82 replies to this topic

[chrx]

Given that engine upgrades are a major cost component for a new player, it might also be a good idea to consider a Trebuchet as a first or second buy, because they come with engines that can be used with many other mechs. In addition, even a newbie can usually do some damage with LRMs and lasers

Trebuchet 7M variant (maybe the best one) comes with XL250+double heatsinks+endo steel, 3C with XL300+double hs+endo+artemis. These two are more expensive, but ready for battle almost as such (remove narc, cases, and maybe some jump jets, add armor). The others (5J and 5N are solid choices) come with STD250 that is a good engine for e.g. hunchies and cents, but need DHS and endo upgrades. Most variants are quite similar, but you can always sell the unnecessary ones.

[zraven7]

chrx, on 08 July 2013 - 12:35 PM, said:

Given that engine upgrades are a major cost component for a new player, it might also be a good idea to consider a Trebuchet as a first or second buy, because they come with engines that can be used with many other mechs. In addition, even a newbie can usually do some damage with LRMs and lasers

Trebuchet 7M variant (maybe the best one) comes with XL250+double heatsinks+endo steel, 3C with XL300+double hs+endo+artemis. These two are more expensive, but ready for battle almost as such (remove narc, cases, and maybe some jump jets, add armor). The others (5J and 5N are solid choices) come with STD250 that is a good engine for e.g. hunchies and cents, but need DHS and endo upgrades. Most variants are quite similar, but you can always sell the unnecessary ones.

I veered away from Trebs because of how fragile they can be. Also, the Jump Jets are what make Trebuchets unique in a lot of ways. Without Jump Jets. there really isn't anything they can do that a Hunchback or a Centurion can't do better.

[Garth Erlam]

I like the CN9-A for newer players. Has every weapons system, is a tough Mech, is quick but not so fast you get 'confused' with the speed. You quickly learn what you like most too (I love this big AC, but I don't like these lasers, and I'd rather snipe with my AC and burst with other weapons.. oohh SRM6's instead of the LRM, this is fun) etc.

[Ken Fury]

Garth Erlam, on 08 July 2013 - 12:59 PM, said:

I like the CN9-A for newer players. Has every weapons system, is a tough Mech, is quick but not so fast you get 'confused' with the speed. You quickly learn what you like most too (I love this big AC, but I don't like these lasers, and I'd rather snipe with my AC and burst with other weapons.. oohh SRM6's instead of the LRM, this is fun) etc.

Another good Mech is the Stalker-3F and Highlander-732. Both can make heavy use of PPCs and/ort Lasers and SRMs. Though the Centurion-A certainly is tough for it's weight class.

[LordBraxton]

Cataphract 1-X or 3-D

are the best mechs for beginners

Missiles suck in the current meta, and these mechs give you balanced direct fire options

They can PPC boat if you want to be competetive

The 3-D has JJs, (useful with the current movement changes)

and the 1-X can easily run a STD300, along with an AC\20 and 5Mlas ( a good beginners brawler)

[MavRCK]

I've always loved the feel of autocannons... ah the smell of AC rounds in the morning..

ACs, lasers, SRMs... if you can master a mech with all those weapons, you're pretty much well on your way to mastering MWO.

Maybe we take for granted how complex this game is?

This is my suggestion for the commando-2d:

Slight variation.. another ssrm2 -- it's a medium mech hunter.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e78359d61aee2d4

Edited by MavRCK, 08 July 2013 - 01:29 PM.

[scJazz]

Hebdomas, on 08 July 2013 - 10:55 AM, said:

The only mechs I can think of that would be 8million or under with some upgrades would be the hunchbacks, some of the trebuchet variants, centurions except the D, cataphracts except the 3D, and jagers if you don't use an XL.

My advice is to stop worrying about how much a mech is going to cost and find something that you will enjoy playing. If you're having fun earning c-bills will feel like less of a grind.

