188 replies to this topic

[Rohjaz]

mekabuser, on 18 June 2013 - 07:11 AM, said:

OUTSTANDING OP.. with one exception, Its a mistake to say the spider is feared by none.. that is false.. I have apporx a 2 to one k/d and my highest w/l with my spider D. all pug. Knowing what i can do in a spider makes me cautious when I see one. I handle with care every time.. Theres a reason those who love the spider.. LOVE IT>

Could you share your killer spider builds please?

I'm very interested to know what they're capable of.

That's because I'm in the market for a light mech, and for entirely shallow reasons, I'm digging the spider's aesthetic appeal most of all.

[Morrigan War Crow]

Rohjaz, on 26 June 2013 - 01:12 PM, said:

Could you share your killer spider builds please?

I'm very interested to know what they're capable of.

That's because I'm in the market for a light mech, and for entirely shallow reasons, I'm digging the spider's aesthetic appeal most of all.

Endo, DHS, Ferro, largest XL engine, ER PPC, some JJ, ECM, your Spider 5D is all done!

[Arctu]

Why did you rate the Firebrand worse than the Catapult K2? It has everything the K2 has and then some. Nice idea on the review thing but your conclusions are not correct in a lot of the cases...

Edited by Arctu, 26 June 2013 - 02:15 PM.

[Victor Morson]

The only parts I disagree with would be giving any Commando a *** rating and also - less of a disagreement, but more perspective - Cicadas are actually exceptional 'mechs in tonnage balanced environments as an effective "Super light."

In random games where 1 Cicada = 1 Medium, however, you're absolutely right.

Also, the Blackjack-1 (way more than the 1X) shines in tonnage environments, too, as many pilots use them for jump snipers with PPCs.  They're very popular for that, but again, you're right in PUG matches.

Cent 9D deserves more than **, because it's exceptional in Conquest drops even if inferior in Assault ones.

Edited by Victor Morson, 26 June 2013 - 02:23 PM.

[Victor Morson]

The only parts I disagree with would be giving any Commando a *** rating and also - less of a disagreement, but more perspective - Cicadas are actually exceptional 'mechs in tonnage balanced environments as an effective "Super light."

In random games where 1 Cicada = 1 Medium, however, you're absolutely right.

[ED: It ate half my reply.]

I think there's some others that are misjudged in a non-weight environment as well, but sadly, half my post just got destroyed by the forums. My biggest issue would be with not having any Stalkers on the top-tier list when they absolutely are, in addition to rating the 9M Awesome as middle-of-the-road when it is the only Awesome worth even considering (I'd say the 9M should be *** and the others *.)

I also think the Cataphract 2X is now arguably the second best one to the 3D, but it's only because of a recent config we've adapted to it. If you asked me a month ago I'd given it a * rating.

I think the Highlanders should pretty much go 732 -> HM -> 733 -> All the others, too.

Overall you're not far off, and again, some of my comments on things like the Cicada are based on weight and are among the reason I think weight restrictions add a lot to the game. Trading a Centurion for a Cicada is a bad idea in this "class to class" system, but trading 5 tons to bring someone up from a Raven can be worthwhile.

[Kaio-Kerensky x10]

Victor Morson, on 26 June 2013 - 02:27 PM, said:

I think there's some others that are misjudged in a non-weight environment as well, but sadly, half my post just got destroyed by the forums. My biggest issue would be with not having any Stalkers on the top-tier list when they absolutely are, in addition to rating the 9M Awesome as middle-of-the-road when it is the only Awesome worth even considering (I'd say the 9M should be *** and the others *.)

The 8R is a reasonably effective LRMboat, by the admittedly low standards of LRMboats. Most of the things that are bad about the Awesome don't affect LRMs negatively.

The 9M is fun but bad. It's just so fragile and it has no punch.

Quote

I also think the Cataphract 2X is now arguably the second best one to the 3D, but it's only because of a recent config we've adapted to it. If you asked me a month ago I'd given it a * rating.

What config are you running? I'd put the 2X behind the 3D and Ilya but Cataphracts are just so good right now that I can believe that there's one I've missed.

Quote

I think the Highlanders should pretty much go 732 -> HM -> 733 -> All the others, too.

The 733P is one of the best mechs in the game right now, full stop.

[SchwarzerPeter]

Nice Review, but can't agree with some of the mechs ratings. Also some special variants are missing.

Like the stalker 5m large laser boat. The only mech that can mount 23 DHS and 5 ll.

Also its a little bit strange that the Jenner K has a * ranking, just because the Jenner D exist. Still way better than any Spider or the other Ravens.

[New Day]

Rohjaz, on 26 June 2013 - 01:12 PM, said:

Could you share your killer spider builds please?

I'm very interested to know what they're capable of.

That's because I'm in the market for a light mech, and for entirely shallow reasons, I'm digging the spider's aesthetic appeal most of all.

