38 replies to this topic

[Svalfangr]

Hello all!

Just found this epic game today and figured out that soon i can buy my own custom mech

I Know from the trial mechs that i'd like to get an assault for my first mech but im not sure which model would be best.

Just so you know I'd want my mech to be a walking monstrosaty so i'm leaning towards Atlas but i like the Walker design of the Stalker (lol rhyme)

Anyway thanks in advance for any advice!

PS: I'm open to any builds as well.

[IceSerpent]

Svalfangr, on 10 May 2013 - 01:01 PM, said:

Hello all!

Just found this epic game today and figured out that soon i can buy my own custom mech

I Know from the trial mechs that i'd like to get an assault for my first mech but im not sure which model would be best.

Just so you know I'd want my mech to be a walking monstrosaty so i'm leaning towards Atlas but i like the Walker design of the Stalker (lol rhyme)

Anyway thanks in advance for any advice!

PS: I'm open to any builds as well.

If you want an Atlas, take a look at either D-DC (can mount ECM) or RS (4 energy hardpoints in the arms). If you want a Stalker, get 3F (the only one with 85 degrees of torso twist).

[Flak Kannon]

Hi and Welcome.

If your going to role an assault, then play the trial mechs until your Cadet Bonus goes away, and then another 30-50 matches more minimum...

You will love the Atlas D-DC, but it costs 10,500,000 cbills, stock.


First rule of Mech Warrior online... never run a mech without buying DOUBLE HEAT SINKS. These cost 1,500,000. they are really mandatory to be even semi competitive...

Then buy a ECM suite, because everyone will expect it from you in a Atlas D-DC.

Then play round after round after round and earn cbills to trick it out with different loadouts.

Use this utility web site to learn how to build mechs ...

http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab


The user interface in the Mech Lab is terrible... just be patient and spend alot of time clicking EVERY tab to figure out where to go and what to do to customize you mech. But beware, it is very cumbersome at first...


And if your stuck, come back here, we will help you.

Good luck.

(p.s.. if takes 100's of drops not not suck, so be patient.. I lost 75-80% of my first 100 matches because this game is hard for new players.., don't get to discouraged..)


p.ss...( if $15.00 isn't any great expense for you.. I don't know your financial situation, then get 30 days of Premium time, you will earn cbills much, much faster, allowing you decide on load outs and buying weapons much quicker, you buy Premium time at the bottom of the screen on the left... you'll see it..need a paypal account of credit card tho.)

Edited by Flak Kannon, 10 May 2013 - 01:18 PM.

[TygerLily]

Definitely think about what it is you liked with the trial assault...long range sniping, or LRMing things, or killing face-to-face. Here's a cool place to make builds and see what you think might work for you: http://mwo.smurfy.de

I second getting a hero mech at some point...but wait for a month or so to see.

[jakucha]

OP, also consider the heavy class of mechs. They can still get a lot done and they're not quite the target that most assaults are.

[Stokes52]

The Atlas D-DC is a very fun Assault mech. It's definitely one of my favorite Mechs.

Note that it is very slow, though. You HAVE to stick with your team to be most effective. Atlases can carry some of the most firepower at once, but they're like old Battleships... they need to be supported by the fleet to be most effective.

I'll post my favorite build in a second...

[Stokes52]

This is how I run my Atlas:

The Beast - Atlas D-DC

It shines at medium range engagements. It's optimal engagement range is 270m, which is where all of its weapons do max damage and is a pretty standard range for a lot of fights. With the AC/20 you can still do great damage up close but you can also reach out really far with the LRM20 and the Large Lasers.

(Some great ways to edit this build to specialize in long or short range:
For long range, drop 16 points of armor off of each leg and swap the AC/20 for a Gauss Rifle.)

For short range, trade the LRM20 for SRM6s or SSRMs

Note a few important features:

- On assault Mechs, always place your ammo in the legs. The legs have so much armor on an Atlas that people rarely shoot at them.

- Artemis is a great addition to any missile mech. It's heavier, but its worth it.

- Always get Double Heat sinks. Note: with large engines like the 300STD, you can put extra Heatsinks in the engine, saving space! (If you find your still overheating with this build, shave off 16 points of armor from each leg to save up one more ton so that you can add another Heatsink. That's what I did on mine.)

- Large lasers are awesome.

- ECM is very useful. Press 'J' to switch from disrupting the enemies ability to target you to disrupting the enemy's ability to disrupt you from seeing them. ECM counters other ECM when you swap its mode.

- Never, ever put an XL engine in an Atlas. XL engines are much lighter, but if you are running an XL and your side torso gets blown off, you die. Almost everyone shoots out Assault Mech's side torsos first since the center torso is so armored.


