14 replies to this topic

[Ironkin]

Hi guys, after I mastered the CTF chassis I decided to take a step up and bought myself a Highlander HGN-732 as the first of 3 I plan to purchase because I want to master this chassis too. I have a great affection to fast brawlers like my Muro with 3 AC/5 and 3 Medlas going at 81.1 kp/h (with speedtweak). Now I wanted to ask you guys what in your opinion is the best chassis for a brawler HGN and if you could give me any advice on how to play the HGN and maybe if you could provide some build-suggestions.

I already tried out some of my own ideas for the HGN-732 in the mwosmurfy mechlab. I added some additional SRM6s and a bigger XL-engine and an additional medlas in the right torse to make it faster, only to see that I almost completely have to sacrifce the right arm with the ballistic hardpoint due to weight issues.
Speed is a important factor for me because it really fits my playstyle to kite and run around enemies or get into cover and come out at another corner.

I know that the AWS is currently the fastest of the assault mech class, but I don't really like the chassis because of it's width and general looks, so I decided to try out the HGN.

I would be really glad and thankful for any advice you could give me on this topic.

[Wanderman]

733C is the brawler chassis of the highlanders. Only one that can fit a AC20 in the arm. You will only be able to get to about 65 kph in a HGN though. Got to learn to use the JJ's to make the most out of a Highlander in a brawl, Otherwise it is prety much just a atlas with less tonnage and armor.

Edited by Wanderman, 23 June 2013 - 12:39 PM.

[Jay Z]

733C ftw. I prefer this build. HGN-733C. The standard engine helps a lot as with good torso twist you can sacrifice the left side. Also, I kept completely full armour as you should be jumping all the time and take damage on the legs. This way you can stay alive for a lot longer. I like DPS builds over alpha heavy ones for virtue of brawling longevity.

[Captain Katawa]

HGN are not too good at brawling by many reasons including torso lasers and wasting tonnage for jumps.
Heavy Metall does brawling somehow.

but if you really want to brawl then better choose an Atlas. I'd advice RS with 4LL and a gauss.

landers and stalkers do sniping well but when it comes to brawling Atls squashes them

[Mokou]

Dunno, i try all HGN, and i think HM is better for brawling (733C second), but atlas much better except JJ ability.
Also if DEVs will up SRM dmg maybe HGN will be better in close.

[TurboZombie]

Highlanders not good for brawling? Gooby plz



This thing destroys.
1xLL
1xLPL
1xAC20
3xSRM6+Artemis
Firepower of 66.59
I love this mech. By far my best/highest damage dealing mech. Difficult to not do well in it.

Edited by TurboZombie, 30 June 2013 - 05:06 PM.

[Joey Tankblaster]

Looks good - your screen. How many of them do you have? Can you post your K/D-ratio for this chassis? This would be a more unbiased view of this loadout.

IMHO your build looks unbalanced as it is too hot for a brawler. Your alphastrike firepower might be high, but your constant damage per second rate is rather slow and thats the important parameter for a brawler. I would suggest replacing the 1xLL and 1xLPL with 2xML or 2xMPL and add some DHS. This might increase your DPS a lot and decreases alphastrike a little bit.

In practice it means you can fire one additional alphastrike before shutdown.

Moreover, I would at least install one JumpJet as this is a unique feature of th Highlander. Running a Highlander without JJs is like running an downsized Atlas.

Just my two cents

Edited by Joey Tankblaster, 01 July 2013 - 03:22 AM.

[Tarl Cabot]

I prefer the HM also due to having direct fire weapons on both sides instead of being located all on one side and missiles on the other, though my setups is a comb of long/med range setup. Soften up the target before jumping into its face.

[King Arthur IV]

gauss.
2x srm6 artemis.
1x srm4 artemis.
3x med laser.

this is my go to build for brawling. this build has been so successful that iv gotten bored of it and im trying to build another brawling build.

[MacKerris]

I find that a HGN-733 works pretty well. A gauss for sniping, closing and cooling off. With 2 LL, and 4 SRM6 for the punch. Yes it can be a bit hot, but I have found I like it better than the 733C for the way the game is right now.

