33 replies to this topic

[SchwarzerPeter]

The latest patches haven't been so gentle to the Dragon. I have been running 4ML with an Gauss and while the Gauss is still playable, it has become much harder to peek, snipe and dive back in cover without taking damage. In a brawl against lights its very hard to hit anything at all.
I have tried an AC10, which works but still lacks the power and accuracy of the Gauss.
Also the Quickdraw has an much better CT profile, not to mention the JJ.

But still the Dragon isn't useless. It can go very fast and XL engine allow you to carry a huge payload. The very high LT hard point allow you to peek over hills without exposing the whole mech.

So i came up with this build: DRG-1C

The XL340 allow you to go pretty fast (101 with speedtweak). The LL let you peek over hills and in combination with the AC5 you can do good damage at long range. In close range the AC5 and the ML allow you to manage your heat very well.
You have weapons for all ranges which makes you in combination with your speed very deadly.

So what are your latest dragon builds?

Edited by SchwarzerPeter, 11 October 2013 - 06:16 AM.

[AvatarofWhat]

Yeah I had been using the 4 meds and a gauss dragon 1c for a while as a go to fun mech but pretty much stopped after the gauss nerf. I kept using this baby to good effect however.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...02e008100039419

I call it Worldgorger Dragon XD

Ill have to try your build when i feel like messing around with dragons again.

[Modo44]

2xERPPC+whatever still works (e.g. 2xERPPC+LB-X10). If you prefer to play with more sustained firepower, try 2xERLL+UAC5+2xML.

[Gigastrike]

Modo44, on 11 October 2013 - 07:09 AM, said:

2xERPPC+whatever still works (e.g. 2xERPPC+LB-X10). If you prefer to play with more sustained firepower, try 2xERLL+UAC5+2xML.

I don't run 1Cs anymore without 2 PPCs in that left torso. The high fire location combined with the Dragon's speed makes it too good at skirmishing to pass up.

Typically I run with 2xPPC, 1xU-AC/5, 2xMedLas. Great for skirmishing and fast response fire support, but considering all you really have when lights get close is 2 medium lasers, you have to be really careful with how far you get from your team.

Been trying out 2xPPC, 1xLB-10X AC, 2xMedLas as a variant with better close range defense. It can handle lights and can rush a little better in the late game, but loses both its backup ranged weapon and runs hotter. You pretty much have to play it with distinct long range and close range weapon groups to avoid overheat. Haven't had enough experience with this one to really say if it's a worthwhile trade-off.

From my own experience, and despite the OP has expressed disappointment in a 1xAC/10, 4xMedLas build, I'd recommend as as long as you're using a Flame. Like the PPCs in the two previous builds, the high firing location of the AC/10 is important to how the mech plays.

[Flagrant]

Tried different loadouts for my 1N the last week or so since the UAC5 nerf. Took out the SRM4x2, put it back in. Tried other ballistics, went back the UAC5. Tried ERPPCs, went back to my LPL. The loadout is the same since closed beta and can’t seem to change it.

The UAC5 is a lot slower, and it shoots irregularly, plus it’s on the arm so it takes a lot more effort to lead and aim with it (especially with the arm reticule being pulled back to torso reticule automatically, something that works against the dragon’s super sensitive arm). But it still good when holding the button down and the burst damage is comparable to 2 AC5 but with less slots and weight. And I can still lead and shoot like a regular AC by tapping, and no need to wait for cooldown. I took out the UAC5 on all my other mechs and replaced them with AC5x2 for those that can, but for this mech it just fits real well.

The SRMs don’t always register the hit on the target. And it does spread at range. But for what it brings to the 1N, I can’t seem to live without it. It’s the great upper punch when I’m doing a driveby with its 16 points of damage. Funny thing is I took out the SRMs on all my mechs except this one and the HBK 4SP. Both are fast and able to get up close to the target to unload before darting away.

