260 replies to this topic

[The Silent Protagonist]

This is also what I've been using with the protector:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c5903713e05d9b6
Deals good damage, and takes some too. It's no front line brawling mech but it can handle itself in any situation short to long range (but not sniping distance). Heat efficiency's nice too.

[Autobot9000]

This build is also quite nice, you can run it with ERs if you're scared, but I would focus on your role, it makes it stronger.

300XL
Endosteel
10 DHS

2x PPC (arms)
1x Gauss (3 tons ammo)
1x LRM15/Artemis (2 tons ammo)

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c4c2d7cf31777ff

[Llamast]

I've been playing around with smurfy a bit to see if there is an orion configuration that could make it worth gettin when they come out and this is what i've put together:

ON1-K Sniper build PPC+Gauss with a few backup lasers and lot of DHS to run pretty cool for the build. Left side has only a few dhs and med lasers so it's nice to try and shield the core

ON1-VA The only thing i could get on this is LRM boat with a few backup MLAs and an ac/2, any other build is better on the other variants =/

ON1-M Ac/20 3MLAs and a total of 10 srm for a decent brawler, but is a bit slow and hot

ON1-V This is the strange one, 2 ac/5 2MLAs and srm 10 with most of the fire power on the RT with XL 360 for maxspeed, seems like the alternative for those who don't like the ac/20


Any of these is actually viable in your opinion?

Edited by Llamast, 07 September 2013 - 01:14 PM.

[Autobot9000]

This works best for me on the Protector already, although with a faster engine, less heat sinks and less MLs. I think it's gonna be even better on the K model.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f4b1ff353bc2ce0

4x ML (arms)
U/AC5 (3 tons)
LRM20/Artemis (2 tons)
SRM6/Artemis (1 ton)

325XL
Endosteel
14 DHS

Edited by Autobot9000, 07 September 2013 - 01:50 PM.

[TripleEhBeef]

Smurfy theory build with a VA.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c46d4ddeae73681

Pairing 2 LRM15s with 2 LRM5s may seem weird, but the combo saves two tons compared to 4 LRM10s or 2 LRM20s. Used that for another DHS and to max the armour. Use the AC5 to blow off components that have had their armour ripped off by your LRM barrages. 2 MLs give some backup firepower.

Obviously, this is not a brawler, but it can definitely rain some pain down while being tougher than a Catapult. Sadly, there's no room for Artemis or a UAC/5, but you could swap an ML for TAG.

Edited by TripleEhBeef, 08 September 2013 - 09:12 AM.

[tatersaladftw]

Been running my protector with the UAC/5, 2xLL, single med laser, 2x SSRMs and an XL350. The protector name suggests the role you should play. Stick outside of other heavies and assaults and pound anyone not looking your way. Also experimented with 2X LPL,2x Mg, ,1x LL, 1xSRM6, 1xLRM 15. Which was interesting


Overall it took me a while to really figure out the chassis. If you run an XL, which I do, you can't stand and try to dish out the punishment. You have to play the protector role and dish out the damage on the edges of the fight.

Edited by tatersaladftw, 08 September 2013 - 05:26 PM.

[Rasfaratu]

This is the build I developed after realizing that if you don't take a LRM 20 for your shoulder, you might as well get a Victor, Since you're only 2 advantages is your amount of tubes and smaller profile. Especially considering the Victor can use a AC/20 with an XL, you cannot in an Orion Protector.

XL engine 350 (75.6 KPH)
13 double heat sinks
Endo-steel
432 armor (People rarely target your legs, I took most of the missing 30 armor from there)
AMS
BAP

Weapons:
2x Large lasers in arms

2x machine guns with 1 ton ammo

LRM 20 + artemis with 3 tons of ammo
1 medium laser
1 Streak srm 2 with 1 ton of ammo


This is a very good all around work horse that can support and engage, at everything but sniper range. The last 2 battles I earned about 200k cbills with this setup. (I don't have premium)

The Lrm 20 makes people targets your left shoulder a lot more, yet I almost always die to CT destruction despite this, so really it's just taking fire off your CT.

