12 replies to this topic

[Robot Legs]

So, I decided I really like the Stalker 3F. Of course, I had to get two other variants, so i can master the 3F. The 3F has a full 90 degree torso turn. The other ones, are like.... 70 or something. So my question is this.

Is there ANY reason to use the others, besides the hard points? I mean, the lack of torso twist is huge. Am I not seeing something in the others, that compensates somewhat for this?


As it stands, I will likely sell one, if not both the variants. As much as I love my 3F, I spent a fortune on the 5M, and it still seems like the lame brother of the 3F. Now I'm grueling through games on a stock 4N. I can't justify upgrading the heat sinks even on this one..... since i'm already planning to sell it. I MAY keep the 5M, just in case they buff SRMs, it might be worth having.

[Wintersdark]

Eh; as far as I'm concerned the 3F is the only decent cbill Stalker. The others offer slightly different loadouts and tweaks, but really they're so similar that you may as well just run a 3F.

As you've already got an M, I'd recommend springing for a Misery. It's a damn good mech, the cbill bonus is wonderful, and it looks badass. Unlike the other options, it's a mech you'd keep, and have dramatically different loadouts for.

[Robot Legs]

So far I have spent no real money, cuz I'm poor. But soon I plan to buy some stuff. And yes... the Misery might be something I would pay for. TY dude. Peace.

[Otto Cannon]

I have a 3F, the 5S for double AMS and the Misery. Couldn't see a reason to buy any others.

[Krazy Kat]

From a previous post:

3F + Better torso twist than all other variants. Big plus.
- None.

3H + 20 missile tubes in arms. Can fire 2 LRM20's in a single volley.
- No energy hard points in side torsos.

4N + Command console (useless at the moment.) Might be useful in the future.
- One less missile hardpoint in left arm.

5M + Replace 2 side torso energy hard points with 1 CT hard point. Better for zombie.
+ add a 5th missile slot to left torso.
- One less energy hardpoint. And CT hardpoint can't be PPC.

5S + Double AMS. Somewhat useful. Fewer missiles hit you.
- Expensive. If you drop the XL engine then it was a waste of cbills unless you use it in another mech.

Edited by Krazy Kat, 13 July 2013 - 04:10 PM.

[LeShadow]

Krazy Kat, on 12 July 2013 - 04:02 PM, said:

+ add a 5th missile slot to left torso but it only has only 1 tube (NARC tube.)

Is there some sort of contest going on where you have to hide at least one wrong fact about Stalker variants per post? 'Cause I've yet to see someone pull off a correct one...

PS: Hint: There's another wrong fact hidden in that post - who finds it first?

Edited by LeShadow, 12 July 2013 - 04:49 PM.

[Skyfaller]

Robot Legs, on 12 July 2013 - 03:10 PM, said:

So, I decided I really like the Stalker 3F. Of course, I had to get two other variants, so i can master the 3F. The 3F has a full 90 degree torso turn. The other ones, are like.... 70 or something. So my question is this.

Is there ANY reason to use the others, besides the hard points? I mean, the lack of torso twist is huge. Am I not seeing something in the others, that compensates somewhat for this?


As it stands, I will likely sell one, if not both the variants. As much as I love my 3F, I spent a fortune on the 5M, and it still seems like the lame brother of the 3F. Now I'm grueling through games on a stock 4N. I can't justify upgrading the heat sinks even on this one..... since i'm already planning to sell it. I MAY keep the 5M, just in case they buff SRMs, it might be worth having.

Yes.

5M for SRM fighting (5SRMs 1 LL 4 small lasers or meds if you power hungry).
5s as missile boat/support AMS (4 lrm15+artemi+4 med laser+tag+bap+lotsa missiles+dual ams)

Edited by Skyfaller, 12 July 2013 - 05:10 PM.

[Hyperlynx]

I've just bought my first Stalker, and weighed this up too. I went with the -3F. Originally I wanted a heavy LRM boat and was going to get the -5M, but experiments in Smurfy's mech bay showed that you can't feasibly mount a fifth LRM20. The -3F allows quad LRM20s, and also 6xllas or PPCS or whatever.

I can't see any reason to get the -3H or the -4N. I suppose the -5S would have been a better buy, but I got tired of waiting for the extra 3 mil cbills

[Mercworks]

I go for the 5s so I have the 6 laser hardpoints as well as a respectable amount of missile slots. Still don't know if I'm sold on the double ATM right now. Sure, one is pretty much obligatory for countering the return fire you'll receive, but most games I don't even go through a few hundred rounds, much less needing two batteries. Thoughts?

[Johnny Reb]

I only kept the 3F, however, I did master the 5M.

[DarkDevilDancer]

I have a mastered 3f and it's a beast, for me the improved torso twist is worth far more than double ams or any other quirks.

[Skyfaller]

Mercworks, on 12 July 2013 - 09:45 PM, said:

I go for the 5s so I have the 6 laser hardpoints as well as a respectable amount of missile slots. Still don't know if I'm sold on the double ATM right now. Sure, one is pretty much obligatory for countering the return fire you'll receive, but most games I don't even go through a few hundred rounds, much less needing two batteries. Thoughts?

The 5S is my main ride and it is in my opinion, the best of all the variants.

4LRM15 with artemis, 1080 missiles
4 med lasers
2 tags *
BAP
12 heatsinks
XL 255
Almost full armor (legs lose some)
Endo
Dual AMS + 1 ton ammo (can sacrifice 1 DHS for 1 more ton AMS ammo).

The Dual AMS is not really as much as a defense for you than it is a defense for your team. It is all in how you drive the mech.

AMS fires in an arc. Think of it as a giant umbrella 200m from your mech center point. If you are behind your team the AMS doesn't help them, if you're in the middle of them your AMS only has half the time to shoot down missiles since they only fly through half of your protection umbrella.

But.. if you're AHEAD of your team and using cover (not hugging it but 50m behind it..enough that you have visual cover from the enemy in front) then your AMS has full umbrella coverage..that means it shoots down missiles the whole way.

A single AMS shoots down 6 missiles in half-arc. That is 12 missiles in full arc. Sometimes a bit more since missiles fly up and waste time that way. Dual AMS shoots down 24~27 missiles in full arc. That is half the damage of the standard LRM40~30 loadouts and 1/3rd of dedicated missile loadouts (like your own quad LRM15).

By having target lock delay and seismicx2 module, your stalker 5s can act as front line missile support (and through indirect fire!), seismic warning system, anti missile guardian and thanks to your 4 med lasers you can defend yourself rather well.

[Krazy Kat]

LeShadow, on 12 July 2013 - 04:47 PM, said:

Is there some sort of contest going on where you have to hide at least one wrong fact about Stalker variants per post? 'Cause I've yet to see someone pull off a correct one...

PS: Hint: There's another wrong fact hidden in that post - who finds it first?

OK I fixed one mistake. I can't find the other. Unless my other mistake was trying to be helpful on the forums instead of being a troll who provides no real information in my posts.