12 replies to this topic

[iiDeadSeriousii]

Hey without spending some of my hard earned C-Bills I figured I'd get your guy's inputs on what I'm looking for. I want either a heavy (possible a Cataphract or Catapult) or Assault (Viktor or Highlander) and load it out with 1 or 2 Gauss Rifles and a few SRM6's. Maybe a MLa or two to round out my build but that's all I want. I'm leaning towards the HGN-732 right now, but I know you guys would have your pro's/con's.

I got a few more matches to go before I hit my 9 million goal. But any input would be appreciated, thanks guys.

Edited by iiDeadSeriousii, 09 November 2013 - 12:05 PM.

[Nothing Whatsoever]

With Highlanders, the 733C is really nice with two ballistics in the arm and three missile hardpoints. Liberal use of twisting and jumpjets make this a formidable mech.


Do you know about this site: http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/

[iiDeadSeriousii]

Yea the 733C does look like it'll fit my needs more. Thanks for the link too.

[Nothing Whatsoever]

No problem. Happy to help.

[Prezimonto]

Victor 9S, hands down for what you're talking about.

[Escef]

I run my 733 (not C) with Gauss, 2 LLs, and 4 Streaks. I haven't touched it since the Gauss change because I find the new mechanic horribly counter-intuitive and haven't gotten used to it despite a few tries. But it's pretty solid, and I think the 733 gets ignored by a lot of people for no real reason.

[FireSlade]

iiDeadSeriousii, on 09 November 2013 - 12:03 PM, said:

Hey without spending some of my hard earned C-Bills I figured I'd get your guy's inputs on what I'm looking for. I want either a heavy (possible a Cataphract or Catapult) or Assault (Viktor or Highlander) and load it out with 1 or 2 Gauss Rifles and a few SRM6's. Maybe a MLa or two to round out my build but that's all I want. I'm leaning towards the HGN-732 right now, but I know you guys would have your pro's/con's. I got a few more matches to go before I hit my 9 million goal. But any input would be appreciated, thanks guys.

All my favorite mechs and all are XL friendly except the CTF-4X. You might want to steer clear of the Gauss right now since the charge up reduced its DPS and it carries less ammo while being a bomb. Basically you can do more with an AC10 minus the 2000m/s speed and very long ranges. I run a 300XL, 3ML, and dual AC10 on my Ilya Muromets and it rips mechs apart. The only downside to it is the low slung ballistic mounts makes it hard to miss the ground sometimes.

Basically all 4 types of mechs that you mentioned, you will want them to be fast skirmish mechs with hard hitting weapons. Heat is less of an issue but should still be watched/balanced, since you will be fading in and out of combat as your weapons are on cool down. The CTF-4X takes a different approach where you want to tag along with the biggest, slowest, and meanest mech in your group and act as his/her satellite dealing damage to their targets. With the Catapults, except the Jester and K2, you want to act as support mechs staying close but behind your teammates to let them soak up the damage and be your eyes (can be tough in pugs). I tend to go with balanced builds for my missile mechs and trying to have at least enough ammo for 36 shots.

So with all of that being said here are some of my builds that you can take a look at. (Note I just threw these together to be semi-cheap and can possibly be improved based on your play style and preferences.)
Cataphracts:

• CTF-1X: An all around energy boat that lets you lean on the AC10 when you get too hot.
  
• CTF-2X: The BAP and Streaks are for anti-light duty since SRMs are having issues with hit detection but feel free to dump the BAP and SSRMs for 2SRM4s
  
• CTF-3D: A fun and maneuverable *** kicker. Just remember the PPC 90 meter minimum range.
  
• CTF-4X: An AC20 that hits out to 620 meters, faster rounds, and can shoot every 1.5 seconds
  
• CTF-4X 2: with a standard engine
  
• CTF-IM: My best damage dealing mech with C-bill bonus.