Edited by Rasfaratu, 09 September 2013 - 05:40 AM.

[Autobot9000]

Rasfaratu, on 09 September 2013 - 05:37 AM, said:

This is the build I developed after realizing that if you don't take a LRM 20 for your shoulder, you might as well get a Victor, Since you're only 2 advantages is your amount of tubes and smaller profile. Especially considering the Victor can use a AC/20 with an XL, you cannot in an Orion Protector.

XL engine 350 (75.6 KPH)
13 double heat sinks
Endo-steel
432 armor (People rarely target your legs, I took most of the missing 30 armor from there)
AMS
BAP

Weapons:
2x Large lasers in arms

2x machine guns with 1 ton ammo

LRM 20 + artemis with 3 tons of ammo
1 medium laser
1 Streak srm 2 with 1 ton of ammo


This is a very good all around work horse that can support and engage, at everything but sniper range. The last 2 battles I earned about 200k cbills with this setup. (I don't have premium)

The Lrm 20 makes people targets your left shoulder a lot more, yet I almost always die to CT destruction despite this, so really it's just taking fire off your CT.

Of all the bad things one can say about the Orion, this is utter nonesense. More tubes is not a minor thing, it's a giant difference. First of all AMS is less useful, if you can fire full volleys (1 AMS or multiple AMS from many mechs covering your target), but much more importantly you have a way higher chance to hit your target before it reaches cover if you missiles don't drizzle in. The Victor is a really poor mech for carrying LRMs and so are all Stalker variants except for the 3H. LRM10 is the least effficient of all the LRM batteries (missiles/ton). And obviously the Orion is meant for carrying LRMs. I have never seen anyone target fire the side torso ever. The only zones people snipe for are ballistic weapons for obvious reasons. Also sniping for the Orions side torso is nearly impossible considering its size.

Then considering your build: Why would you take 1 streak launcher? You won't scare a light mech with this and vs any other mech it's nonesense. The Protector comes with Artemis per default and SRM4 or 6 just makes the most sense. Just a waste of tonnage and hardpoint to choose 1 or even 2 SSRMs. I would even claim, that if you use Artemis, then you should use SRM6, because for an SRM4 Artemis is somewhat of a waste (since it takes up 1 crit space and 1 extra ton).

Edited by Autobot9000, 09 September 2013 - 09:45 AM.

[Autobot9000]

tatersaladftw, on 08 September 2013 - 05:08 PM, said:

Been running my protector with the UAC/5, 2xLL, single med laser, 2x SSRMs and an XL350. The protector name suggests the role you should play. Stick outside of other heavies and assaults and pound anyone not looking your way. Also experimented with 2X LPL,2x Mg, ,1x LL, 1xSRM6, 1xLRM 15. Which was interesting


Overall it took me a while to really figure out the chassis. If you run an XL, which I do, you can't stand and try to dish out the punishment. You have to play the protector role and dish out the damage on the edges of the fight.

Which just means, that you admit the chassis isn't viable, since you are letting all other mechs of your team absorb damage for you, although the Orion has 75% of the maximum tonnage/armor in the game. I mean it's not unreasonable to play pugs like this, since everyone plays as egoistic as they can. Obvisouly this is just what everyone in a pug does, but try to play the mech as its lore and tonnage suggests and you will find the Orion as a shattered pile of garbage in a matter or seconds. I have never seen an unviable mech like this before (played 150 games on my Protector now, complete waste to try to make it work).

