12 replies to this topic

[Jack P00ts]

Hi All!

Just started playing a couple weeks ago, and have been focusing on light mechs.

This is the build I've been having the most success with, and I thought I'd post it to see what y'all thought, and if anyone had any ideas for improving it.

It's based on the RVN-3L chassis, the last of the 3 that I purchased on my way to unlocking the efficiencies.

When I have a good pug run, I can dish out between 350-420 damage in a match. I expect to be able to deal even more as I get better at piloting the machine. When compared to the 232 total armour the build possesses, I'd say it definitely earns it's keep on the battlefield. The advanced zoom is touchy, and takes some getting used to, but it makes it easier to blow off components on slow moving enemy mechs by targeting the same area repeatedly.


Engine/speed: 97.2 XL 210 engine (stock with the 3L) With efficiency unlocks, speed tops out at just over 106 kph with this engine.

Armour: Ferro-Fibrous 232 (Fuyll Armour in ALL slots)

Structure: Standard (endo-steel took up slots better utilized by double heat sinks)

Heat Efficiency: 1.48 5 Double Heat Sinks)

Firepower: 18

Weapons: 2 x ER Large Lasers

Electronics: Guardian ECM (Beagle Probe is nice too, but weight better utilized by heat sinks/armour IMO)

Modules: Advanced Zoom (the only one I've unlocked so far)


TACTICS:

This build is all about being sneaky and shooting from long range. The ideal situation is when your teamates are engaging the enemy at closer ranges than you.

Pick out landscape features to hide behind, then shoot, duck, shoot, etc. Use your speed to change positions as the battlefield evolves or if you start drawing too much attention to yourself.

If you can manage to stay aware and respond to the battlefield as it evolves, you can dish out tons of damage over the course of a battle! Heavier enemy mechs will be so busy dealing with the larger threats that they will often times pass up your light mech, not realizing that by ignoring you they are allowing you to fire continuously and accurately.

Often times you will really notice the difference your contribution makes on the battlefield.

I've actually had half or more of the enemy force keeping their heads down because of my sniping and sneaking. Positions such as Grid square C4 on the canyon map offer the ability to hit targets coming from almost any direction. With the right kind of support you'll be able to keep the enemy ducking and dodging. A lot of times you can get quite few shots off before they even figure out where its coming from.

That's why I call it the Dirty Bird!

[operator0]

The Cicada 3M does at least as good. This is what I run on that chassis:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...db2743dfd426160

Stay with the group...don't scout, don't chase lights. 400 pts of damage easy and your team gets ECM.

[dustNbone]

Cicada also presents a much larger target to the enemy. This needs to be taken into account especially in a sniper/scout role.

[Ulketulke]

endo>ferro

[operator0]

dustNbone, on 29 September 2013 - 12:03 AM, said:

Cicada also presents a much larger target to the enemy. This needs to be taken into account especially in a sniper/scout role.

The ears don't have weapons and the Cicada has more armor. Use the ears as shields. Since they fixed the Raven hit boxes, it doesn't take damage as well as it used too. I would say it's about as easy to kill as the Cicada. I drive both. I like the fact that you get more weapons and more heat sinks with the 3M. The 3L must sacrifice either speed, weapons or heat sinks. So, it's a trade off, smaller mech or more firepower.

Edited by operator0, 29 September 2013 - 04:48 AM.

[NRP]

The OP's build seems all right. I don't run Ravens, but I kill them all the time. I've seen this build a lot.

The one thing I might suggest is replacing the ERs with regular LLs. At the speeds lights travel, I can't imagine the little extra range the ERs provide is worth the extra heat.

[Felio]

The slots taken up by endo and ferro are dynamic. They'll move wherever they have to to make room for your other stuff.

Also, the heat sinks in your engine (up to the first 10) are more effective than ones outside your engine. So if you are downgrading your engine below 255 to free up weight for more heat sinks, you are actually hurting your heat efficiency.

