Jump to content

I Need A Good Medium Starter Mech.


15 replies to this topic

#1 AbsoluteExcaliBawsh

    Rookie

  • 1 posts

Posted 28 August 2013 - 05:18 PM

Alright, so I'm relatively new to MWO, and I've been finding the light/medium classes quite fun.
I like sniping but being able to up close and personal with my opponents without being instantaneously gibbed into a thousand little metal pieces, hence why I stuck with the medium side rather than the ultra light side.

To keep this short, I'd like to ask one question of you:

What medium mech would suit me well?

I like being able to snipe, but I need to be able to hold my own in cqc encounters when the situation calls for it.

#2 TrentTheWanderer

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 264 posts

Posted 28 August 2013 - 05:22 PM

I've been really enjoying the Blackjack for a good combo of brawling/sniping. Usually I take advantage of the high cannon mounts to thump away at targets with twin 5's or 2's until i'm out of ammo (usually about 75% of the way through the match) and then I use banks of small lasers, or a couple of medium lasers, to brawl effectively against heavily damaged opponents.

BJs run hot, so you can't really afford to run too many weapons at once, but i've found that even with the low tonnage values the BJs can fit enough lighter energy weapons that once you're out of cannon ammo you can still stay in the fight with proper heat management.

#3 John Buford

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 128 posts
  • LocationGreenville, SC

Posted 28 August 2013 - 05:36 PM

I normaly Pilot Lights but I am also a newbie thinking to pick up some Mediums and alot of people have been telling me either a Hunchback or a Centurion. In fact both should have a guide here some place I know the Cents is on Page 2.

#4 Ruccus

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Bloodlust
  • The Bloodlust
  • 1,136 posts
  • LocationAbbotsford, BC

Posted 28 August 2013 - 06:18 PM

I like my Blackjack BJ-1 and my Gauss Rifle build (though I've been experimenting with an AC10 build that's working decently for me), but its slightly lesser armour versus other medium mechs might cause some trouble if you want to brawl (though I do have fun brawling with my BJ-1. I die a lot while brawling but but I kill more so that evens things out). I like the Blackjack but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

The Hunchback mechs can fit more armour or a bigger engine, and the 4G version can mount a Gauss Rifle or three AC2s in the torso for sniping. All versions have energy slots for an ERPPC for energy sniping. Something like this HBK-4G build would be a nice sniper that should survive well into a battle even if someone targets the Gauss Rifle.

#5 Elizander

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Legendary Founder
  • Legendary Founder
  • 7,540 posts
  • LocationPhilippines

Posted 28 August 2013 - 06:58 PM

Well if you can handle a medium mech with an XL engine then this might be something along the lines of what you like:

CN9-AL 1xER PPC 3xMedium Laser 2xSSRM2 3xSSRM Ammo 1xAMS 275XL

You can snipe with your ER PPC then switch to 3 Medium Lasers and 2 Streaks at close range for more heat efficiency and more guaranteed hits on fast moving targets. AMS helps out with missile damage reduction and the engine allows for max movement speed. Has 14 DHS so you cannot use the ER PPC with the other weapons unless going for an Alpha to kill something.

My medium mechs are now mostly all running on XL (except my HBK-4P) so I'd have to say it's fine as long as you know how to torso twist, duck behind cover and even use your team mates as shields if you are hurting.

Here's a version with the default engine in case you cannot buy an XL or do not want to use one (slower tho)

#6 xengk

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Shredder
  • Shredder
  • 2,502 posts
  • LocationKuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Posted 28 August 2013 - 08:59 PM

Centurion are very versatile mechs with very high survivability for a medium mech, they are popularly call Zombie for a reason. They come a in good mix of energy, missile and ballistic hard point, so you can always field a weapon you like.

If you much prefer to play support and supply constant DPS, the Blackjack will fit the bill.
The BJ are weak in the amour department but can pack alot of weapon for it weight, the high mounted arms also make them ideal for peeking over and firing from cover.

For something speedy, there is the Cicada the "light" medium.
It is a fat Jenner with matching speed but more amour and fire power. However like most light, they do not survive very well in a brawl.

There are also other medium mech but they require abit more experience to pilot properly.
Namely the Hunchback with its venerable weapon hunch, Kintaro with it's expose center torso, Trebuchet is just an oddball that some people manage to make it work.

#7 Johnny Marek Summers

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 189 posts

Posted 28 August 2013 - 10:24 PM

IF you get the Pheonix Project and the Reenforcement Pack then the Centurion would actually be a good mech to start on. This mech can help you learn the all important but mostly forgotten skill of the "Torso Twist."

By turning your relatively empty left arm (if you armor it up it's not empty) towards incoming damage you can protect vital parts of your mech. This can translate to other mechs as being able to move your torso so that less damaged areas can be used to absorb damage that was aimed for you more damaged areas.

I mention the PP and it's future supplement because a few of the mechs seem to have the same empty arm thing going on.

