53 replies to this topic

[NRP]

I don't see a lot of Dragons these days. I think it's because the QD is a bit easier to use (IMO anyway).

Having said that, if you're a good pilot the mech doesn't matter.

[TK42Kahn]

If you want long term versatility and utility in your mech I recommend the Dragon. If you want to have a reliably strong but less (imo) skillcapped then I suggest the Quickdraw.

[C E Dwyer]

lol use both and deside, on paper the QD wins hands down overall, but I feel more durable in a Dragon, what ever you go with its going to be easier to adapt from fast mediums, than from slow assaults.

[Charons Little Helper]

Whatever the case - I already have Jenners and Atlases - the two extreme ends. Generally - I feel that you should be able to out-run anything that you can't out-gun and vice-versa. That's why I'm not too keen on running any med or heavy that can't outrun assault mechs with relative ease.

Thanks for the input - I might try one of each before deciding which to master since my main expense will be getting the XL 360. (Yes the 360 - I'm going to top out my speed to make sure I outrun anything bigger than me. )

[Baba Yogi]

Only use dragon if you intend to go above 100kph, below that he is just too easy to hit might as well go with quickdraw since it has even torsos for spreading damage. Also dragons can use ballistics. Overall i'd say dragon requires better piloting skills compared to quickdraw and you are kinda hard set in your builds, never ever do a slow or even moderately fast dragon, have 340+xl that is the only rule for dragon

[Grey Rabbit]

A point about the dragon that was touched on as a con of the quickdraw is that if you find that you tend to overheat a lot in other mechs, a good balanced dragon may work better for you. In closed beta and before double heatsinks, the dragon was my mech of choice because I tended to push things a little too far in other mechs and shutdown at exactly the worst moment. That being said, which ever one you choose, keep your role in mind or you'll be pulling your hair out most matches.

[Charons Little Helper]

Lordhammer, on 29 July 2013 - 01:29 PM, said:

Only use dragon if you intend to go above 100kph, below that he is just too easy to hit might as well go with quickdraw since it has even torsos for spreading damage. Also dragons can use ballistics. Overall i'd say dragon requires better piloting skills compared to quickdraw and you are kinda hard set in your builds, never ever do a slow or even moderately fast dragon, have 340+xl that is the only rule for dragon

Can't they both go the same speed? (though of note - without speed tweak - they both max out at just under 98) Or - are you saying that the dragon only really benefits from the smaller profile at that speed?

[OuttaAmmo NoWai]

Both aren't that good, but the dragon is absolute garbage. Massive CT = getting alpha'ed in 2 shots

[Xeno Phalcon]

Modo44, on 29 July 2013 - 08:27 AM, said:

Top the zero heat of a Gauss rifle, then we'll talk.

Gauss rifle is stupid proof in terms of heat buildup, but as heavy as it is that weapon isnt enough to tip the scale in the dragons favor.

[Angel of Annihilation]

maxdest, on 28 July 2013 - 03:32 PM, said:

I play 60 tonners a lot.

Dragon:
+ Can mount balistics for better heat efficiancy
+ Has one of the best arm swings of any mech
+ Has smaller sized side torsos that make an XL safer
- Has a large CT which can be hit from most angles by a decent shot
- Has non symetrical hard points

Quickdraw:
+ Can mount jump jets
+ Good mix of energy & missile hardpoints
? Has large side torsos making mounting an XL dangerous, but helps spread damage if you twist.
- Larger profile.

Both of these mechs thrive off manuvrability, and the jets just help emphasise this for the quickdraw. Also, the balistics of the dragon are hard to use without gimping your energy weapon, and with the exception of the flame hero mech, the mixed torso/arm hardpoints of different types make effective builds somewhat harder to use well.

I have almost 200 matches in a QD and don't recall being killed to a side torso shot more than half dozen times so you can take that off the list of questionable disadvantages on the QD.

Personally I have run hundreds of matches in both the Dragon and the Quickdraw and in at least 90% of the cases the QD is superior.

The problem with Ballistics in the Dragon is that they are massively heavy and a 60 ton mech is a bit starved for tonnage to devote to weapons and equipment. Energy weapons are so much lighter and much, though not all, of the extra heat they produced can be offset by the extra heat sinks you can mount with the extra free tonnage. The QD will definately run hotter that is without a doubt. However, as one of the above poster commented, the extra mobilty afforded by the JJs will allow you much more latitude to pick and chose your battles and get the hell out of dodge if you need to cool down or just avoid more or bigger enemies than you can handle.

