22 replies to this topic

[Aristo_]

I've been rolling a Flame for a bit, unlocked to basic. I'd like to try and get Speed Tweak, but I'll have to stick it out with two other Dragon variants first. I'd like some reccomendations on more competitive-minded builds.
My Flame build is as follows:

XL360, 11 DHS
4 ML
Gauss rifle + 3 tons of ammo
Ferro-Fibrous, Endo-steel

It's a pretty standard mobile fire support/sniper; I like to zip around and pop shots with the gauss at range, and then close in when the majority of the team enters the brawl.

I'm wondering about the other Dragon variants and how I could fit them to perform similarly. Maybe give PPCs a try.

[mack sabbath]

I only ever used Flame, but I'd be interested to see any Dragon build that is actually viable.

Here's my Flame that I intend to try next.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...08ea47b5ed7600c

Edited by Die Primate Die, 12 June 2013 - 03:01 PM.

[John MatriX82]

You can basically reproduce the same builds you do in the Flame on the 1C, albeit it's totally asymmetric and you'll have to learn to live with the GR in the RA, all while living with 2 energy mounts locked to the torso rather than "easy" in the arm.

Personally once you learn and master the GR in the arm, you'll never fall back, unless we're speaking of very close brawling where sometimes the convergence is still an issue with weird angles taken by the weapon. Not only, but in the 1C you've the advantage of holding the GR in an arm with enough internals to cope with an eventual explosion of the gun, something you can't do in the flame with the XL.

Then since you've the good hero dragon (fang isn't ), you can either go for the 1N or the 5N. Personally I got rid of the latter, while I like(d) going around in my 2ML, 2SRM4, GR+4ton xl320 1N; until SRMs were useful, it rocked pretty much in brawling, but now with all that direct fire around, you last nothing as a flanker/striker.. my Dragons are dusting off by a long time and the Quickdraw will make them dust even more I guess, which is unfortunate.

[Ryokens leap]

Just scroll down this topic page, there are tons of builds listed.

[Aristo_]

I've looked around a bit and I've been interested in the application of SRMs to the torso mount, -SRM6s in particular- but are they worth the investment with and/or without Artemis?

I like the gauss rifle on my Flame, but I've found that just 4 MLs lack some short-ranged punch that I feel I need when I get thrown into a close-quarters situation. As I gather C-Bills for my 1C, I've been pondering trying out LLs or another ballistic weapon, like an AC/10 or 20.

[Rusty Shackleferd]

mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=11&l=509b092e30a3898574b161267e5ff69cbcf2d5bf This is a 4 Large Laser Build. You can probably get off 2 full alpha before you start to be mind full of your heat. This is fast enough to tear apart anything you have in the field so long as you stay out of sight of PPC boats. The high energy hardpoint helps out a lot when going over ridges.

Edited by Rusty Shackleferd, 13 June 2013 - 08:00 PM.

[Fiest]

not to be mean BUT let me google that for you

Edited by Fiest, 14 June 2013 - 02:54 PM.

[Aristo_]

You think I haven't already Googled it? I'm not stupid. I've done a lot of browsing. I just like to ask for myself in addition, to get second opinions. I'm not asking you to be a smug jerk about it.

Edited by Aristocrap, 14 June 2013 - 08:16 PM.

[Lloathe]

Ahhh the Dragon. The old guard of brawler mechs. Until pinpoint alphas get a nerf (and tonnage match making is in.. if ever) you will remain in a world of hurt for choosing this mech (CT is just far to easy to hit even when torso twisting, hence always use an XL). However...

Once the basics are done, stay away from anything that isn't a 1C or a Flame. Always max the armor, use an XL engine and upgrade to endo steel and DHS.

1C

Gauss, XL300, 4 tons of ammo, 2 med pulse in arm, 2 med laser in Ltorso. Worked well in SHS closed beta days. It is even better now in DHS days. Modify gauss ammo, engine rating (up only), and pulse or regulars mediums to taste.

Flame

AC20, 4 tons of ammo, 4 mediums. STD 275 (Has to be a standard for the AC-20) with 11 DHS. Wrecks shop. Obvious range and heat issues.

Stay as far away from SRM's as you can. They are nerfed to all hell unless you are boating them. A single SRM 6, or two 4's, will not help you at all. PGI seems convinced they can balanced boated weapons with single weapons as many other developers have mistaken before. Again, until they figure it out, stay away from SRM's (LRM's for the same reasons on the dragon). This tuesday might see a buff. It is unlikely.

[Modo44]

2xSSRM2 can work on the 1N. Other than that, yeah, spare tonnage on that missile slot...

[Zarvis]

As a Dragon master, I am really happy to see another dragon pilot here. Now about two variants that will be interesting to you.

First of all, Dragon is a very good Gauss platform and possibly one of the mechs that can use XL without too much risk thanks to its small side torso hitboxes (You will die from exploding CT anyway).

Dragon 1 C is very close to Flame, the difference being hard point locations. It may not be very fun to run 1 C since Flame is kind of better 1 C.