[tatersaladftw]

Autobot9000, on 09 September 2013 - 09:49 AM, said:

Which just means, that you admit the chassis isn't viable, since you are letting all other mechs of your team absorb damage for you, although the Orion has 75% of the maximum tonnage/armor in the game. I mean it's not unreasonable to play pugs like this, since everyone plays as egoistic as they can. Obvisouly this is just what everyone in a pug does, but try to play the mech as its lore and tonnage suggests and you will find the Orion as a shattered pile of garbage in a matter or seconds. I have never seen an unviable mech like this before (played 150 games on my Protector now, complete waste to try to make it work).

I've used everything from you christmas tree build to just random ***, overly bad builds. It's a fragile mech and you're 100% correct. I want it to play like a heavy should; something that can take a beating and dish out the punishment as well. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem to want to cooperate. I have not tried it with a standard engine, but I can imagine it doesnt make much of a difference. I like the mech, but it is tough to pilot effecively.

[Clideb50]

Autobot9000, on 05 September 2013 - 07:43 AM, said:

Don't look any further, this build is like Christmas:


Autobot9000's Christmas build
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4557d8414ba3c16

• XL 350
  
• Endosteel
  
• U/AC5 /w 100 ammo
  
• SRM6+Artemis /w 100 ammo
  
• LRM20+Artemis /w 360 ammo
  
• 2 ML
  
• 12 DHS

Whenever you look at your weapon setup you think it's Christmas To ice the cake your mech is extremely fast and very well armored. This combination also makes unique use of the Orion's/Protector's hardpoints. It's not reproducible with Victors, Cataphracts or others. It's simply like Christmas.

Any way to make the Christmas build work with the STD 300 engine?

Right now I'm running STD 300, 2 LL, LB-10X, and LRM 15. Seems to hold it's own in battle so far.

[tatersaladftw]

The standard engine builds hgolding out well? I am getting steamrolled in the XL stuff. Best build did around 800 damage, but you are just a walking CT explosion.

[Ninjivitis]

Autobot9000, on 09 September 2013 - 09:49 AM, said:

I have never seen an unviable mech like this before (played 150 games on my Protector now, complete waste to try to make it work).

Before, you seemed so enthusiastic about the Orion Autobot, what happened? I have tried a variety of builds out along with friends and honestly, I have found the Orion's success to be based on the player and the situation. Yeah it isn't exactly a glowing review, and I'm practically an Orion worshipper. What I can say is that I seem to make more money in the Orion than I make in any of my other mechs, even my Highlander 732 or Centurion-A.

I once made ~215,000 c-bills on a LOSS (w/ premium and hero mech bonus but STILL that isn't common). I usually pull around 300-400 damage every match. Nothing amazing, but it is consistent, almost every match it's decent. If I am getting that many c-bills something has to be going right and there has to be something to the mech.

From what I have learned, the CT hitbox is indeed big, but it's not as bad as people say as long as you use proper torso twisting and don't expose yourself to gauss/ppc snipers (don't get confident over the nerfs. Sniping is alive and well) or huge amounts of missiles. That being said, I think the XL engine is very viable, but it grants you mobility, NOT evasion. Anyone with decent aim will still hit you unless you engage from a standoff distance. IMO the Orion is at home in mid to long range, but made to not be defenseless up close. Of course you can build for CQC with AC20 or LBX 10 (I prefer the LBX 10) and then the Orion can make people PAY for ignoring you.

A glaring weakness of the mech is that there doesn't seem to be enough armor to go around for both the front and back torsos. If you let enemies get behind you and get a square shot in, be ready to kiss your *** goodbye fast. Or you could armor the back but then your front will be slightly squishier. I prefer to take off the back armor off, put it on the front, and just make sure to be aware of my surroundings.

Aside from that, the Orion gives me versatility, speed (with xl) and firepower that is exactly what I have been looking for. The Protector will only get better once I can Elite, and then Master it.

Lately I been using autobot's 'christmas' build because it's fun as hell, but here is something I came up with (with some input from others).
PROTECTOR - Assassin

I originally tested it with a std 300, but after running a different build with an XL, I believe the XL lets you get so much more for the tonnage. I call it the Assassin because it nukes mechs if you get behind them. I haven't tried this one myself yet, so if anyone gives it a go let me know how it performs.

