12 replies to this topic

[BigTrak]

Hi all, hoping for a second opinion here and to make sure I'm not about to do something stupid...

So I have 3 Stalkers and I have to sell 1 to free up a mechbay:
3F - Mastered (ran 5 LLas build for fire support)
3H - Elited (ran as LRM boat with mixed success)
5M - Elited (ran as 5xSRM6 / 5MLas brawler)

My original plan was to sell the 3H as I struggled with LRM's. If you earned C-Bills and Exp for damaging the environment (Building, rocky overhangs, tree's etc) I'd be rich...

However, with the recent heat scale patch, firing more than 4 SRM6's at once is not such a great idea anymore, meaning that I would probably be better using the 3F as a Brawler with 4xSRM6 / 6MLas?

If so, I guess I should keep my 3F and change it out between sniper / brawler builds and the 3H as it is the best LRM boat with it's 20tube launchers? Does this give me the best flexibility to cover dif play-styles between the 2 variants? Am I missing anything?

Weirdly, I had my most fun in the 5M....

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions

[Dalziel Hasek Davion]

The 3F is the best variant, in my opinion. More flexible and a good range of builds. I tend to run it as a brawler with Std300, 6xML and 4xASRM4. I made the mistake of selling my 3H and I really miss it. Now I am much more proficient with LRMs than I was (a long time spent with the CTPLT-C1) the 3H is my most effective ride. The 5M is reasonable - but I didn't warm to it as I have to the others. The asymmetry always made me feel the balance of weapons was wrong somehow.

Are you sure you don't want to buy a new 'Mechbay and keep them all?

[BigTrak]

Hey Dalziel,

Yeah, that would be ideal situation, but after purchasing a Phoenix package, I just can't spend anymore money on this game for a while...

The stat's for Stalkers are just so similar, I thought I could sell 1 of the 3 and use 2 to cover the dif play styles. The 3F is defo a keeper with the 85o torso turn. So as I see it, its bigger tubes in 3H vs zombie mode of 5M?? Just can't really see what 5M can do that 3F cant do (better?)...

Argh, can't decide LOL

Anyone want to swap a mechbay for a kidney? it's in pretty good nick...

[Rasc4l]

BigTrak, on 26 July 2013 - 01:46 AM, said:

Hi all, hoping for a second opinion here and to make sure I'm not about to do something stupid...

However, with the recent heat scale patch, firing more than 4 SRM6's at once is not such a great idea anymore, meaning that I would probably be better using the 3F as a Brawler with 4xSRM6 / 6MLas?

I used to run my 5S with STD275+AMS+5ML+ERPPC+4xSRM6. With the new heat penalties, it's no good to fire more than 3 SRM6s together. So I switched 4xSRM6->4xSRM4+Artemis, because for SRM4 the limit is 4. Now I can alpha my SRMs and don't have to fire 2 and 2 sets. And the SRM4 give much less heat so I'm a much better brawler than with SRM6.

IMHO don't sell your stalkers, sell something else.

[DLFReporter]

Don't sell any Mech, buy another bay! ^^

[BigTrak]

Rasc4l, on 26 July 2013 - 02:10 AM, said:

IMHO don't sell your stalkers, sell something else.

LOL damn you two are not making this easy for me... trouble is I do like all 3 stalkers... OK, back to my mechbay to see what other options I have. I do still have my first ever mech (Hbk 4SP) but thats like the family jewels...

DLFReporter, on 26 July 2013 - 02:14 AM, said:

Don't sell any Mech, buy another bay! ^^

I'm seriously going to get divorced after dumping $80/£50 on this game last week to then explain I need to drop another $30/£20 this week

[joedawg39s]

Save the 3F its the best one. Depends on what you want to get next tho, if your getting a brawler save the LRM boat. if you are getting something with LRMs save the 3M. Keep one of each type of mech so you have some variety.

[Taxxian]

Stalker 3H: Think about the Heat Penalty, it can fire 40 to 50 LRMs in one volley without penalty... only the Catapult and this one are capable of that... dont sell

Stalker 5M: The only Mech that can fire 5 SRM6 and still has backup weapons... would not sell

Stalker 3F: Considered the best allround Stalker by many... would also not sell

Buy Mechbays^^

[Ragnar Darkmane]

BigTrak, on 26 July 2013 - 02:17 AM, said:

I'm seriously going to get divorced after dumping $80/£50 on this game last week to then explain I need to drop another $30/£20 this week

Then buy the $10 pack, that's still 5 mech bays and I doubt your wife is going to complain about such a small sum (not after you wasted $80 on Phoenix ).

I won't comment on which chassis you should sell but will try to give some advice how you should change your current loadouts to fit the new heat changes:
3F: Get rid of 3 LLs and replace them with 5 MLs. Use the spare weight to get a better engine (more internal DHS) and DHS in general) You have to get closer than before but you have almost the same firepower at 300m and the better engine and cooling will go a long way:
3H: Get TAG, BAP and use a 2x 15 + (2x 5 LRM or 2x 4/6 SRM) or 2x 20 (+ 2x 5 LRM or 2 x SRM 4/6 for more close defence) LRM loadout to avoid the heat penalty. Fill the rest with a solid number of MLs and a reasonable amount of ammo (not too much and not too few). Slower engine (50 KpH is solid enough for a LRM boat) to save weight is a good idea. Only fire if you got solid locks, avoid shooting any lock that pops up (that way you'll hit the terrain instead of targets), only fire if you're sure your missiles will hit before the lock disappears. Manually open you missile bays at the start of each match.
5M: Get rid of one SRM 6 (your 5th Missile hard point will fire one missile at a time, not worth it). Replace one SRM 6 with a SRM 4 to avoid the heat penalty. I'd consider getting a single LLs so you can "tag" targets beyond 400m to get more kill assists (target out of range, just make sure you hit him for 1 damage and you got another 7500 C-Bills) if you're not sitting on a mountain of C-Bills. Have a 285-300 engine. Manually open you missile bays at the start of each match. To be honest the 3F is better for these brawling loadouts (torso twist + another Energy hardpoint).

Edited by Ragnar Darkmane, 26 July 2013 - 03:40 AM.

[BigTrak]

OK, so guess not quite what I wanted to hear, but really appreciate the feedback. I don't like selling any Mech's, so guess $10 isn't much (more) to spend.

Thanks also to Ragnar, that was actually the next question I was going to ask!! I think Stalkers been hit hard by heat changes, so was keen to see any new ideas for loadouts.

Set up off-shore bank account to embezzle more MWO funds into...

[Allied]

I sold an Awesome variant once... regretted it the next day.



First world problems.

[BigTrak]

LOL @ Allied - guess I could have bigger problems in life eh?

[John MatriX82]

I'd get rid of the 3H. But this because I don't use LRMs, so my third stalker besides 3F and 5M is the 5S, at least when PGi makes another screwpatch with the "I'm daning in the LRMrain", I've got dual AMS