[oldradagast]

MacKerris, on 01 July 2013 - 02:59 PM, said:

I find that a HGN-733 works pretty well. A gauss for sniping, closing and cooling off. With 2 LL, and 4 SRM6 for the punch. Yes it can be a bit hot, but I have found I like it better than the 733C for the way the game is right now.

Similar concept with mine, but using the Standard 275. 1 Gauss, 2 LL, 2 SRM6's, along with the Anti-missile system and 2 Jump Jets. Not as much firepower as yours, but I'm not a fan of XL engines in assault mechs (just my opinion, of course.) The end result isn't a pure brawler, but it can lay down direct fire across all ranges, so it works well.

[Tremendous Upside]

MacKerris, on 01 July 2013 - 02:59 PM, said:

I find that a HGN-733 works pretty well. A gauss for sniping, closing and cooling off. With 2 LL, and 4 SRM6 for the punch. Yes it can be a bit hot, but I have found I like it better than the 733C for the way the game is right now.

I run pretty much the same on my 733. Runs a little hot - but certainly manageable. I put the GR into both weapon groups (with both the LLs and the SRMs) and it gives solid midrange firepower and a devastating CQ punch that way. Very VERY solid build.

[MacKerris]

Not quite as hot, but missing some of the SRM punch.

I ran this prior to the SRM6 version. now I just deal with the heat.

As to the XL in a Highlander...90% of my deaths are from having my center torso cored. I have heard the same from many others.

Edited by MacKerris, 01 July 2013 - 05:54 PM.

[Joey Tankblaster]

@MacKerris

Thats true. I am running XLs on all of my Highlanders and side torso destruction is really rare.

Anyway, nice to see, that most of the loadouts in this topic are build around the SRM-idea.

Here are my brawler builds.
HGN-733
1xGauss
2xML
4xSRM6+Artemis
XL300

HGN-733

Most of the damage comes from 4x SRM6+Artemis launchers in close combat. The Gauss adds some longe range capabilites though. This mech is extremely satisfying. Jump Jets add enourmesly to the mobility. Eats stalkers and atlas for breakfast.

HGN-733C

HGN-733C
1xAC20
2xMPL
3xSRM6+Artemis
XL300

Final mech is a 733C brawler build with the AC20 instead of the Gauss. Surprisingly this mech is less efficient compared to the 733 Brawler and misses the long range capabilites of the Gauss, which is really a pain on maps like tourmaline or alpine. In addition it runs slightly more hot so that the 733 is still my favourite mech.

Edited by Joey Tankblaster, 01 July 2013 - 10:57 PM.

[TurboZombie]

Joey Tankblaster, on 01 July 2013 - 01:16 AM, said:

Looks good - your screen. How many of them do you have? Can you post your K/D-ratio for this chassis? This would be a more unbiased view of this loadout.

IMHO your build looks unbalanced as it is too hot for a brawler. Your alphastrike firepower might be high, but your constant damage per second rate is rather slow and thats the important parameter for a brawler. I would suggest replacing the 1xLL and 1xLPL with 2xML or 2xMPL and add some DHS. This might increase your DPS a lot and decreases alphastrike a little bit.

In practice it means you can fire one additional alphastrike before shutdown.

Moreover, I would at least install one JumpJet as this is a unique feature of th Highlander. Running a Highlander without JJs is like running an downsized Atlas.

Just my two cents

My K/D with this chassis is 1.83. Unfortunately for that number however, I did a lot of experimenting with this chassis before I found this build.

I understand what you mean about overheating, but I never really run into the problem. I can either alpha enough to kill whatever is in front of me (usually) before I overheat, or I will rely strictly on the ac20 and srm's in close combat. I can still do a high amount of damage when I don't use the lasers. However, if need be, I can do a high damage alpha strike. Also, I was pretty ok with taking out the JJ's because of the rather recent implementation of JJ shake. But I do miss them from time to time. And I have a total of 3 highlanders. 732, 733C and 733P