Dragon 1 N has two missile hard points in CT but two less Energy hardpoints compared to Flame. I use 2ML + Gauss + 2 SRM4.

Dragon 5N is interesting too. Special characteristics for this variant is that all the energy and ballistic hardpoints are in arms, making shots more precise. It also has 3 Ballistic hard points, which is considered as a waste as Dragon is not heavy enough to carry all these ballistic weapons. The only feasible way to utilize all 3 Ballistic hard points is to carry 3 AC2 and some medium lasers, and tons of ammo. It is not very bad but you can do this better with Jagermech. Besides You have to be constantly moving to avoid early death, making high alpha (Gauss) more attractive than anything else. Another way to use 5N is the Champion setup, with 2 LL + Gauss. You can also try 2 PPC + AC 10.

I have tried using LRM in my dragons but they were never successful thanks to ECM and AMS. Dragon can only mount up to LRM 10 or 2 LRM 5, and without artemies, these meager number of missiles doesn't really do anything. That is why I use SRM over LRM.

My favorite set up for Flame is to use 4ML+Gauss+SRM4 with XL 320 engine. The speed is 95kph with speed tweak and alpha fire power is 41. This has proved to be the most effective so far. You may think Dragon is not built to brawl, but Dragon is not built to fire support either. Other heavies can do it much, much better. IMHO, what you should do is to work as a harasser, a flanker just like a medium mech.

[Fiest]

Aristocrap, on 14 June 2013 - 08:15 PM, said:

You think I haven't already Googled it? I'm not stupid. I've done a lot of browsing. I just like to ask for myself in addition, to get second opinions. I'm not asking you to be a smug jerk about it.

it's not smugness, it's exasperation - given there is a 'dear new dragon pilots' thread on the first page here and you immediately ignored the pointers about gauss and xl engines (even on a dragon)

[Tremendous Upside]

I've been playing around with an AC20 build on Flame of late. Nothing to say except it rocks... AC20, 4MLs, STD300 engine with ES, FF, DHS, 358 armor and 4 tons of ammo - and it's almost like a different mech. Takes punches surprisingly well, and it drops stuff like you'd expect a heavy mech to. I'd stayed away thinking I'd be unable to get the mech fast enough to suit my tastes... but 89kph is pretty decent and still feels agile enough.

[Panzerkampfwagen IV]

I mastered my dragons recently.

xl 300, 2 ppc / 1 ac10 works for almost every variant and is extremely effective.

for the 1 or flame, try: 2 ML, 2 LL, gauss, also with xl 300.

Both of these builds are guaranteed 600+ dmg if you make it through the round alive.

[Sagamore]

To fit in with the current meta, I was toying around with my Flame. 4 x PPC was pretty fun but I ultimately settled on 2 x PPC and Gauss. I had to downgrade my XL engine a bit (can't remember which one exactly) so my max speed is now 89.4 KPH with tweak, however still fast enough to be a striker.

[Modo44]

In my experience, almost any Dragon build becomes powerful once you master the always moving, never remaining a target doctrine.

My current 1C favourite is 2xERPPC, 2xMLAS, 1xAC5 (2 tons of ammo), XL325, light on armor. The biggest alpha I had that was reliable, was with 1xGauss (2 tons of ammo), 2xERLLAS, 2xMLAS, XL300, almost max armor.

Edited by Modo44, 16 June 2013 - 10:34 PM.

[Aristo_]

I finished Basic for my Flame and 1C, and I've just started working on my 5N(C). Here's what I'm running on it.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...726a2ec1f20a3ff

The replacement of one large laser results in a bit less bite at range, but the SRM6 and ML are grouped together to better handle close range, particularly lights. I'll play around with two LLs and see if that yields a better or worse performance.

[Vimeous]

I went down the 5N(C) / 1C / 1N route.

Having tried multiple load-outs, including a dual AC5 swap on the 5N(C) I ended up back at stock with rejuggled ammo.

After trial and error my 1C config matched Lloathe's above. I find it very good for jousting with big slow turning opposition where a direct charge gets you into their rear quarter quick enough for a quick turn rinse and repeat.

The 1N has been much more of a headache. I've 6 builds in my shortcuts, none of which really hit heavily. In the end I recreated the stock 5N(C) minus the FF and 2xDHS but full armour. It still manages heat easily which the Gauss/2LL setup is great all round. One LL is in the chest making it more effective for hitting tiny lights and giving a little zombie trouble if left armless.

[Aristo_]

I found 2LLs and a Gauss to work well for me on the 5N[C]; here's my build and the results. When I get to Master with Dragons I'll probably sell it as the Flame and 1C can use the same loadout, and allow for better options.

12 DHS, Endo, FF
XL300
2LL
Gauss w/ 4T of ammo

[Doc Sunshine]

Grab yourself a 5N, slap in three AC2s, and go to town.

I have also been enjoying my 1N with an LB10X, ERPPC, and pair of streaks (and a TAG, for flavor).

Whatever you end up doing, be prepared to spend A LOT of cbills on engines. (or, you know,swap 'em out)