155 replies to this topic

[Bishop113]

Went ahead and ran the RS in a match, got 1 kill and 4 assists, only did 350 dmg but that's because I couldn't get very close to anyone. I'll keep running it and see how it goes, it definitely overheats easily, caustic valley would ruin this thing.

[Nebelfeuer]

Ignore the dmg numbers while running it in a stock variant - try to be prcise in aiming and make yourself useful by being in the righht place at the right time for concentrated fire or tanking a little. Sure it runs hot without DH but you can rely on your ac10 and LRMs to keep up constand bombardement( make sure you have a good target though due to ammo shortage) - use LL and SRM only when heat allows it or you have a uncertain target. Would still be wise to get one on your own that you can customise a little.

Edited by Nebelfeuer, 13 June 2013 - 06:46 AM.

[Bishop113]

Played three matches with the Atlas RS trial, I'm up to 10 kills probably about 10 assists. My overall K/D is 2.11 now. I was playing a bit conservatively, staying behind my allies a bit and keeping my distance until the action was already started by the faster guys so I could come in and not be a total bullet magnet and that worked out well, I died in one match but ended with 3 kills and 3 assists so that was fine.

So yeah I think I'll do fine when I get my own Atlas, I'm going to save up and just get the DDC instead of the RS.

[AlmightyAeng]

Bishop113, on 13 June 2013 - 06:52 AM, said:

Played three matches with the Atlas RS trial, I'm up to 10 kills probably about 10 assists. My overall K/D is 2.11 now. I was playing a bit conservatively, staying behind my allies a bit and keeping my distance until the action was already started by the faster guys so I could come in and not be a total bullet magnet and that worked out well, I died in one match but ended with 3 kills and 3 assists so that was fine.

So yeah I think I'll do fine when I get my own Atlas, I'm going to save up and just get the DDC instead of the RS.

Wow...just read through this whole thread. I feel your pain! And Atlas love.

First off, when I started playing, I ground my way up and the Atlas D-DC was my first 'mech. Then I ground out the RS and the D. You mentioned earlier how expensive 'mechs are for MC? Don't do that unless it's a Hero mech. PREMIUM TIME! The bonus to both experience and cash is WELL worth it. It shortens the grind CONSIDERABLY.

Second, they currently have a trial RS. While you don't own it yet, every time you play the trial you are wracking up 'Mech XP. Use it as much as possible until you can buy your own. Then you can JUMP through the basics on your very own Atlas. While grinding out my Atlai (without premium bonuses...my god it took forever) once you have the first and you grind your c-bills up to buying a second you have ALL the 'mech XP required to jump straight to Master once the other two chassis are unlocked. It helps.

Atlai can be difficult to play for a few reasons. One, everyone (as you've noticed) wants to follow behind the Atlas. So, when you lead the charge, everyone focuses on you first. Even if you're not in front, you often get targeted first...mainly because at the end of a fight one of the most terrifying things a beat-up team can see is a FRESH Atlas. With one you can just tank them out and crit their CT.

As far as fast Atlai go, I run either a 350 or a 360 in ALL my brawling Atlases. For a LONG time the D-DC was the King of Brawling. 3 missile slots for SRMS (when they still had a HELLUVA kick) and ECM made the D-DC the sneaky 100-ton backstabbing ninja of the battlefield.

Nowadays with the damage nerf to SRM's and the changes to ECM, I'd argue you can make a case for the other variants, particularly the RS. With all four lasers in the arms, with a 350+ engine you can brawl turns, and keep your aim on the target with amazing ease.

You can go the PPC/Gauss meta and stay at range with a 300-325 engine. I've even had moderate success with a mixed loadout including LRM's. The best tip for piloting Atlas though (and I know you discussed your tech capabilities) is to run with a group you can TALK to.
Even if you're just with a SINGLE other person running in PuG's, the ability to KNOW that someone is going to push WITH you over that hill instead of leaving you high and dry is invaluable. Whether you go out first and tank and they clean house, you both move up side by side together or they run out faster and distract and the enemy allowing you to broadside the back of a 'mech in all your firepower-y glory, having a buddy when you're running Atlai is the single greatest advantage there is.

Edited by Ghost Badger, 13 June 2013 - 07:47 AM.

[Bishop113]

The RS is cheaper and if it's better for AC+lasers I think that's probably more suited to me, I fight at medium range unless I'm forced into close quarters so running that trial Atlas the SRM's rarely come into play for me.

A couple good lasers, an AC/20 and above 61kph would be nice.

But we'll see, I have a ways to go still, almost at 8 million now. How do you add premium time? I see the button in the client but it's grayed out, I assume I must have to purchase MC to get it and is there a known bonus percentage or something?

