155 replies to this topic

[Shadey99]

Mycrus, on 23 November 2013 - 11:32 AM, said:

i sense a locusts are OP rant in the works
old one...

Those are fairly good, but no one is ever going to say the Locust is OP. I can post those numbers in a non-basiced Jenner and the Jenner is more durable.

[Mycrus]

Shadey99, on 23 November 2013 - 12:07 PM, said:

Those are fairly good, but no one is ever going to say the Locust is OP. I can post those numbers in a non-basiced Jenner and the Jenner is more durable.

Sarcasm is OP

[Wildstreak]

I am so coming to hate the 3M while many others love it.

After getting a bit bored trying long range, I switched out all my loadouts.
1V - running 1MPL and MGs, still the worst one yet for some reason I just enjoy it mainly to see if I can survive a match.
3M - heat buildup drives me nuts even with Cool Shots. Now trying 2ML + 3SPL.
3S - oddly I still like this one too, swapped the ML+2LRMs for MPL + 2SRM2s. Also trying ML + 2SSRMs but I don't like how I have to wait for Streak Lock, in combat things tend to go too fast for the Streaks to lock for me. MPL + 2SRM2s is actually nice.
I am also running max AMS on all builds compared to none before.

[jper4]

Merchant, on 26 November 2013 - 10:03 AM, said:

I am so coming to hate the 3M while many others love it.

After getting a bit bored trying long range, I switched out all my loadouts.
1V - running 1MPL and MGs, still the worst one yet for some reason I just enjoy it mainly to see if I can survive a match.
3M - heat buildup drives me nuts even with Cool Shots. Now trying 2ML + 3SPL.
3S - oddly I still like this one too, swapped the ML+2LRMs for MPL + 2SRM2s. Also trying ML + 2SSRMs but I don't like how I have to wait for Streak Lock, in combat things tend to go too fast for the Streaks to lock for me. MPL + 2SRM2s is actually nice.
I am also running max AMS on all builds compared to none before.

the 3M i took out one of the SPLs and added the second AMS to it, 2ML, 2SPLs work ok for heat even without cool shot.

the 3S i had the same 2LRM5s/ML combo but i'd be nigh useless as soon as something got close so i swapped out one of the lrm5s and a ton of ammo (cause i still need something to do while waiting for a cap to turn) and put in an SRM4 w/ 1 ton of ammo. avoided streaks for the same reason you did- running around trying not to get one shotted while waiting for a lock to be acquired tend to not agree with each other.

the 1V yeah i just threw an ERLL on it and trying to grind it through basics. dunno if i'll bother going through elites on it

[Buckminster]

My 3M is 4 MLs and TAG, 2 AMS, XL 190 and DHS. I set up my weapon groups as left arm, right arm and TAG.

My biggest gripe is that 2 AMS burn through a single ton of ammo very quickly, so if I'm near the horde it just tears through it. Heat management is okay - both arms for a single punch, or one arm at a time to mitigate heat. And the TAG provides some easy XP without adding any heat.

[Shadey99]

I actually don't have any real 'heat problems' with a 5xML 3M build and it has a kick, though I have lots of heat issues with a 6xML Jenner... I do have a build I saw in a match for possible worst 3M build ever: 1 MPL + 1 ML and nothing else. I saw him play (I got triple teamed by the enemy teams lights early on in my non yet basiced Jenner) and he just lacked any punch. I think I'd rather he had a MPL+4xMG 1V Locust.

[Sephlock]

"SEPHLOCK'S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE LOCUST"

Don't.

[Dagada Moor]

Been using 1 Lpulse on the 1v. It has been rather successful. I have xl190 on all my variants. Speed is Life!!!!!! 3M has 4med Lasers and 2 ams w/ a ton ammo. The 3S has med laser and 3 SRM2s. Usually, chain fire SRMs but have one key set to shoot them all. Hard to get them elited though. Will probably only master the 3M.

[Victor Morson]

The whole guide should have just been: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

[Buckminster]

Sephlock, on 26 November 2013 - 03:34 PM, said:

"SEPHLOCK'S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE LOCUST"

Don't.

Victor Morson, on 26 November 2013 - 05:49 PM, said:

The whole guide should have just been: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

Clearly, you've never enjoyed the thrill of a midget mech at mind boggling speed.

[Sephlock]

Buckminster, on 26 November 2013 - 06:05 PM, said:

Clearly, you've never enjoyed the thrill of a midget mech at mind boggling speed.

It's great until someone shoots at you.

[Shadey99]

Sephlock, on 26 November 2013 - 09:40 PM, said:

It's great until someone shoots at you.

