145 replies to this topic

[Stalkerr]

EDIT: When I say "swap out" I mean "I'll try to find a hard point somewhere on the mech where I can fit the alternate weapon system". I'm aware that this may not actually be the area I took a weapon out of (boo asymmetry!)

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I'm sure this isn't the first post on this subject, but I'm feeling creative, so here goes.

All we have so far is the knowledge that each mech will have a set of pre-defined variants and that we'll have a mech lab to configure them like crazy in. Even without details on exactly what we can do, we can still dream. So, dream my friends... dream big!

I plan on going for the following configurations straight out of the gate:

Atlas

• I love love love the AS7-K, however I've never been a fan of the SRM-6. My plan is to swap the AC for a Gauss Rifle and drop the SRM-6 for more Medium Lasers in the arms and torso. Slap a few more heat sinks on and it's a beast.
  
• I'd love to play around with a max armor Atlas with a ton of short/medium range weapons and upgraded speed. Something to really get in the middle of combat and tear things apart. This is probably what I'll do to my Founders' Elite Atlas, since it looks like a brawler already.

Dragon

• Really I just want to recreate the DRG-1G Grand Dragon. I may switch out the LRM-10 for a Large Laser or a couple SRMs to increase the short-range punch.

Cataphract

• Swap out the UAC-5 with an ER PPC. Nough' said... it's essentially the Capellan version. Hopefully there will be an in-built variant with no jump jets so this version is possible.

Jenner

• This has been my favorite light mech for years... mainly because of all my good times using it in the original Battletech and Mechwarrior video games (if anyone remembers Crescent Hawk's Revenge, you start out with a Jenner... it's also your first mech in Mechwarrior). I also used it to ridiculous effect in MPBT. 2 SRM-4 hits an a quad ML strike from a Jenner would take down any other light. That being said, I've never been a fan of the SRM-4. I'd love to swap it out for another medium laser and a mix of heat sinks/armor so the Jenner could last longer in a fight.

What are your hoped-for configurations?

Edited by Stalkerr, 25 May 2012 - 07:04 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

I've been having fun lately in MWLL with an Atlas armed with 3xPPC and 2xMRM, plus BAP and AECM suite.

so, a similar build Atlas with adjustments made after playtesting. Start with 3x PPC for long range engagements and some SRM banks (SSRM?), or 3xPPC & LRMs for long range and some medium pulse lasers for in close, and whatever ECM or probe gear I can get.

Dragon with AC/10 and SRMs, or maybe an Ultra/5. A lot of ifs and buts until I can see all the weapons first hand

Edited by Redshift2k5, 25 May 2012 - 06:49 AM.

[Kael Tropheus]

Umm slight issue with your customizations, you are replacing misslie and ballistic weapons with energy weapons in several cases. Last I heard that was not an option on IS mechs. Unless the devs gave into the boating munchkin's demands when I wasnt looking.

[Stalkerr]

Kael Tropheus, on 25 May 2012 - 06:43 AM, said:

Umm slight issue with your customizations, you are replacing misslie and ballistic weapons with energy weapons in several cases. Last I heard that was not an option on IS mechs. Unless the devs gave into the boating munchkin's demands when I wasnt looking.

I'm dropping the ballistic and missile weapons for the tonnage. I'm aware I wouldn't necessarily be able to replace the weapon in the same location on the mech, however I'm assuming I'll have enough room elsewhere (in the cataphract's case, move all the MLs to one torso section and drop the PPC [or large laser, if I have to] in the other).

Edited by Stalkerr, 25 May 2012 - 06:47 AM.

[Sleeping Bear]

I am going to go recon and can't seem to like the commando, so I am going with a Jenner. I would drop the SRM4 and load up a Guardian ECM and one-and-a-half tons more armor. Seeing as how this is primarily a DCMS machine, I have it in mind that I am going to ninja the **** outta stuff.

If I was going to pick a medium, I'd mod the Centurion. Downgrade the LBX-10 for an UAC5, drop the LRM10 for two SRM6 launchers. I'd use the UAC5 to peck at mechs and try to madden them into charging in closer. My SRMs and medium lasers would give em one hell of a surprise though.

For a heavy assault/defender, I'd go with a modded Cataphract. Dropping that UAC5 for an ER Large Laser, hopefully the Liao model Cataphract is a variant I'd upgrade the LBX-10 for an AC20. Combined with the jumpjet equipped Cataphracts mobility, having that AC20 would be one hell of a surprise for opposing mechwarriors.

As for assault weight assault/defender, I'd trick out an Atlas. Dropping the AC20 for a Gauss Rifle, and dropping the LRM20 rack and 2 medium lasers in order to place 3 more SRM6 launchers. This would give this variant decent punch at range and give it crippling missle volley fire at knife range.