Edited by Viktor Drake, 29 July 2013 - 02:47 PM.

[Baba Yogi]

Charons Little Helper, on 29 July 2013 - 02:03 PM, said:

Can't they both go the same speed? (though of note - without speed tweak - they both max out at just under 98) Or - are you saying that the dragon only really benefits from the smaller profile at that speed?

Im sure you noticed dragon has huge ct and very small side torsos that kinda forces him to take an xl and high rating one because if you have such weakness you need speed to make yourself harder to hit. But speed is also double edge sword as ive mentioned you need better piloting skills to nail shots while zig zaggin in an unpredictable path otherwise you might find yourself stuck in somewhere. I counted speed tweak btw.

Edited by Lordhammer, 29 July 2013 - 04:03 PM.

[Modo44]

There is no "extra mobility" to the Quickie, because the Dragon is in a lower size class for movement purposes. Thanks to the typically high speeds, it is actually more agile than a Hunchback.

Edited by Modo44, 29 July 2013 - 09:35 PM.

[Red Line Pilot]

I recently learned that if you put most of your armor on the front center torso you live a lot longer in a dragon. (say 68/12) Just make sure you don't get shot in the back.

You can also gain some free tonnage by shaving off some of the side torso's armor. You'll die to a blown off center torso anyway.

[Tharkan Stuermer]

Red Line Pilot, on 30 July 2013 - 04:46 AM, said:

I recently learned that if you put most of your armor on the front center torso you live a lot longer in a dragon. (say 68/12) Just make sure you don't get shot in the back.

You can also gain some free tonnage by shaving off some of the side torso's armor. You'll die to a blown off center torso anyway.

Yeah, this actually means, that you survive one alpha strike. Btw, if you shave off the DRG's side torsi's armor, pray to god, that no light 'Mechs are going to attack you. Otherwise, you'll be screwed.

[Bluecricket]

Why would you actually shave off side torso armor? Take it off an unused arm or the legs if you're actually that strapped for weight.

Edited by Bluecricket, 30 July 2013 - 10:47 AM.

[Modo44]

There is no unused arm on the Dragon, and the legs are at arm armor level by default unless on a light mech. That being said, I would recommend maximum armor on anything but the legs and head. The side torsos do get shot quite a bit if you twist properly.

Edited by Modo44, 30 July 2013 - 10:54 AM.

[Ryokens leap]

Sooo tired of hearing about the Dragons huuuuge ct. Practically every mech I've killed or assisted on gets cored out ct, light, med, hvy, or assault. Unless it needs to be legged or is half legged when I get there or i know by load out that is has an xl or a main weapon needs to be removed first, the front or back ct is the target. I find I get killed in a Dragon through rear armor more because I'm using speed to deal with lights while big boys are brawling and most lights will target your rear armor. Every mech can be amazing or garbage based on the pilot.

[Xeno Phalcon]

You'll keep hearing about it, the large CT is pretty much THE defining trait of the dragon unfortunately. As far as player skill goes, most people are trying to ignore that for the sake of this versus thread as individual skill can vastly change how a mech performs.(Iv seen atlas and stalker pilots that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, had horrible weapon setups and simply couldnt deal with anymech doing more then 80kph, iv also seen lights and mediums drop mechs twenty tons or more heavier then them on their own.)

[Tremendous Upside]

Ryokens leap, on 30 July 2013 - 11:27 AM, said:

Sooo tired of hearing about the Dragons huuuuge ct. Practically every mech I've killed or assisted on gets cored out ct, light, med, hvy, or assault. Unless it needs to be legged or is half legged when I get there or i know by load out that is has an xl or a main weapon needs to be removed first, the front or back ct is the target. I find I get killed in a Dragon through rear armor more because I'm using speed to deal with lights while big boys are brawling and most lights will target your rear armor. Every mech can be amazing or garbage based on the pilot.

Everyone complains about the DRG CT... And yet no one complains about how the legs on the QuickDraw were apparently "taped on" at the factory. Seriously - the legs on that mech melt like butter. In any case, they're both fun mechs and they're both solid with decent builds. Where the DRG really shines though is with the AC20 Flame. 90kph with a 40pt alpha and ~360 armor. It's a very solid build and makes a tremendous flanker/striker.

[Pliskkenn D]

The Dragon really relies on someone else being involved. Since the moment you've drawn notice you want to get out ASAP, which you can do, but it's much easier if someone else can draw their attention away from you. Swap in and out as you go, If you become the centre of attention, you're in a lot of trouble. Luckily you can get some great speeds on them.