31 replies to this topic

[Oni Ralas]

On paper, I thought the Victor was my next go-to mech. Basically, a beefed up Cent -- big arms to swing, big engines, even has JJ's! But alas.... I hate her. It's too damn slow to maneuver, even with a >=XL350 loadout. AC20/SRM/Las combo (which everyone runs) just doesn't work for me. Too hot, too many misses (which is odd, since I play a gun-arm cent and speed freak gauss flame constantly) and the SRM spread never seems to actually hit hard enough. She should be a brawler, yet will still get alpha'd to deal thanks to the standoffish meta currently. Not fast enough to get in quick, nor maneuverable enough to flank with any real vigor.


I know it's probably just me. For some reason, the piloting finesse just isn't clicking - I see a ton of them on the field, so obviously they work. I've tried to give it a chance, but I'm tired of getting rolled. It's a mental blow to go from a 800dmg match in a fracking Yen-lo to a 180dmg match in something nearly twice the weight. I just can't put my finger on why it's not driving like I expected it too. I don't think I have the patience to grind out elite on this series of chassis when the enjoyment factor is essentially nill.

Perhaps one day I'll try it again, and we'll fall in love. It's happened before with mechs....one day I hate them, the next I love them. To be fair, right now I hate just about everything above heavy in my bay :|

[SmithMPBT]

How the heck you doin 800 damage in a Yen-lo?

[Oni Ralas]

SmithMPBT, on 01 August 2013 - 03:27 PM, said:

How the heck you doin 800 damage in a Yen-lo?

Heh - drive it well Flank, strike, pull back. Look for targets of op. Kill any lights to who don't run. I drive the chassis all the time, know what she can and cannot do. Funny too, used to hate it (and my flame) 6 months ago...now they're all I usually run on a daily basis. Got ~35 mechs so far, only use a hand full more than 2-3 games ina row.

I don't have any SS's on this box, but my flame is essentially the same damage (35 vs 30) and speed. Here's one of the recent runs (edit; removed names to protect the innocent)

Edited by Oni Ralas, 01 August 2013 - 03:49 PM.

[Shakespeare]

The only reason I want a victor (finally got the chance to try one in public test server yay!) is because there has yet to be a brawling-capable heavy that I like. I mean, I keep retooling my cataphracts - gimped arm range and all - but only one of those can SRM, and does so poorly. The dragon has the arms for it, but very limited hardpoints and pathetic longevity. The quickdraw - well, as a JJ mech, it makes sacrifices, and is just so damned easy to hit CT. The other two are categorically support mechs. MAYBE I'll try one of the mixed HP Jagermechs, but no horizontal arm movement is a problem for close range work.

I guess I should TRY a quickdraw, but the victor does it all better. Of course, it's technically an assault mech.

[Nauht]

Everyone's different and one mech that clicks for me probably won't for the next guy.
That's the beauty of customisation.

I'm the opposite of you OP, never could get cents to work but wrecking it in my Victor.
About 300 games over 3.0 kdr ... 100% solo pugging in my Victor S. Love this mech more than I should, seeing as I'm a Clanner at heart.

[Xeno Phalcon]

Shakespeare, on 01 August 2013 - 03:59 PM, said:

I guess I should TRY a quickdraw, but the victor does it all better. Of course, it's technically an assault mech.

Iv mastered a quickdraw, I do alright with it but for the amount of effort I have to put forward to do well in that mech I would say dont bother, its basically summed up as having the figure of a highlander, the firepower of a jenner and the speed of a medium. (And only slightly more armor than a medium)

[Padic]

I haven't tried it yet, but maybe you just need to Elite it out? I find that speed tweak and the 2x basics can really, really turn a mech that feels slow and clumsy into a mech that feels fast and nimble.

[JigglyMoobs]

You can do hit and run tactics with the Victor but not as a brawler. Witness:

VTR-9B adroit courtesan of the current meta

Stay long range, stay classy.



PS - I also had terrible results using AC20/SRM/Las combo.

Edited by JigglyMoobs, 01 August 2013 - 09:45 PM.

[Eisenhorne]

I find I do quite well with the victor (AC/20 + SRM + MLAS)... but its all about picking the right fights, and about being on the right map. I can't do a damn thing on Forest Colony, Caustic, or Alpine... but all other maps you can do great on.

You need to do 2 things.. 1) Find a wingman, someone else in a fast-ish jump capable mech. CTF-3D, any QKD, or any TBT can come with you. You just can't be alone, or you'll be crushed.

2) Attack from an unexpected angle using your jump capability. Canyon is the best map for this. A pretty common situation would be they have 1-2 snipers / LRM boats on the highground behind a canyon,and their brawlers in the canyon attacking your brawlers. Fine, thats a good setup. You and your wingman jump in behind their brawlers, alpha one in the back twice each, then jump up to the highground behind them and engage their ranged support. Never stop moving, never stop jumping. If your engaging snipers, don't show them your CT unless you need to fire, keep torso twisting to maximize damage spread over your mech.

