41 replies to this topic

[Eisenhorne]

Built on DRG-1C or DRG-FLAME chassis, energy only dragons are very powerful, but very uncommon. I'm curious as to why. The basic concept is that you load up 2 large energy weapons, 2 backup energy weapons, or 4 large lasers, on a Dragon with at least an XL300 engine and at least 16 Double Heatsinks.

examples(Flame or 1C, both work) -

XL325, 20 DHS, 2x ER-PPC, 2x ML
XL350, 16 DHS, 2x LPL, 2x MPL
XL300, 19 DHS, 4x LL

I know I ran about 50 games in the 2x ER-PPC loadout above in a flame, and went 39-14, with my lowest damage totals at around 400. Seems fast, deadly, decently well armored, and very long-range.

Maybe they aren't common because people aren't aware of them. Trying to do my part to make them more well known.

[1453 R]

My experience has been largely the opposite, actually - I'm one of the few players I've encountered who still uses ballistics on Dragons. The PPC-equipped 1N/Cs are fairly common, Flames using laser quartets and giant engines are out there plenty. SRMs are common backup weapons, I've seen the occasional Gauss rifle, LRMs are making something of a comeback since the 19th, but I almost never see autocannons.

I've been trying a Grand Dragon-style loadout on my Flame recently (ERPPC, 3x ML, LRM-10), but I'm almost convinced it'd work better on Fang or a 1C, with the PPC in that awesome high-mounted energy slot in the left torso. Flame just feels weird to me without a full brace of lasers in the arms, been thinking of revisiting my old experimental ERLL/3ML configuration. As much range and only a point less punch than the PPC, and if the damage is less focused it's also easier to hit with at the edges of its range than the PPC is. Hrmm...

[Gigastrike]

I wouldn't know since I really don't see that many Dragons at all, but I tend to be more ballistic focused with my Dragons.

[Lugh]

If I wasn't crashing every third game you might see me in a few different dragon loadouts that emphasize ballistics.

My favorites currently are a 4mls ac20 flame and an AC5, erppc, 2mls, srm6 Fang.

[Miaku]

I run a huge energy build on my DRG and I hardly never take anything less than 1st place on my team. Then again, I'm a ******* pro.

[Jaded Jasper]

I've been quite surprised to find that a Flame with a Gauss and 4xML is my best all around mech.

I'm not quite sure why it works better for me than an energy setup, but it does.

[Ophidian]

I tend to use ballistics because I don't want to worry about the heat generation as much. And because depending on lasers on a fast mech seems to me to be somewhat sub-optimal, as the damage is spread even more than normal.

That said, I've been toying with some PPC builds, but they haven't impressed me enough to actually use them in place of my gauss/heavy autocannons.

[RedrumnCoke]

I actually run this quite a bit: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...20e2d90f62dd84b

It's not a brawler, but it works good as a mid range harasser. Stay out of srm range, open with an alpha, and in extended fights cycle the lasers. It does run hot, but with 19 double heat sinks it cools quickly too, just get behind cover.

[subgenius]

Jaded Jasper, on 25 February 2013 - 05:34 PM, said:

I've been quite surprised to find that a Flame with a Gauss and 4xML is my best all around mech.

I'm not quite sure why it works better for me than an energy setup, but it does.

YES! I've had a very similar result. My Flame with gauss, 4ml, srm6 and an XL300 has been consistantly getting me 400-600 damage numbers and placing me in the top 3 of most matches I play. With this setup I'm able to contribute at any range, and ever since unlocking speed tweak it's fast enough to flank around to get the short range weaponry into the juicy parts.

I definitely think balancing the energy loadout with balistics is the way to go. While I enjoyed the 4LL setup, I couldn't maintain the rate of fire I can with the new loadout. I'm much more heat efficient, and the punch of the gauss makes up for the range loss on the MLs.

Of course the great equalizer is communication and battlefield awareness. If you're not looking hard for the places to surgically strike and relay data back to the group (FYI - I 100% PUG) life in any dragon is going to be hard.

[Training Instructor]

315xl and 4xL-lasers is my favorite Flame loadout.

Not sure why, but it just works for my playstyle. I guess because I don't have to take the time to line up the gauss shot.

It's amazing how at 450-600m, I can just move forwards and backwards behind a building and hit someone trying to snipe me, while watching ppc/gauss rounds fly past. Obviously the better snipers give me some problems when trying this tactic.

