20 replies to this topic

[malibu43]

I've never driven a commando. The only light I've really used is my RVN-4X. Otherwise I've had lots of success with a HBK-4SP and I'm still learning the DRG-1C that I just bought.

I've never really had any interest in a Commando. But the RVN-3L is way too expensive, I don't like Cicada's, and I can't afford an Atlas.

I was thinking about grabbing a Commando-2D since they're so cheap so I'd have something that can use ECM. I'd imagine that I could get in close to enemy ECM mechs and then switch to disrupt mode and attack the ECM mech with streaks and TAG or something.

Is the 2D effective with ECM or is it just a waste of money/CB?

[Chameleon Silk]

honestly i have every commando and i would say the 2D was my 2nd fave of them all but with ECM you gotta sacrifice some firepower from it if you want BAP or AMS but it does offer to you an extremley fast agile ECM scout.

so it really depends if you "like" the commando or would rather a raven/cicada or a heavier style mech that gives you that ECM like the atlas.

Edited by Chameleon Silk, 05 December 2012 - 09:50 AM.

[D0m1n4t0r]

My first mech was the Commando, and now that I've piloted other light mechs, I have discovered that commandos are very......... fragile. Heck my Jenner-D with 2 streaks and 4 medium lasers shreds commandos (pre-ECM at least) but now I'm thinking of getting one myself. Fact, I will get one and re-immerse myself in an oldie but goodie. The downside is you have 10 less tons to work with (Jenners and Ravens have 35 tons, Commandos have 25) but with Ferro-Fibrous armor Endo-Steel and Double-Heatsinks, the Commando is now quite a viable option. Seeing as it has 3 missile slots and 1 energy slot the classic Mando build was triple streaks. But now with ECM (even though you're running one) normal SRMs are probably better, if you can hit with them. All I can say is, go with most of the extras, (I'll have to test to see which exactly) and definitely you're gonna need to go fast. Fortunately the Commando is rather small. So, I will test out some builds and get back to you on that ;P send me a friend request so it'll be easier

[Stingz]

D0m1n4t0r, on 05 December 2012 - 03:16 PM, said:

Seeing as it has 3 missile slots and 1 energy slot the classic Mando build was triple streaks. But now with ECM (even though you're running one) normal SRMs are probably better, if you can hit with them.

Equip ECM, activate Jammer on ECM mechs, and start using Streaks again. There has been moments where I would want regular SRMs, but only for hit/run on big targets.

The Raven-3L is definitely worth the +5m I spent on it. It was specially built for scouting (and +10 tons).
For PUG games though I'm getting a Commando. You can't always count on your team to make full use of ECM.

Raven has an Italian sports car cockpit view, and Commando has a sweet engine hum.

Edited by Stingz, 05 December 2012 - 06:19 PM.

[Ginga121]

My Raven-3L eats Commando's for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner even when it has a Tag, ECM, Ferro-Fibrous, Endosteel and a BAP taking up a lot of space and weight. It also goes at 146.8 km/h so you can't even run away

Commando's are REALLY fragile and although I have never piloted one I imagine they would be hard to get used to.

I'd save up for the Raven-3L even though it is expensive (and even more expensive to fit)

The 3L set me back 5 million for the mech and probably another 7 or 8 Million on top of that... Sooooo about 13 million in total haha But I do have a STUPIDLY expensive engine in mine

[MungFuSensei]

Commandos are unforgiving. They are not bad, but one wrong move and you're dead. The 2D does very well with SRM loadouts. Since you're trying to save tonnage for an ECM, forget about SRM6s, and go for the SRM4s. I don't have one to test out the specifics, but I imagine you might be able to pull something like 2x SRM4, 1 SSRM2, TAG, ECM. Even though the Commando is tiny, fragile, and slower than the other lights, it has the best alpha potential due to its hard points. The other lights are not better, they are merely easier to use. Get a Commando if you like a challenge, and remember to play it like its name-sake.

[MasterofBlasters]

Ginga121, on 05 December 2012 - 05:57 PM, said:

My Raven-3L eats Commando's for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner even when it has a Tag, ECM, Ferro-Fibrous, Endosteel and a BAP taking up a lot of space and weight. It also goes at 146.8 km/h so you can't even run away

Commando's are REALLY fragile and although I have never piloted one I imagine they would be hard to get used to.

