39 replies to this topic

[HodorII]

Saw the game , started an account/DL, did the matches till my starter bonus credits ran out, I now have 9.7 mill cred.

Reading up on the forums, trying to decide what to buy as a first Mech, given the recent changes which I am given to understand reading the forums has made some weapon not work well, UAC5 (whatever that is ) and poptarts (sounds like my daughters breakfast).

Anyhow, any input on a good first mech would be welcome (I like large stompy robots, not 200 mph me in a bodysuit weird spidery things ).

[Uthgart]

Did you try trial Atlas (champion one)? If you liked it and can pilot it, then buy yourself a DDC. But remember, that playing an assault class mech usually means leading the charge on the frontlines.
If not, look at Heavy class. Cataphract and Orion are decent mechs and can be configured as close or long range platforms. Catapult is also nice, if you prefer long-range support.

I recommend checking some themes related to this mechs for a valid builds. And an advise - avoid XL engines in your first mechs. They make you much more vulnerable.

[HodorII]

Yeah I seem to do best in the trial atlas and the trial centurion, on the cent set all wepon to chain fire and just run about shooting stuff, had a few decent games in both.

Is their a repair cost ? and if so is it the same for all mech sizes?

[Zerberus]

No, Repair and Rearm was removed just under a year ago. You load your mech out, and until you change said loadout that mech incurs no further costs (consumable modules being of course one notable exception)

Edited by Zerberus, 19 September 2013 - 09:25 AM.

[Uthgart]

No, repair and rearm was removed a few months ago. Doubt it will return any time soon. So there is no difference in income if you pilot light or assault.

Zerberus, you beat me.

Edited by Uthgart, 19 September 2013 - 09:26 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

Jagermech is a beast.

If you liked the Centurion, the Victor is like it's big brother.... with Jump Jets. RAWR.

[Kamenjar]

I'd advise against very slow mechs (esp atlas), because I feel that they are less forgiving about not knowing about the game tactics than faster mechs. You should play it only once you are more confident in your skills, so maybe make it your second mech. In faster mechs you can get into trouble and possibly get out fast.

My suggestion would be to get into a heavy mech first. Cataphract is a good choice, but it will require some CBill investment in the ballistic department and XL engines. Maybe also consider quickdraw. If you want to go down the medium route, maybe centurion or hunchback as they should not cost too much to outfit.

Also make sure to check out http://www.mechspecs.com before loading your mech out.

Edited by Kamenjar, 19 September 2013 - 09:33 AM.

[Kushko]

There is no repair cost in the game right now (there used to be but it was removed for easier balancing).

As for good first mechs it really depends on your playstyle. Do you prefer slow heavy armored mechs or speed and maneuverability?

For the most part these are the mechs that are a solid all around first mech choice (my opinion at least):

• Catapult K2
  
• any of the Jagermechs
  
• Hunchback 4SP
  
• Cataphract 3D
  
• any of the Orions

All of the listed mechs are great in most situations and are easy to fit/pilot. Note that all the mechs i listed are either medium or heavy and that is because i believe lights and assaults fill a more specific role that is slightly harder to master. Lights more than assaults (assaults mostly because they are expected to do the most damage in a team and as such a new player in one is somewhat detrimental to the team as he is most likely not using it to its full potential).

[AlmightyAeng]

I'd recommend the Jagermech A. Jagermech's, as said above, can be BEASTS. I love my Firebrand. Even with the UAC changes my 2 UAC5 6ML is a wildly effective build.

The Jagermech A has lasers, ballistics, and missiles. I'll allow you to play with a WIDE range of styles in one mech, with enough tonnage to try different things before you branch out.

[Uthgart]

Jagermech is a bit too vulnerable in my opinion. Cataphract is more newbie-frendly.

In short:
Jager - nice support platform. High-placed ballistic slots really help when firing from cover or above heads of your close-range brawlers. But it`s kinda weak in direct face-to face combat because of huge profile and unability to turn arms horizontally.

Phract - usually a brawler or jump-jetting sniper. Can carry a mix of energy and ballistics to use effectively. Better armor then Jaeger. 3D has jumpjets.

[HodorII]

So many choices

What about the JM6-DD ? although that has the XL engine that one person advised against. Or the JM-6S which is a lot cheaper without the engine and fancy armor but kinda the same weapons?

I ask bout those inparticular because as I spectate after my death I see those mech doing well, and well, I would like my fiirst mech to be a strong one:)

Sorry posted my JM question before I saw the 2 replies about JM's

Edited by HodorII, 19 September 2013 - 10:11 AM.

[AlmightyAeng]

It really depends on what you want to do.

If you want to brawl, just run in guns blazing and face-hug somebody, the Cataphracht might be for you.

If you want to snipe...the Cataphract with jumpjets or ANY Jager may be for you.

If you want to be a striker, run into, hit hard, run out. Or run in and hit the weakened guy and kill him, Jagermechs might be for you.

A Jager with an XL can be very dangerous, but CAN be a little fragile. I have no problem running them in mine...but "Results may Vary."

