50 replies to this topic

[MeiSooHaityu]

I try to keep my mechs as fast as I can, but often the build dictates speed.

I try to have certain mechs for certain roles and sometimes that dual AC20 mech just isn't fast. Overall though, my Catapult C1 is pretty quick at 80kph, the K2 and A1 is up there also, and my Hunchback Swayback is a cool 92kph.

Speed saves lives It allows quick popping in and out of cover, and I can respond to base caps quicker. Yes I said it, I actually try and defend our base LOL.

[Ralgas]

heavy's and under 70km/h minimum unless theres a very strong weight need elsewhere I'm with you though mate lately it seems like everyone wants to hill hump till they are the last one left or run away from any fight that's not 3-1 in their favor and instead go squirrel the lone winged mech that will already be dead by the time they get there anyway

[Bishop Steiner]

Sephlock, on 09 June 2013 - 02:05 PM, said:

I ask because I've noticed that 99% of the time unless I intentionally pull a reverse Leeroy Jenkins, I am the guy wayyyyy up in front, whether I am running a fast mech or not.

(Just for a reference point, although I have occasionally used lower rated engines when I was forced to by a mech's max engine rating, a desired build (like the 4x uac jager) or just a desire to mess around, generally the lowest I will go in engine rating is 250 due to 2.0 DHS, and as of late I've been piloting mostly heavy and assault mechs).

I was wondering if this is because you are all ******* cowards playing cautiously, or if you have low rated engines, or what.

Note that I'm not talking about gathering at a ridge or other hot spot (although there is that too), I'm talking about glancing at my minimap 30-60 seconds in and seeing your coward ***** mechs lagging wayyyy behind.

Is it just me? It's got to be...

Its really hard to find a meat shield lancemate to partner up with when you guys are all lagging behind.

the worse the hard points, the faster the engine. My YLW, for instance is maxxed out, and I think it pointless to "Zombie" them.

Speed is life, and a fast XL IMO, more survivable than a slow Standard (unless, like a HBK, you are slow no matter what). I pretty much don't touch Assaults (*GASP!!!!*) because they are targets. Sure they pack a punch, but they are also usually target #1. (The Victor will be my exception. Mobility AND armor and guns)

But it depends on the build. My Glass Cannon and SLAMJager are not leading charges, but opportunistic hunters.

[RussianWolf]

I try for the biggest that will fit. Then I arm and armor up and see if I need more tonnage. I may take it down a notch or two if needed. I always target the smallest engine with the most internal heat sinks as the minimum.

[Volts]

I want to go as fast as possible, and stay viable.

As for the slow starters; people are sheep. I just pick a direction and run to a point in cover just to get people moving.

Lead from the front, then the moment you make contact, head to the back!

[SMDMadCow]

I try to find a sweet spot, too much engine then not enough gun, too little engine then too easy to hit and kill.

[Thorqemada]

Minimum ~Speed with Efficiencies
Lights: 140kph
Cicada: 130
Mediums: 90
Dragon: 90
Heavys: 80
Awesome: 80
Assaults: 55

Edited by Thorqemada, 10 June 2013 - 07:32 AM.

[Escef]

On my Catapults C1 and K2 I use the stock engine, the A1 mounts a STD 305 because when I rigged it up as a 36Cat I had enough tonnage left to fit it.

My A and AL Cents use a STD 250. I don't see a need to max it out to 275 because it will only be a 10% boost in speed, which I already get thanks to Speed Tweak, and the extra tonnage would make an XL needed, and I try to avoid using those due to vulnerability and cost. My Cent D runs the stock 300 XL, and I find it fast enough for my needs.

My Highlanders all run STD 300s. The extra 5.5 tons for a 325 just doesn't seem worth it for a less than 10% speed bump. And I refuse to put an XL in something that's almost as easy to hit as an apartment building. I used to run a 310 in my 733C, but I came across workable load outs that also uses the 300, and there's something I like about uniformly using the same engine on all 3 of my HGNs.

My Atlas D-DC (the only Atlas I have) mounts a STD 350. Yeah, it's bigger than a lot of other people run (seems the 325 is most popular), but there is only so much slowness I can take.

My 2D Commando runs a 210 XL, I just jammed the biggest engine that could fit into the thing, and I had to XL it to have room for anything.

