20 replies to this topic

[Sephlock]

What have you decided to do with the missile slots (on the two that have them, ofc)?

At first I tried SRMs, but those were OMGWTFHOT and I have enough midrange power in my mlas... I tried SSRMs but it just didn't feel like I had enough... and running dual LRM10s has lead to decent performance but an epic losing streak that has conditioned me to avoid that config.

[Steinar Bergstol]

Sephlock, on 15 October 2013 - 06:18 PM, said:

What have you decided to do with the missile slots (on the two that have them, ofc)?

At first I tried SRMs, but those were OMGWTFHOT and I have enough midrange power in my mlas... I tried SSRMs but it just didn't feel like I had enough... and running dual LRM10s has lead to decent performance but an epic losing streak that has conditioned me to avoid that config.

Honestly? I'm running my TDR-5S pretty much stock for loadout. Only weapons change I made was switching the SRM-2 for a streak and adding Artemis to the LRM-15. The rest of the changes were standard stuff we all change like Endo Steel, DHS and AMS. I like it like this. 1.30 heat efficiency, 55 firepower, full armor for its weight and capable of engaging at any range. Suits my preferences. Granted, I had to bind the MGs to the firegroup for the Large Laser since they're all on the arms, which leads to wasted MG ammo, but let's be honest: Who cares about a little wasted MG ammo? Not like I'm likely to run out any time soon.

[Karl Streiger]

I ran the TDR-5S - even with SRM 2 - its a great fast firing low heat weapon.... like the MLAS but at much shorter range.
Really great when you are high on heat - MachineGuns and SRM 2 until heat goes slowly down.

Have actually - stock weapons, FF, ES, DHS and a 300STD for more speed (of course for the costs of heatsinks) so it is still a heat trap. But its my heat trap - and when I'm not good enough to deal with it - i have to train more

[Sephlock]

No matter how I try to make dual LRM-10s work on the t-bolt, doing so just seems so weak... I guess I'll have to strip out the BAP+TAG+2xLRM10s and replace them with SRM6s, and swap out some of my MLAS for some long range energy weapon.

[Ravihn]

When in doubt do as I do, find mechs that look like your mech on Sarna.net and use their stock build for funsies.

I run mine as a stock Thor. Lrm 15 2 tons ammo, LB 10X 3 tons ammo, and an ER PPC. Slap some upgrades and a XL 300 and you got a nifty lil build. I sometimes swap the LB 10 for the ac 10 because I wanted more pin point dmg. All it needs are some jets!

Oddly enough though this is a decent build not incredible but can pull a steady 300-400 dmg if played mid range support style. The LB lets you deter most lights. Playing with the Thunderbolt I come to realize the mech does not allow you to use all of its hard points as you want. Unless you do something silly like MGs on a heavy mech...

[WhoDidTheElf]

Gauss with 4 tons of ammo, 2llas, 2mlas. Xl300. Great long to medium range punch that's stupid fast. Horrible brawler. Gets it's side torso blown off incredibly fast.

[Hans Von Lohman]

Ditch the SRM-2. Also, swap out a medium laser for a TAG, and then rain down LRM's, but don't make that your primary weapon. Go for a big arm energy weapon, and on the 5S you may want to get an XL engine and put on an AC-5 or AC-10.

Also, it might help to go up to a 275 or 280 engine, as they have a Heat Sink slot (an XL280 weights the same as the XL275, so I have that one). Seriously, with all those energy weapons I have a lot of heat sinks, and space runs out fast.

[Sephlock]

It's really sad to put my tag laser on poorly piloted Locusts, nail them over and over with dual LRM-10s, and watch them merrily run off with some scratched paint.

I guess I'll go for dual ASRM6s and some ER Large lasers...

Thoughts?

[Gozer]

I left mine mostly stock just removed the SRM performed the usual DHS thing and added an extra heatsink and ammo for the weight.

[The Amazing Atomic Spaniel]

So far I'm having best luck with the 5SS running 6ML, 2PPC, an XL300 and as many DHS as I can fit. Runs rather hot, but if you reserve the PPCs for long-range stuff and force yourself to fight with the MLs only at close range then it can be very effective (I have 15:4 K:D ratio with it so far). My finest, if rather over-the-top, achievement was finding three Locusts mobbing a Hunchie in a trench on the Canyon map and zapping them all, one after the other. I enjoyed it but did feel rather guilty.

I can't get any success with the missile builds I've tried. SRMs are a bit limited in their use compared to energy/ballistics and there's always the worry about them not registering damage. LRMs really need to be boated to effective - and even then they don't do much to small targets. I have tried using a single LRM15 to make a "pseudo-Thor", but the damage it does just isn't worth the way it constrains play style.

The JJ-equipped Thunderbolt *ought* to be the best, and I have one with 2ERLL, 3ML, 2SSRM2 and XL300. However, I don't seem to do anything like as well with it as I do with the 5SS. Maybe I should replace the ERLL with PPCs or ERPPCs to get some pinpoint damage at range.