Just so you know, Assault mechs are great fun, but they are also very hard to learn. I started by piloting medium mechs, specifically the Centurion CN9-A, and I loved it. Medium, and even Heavy mechs are more maneuverable and more forgiving on new players. That said, if your heart is set on the Assault class, then hey, go for it!

Edited by Stokes52, 10 May 2013 - 02:08 PM.

[LapsedPacifist79]

YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS!!!!!!

Your first 25 matches earn you a LOT more C-Bills than usual. You will earn a lot less even with a premium account and a sh1tkiking round after those initial 25 rounds expire.

Edited by LapsedPacifist79, 10 May 2013 - 02:46 PM.

[MrZakalwe]

LapsedPacifist79, on 10 May 2013 - 02:45 PM, said:

YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS!!!!!!

Your first 25 matches earn you a LOT more C-Bills than usual. You will earn a lot less even with a premium account and a sh1tkiking round after those initial 25 rounds expire.

Good advice and you earn at least fifteen badass points for the name.

[MavRCK]

Tank Boy Ken put up a great post on the TheMittani in regards to max'ing your cadet cbills. I posted a mech tier list, along with associated video, for just this question: http://mwomercs.com/...-the-tier-list/

GL HF!

[Edson Drake]

I'd recommend Stalkers. It's personal preference really:

I started with a STK-4N. It was where I learned, eventually I bought the 3F and the 5M and Elite'd them all for the 2X Basic. It' almost another mech, it gets MUCH better.
Then I bought 3 Atlases(RS,D-DC and D), I was so disappointed, the DC is especially good, but it has inferior firepower compared to the Stalker, and it is a HUGE target and its arms are too low as well.

[LapsedPacifist79]

MrZakalwe, on 10 May 2013 - 03:15 PM, said:

Good advice and you earn at least fifteen badass points for the name.

20 badass points for yours then! I also roll with Liveware Problem, Staberinde and, my personal favourite, Steely Glint (even though it was a traitor..ish). It's good to see how many of us there are out there sometimes, we're everywhere! IMB would be happy I think. Crying shame about the cancer.

Please forgive the hijack

[lilslugger]

I personally roll in the Stalker 3F with this build
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0d67bff78843d9f

It works really well when you group the like weapons together, chain the lasers and they fire non stop. This was my first build and I love it, has a great combo for long med and short ranges. Tweak it to your hearts content and above all, have fun.

Edited by lilslugger, 10 May 2013 - 04:46 PM.

[Svalfangr]

May i ask why the Atlas-D-DC over the D?

I only ask because the Atlas D can mount 1 more weapon.

[Strykewolf]

Svalfangr, on 10 May 2013 - 06:10 PM, said:

May i ask why the Atlas-D-DC over the D?

I only ask because the Atlas D can mount 1 more weapon.

Probably because of the ecm option.

[MavRCK]

Svalfangr, on 10 May 2013 - 06:10 PM, said:

May i ask why the Atlas-D-DC over the D?

I only ask because the Atlas D can mount 1 more weapon.

ECM - read the tier list - watch the video... *sigh* All your answers shall be answered... all it takes is an hour of your time.....

Edited by MavRCK, 10 May 2013 - 06:42 PM.

[Koniving]

For non-Atlas builds and more affordable rigs, here's what I'll be able to tell you. This may be a long read but it may be the most informative.

Your choice in mech largely varies on the role you want to play. But before that, a picture to soak your interest.
My Founder's Atlas AS7-D.

Ahem. Now that I have absorbed your interest...

First there's range concerns, and then from there it's easier to decide on a role.

Long range?

• Indirect support (LRMs as main weapon)
  
• Sustained Direct support (Cannons, standard PPCs as weapons. Is designed to be able to constantly fire weapons non-stop to help the team)
  
• Burst Direct support (ER PPCs, Gauss Rifle as main weapons; the common poptart).
  
• Combined support (Lrms and cannons / PPCs).
  
• Support Escort

Medium range or shorter

• Brawler (gets in close and fights dirty) -- 3 sub variations: Energy, Ballistic, and Missile.
  
• Hit and Run (yes, there are some assaults that can do this)
  
• Tank (this is not the same as brawler. Is built to absorb enormous amounts of damage that brawlers can't, but can't get as close as a brawler can).

There are actually more options. That's what you get for now.


That said, based on the above here's what fits.

Indirect support (LRMs as main weapon)

• Awesome 8R (Extra missile slots)
  
• Awesome 8T (Balanced backup weapons)
  
• Highlander 733
  
• Any stalker variant except the 4N.
  