I used to have a pair of Trebs with STD 250 engines, as that speed worked fine with the Cents, but I just didn't like playing them, so I sold them off. Same for the 4G Hunchie I used to have, but it was worse; the right torso screams target and is easy to remove.

I also used to have a 4X Phract, that used a 255 XL. Had it loaded out with quad AC5 and 2 medium lasers. It was fun for a little while, but the charm wore off and I got rid of it.

Usually I run engines with ratings that are multiples of 25, the better for stuffing in heat sinks (part of why I don't run a 360 on the Atlas). On most heavies I don't have a problem with the stock engine, 64.8 kph is adequate (especially when it hits 71.3 with Tweak). On most lights and mediums you really need a bigger engine than stock.

[oldradagast]

My main rules of thumb:

1) Don't let my Mediums be as slow as the typical Heavy - give them a bigger engine.

2) Never downsize the stock engine - no point in being the most sluggish in your weight class.

[Chavette]

Engines are overrated, and a waste of tonnage from weapons.

[Zyllos]

Basically stock, or near stock, engine sizes.

All I basically do is add DHS and EndoSteel/Ferro-Fiberous in an attempt to make it heat efficient then add either some ammo or armor. But the stock mech is pretty close to the same.

[Trauglodyte]

Lights/Cicadas = 130+ kph; Mediums = 85+ kph; Heavies (Dragon/Quickdraw) = 101+ kph; Other Heavies 75-85 kph; Assaults (Awesome/Victor) = 80+ kph. Anything slower and you're meat. I want to be able to get in and get out and you can't do that without speed. Plus, you can't effectively torso twist damage away from you or get to cover to negate damage if you're trudging along at 40-50kph.

[Leafia Barrett]

Since I've only run Lights as of now? The biggest engine they'll let me stuff into the mech, common sense be damned. I'd shove an XL400 into a Spider if they'd let me.

[MeiSooHaityu]

oldradagast, on 10 June 2013 - 08:10 AM, said:

My main rules of thumb:

1) Don't let my Mediums be as slow as the typical Heavy - give them a bigger engine.

2) Never downsize the stock engine - no point in being the most sluggish in your weight class.

I have 1 medium that is the exception to the above rule. I have my Founder's Hunch running a Tripple AC2 setup with 3 MLasers. The mech tops out at a blistering 64kph. It is a quirky build, but is suprisingly fun. I think it helps that most don't see it as a priority target (until the trip AC2s come crashing down on them ).

[Narcissistic Martyr]

My slowest mech is my Cent 9A with the maximum allowable engine size so 98kph.
My second slowest is my AC20 Raven @ 99 kph
Then my dragons @ 105 kph
Then my trebs @ 120kph
Then my 3L which I don't really play much @ maximum speed

So, in summary, I like to go fast both because I'm a backstabbing harlot* and because I'm way too bad a shot to pilot an assault mech or slow heavy and not die pointlessly.

*Archaic word choice to convey my meaning without censorship

Edited by Narcissistic Martyr, 14 June 2013 - 11:20 AM.

[Cybertek]

It is typically wiser to stay with the group so when you meet up with the opposing force you can bring opposing force to counter it. Unless I am usuing a Raven, Jenner, even my Catapult LRM15 boat, if I have a assault or a heavy I keep the engines the same and load up on armor and guns. what good is it to get there quicker just to die easier. Simple stay with the team, some times if I am using my Raven not to scout but for the ECM I run ahead and wait for the big guys to catch us to shield them from LRMs.

Like others have said I do like when one mech runs ahead lets me see where the fire is coming from and let you take the heat.

[aniviron]

I generally build about as fast as I am allowed to go; that said, when I was messing around in the 48kph trial atlas earlier, I usually found myself pulling far ahead of my teammates anyway, so I am guessing that OP is correct and everyone hangs back on purpose.

[Johnny Reb]

Unless I am boating lrms, I typically put the fastest engine I can depending if I want std or xl.

Edited by Johnny Reb, 19 June 2013 - 09:09 PM.

[Angel of Annihilation]

Honestly I don't tend to upgrade my speed very much if at all in any mech I run because in most cases I find that the extra firepower and/or heat management I can get for the weight of a bigger engine definately outweights the extra 10-15kph speed boost.

[Fred013]

AFAP