53 replies to this topic

[Pumpkin Spice Templar]

...Needs help. I've got enough CBills saved up to buy any Non-Hero Mech. But I'm scared of buying the wrong thing and regretting it. Right now I'm looking at the Atlas, Catapult, and stalker. What's better? Is it better to be Tanky or more offensive? I heard that the Atlas didn't have a lot of offense, but that 600 armor seems pretty sweet.

[Carrioncrows]

Best bets for a first purchase

Catapult
Jagermech
Cataphract
Victor
Highlander
Stalker

[Divine Retribution]

Just wanted to point out that there really is no tanking in this game. An Atlas can take a couple more hits than lighter mechs but will quickly melt under pressure like anything else.

If you ran trial mechs for a while, did you like the feel of any of them? If you want a mix of roles on one chassis (LRM support, sniper, brawler), I suggest starting with Catapults until you figure out your style with custom mechs.

Edited by Divine Retribution, 08 August 2013 - 06:45 PM.

[Bishop Steiner]

Xanzikron, on 08 August 2013 - 06:25 PM, said:

...Needs help. I've got enough CBills saved up to buy any Non-Hero Mech. But I'm scared of buying the wrong thing and regretting it. Right now I'm looking at the Atlas, Catapult, and stalker. What's better? Is it better to be Tanky or more offensive? I heard that the Atlas didn't have a lot of offense, but that 600 armor seems pretty sweet.

Probably best to start in Medium to Heavy, or faster Assaults, as slow Assaults have a high learning curve in CQB and die fast to packs of Lights.
If you are running with a team, Atlas and Stalkers are not a bad choice, but if you are Pugging and new, they are too slow to respond to fast threats.

The Catapult is a great chassis with good maneuver and firepower options.....but with the CT and Cockpit situation, I find they get cored out ridiculously fast. Only mech I routinely kill faster than Awesomes.

I would lean toward Jagermech or Cataphract in Heavies, as both are possessed of decent speed/maneuver, and can pack wicked firepower.

Of the Assaults, I would say probably avoid the VTR initially, it is a high reward design, but takes more effort to learn to use well. Highlander is slow, but more forgiving, IMO than the other Assaults.

Also not to be overlooked is Mediums, the Hunchback and Centurion, both of which are very good chassis for learning the game. Avoid XLs in both, and they are surprisingly tough.

[Pumpkin Spice Templar]

Thanks Guys! I guess if there isn't much tanking than I shouldn't go for Atlas. I mainly play the Cicada, followed by the Catapult from the starter Mechs. The Raven was too slow with no firepower, and the Victor also seemed to have no firepower.

[Royalewithcheese]

I started out with the Atlas, but times have changed and I'm not 100% sure I'd recommend it as your first mech. It's usually a short-range fighter because the guns are low and it's not very mobile, and the game is very long-range an the moment, DDC is the way to go if you get one though.

[Bishop Steiner]

Xanzikron, on 08 August 2013 - 06:53 PM, said:

Thanks Guys! I guess if there isn't much tanking than I shouldn't go for Atlas. I mainly play the Cicada, followed by the Catapult from the starter Mechs. The Raven was too slow with no firepower, and the Victor also seemed to have no firepower.

remember that is stock versions of 1 variant. The Firepower on many designs can be VASTLY increased, pretty fast and easy. My Victors hit as hard as most Atlas in the game, but can't carry the armor. They compensate with speed and jump jets.

The 9k trial is cursed with single heatsinks and a very conservative build. The VTR is the one Assault that really needs an XL engine to shine, another reason I don't recommend it as a starter.

For lights, the Jenner is the all around best chassis, It's ONLY weakness is none of it's versions can carry ECM. But it can move as fast as any mech, has great armor and fire power for it's size and JJs.

The XL or lack of needing one, is another reason recommending the Centurion, Hunchback, Jagermech and Cataphract, as ALL can be very effective fighters without saving another 5 million Cbills for an XL engine first. But whatever you choose, you will want to upgrade to Double Heat Sink before ANYTHING else.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 08 August 2013 - 07:01 PM.

[Royalewithcheese]

If you like the PPC aspect of the Cicada and can afford one, the Cataphract 3-D is pretty much the gold standard for that kind of long-range combat and has pretty flexible hardpoints.

[Pumpkin Spice Templar]

Wait, DDC? Why not the AS7 K?

[Bishop Steiner]

Xanzikron, on 08 August 2013 - 07:01 PM, said:

Wait, DDC? Why not the AS7 K?

Because the XL is worthless in an Atlas, so you will just rip it out anyhow, and the DDC can use ECM AND has more missile hardpoints, which compensate for it's low direct fire weapon ports.

Another plus to the Jager, very high mounted primary guns allowing fire with minimal exposure.

Probably the "best" beginners chassis, by Type and Variant: (None need XL engines)

LIGHT:
-Jenner-7D (all around best light mech)
-Raven-3L (ECM is VERY nice)

MEDIUM:
-Hunchback-4P (for laser guys)
-Hunchback-4SP (for missile guys)
-Centurion-9A (Very versatile and the toughest mech south of assault mechs)

HEAVY:
-Jagermech-6A (Missiles and lasers and ballistics in one package with high arms)
-Cataphract-3D (Great weapon array of ballistic and energy, Jumpjets)

Assault:
-Highlanders (any of the 733s, I prefer the P, some prefer the C)
-Stalker-3F (Best mobility of any Stalker, HUGE firepower)
-Atlas-7DDC (Biggest, heaviest, most armored mech, with ECM and heavy missile ability)

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 08 August 2013 - 07:08 PM.

