10 replies to this topic

[Benjamin Davion]

So here are my current 'mechs. (I'm on my work computer, so I may misremember a few details about their builds, but oh well.) Further, I haven't changed any engines in any of these mechs because I wasn't sure where best to make changes, so assume stock engines in all models.

JENNER JR7-F- "Athena"- Stock. (Scout/Spot) Likes: Fast as all hell, decent firepower; Dislikes: short range, pretty squishy.

CATAPULT CPLT-C1- "Artemis"- Stock weapons, ES, FF(soon to be removed and reworked now that I understand it better.), x1AMS (1 ton ammo); (Mid-Long Range Support) Likes: decent firepower, decent operational range, decent speed, decent JJ (think I took one off); Dislikes: Relatively squishy for a heavy.

STALKER STK-5S- "Red Dawn"- x3 ERLLs, x2LRM5+Artemis (1 ton ammo), x2SSRM, (1 ton ammo), x2 AMS (2 ton ammo), BAP, x2 CASE (stock) armor tweaks, quite a few extra heat sinks (I believe the total number is x28 STD), Standard internal structure, Standard armor; (Long-Range Support). Likes: accuracy and firepower are good, damage output is great, stands up to a beating reasonably well, but not a brawler. Heat is decent, but sustained chainfires can be a problem. Dislikes: slow (hard to fix in an assault), dogmeat for packs of lights (Slightly offset by the Streaks, but still). This is my primary mech at the moment.

THE X-5- "Apollo"- x3MLs, x2SSRMs (1 ton ammo, I think); Some armor tweaks, everything else stock; (Scout/Spot/Strike; Heavy-Hunter) Likes: firepower is good, but a little light for a medium. Speed is phenomenal. Dislikes: relatively squishy for a medium, though I try to offset it with speed.

BLACKJACK BJ-3- "Red Sword"- ES, FF (again, probably going away soon) x2ERPPCs, x2MLs, x1AMS (1 ton of ammo); armor tweaks, pretty sure some extra heat sinks but I can't recall at the moment. (Mid-range Snipe/Support) Likes: takes a beating pretty well, decent rage and damage, decent speed for the firepower on board. Dislikes: Just doesn't generally suit me that well. Too slow for a scout role (Like Athena or Apollo), not quite tough enough for long-range exchanges with assaults (like Red Dawn). Been pondering selling this one, but I'm holding on to work up the XP.

So anyone suggest some tweaks on these builds? Preferably not total rebuilds, unless it's still in the same role.

Further, you may notice the total lack of ballistic weapons here. This isn't really deliberate, and I'm now itching BAD for some Ultra AC/5s. I've been considering a a triple-Ultra Muromets, or a Centurion of some sort with an Ultra and SSRMs, or possibly one of the ubiqitous AC/40 Jaggers. So for a first ballistic mech and those statements in mind, what would the illustrious gentlmen of MWO forums suggest?

[Hebdomas]

First I'd add endo-steel and double heat sinks to everything, then add more armor.

The Jenner and Catapult (don't know enough about the others) are itching for an XL engine upgrade. With the Jenner a xl300 seems the most common, with some people using a xl280 as it will give you the same speed after you get the speed tweak skill. Catapults seem to range from a xl260 (apparently a 265 and 260 weigh the same) to a xl300. You could buy a xl300 for your Jenner and share it with your Catapult until you figure out what engine you want.

If you want UAC5s I'd take a Muromets as if you chain fire them you won't run into the jamming issue.
The Cataphract 4x has two ballistic slots, but is slow for a heavy.
Catapult k2 also has two ballistic slots and can use a lot of different builds.

Aside from the AC20 and LB 10-X AC (and to some extent the AC10) ballistic weapons aren't really for brawling. The (U)AC5 is more of a middle range weapon.

[KrazedOmega]

If you want to max out your Jenner you can go with a build like this. JR7-F

I've played almost 250 matches with it and it's one of my favorite mechs.

[LoboSG]

Hebdomas, on 22 June 2013 - 10:05 PM, said:

The Cataphract 4x has two ballistic slots, but is slow for a heavy.

