47 replies to this topic

[Johnny Marek Summers]

Hey Naur,

You do realize you could just use the Catapult Trial mech, right? You can use the Trials for as long as you want. Of course taking out your 'Phract is good too as you are earning xp on it.

[Asimov Battleborne]

Johnny Marek Summers, on 29 August 2013 - 07:56 AM, said:

Hey Naur,

You do realize you could just use the Catapult Trial mech, right?  You can use the Trials for as long as you want.  Of course taking out your 'Phract is good too as you are earning xp on it.

I read from somewhere that I get less rewards with trials after gotten first mech, is this true?

[scJazz]

No... you get the same rewards. What you don't get is the ability to spend XP. You can spend your XP to improve your Cataphract. Since you do not own the Catapult A1 you can't spend the XP you earn. You still earn it and if at some point in the future you buy a Catapult A1 you can then spend it.

[Johnny Marek Summers]

What you won't get is the Cadet Bonus after your first 25 matches, but then all mechs are going to be like that.

[Asimov Battleborne]

Ok good to know, thanks.

I assume that it is better to take some other ammo type for LRM so it doesn’t use main weapon ammo?

Also might it be better to replace LB 10-X AC before getting gaus?

[Ertur]

I've found the LBX is ok against lights. The way it has a cone of damage is kind of bad against big mechs (where you want to focus damage) but is useful against small fast things (where any damage at all helps). You can still shoot stuff with it, so focus more on survivability and such as you upgrade your 'fract. Don't worry about the cbills, they will come eventually. Also don't worry about getting killed or your KDR. Focus on doing damage and getting assists. Stay close to other heavies and assaults mechs, too, they may draw fire away from you. When you aren't shooting look around. That way damage gets spread around your torso instead of being focused on one spot. You should have jets, you can try pop-tarting, which is when you hide behind a rock or something and then jump up and shoot something and then fall back down into cover.

[scJazz]

All ammo types are unique to the weapon type. Cataphracts can't mount Missiles so no issue there.

The LBX10 is a terrible weapon. Some builds and pilots can use them to great effect. For a new player though... just horrible.

The first thing you want to buy is Double Strength Heat Sinks. Do this first then we can chat about the rest of your build All the builds we are going to suggest require DSHS really. In fact basically, every mech requires DSHS.

[Johnny Marek Summers]

Each weapon needs its own ammo. LRMs need LRM ammo. LBX10s will need whatever ammo they use. What I was saying that your ammo should be in other parts of your mech's body. The usual recommendations are head and legs. But be sure to have your leg armor be as high as you can get it. If you lose both your legs, you are out of the match.

The LBX is like a shotgun, most players don't like it that much (Kikoskia seems to but then he likes being a mavrick). What it is good for is going after vitals once the armor has been striped.

The Gauss Rifle is a high damage weapon, that chews up ammo like it's candy. And if I remember correctly, you don't get all that much ammo per ton.

Oh ick, just checked Smurfy. Your LBX gets 15 shots per ton. The Gauss will get 10 shots per ton. You're going to run out of ammo quick without trigger discipline.

[mo0x]

hey guys!

started playing yesterday aswell and had a blast doing so! that was until i realized at some point that i only get like 50k cbills per match instead of 250k like it was before.. i had no idea that the cadet bonus existed so i went ahead and bought a spider-5V just because i saw someone rockin' the game before with a spider-5D and looking at the few stats that are given i decided to take the 5V cuz of its superior speed and jumping ability.. well, i'm new to the game and now i'm stuck with from what i've read the worst lights in the game.. wouldnt have been that much of a problem if i would still get like a 250k cbills for every match like before wouldnt it, but now getting 50k makes this whole experience rather frustrating and i dont see how this games accomplishes keeping lots of new players who just want to jump right into the action and want to try different mechs, different weapons and so forth... ok enough ranting from my side, had to blow off some steam.. guess ill jump into my spider with 1 LLS and farm some cbills for half an eternity doing like 100 dmg every match and dying and dying again and again... gl hf..

[Ertur]

Heat Sinks
Endo-Steel
Max armor
then worry about weapons.
That's just what I'd suggest. The weapons are cheap, it's the structural stuff and engines that cost a fortune.
I don't know if FF armor is worth the cost and the slots on this mech, though. You may not want it, especially if you want to use large ballistic weapons, which tend to take a lot of space.

[Johnny Marek Summers]

Hi Mo0x,

It's usually better to start a new topic than hijack someone else's, this way your concerns can be addressed. There are topics in new help that gives lots of hints on how to maximize earnings, without spending MC if you so choose.


EDIT: small spelling error

Edited by Johnny Marek Summers, 29 August 2013 - 10:07 AM.

[Ertur]

mo0x, check the builds section for light mechs, and I think there's lots of guides for spiders. I've had my butt kicked by enough of those annoying little twerps to respect what a spider can do.

Lights are, in my opinion, the hardest mechs to start with; but once you can do well with one of those, then you'll do well with anything.

Maybe you can swap out the LL for 2MPulses for better results? Should leave enough weight for a heat sink or two. Remember with a light you do not ever go toe to toe with any other mech, keep moving and hit from sides and back. Run with other lights and wolf-pack people to death.

