151 replies to this topic

[Lazer Blazer]

Ive looked at the stalker and I thought YES. I looked at the atlas and I though walking target board. I can't understand why anyone would pick it over the stalker.

Stalker: sleek profile 2 LRM 10'S, 2 SRM 6's, 4 medium lasers and 2 Large Lasers. coming up over a hill All of its weapons are shown first.

Atlas: Wide and bulky profile. built to be shot at. Ac20, 4 medium lasers 1 LRM 20, 1 SRM 6 and coming up over a hill you would just see its head.

I do not get it.

Edited by Lazer Blazer, 09 June 2012 - 04:51 AM.

[FrostPaw]

Since you can pick the Atlas at the start and you can't pick the Stalker, I'm guessing you didn't think too hard why someone would choose Atlas ;-)

[Kallor Mar]

Maybe its hype?.. I mean the Atlas is well knows, as for the stalker.. not too known?

FrostPaw, on 09 June 2012 - 04:28 AM, said:

Since you can pick the Atlas at the start and you can't pick the Stalker, I'm guessing you didn't think too hard why someone would choose Atlas ;-)

What choices on mechs, do we have on start anyways?.. and its only for founders package if I remember?

[Dovoid]

Like most mechs its personal opinion. but i prefer the stalker.

[Steel Prophet]

First of all: Atlas has 1 LRM 20 and can be customized
Second: Atlas has more Armor than the Stalker
Third: As it has been said before it all comes down to personal preferences

[Blu C]

Lazer Blazer, on 09 June 2012 - 04:23 AM, said:

Atlas: Wide and bulky profile. built to be shot at. Ac20, 4 medium lasers 1 LRM 10, 1 SRM 6 and coming up over a hill you would just see its head.

Technically, if we are talking the original Atlas AS7-D you have the weapons not quite right. The LRM is an LRM20.

There are also issues cannonically with the Stalker: its frame is poorly able to handle the stresses resulting in more expensive and frequent maintenance. It also runs much hotter (46 maximum heat generated with only 20 heat sinks. By contrast the Atlas only produces 31 heat at max load).

Finally there is the issue of armor. The Stalker only has 13.5 tons, while the Atlas has 19 tons. Considering that the Stalker is not any faster than an Atlas it is much easier to pop.

[zzzuk]

When you compare them, you see that the standard weapon loadout of these Mechs has one big difference: Atlas carries an AC20 autocannon and Stalker 2 Large lasers. Other weapons are quite similar: both of them have Medium lasers (Atlas 5, Stalker 4), LRM´s (Atlas LRM20, Stalker 2x LRM10) and SRM (Atlas 1x, Stalker 2x). So advantage of Atlas is definitely in heat management, as you can see. Atlas also has one of thickest armors in it´s class. And about the profile: Atlas and it´s skull-like looking head is designed to be visible and to create fear in minds of enemy pilots. It´s kind of honor to hold your head risen up and don´t try to hide. Personally I´m not a fan of Atlas, but I understand perfectly, why would someone choose it.

[Arnie1808]

I would watch out the Lyran's wouldn't like you bad mouthing their favourite scout 'mech

[Lazer Blazer]

Steel Prophet, on 09 June 2012 - 04:41 AM, said:

First of all: Atlas has 1 LRM 20 and can be customized
Second: Atlas has more Armor than the Stalker
Third: As it has been said before it all comes down to personal preferences

oops sorry about the lrm 20

zzzuk, on 09 June 2012 - 04:42 AM, said:

When you compare them, you see that the standard weapon loadout of these Mechs has one big difference: Atlas carries an AC20 autocannon and Stalker 2 Large lasers. Other weapons are quite similar: both of them have Medium lasers (Atlas 5, Stalker 4), LRM´s (Atlas LRM20, Stalker 2x LRM10) and SRM (Atlas 1x, Stalker 2x). So advantage of Atlas is definitely in heat management, as you can see. Atlas also has one of thickest armors in it´s class. And about the profile: Atlas and it´s skull-like looking head is designed to be visible and to create fear in minds of enemy pilots. It´s kind of honor to hold your head risen up and don´t try to hide. Personally I´m not a fan of Atlas, but I understand perfectly, why would someone choose it.

The atlas has 5 medium lasers I thought it had 4

[Sporkosophy]

zzzuk, on 09 June 2012 - 04:42 AM, said:

When you compare them, you see that the standard weapon loadout of these Mechs has one big difference: Atlas carries an AC20 autocannon and Stalker 2 Large lasers. Other weapons are quite similar: both of them have Medium lasers (Atlas 5, Stalker 4), LRM´s (Atlas LRM20, Stalker 2x LRM10) and SRM (Atlas 1x, Stalker 2x). So advantage of Atlas is definitely in heat management, as you can see. Atlas also has one of thickest armors in it´s class. And about the profile: Atlas and it´s skull-like looking head is designed to be visible and to create fear in minds of enemy pilots. It´s kind of honor to hold your head risen up and don´t try to hide. Personally I´m not a fan of Atlas, but I understand perfectly, why would someone choose it.

