For those who think that assault LRM boats are a waste, I'd like you to consider this:
I play a
Stalker LRM boat that uses 4 MLAS for melee. And I play it as an assault, meaning that I'm one of the front row guys. Ideally at a location where the opponents want to come to me, and where there is little high cover to hide (yes, River City is a nightmare).
Look, it's really simple. As long as you are 180+m away, you are perfectly fine and have probably the biggest dps on the field. So why are people assuming that you always have to use your maximum range, which by the way brings lots of disadvantages for missiles?
At mid range combat (200-600m) with little cover, the LRM rain REALLY hurts, because you are going to hit almost everything, plus Artemis and TAG. I used a Stalker-3F, because it was one of the cheaper ones and has everything I wanted.
You just have to pay attention what your target is doing. If he closes in on you, move backwards BEFORE he reaches the magic mark. Other assaults will be shred to pieces before they reach you, heavies will barely make it and then be finished off by a few laser salvos. For faster stuff switch to defense mode when they get close. Move properly to keep your back safe, and wait until your team mates kill them, while helping with your own lasers. You are still an assault and can endure quite some pain to buy you enough time, both against other assaults and mechs who circle you.
That being said, it's not an autowin of course. If more than one guy gets close to you, you WILL die. Also, if that assault can somehow make it to you (because he used cover cleverly), say goodbye. And as always, try to never be alone.
With good battlefield awareness, this works very well. Just because you have high max range doesn't mean you are forced to that range.
Preferred target: Atlas DC at 350m who thinks he has a chance. Come on big guy, let's see how many missiles to the face you can handle.
Preferred map: Alpine, because shoulder TAG allows hillfighting, and because no easy cover for targets.
Edited by Denolven, 14 August 2013 - 11:40 AM.