Then don't get shot? I've been last one standing in a 3M before...

[Buckminster]

Sephlock, on 26 November 2013 - 09:40 PM, said:

It's great until someone shoots at you.

I'll never claim to be invincible, but after a bit of a break-in period the Locusts have proven to be far more durable than I ever would have expected. I figure it'll only get better once I have speed tweak.

For me it was learning to disengage. With a 190XL, the Locust has enough speed to disengage a target and come around behind him. You can't just slug it out with other mechs, so don't even try.

And sure, some matches you're going to get obliterated in a single volley. But then you get those matches where you have a one-on-one with a mech 3 times your weight and you can just tear them to pieces.

Edited by Buckminster, 27 November 2013 - 05:44 AM.

[Cimarb]

MungFuSensei, on 18 October 2013 - 01:24 PM, said:

People are putting way too much armor on the head. When was the last time anyone got a headshot on a locust? 2 points is enough. 2 points is enough for the back armor locations as well. 10 on side torsos and then 22 on the CT. Max out arms and legs, and you're good. I have NEVER died in my locust by anything but legging. Everything else just needs enough to hold off quick laser swipes.

Seriously, I've been seeing some people max out their head armor. That's a wasted half ton. You don't have room to waste that kind of tonnage.

I would love to see you in a match with that back armor (or lack thereof)... As long as you weren't on my team, that is

Buckminster, on 27 November 2013 - 05:42 AM, said:

I'll never claim to be invincible, but after a bit of a break-in period the Locusts have proven to be far more durable than I ever would have expected. I figure it'll only get better once I have speed tweak.

For me it was learning to disengage. With a 190XL, the Locust has enough speed to disengage a target and come around behind him. You can't just slug it out with other mechs, so don't even try.

And sure, some matches you're going to get obliterated in a single volley. But then you get those matches where you have a one-on-one with a mech 3 times your weight and you can just tear them to pieces.

I had the same break in period. I also had that same issue with the Spider. After "growing up" in heavies and assaults, going down to a light takes a complete rewrite of the instruction manual, so I am glad the OP put this together. You can't brawl, and shouldn't even try, in a Locust. They are made for spotting, harassing, and sniping. As soon as you learn that, you will do much better in them. That is why I don't do MGs or streaks, too: the amount of time you have to stay engaged to do any meaningful damage is way too long, and you are just asking to get blasted by the enemy team, or even your own team for that matter.

Stay moving, keep range, and chase the wounded like the jackal you are!

[HelBound]

Currently I run 3 locusts, 1V, 3M, 3S.
Each one has its purpose and are great little mechs. I have a lot of fun with them and do some damage.
I average 250dmg with each one and have hit highs of 450dmg. Of course there are drops where I get almost no damage in at all and get alpha'd right away.

Here are my load outs
1V (153kph w/ST)
-4x MG (2ton ammo) <1t head 1t torso>
-1x ML
3S (153kph w/ST):
-4x SRM2 (2ton ammo)
-1x ML
3M (169kph? w/ST):
-Dual AMS (2ton ammo)
-4x ML

Each build uses XL engines, endo and FF armour. The 1V is a nice mech to run with a lance or other light mechs I've taken down a full health hunchback solo and an atlas here and there. The idea with this mech when running solo is to hang about until the main fight begins then dive in and take arms/legs etc. Use the MGs to crit hunt, stay nice and close to the enemy mech.

The 3M is a lance support mech, hold targets and pick off arms/legs etc while the rest of the lance (usually assault/heavy) do the major damage. Absorb LRM fire and protect the lance, stay at a medium range. Heat can be troubling on hot maps so I bind the MLs into 2 groups to better control heat.

The 3S is my main solo mech when PUG'ing. Weave about and do damage the 8SRMs are great for pulling components off damaged mechs. Run in, get close and drop the missiles...do it again.

Move move move and never stop. I also carry artillery strikes when running with a lance on team speak. Of course the speed is useful for initial scouting and cap'ing.

Edited by HelBound, 27 November 2013 - 11:40 AM.

[Alistair Winter]

I've gone over to using 1 LL, 4 MGs, XL170 and single heat sinks for the Locust 1V. I tried the XL190 for some time, but the firepower was just too ridiculous. It's like the Spider 5V, the advantage of having a million jump jets is of no consequence when you're armed with a water gun. So with the Locust, the joy of running between people's legs at 170 kph isn't so fun when you're the last man standing and die after 10 minutes of fighting, having done 150 dmg.

My Locust 3M has 4 MLs and 2 AMS with an XL178 engine, my Locust 3S has 4 SRM2 with TAG and an XL 180 engine. Both of those are pretty fun, as far as Locusts go.