Edited by Felio, 29 September 2013 - 08:13 AM.

[Equalizer]

Basically what Felio said above:

RVN-3L

Seems the optimal ERLL build and is more heat efficient and faster than yours. 255XL is a bit pricey but it is one of the must-have XL engines IMO.

[Jack P00ts]

Definitely planning to upgrade the engine as soon as I come up with enough c-bills, especially after being made aware that the heat sinks that come with engines are more effective.

As far as the weapons go NRP, I've tried pulse lasers, regular LL's, and twin er ppc's. I see the logic in your proposal, but so far I've found that using the regular LL's still takes away too many of the long range opportunities, and I end up taking alot more damage from being that much closer to the targets. Enemies have a way easier time scoring hits on me within 600-700 meters than they do when I'm way out at a kilometer. They really have to dedicate the majority of their attention if they want to target me with any accuracy at that range. I like to have my allied mediums and heavies about 100 or so meters in front of me if possible. Still, I could probably make it work, would just have to change tactics a bit. If I could find a way to mount 3 LL's, and still have good heat and armour ratings I might go for it. The er-ppc's were too difficult to target, and ran WAY too much heat to make their extra bit of damage count, and the large pulse lasers have such a short range that it completely changes the way the mech needs to be handled.

Thanks for posting that build Equalizer, that looks like the direction I want to go with this one.

Thanks all, really appreciate the input!

[Jack P00ts]

As for the Cicada, yes, I've been eyeing up a few mediums as candidates for the same type of long range build. Interested to see what might be possible if I were able to mount even more lasers, or a pile of long range autocannons or guass rifles.

But I've decided to max out a few light mech trees first. Soon will probably start learning how to become the biggest pain-in-the-*** jenner and spider pilot I can possibly be.

Once I feel that out for a bit, thenj it'll be on to the mediums assaults and heavies.

[IllCaesar]

The Cicadas are a good move up from the light class, since most people, myself included, regard them as light mechs. They're the lightest of the medium mechs, have the lightest armour, and are the fastest, and it includes the only ECM-capable medium mech. I'd say that a Cicada's legs are a bit more vulnerable, but other than that, they're pretty similar. Also, there's variation among the Cicada chassis that allow you to choose whether you want a laser in the arm for more maneuverability, or if you want it in the torso so it lasts longer. You can also zombie much better than with a Raven because three of the four C-Bill Cicadas have energy hardpoints in the CT, so you can slip a TAG or a SL/ML if any of your LLs/ERLLs get knocked off, although admittedly thats only really common with the 2B, since if you're running an XL if you lose a weapon in the side torso you're probably dead anyways.

[Royalewithcheese]

The concept here is definitely something that you see people put in their Ravens. I'd check out this video:

http://www.twitch.tv...smash/c/2878205

...which has a 2xERLL+ECM 3-L at about 22:30. Good guide by good player.

Edited by Royalewithcheese, 30 September 2013 - 04:07 PM.

[IllCaesar]

Oh if you switch Ferro Fibrous armour for Endo Steel structure, you use the same amount of slots but gain roughly a three-quarters of a ton. Did it in smurfy. I don't think there's any practical instances where FF is better than ES.

Strip a 3L down to nothing except 232 armour, without either you have 24.25 tons free. With FF its 25.03 (FF saves .78), and with ES instead of FF its 25.75 tons free. Its three-quarters of a ton, which may not be much for a hulking Atlas, but I imagine thats a lot more significant for a Raven.

Recreating your build, if you drop one DHS, use ES instead of FF, and strip your left arm clean, you can fit an XL225, which carries a heat sink within it, which technically makes your build both faster and more heat efficient. Of course you might want to sacrifice even more for an even better engine, but if you're willing to spend the C-Bill, the only disadvantage to this is not having your left arm to block for you. Alternatively, without upgrading your engine (very costly), you can strip one-third of the armour off your left arm and with what you save with ES, you can fit another heatsink.