Your Jenner isn't taking advantage of the two missile slots. Here's a pretty common (though fully upgraded) Jenner build http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c728dacb66426c5 You can swap the SRM4s for SSRM2s if you want, but be sure to include a Beage Active Probe to "disrupt" ECM so you can get a lock.
Yes it's expensive, but most fully upgraded mech builds are. You can buy a Jenner and a xl300 and use it like that until you get enough c-bills for DHS, Endo-Steel, and Ferro-Fibrous.

One thing I've noticed is that lights are really affected by the movement/slope changes. Hit a dip or a rock with a steep incline and your speed drastically goes down which makes you easier to hit. Generally for lights speed=life (or defense). Personally I'd stay away from lights as a first mech unless you know the maps really well and because of their overall expense.

Overall, for a first mech I'd recommend mediums or heavies. Assaults and lights can be expensive and tend to have a different playstyle because of their speed (or lack of).

You completely missed the point of the post/thread.

[scJazz]

Koniving, on 08 July 2013 - 09:46 AM, said:

In the meantime in terms of a new player's Jager, I recommend this build of the more affordable JM6-S.

No doubt that this is an effective New Player design. I intentionally didn't go this route because of the New Player theme. I was very tempted though. Once I decided that the recommended mech was a Jagermech the only reasonable place to start off a new player was with the DD variant and its XL Engine. In this way the new player has purchased the most expensive variant of the 3 needed for Basic first. He has an XL Engine he can drop into the other 2 variants to instantly upgrade armor, ammo, etc. On the purchase of the third Variant he can even sell the Standard 260 that comes with it and purchase Endo-Steel. All together the New Player ends up with an accelerated romp through the 3 standard Jagermechs. Is the DD variant or my configuration of it ideal? Oh heck no! Not even close... it just represents the best possible choice for the guy who just started, has 4 mech bays, and is going to need to buy 2 more variants.

[ZeProme]

Hmm, recommendations?

I have no particular experience in the light department. However, Jenners are always a good choice. Most tonnage limit (so you can fit more stuff) of all lights and has JJs (Jump Jets) which makes it potentially dangerous. A lot of people would recommend the RVN-3L however, the other variants aren't as appealing so there is only ONE variant that makes it worth while. That said, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) as maybe some of the Raven variants are appealing to you.

Hunchback especially the HBK-4SP. You just cannot go wrong with this mech. Cheap, customizable, and user friendly, it teaches you a lot about knowing your role (primarily as an escort or brawler mech or even a LRM support boat), and is much more forgiving than the other Hunchback variants.

HOWEVER! That said, you shouldn't neglect the HBK-4P, or even the HBK-4H. The others have their respective strengths and teaches you about protecting the valuable hunch. Torso twisting is the name of this mech. Learn it to survive and help your team.

HBK-4SP first. That's the second mech I bought after the CN9-A (which I don't recommend yet until you are comfortable with the HBK-4SP).

Heavies. Yes heavies. Avoid the Cataphracts (because they are big torsos, have low arms and lots of hardpoints which makes it hard to use if you aren't familiar with weapon groups). Avoid the Jagermech (Because they can't primarily brawl and most builds require XL engines which are expensive. Side torsos are easily hittable which are instant death for XL engine users. Also since they primarily use ballistics, their weapons are often times heavy which requires an XL engine). And also avoid the Dragon (Their similar to an oversized medium mech. However, most builds require XL engines and are expensive. Center torso is big as well).

However, the catapult is a definite recommendation. CPTL-C1 and CPTL-K2 are really good variants. Avoid the CPTL-A1 and the CPTL-C4 until you are comfortable with the CPTL-C1 and the CPTL-K2.

CPTL-A1 was my first Catapult variant I bought. I absolutely disliked it (hate is too strong of a word to use) because of it's hard points. With 6 missile hard points that are relatively easy to be blown off (assuming you don't know how to torso twist yet like me when I bought it), it's an absolute hard mech to play especially if you are using LRMs.

Even though catapults have big Center torsos (which is a good candidate for XL engines), it's a mech that out of stock with it's STD engine can still be fun and easy to use.