One other mech variant I'd like to try would be a heavily upgraded Cicada. Drop the UAC5 and put in an ERPPC in one of the torso energy hardpoints, the saved weight would be dumped into armor to increase survivability. I see this mech as one annoying as hell, long ranged skirmisher. Using poop-and-scoot tactics, I would race to a firing position, pop em with the ERPPC, then run like hell to another firing position. The upgraded armor would allow me to take a few hits as I transitioned out of their range. This would allow classic MMO kiting, and I would like to see how many mechwarriors would fall for this tactic. The whole time I would keep the enemy engaged and sighted for LRM support company members.

Edited by Sleeping Bear, 26 May 2012 - 10:09 PM.

[Quentin Yatoki]

Catapult: I have some ideas for this baby
C1: Turn it into a mech similar to a Crusader. If I can, I want to reduce the LRM 15s to LRM 10s, and add SRM 4s. If I can I'll replace the Heat Sinks with doubles, dump 2 and upgrade the SRMs to Streaks. Of course this is dependant on being able to fit a second missile weapon to each arm.
K2: Upgrade to 17 Double Heat Sinks, replace PPCs with ER PPCs, add more armor.

Cataphract:
V1. Replace the Ultra AC5 with a PPC, use the weight for Armor and CASE.
V2. Replace the LB-X 10 and JJ with a Gauss Cannon, replace Ultra AC5 with a PPC

I also want a Awesome AWS-8V, unless the Stalker makes it in game. Mmm, PPC, Large Laser, and LRM-15. Then get some double heat sinks and upgrade to 2 ER PPCs and keep the LRM-15.

Edited by Quentin Yatoki, 25 May 2012 - 06:59 AM.

[Alvarado]

And what do you think about a Dragon like this?

replace the AC/5 for a UAC/5 whit 2 tons ammo.
Droop the LRM 10 for a LL+1 HS ( to avoid the ammo-dependant style) or maybe whit a SRM 6 +1 ML to increase the short range punch.

[Yoseful Mallad]

Stalkerr, on 25 May 2012 - 06:39 AM, said:

I'm sure this isn't the first post on this subject, but I'm feeling creative, so here goes.

All we have so far is the knowledge that each mech will have a set of pre-defined variants and that we'll have a mech lab to configure them like crazy in. Even without details on exactly what we can do, we can still dream. So, dream my friends... dream big!

I plan on going for the following configurations straight out of the gate:

Atlas

• I love love love the AS7-K, however I've never been a fan of the SRM-6. My plan is to swap the AC for a Gauss Rifle and drop the SRM-6 for more Medium Lasers in the arms and torso. Slap a few more heat sinks on and it's a beast.
  
• I'd love to play around with a max armor Atlas with a ton of short/medium range weapons and upgraded speed. Something to really get in the middle of combat and tear things apart. This is probably what I'll do to my Founders' Elite Atlas, since it looks like a brawler already.

Dragon

• Really I just want to recreate the DRG-1G Grand Dragon. I may switch out the LRM-10 for a Large Laser or a couple SRMs to increase the short-range punch.

Cataphract

• Swap out the UAC-5 with an ER PPC. Nough' said... it's essentially the Capellan version. Hopefully there will be an in-built variant with no jump jets so this version is possible.

Jenner

• This has been my favorite light mech for years... mainly because of all my good times using it in the original Battletech and Mechwarrior video games (if anyone remembers Crescent Hawk's Revenge, you start out with a Jenner... it's also your first mech in Mechwarrior). I also used it to ridiculous effect in MPBT. 2 SRM-4 hits an a quad ML strike from a Jenner would take down any other light. That being said, I've never been a fan of the SRM-4. I'd love to swap it out for another medium laser and a mix of heat sinks/armor so the Jenner could last longer in a fight.

What are your hoped-for configurations?

I like your way of thinking on some of your builds you want to do... However, you have to keep in mind the hard point system. And what I mean is your atlas idea to swap the AC for a Gauss can work as the hard points there should allow for it but... Swapping the SRM-6 for medium lasers(at least in that section of the chest) may not work. You will not be able to place lasers in a missile hard point slot. The same applies to your Cataphract idea. There will be no way to take out the AC-5 and put in the ER-PPC in that spot because of the hard points there.

Edited by Yoseful Mallad, 25 May 2012 - 07:01 AM.

[Kudzu]

I really didn't want to see a mechlab in as I think it leads to more problems than it's worth... but since it did make it in I'm going to abuse the hell out of it.

Dragon DRG-5N
Vlar 300XL
Endo Steel
12.5 tons standard armor
10 DHS
Gauss Rifle (3 tons ammo)
4 Medium lasers
2 Streak-2 (1 ton ammo)
BAP
GECW

Catapult
Drop 5 heat sinks, upgrade the base 10 to doubles, add ammo, armor, and Artemis to taste. If I need more tonnage, upgrade to endo steel.

[Kargush]

I have some ideas for the Cataphract. It depends heavily on what we can and cannot do, but I'm maintaining an optimistic outlook for now.

[Jakebob]

I'm going to start the game assuming that only 3025-level tech will be easily accessible and affordable... so most of the customization I'll do will be fairly basic.

