine guns and ammo for it, and reallocating your SRM ammo to the right torso, you gain yourself a "sheild" out of your left torso. Useful when an Atlas is trying to punch through your crippled backside.

With the extra room you can get an XL engine, and this mech's base speed is increased to 100.1 kph. I don't know what the speed is on the RVN-3L, so you could possibly get that instead as it already has an XL, but the single major purchase for this mech is the engine. And with the extra jumpjet, this sucker pretty much straps a rocket to your butt. Timed right, you can jump through an LRM20 barrage without even taking cover, as long as you're close enough.

Granted, this is a work in progress. I just chose the 4X as I had an idea in mind that didn't work out, but I could find a way to work on an AC/2 or something. Flexibility.

Now, tactics. Basically. MOVE. This is a given for any Light mech.
Also, keep in mind this isn't a mech for straightup combat.This is made for strafing runs, ambushing, backstabbing - basically dirty combat. If you have some dumb morale code or something, don't use a Lightie.
There may come a point where **** has hit the fan and your entire team has been killed. In this instance, run and hide, preferably out of the way and dark. Remember to turn off your engine as well, as no one can get a targeting fix on you.
You need common sense to use this mech. Mm-hmm. If something feels like a trap, it probably is a trap.

Now for a story. I was on Caustic Valley, scouting for a Hunchback when we saw a distracted Atlas. I was still tinkering and had dual Flamers and my SRM6, so I hid behind my buddy as we approached. When we got close enough, I let'er rip with my SRM and torched the sucker. Pounded from the front, pounded from the back, heat rising - the guy must've been furious. Finally my Hunchback buddie fell - rest in pieces, whoever you were - and so the Atlas turned to me.

I ran like hell. LRMs pounded down around me, but I was saved by ducking behind a dirt mound. After waiting a few seconds, I creeped out to see the Atlas had turned way, making his way back up the mesa mountain. I lunged out once more, scoring two more hits on his critical backside before he and a Catalyst turned their ire toward me once more. Again I hid, and when the Atlas was distracted and his friend's backs turned, I hit him again.

Alas, I didn't kill him myself. That honor went to someone else. And we won.
Yet as we were down by three kills, I like to think my harassing bought enough time to help my team win.

Later

(I'd like to apologize to the Atlas pilot. Anything goes in multiplayer, right?)

[mutestory]

This is the only raven with jumps. Unfortunately, It also only has one missile hardpoint. If you're going to shy away from the ecm side of ravens (their spiritual purpose) then you would be better served with the 3L. The majority of the time the raven is countered by it's faster peer, the jenner, so streaks are what you want, not srm6. You're probably going to find yourself having harassment fights with other scouts, so most raven pilots should be fitting for anti-scout, not backstabbing brawlers.

Source: Master level raven pilot

[xVoltagex]

I went with the RVN-2X as my first mech. I have tried several different load outs and am still not happy. Can't seem to get any fire power for my longer range fits.

I tried lots of heat sinks and 2 ER Large Lasers. This is a heavy hitter but no good tracking vs other lights. Runs too hot for prolonged battle. I am running the stock engine giving me 80 KPH of speed. I don't want to invest in this mech much more I want to save for a Hunchback. I seem to lose my fps in close combat so a skirmishing config is not my best bet. My new fit is more well rounded with a LRM 5, AMS, and Large Pulse Laser. Still not happy but the Pulse laser shoots faster than the ER Large but is limited to 300M. The LRMS are handy for softening up targets and the Anti Missile System saves my *** all the time. If I can fix my FPS issue I think I would be wise to upgrade the engine and go with a short range config with Medium Lasers, Streaks etc and take on other lights. My style of play is more of a heavy mech pilot who picks his fights and doesn't get in super close. Never been a brawler, but love to pick a 1 vs 1 fight from 500M or so.

[Koe]

Thanks for the suggestions - I actually play better at longer ranges due to my abysmal ping time (d*** you upload speeds!). However, I took your advice Voltage and modified her design.

She is now equipped with a single LRM5 with two tons of ammo, and twin Medium Pulse Lasers. The LRMs can fire at relatively short ranges (175 to 200) so anything that makes it through my LRM sheild gets blasted by my Lasers. Granted, she needs support - without the terrain to help or buddies to help, she is dead. Like my last build, she is more of a harasser than a fighter, but she can still bring down an Atlas given enough time.

