11 replies to this topic

[Edson Drake]

Hi first post.

I bought a Stalker 4N as my first mech. Should I buy an Atlas or another Stalker for the skills?

I really want to play an Atlas, but since this game is expensive, I was wondering which way is more cost/fun effective.

[Koniving]

I recommend the 3H stalker (my first and by far one of my favorites), and many will say the 3F for the superior torso twist.



For your 4N, I have a particular loadout that works well. A STD 280 to 300 engine. Double heat sinks. 6 Medium lasers. 2 SRM-6. 1 LRM-15 (right arm). One BAP; optional. Store ammo in legs, CT and cockpit as desired. Ammo in cockpit will be expended first, followed by those in the center torso and finally the legs so the danger is minimal so long as you use it up quickly. 'Tis a death machine that lets you pelt things even if they're far away, and literally butcher them when they get within 270 meters. I especially recommend focusing most of the armor on the front and remember to NEVER let anything behind you.

Atlas is fun, but honestly I'd rather go with the upcoming Highlander. I have 41 mechs. Bought 6 Awesomes. 4 Stalkers (so far, currently working on the 5S). I've only ever had one Atlas, the founder's D. Will get more eventually but they're low priority for me, even if I do like reaching overhead to push buttons when I shut down.

Edited by Koniving, 19 March 2013 - 04:38 PM.

[LegoPirate]

since you already bought a stalker i would go with stalkers so you can unlock elite efficiencies. the 2x basic bonus is too huge to pass up

[Edson Drake]

Quote

Konivig

Thanks for the advice.

The only quirk with the Stalker(love'em as well) is that there's no ballistic slot. I would like to try the ACs in this game ever since, it seems every Mechwarrior game in the past had them bugged to a level.

I use mine with 4 mediums 2 large, LRM 20 and a LRM 15, all Artemis. BAP, plenty of double heatsinks(1.02 efficiency). The standard 255 engine. Ferro Fibrous armor. Standard Structure. I'm finding it effective. Do you think your suggested setup would fare better? I already have the weapons you suggested(been experimenting a lot).

Quote

Lego

Yep, I had my doubts because of that. Guess I'll be sticking with Stalkers then.

[T0rmented]

in regards to your build, ferro fibrous is ALWAYS the inferior choice to endo, you gain more tonnage for the same crits with endo and FF offers no bonus protection just slightly less tonnage than regular armour, personally i would get rid of BAP and a medium laser and replace them with a heatsink, half ton extra armour and a tag

[Edson Drake]

Quote

in regards to your build, ferro fibrous is ALWAYS the inferior choice to endo, you gain more tonnage for the same crits with endo and FF offers no bonus protection just slightly less tonnage than regular armour, personally i would get rid of BAP and a medium laser and replace them with a heatsink, half ton extra armour and a tag

I'm confused by your answer. Ferro Fibrous is armor and Endo-steel is structure, right? I needed the extra weight that's why I used Ferro Fibrous, but also needed the slots, that's why standard structure and not Endo.

[T0rmented]

endo steel frees more tonnage than FF in every case on every mech they cost exactly the same number of crits (14)

[SquawkHawk]

T0rmented, on 19 March 2013 - 05:39 PM, said:

endo steel frees more tonnage than FF in every case on every mech they cost exactly the same number of crits (14)

+1, just backing TOrmented up.
Edson have you seen Smurfys Mech Lab: http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab, to get started choose your Mech from the dropdown in the "No Mech Selected box in the top left"

For your Stalker:
FF saves you 1.7 tons for 14 slots but
ENDO saves you 4 tons for 14 slots.

FF does not increase your Max armour or make your armour more powerful.

Normal upgrade pathway is:
1. DHS
2. Endo
3. FF (but can usually only fit on lights or fast Meds with big engines)

I put Ferro Fibrous on my first Mech too, before I realised it is inferior to ENDO. I then bit the bullet and paid the cbills to switch them over.

[T0rmented]

squawkhawk you get hugs!

[Edson Drake]

Thanks for the replies and awesome calculator there! Added it to my bookmarks it would have saved me so many C-Bills! Oh well...

I bought another Stalker, the 3F. So I'll keep with them for a while. I did the right thing this time and put Endo Steel and Standard Armor. Noticed the difference. Extra heatsinks then!

[Nirilus]

Good advice on ferro armor. It is never useful. On heavies, you're better served with more room for heatsinks. On lights, ferro often gives you half a ton or less. Not useful.

I also recommend grinding through three stalkers for the points. It's worth it. I drive a 5S boated up with 3 lrm 15s and 6 med lasers. It takes a little work to balance it and leverage your lasers at short range (to pick off those pesky jagermechs), but with a little know how, I get 600-1300 damage per fight.

Of course, a different balance may work better for you.

The atlas is ok, but I don't use it much anymore. The best ballistic platform is the cataphract in my opinion. Jagermech isn't worth it. It's not heavy enough to excel, and you can't mount an effective set of backup weapons on it.

[Edson Drake]

Am I allowed to necro my own thread?

Well I mastered the 4N(sold), the 5M and 3F. I'm loving the 5M. I bought that Atlas as well, the D-DC, D and RS. Man, compared to the Stalker, it blows.

Maybe I'm not suited for it? Too slow, slow attacker as well.
Any way to make it better? The DC has standard cookie cutter build, DHS, Endo, Dual Large Lasers, AC20 and 2X Streaks.

While it does good damage with AC20, I believe it needs 2 to be effective. Should I use XL engine. My motto is "never XL in an Assault".

I'm just so much better with the Stalker.