28 replies to this topic

[Cmdr Shepherd]

I almosrt have my first 10 million CBills and I wanted to buy a new mech and get the hell out of my trial mechs as soon as humanly possible. And I was wondering whats a good sniping longer range mech to start with? Also whats better for long range combat autocannons or LRMs? And whats a good balance between speed, maneuverability, and firepower I was looking for a heavy mech preferably as I want to be able to drop things quickly.

[ZeProme]

Hello and welcome to the MWO forums! It's great that you decided to ask us, I'm still relatively inexperienced in this game, but I will try to provide my suggestions.

Sniping mechs usually requires guns that launch far and fast and sitll retain their effective damage across distance. Guns like AC/2, Gauss Rifle, PPC/ER PPCs are guns that are usually suited for long range engagements.

LRMs are unfortunately underpowered. They still work, but requires more of a team effort to make them effective. Smart players without AMS can use terrain to hide behind obstacles and terrain to avoid incoming missiles. Also, missiles usually takes longer to travel to the target which isn't a reliable sniper weapon.

Thing is, any mech with the appropriate loadout can be a sniper. However, to what degree of an effective sniper is the question.

Jagermechs are often the best support mechs with ballistics that specialize in mid to far range engagements. Their torsos are big which is a negative bonus to brawling. However, they have their arms above the mech ideal for popping over the ridge to shoot while still hiding majority of their body from harm.

Another example would be the Cataphract series CTF-3D. Now CTFs, have low arms which aren't suitable for terrain battles (Like fighting on cliffs, hills etc). They also have really big torsos that with proper torso testing can help spread the damage evenly among its body to protect and stay alive longer on the battlefield.

The CTF-3D is a famous mech and often used in competitive play for it's ability to JumpJet. Often times, pilots will use gauss rifles or ER PPCs/ PPCs and jumpjet above to shoot and duck down quickly. This is called "poptarting", like a poptart that pops up after being toasted. Although I'm not sure if "poptarts" fits under sniper role, it is similar.

Hmm... good balance between speed, maneuverability and firepower. Again, it's REALLY highly dependent on the loadout and since most mechs have hardpoints that can field different roles, there isn't really much difference except for the appearance, hardpoints and module availability.

However, since you mention specifically a good balance between speed, maneuverability and firepower, I recommend sticking with medium and heavy chassis. Mediums are usually more mobile but carry less firepower than heavies.

With regards to that, each class also has it's set of tonnage limits. Medium class ranges from 40-50 tons while heavies range from 55 - 70? tons. The heavier the tonnage limit, the more you can fit on your mech (loadout, armor), but also requires a bigger engine to move at higher speeds.

Each mech also have slot limits.

As for starters if you want to look for a heavy mech, I highly suggest the Catapults. They are often times player's top choice for newcomers. Veteran players also cherish their chassis.

Which variant do I recommend?

CPTL-K2 is the variant I am currently using. I'm currently using a chess build by the name of "Gausspault". I recommend this mech to new players.

If you are unsure of what the CPTL-K2 looks like, its the mech to the left of this page with stock loadout.

Other notable mentions: CPTL-C1 and CPTL-C4.

Why not CPTL-A1? It only has missile hardpoints which severely limits it's versatile in terms of hardpoints on the battlefield. Missiles especially LRMs requires lock on which is severely handicapped by ECM mechs unless supported by PPC/ER PPC mechs.

Variants like the C1 and C4 has energy hardpoints at the cost of reduced missile hardpoints. Not a big deal because you can fit a bigger missile weapon that can dispatch more missiles per fire.

TAG is especially useful for mechs with no PPC builds. TAGs can pinpoint a target giving missiles a far much better chance to accurately damage the enemy with less dispersion. Also, they are great for targeting mechs with ECM status.

Also, artemis upgrades are handy for missile reliant builds as well.

The only notable build for the CPTL-A1 is either the Splatcat, the streak cat or hybrid of both. Splatcat is more friendly but the streak cat is at the mercy of ECM. Both, REALLY powerful builds that are purely devotes to close combat. However, these builds are really expensive to build as both requires XL engines in order to be effective.