The LPL is a great filler weapon. It’s used first and is the primary weapon against fast mechs as I wait to get the angle I need to unload the UAC5 or the SRMs. It’s the weapon I use when the UAC5 is jammed. Its short duration compared to large or medium lasers is very noticeable. LPL sounds great, looks great, and if you only have one, it’s the obvious choice.

Some pilots use PPCs on the arm. I can’t see them being very effective if the mech also has ballistics on the other arm. First it already takes too much effort to use one weapon that you need to lead with the spastic arm reticule. You can group them together but then again you have to be kind of far away and basically standing still and there are better mechs for that. Anytime you are up close to a mech and moving around as you should be doing, the convergence will only let you hit with one weapon if even that.

Edited by Flagrant, 12 October 2013 - 02:16 AM.

[Lord Perversor]

i'm stuck to my classics builds (some of them been working since before DHS and endo so go figure)

Flame 4x med and Gauss with 360 XL

Dragon-C1 LBx-10 4x Med and SRm 6 overall fit you can drop the Ams and ammo to fit FF and 360XL for extra speed

Dragon-5N 3x Ac2 and 2x med laser (The 1st Dakka master since closed beta, some Victors gimmick this build lately)

Dragon-1N mostly 2x Ballistics (probably the variant i dislike more, yet a decent fire support platform with some mobility)

[SchwarzerPeter]

Gigastrike, on 11 October 2013 - 10:34 AM, said:

I don't run 1Cs anymore without 2 PPCs in that left torso. The high fire location combined with the Dragon's speed makes it too good at skirmishing to pass up.

Typically I run with 2xPPC, 1xU-AC/5, 2xMedLas. Great for skirmishing and fast response fire support, but considering all you really have when lights get close is 2 medium lasers, you have to be really careful with how far you get from your team.

Been trying out 2xPPC, 1xLB-10X AC, 2xMedLas as a variant with better close range defense. It can handle lights and can rush a little better in the late game, but loses both its backup ranged weapon and runs hotter. You pretty much have to play it with distinct long range and close range weapon groups to avoid overheat. Haven't had enough experience with this one to really say if it's a worthwhile trade-off.

From my own experience, and despite the OP has expressed disappointment in a 1xAC/10, 4xMedLas build, I'd recommend as as long as you're using a Flame. Like the PPCs in the two previous builds, the high firing location of the AC/10 is important to how the mech plays.

I like that Dual PPC, UAC5 build, although i tried it with an AC5 for a little bit more armor

[Lord Foul]

This build runs on the 1C and Fang, I find it a blast to play: 1xUAC/5, 2xMLas, 1xERPPC

[Verrue]

Got the same problem as you when the gauss was modified in last patch.

I tryed some with , erppcX2 , some missile, or even ac/10... wasnt satified until this setup:


http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7c29d7fce999f03


The lbx as now a far narrow spread out and can reach really far.
Work wonder on armorless part and light mech.

Notice i put the DBH in free spot in right torso instead of engine; on a crit, that DBH can , marginaly, take the crit and not the engine (saved me twice now)

Running a 350 xl mean you can remove AMS . You can run at 105, easely moving behind safety.

Since a Flame have so good laser arms, i put a SRM4 that help when you lose 1 arm or hit that annoying spider standing betwenn your arms.

[SchwarzerPeter]

The Flame should still be fine with an big ballistic in this sweet LT. The C1 not so much.

The crit. system on engines doesn't work atm. The engine can be critted, but you can still go on till the CT/LT/RT are actually destroyed. So its better to protect your weapons with the DHS. And if you take the HS in your engine you cansqueeze an extra DHS in there with FF

As for the C1 some big energy weapons in that LT works the best for me. Use your speed to peek over cover.

Edited by SchwarzerPeter, 16 October 2013 - 03:59 AM.

[Verrue]

Ill transfer a DHS on the LBx side then !

Tx !

Edited by Verrue, 15 October 2013 - 03:19 PM.

[Vegetal Maldito]

I use my 1C in quite a classic way. XL340, AC-10, 4Mlas and SRM4. It also has AMS, because I hate those LRMs so much....

