151 replies to this topic

[Davers]

I like the Atlas.

When an assault steps onto the field you know it's going to draw a lot of fire. You need a mech that can take it. Rather have them shooting at me, then at my buddy's Hunchback (which can deliver almost the same kind of damage, but can't take being under heavy fire). But that's why it's a team. I provide a large, tough, target that MUST be dealt with while hopefully the more nimble members of the team get those back shots or sneak up close with their big guns. I don't mind if my Atlas gets trashed every match, as long as we get the win.

[Trogusaur]

The Stalker is universally known as a walking oven for a pilot. It won't be able to fire all of its weapons when capable, so all those lasers will turn pretty pointless by the time it closes. The Stalker would have to beat the Atlas down at range to win, assuming it can break down all that armor before overheating.

[Kartr]

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 ;-)

Proof that we can't pick the Stalker from the start? The dev blog is unclear:

Quote

Q: How will the player’s initial ‘mech(s) be selected?


A: Players will get 1 free mech to start. They can chose from 4 1 in each class – light, med, heavy, assault. [BRYAN]A: You will be able to choose from a selection based on the role you want to play. [RUSS]

First they say you'll only be able to pick from 4 'Mechs, one in each role, and then they said you'll get to pick any 'Mech in which ever role you choose.

So proof that you'll only be able to pick from 4 'Mechs including the Atlas?

[Davers]

Seems like they are contradicting each other. If I want to play a scout for example, where is the selection if the only choices are Jenner, Hunchback, Catapult, and Atlas? (unless you are Lyran! )

[Shadowscythe]

Simple. On the atlas, I LOVE having a white dot on the enemy cockpit yelling, "Shoot here!"
2:12 of http://mwomercs.com/...deo/LbC7w9SN3oE is a good example lol, granted hard to miss at that range

As for range, by the time you can afford a stalker you can turn the atlas into the same weapons as the stalker most likely.

Still comes down to personal preference mostly
If one of them had jump jets, I would be picking that one
Don't really plan on running an assault sized mech anything soon, going light recon and heavy commander first
If I had to choose, it would be stalker since hands are useless right now, and no "shoot here" white dot

[Victor Morson]

They fill entirely different roles.

The Atlas supports ballistics (such as Gauss Rifles), energy, and missile; it's basically the jack of all trades in a 100 ton package, which is heavy enough to carry more guns than the 85 ton Stalker.

Not to say the Stalker is inferior. The Stalker is great if you're really into missiles and energy weapons; it's one of my favorite 'mechs and one of the best IS 'mechs in the BTU. I like it's stock configs far better than stock Atlas, but really, they are different animals.

It's like saying who would take a Cataphract over a Catapult; they're geared very differently.

[phelancracken]

Couple of things that I see people aren't paying attention.

1. Stalker's arms flip. Meaning, the MLs suddenly are Rear ARC!! Go ahead and get behind it in a light mech. 4 MLs will make your day.

2. Stalker was designed for bracket fire, 3025 version. LRMs with 1 or 2 LLs. When the LRM ammo is gone, guess what? No heat problems unless you fire an alpha strike. Most mechs are not heat neutral. you alpha strike you shoot up in heat. Just the way the game is going to be folks. I love to see the 3025 Jenner heat neutral. But 10 single heat sinks versus 4 MLs and 1 SRM4 plus dead run...7 heat. That's if you didn't have the scale moved up from zero before from firing too many weapons. TT heat scale BTW.

3. Compared to an Awesome, the Stalker don't have a gunnery blindspot. Read, up close and personal rear arc or get within minimums of the standard PPCs. Granted, if you get outside range 9, the Stalker can't do much in the rear arc, but unless it's by itself, that's not an issue. The Atlas, by comparision, don't have anywhere NEAR the rear firepower of a Stalker. TT mech has max 2 MLs that fire rear arc. I don't know how the MWO game is going to make weapon loadouts work. That compared to 4 MLs?

The Stalker is a mech designed for a different role compared to the Atlas. Personally, I like the Stalker far better than the Atlas. Now the 7k Atlas does make me think hard about it though.

Edited by phelancracken, 12 June 2012 - 02:18 AM.

[Grokmoo]

For those talking about rear firing weapons, I should note that we currently have no reason to think that rear firing weapons (or flipping arms) will be in game.

