27 replies to this topic

[xMintaka]

Hi everyone.

I've got the c-bills saved up, and nothing to spend them on (well, more engines, more Cicada variants, etc, but they can wait) and I'm looking for a Heavy mech. I've used my Shadowhawks to great effect in a premade lance, but solo I tend to die very quickly. Same with my Battlemasters.

To that end, I'm looking for a Heavy chassis that can "do it all" or as close to it as possible. Preferably with variants that excel at different things. So far all I've really done is long range snipe (annoy, not really damage) and general light-play. Ideally I'd like to have a go at a bit of everything, LRM-boating, brawling, sniping, fire support and all that jazz.

So far I've been looking at the Catapult series and the Jagermech series. Both seem to be pretty versatile purely from looking at their specs in the mechlab. However, these are two that I actively seek out when I'm in my Jenner since they have such easily exploitable weaknesses (huge side torso's and "can't miss 'em" arms). Naturally this makes me a little nervous about spending all my c-bills on them...


Thus, I put the question to the community. Which heavy would you recommend as the most versatile throughout all the variants?

Before anyone says it, I only have the Phoenix variant of the Thunderbolts left, as at the time I wasn't interested in lumbering around the battlefield at anything below 90kph... Regret it now, but hey, live and learn.

[Roosterfish]

The Catapult C1 is a very versatile mech. If you're worried about lights then a Catapult A1 equipped with the Multi-role build. I find the Catapult C4 to be not as fun to play as the C1 or A1 but it does do LRM's good but doesn't defend so well. The K2 gives you a decent energy or ballisic mech. All but the K2 jump and are every manuverable for so a large mech.

I've not ran Jagers but they are a favorite of many for a reason.

A heavy I will get eventually is the Orion. It looks to be a very versatile chassis and some folks really speak highly of it. When the hit boxes are adjusted in a few weeks I think it will be a very good ride.

Edited by Roosterfish, 04 November 2013 - 09:19 PM.

[kevin roshak]

Orions are supposed to be getting a hit box tuning pass in the middle of the month. Some of them can get some decent builds in, i really feel if you want to go Orion the protector hero mech will be a good investment, have seen them ran very effectively.

[Johnny Reb]

Orion is the best pure lrm heavy available right now (V and VA, prefer the V) if it actually gets a hitbox fix like the kintaro, and is no longer a walking CT, then it other close engagement variants become much more attractive.

[xe N on]

Lunatech, on 04 November 2013 - 07:11 PM, said:

So far I've been looking at the Catapult series and the Jagermech series. Both seem to be pretty versatile purely from looking at their specs in the mechlab. However, these are two that I actively seek out when I'm in my Jenner since they have such easily exploitable weaknesses (huge side torso's and "can't miss 'em" arms). Naturally this makes me a little nervous about spending all my c-bills on them...

I have mastered C1, C4 and K2 and found out that I don't like the Catapults beside the K2. The K2 on the other hand is quite nice with 2 AC/5 or UAC/5 and 4 med lasers.

Losing an arm (medium laser) realy don't make a huge difference on a K2 if you focus on your 2 balistic weapons in the left and right torso.

In addition, the K2 is quite XL friendly (small side torsos), but I recommend using a STD engine for higher survivability.

The only downside playing the K2 for me was the need to level the boring LRM focused C1 and C4 ...

Edited by xe N on, 04 November 2013 - 10:05 PM.

[Modo44]

The Catapults and Cataphracts have it all. Between the variants, you get to play with ballistics, energy, missiles, and jump jets -- at all ranges. The Jagers and Orions are second because of the lack of Jump Jets.

[Roughneck45]

Cataphracts are the best, if you don't mind skipping LRMs.

[S_T_R_A_N_G_E]

Jaeger A is very often overlooked but is one of the most versatile mechs in the game. It can run standard or XL and can be quick or not, it turns in place fast, has good arm motion and can take an ac20 or two if you like. The torsos are generally even and has a high firing platform.

[Gunnr75]

I have to cast my vote for the Jaeger's.
Between all the variants you can boat every weapon type or go with a more balanced build.
True, only the A has missiles so if thats your thing you may want to look elsewhere.

With its head level mounts and good twist speed/range it is a highly effective platform.

[NuclearPanda]

Love my Dual AC/20 and 4xML Catapult K2! He's a tad slow, but holy {Scrap} does he pack a punch.

As others have said, the Catapult is pretty versatile. Cataphracts are also nice ballistic builds also at the moment (I have quite a few friends that run Phracts with triple UACs or LB10Xs).

[Saiyajin12]

kevin roshak, on 04 November 2013 - 09:21 PM, said:

Orions are supposed to be getting a hit box tuning pass in the middle of the month. Some of them can get some decent builds in, i really feel if you want to go Orion the protector hero mech will be a good investment, have seen them ran very effectively.

Wait a sec...they're gonna fix the CT of the Orions?! Where did you get this info? That's be frickin' awesome! Shelved my protector for awhile now, but it served me well before and with a CT fix inbound... yummy

[Werewolf486 ScorpS]

It's not a Heavy but it plays like one. The Victor!

[Mr Andersson]

What do you mean by versatile? Do you want a mech variant that can do a little bit of everything, or do you want a mech that, across all its variants, can perform many different roles?