[Pumpkin Spice Templar]

So then right now I'm looking at the Cataphract 3-D, And some kind of Jager. Is the Awesome any good? I see one with three ER PPCs and that sounds pretty sweet.

[Utilyan]

If your a noob.....

My advice is find out the absolute worst mech you can get.....and then get it.

Then everything else is a piece of cake.

If you had to put your Mom in a mech to kill something and do good today......I think I would put her in a Jagermech. Very reliable.

But if I wanted you to be a good pilot......I shove you in the worst mech.

The balance I suppose would be any medium mech... All mediums are hard for noobs.

[Bishop Steiner]

Xanzikron, on 08 August 2013 - 07:06 PM, said:

So then right now I'm looking at the Cataphract 3-D, And some kind of Jager. Is the Awesome any good? I see one with three ER PPCs and that sounds pretty sweet.

The Awesome sadly has the worst hitboxes in the game and dies VERY easy. It has decent armor, but it's Center Torso is MASSIVE and it just goes down fast. Sadly, the legendary Awesome is anything BUT Awesome. If one does use one, I would recommend the AWS-8R because it has 4 Missile slots, allowing it to give VERY heavy LRM support, and keeping itself away from the heavy fighting.

Of note, while I prefer the JM-6A, I just remembered that the stock armament of hte JM6-S Jagermech is VERY very effective, 2 AC/2, 2 AC5 and 2 medium lasers.
The mech needs Double Heatsinks, and Endo steel right away, because it needs more ammo and armor, but the weapons can be left untouched. Also if you want to avoid an XL in it, it is one of the few heavies that can actually use Endo AND Ferro together and actually have enough critical room to work.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 08 August 2013 - 07:13 PM.

[Pumpkin Spice Templar]

Aww that's too bad. Three ER PPCs sounded like a really good deal. What's the best kind of Jagger? Is the Jagger better than the Cataphract? I'm going to assume I can buy weapons for my Mechs later. Right now All I can purchase are new mechs. I haven't bought anything yet.

[Bishop Steiner]

Xanzikron, on 08 August 2013 - 07:14 PM, said:

Aww that's too bad. Three ER PPCs sounded like a really good deal. What's the best kind of Jagger? Is the Jagger better than the Cataphract? I'm going to assume I can buy weapons for my Mechs later. Right now All I can purchase are new mechs. I haven't bought anything yet.

all mechs come with stock weapons, like the trial mechs. And set hard point types, limiting the type and numbers each mech can carry. This is why picking the right variant is so important. You can see all that info in Mechlab before you buy now.

Between Jagermechs and Cataphracts, its a matter of personal choice. BOTH are great chassis, that are just all around solid choices. THe Jager has better arms for shooting over terrain, but less armor and mass. THe Cataphract has better armor, but very low slung primary weapon groups.

If you like JJs, go with the Cataphract, as the 3D is equipped with them.

If you don't jump, but use the terrain well, go with the Jagermech. If you like missiles, the 6A is the way to go It supports these 4 missile slots with 2 energy and 2 ballistic. IF you like the Dakka, the 6S is pretty well armed to start.

ALL JAgers need massive armor increases right away. But once you do it is well worth it.

If you got a LOT of money, the Jagermech 6DD has an XL engine stock, which frees up a lot of weight, amking it very easy to add a lot of armor and ammo.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 08 August 2013 - 07:21 PM.

[Glucose]

Or you could play a zombie centurion, they can last a long time. Very maneuverable mech too, and you can learn a few weapon types with them.

[Pumpkin Spice Templar]

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)

Edited by Xanzikron, 08 August 2013 - 07:24 PM.

[Divine Retribution]

Just remember to buy 3 variants of the same mech so you can unlock the higher pilot tree tiers. If you buy 1 Cataphract, 1 Jager, and 1 Highlander you will be saving a long time before you can get past the basic efficiencies on any of them. That's why I recommend a mech with multiple possible roles, when you buy the second variant you won't have to play it exactly like the first mech you bought. By the time you buy the third variant of the same mech you should have a good idea what you want to do with it.

And as above, always invest in double heat sinks as soon as you can. Most non-assault mechs can also easily fit in endo-steel structure. And ferro fibrous armor is really only used on lights, everything else can make better use of the space than what you can do with 1-2 extra tons.

Edited by Divine Retribution, 08 August 2013 - 07:35 PM.

[Slash Beastleo]

Just get a Centurion. A CN9-A or CN9-AL. Yes, it will be hard, but that mech made me the man I am today!

[Royalewithcheese]

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)

Trial mechs tend to have bad heat management because they run Single Heatsinks (SHS). Almost every build benefits enormously from Double Heatsinks (DHS) which are basically a requirement if you want to run energy weapons and in general a good first upgrade to get for basically anything. I would definitely consider giving lasers another shot once you have a mech with DHS, but I'm a ballistics fan myself