[Asimov Battleborne]

I meant antimissile system, not lrm so different ammo for it so it doesn’t use gauss ammo for example. I got the double heat sinks so now need to get more money

Edited by NaurDragar, 29 August 2013 - 10:17 AM.

[Johnny Marek Summers]

You AMS will not use any other ammo than its own.

Edited by Johnny Marek Summers, 29 August 2013 - 10:17 AM.

[mo0x]

thanks Ertur!

[Asimov Battleborne]

Uh, maybe I need some sleep, starting to mess areound too much :PYea, it is quite clearly in ammo list when one isn't totally blind
My brain is exploding for all new info

Edited by NaurDragar, 29 August 2013 - 10:28 AM.

[Ertur]

Seriously, don't worry about cbills. In a month I made enough to buy four mechs and configure them (which costs more). Focus more on learning piloting and tactics. You may want to join a group, check the guides on that or look at the Outreach thread to see who's hiring (Apocalypse Lancers are hiring, btw, and a great team to learn with. Just sayin') or go on the Comstar teamspeak and see if there's anyone looking for a group.

[TheCaptainJZ]

It takes awhile to get a good feel for how to pilot a mech in this game. There are options that are on by default that also change the experience like arm lock, throttle decay, and 3rd person. If you are unfamiliar with what these are please tell us. There isn't much talk about these options and once you get used to it, turning arm lock off is the only way to play. Also, be sure you are unlocking pilot stats for your 'phract. Every new mech feels sluggish and terrible until you start unlocking things that make you turn faster and cool down faster.

[Liquid Leopard]

Ertur, on 29 August 2013 - 10:04 AM, said:

Heat Sinks
Endo-Steel
Max armor
then worry about weapons.
That's just what I'd suggest. The weapons are cheap, it's the structural stuff and engines that cost a fortune.
I don't know if FF armor is worth the cost and the slots on this mech, though. You may not want it, especially if you want to use large ballistic weapons, which tend to take a lot of space.

^ This is good advice. FF armor isn't worth nearly as much as Endo-Steel, so it's really only good for light mechs.

If I might make one exception to Ertur's advice: The legs are the only part of a mech that might not need maximum armor. However, they need armor similar to the arms (or better), because we hate to be killed by a smarty-pants in a Spider shooting our legs.

The CTF-3D might have been good in tabletop BattleTech but, like most mechs, the default design is awful for a realtime video game. One buys it because it has potential, so you're doing fine, Naur.

When I was just starting out, one thing that made my life difficult was having lopsided weapons. I like being able to make my mech symmetrical.

I also had a hard time when the mech had too many different types of weapons. I needed to narrow it down to 2 weapon groups.

If I was going to recommend a mech to me, 5 months ago, I might use a CTF-3D with this setup:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...55401bf9e0803cd
I needed lasers when I was new, because I wasn't very good with PPCs, or anything else that behaved like a projectile.
With the large lasers in the torso, they sit up high where it's easy to fire them over terrain at targets almost 900m away, and get Kill Assists.

Right now, my CTF-3D has the PPC/Gauss combination: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b304a5ad19e67f7

I'm also fascinated with the AC/20, which is very satisfying when you hit the target. The AC/20 requires you to use a standard engine, but that also makes your Cataphract last longer.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...12757e127c0f239
^ I used the CTF-3D template, but I actually have this combination on my CTF-1X.

Also, I think most players quickly turn off Arm Lock and Throttle Decay, and don't regret it. 3rd Person View makes it harder for me to shoot the enemy, because the top of my mech often blocks my view of the target. ...AND, the blinking red "drone of shame" for 3PV is easy to spot against a dark background, and draws a lot of negative attention.

If you're looking for a group, Naur, I'm sure anyone in the FRR faction would be glad to play with you.
The 1st Rasalhague Dragonregimente has a player in Sweden and a player in Norway. You could visit us on ComStar teamspeak and we would be glad to play with someone from Finland!

Edited by Liquid Leopard, 08 September 2013 - 09:22 AM.

[Asimov Battleborne]

I would very much go sniper with this build. Gauss looks amazing but my big concern is visibility being so bad in too many maps. I just don’t see anything! I read that maybe in future something is to be done for snipers visibility?
I noticed too that that mech could be more symmetrical. If I take gauss, is there any point of placing it to the torso instead to arm?
I currently use all 6 weapon groups so was messing around lot there at first, getting better now but still it is bit too much.
That laser build is interesting too but I’m getting a hang of projectiles, when visibility allows it and target isn’t too fast. Still could be a lot better with targeting… I found myself too often too close to enemy so that AC build is interesting too, or I just need to hold my horses and remember to stay back Well some maps seem to be quite challenging for sniper and I need to learn which is best places to be but with random groups more often the best spots are not good because I might end up alone (that often hasn’t ended well).
Thanks I would like to play with people from Sweden and Norway! I just need to buy new microphone so I can chat and not just listen (getting it next week).
So much good info here, thanks a lot guys! Makes one feel welcomed

Edited by NaurDragar, 29 August 2013 - 01:15 PM.