Also, all of the missile hardpoints are located on the arms, so they are easily picked off unlike other Catapult variants where they have some of the hardpoints on their torsos.

Edited by ZeProme, 20 May 2013 - 07:32 PM.

[Pac Man]

Right not the optimal weapon for long range combat is ER PPCs, with Gauss rifles a close second. You can pretty much turn anything into a Sniper build, but most folks favour the Assault class. Stalkers are great for loading up PPCs, and Highlanders/Atlas if you want to mix Ballistic and Energy.

LRMs aren't very good right now, but they're getting a bit of an adjustment tomorrow. If you bought a Stalker, you'd be able to utilize LRMs and PPCs.

[scJazz]

In short there really is only one good choice with a balance of speed and firepower... The CTF-3D. 70 Tons, jump jets for that extra get up and go. Variants included the dreaded 4 ERPPC face stomping sniper of doom. Comes in a variety of flavors linked below.

http://www.mechspecs...y.php?78-CTF-3D

[ZeProme]

With regards to the definition of "poptart", here's a video that perfectly illustrates what it means.



Credit to No Guts No Galaxy for this video. I had my laughs XD

Edited by ZeProme, 20 May 2013 - 07:43 PM.

[Jooyaa]

Plain and simple: Jagermech

upgrade with endo-steel i.S.
max. armor, only legs reduced to 57/60
equip with 2 gauss and 6t of ammo
use 255 XL engine

Jager is damn nice to start with, because weapons are on same height as eyes - u hit what u see

Choice of Variants:

JM6-S:
- allows to equip up to 4 ballistics and 4 lasers

JM6-A:
- with 4 missle-hardpoints and 2 ballisics

JM6-DD (my favorit):
- 6 ballisics (and 2 lasers) for max. ballisitic playarts (1 gauss/5MGs; 4 or 5 ac2; 2x ac10; 2xu/ac5+ac/2 etc.)

DD ist more expansive and u need to change intern structure and armor for dualgauss variant

If u use S or A variant is up to u (s if u wanna be able to change to some laser support/ A if u wann be able to switch to missles)

I love the DD variant for lots of ballistic versatiliy, but it`s more expansive and u have to change armor AND internal structure

Edited by Jooyaa, 20 May 2013 - 09:28 PM.

[DegeneratePervert]

ZeProme, on 20 May 2013 - 07:42 PM, said:

With regards to the definition of "poptart", here's a video that perfectly illustrates what it means.



Credit to No Guts No Galaxy for this video. I had my laughs XD

Laughed my butt off.

Although I'm tempted to say that the Jager is the best noobie sniper mech, I think you'll have better luck with a K2 Dual Gauss setup. Smaller profile ftw.

[Victor Morson]

Cataphract 3D or a Highlander. A Stalker is also viable.

I would recommend the Cataphract 3D though, as it's overall just a stellar 'mech.

[LordDante]

if u gatherd more expiriance then the spider5d with an erppc is the perfect " SNIPAHHH " u hit and fade and hit again from an different location. all those heavys/assault erppc boats are cowards who are to affraid to really fight. ! but as a beginner ur better off with one of those mechs mentioned up above .

[Kraven Vanhound]

OK keeping it simple any Jaeger can be a balistic Sniper and a good Sniper at that but they do cost a lot and as you have only 10mil I look at starting off in a medium mech the Treb-7K makes for a Fast moving sniper One ERPPC and a guass rifle both in the chest or as the pach is out today wait for the BlackJack wich looks like it make a good Sniper mech.

[John MatriX82]

Cmdr Shepherd, on 20 May 2013 - 06:47 PM, said:

I almosrt have my first 10 million CBills and I wanted to buy a new mech and get the hell out of my trial mechs as soon as humanly possible. And I was wondering whats a good sniping longer range mech to start with? Also whats better for long range combat autocannons or LRMs? And whats a good balance between speed, maneuverability, and firepower I was looking for a heavy mech preferably as I want to be able to drop things quickly.