Edited by RocketDog, 18 October 2013 - 01:56 AM.

[Pariah Devalis]

With a base of: XL300, 14 total DHS, 3 medium lasers and 2 ac5 with 2 tons of ammo....

Either A) AMS, 1 ton ammo, ERLLas, 8 more points of armor per leg
Or
ERPPC

Both work well. Very well. The ERPPC build lets you snap fire a bit but requires significantly more heat management. The AMS/ERLLas build has better efficiency and durability but requires more time on target to effectively dish out damage. Both are solid and rack up 500-750 damage consistently. Currently sitting at a 3.08 kdr on it with an average of 5 assists per match.

[One Medic Army]

I'm running SRM6s, MLas, and a pair of AC/5s. Works well, and if it starts running hot I lay off the MedLas and stick to SRMs and AC/5s.

[Silentium]

I had a hard time making the stock weapons work for me. So now I run it like an overgrown 4SP.

2xSRM6+art
MLx3
LL
MGx2
STD300
AMS
DHS
ES

Seems like a better fit for my style, and runs like a timex. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. The other neat thing is a nice tight SRM swarm made possible by the launchers being so close together, the Artemis is almost overkill.

[Sephlock]

Silentium, on 18 October 2013 - 06:46 PM, said:

I had a hard time making the stock weapons work for me. So now I run it like an overgrown 4SP.

2xSRM6+art
MLx3
LL
MGx2
STD300
AMS
DHS
ES

Seems like a better fit for my style, and runs like a timex. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. The other neat thing is a nice tight SRM swarm made possible by the launchers being so close together, the Artemis is almost overkill.

You don't find running out of ammo to be a problem?

[Silentium]

Sephlock, on 20 October 2013 - 03:46 PM, said:

You don't find running out of ammo to be a problem?

Sometimes, but I try to be careful with my shots anyway, and if I do run out is is usually close to the end of the match. By that time it's mostly zombies, or I'm about to get curb stomped; either way I won't have much need for them .

Chip away with the lasers until you're trading paint, then melt faces with the SRMs. Once there are open sections, give them some MG love.

[Unnatural Growth]

I'm beginning to think they call them "Thud's" because of the sound they make when they hit the ground. I'm just not figuring this one out yet. Seems to die way too easy for it's size and armor.

I'm running max armor, XL300, ERLL, 3 ML's, LBX10, and an SRM6 with AMS. It doesn't seem to take the beating that my 'phracts can, and it just doesn't seem able to dish the damage out either.

I know it's not the case, but it seems the Shadow Hawk is much more durable, and puts out more damage at the same time.

Maybe I just have to play it more conservative than my 'phracts? (And I run XL's in those as well).

[Pariah Devalis]

If it helps, Old, I run mine mid to rear line. You can spread the damage around easily enough, but if you just stand there and expect to take the hits in the open you are still dead. Play it like an up-armed Dragon crossed with a Cataphract. Do not be the front line, and stay mobile. Find a target, damage it, move on. Play to wound, not play to kill. By that, I mean do not be consumed with the need to chase targets down. If you hit them hard enough, they will break, and your team will profit just as well if you did it or they did. As soon as you notice your torsos getting winged, have an escape route in mind and start rolling those beautiful gorilla arms in the way. Glorious things can happen that way.



*This is with a Gauss/ERPPC build. IE: No spammy mc spammy spam AC shots to rack up huge but wasteful damage numbers, but even then the logic is the same. Hit when you feel reasonably safe, leverage your mobility, and know when to back off on the pressure.

Edited by Pariah Devalis, 20 October 2013 - 08:12 PM.

[PhyroPhyre]

I'm running 2 LRM5s. Provides good backup to the A/C10 and PPC on either arm. Good mid-range combat but I can only get around 500 damage per match. Still needs tweaking IMO but I recommend trying it out.

Thunderbolt takes an absolute amazing amount of damage. Maybe a closer range combat outfit wouldn't be too bad?

[Steinar Bergstol]

X3kutor, on 20 October 2013 - 08:23 PM, said:

I'm running 2 LRM5s. Provides good backup to the A/C10 and PPC on either arm. Good mid-range combat but I can only get around 500 damage per match. Still needs tweaking IMO but I recommend trying it out.

Thunderbolt takes an absolute amazing amount of damage. Maybe a closer range combat outfit wouldn't be too bad?

Heh. I've got my SS set up for close range. Runs a wee bit hot though, so ya gotta be careful. Ripped out the flamer and put in two extra medium lasers in its place (after the requisite endo steel and DHS improvements) for a total of 5 medium lasers and an SRM-6 in the torsos for close range punch and then a couple of ER Large Lasers in the right arm for long range work.

[Silentium]

Hmm, I just started on the 5ss, I'll have to give that loadout a try. I don't like the 260 engine, but maybe I can adapt.