No, Atlas has 4 Med. Lasers.

[Blu C]

Correct, 4 ML on the Atlas. Technically 2 of those should be rear firing, however since that is difficult to actulaly make doable videogames tend to just mount them forward firing.

I just remembered another reason to take the Atlas over the Stalker (though it isn't really relevant to MWO): Two fully articulated hands. In the tabletop that makes the Atlas probably the MOST dangerous close combat 'Mech in the game because it's punches hit for so much damage.

[Aegis Kleais]

I think the OP has a tendency towards Mech that by default equip pairs of weapons equating to more power. Do you find yourself buying things at stores in intervals of 2 as well? Cause I have the same issue It's some kind of binary OCD, but I think one of the core differences between these 2 chassis is that the Atlas will have significantly more armor to keep him in the fight.

[Grokmoo]

On a related note, why so many mechs where the base variant has 4 medium lasers? Jenner, Catapult, Cataphract, Stalker, Atlas. In fact, every single mech so far except the Commando and Awesome has either 2 or 4 medium lasers. I know it is a common configuration, but a little more variety would be nice.

[GotitN4U]

You know you are trying to compare a 85 vs 100 ton mech that each have differant roles.

Stock Atlas main job is to close in to use the Meds/Ac-20 .While a Stock striker is to stay at range using the LRM/ Lg laser as a support unit mainly and as a backup for close combat.

Edited by GotitN4U, 09 June 2012 - 05:11 AM.

[martius]

The ML was perhaps the most common weapon on of that days- serving as main guns on light Mechs and backup weapon on heavier designs. If you look through TRO 3025 or TRO 3039 you will find few 'Mechs without a ML.

As for MWO- well, we can always costumize them away.

[Blu C]

Grokmoo, on 09 June 2012 - 05:03 AM, said:

On a related note, why so many mechs where the base variant has 4 medium lasers? Jenner, Catapult, Cataphract, Stalker, Atlas. In fact, every single mech so far except the Commando and Awesome has either 2 or 4 medium lasers. I know it is a common configuration, but a little more variety would be nice.

Asthetics. It is one of the way people typically think, honestly. We like to pair things up if possible. Symetry gives a sense of balance that humans find appealing. It is the same reason why asymetry is often considered less attractive.

[Sporkosophy]

Blu C, on 09 June 2012 - 04:58 AM, said:

Correct, 4 ML on the Atlas. Technically 2 of those should be rear firing, however since that is difficult to actulaly make doable videogames tend to just mount them forward firing.

I just remembered another reason to take the Atlas over the Stalker (though it isn't really relevant to MWO): Two fully articulated hands. In the tabletop that makes the Atlas probably the MOST dangerous close combat 'Mech in the game because it's punches hit for so much damage.

Until we get TSM, anyways.

[Sleeping Bear]

GotitN4U, on 09 June 2012 - 05:09 AM, said:

You know you are trying to compare a 85 vs 100 ton mech that each have differant roles.

Stock Atlas main job is to close in to use the Meds/Ac-20 .While a Stock striker is to stay at range using the LRM/ Lg laser as a support unit mainly and as a backup for close combat.

Umm, the job of the Stalker is to inflict damage on the enemy and do more of it at medium and short range. The Stalker is your utility do it all assault mech. The Atlas excels at breaching static defenses because of it's incredible durability. If the Stalker can stay at a decent range, it will punish the Atlas and eventually wear it down. If the Atlas were to get into short range, it would inflict crippling damage on the Stalker. Now if an enemy had to engage an Atlas while under fire simultaneously from a Stalker, that would be game over.

Why fight against each other when you can accomplish so much more fighting together? So far with the introduced assault class battlemechs, assault lances in game are going to be really scary to tangle with, especially when you have them mixed together. A brutal close range brawler, a sniper, and an all-range striker, scary stuff indeed.

[wanderer]

Honestly, the stock Atlas suffers greatly on open battlefields, since it's got weak firepower outside of short ranges and low ground speed. It does mean a Stalker has the firepower advantage until about 270m, seeing as it can add in a large laser or two from 450m in, and then it's slightly weaker (and less armor to take it) with it's 4 ML/2 SRM 6 vs. the Atlas's AC/20/4 ML/SRM 6. Of course, if you've softened it up enough coming in, that may not matter.

The good news for most Atlas pilots is that swapping in a Gauss rifle won't be too tough, giving you a truly nasty long-range punch without losing much firepower- or customizing it for more reach in other ways. The Atlas has a nice mix of hardpoints to fit your choice of "big guns" on it. Then again, so can a Stalker although it's restricted to energy and missile weapons- but there's room to make nice custom layouts too.

Edited by wanderer, 09 June 2012 - 06:49 AM.

[Faceless Priest]

The atlas is an iconic mech, it's not so popular because "OMG ITS THE BEST".

The whole comment on the atlas having a larger profile i've found in games isn't usually true, the stalker has a much much larger sideways profile & both are slow assault mechs so your not exactly dodging left and right.