Playing my victor like this, over 240+ games, I'm at 430 damage per game average... that includes games where I get taken out fast by a lucky shot from a sniper heavy team. On games where I don't get insta-killed by making a mistake (every death you suffer is a mistake, and they can all be avoided) Its unusual for me to do less than 500 damage.

Whatever you do, don't just stand there and try to brawl like an atlas. Thats the surest way to die.

[Impavid]

I love the Victor, but to echo the above poster I've also found that you can't brawl with it that well. You shouldn't be on the frontline either. I've found success by staying with the heavies until the frontline is formed, then dip back and set up on the flank. Always helpful to take someone with you too. Even though it's quick for an assault mech, an isolated victor is still a dead victor. So don't stray too far.

[Eisenhorne]

Impavid, on 02 August 2013 - 07:15 AM, said:

I love the Victor, but to echo the above poster I've also found that you can't brawl with it that well. You shouldn't be on the frontline either. I've found success by staying with the heavies until the frontline is formed, then dip back and set up on the flank. Always helpful to take someone with you too. Even though it's quick for an assault mech, an isolated victor is still a dead victor. So don't stray too far.

When 12 man comes out, I'm hoping to run a full lance with the role of Jump Assault, consisting of mostly victors and quickdraws to flank enemy positions, and take out isolated LRM support.

Edited by Eisenhorne, 02 August 2013 - 07:21 AM.

[ShadowbaneX]

I had a lot of problems with the 9B. Paired uAC/5s, MLs & Streaks on an XL350. It didn't work so well, kept getting the side torsos taken out and winding up with an 80 ton paper weight. The 9S was different. Loaded up with a more standard loadout, XL350, AC/20, but 3 Streaks w Beagle and paired MPLs...and it was much better. It's an Assault yes, but it's a flanking Assault. Let the Stalkers, Highlanders and Atlai get the enemy's attention and then move in.

I still find I die way too much to losing side torsos, even with twisting...I might have to move more armour from the RSTs to the front, but already I'm down to half a ton (16 points) of armour on each side and that's getting really low.

The 9K is where I really have my issues. That was a slog to even get through the basic proficiencies...that took like 32 matches, whereas the 9B took 28 and the 9S took 26. Oh, I also tried the triple AC/2 build for the 9B. That was fun as long as people ignored you. Very much a direct fire support build.

[Xorv]

I just had a 1119 dmg 4 kills and 3 assists last night with the VTR 9S. I also had a 900+ and 5 kills sometime ago plus a host of 700-800++ dmg games, so the problem is clearly you. I record all my games and am currently uploading the 1119 dmg game on youtube so if you don't believe me...........

Edited by Xorv, 02 August 2013 - 12:22 PM.

[Liev Andropov]

Oni, I'm feelin' you. I think the biggest change for me is the lack of maneuverability. You can't run around hitting hotspots with nearly as much effectiveness.

Instead of grabbing the other two to elite I'm thinking of just saving up for the Kintaro and grabbing a Spider with some of the cash I've got.

[Xorv]

Liev Andropov, on 02 August 2013 - 02:50 PM, said:

Oni, I'm feelin' you. I think the biggest change for me is the lack of maneuverability. You can't run around hitting hotspots with nearly as much effectiveness.

Instead of grabbing the other two to elite I'm thinking of just saving up for the Kintaro and grabbing a Spider with some of the cash I've got.

wow...just wow....

[Kageru Ikazuchi]

I love my Victor (I built all three to be brawlers, earned elite skills in all three, and then kept the one with the best stats to conserve mech bays) ... my VTR-9S has AC/20, 2xML, SRM-12, and XL360 ... average over 400 damage per match after about 70 matches.

I've had crappy games (sniped side torso) and great games (over 800 damage, with less than 40% health remaining) ... it can be a phenomenal brawler, but you have to keep moving, keep jumping, and keep shooting. Keep your heat reasonable, choose your battles and don't fire your AC/20 unless you're pretty sure your shot will count.

[Khobai]

I actually find the Victor to be more maneuverable than the YLW because of jumpjets.

However you do have to play the Victor smarter because assaults with XL engines are very vulnerable to having their side torsos pinpointed.

[Psikez]

You're mileage may vary but this is probably my most favorite mech to flank with

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1a7f75637a4fe91

[Liev Andropov]

Xorv, on 02 August 2013 - 03:45 PM, said:

wow...just wow....

Compare it to a Centurion and it's a bit of a pig.

[Sam Slade]

The Victor is a beast. ac20, SRM12, 2x LL and an XL350... it is also however a classic 'pick you battles' mech. In a Victor you have great speed and jump ability for an Assault... these should be your primary areas of concern.