The secret with a Dragon is constant repositioning.

[Mathium]

Currently mastering the 1C and 1N models. I'm really warming to this mech, but I can't stand the way it fires missiles. I've got twin SRM4's and it fires them in 4 volleys of 2. Maybe I just need more practice, but they are little hard to aim with movement.

[Verrue]

the dragon got only 4 tubes to launch missiles. imo, put 2 streak instead. You will always hit and you will save up tonnage for an extra heat sink.

@ vegetal: yes , thats the way , never linger in one place.

[Xilol]

I've only kept one dragon the 1C variant and I have been running it with 2LL, 1ML, 1Streak and 1 AC5. The engine is a XL340.

Still love this mech for skirmish and medium/long range shooting, specially over the shoulder with the 2 LL. You can only brawl with someone if you choose the situation otherwise just avoid it, simply go passed and use a boom and zoom tactic, keeping the pressure up with the long range lasers and the AC5

[Lukoi Banacek]

Dragons may be my favorite Mech (although the VTR is gaining ground I must admit, probably because I can JJ in them).

My builds aren't new or earth shattering but I'm running:

-1C Brawler: 2 x ML, 2 x LPL, SRM 4, AMS, STD 285, FF/Endo, 394 armor, 13 DHS

Flame "BushDragon": AC20, 4xML,AMS, STD 265, Endo, 400 armor, 11 DHS

Fang Skirmisher: 3 x ML, 1 x AC10, AMS, XL 350, Endo, 400 armor, 12 DHS

I also run a 5N but haven't found a build I truly like on it yet, so the Ac10, 2xLL variant I've mastered I really don't count at this point. It's decent but not nearly as effective as the other three above.

[Ryokens leap]

Lukoi, on 19 October 2013 - 08:17 AM, said:

Dragons may be my favorite Mech (although the VTR is gaining ground I must admit, probably because I can JJ in them).

My builds aren't new or earth shattering but I'm running:

-1C Brawler: 2 x ML, 2 x LPL, SRM 4, AMS, STD 285, FF/Endo, 394 armor, 13 DHS

Flame "BushDragon": AC20, 4xML,AMS, STD 265, Endo, 400 armor, 11 DHS

Fang Skirmisher: 3 x ML, 1 x AC10, AMS, XL 350, Endo, 400 armor, 12 DHS


I also run a 5N but haven't found a build I truly like on it yet, so the Ac10, 2xLL variant I've mastered I really don't count at this point. It's decent but not nearly as effective as the other three above.

Hey Lukoi. I've been running my 5n so much I'm starting to feel guilty that my other Dragons are parked. My prime is 300xl, 2 ac5 chained, 2 MEDLAS, 2 ssrm, BAP, target decay, adv seismic, target range. The ac5s put out like an ultra but never jam and ssrm and mlas with BAP kill ECM lights. I group the ac5 together and fire 6 rounds then fire 2nd group with las and streaks, having great success with this load out. Give it a try and see what u think. The other build is the same but with an ultra5 and 330xl, faster but have jamming to deal with. I don't bother with AMS as the Dragon can out maneuver LRMs. Good hunting!

[Lukoi Banacek]

Not a bad build Ryo, I will give that a shot.

[Red Line Pilot]

If the Dragons missile tube's are fixed this will be a decent build again:

DRG-1C:
1x AC10
4x MLas
1x SRM6

It hits a lot harder than you'd expect from the "underpowered" dragons.

My other dragon runs like this:

DRG-1N:
1x UAC5
2x LLAs
2x SRM4

Edited by Red Line Pilot, 23 October 2013 - 04:06 AM.

[Vegetal Maldito]

"Underpowered" yeah. Today i did almost 1000 damage with that 1C i posted before, on alpine.

Not the norm obviously, just had a great game among some bad ones lol.

Interesting setups there. I need to master the other variants, too bad i never spent a cent on the game and only have 1 bay left...