[AlmightyAeng]

Bishop113, on 13 June 2013 - 07:54 AM, said:

The RS is cheaper and if it's better for AC+lasers I think that's probably more suited to me, I fight at medium range unless I'm forced into close quarters so running that trial Atlas the SRM's rarely come into play for me.

A couple good lasers, an AC/20 and above 61kph would be nice.

But we'll see, I have a ways to go still, almost at 8 million now. How do you add premium time? I see the button in the client but it's grayed out, I assume I must have to purchase MC to get it and is there a known bonus percentage or something?

Yes, Premium time increases both C-Bills earned and XP by 50%. You buy MC, then use that MC to get premium time.

If you do it a month at a time it ends up being around $14. I think it goes down to around $11 /month is you buy a huge chunk at once. Once bought though, the clock starts ticking, FYI.

If you're not finding SRM's to your liking, try throwing in Streaks instead. Less tonnage, fire and forget, and then focus on the laser/ac aiming.

With speed tweak, my 360 STD engine gets my Atlas going around 64.8 kph.

[Moomtazz]

Dont underestimate the value of ECM on the DDC. It benefits your entire team by making it hard for the enemy to target them.

[AlmightyAeng]

Moomtazz, on 13 June 2013 - 08:19 AM, said:

Dont underestimate the value of ECM on the DDC. It benefits your entire team by making it hard for the enemy to target them.

Oh, absolutely! I'm not saying ECM is worthless. Not at all. But if you're looking for raw brawl power, in the current balance/meta, I think the RS edges the D-DC out. In a team, the D-DC mixed in with other assaults in invaluable. Team assault ninja sneak.

As for your impressions of the trial RS, keep in mind that it likely has neither Endo-Steel or Double heatsinks (game isn't in front of me, can't check) and those make CONSIDERABLE difference in both space for heatsinks and heat. Also, the bigger the engine, the faster the atlas....but also the more heatsinks inside. Bigger engines run faster AND cooler...the tradeoff is a big chunk of tonnage.

[zraven7]

...so, OP, dude, I think your "Last Plea for Help" was heard a bit. ;-)

Edited by zraven7, 13 June 2013 - 08:38 AM.

[Sinthrow]

One down side to a high ping is you don't always get hit notification on yourself. no sound effects no hit marker location. just your paperdoll starts changing colors.
its almost like we need state rewind on the damage taker as well as the weapons fired..
Good luck looks like lots of good ideas already posted

[Buckminster]

Ghost Badger, on 13 June 2013 - 08:00 AM, said:

If you're not finding SRM's to your liking, try throwing in Streaks instead. Less tonnage, fire and forget, and then focus on the laser/ac aiming.

Another nice thing about streaks is that for some reason they aim based on your arm reticle. I've noticed in my Cent-A that I can focus on aiming with my arm AC/10, and the Streaks will lock on even though they are in the torso. Since they lock and fire, you can easily hit targets that aren't directly in front of you.

[BrokenDog]

After 3000 matches I pulled myself over the positive k/d hurdle! Mainly by not worrying about it and enjoying the game. I have only just cleared the win/loss hurdle at 3500 matches since the reset listings. I've taken my beatings and I still get them! Enjoy it first. {Can not make paragraphs?} Ping! I run between 110 and 160. Stop the worry!! Kick butt and have butt kicked!! WOOF!

[AlmightyAeng]

zraven7, on 13 June 2013 - 08:38 AM, said:

...so, OP, dude, I think your "Last Plea for Help" was heard a bit. ;-)

Nah. I'm convinced he just had a moment of dyslexia and his topic is actually entitled:

"Atlas Plea for Help"

It was just accidentally rearranged.

[scJazz]

Yeah I was noticing this morning that his plea for help resulted in several thousand words being sent to him. 153 replies with this one, 3283 views.

[AlmightyAeng]

Sinthrow, on 13 June 2013 - 08:42 AM, said:

One down side to a high ping is you don't always get hit notification on yourself. no sound effects no hit marker location. just your paperdoll starts changing colors.
its almost like we need state rewind on the damage taker as well as the weapons fired..
Good luck looks like lots of good ideas already posted

To be fair, it happens in low ping. I'm in Chicago...my ping is never above 40. I see a PPC shot that, on my screen CLEARLY missed. No impact. No impact sound. Paper doll changes colors. :/

[IraqiWalker]

Here's my tip for ya. Set your graphics to the lowest setting possible. Also, don't use the trial atlas. In fact I would advise all new players to stay away from most assault mechs as their starters. Learn to play on something in the not assault class. After that make your shift towards an Atlas or a Stalker or Highlander, or whatever your heart desires.