Atlas: I'll probably either drop the LRM's for more SRM's and make it a pure close-in fighter, or drop the SRM's, swap the AC/20 for an AC/10 for more range, and add as many LRM's as I can fit. (might also do something with Large Lasers if I can control the heat)

Any mech I get with a Small Laser gets it removed and replaced with something useful... like another half ton of armor or drop half a ton of armor and add another heat sink or medium laser or something. (small lasers are useless)

Catapults have ammo shortage issues, IIRC... I'll probably drop some armor or 2 ML's and add more ammo... something like that.

[Quentin Yatoki]

Alvarado, on 25 May 2012 - 06:56 AM, said:

And what do you think about a Dragon like this?

replace the AC/5 for a UAC/5 whit 2 tons ammo.
Droop the LRM 10 for a LL+1 HS ( to avoid the ammo-dependant style) or maybe whit a SRM 6 +1 ML to increase the short range punch.

I was thinking of doing this until they showed us the 'Pract. The SRM 6 could be alot of fun. I'd keep the AC5 though.

[Stalkerr]

Yoseful Mallad, on 25 May 2012 - 06:57 AM, said:

I like your way of thinking on some of your builds you want to do... However, you have to keep in mind the hard point system. And what I mean is your atlas idea to swap the AC for a Gauss can work as the hard points there should allow for it but... Swapping the SRM-6 for medium lasers(at least in that section of the chest) may not work. You will not be able to place lasers in a missile hard point slot. The sand applies to you'd Cataphract idea. There will be no way to take out the AC-5 and put in the ER-PPC in that spot because of the hard points there.

True, but if I take an SRM-6 out of the chest, I might be able to drop more medium lasers in the arms. That's my thinking.

[Raven Starbinder]

I was thinking hunchback 2 ppc, 4 medium lasers, no ac 20, flamer and extra heatsinks for sure.

[Stalkerr]

Raven Starbinder, on 25 May 2012 - 07:03 AM, said:

I was thinking hunchback 2 ppc, 4 medium lasers, no ac 20, flamer and extra heatsinks for sure.

Wow! That would be a surprise config for someone if you end up able to do that.

Alternately, swap out the AC/20 with a Gauss Rifle. Voila! Hollander.

[Yoseful Mallad]

One idea j have you a real nice close combat brawler hunchback is to strip out the AC/20 and ammo to free up a lot of weight.
Then (if I can) put 2 SRM-6 packs in the chest with some extra ammo for them and add 3 medium lasers to each arm as it has 3 laser hard points on each arm. If I have any tonnage left, up the armor a bit and maybe squeez in another set of heat sinks. 6 medium lasers and 2 SRM-6 packs. That won't feel nice to any mech that gets close lol.

[Kittygrinder]

I was thinking of pulling off the arm off my hunchback and just putting another a/c20... but im not sure if the editor will let me do that

[TheFreeman]

-Catapult:
LRMs in one "arm", SRMs in the other one. Also switch all lasers for xpulselasers, remove some armor and load a lot of ammo.
-Jenner:
Switch lasers in one "arm" for flamers, get a better engine.
-Hunchback:
Switch the AC for a Gauss Rifle, add armor.
I'm not sure if it's all possible, haven't played a BM/MW game in a loooooong time.

[Quentin Yatoki]

Raven Starbinder, on 25 May 2012 - 07:03 AM, said:

I was thinking hunchback 2 ppc, 4 medium lasers, no ac 20, flamer and extra heatsinks for sure.

Yeah, you could probably pull that off. Damn, that would actually be a pretty scary Hunch. I second the instant Hollander idea as well, though I plan to turn a Catapract into a heavy Gauss platform at some point.

[KuruptU4Fun]

Stalkerr, on 25 May 2012 - 07:01 AM, said:

True, but if I take an SRM-6 out of the chest, I might be able to drop more medium lasers in the arms. That's my thinking.

Here's where your idea does not have a chance of working: pulled from the Dev Blog 6 concerning the MechLab:

MechWarrior Online incorporates a “Hardpoint” system which dictates, above all other customization, that weapons can only be swapped out with weapons of the same weapon type. For example, energy weapons cannot be swapped with ballistic weapons.
Each location on a BattleMech, such as the Right Arm or Center Torso, may include a number of hard points. The number of hard points in a given location is determined on a per variant basis, and is based on the weapons included in the variant’s default loadout. For example, a ’Mech that, by default, comes with 2 Medium Lasers and an Autocannon/2 in its Left Torso may actually have 3 energy weapon hard points and 2 ballistic hard points in that location. So, if the player is able to satisfy the weight and critical slot requirements, they could equip an additional energy weapon and ballistic weapon into that Left Torso, or swap out the Medium Lasers for other energy weapons, etc.

Since your idea is to remove the SRM-6 and replace it with medum lasers, the SRM is a ballistic weapon and cannot be replaced by an energy weapon. Even if it's similar in size; tonnage and would fit the weapon slot. I'm absolutely certain this was implimented to stop "boating" for any given mech, at least to some degree when mechs have a mix of energy and ballistic weapons.

Edited by KuruptU4Fun, 25 May 2012 - 07:16 AM.