If it is the former, rethink. If you're still into the idea, buy an Orion. But don't expect wonders.

If it is the latter, I would suggest Catapult, or possibly Orion.

Edited by Mr Andersson, 05 November 2013 - 10:28 AM.

[Elyam]

To answer your described parameters, the Cataphract 2X has always served me best. The Jager A and the Orions (once the hit boxes are tuned) should work well too. Nor would I discount the Phoenix T-bolt.

[Redshift2k5]

It sounds a lot like you want a Catapult, but only until you remember there is a Jagermech that has four missile hardpoints. If you want to dabble in LRMs then that mostly leaves out the Cataphract.

In a few months you can buy Thunderbolts, but that won't be until the end of December, long enough to buy & master 3 Heavies before getting TBs.

Look at some of the builds one heavy can do but the others can't.

• No Jagermech can match the 6 missiles of a Streakcat.
  
• No Catapult can bring 4 AC2s.
  
• The ballistic-oriented Catapult K2 can't shoot up or down.
  
• Catapults generally offer better side torsos than the Jager.
  
• Jager have higher ballistic weapon mounts.
  
• Orions are more general and notably slower. highest tonnage Heavy.
  
• Catapults can jumpjet. (Except the K2). CTF 3D can bring jumpjets and ballistics.
  
• Quickdraws for a lighter, faster Heavy. more like a big medium.

There is a lot of overlap, so any one of these specific features may help you choose which you prefer, but overall most Heavy mechs are a great investment.

[NRP]

Well, the Thunderbolt 5S(P) is a pretty good "all around" heavy, and it goes 82 kph w/speed tweak and a 300 engine. The 5SE is a fairly competent jump sniper too. The Cataphracts are still very good, with the 3D being the best imo. Can't go wrong with Jagers either. If you like Catapults, the new Jester is pretty fun too, but it is an energy boat (if that matters to you). It's basically a K2 with JJs, and it can break 90 kph. Also, I personally love the Orions, but I can't say they are the best heavies. Maybe after PGI adjusts the CT hit boxes, but for now they are best used as a second line support mech.

Basically, there are lots of good heavies, depending on your play style/preferences.

[kevin roshak]

Saiyajin12, on 05 November 2013 - 10:12 AM, said:

Wait a sec...they're gonna fix the CT of the Orions?! Where did you get this info? That's be frickin' awesome! Shelved my protector for awhile now, but it served me well before and with a CT fix inbound... yummy

From Paul in the Hit Box Tuning Thread


UPDATE (Nov 4):

First on deck:
- Awesome
- Atlas
- Orion
- ..... and the SPIDER!


Just keeping my promise to you that I'd keep you up to date. The first wave of tuning will appear in the mid-Nov patch.

One of the more notable things we're doing is splitting the pelvis into more appropriate sections. Imagine that we've given these Mechs thongs to wear. The thong still applies to CT (front or back), but the majority of the pelvic area will now go to the left and right leg.


Clarification:
Remember.. this is hit box tuning. As in when a Mech registers damage, it goes to the appropriate component on the Mech. This has nothing to do with hit detection which is part of HSR and is being investigated on a different development train.

Edited by kevin roshak, 05 November 2013 - 08:19 PM.

[Roosterfish]

If you do decide to go with a Catapult you might want to check out the thread on the new Geometry 'fix' for Catapults in the Mechs and Loadouts section of this forum.

[SaltBeef]

kevin roshak, on 05 November 2013 - 08:19 PM, said:

From Paul in the Hit Box Tuning Thread


UPDATE (Nov 4):

First on deck:
- Awesome
- Atlas
- Orion
- ..... and the SPIDER!


Just keeping my promise to you that I'd keep you up to date. The first wave of tuning will appear in the mid-Nov patch.

One of the more notable things we're doing is splitting the pelvis into more appropriate sections. Imagine that we've given these Mechs thongs to wear. The thong still applies to CT (front or back), but the majority of the pelvic area will now go to the left and right leg.


Clarification:
Remember.. this is hit box tuning. As in when a Mech registers damage, it goes to the appropriate component on the Mech. This has nothing to do with hit detection which is part of HSR and is being investigated on a different development train.

Sweet!! I can use all the help I can get,.. as I am noob and not improving much. I sold my Awsome because it was a walking CT. The mech in front of me's pilot could fart and I woulf go crit CT. The orion is one of my favorite mechs and should be hard to kill head on These mech do not have great arm movement and are surposed to be front line brawlers with weapons pointed to the fron arc. They should be weakest from the side or rear. , All Upper Heavies and assaults should be hard to penetrate from the assault armor ( front ) unless closed distance for better weapon penetration. Another cool feature to add would be to modernize the fire control systems. This is supposed to be 3050 ish. I cannot imaging a 13 meter tall walking artillary unit that does not have gyrostabalized turret torso, all modern tank's today have it. Squeeze the cadillacs and the weapons stay on target no matter what the Hull ( legs are doing zoomed in or not. As a gunner on a abrams tank I have had to devolve for this game a bit. I love them all ( mechwarrior games ) but love it too much LOL!

[Turist0AT]

what ever you get, just make sure it has jump jets