[Wildstreak]

Builds I have settled on:
LCT-1V ERLL + 2MG or MPL + 4MG usually the first.
LCT-3M tried a bunch but love 3ML + TAG + 2AMS with 2 tons ammo. Either very light raider or stick with the big ones until the fighting starts, sometimes assisting the bigger Mechs dealing damage while zipping about using AMS to cover myself and others. The extra ton AMS ammo is worth more than a weapon. I never get to use TAG much but it is better on heat for me.
LCT-3S tried ML + 2Streaks, didn't like it because I go too fast for lock on, most of the time I run MPL + 2SRM2s, oddly this one is my best in surviving, matches won and overall.

Someday soon I have to get my screenshots up of memorable games in my I Am Locust topic.

Buckminster, on 26 November 2013 - 12:21 PM, said:

My 3M is 4 MLs and TAG, 2 AMS, XL 190 and DHS. I set up my weapon groups as left arm, right arm and TAG.

My biggest gripe is that 2 AMS burn through a single ton of ammo very quickly, so if I'm near the horde it just tears through it. Heat management is okay - both arms for a single punch, or one arm at a time to mitigate heat. And the TAG provides some easy XP without adding any heat.

Someday, I have to see how people pack in all this stuff on a 3M.

Sephlock, on 26 November 2013 - 03:34 PM, said:

"SEPHLOCK'S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE LOCUST"

Don't.

Victor Morson, on 26 November 2013 - 05:49 PM, said:

The whole guide should have just been: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

Never, my stories are too good! I have screenshots from 2 days of play to put up ignoring losses and average matches (say me and several teammates survive). No I have great ones of one-legged survival (done 4 times), last man standing, dueling a 3M in a 3S and more! I have only recently got all Basics and Speed Tweak, nothing else. I will Master all 3.

Sephlock, on 26 November 2013 - 09:40 PM, said:

It's great until someone shoots at you.

There is this skill / tactic called Dodging.

Cimarb, on 27 November 2013 - 09:19 AM, said:

I would love to see you in a match with that back armor (or lack thereof)... As long as you weren't on my team, that is

That's why Locusts have the BEST torso twist in the game currently. 130 degrees before modding, when running away, know the terrain and twist, baby, twist + dodging taking any hits that do happen on front / side armor. Depnding on your angle running away, you could even fire back .... once.

Edited by Merchant, 01 December 2013 - 06:02 PM.

[Buckminster]

Merchant, on 01 December 2013 - 06:01 PM, said:

Someday, I have to see how people pack in all this stuff on a 3M.

It's simple - skimp on armor. You can almost completely strip the head of armor - I typically only run 2 or 3 points and have yet to get killed by a head shot. My only rule it to max the legs, and I tend to run heavy on the torsos at the expense of the arms.

I know with every other mech my first step is to max the armor, but I've found it just isn't as crucial on the Locust. Keep the throttle to the limit and you won't take many hits. I've circle of deathed mechs 3-4 times heavier in one on one fighting just because they could never hit me.

Edit:
Although I usually skimp on armor, I'm trying something new with my -1V, the DuraLocust. STD 190 engine, ML, 2 MG, ES and FF, just about full armor (some missing from the head). I'm looking for ways to keep the -1V interesting through Elite (and eventually Master) as I'd like it to be one of my standard go to mechs. I want to make the Phoenix variants worthwhile so I can take full advantage of the loyalty and C-bill bonuses.

Edited by Buckminster, 02 December 2013 - 03:30 AM.

[Cimarb]

I've mastered all three of mine and either go with 5ML or ERLL. I tried adding tag, like I do with most of my other mechs, but it just isn't worth slowing down/stopping to use it effectively.

I max out all my armor, minus head. You don't have much, but it is better to max it out and survive a glancing shot than take the chance and be crippled by a stray ML...

[Raging Owlbear]

I unlocked uo to the Master level for all 3, but it took waaaaaay longer than it did for the Shadowhawks. Lights are still screwed in the experience department, even when you try to snipe several mechs for the assist points.

I sold the 3S because I just couldn't get a missile Locust I was happy with, but I'll probably finish mastering the other two. Bought a Jenner to go with my Sarah so I could level the other lights. I'm keeping the other 2 for now and I've had an OK time trying to play them... but it's been frustrating leveling them because it takes so much longer than any other mech.

The one thing they could have added is one of the models with ECM (which I'm really surprised they didn't). They are just way to vulnerable to missiles and at least one ECM capable Locust would have made them slightly more viable. AMS requires too much weight sacrifice.

Edited by Lt Waldo, 02 December 2013 - 06:52 PM.