17 replies to this topic

[Darwins Dog]

Greetings all, I have a challenge for you. I needed a third Trebuchet to grind for basics (I only plan to do the basic skills then sell it). I bought the cheapest one (the TBT-7K), and I'd like to put as little money into it as possible.

The challenge: Create the most effective build possible that doesn't use DHS. I have multiples of every weapon, and most engines at the 25 rating increments (250, 275, etc.) in both STD and XL (plus a scattering of others in between). ES and FF are options that I would consider, but I would prefer to do it with no upgrades. Lulz builds are welcome, as long as I can get the XP I need.

Will you accept my challenge?

[Orteus Zenzala]

Hello ! You can try :

This => TBT-7K Crit Breaker

This => TBT-7K Back kicker

or this => TBT-7K No Munition

Have fun !

Edited by Orteus, 06 September 2013 - 05:42 AM.

[Racklesnack]

Hot but could be a fun brawler TBT-7K

[Troggy]

No upgrades? How about "half-a-Jager":

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8199835cf1d77fa

[Deathlike]

Mediocrity:
TBT-7K

Bare minimum:
TBT-7K

Stock build+:
TBT-7K

Not worth it:
TBT-7K

Poor man's RVN-4X:
TBT-7K

Edited by Deathlike, 06 September 2013 - 06:39 AM.

[Razornav]

As a strictly medium Mech pilot who has mastery unlocked on all variants except the Kintaro, Griffin and the Wolverine I accept this challenge!

I present you with this TBT-7K:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6aa9e37ff82e956

Solid balance of speed, firepower, armor and survivability for the class.

- Speed of 81 KPH (89.1 w/ tweak)
- Firepower is an AC/10 with 75 rounds so you don't need to be stingy and 2 MLAS for some added mid-range punch.
- Armor is a respectable 320 points
- STD 250 engine grants you the added bonus of not having to worry about crippling side torso hits and you can use your arms as additional shields.

Only upgrade I added was for Endo-Steel because it is a solid investment.


If you feel confident running with an XL engine then I'd suggest this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0457f65d1168379

Upgraded to an XL 250 engine and swapped the AC/10 for a Gauss rifle instead. Space saved allows you to pack a total of 80 rounds. Endo and armor values remain unchanged. This is the typical load-out of my 7K.


If you are want some additional utility then I'd suggest the following:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...409162d5a68abbf

Dropped the Gauss ammo down to 40 rounds, added a SSRM2 with 100 missiles and added an AMS with a ton of ammo. Same values as before but now you have more utility and a slight increase in firepower.

Edited by Razornav, 06 September 2013 - 06:55 AM.

[MavRCK]

2 ppc with 300xl engine - just snipe and tag and get your assists for max xp grinding.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b64797dd421e36e

Edited by MavRCK, 06 September 2013 - 06:44 AM.

[Ngamok]

TBT-7K

I'd have to put in at least ES and not put anything in the arms since those will get blown off.

[Spheroid]

No upgrades? I would just run it as a AC-20 build with 2 mlas stripping armor from the arms. If using an XL I would recommend two LLAS with either an Ultra-5 or AC-10.

Edited by Spheroid, 06 September 2013 - 07:32 AM.

[tatersaladftw]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f4ae636bc662d3a

Thats my favorite mech I run right now. Skirt around the fringes and stop and pop with the lasers and AC/10. Shoo away lights with the streaks or use them for a bit up close. Get good damage (600ish) when im on my game with this build.

[DodgerH2O]

Is there any reason you can't keep the 7K? I thought I just wanted mine so I could Elite my 7M but I've grown really attached to the thing. I know it doesn't look like much but I'd advise keeping it around a bit longer than to unlock skills and give it a chance.

That said, if you're just grinding the chassis I'd suggest one of the 2ML + AC20 or Gauss builds. Go for defensive and savior kills and component bonuses by sticking near your team's big guys. You'll get the basics done in no time.

Edited by DodgerH2O, 07 September 2013 - 11:06 AM.

[aniviron]

Razornav, on 06 September 2013 - 06:35 AM, said:

As a strictly medium Mech pilot who has mastery unlocked on all variants except the Kintaro, Griffin and the Wolverine I accept this challenge! I present you with this TBT-7K: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6aa9e37ff82e956 Solid balance of speed, firepower, armor and survivability for the class. - Speed of 81 KPH (89.1 w/ tweak) - Firepower is an AC/10 with 75 rounds so you don't need to be stingy and 2 MLAS for some added mid-range punch. - Armor is a respectable 320 points - STD 250 engine grants you the added bonus of not having to worry about crippling side torso hits and you can use your arms as additional shields. Only upgrade I added was for Endo-Steel because it is a solid investment.

That's pretty much a ghetto HBK-4H. But I found that when I run my 4H, freeing tonnage for the upgrade to an ac20 was the biggest possible upgrade I cold make. In that vein, I present: the TBT-7K "I wish I were a Hunchback." The ac20 is almost heat neutral, and you can fire the lasers until you reach your heat cap. I tried to stick to your guidelines, so while I could improve a lot, I did this without endo, ferro, or DHS.

That said, if you want to invest in any of the upgrades, the build linked earlier with 2xssrm2, 2xmlas and 1xac10 looks very very solid. I'd probably wind up running something like that if I had the 7K; or I might drop the engine to a 200 and put in an ac20.

[TripleEhBeef]

More or less a poor man's version of my build

STD 250
ES
FF
2LL
2MGs (1 ton)
1 SRM2 (1 ton)
16 STD HS
322 points of armour

It's extremely cheap though. The whole thing, mech included, costs 5.2 mil on smurfy.

Edited by TripleEhBeef, 07 September 2013 - 05:54 PM.

[warner2]

I wonder if Darwins Dog ever tried any of these. The one I built was almost identical to half-a-jager above (http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0471be5a252be45). Also liked the 2PPC one. Both effective when used correctly, yet no upgrades.

Edited by warner2, 10 September 2013 - 08:48 AM.

[Darwins Dog]

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions. I ended up switching between two builds. I started with this one (Gauss + 2x ML), which proved to be the most efficient, then switched to this one (2x SSRM, 2x ML, 2x MG), which I found to be a little more fun.

DodgerH2O, on 07 September 2013 - 11:01 AM, said:

Is there any reason you can't keep the 7K? I thought I just wanted mine so I could Elite my 7M but I've grown really attached to the thing. I know it doesn't look like much but I'd advise keeping it around a bit longer than to unlock skills and give it a chance.

The main reason I don't want to keep it is because of mech bays. It took up my last one, and the only builds that I liked I felt my BJ-1 could do better.

[Shiro Matsumoto]

Challenging without DHS, or an XL... id probably try with:

TBT-7K


I actually like the Mech, and still have it... Mastered in something like this fitting:

TBT-7K

Edited by John McFianna, 11 September 2013 - 03:23 AM.

[ohtochooseaname]

I'd go with the 2x UAC5 right now for the current meta:
TBT-7K 2x UAC5

UAC's are the most efficient damage/heat (other than MG's), so this build should work pretty well. It's a little slow and has endo and ferro, but that's what you get for no DHS.

[Salinor]

How about this:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...cfc438f9e0c33a8
long range fire support I'm saving up to use a xl 270 instead