[Davers]

Grokmoo, on 12 June 2012 - 04:58 AM, said:

For those talking about rear firing weapons, I should note that we currently have no reason to think that rear firing weapons (or flipping arms) will be in game.

Rear firing weapons are not in the game. The rear firing weapons on the Atlas are now front firing weapons. And even if they were in the game, good luck shooting blindly behind you.

[Rodney28021]

Kobold, on 11 June 2012 - 07:44 AM, said:

People seem to be overlooking customization.

We don't know for certain what hardpoints these mechs will have, but it would be fairly trivial to make significant changes to either. The Atlas could probably easily pack two LRM 20 racks and a couple PPCs and out duel an Awesome or Stalker at range, just because more tonnage = more armor and weapons and heat sinks. You can't make too many assumptions about what you opponent is packing.

Yeah, i am considering doing this with my Atlas, making it a long range fighter since it is sooooo slooow. Just leaving the 4 medium lasers for short range.


As for the choice of picking a Stalker or Atlas, they are both good at what they do, you have to make your tactics fit your ride not use the same tactics for every mech.

In a Stalker vs Atlas duel, i think it would be close and variable but mostly the Atlas should win because of the armor.

In an Awesome vs Atlas duel, it would depend more on Pilot tactics. as long as the Awesome keeps the Atlas from closing to AC/20 range, Awesome should win.

In a Stalker vs Awesome duel, Stalker would win mostly.

Edited by Rodney28021, 12 June 2012 - 08:37 AM.

[Artifice]

I see the benefit of the Stalker over the Atlas for sure. It's got a great mix of long/short range as well as energy/ammo weapons. Great Mech, I would choose it as part of the Founder's Pack if possible. It served me well in that MW2:M mission, but is hella slow.

Maybe the Hunchback or Dragon though. Maybe.

[phelancracken]

Grokmoo, on 12 June 2012 - 04:58 AM, said:

For those talking about rear firing weapons, I should note that we currently have no reason to think that rear firing weapons (or flipping arms) will be in game.

Then the Rifleman isn't able to be used as a Rifleman. It is another IS mech with flippable arms. Granted, we don't know the complete mechanics of the finished game, but that is a possibilty of the Rifleman not being able to do the same thing.

Davers, we know what the old MW series is like. You can't see behind. Now, Obviously, MWO could do the same thing, or they might bring to the game what TT has given, you can fire behind you without a penalty if that's your only target. I agree right now it's specualtion on that, but until the game comes out, it's a possibility and could be an option. I won't go into tactics due to it's up to the individual player to do that.

Edited by phelancracken, 12 June 2012 - 09:31 AM.

[IIIuminaughty]

Major Bill Curtis, on 11 June 2012 - 08:05 PM, said:

So you redesigned the Catapult without redesigning the Stalker. You do know that 2 LRM 20s and a large laser won't fit into a Catapult without some serious upgrading and redesign, and you still then have an ammunition problem you'll need to solve. This isn't MW4: a single LRM 20 weighs in at 10 tons, without ammunition or Artemis IV.

I can't wait to shoot guys like you

Aye homie, it's not the mech it's the pilot.
I can't wait to Make guys like you rage


-Hit List-

Edited by StrataDragoon, 12 June 2012 - 11:31 AM.

[Chunkymonkey]

Lets test it out.

[Dugite]

514yer, on 11 June 2012 - 06:12 PM, said:

Also what are Unseen? I thought it was mechs they just havent shown us yet but Im starting to think its more than that

Unseen are a bunch of mechs that had copyright issues associated with thier imagery. http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Unseen has more info on it. Most of the unseen mechs are iconic of the early edition battletech rules.

[Skadi]

Well if it depends, if your going for long range support, the stalker. But, if you want a good reliable scouting mech, then go for the atlas.

[JP Josh]

battlemaster?

[phelancracken]

Skadi, on 12 June 2012 - 09:47 PM, said:

Well if it depends, if your going for long range support, the stalker. But, if you want a good reliable scouting mech, then go for the atlas.

"Scouting" mech?!! LOL! Obviously a Lyran player who loves "heavy" scouts.....

[Scrawny Cowboy]

Have an odd urge to punt a Stalker with an Atlas.

Probably end up doing a "Charlie Brown".

[Serevn]

Stalker: Longer rang death and support
Atlas: "In your face death"

Edited by Serevn, 13 June 2012 - 02:51 AM.