14 replies to this topic

[Dark Baron]

So I've decided it's about time to take a break from heavy and assault grinding and I'm going to move into lights. Question is which light do I want to take. I'm leaning commando because I like the weapon option, but I also like the idea of JJs on the Spider. I'm just not sure how they're supposed to kill anything with their weapons loadouts. I'm basically looking for something more along the lines of an ungodly fast rear line harasser. I read a post a while back that said there's nothing a spider can't do that a commando can't do better. (other than fly it seems)

Yes I know Raven 3Ls are the OP fotm build so don't bother posting it.

[Fred013]

Go Ravens, and just don't build the 3L in an OP way. Get SRMs, not streaks. Problem sloved.

(yeah, that's right. Problem sloved)

[ZnSeventeen]

It's pretty much true unless you want to build a super slow spider with a big gun. Can be fun.
However, I love my spiders. Good for harassing the heck out of people, and MG's sure can aggro people.
BTW. Why not Jenner? JJ's and some real firepower.

[Vassago Rain]

Fred013, on 08 March 2013 - 12:18 AM, said:

Go Ravens, and just don't build the 3L in an OP way. Get SRMs, not streaks. Problem sloved.

(yeah, that's right. Problem sloved)

Hope he enjoys getting stomped, because the raven's completely ineffective at using SRMs.

[Lefty Lucy]

If you want to be a special snowflake but still be somewhat of an asset to your team, run a jenner. If you want to learn to play lights with the big boys run a 3L. Spiders and Commandos are worthless.

[ShadowDarter]

Spiders are fun, and the fun factor is the only factor in my book.

[Blackfang]

Well I have both and I do find myself piloting my spider far more than the commando, you'd be surprised how many scrapes those jumpjets can get you out of (and into ). Use the ECM spider to help you a bit more and you can fit 1 large laser and 2 medium lasers to it which I've found to be very effective exploiting gaps in OPFOR armour where it may have already been stripped by previous engagement.

Word of caution don't go chasing down other lights in that spider build though, no good for light mech hunting.

[Mystere]

Try a Spider 5D with 8JJs, ECM, PPC, TAG, and the fastest engine you can put on. You now have two options:

• Find a really high point to rain PPC hell from and use TAG for LRM support. A lot of players seem to have trouble dealing with it. When discovered, find another high point or hide and power down. Rinse and repeat.
  
• Troll. Use hit and run tactics. Pilot like a bat out of hell while shooting people in the leg, back and face, especially the ECM carriers. Create as much mayhem as possible to as many enemies as possible. The more distracted they get, the more mistakes they will make.

Finally, use a paint scheme similar to this ( ):

Edited by Mystere, 08 March 2013 - 12:42 AM.

[Shifty Eyes]

Vassago Rain, on 08 March 2013 - 12:19 AM, said:

Hope he enjoys getting stomped, because the raven's completely ineffective at using SRMs.

Gotta refute this. It's about the piloting. My 3L packs SRM6 and SRM2 and I dish plenty of damage each match. Not as effective against other lights as SSRM, but much more effective against anything bigger.

[Johnathan McKenna]

The spider can be a very effective mech. Fit it with an er ppc, ECM, 4 jump jets, and a max rated XL engine, rip a little armor off it's left arm and your ready to go. Spiders are great when you get used to dodging around with the JJ and you can get up to places others cant and snipe with the ppc. When you get used to it you can even take out other lights in a straight up fight simply because that ppc does so much damage to a single point and with the jump jets and the spider's small profile you can make it a pain to get a lock on you with ssrms.

[Zen Hachetaki]

Well I will actually try to answer the question posted - Spider vs Commando.

The spider I enjoy most is the 5 D (yes with ECM...), a true behind the lines raider. Not as squishie as a commando, and much faster. I have a XL 245 in it, 1 Med Las, in CT and 1 ER PPC and TAG in RA, with 192 armor cruising along at 132 kph before piloting boost. I dropped the JJs as they kill me more than they help. I basically have TAG on full time and once it goes red I pop my PPC as it is virtually a laser sight to help make up for the much more bouncy arm shooting. I have a blast with it.

The other mods are not so hot but I found them still faster and more maneuverable than the commando as I add the JJs back simply to be a pain in the a$$/distraction for the opposing side. The "Dakkarachnid" 5K (as named elsewhere) can be fun and annoying to strafe everything with 4 MGs on group fire. May not be super effective but feels fun for some reason... Add an ER Large and you can still snipe and be hard to hit in return.

The 5V I have 2 Med, reg engine and 10 JJs with a BAP (maybe one day they will make it useful) and basically just try to find the other team, get a target lock and run away. Yeah it is not as much fun...

Should be noted I also have mastered 3 Jenner chassis - definitely would take one over either Spider or Commando as fast and hard hitting, BUT - not one version can mount an ECM which in "hard core" team play may hinder you when up against the other side who likely will have ECM lights. Without ECM in the game, the Jenner rules the light world. Currently the 3L does (although the other Raven variants are not so hot), but you can certainly have fun in just about anything if you have a build that suits your style of play.

[Vassago Rain]

Shifty Eyes, on 08 March 2013 - 12:39 AM, said:

Gotta refute this. It's about the piloting. My 3L packs SRM6 and SRM2 and I dish plenty of damage each match. Not as effective against other lights as SSRM, but much more effective against anything bigger.

No, it's not. It's about NARC tubes and limited tonnage.

[DerHuhnTeufel]

Spider 5D with a PPC and Tag can be fun, and that tag really helps you rack up XP.

Note I said "fun" and not "effective". Although I did have over 400 damage in several matches, but I basically had to be ignored for that to happen.

For a commando, the 2D is about the only good one, honestly. They have so little armor that anything takes them out lightning fast, and without the stealth that ECM provides your life expectancy is counted in seconds if you don't hug a friendly Atlas.

And of course there's the Raven 3L, which is basically the king of light mechs. If you're looking for something different though, I recommend a jenner with jets - just expect to die easily and often without ECM. Spider might be more up your alley if you just want a change of pace.

[The Mech behind you]

My Spider 5D running with ECM, 8 JJ, max. XL Engine, 2 MPL + 1 ML is doing enough damage to kill something. Commandos, if you don't like the Trollmando 2D with it's ECM/Streak combo try the 3A. Put 2 SRM6 on it and one or two lasers (depends on the engine you take) and splat other lights

[Dark Baron]

hmm thanks for the input guys. Maybe I will take a look at Jenners then. I want something fast and fun, but I still want to be effective. I generally prefer heavier mechs anyways.