#8 Spheroid

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Veteran Founder
  • Veteran Founder
  • 5,060 posts
  • LocationSouthern Wisconsin

Posted 28 August 2013 - 10:58 PM

I would recommend a Blackjack with 2-3 arm mounted PPCs.

#9 Dazzer

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Knight Errant
  • Knight Errant
  • 216 posts
  • LocationSpain next to Gibraltar

Posted 29 August 2013 - 02:42 AM

Hunchback or a Centurion.
personally I would go with a Hunchback HBK-4P put 6 Small Lasers in the hump and get 2x heat sinks as soon as possible. Near impossible to over heat and you can chain fire the small Lasers and still cool down if you are near to over heating but still need to shoot.[/color]

Edited by Dazzer, 29 August 2013 - 02:42 AM.


#10 slayerkdm

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Elite Founder
  • Elite Founder
  • 395 posts

Posted 29 August 2013 - 07:44 AM

Im biased, but I think the Hunchbacks are a great starter. If you want to elite them, you can have very different play styles and load outs for the three you choose. Plus with the engine upgrade, they are quite fast now, though I myself have gone back to the old speed, as I think you sacrifice a bit too much firepower for the speed you get.

I would get the 4P, SP and the H or G. I like the G, but I think its probably inferior to the H.

#11 heleqin

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • Survivor
  • Survivor
  • 101 posts

Posted 29 August 2013 - 10:22 AM

Hunchbacks are so much fun, my favorite medium in the game, but a little rough for new pilots, the hunch is such a huge target, if you do pick one up, just be sure to ignore the siren call of the XL engine.

Personally i think the Cent 9-A is hands down the best Medium starter, so many different load out options, super survivability, just an all around good mech. the other varients, the 9-AL, 9-D, and Yen-Lo-Wang are all loads of fun as well.

Blackjacks are FRAGILE, you can do lots with them, but they die super fast when focused.

Trebs can be fun as well, but they tend to take more specialist support roles and are not really good at being generalists the way most of the other mediums are.

the Cicada is essentially a Jenner without jump jets and with a tiny bit of extra armor. play it like a big light.

#12 Red Line Pilot

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 243 posts

Posted 29 August 2013 - 02:21 PM

What heleqin said.

The Hunchback and Centurion are both awesomely fun mechs. The HBK introduces you to a whole range of different weapons as you elite three of them. From AC20's to SRMs all sorts of lasers, almost everything mwo has to offer.

Another plus is the HBK price. They are all very affordable with C-bills, no XL's required. Even with sub-optimal load out and upgrades they pretty good. Unlike many other mechs that need 5 Million in upgrades and equipment before you can take them seriously.
The time it takes to go through the basics of a HBK (and some extra) usually gives you enough C-bills to buy the next one.

When it comes to sniping. There are HBKs with a Gausrifle builds, some with a PPC, some with (ER)Large lasers. Most of these are pretty uncommon, but workable.

For real sniping you'll need to go to the heavies (Cataphract 3D / Catapult K2) or assaults (Highlander) though. Both are very pricey for new players.

The short answer: "One of the following: HBKSP, HBK4H, HBK4P, CN9A, CN9AL, CN9D"

Edited by Red Line Pilot, 29 August 2013 - 02:36 PM.


#13 Baba Yogi

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The 1 Percent
  • 452 posts
  • LocationIstanbul

Posted 29 August 2013 - 02:25 PM

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b7965fb13116d00

Centurion AL, you have something to do at long range while definately have good amount of firepower close range. This is a mixed brawler-support guy. Also STD engine for torso twist

#14 NineTails

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • Bad Company
  • 137 posts

Posted 29 August 2013 - 02:59 PM

The right answer here is, IMHO, the CN9-A, and it's not really very close. The CN9-A is just one of the best 'mechs in the game right now.

Which is not to say that other mediums can't be fun. But the CN9-A is the standard by which the others are judged. Start there and then experiment.

#15 Revorn

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Patron
  • 3,557 posts

Posted 29 August 2013 - 03:38 PM

This one could be Fun. Gaus 4T Ammo, Large Laser, 275XL.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...46d8fa6e77cca63

Edited by Revorn, 29 August 2013 - 03:38 PM.


#16 Red Line Pilot

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 243 posts

Posted 29 August 2013 - 03:43 PM

View PostNineTails, on 29 August 2013 - 02:59 PM, said:

The right answer here is, IMHO, the CN9-A, and it's not really very close. The CN9-A is just one of the best 'mechs in the game right now.

Which is not to say that other mediums can't be fun. But the CN9-A is the standard by which the others are judged. Start there and then experiment.


What you are referring to is not a sniper build. Secondly, i'm not sure if judging a mechs good performance because of a bug is the way to go. Compare the current situation with the old Raven 3L, just not _that_ bad. But let's not go further into that in this topic.

That Centurion Lordhammer just posted looks sexy. Might be a good mech for a new player.

Edited by Red Line Pilot, 29 August 2013 - 03:48 PM.






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users