15 replies to this topic

[Enthropy]

I have my only mech (DRG-1N) upgraded to the quite comfortable yet still not too expensive build and I am starting to be able to use it. Basic efficiencies are all unlocked and C-bills are piling up. Is it more sensible to further **** my ride to my dream build (XL350 engine and other horribly expensive stuff) or should I buy the next Dragon variant first before I start burning money on big upgrades?

[mailin]

If you have the money for a new Dragon, I suggest buying another variant and working on them simultaneously. Once you have both you will find saving up for DHS and other upgrades doesn't really take that long. Then, lather, rinse, repeat for that master skill.

[Galen Crayn]

I would first buy the expensive stuff and than buy a new mech. You can use the XL Motor for other mechs too.

[mailin]

Lol. Well there you have it.

[rdmgraziel]

DHS and Endo-steel are more useful immediately, so definitely get those if you haven't. Get the engine now if you're planning on using it on all your future dragons. With dragons, speed is life, but you have to strike a balance between speed/maneuverability and firepower. If you have a build in mind for all 3 that uses that ridiculously expensive engine, I say go for it. If you're not sure about that, or you're planning on fielding a variety of engines to suit different builds, skip the engine for now and use the same cash to buy another Dragon. Dragons can use every edge they can get, and double-basics + speed tweak is a huge boon. If you haven't already, you can use http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab to do mockup builds.

[Enthropy]

rdmgraziel, on 18 June 2013 - 07:59 AM, said:

DHS and Endo-steel are more useful immediately, so definitely get those if you haven't. Get the engine now if you're planning on using it on all your future dragons. With dragons, speed is life, but you have to strike a balance between speed/maneuverability and firepower. If you have a build in mind for all 3 that uses that ridiculously expensive engine, I say go for it. If you're not sure about that, or you're planning on fielding a variety of engines to suit different builds, skip the engine for now and use the same cash to buy another Dragon. Dragons can use every edge they can get, and double-basics + speed tweak is a huge boon. If you haven't already, you can use http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab to do mockup builds.

Thanks. I already have DHS, FF and Endo. As for ridiculously expensive engine - is there a Dragon, that doesn't benefit from it? That XL350 costs one million more then another Dragon. That's why I am torn between buying that engine and rushing towards three Dragons and goodies that come from them (Speed Tweak, Fast Fire, ...) and buying engines later. My 80km/h is not bad, but 100km/h and a few more tons of weapons is surely better

[Wintersdark]

I'm with the others here. DHS is mandatory ASAP, endo steel for dragons is a must have as well.

Buy the big XL, and as others said once you buy your next DRG just toss the XL into it. That way your next ride will be that much better out of the gate.

As a tip, if you're considering buying the Flame hero Mech (easily the best dragon imho) it comes with a 300xl,which is an excellent engine for miscellaneous dragon builds as well as pretty much every other Mech. Also, Yay c-bill bonus!

[it1uk]

Wintersdark, on 18 June 2013 - 08:10 AM, said:

I'm with the others here. DHS is mandatory ASAP, endo steel for dragons is a must have as well.

Buy the big XL, and as others said once you buy your next DRG just toss the XL into it. That way your next ride will be that much better out of the gate.

As a tip, if you're considering buying the Flame hero Mech (easily the best dragon imho) it comes with a 300xl,which is an excellent engine for miscellaneous dragon builds as well as pretty much every other Mech. Also, Yay c-bill bonus!

The Flame comes with a std300 engine so you would still need to purchase an XL300 if you need it.

[Enthropy]

I am not considering hero mechs. And XL300 is too small. I play Dragon as a nimble harasser and chaos creating *******. And this role needs speed At the end, all of them are going to get XL350.

[Kanajashi]

Enthropy, on 18 June 2013 - 08:07 AM, said:

Thanks. I already have DHS, FF and Endo. As for ridiculously expensive engine - is there a Dragon, that doesn't benefit from it? That XL350 costs one million more then another Dragon. That's why I am torn between buying that engine and rushing towards three Dragons and goodies that come from them (Speed Tweak, Fast Fire, ...) and buying engines later. My 80km/h is not bad, but 100km/h and a few more tons of weapons is surely better

I run dragons with XL350s and I agree that Its an extremely good investment even with the price tag of 5.7million. What I would recommend is to complete your dream build on the DRG-1N, then continue to run it until you have purchased your next dragon. You are going to need to run that chassis more anyway to gain the experience to pay for the elite unlocks and eventually master. You can transfer the engine between them as you grind c-bills for the next chassis to save on money as well. Next you just have to repeat the process until you have three dragons with finished builds that you can engine swap between.

While i am currently in this process for my Dragons, I already did this for my Cataphracts. Now that my cataphracts are mastered I am in the long process of grinding another 2 engines so eventually they will all be fully equipped.

