53 replies to this topic

[One Medic Army]

On XL engines, some sizes are more useful than others:

• 255XL (Max engine for spiders and Cataphract 4x)
  
• 280XL (Slightly lighter engine for Jenners, Cataphracts, Catapults, Jagermechs, Raven-3L, Blackjack-1X)
  
• 295XL (Maximum engine for Raven-3L, Blackjack-1X)
  
• 300XL (Slightly faster engine for Jenners, Cataphracts, Catapults, Jagermechs)
  
• 325XL (Max engine for Trebuchets, good for Highlanders, Victors, fast Cataphracts, slower Dragons)
  
• 350XL (Good engine for Fast Victors, Fast Dragons, Cent-9D, Treb-3C)

[Jman5]

Carrioncrows, on 08 August 2013 - 06:33 PM, said:

Best bets for a first purchase

Catapult
Jagermech
Cataphract
Victor
Highlander
Stalker

This is a good list. I wouldn't recommend anything under 65 tons as my first mech. Because of your inexperience, you're going to be relatively easy to hit no matter what mech you choose. You might as well pick something that can take a few hits.

[AlmightyAeng]

Xanzikron, on 08 August 2013 - 07:23 PM, said:

I'm so glad you guys are telling me about the weapon slots. I had no idea before. I also love cannons and missiles, but I really hate using laser weapons for some reason. Maybe it's because I always overheat, or because I feel like they don't do anything. Then again, maybe once I get my own mech I can spec it better. I've been using trial mechs for the past 50 or so games. (wanted to save up enough for everyone)

I feel your pain. I started out in an Atlas DDC...no premium time. The grind to level out 3 chassis of Atlai was LONG and painful.

If you like Cannons and Missiles, I'd honestly suggest going with the Jagermech 6A. I love ALL my Jagers (especially my STD Firebrand striker build, with C-Bill rewards where they are)

You can experiment with high-risk reward builds involving XL's (the side 'fins' of Jagers make the side torsos rather vulnerable) or go with a STD engine for a hard-hitting, slower running, but balanced build.

With the JMS-6A you can experiment with a variety of STYLES of play without having to get a bunch of 'mech chassis. Depending on what engine/weapons you put in it, you can play it fast, slow, long range or short. It's got hardpoints of every weapon, with 4 missile slots, 2 ballistic, and 2 lasers. Lots of options...endless fun. Just my 2 cents.

[Bishop Steiner]

Ghost Badger, on 09 August 2013 - 11:43 AM, said:

I feel your pain. I started out in an Atlas DDC...no premium time. The grind to level out 3 chassis of Atlai was LONG and painful.

If you like Cannons and Missiles, I'd honestly suggest going with the Jagermech 6A. I love ALL my Jagers (especially my STD Firebrand striker build, with C-Bill rewards where they are)

You can experiment with high-risk reward builds involving XL's (the side 'fins' of Jagers make the side torsos rather vulnerable) or go with a STD engine for a hard-hitting, slower running, but balanced build.

With the JMS-6A you can experiment with a variety of STYLES of play without having to get a bunch of 'mech chassis. Depending on what engine/weapons you put in it, you can play it fast, slow, long range or short. It's got hardpoints of every weapon, with 4 missile slots, 2 ballistic, and 2 lasers. Lots of options...endless fun. Just my 2 cents.

^^^^^^^^^

Yup. It's my second favorite chassis, right behind my Victors. But the learning curve on them is a lot simpler than VTRs. If the LM6-A could carry JJs it might be the perfect chassis......

[3rdworld]

I wouldn't start with a stalker. They are pretty unforgiving.

The K2 isn't a bad chassis but the others are meh.

Cataphracts the most forgiving with a good blend of speed/firepower. The 3D is a beast, but is going to cost you a pretty penny to get operational. The 2X in the atlaphract config is a great mech, and pretty cheap using a std engine. The 1X energy boating has fallen out of popularity but is not a bad mech either.

[PropagandaWar]

Get a medium Cough "Huncback SP/CENT 9A" Cought. I say this because if you excell in them you tend to outplay others when go into other weight classes.

[Angel of Annihilation]

One Medic Army, on 09 August 2013 - 11:38 AM, said:

On XL engines, some sizes are more useful than others:

• 255XL (Max engine for spiders and Cataphract 4x)
  
• 280XL (Slightly lighter engine for Jenners, Cataphracts, Catapults, Jagermechs, Raven-3L, Blackjack-1X)
  
• 295XL (Maximum engine for Raven-3L, Blackjack-1X)
  
• 300XL (Slightly faster engine for Jenners, Cataphracts, Catapults, Jagermechs)
  
• 325XL (Max engine for Trebuchets, good for Highlanders, Victors, fast Cataphracts, slower Dragons)
  
• 350XL (Good engine for Fast Victors, Fast Dragons, Cent-9D, Treb-3C)

The 300XL is by far the most useful engine to have. I think I have 5 seperate mechs equiped with a 300XL, maybe more.

300XL is generally the best engine for the Quickdraw and Dragon thought those mechs require more skill that most to play.

PropagandaWar, on 09 August 2013 - 12:31 PM, said:

Get a medium Cough "Huncback SP/CENT 9A" Cought. I say this because if you excell in them you tend to outplay others when go into other weight classes.