And with two tons of ammo, you have more than enough for a match. The only downside is I had to strip a heatsink, and am thinking of putting doubles on there.

At the moment, I'm calling this build an LRM scout. Just becareful of the heat you get from firing this thing, people don't seem to like they're getting smacked around by a little Raven. Thinking of buying the ECM capable Raven too.

[Quad Ace]

I've been driving the 4x for a while now, and this is the loadout I've been having good luck with.

XL 195 - Little slower, but still 90kph before speed tweak
Endo
3 Double Sinks (in addition to what the engine provides)
1 JJ
Stock Amount of Standard Armor (FF simply costs too much to repair, although if you play premades and don't die often, it could be worth it)


RA - 2 x MPL
RT - 1 x SSRM2 (1 x Ton Ammo)
LA - 1 x AC/5 (2 x Tons Ammo)

Play it as you described, as a hit and run on larger mechs. Do lots of scouting for LRM boats. You can pretty much fire continuously on any map besides caustic, and even that you can keep everything going longer than you should be able to. I've been averaging 2-300 damage in a good round, but I don't consider myself very good with it yet.

[xVoltagex]

Re-tweaked my X2 again. Was getting owned by jenners. I have no complants about the Large Pulse laser but for 7 Tons I decided to drop it for 4 Medium Lasers. Pulled the LRMS and replaced with a SSRM2. Damage is through the roof and heat is bareable due to the extra tonnage gained. I groupled all 4 lasers group 1 and then 2 lasers group 2, missiles group 3 so if I am running hot I can can just fire 2 at a time or stagger my shots.

The LRM 5 is missed but honestly is less usefull then the ability to defend yourself up close with the ssrms instead. With a light mech you are really hurting for tonnage. Go with light/med weapons that do good damage. Don't obesses over range. 1 on 1 a jenner will take a raven, but I would rather go down shooting and have him flashing instead of shutting down after 3 missed Large Laser Shots. The Long Range Support Raven is a key role but I would think a build with 2 Missile slots. the X2 is a laser heavy brawler with some missile support in my opinion, a well rounded but not overly strong in any area. The jack of all trades, master of none of the Ravens.

[Prosthesy]

I am a personal fanatic of the Raven, and I'd be happy to share my current builds with you. They require a pretty decent connection with low ping, and a relatively good framerate, but they are certainly fun to play.

4X:
2 Medium Lasers
1 Ultra AC/5
XL Engine 245

This build is excellent if you're cautious, use the environment wisely, and try to distance yourself from other lights that have Streaks. I usually spend the first half of the game scouting ahead, peeking over hills and harassing distant enemies with sniper shots from the UAC/5. After the team has moved up, then I start backstabbing the heavier mechs or continue sniping if I've taken much damage. This mech has absolutely no heat issues, yet the major drawback is the UAC/5 jamming.


2X:
2 Medium Lasers (Left Arm)
2 Large Lasers (Left Torso)
1 Streak SRM 2
XL Engine 245

Again, long range early game will help you get a safe advantage, and will help you from being rendered useless when you take significant damage. Similar playstyle to the 4X but with more ability to take out light mechs, and consequently, considerably more heat generation.


3L:
2 Medium Lasers
2 SRM 6
XL Engine 295

This is my favorite mech in the game, at the moment. As mentioned, the build calls for precision when dealing with anything lighter than a Hunchback, but it can be done well. The SRM 6 in the left torso has a comparably tight spread which can tear into a specific body part fairly quick. However, the reason this mech is so powerful in the correct hands is that its left arm missile hardpoint has only one outlet for fire, meaning the SRM 6 instead fires in a quick succession of 6 missiles. I'm sure you can imagine how clutch this mechanic can be when chasing Commandos and Jenners, but you'll need to practice leading your shots. I have done a maximum of 700 damage in a game with this variant.

Good hunting!

Edited by Prosthesy, 28 November 2012 - 03:04 PM.

[Koe]

Hm, I like your 3L variant... and the 2X... crap, they all sound effective.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm actually making a few kills now.