[Enthropy]

Ok, engine grind it is

My planned build is this.

[Roughneck45]

Enthropy, on 18 June 2013 - 08:35 AM, said:

Ok, engine grind it is

My planned build is this.

It would be better to get the variants first and get all the skills.

That way, you can sell the 2 you dont want after you are done and be that much closer to all the goodies.

And for the love of god why would you use an LBX? Is there a reason you like the 1N over the 1C? Because the 1C is the best dragon by a mile (besides flame).

Dragons are my favorite

Edited by Roughneck45, 18 June 2013 - 10:51 AM.

[Enthropy]

I have tried LBX and normal AC-10 and LBX works better for me. I don't know why, but enemies tend to panic more, when i pepper them with buckshot, then when I do some pinpoint shooting. And Dragon is not about kills, it is about chaos, panic and distraction. And it can bite - this was achieved with stock engine, ff, endo, dhs, 2 med lasers, LRM10 and LBX:





1N was a random choice. I want them all, so it doesn't matter, which is the first one

[Roughneck45]

Enthropy, on 18 June 2013 - 11:05 AM, said:

I have tried LBX and normal AC-10 and LBX works better for me. I don't know why, but enemies tend to panic more, when i pepper them with buckshot, then when I do some pinpoint shooting. And Dragon is not about kills, it is about chaos, panic and distraction.

Only if you limit it to that.

It can do all those things AND get kills. Just not with an LBX. 4 Mlas with gauss and an SRM rack will server you better every time. An LBX is never worth its weight an ANY situation right now. It just doesnt have the firepower.

Don't let people force feed you the notion that the Dragon is a big medium. It is much deadlier than that when piloted well.

BUT, the most important part is that you have fun, so if the LBX is your favorite, have at it!

Edited by Roughneck45, 18 June 2013 - 11:50 AM.

[Koniving]

Enthropy, on 18 June 2013 - 07:38 AM, said:

I have my only mech (DRG-1N) upgraded to the quite comfortable yet still not too expensive build and I am starting to be able to use it. Basic efficiencies are all unlocked and C-bills are piling up. Is it more sensible to further **** my ride to my dream build (XL350 engine and other horribly expensive stuff) or should I buy the next Dragon variant first before I start burning money on big upgrades?

An improvement upon it is a good idea. Settle for an XL 300 engine, it's more affordable and allows you to carry more weapons while keeping maximum armor. Either in the near future or in the immediate future, consider Ghoulsby's DRG 5N Swift-Dakka. <--the story and the build is in that link. My final testing video is in this link.

It has become my favorite dragon.

Edited by Koniving, 18 June 2013 - 11:59 AM.

[scJazz]

TL;DR: Buy each Dragon chassis as fast as you can and do not upgrade it at all.

Great advice from everyone above... my advice from a Newb perspective. Which should shed some light because many who responded are not in the same shoes you are... I am though You have already pointed out that you will not be buying the Hero Dragon so I must assume MC purchase is out of the question for the time being. You have stated that you have finished Basics in the one DRG-1N chassis and "CB are piling up".

Assumption: You only have 4 Mech Bays and have just started or you have a few more and some unspent MCs which you do not want to spend. Apparent data in your posts.

Data
Elite skill set (4/4) costs 21500 XP
XL350 Engine costs 5.7M CB
There are only 3 Dragon Chassis that are not Hero/Champion
The cheapest Dragon as you already know costs... 4.7m CB

Koniving has suggested the XL300 Engine... while it is not the 350... I whole heartedly agree, because it is a useful engine type. Usable by Lights, Mediums, Heavies, and Assaults. In other words it is not a "one shot" purchase. Several Engine sizes fall into this category such as 260, 275, 280, 300, etc (forum warriors perhaps you can jump in here and point out the MOST useful engine sizes)

The only reasonable approach, newb who has no spare bays beyond the 4 and who is not going to use MC right now, is to buy and skill full Basic in the other two Dragons. You will based on what newb data I possess finish Basic on the other two Dragons while still being CB short of massive upgrades.

So Newb Approach ignoring the perfection of the above posts would be...

1 ) Buy each Dragon Chassis as you have CB (PRIMARY GOAL)
2 ) Do not upgrade (HS, ENDO, XL) either of them unless you feel a real affinity toward that Chassis
3 ) Skill both to Full Basic
4 ) It is not unlikely between 2nd and 3rd Dragon chassis that you will be able to buy 300 to 350 XLEngine
5 ) Primary consideration is the HARD 21500 XP limit on the ELITE skill set for your 1N, surpass this limit and any XP gain is lost until you are ready for MASTER, another 21500 XP. Therefore MAX XP Storage on the 1N is 43000 XP. Anything beyond is a waste of time until you are willing to spend some $$$ for MC.