This isn't a bad suggestion to be honest. Hunchbacks are generally relatively cheap and do pack a good amount of firepower into a small package and when I say small package, they are relatively small which makes them harder to target. Probably a great mech for a newbie to cut thier teeth on so to speak.

[The6047]

Something I found important that has not been mentioned is past experience. Have you played any of the other mechwarrior games long ago? I have been a long time pc gamer and have played all of the MW games. I had not played since MW4 many years back. I stumbled across this game recently (missed founders ) and picked it up rather quickly like riding a bike.

I knew I had to jump.

Started with the Cataphract 3D, still love it, one of my best mechs, its great as mentioned above.
Followed up with Jenners/Spiders for speedy jumping.
Then Victors for the big jumpy and its not too slow. (Hi! Landers. )

I have many other mechs now that cannot jump but they do not get played near as much. Love my Jagers, Ilya, DDC as much as the next guy but they do collect a bit of dust.

I personally hate piloting anything I cant make go 80+. Do you have any known limits at least for starting? Jumps? Speed? Firepower?

The mechs I enjoy most, I would not reccomend to a true noob. Jumping well takes practice. Being able to torso twist to spread damage and accurately land shots while jumping pays huge dividends. I bought the CTF-3D first because I was comfortable with my skill due to many years of playing many MW games.

If your confident, get whatever you want according to your playstyle and perferred role.

If this is truly your first game like this, you cant go wrong with;
Jagers - All around great heavy and very customizeable across the variants.
Hunchbacks - All around great medium, you will learn to love medium lasers.
Stalkers - All around great assault, lasers and missles only unless you buy Misery for real $.
Jenners - If you have a need for speed.
All have been mentioned prior.

Note that many chassis mentioned (Centurions, Altai, Dragons etc.) are great in their own right but tend to have very specific playstyles and roles. Make sure it is what you want before buying. Many other mechs not mentioned are very specific to their role as well.

[PropagandaWar]

Viktor Drake, on 09 August 2013 - 04:50 PM, said:

The 300XL is by far the most useful engine to have. I think I have 5 seperate mechs equiped with a 300XL, maybe more.

300XL is generally the best engine for the Quickdraw and Dragon thought those mechs require more skill that most to play.



This isn't a bad suggestion to be honest. Hunchbacks are generally relatively cheap and do pack a good amount of firepower into a small package and when I say small package, they are relatively small which makes them harder to target. Probably a great mech for a newbie to cut thier teeth on so to speak.

Not only that he'll be able to get to more varients quick enough to elite. Heres my build. Over 1000 registered matches in my sp but this is my best: Std 250 eng 2srm 4s (3 tons of ammo), 5 med lasers, DHS, Endo rest on armor.

Edited by PropagandaWar, 09 August 2013 - 05:17 PM.

[Zakie Chan]

Mobility is life. Something heavy that will do 80+ is a huge bonus. With the current meta you need to make sure you can move. Getting caught in the wrong place is devastating. No matter if youre a light or an assault. A good balance of speed armor and endurance will make for the easiest mech to play.

The mech isnt as important as the meat in the seat. Learn the battlefield. How maps flow. How to navigate without being overly exposed. Placement is the most important part of a round. Learn that and you double any mechs effectiveness.


That said, a highlander with JJ, ppcs and a gauss is really popular for a reason. Good armor, hitboxes, concentrated punch, but most importantly maneuverability. Im not trying to get another flavor of the monther out there, but its always a fun alternative till you learn more game sense.

[One Medic Army]

Viktor Drake, on 09 August 2013 - 04:50 PM, said:

The 300XL is by far the most useful engine to have. I think I have 5 seperate mechs equiped with a 300XL, maybe more.

300XL is generally the best engine for the Quickdraw and Dragon thought those mechs require more skill that most to play.

At least 325 in a Dragon or Quickdraw.
If you're running a 300 you may as well be running a Cataphract at those speeds.

[Bishop Steiner]

One Medic Army, on 09 August 2013 - 06:27 PM, said:

At least 325 in a Dragon or Quickdraw.
If you're running a 300 you may as well be running a Cataphract at those speeds.

I recently put a 34oXL in my CTF-ILya.....

OH........

MY!

Max armor, no AMS, and 2 AC/10 and 2 Medium Lasers. Results? I have DOUBLED my KDr in 3 days, and had my highest point match EVER. (No I don't count a few cheeze matches I trolled in a Raven-3L during the height of their invulnerability!)

[One Medic Army]

Bishop Steiner, on 09 August 2013 - 08:29 PM, said:

I recently put a 34oXL in my CTF-ILya.....

OH........

MY!

Max armor, no AMS, and 2 AC/10 and 2 Medium Lasers. Results? I have DOUBLED my KDr in 3 days, and had my highest point match EVER. (No I don't count a few cheeze matches I trolled in a Raven-3L during the height of their invulnerability!)

Yes, seriously, running a big XL (325-340) in a cataphract makes it very very maneuverable. Oh, and for 2.5kph less than an XL300 Dragon you get: 1ton more armor, 3.5tons more to use for weapons.

[Bishop Steiner]

One Medic Army, on 09 August 2013 - 08:35 PM, said:

Yes, seriously, running a big XL (325-340) in a cataphract makes it very very maneuverable. Oh, and for 2.5kph less than an XL300 Dragon you get: 1ton more armor, 3.5tons more to use for weapons.

and 3 locations for the Dakka! (or 1,2 or 4 depending on the model!)