Battlefield awareness is the key to the Assault class Mech. As noted, you're slow and not very maneuverable. Given that, the Assault Mech must act based on what is likely going to happen around you, as much, if not more, as simply reacting to what is happening. So when the Assault Mech sees that Locust run past, simply assume your local support will vanish for a short time (hopefully) and act accordingly (hide your fat **** somewhere) asap.
Do not over extend. Although you're a Front Line Mech, it is in your best interest to be the one who decides where that Front Line is. You need to be on the front, not in the middle of something others are calling the Front Line.
Yes, you are slow but not so slow as to be unable to set yourself positionally to help both yourself and your allies. An AC20 and 3 erLL's (with ECM) can work wonders from many ranges and be quite intimidating as well as lethal to those who don't see you coming from the "left or right" of the current engagement.
And finally, since you can't run away, don't. Twist and turn (let your arms take the damage) while you return fire and back away. In many cases, your superior armor (all of it, not just the CT) will provide you the time needed to dispatch whatever enemy Mech(s) (yes plural) has decided they are going to try kill you and get way to focused on that one thought to actually figure out that the Assault Mech in question is much more than they bargained for or can handle. Until, of course, they die and then whine on about how you should have died.

LOL
You're an Assault Mech Pilot ffs. Think and act accordingly.
Rock on brother Assault Pilots.
Edited by Almond Brown, 29 October 2013 - 08:49 AM.