5 replies to this topic

[Randomfist]

I've mostly concentrated on energy/missile mechs so far. What are some of the better ballistic mechs?

[LoboSG]

Personally, all the jagers and cataphract 4x.

... and probably the hero mech, Muromets, which can house 3 uac5s.

Edited by LoboSG, 16 June 2013 - 05:15 PM.

[Ningyo]

Hunchback 4G/4H
TBT 7K
ANY Jaggermech (probably best to break into them with)
Catapult K2
Cataphract 3D, 4X, Ilya
Atlas D/DDC (these are more mixed, but can still pack a ballistic punch)


I would recommend going with the jaggermechs, and make sure you put a few Medium lasers or such with your ballistics, they are light.
Some good jaggermech weapon groups to work your build around:
2 x AC20
2 x Gauss
3 x UAC/5
3-4 x AC/5
4 x AC/2

[Gigastrike]

Jagermechs are easily the best mech chassis in the game for ballistics. Some Cataphracts come close because they weigh slightly more, but nothing matches a Jagermech's flexibility.

Edit: I should probably mention that Jagermechs are mostly for fire support. While they can carry a wider variety of ballistics, they don't have the durability of a Cataphract or Atlas for brawling.

Edited by Gigastrike, 17 June 2013 - 01:59 PM.

[Shalune]

It really depends on what you want to try and do. The most versatile and all around best ballistic platforms are Jagermechs and Cataphracts. A couple things to take into consideration:

Best over all ballistic chassis: Jagermech and Cataphract.
========== Jagermech ========
If ballistics are your thing above all else and you want to be able to try a variety of almost all ballistic builds the Jagermech is what you want. Keep in mind it has a very strange and somewhat vulnerable shape. Its arms cannot aim to the sides and they do nothing to block damage to the torso. Very notable for being able to carry 2 AC20s, the only other mech in the game that can do this is a catapult K2, which is much harder to fit (cannot use XL engine.)

========== Cataphract ========
Cataphract is the more well rounded chassis. You mentioned mostly using other weapons before, this may be your winner if you want more mixed/balanced builds. The Cataphract 3D is currently one of, if not the most competitive sniping platform in the game. The most popular and effective builds are Gauss + 2 PPC, 2x Gauss, 3x PPC, 4-5x LL. The 3D variant alone has jump jets.


What ballistic weapons do you like?

AC20
Ideal: Jagermech (1-2) Atlas (1 + heavy backup weapons)

Gauss
Ideal: Jagermech (1-2) Cataphract (1-2)

Light ACs (AC2, AC5, UAC5)
Ideal: Jagermech (2-6) Atlas DDC (2 + ECM) (anything with ballistic slots can probably fit at least 1)

AC10 or LBX
Ideal: Centurion A, D, Trebuchet 7K, Dragon (most ballistic mechs can carry a 10, but it's often only ideal when you're too short on tonnage for a 20 or Gauss)

[Victor Morson]

The problem is that, in general, ballistics are pretty inferior right now. Outside of Gauss. Gauss is awesome.*

* AC20s will rock when we get a 'mech that can carry two with more durability than a 99 cent store balloon.