Taking away lights, mediums and Dragons, with that budget you have 3 options, Catapults, Cataphracts and eventually stalkers. Best weapons for long range are PPCs, then the GR, then ER LL, then Autocannons (2, 5 UAC5).

But since you want some movement speed you should stick with the first two. Avoid the Jagers, they can do good but to correctly employ ballistics you'll have to rely on XL engines and usually they are death sentence for that mech and for now are off budget for you.

Always consider to buy a new mech also with its upgrades, here http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/ mechlab section, you can experiment with the builds. By this bear in mind that the default price should also be added with 1.5 mil for the DHS upgrade and probably also the Endo Steel so you may account 2,5mil more than the default price. This to be competitive from the start of course.

If you want to snipe with that budget you should go with the Catapult K2 or the CTF 1X (a 3D should be better but it's over 10 mil with upgrades and jumpsniping will be nerfed soon); I'd go with the K2, it's a good mech and it's the safest in game to go around with a XL engine in it that you can buy later on.

This CPLT-K2 could be a decent start, for a mid range direct-hit/dps build, that you could upgrade later on with an XL engine (255 if you want to rely on ballistics like dual UAC5+2LL or dual GR+2ML) or in the ratings of 280 or 300 if you want to go full energy or mantain dual PPC + UAC5 and add mobility and a couple of MLs.

[aniviron]

The AWS-8Q Awesome makes a pretty good my-first-sniper kinda mech. Stock loadout is 3xPPC, and if you switch the heat sinks to doubles and drop a 300Std engine in there you have yourself a very forgiving mech with good range, pretty good burst damage, and a big enough heat cap to outlast almost anything.

[Victor Morson]

Cmdr Shepherd, on 20 May 2013 - 06:47 PM, said:

I almosrt have my first 10 million CBills and I wanted to buy a new mech and get the hell out of my trial mechs as soon as humanly possible. And I was wondering whats a good sniping longer range mech to start with? Also whats better for long range combat autocannons or LRMs? And whats a good balance between speed, maneuverability, and firepower I was looking for a heavy mech preferably as I want to be able to drop things quickly.

In case you haven't decided yet, I will say that currently LRMs are awful and they are likely to remain awful until the 28th. Then they might be solid.

Again, the 3D is a perfect bet for you, as it's fairly maneuverable for a heavy thanks to the jets while offering a large number of well placed slots. Even if the meta swapped away from PPCs it would be fine with other beam configs.

Solid 'mech that I doubt will become outdated anytime soon.

LordDante, on 20 May 2013 - 10:04 PM, said:

if u gatherd more expiriance then the spider5d with an erppc is the perfect " SNIPAHHH " u hit and fade and hit again from an different location. all those heavys/assault erppc boats are cowards who are to affraid to really fight. ! but as a beginner ur better off with one of those mechs mentioned up above .

There are far, far better light PPC snipers if you want to play that way. The Spider is just the worst.

Edited by Victor Morson, 21 May 2013 - 02:00 AM.

[Nebelfeuer]

Depens on what you want - e.g spider 5d or trebuchet 5j can be extremly mobile snipers with JJ and 1-2 ERppc
they can literally dance in the open under fire and still snipe or can change position fast due to speed and JJ or poptart extremely well.
If you whant more pinpoint firepower you will have to sacrifice mobility and you can look for a heavy or assault chassis you like.

Even though LRM definitely are no snipoer weapons at all and some people never learned to make use of them, them they may be used as a great addition to a sniping build. At long ranges they have more of a psychological than a dmg effect but at medium range and with an advanced-target-decay-module and a TAG they perform extremely well (especially while poptarting) and they prevent targets from closing in on you since they still have missles incoming after your direct shots already hit them and you are back in cover.

[Koniving]

ZeProme, on 20 May 2013 - 07:03 PM, said:

Good stuff.

Looks like you've been learning very well, Zeprome. Saves me a lot of writing (which is good because I have this horrendous toothache).