• Atlas DDC

Sustained Direct support

• Awesome 8Q (with 3 standard PPCs and 22 DHS with a STD 300 engine can pump out around 12 back to back volleys non-stop in Caustic.)
  
• Awesome 9M (Same rig, but can go even faster and hold more heatsinks at the risk of an XL engine).
  
• Stalker 3H (only holds 4 energy, allowing you to focus on more heatsinks than other variants and all are located on the arms. PPC rig.)
  
• Atlas RS -- The most capable energy based fighter in the Atlases. Can be backed up by an AC/2.
  
• Highlander 732 (3 PPC + AC/2 with SRMs or Streaks for close range defense)
  
• Highlander 733p (4 PPC, or can do just two and use the other two energy as a laser backup to protect yourself with.
  
• Atlas D, use the twin ballistics as the sustained fire support in either twin AC/2 or twin UAC/5.

Burst Direct support

• Take the mechs above. Swap PPCs with ER PPCs. Swap any ballistics mentioned with Gauss Rifle. Highlanders can jump. Fire all weapons at once. Carry no backup weapons.

Combined support

• Atlas D
  
• Atlas RS
  
• Atlas DDC
  
• Awesome 8V (Good balanced build from the start)
  
• Awesome 8R (Missiles + PPCs)
  
• Awesome 8T (swap lasers with PPCs)
  
• Stalker 3F (twin ER PPC, twin LRM, + backup weapons)
  
• Stalker 4N (Take it as is, swap for Double Heatsinks, make the LRMs larger and pack in a couple of PPCs)
  
• Highlander 733C (twin UAC/5, LRMs, laser and SRM backups.)
  
• Highlander 733P (PPCs + LRMs. Recommend using ER Large Lasers instead of PPCs due to high heat builds)
  
• Highlander 732. (Gauss, LRMs + Laser backup)
  
• Highlander 733. (Gauss, LRMs + SRM and Laser backup)

Support Escort -- your role is to escort support mechs (Jagers, Awesomes, etc.) These mechs have the best defense against LRMs. Always equip your second AMS!

• Atlas K
  
• Stalker 5S
  
• Atlas DDC (for the ECM, not the AMS)

Brawler (gets in close and fights dirty) -- 3 sub variations: Energy, Ballistic, and Missile.

• Atlas DDC (combined)
  
• Atlas RS (Energy)
  
• Stalkers (any) (energy)
  
• Stalker 5M (missile)
  
• Highlanders 732 and 733P (energy)
  
• Highlander 733C (ballistic and missile)
  
• Highlander 733 (missile focus)
  
• Awesome 8R (missile)
  
• Awesomes 9M and 8Q (energy)

Hit and Run (Move fast, hit hard, get out of there. Have a little extra to your back armor. Always come in from the side or the rear; never the front. Flank the enemy at Every opportunity.)
(The Atlas here is hit and run, he's running in the high 60s and makes a cut right through the fighting mechs to steal kills. He's gone before anyone starts to focus on him.)

• Awesome 9M
  
• Stalker 3H
  
• Stalker 3F
  
• Highlander (with a maximum standard engine and lighter weapons.)

Tank

• Honestly any mech can fulfill the role of tank. I recommend weapons with ranges between 270 and 500 meters, with the intention of never getting closer than 200. Allocate all of your armor to the front, leaving nothing more than 12 on the rear sections. Less is even better. Remember there are 3 golden rules.

• Always face the guy with the biggest gun.
  
• Never let anything behind you.
  
• Dance when the fire gets heavy.

• You can use any weapons you please, any style you want. You can use even longer range weapons too.
  
• As an alternative, you can allocate EXTRA armor to your back and "turtle back" which is where you turn your back to the enemy to protect your front while waiting for your heat to cool down. A popular closed beta tactic when the fastest mech only went 90 kph, most mediums went 64, and assaults usually did 40 or less.

I hope this helps you for a start.

All screenshots taken by Lordred. I am in many of them as some mech or another.

Edited by Koniving, 10 May 2013 - 08:46 PM.

[Budor]

Koniving, on 10 May 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Thats one off the better screenshots ive seen around this forum. 1up

[Koniving]

Budor, on 10 May 2013 - 10:17 PM, said:

Thats one off the better screenshots ive seen around this forum. 1up

I agree.

http://mwomercs.com/...reenshot-thread Check that out for more.

[qki]

Not really true about DHS being mandatory to be even semi-competetive.

You can be competetive with SHS, though your choices are severely limited, as there are few designs that work with SHS.
Off the top of my head, there are the dual gauss builds, gauss hunchback, and maybe some atlas builds that have the tonnage, but not hardpoints to add more weapons, so just slap a few heat sinks on instead.