CPTL-C1 and CPTL-K2 are very flexible when it comes to builds and play styles. You can create a K2 brawler (Dual AC/20s, or some combination of ballistics and energy) or make it a sniper too.

This is the build I'm running for my CPTL-K2: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ee6fdf38dafa924

It runs a bit hot but with careful heat management and knowing your role (it's a sniper support build so pop out and PPCs them )

Here's the build I'm running for my CPTL-C1: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1d0225f96995ba1

Still running STD engine cause I'm broke, although I can swap the XL300 from the CPTL-K2 XD

I don't have any assault mechs nor much experiences in them. However, the STK-3F is often recommended because it has a much wider torso twist compared to other stalkers.

OP, the key in this game is to find a play style that you enjoy. Do you enjoy raining LRMs on enemies? Do you like going 130km/h+ and harassing enemies? What about getting close and personal to enemies, enduring the punishment but dealing even more damage? The choices are limitless because of the ability to customize your mech!

TL;DR: Go with the HBK-4SP, CPTL-K2, CPTL-C1. Of all, the HBK-4SP. Just absolutely cannot go wrong with it.

Have fun OP. Hope to see you around

Edited by ZeProme, 08 July 2013 - 03:01 PM.

[Skydrive]

Garth Erlam, on 08 July 2013 - 12:59 PM, said:

I like the CN9-A for newer players. Has every weapons system, is a tough Mech, is quick but not so fast you get 'confused' with the speed. You quickly learn what you like most too (I love this big AC, but I don't like these lasers, and I'd rather snipe with my AC and burst with other weapons.. oohh SRM6's instead of the LRM, this is fun) etc.

When can we expect another build a trial mech Garth? I've been waiting for the light series ever since it was first introduced.

[Koniving]

Skydrive, on 08 July 2013 - 03:06 PM, said:

When can we expect another build a trial mech Garth? I've been waiting for the light series ever since it was first introduced.

The order has been: Heavy, Light, Medium, Assault. Though I'm not sure if we're choosing them anymore. I haven't seen a build a trial mech thingy since the lights. I don't know if they're going from that archive or if they're building them on their own now or what the story is. But on that subject: Lordred made a heavy that he thinks would make a fun non-meta heavy champion out of a Cataphract 1x. There's 3 vids of it up so far and both of us are pretty confident in the build.

Edited by Koniving, 08 July 2013 - 03:18 PM.

[Void Angel]

I don't have any specific recommendations for "the" best starter 'mech, but I do recommend starting with a medium or heavy - preferably a chassis that has jump jets in some variants, and lots of different weapon types. I personally learned in a Hunchback, then graduated to Atlases and picked up the Spider when it launched; my Cataphract is my most recent acquisition. I feel that lights are too fast and fragile, and Assaults to lumbering and, well, slow to really give a new player the flexibility to learn how the game works in general. A Heavy or Medium, like the Centurion Garth suggested, gives you a more flexible playstyle while still having enough armor to allow you to learn to play.

[JC Daxion]

Hunchback 4G

FF armor, internal structure, double heat sinks

250 STD engine

AC-20, 3 tons ammo

1 medium laser (head)

2 SM lasers, *(arms)

AMS, 1 ton ammo


mech is very solid, very versatile for team rolls. I have a blast in this mech. It packs a good punch, and can go toe to toe with lots of mechs. I have 3x the amount of time in this mech, than all my other mechs combined. It is just such a fun mech.. Highly recommend it

[JudgeDeathCZ]

zraven7, on 08 July 2013 - 11:00 AM, said:

Do please elaborate as to why you feel this is a good choice. This thread is for newer players, and any information the can get will be extremely helpful.

Bcuz it is how this game is played now.
If you are in a brawler like HGN-4SP 5 medlas+2 SRM6 and puging you have pretty 0 chance against 4 PPC/Gauss/LRM team especialy when all of them have seismic...