I'd save up for the Raven-3L even though it is expensive (and even more expensive to fit)

The 3L set me back 5 million for the mech and probably another 7 or 8 Million on top of that... Sooooo about 13 million in total haha But I do have a STUPIDLY expensive engine in mine

I've killed several ravens with my streak commando and ECCM. That 3rd steak launcher costs you some speed but the firepower it adds more than makes up for it.

[Chameleon Silk]

MungFuSensei, on 05 December 2012 - 07:28 PM, said:

Commandos are unforgiving. They are not bad, but one wrong move and you're dead.

this is the best way to describe a commando, if you make all the right moves its actually just as easy to stay alive in a commando and deal out over 300 damage done while providing ECM as it is to pilot anything that is heavier then the commando.

its small and very hard to hit at 140kmh.

[Boymonkey]

I love my 2D I put a xl190 engine in 3 streaks, 1 med laser and endo steel.
He is like the child I always wanted (a little bit special but loving)
I run around at around 114kph helping the team counter missiles and if any light mech runs towards my team I jump out kill it and run back like a happy dog

[SplinterMD]

TBH haven't touched my 2D since I started running this Raven build -

XL280 (you'll break 130kph)
2x Med Laser
2x SSRM2
1x Small Laser
1x ECM
1x Probe (can play around with this)

Endo/DHS/Full Armor


Not saying the 2D is bad, you can see is very similar to the build Boymonkey posted but I just feel the 3L is better across the board.

It's very similar to the Raven VS Janner pre patch, Raven was good, Janner was just better...

[Budor]

The biggest complain i have is that you WANT a TAG on a e-warfare mech if you are a teamplayer.

If you put one on the commando you have no energy slots left. Out of ammo=out of luck. After doing 896dmg and running out of ammo in my 2D and being the last left vs a Cat C-1 with 4 small lasers that couldnt hit me i bought the raven.

TLDR: Raven does everything better besides feeling good when doing better than a Raven in a Commando...

Edit: I browsed my screenshots and only did 786dmg 4/2 kills/assists in that match. 800+ must been some other.

Edited by Budor, 06 December 2012 - 05:25 AM.

[Flapdrol]

I've got a commando 2D with 3 ssrm's, tag and ecm. It works well as long as you have the ECM advantage, if the enemy has more ECM's you die to streaks in seconds.

I'd just save up for the 3L, especially since you already have a raven so you'll get it to elite quicker.

[Hammerfinn]

I love my 2D. Save up for a big XL engine, pop that sucker in and listen to the hum of being the fastest little ****** on the battlefield, who is also untargetable. The nice thing about commandos is that they are much harder to hit with lasers and ballistics than ravens, though the 10 tons is a LOT of weaponry that the raven can port above the limits of a commmando.

Just did a rebuild, slightly smaller engine, more ammo, trying to decide between and TAG and a MLAS. But this little guy is SO MUCH FUN.

[PapaKilo]

Both the Commando and Raven are good ECM platforms. I have used all of the lights extensively since I came into Beta around August 4th or so. Since my Jenner was basically completely neutered by being the only light that cannot carry ECM, I have spent the majority of my playing time testing various builds of both the Commando-2D and Raven-3L. I definitely recommend the Raven over the Commando.

Why?
+Arm Size (Commando's missile arm is too easy to destroy, taking away most of its firepower).
+Armor
+Weapon Mix (more lasers for when your Streaks are jammed)

Smaller overall size of the Commando doesn't matter when the weapon being fired at it is Streaks. And I'm able to hit it just fine with my Raven's lasers anyway.

[Sorpin]

Meh I unlocked the elite level on my Rvn 3L(and yeah, costs more than a atlas), but to be honest, the commando is more fun, It all depends on how you like your mechs, like big tanks with legs or more like big robots...I like robots

[Carrioncrows]

I have both the Commando 2D and the Cicada 3M

I prefer the Commando hands down.

Right now I have
x3 SSRM2 x3 tons of ammo
ECM
AMS
XL - 118 kph with speed tweak
Endo
DHS
Max armor

It simply murders everything, due to the ECM and not having fear of streaks anymore I can easily take down other lights, most med's and some heavies from time to time.

But if someone counters your ECM you are dead meat and can die real easily.

That is why I also pack: The Cicada

The cicada has only 1lrg laser and 3 meds and dumps the rest into heat sinks and max armor.

I down graded the XL engine so i only move 120 kph (oh)

But it is an exceptional brawler and less likely to get hit by the Golden BB that puts you out.