Had this same conversation in the 'best hero' thread. I prefer my Firebrand to my Ilya because of the speed and damage output my Firebrand(Hero Jager) has. That said, I acknowledge that the Ilya (Hero Cataphract) IS more new-user friendly.

Let's be fair, if you end up loving this game, you'll likely own variants of both eventually

[Rhaythe]

HodorII, on 19 September 2013 - 10:11 AM, said:

So many choices

What about the JM6-DD ? although that has the XL engine that one person advised against. Or the JM-6S which is a lot cheaper without the engine and fancy armor but kinda the same weapons?

I ask bout those inparticular because as I spectate after my death I see those mech doing well, and well, I would like my fiirst mech to be a strong one:)

Sorry posted my JM question before I saw the 2 replies about JM's

XL Engines are all about personal preference. It's a trade-off. You can pack a lot more into a mech with an XL engine due to its light weight and you'll move a lot faster, but you are going to be more vulnerable. It's something that depends heavily on your playstyle.

If you are the first person over the hill when your team is pushing into combat, XL Engines are not for you.

If you are piloting a mech chassis with a large bullseye on the shoulders (IE: The Hunchback), XL Engines are not for you.

If you are in an Assault mech, for the love of god, XL Engines are not for you.

BUT - If you like speed; if you like extra weaponry; if you like staying behind the lines and lobbing fire into combat, XL Engines might just be for you.

[Jin Ma]

welcome to the game. heavy mechs are a very good way to get into the game. just a right amount of speed/firepower/armor

[Bishop Steiner]

Uthgart, on 19 September 2013 - 10:11 AM, said:

Jagermech is a bit too vulnerable in my opinion. Cataphract is more newbie-frendly.

In short:
Jager - nice support platform. High-placed ballistic slots really help when firing from cover or above heads of your close-range brawlers. But it`s kinda weak in direct face-to face combat because of huge profile and unability to turn arms horizontally.

Phract - usually a brawler or jump-jetting sniper. Can carry a mix of energy and ballistics to use effectively. Better armor then Jaeger. 3D has jumpjets.

More vulnerable?

Smaller profile, only marginally less armor, and more newbie friendly high mount weapons mean they aren't wasting as many shots into the side of a hill.

the 3D is good, but owned by the Victor in that department, and in most regards, the Jager is superior in hard point and hardpoint location.

[Kasiagora]

My two cents real quick before I go to work...

Stay away from mechs like that Jager DD or the Cataphract 4X for now because they're 1 trick ponies. All you can do is boat with various types of autocannons and get bored with them.

The Cataphract as a platform is a terrific mech though. The 1X and the 3D are my two favorites.
The Catapult is also a tremendous platform, the one with 4 energy slots, missiles on the arms, and jump jets is a great mech you can build for just about any situation out of. They've got weak center torsos and heads though, so you'll have to practice turning to spread damage to the side torsos.
The Orion is good if you want a lot of variety in your hard points, and it's profile is small, but the things have heat issues like you wouldn't believe.
And for the Assault mechs, what everyone says about the Victor is true. It's a big jumpy Centurion. Mine currently has an AC/20, two Large Lasers, and three SSRM2s. It does really well for killing folks.

[Uthgart]

Bishop Steiner, on 19 September 2013 - 10:49 AM, said:

More vulnerable?

Smaller profile, only marginally less armor, and more newbie friendly high mount weapons mean they aren't wasting as many shots into the side of a hill.

the 3D is good, but owned by the Victor in that department, and in most regards, the Jager is superior in hard point and hardpoint location.

Well, Jager torsos is much more exposed thanks to high placed arms and if you want to carry 3 or 4 ballistic weapons there is a huge chance you`ll want an XL engine in it. Still a nice mech, but i rarely see effective brawler builds.

Cataphract is more simple, i think. Just fit an AC/20, some mediums/med pulses and a standart engine and you got yourself a decent mech with good punch and survivability.

[Rhaythe]

Uthgart, on 19 September 2013 - 11:25 AM, said:

Well, Jager torsos is much more exposed thanks to high placed arms and if you want to carry 3 or 4 ballistic weapons there is a huge chance you`ll want an XL engine in it. Still a nice mech, but i rarely see effective brawler builds.

Challenge accepted:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...04810761e80ed59
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6f2192d20016773

(Yes, an XL on the second, but it has the speed to hit hard and withdraw quickly.

[Uthgart]

Rhaythe, on 19 September 2013 - 11:28 AM, said:

Challenge accepted:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...04810761e80ed59
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6f2192d20016773

(Yes, an XL on the second, but it has the speed to hit hard and withdraw quickly.

Eh, it`s kinda slow for a brawler. At least for me. But if it works well for you - tell me, can you recommend this builds to a new player?

[Roboticus Prime]

My first Mech was the Catapult K2. I love it, and it is still my go-to mech when I want to {scrap} the enemy.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ad39c29b48d3c78

That is roughly the build I use (the armor distribution might be different)

Granted, it is masted, but I always had it built around 2 MG's and 2 ERPPC's.

The heat of the ERPPC's isn't much of an issue with steady chain firing. Plus, it is fast and agile enough to get in and out of trouble, and has the armor to take a beating! (with proper torso twisting)