[tatersaladftw]

Solid. We will figure this damn mech out. I have had success with [color=#959595]UAC/5, 2xLL, single med laser, 2x SSRMs and an XL350. you can just drop the streaks for whatever though. [/color]

Just ran something close to your build. LBX, large laser, 2 med pulse, 2 SRM 4 and been having good luck with it so far. about 600 dmg a match.

Edited by tatersaladftw, 09 September 2013 - 05:01 PM.

[627]

I have "mastered" my protector yesterday (which means 43k XP in the bank) and there're two builds that worked for me:

AC20/2xSRM6/3xML with 300STD

2xLBX/2ML with 300 STD

Especially the LBX setup is fun, i cored an atlas yesterday with it over 500m (on the ring in mordor, seems he didn't notice me or had no range weapons). I didn't think it was possible and only did some pot shots on him, but surprise, armor was gone after some shots and the crit seekers did there work and +1 kill.

I tried XL325 and XL360 builds, even LRM and AC2 dakka but that was not really successful. Yes you can run an XL, you don't loose a side very often. And the extra speed is nice and all, but somehow i lack a punch to finish them off (i refuse to take 2 PPCs with me, thats reserved for the marauder build).

Edited by 627, 09 September 2013 - 09:59 PM.

[Rasfaratu]

Autobot9000, on 09 September 2013 - 09:42 AM, said:

Of all the bad things one can say about the Orion, this is utter nonesense. More tubes is not a minor thing, it's a giant difference.

Then considering your build: Why would you take 1 streak launcher? You won't scare a light mech with this and vs any other mech it's nonesense. The Protector comes with Artemis per default and SRM4 or 6 just makes the most sense. Just a waste of tonnage and hardpoint to choose 1 or even 2 SSRMs. I would even claim, that if you use Artemis, then you should use SRM6, because for an SRM4 Artemis is somewhat of a waste (since it takes up 1 crit space and 1 extra ton).

First point: Yes?... That's what I said.. Having more tubes means you should really be taking a LRM 20 with a protector, I don't get who you're argueing against ...

As for why a Streak? Well because of space limitations due to the XL engine. You can't fit very big SRMs in there because of artemis, Meanwhile a Streak gets a faster lock due to Artemis, but pays no extra tons or slots for it. The only way to fit a SRM 6 in there is if you sacrfice the AMS and the medium laser.

SRM 6 = 12 damage.

Streak + Medium laser = 10 damage (but higher DPS), but you also get a AMS.

Having an AMS and sacrificing 2 burst for more DPS is a pretty straight forward trade in my opinion.

if you don't want the AMS you could trade the streak for a SRM 4. But that's personal preferance.

Edited by Rasfaratu, 10 September 2013 - 06:12 AM.

[Enigmos]

Raso, on 03 September 2013 - 01:47 PM, said:

You'll probably eat though your target's AMS ammo faster than their armor and that's not to discredit your fire power, mind you!

<snork!> Unlikely since he had no LRM missiles equipped. If you were actually looking at the builds you would have noticed he is using a std 150 engine, single HS, a single ton of AC20 ammo and next to no armor whatsoever. He posted a joke.

[Urdnot Mau]

No love for Gauss ? Most of the builds i've seen here are using Everything but AC 20 and Gauss (lol)

My thoughts on the Orion: Will be the new most played heavy. It is by far more interesting than the Cataphract (hardpoint wise) and it is heavier than the JM6, while having more cBill variants.

[Throbbinwood]

I'll be buying a ON1-VA today and blasting faces with this: Master Blaster

[tatersaladftw]

^^ Runs a bit hotter than I would like, but can dish it out. Assuming your CT doesnt get fried in 3 seconds. I would personally drop two SRM6s to 2 SRM4s and drop in the extra heat sinks.