Yea it may change...but until that I recomend that HGN.Rly Stalker with 6 PPCs is more of fun build than anything competitive .

[Skydrive]

Koniving, on 08 July 2013 - 03:18 PM, said:

The order has been: Heavy, Light, Medium, Assault. Though I'm not sure if we're choosing them anymore. I haven't seen a build a trial mech thingy since the lights. I don't know if they're going from that archive or if they're building them on their own now or what the story is. But on that subject: Lordred made a heavy that he thinks would make a fun non-meta heavy champion out of a Cataphract 1x. There's 3 vids of it up so far and both of us are pretty confident in the build.

Ya I know, I was refering to the contest part. The last three have been PGI made ones (FYI, I really do like the build on the RS, good weapon systems on that one). My reaction at seeing a champion Jenner in the news feed was... well, I was in disbelief that I missed the one that I was looking forward to the most, all because I thought I wouldn't need to pay as much attention to the news feed for the next contest since it would be an assault one. Don't know if it was the same day or three days later that I learned it was because there was no contest, and the build was a PGI used one.

[Guizan Dixie]

As a n00b in MWO I have just bought my first mech.

I went for the Catapult CPLT-C1 out of the following reasons.

1 I wanted a heavy mech to help me survive a bit longer (not that it helps this far )
2 I wanted jump jets to help me manoeuvering in rough terrain
3 I wanted a mix of weapons for short-medium and long range, also I didn't want to have all just missile weapons to survive long battles.

[zraven7]

MavRCK, on 08 July 2013 - 01:21 PM, said:

I've always loved the feel of autocannons... ah the smell of AC rounds in the morning..

ACs, lasers, SRMs... if you can master a mech with all those weapons, you're pretty much well on your way to mastering MWO.

Maybe we take for granted how complex this game is?

This is my suggestion for the commando-2d:

Slight variation.. another ssrm2 -- it's a medium mech hunter.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e78359d61aee2d4

Of course we take for granted how complex the game is. It's a lot like English, really. We all speak it, so we don't realize how much of a tangled mess it can be to an outsider.

And yes, autocannons are a wonderful thing, and have a distinctly "Mechwarrior" feel to them. I gravitate towards energy weapons a lot of the time, I'm just better with them, but I still have to load something up with an AC every once in a while. Just that "THOOM, THOOM" with the fire and smoke going off, it's like a bag of tasty cookies.

[Tor Gungnir]

SSRMs>SRMs

Just sayin'

SRMs are far too much heat for too little bang! SSRMs on the other hand can be a very valuable tool. It is great as a "Light deterrent" on a big Mech.

[zraven7]

Tor Gungnir, on 10 July 2013 - 04:22 AM, said:

SSRMs>SRMs

Just sayin'

SRMs are far too much heat for too little bang! SSRMs on the other hand can be a very valuable tool. It is great as a "Light deterrent" on a big Mech.

And what build implementing these would you recommend as a first mech?

[Skydrive]

Tor Gungnir, on 10 July 2013 - 04:22 AM, said:

SSRMs>SRMs

Just sayin'

SRMs are far too much heat for too little bang! SSRMs on the other hand can be a very valuable tool. It is great as a "Light deterrent" on a big Mech.

Streaks are good as a light deterent, but so is ten or more short range missles, and those can do some good damage to the bigger mechs. For instance, my Dragon Slayer runs an SRM4 and SRM6 in the LT. Thats five tons for the weapons right there, and does more then 10 damage to an Atlas when they hit. Lighter then an AC 10 (or LBX in this case shall we say), but runs hotter. Heavier then two or three medium lasers, but runs cooler. I find that it compliments the use of my PPC (not ER PPC) nicely, and has enough splat to hit a light easily. Still remember the one time in Canyon Network where my Victor was disarmed by three mechs, my allies arrived. I saw a Blackjack trying to get away, I went after him, he turned around and... well, my armour held out better then his did to my ten short ranged missles and two small lasers. I felt compeled to (and did) type ``EAT IT``, refering to the missles.