And most people don't realize exactly how much armor that cicada has, which is amusing as I see people gunning for the legs which as 35 armor instead of the usual 12.

I literaly just got done with a match with 512 dmg, 5 kills and a base capture.
2 commandos.
1 hunchback
1 cicada
1 atlas

was my kill tally, could of went for the other 2 mechs that were still alive but went for the cap instead.

With no ability to target the cicada with streaks and lots of armor and high speed makes it one deadly foe.
The commando does more damage in a concentrated area but the cicada lives longer.

Edited by Carrioncrows, 06 December 2012 - 03:41 PM.

[stjobe]

Carrioncrows, on 06 December 2012 - 03:25 PM, said:

I have both the Commando 2D and the Cicada 3M

I prefer the Commando hands down.

Right now I have
x3 SSRM2 x3 tons of ammo
ECM
AMS
XL - 118 kph with speed tweak
Endo
DHS
Max armor

I'd drop the AMS and put in a bigger engine. Faster = better when it comes to light 'mechs, and with the ECM and your speed you very rarely need to worry about LRMs anyway.

[Carrioncrows]

stjobe, on 06 December 2012 - 03:42 PM, said:

I'd drop the AMS and put in a bigger engine. Faster = better when it comes to light 'mechs, and with the ECM and your speed you very rarely need to worry about LRMs anyway.

I thought about this, I even went so far as to drop the AMS and add a TAG.

Here is why I put it back in:

For when my ECM is countered.

The commando and Cicada I made are meant to fill a role. That role is escort mech. They are not brawlers or solo scouts thought they defiantly can do both, their job is to escort your bigger slower more well armed mechs into the battle and insure you intercept any light mechs trying to kill them.

Easiest way to kill a heavy or assault mech is having a light tear off their rear armor, then that big mech tries in vain to turn to kill the little devil dancing around it and gets cored from the back from the opposing line mechs.

Think Spitfires escorting the B-17 Bombers back in WWII.

AMS is still very important.

AMS still intercepts streaks, it doesn't intercept all of them and doesn't intercept any of them if they are under 100m but it does work. The one thing that can kill a commando faster than anything else is SRM's and LRM's.

And for when ECM does get countered you still provide a secondary system that provides your team with some form of defense to lessen the blow.

Does it get used every match? no, but when it's needed it's a life saver.

Edited by Carrioncrows, 06 December 2012 - 04:57 PM.

[stjobe]

Carrioncrows, on 06 December 2012 - 04:50 PM, said:

I thought about this

Fair enough, and I compliment you on actually doing so. We all play a little differently and if AMS helps you do your thing, by all means keep it. Personally, I find that a larger engine helps me live longer than an AMS system does, and if I stay alive longer I can help my team better. Obviously you've found another solution to that, and one that works better for you.

Contrary to what many people think, there is not just one build that's "the best" for everyone. It's a matter of finding what works for you - and what works for me. Difference in play style, temperament, aggressiveness etc play a big part in deciding the value of the different 'mech parts, not just the in-game numbers.

[Ryft]

You are used to a Raven already. Expensive as it is, you are that much closer to mastering the 3L chassis, and that counts for a lot, CBill-wise.

Aa lot of the cost of the 3L Raven is all stuff you want to buy anyway... ECM, etc. Plus if you already have an engine upgrade from your 4X you can potentially sell the 3L stock engine to recoop some of that loss immediately, and drop the engine you already own into it. I swap engines out constantly, even when I choose to buy redundant lesser gear, because engines (even standard ones) are expensive!

Now, if you were starting from scratch with no Raven mech at all, then I'd say it's more of a tossup. I'm currently in that boat myself. I asked for the pros/cons of each chassis in the Commando ECM build topic, so that might yield me up some more info over time, too.

On the AMS front:

On my D-DC I ended up keeping the AMS, but dropping a ton of ammo of ammo for it. I am noticing a LOT fewer LRMs coming my way since ECM went live, but the AMS helps out some of my team just outside of the 180m ECM blanket, and since my team often sticks sort of close to me (and I stick near them) I keep it because... what's a ton and a half to an Atlas if it helps my guys out?

I would have a harder time justifying it on a lighter mech with more limited tonnage, but I would still consider it. Depends on how tight my build was, and depends on how fast I was going to start with. Above 110kph, I might drop it. As you get slower, though, those spots of cover start to look farther and farther away...

Edited by Ryft, 07 December 2012 - 10:29 PM.