The only thing I would change is that for the criteria of direct-fire sniping, the C4 Catapult is not an option in that regard. Its energy weapons are in the CT, limiting it to two short/medium range lasers or one large/ER large laser which is still not good for long range. It's missiles make up for that inability, but that wouldn't make it a sniper.

Cataphracts make up for their low hung arms by the shoulder slots on many of them, allowing them to shoot from just their shoulders in regards to PPCs. The exception is the Cataphract 4x, which cannot use tall hills as cover due to its weapon placement.

Edited by Koniving, 21 May 2013 - 08:47 AM.

[ZeProme]

Koniving, on 21 May 2013 - 08:46 AM, said:

Looks like you've been learning very well, Zeprome. Saves me a lot of writing (which is good because I have this horrendous toothache).

The only thing I would change is that for the criteria of direct-fire sniping, the C4 Catapult is not an option in that regard. Its energy weapons are in the CT, limiting it to two short/medium range lasers or one large/ER large laser which is still not good for long range. It's missiles make up for that inability, but that wouldn't make it a sniper.

Cataphracts make up for their low hung arms by the shoulder slots on many of them, allowing them to shoot from just their shoulders in regards to PPCs. The exception is the Cataphract 4x, which cannot use tall hills as cover due to its weapon placement.

Ah, I didn't know that. I was following with regards to the hard points.

Yay, I got appraised by Kon :3

[mailin]

LordDante, on 20 May 2013 - 10:04 PM, said:

if u gatherd more expiriance then the spider5d with an erppc is the perfect " SNIPAHHH " u hit and fade and hit again from an different location. all those heavys/assault erppc boats are cowards who are to affraid to really fight. ! but as a beginner ur better off with one of those mechs mentioned up above .

Edited version for spelling and grammatical errors: If you earned more experience, then the Spider 5D with an ER PPC is the perfect sniper. It allows you to hit and fade and hit again from a different location. All of those heavies and assault ER PPC boats are cowards who are afraid to really fight. As a beginner however, you are better off with one of the previously mentioned mechs. (sorry, but with a degree in English this kind of spelling and grammar really rankles.)

One nice thing about the Spider 5D with ER PPC is that as long as you stay out of TAG range, you can hit the enemy but they can't lock lrms on you. Not so with all of the other sniper builds.

[KK4DUY]

You can fit an ER-PPC on a Commando with room for armor, double heatsinks, etc.

You won't do a lot of damage per shot, but I'm getting only 12% heat per shot and half that is gone by the time it's ready to go. The range on that gun is pretty dang far as well.

It's great for harassing, and you can run in and annoy folks with it too.

Other lights like to run away after you PPC them, then chase them down at 98km/h

Best part? CHEAP!!

Edited by KK4DUY, 22 May 2013 - 11:26 PM.

[mailin]

It's the 98kph that would worry me about the PPC Commando. With speed tweak, a Spider with an ER PPC can go 151kph, combined with jump jets means that it's much, much easier to disengage the enemy and keep them at a range of my choosing. Granted, you could go cheap on a Spider too and you would be going slower, but you'd still have JJ available. I'm just not a big fan of the Commando, although I haven't run one since I mastered them a long, long time ago.

[Blood Rose]

I personally prefer my Catapult K2 "Nightwraith"
This is a custom build that can function as a sniper, direct fire support, wrecker or even close quarters juger (this last one is not preferable unless desperate)

Simply take one standard K2 and:

Remove the machineguns and ammo. These are a waste

add an XL 300 engine minimum

give an endosteel internal structure

add in an AMS and 2 tons of ammo with case

buy double heatsinks and put in around 8 of them

Max out on armour

And finaly: have fun.


Alternatively there is the Gausspault

Simply take one K2, remove the PPC`s, MG`s and possibly 1 or 2 of the medium lasers. Add in an AMS, 1 ton of Ammo, 2 Gauss rifles and around 1-2 tons of ammo for them minimum. The engine is youir choice. Personally ive never run one of these so i cant really give any feedback on them but they are notorious.