[Mavairo]

Rawr Burst of the AC10 is why I rarely take the field without a ballistic weapon I find the burst weapon largely on dragons is more beneficial than the sustained damage of energy weapons. I almost always have a pair of LLs though on my setups as backup weapons. Good range, solid firepower even if I don't get the full beam on target. Decent heat.

That being said my 1C which is a pretty successful build runs 2 LLs, 2 MLs, and either LRM5, or SRM6. XL360 engine.

[Deathlike]

I think the general answer is that the Flame is actually an optimal configuration for more lasers... the Dragon-1C is one left torso away from losing its weaponry... although then again I've never had a problem shooting their CTs (never really tried to hit their side torso), so meh?

Dragons for the most part are usually well balanced (kinda like a Cent), the issue is that they are simply not true brawlers... but are great hit and run specialists (they are like the oversized medium or ultrafast heavy).

[Johnny Reb]

Why? prolly matchmaking is crap right now and the dragon is looked down for 8 man. Love the 107 k/h Flame. Myself, its mastered so working on the next mech but come 8 man, its unwanted. Better fast strikers now with the cent D and treb C for it especially when weight comes into play. Currently its great but pugs dont run good 8 man configs cause they are pugs and pugging!

Edited by Johnny Reb, 26 February 2013 - 11:07 PM.

[Wizard Steve]

I find that the Dragons are better suited to a mix of weapons rather than boating. All of the Dragon builds I use regularly are Energy/Ballistic/Missile builds. They're one of the few chassis I use three different weapon types on.

[Corvus Antaka]

Johnny Reb, on 26 February 2013 - 11:03 PM, said:

Why? prolly matchmaking is crap right now and the dragon is looked down for 8 man. Love the 107 k/h Flame. Myself, its mastered so working on the next mech but come 8 man, its unwanted. Better fast strikers now with the cent D and treb C for it especially when weight comes into play. Currently its great but pugs dont run good 8 man configs cause they are pugs and pugging!

once we see tonnage matching itll improve. the dragon mostly sucks because its a 60 ton heavy, just like the awesome sucks as an 80 ton assault.

I've been loving the gauss 4 ML SRM6 XL 300 combo as well. great punch and speed on it with some solid long range. I just wish the dragon had a little more manuevering ability & torso twist, vs the catapult it really suffers in a brawl.

[Johnny Reb]

Colonel Pada Vinson, on 26 February 2013 - 11:47 PM, said:

once we see tonnage matching itll improve. the dragon mostly sucks because its a 60 ton heavy, just like the awesome sucks as an 80 ton assault.

I've been loving the gauss 4 ML SRM6 XL 300 combo as well. great punch and speed on it with some solid long range. I just wish the dragon had a little more manuevering ability & torso twist, vs the catapult it really suffers in a brawl.

Colonel Pada Vinson, on 26 February 2013 - 11:47 PM, said:

once we see tonnage matching itll improve. the dragon mostly sucks because its a 60 ton heavy, just like the awesome sucks as an 80 ton assault.

I've been loving the gauss 4 ML SRM6 XL 300 combo as well. great punch and speed on it with some solid long range. I just wish the dragon had a little more manuevering ability & torso twist, vs the catapult it really suffers in a brawl.

I can see that. However, I like the Flame cause of the energy hard points.
My mosuse is getting wonly so many 2x .

Edited by Johnny Reb, 26 February 2013 - 11:59 PM.

[John MatriX82]

I saw energy dragons too, and I think they aren't that uncommon.

I still tend to use the ballistic slot anyway, to be more precise I don't like to leave unfilled or unused hardpoints on my mechs, therefore I'd not like to go around in an asymmetric 1C with 4 LLAS on one side and the rest of the mech is empty.. Not for me, probably I'd do that in a Flame, but I haven't found that appealing to me as it was the Ilya.

On a Flame I'd probably try quad LLAs since you can have them all in the arms.. but I'll think about it only when there's going to be a discount on that hero

[Jungle Rhino]

What I'd like to know is why there is no DRG-1G Grand Dragon variant?

Or is that considered a completely different mech?

[Geadron Kane]

The most any of the dragon variants has is 4 energy hard-points so you will probably at least have srm of some type. The dragon is one of those mechs that only works as a combo.

[John MatriX82]

Jungle Rhino, on 27 February 2013 - 05:38 AM, said:

What I'd like to know is why there is no DRG-1G Grand Dragon variant?

Or is that considered a completely different mech?

As far as I know it's considered a totally different mech, I don't even know if it will be ever in the game.