I've seen Glock do very well in it. ECM 2ML 1LL, don't know about else.

[General Taskeen]

"Mech ratings" just points out the handy-me-down balance act of many different things in the game, of which there are too many to list, all the way to the match maker. So yeah, I guess we can say "this mech is good, because of this specific balancing act interacting with these other balancing acts."

[DOOMCr3w]

Very good read and i quite gree on mostm but being a blackjack pilot and a Jager. i prefer the BJ-1X over the other because, speed, it is a very good heavy escort and can pretty much rip any light apart. Its a very good one to run its worth no jumpjets. and the rating you gave the Jager-DD yes it 2 many ballistics but i use them and drop enrgy by carrying the ammo required. I call it my mad scientist build 3machine, 1 ac2, 1ac5, 1ac10 and lots of ammo very good DPS and very good firesupport. And added plus of lots and lots of flying ballistics make peeps in any mech say F*** this im outta here.

[Delchev]

Victor Morson, on 26 June 2013 - 02:27 PM, said:

I also think the Cataphract 2X is now arguably the second best one to the 3D, but it's only because of a recent config we've adapted to it. If you asked me a month ago I'd given it a * rating.

Could you please elaborate on that config of yours?

[HarlekinEO]

Everyone who plays an Awesome thinks 9M is best. I have loadouts of the 9M, that can easily compete with 8R Damage Output, but topping it with speed and manoeuvrability. The same counts if you use em as 8Q, but with the feature of more DHS and Speed.

Also the 1 Star for the 8T isnt legitimate. It does same good Job, as all other 300 Engine Type Awesome's. It doesnt have major flaws, that makes this type nearly unplayable, like a Raven 4X. Maybe you mock about large side Torso's of the 8T, but then you have to reduce a star from 8R aswell.

If you wanna give only 1 Star, then it belongs to the Pretty Baby. I've found only one suitable spec, which you can use on this mech. Its nearly same with the 1 Star TBT 7K.

Edited by HarlekinEO, 09 July 2013 - 04:27 AM.

[80Bit]

HarlekinEO, on 09 July 2013 - 04:26 AM, said:

Everyone who plays an Awesome thinks 9M is best. I have loadouts of the 9M, that can easily compete with 8R Damage Output, but topping it with speed and manoeuvrability. The same counts if you use em as 8Q, but with the feature of more DHS and Speed.

Also the 1 Star for the 8T isnt legitimate. It does same good Job, as all other 300 Engine Type Awesome's. It doesnt have major flaws, that makes this type nearly unplayable, like a Raven 4X. Maybe you mock about large side Torso's of the 8T, but then you have to reduce a star from 8R aswell.

If you wanna give only 1 Star, then it belongs to the Pretty Baby. I've found only one suitable spec, which you can use on this mech. Its nearly same with the 1 Star TBT 7K.

When I refresh the review I will very likely be taking the PB down to one star and raising the 8T to at least 2 stars. Your points are well taken.

As for the 9M vs 8R, the thing is that the major deficiencies of the Awesome chassis, mainly huge hit boxes, are much less of a concern for an indirect fire capable mech. The 8R is indeed a rare sight, and I chalk this up to Stalker love. Since the balancing of LRMS, the 8R is absolutely devastating. I do play Awesomes, and I have to disagree that the 9M is best.

Edited by 80Bit, 13 July 2013 - 06:10 PM.

[Iscarius]

Cataphract-4X with 4 AC5s is absolutely brutal if you play it right. I've killed an entire lance with it in numerous matches.

Edited by Iscarius, 09 July 2013 - 07:12 AM.

[RF Greywolf]

Iscarius, on 09 July 2013 - 07:12 AM, said:

Cataphract-4X with 4 AC5s is absolutely brutal if you play it right.

IMHO ANY mech is brutal if played right! It is all in the individual piloting the mech and the play style that fits them. 80Bit's list is very nice, wish you luck in keeping it updated.

Greywolf

[80Bit]

First off, thanks for the 18k+ views and nearly 100 likes everyone.

With several mechs not listed and some recent game balance changes, I know this guide is getting outdated already. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago I had to sell my gaming laptop due to job changes, and right now I can't play the game at more than 8 Frames Per Second with the computer I have. I did get a good feel for the Quickdraw, but have not even got to play the Victor or mess with the new heat and SRM changes. I am definitely going to refresh this guide as soon as I can get back in the game, I'm just not sure when that will be.

Edited by 80Bit, 13 August 2013 - 09:50 AM.

[Tilon11]

Just found this. Great job!!

[xXBornOfFireXx]

Real awesome guide. You've helped me out tons.

[Praehotec8]

Entertaining read, well written. Thanks very much for this. A lot of it is very accurate. I don't agree with everything you say, but it's still a decent starting point for beginners.

[DONTOR]

LOL spiders are probably the hardest to kill mechs in the game u should make a note of that. But good effort overall.