4x has FOUR ballistic slots but they are all in the arms (2 each). However, each arm only has 9(?) slots, thus unable to have 2 uac5 or ac20 in each arm.

[Kiiyor]

Yagermech for dakka - mainly for the symmetry and usability. With the 'phract, you have very low slung arms, meaning you need to expose yourself like a crazy homeless trenchcoat flasher to be able to fire without hitting the ground in front of you. The magnificently higher than cockpit arms on the Yager allow you to shoot absolutely anything you can see. As evidenced below.



2x uac5, 7t ammo, 4 mlas standard engine Yager S is amazing. You can run with ****** all arm armour and still be viable thanks to tiny hit boxes.

[POOTYTANGASAUR]

All lights are "a bit squishy" and the cicada is only 5 tons heavier so it will be "squishy" also. This is to be expected and you need to counter that with speed and good tactics.

[Doccy]

agreed

[Ningyo]

First buy a XL 300 engine (or a mech that comes with one is fine too)

This will be a good engine for your Jenner, Catapult, and possibly stalker (for stalker it raises speed but reduces space so depends on your style)

Jenner JR7-F: switch to 300xl, add double heat sinks, add endosteel, add 2ML and 3 double heatsinks (can add ferro fibrous to max armor or slightly reduce armor and add one more heatsink, or remove one heatsink and add a AMS if you have a problem with streaks killing you)

X-5: I would switch to 2x Streak SRM, but this is a personal preference thing mostly

Catapult CPLT-C1: switch to 300xl engine, add double heatsinks, endosteel, and Artemis, Add 5 double heatsinks, remove 3 JJ, add AMS, raise LRM ammo to 7 tons. Raise armor to near max with rest of free space.

BJ-3: Add endosteel, add 2 Double Heatsinks. (eventually get a 200 or 235 XL and totally remake this mech)

Stalker STK-5S: change to double heatsink and Either switch to 4xLRM, 5xML, TAG, lots more LRM ammo OR 4xPPC, 4xStreak SRM. lots more double heatsinks. Also add a second AMS its the only reason to take this variant so might as well use it.

Edited by Ningyo, 25 June 2013 - 01:32 PM.

[Dalziel Hasek Davion]

Not quite sure of the question here - is it to turn your builds into brawlers - or just comment on them?

Let's look at the Stalker-5S. XL engines in Stalkers is a big risk because the side torsos are very big - I would remove that (it is the stock engine for the 5S) and replace it with a Std 255 or Std 300. Double HS upgrade is a must. Small LRMs are very vulnerable to AMS - so I would tend to remove them entirely (A STK-3H or CPLT-C1 are better missile platforms). If you want a brawling build, then I would suggest something like this: (Std300, 6xML, 4xSRM6, 2xAMS, good armour).

You could, of course, go for NxLarge Lasers or NxPPCs (4 < N < 6) if that's your taste.

The 3xUAC5, 3xML Ilya can be extremely potent fire support and is highly recommended. It's the 'Mech I use to farm CBills. Not a killer per se, but the DPS is amazing and you can do lots of damage. Just be prepared to run through 9 tonnes of ammo in a game. I carry more matches with a CTF-1X with AC20 and 5xMLs, though. Now - that's a brawler.

[Trip Hammer]

Hebdomas, on 22 June 2013 - 10:05 PM, said:

First I'd add endo-steel and double heat sinks to everything, then add more armor.


If you want UAC5s I'd take a Muromets as if you chain fire them you won't run into the jamming issue.
The Cataphract 4x has two ballistic slots, but is slow for a heavy.
Catapult k2 also has two ballistic slots and can use a lot of different builds.

I agree with the ES and DHS on almost any mech.

However, in regards to the UAC/5; with the changes to the AC/5's rate of fire, you can run 3 AC/5's and fire at the same rate as the UAC/5's without ever having the jamming proplem. And the reduced weight will get you more ammo. Me and some buddies of mine have already made the change and it works great.

[Ningyo]

thats because chain firing UAC/5 is not smart it slows their rate of fire from 1.1 to 1.5

What you want to do is either make a macro that fires them every 1.1 seconds.

OR

Better just hold down the fire button till 2 or more jam, then torso twist or run till they unjam. This does more damage and increases your survivability.