Catapults:

• CAT-C1: My missile support mech with BAP to allow you to keep shooting while ECM is near
  
• CAT-C4: Not my favorite but still nice can put 2LRM 15s and SSRM2s if you want

Victors:

• VTR-9K: My mini Heavy Metal, fast and hits hard
  
• VTR-9S: My AC20 version of the 9B
  
• VTR-9B: My Twin UAC5 Victor, very fun.

Sorry about it being a bit long let me know if there are other designs that you want, I may have tried them. Good hunting.

[Hoboshank]

Pssh victors highlanders and cataphacts. Only cowards play by the meta. Man up and buy an awesome.

[iiDeadSeriousii]

Escef, on 09 November 2013 - 12:52 PM, said:

I run my 733 (not C) with Gauss, 2 LLs, and 4 Streaks. I haven't touched it since the Gauss change because I find the new mechanic horribly counter-intuitive and haven't gotten used to it despite a few tries. But it's pretty solid, and I think the 733 gets ignored by a lot of people for no real reason.

The whole thing that got me wanting to make a Gauss build is that I've gotten REALLY good with the Gauss. I can see people's gripes with it but I have mastered its mechanics. I've had my trusty dusty Hunchback 4SP for a long time running dual SRM6's so I figured I'd combine the best of what I love. SRM's and a Gauss. So that's why I was looking to move up into Heavy or Assault.

Prezimonto, on 09 November 2013 - 12:51 PM, said:

Victor 9S, hands down for what you're talking about.

What would make me wanna get a Viktor over a HGN? Just out of curiosity cause I'm staring at my mechlab with enough c-bills for either right now.

[iiDeadSeriousii]

FireSlade, on 09 November 2013 - 01:43 PM, said:

All my favorite mechs and all are XL friendly except the CTF-4X. You might want to steer clear of the Gauss right now since the charge up reduced its DPS and it carries less ammo while being a bomb. Basically you can do more with an AC10 minus the 2000m/s speed and very long ranges. I run a 300XL, 3ML, and dual AC10 on my Ilya Muromets and it rips mechs apart. The only downside to it is the low slung ballistic mounts makes it hard to miss the ground sometimes. Basically all 4 types of mechs that you mentioned, you will want them to be fast skirmish mechs with hard hitting weapons. Heat is less of an issue but should still be watched/balanced, since you will be fading in and out of combat as your weapons are on cool down. The CTF-4X takes a different approach where you want to tag along with the biggest, slowest, and meanest mech in your group and act as his/her satellite dealing damage to their targets. With the Catapults, except the Jester and K2, you want to act as support mechs staying close but behind your teammates to let them soak up the damage and be your eyes (can be tough in pugs). I tend to go with balanced builds for my missile mechs and trying to have at least enough ammo for 36 shots. So with all of that being said here are some of my builds that you can take a look at. (Note I just threw these together to be semi-cheap and can possibly be improved based on your play style and preferences.) Cataphracts:

• CTF-1X: An all around energy boat that lets you lean on the AC10 when you get too hot.
• CTF-2X: The BAP and Streaks are for anti-light duty since SRMs are having issues with hit detection but feel free to dump the BAP and SSRMs for 2SRM4s
• CTF-3D: A fun and maneuverable *** kicker. Just remember the PPC 90 meter minimum range.
• CTF-4X: An AC20 that hits out to 620 meters, faster rounds, and can shoot every 1.5 seconds
• CTF-4X 2: with a standard engine
• CTF-IM: My best damage dealing mech with C-bill bonus.

Catapults:

• CAT-C1: My missile support mech with BAP to allow you to keep shooting while ECM is near
• CAT-C4: Not my favorite but still nice can put 2LRM 15s and SSRM2s if you want

Victors:

• VTR-9K: My mini Heavy Metal, fast and hits hard
• VTR-9S: My AC20 version of the 9B
• VTR-9B: My Twin UAC5 Victor, very fun.

Sorry about it being a bit long let me know if there are other designs that you want, I may have tried them. Good hunting.

Well now you gave me a lot more to think about, because I've already got a 3D and I was almost about to bail on the Cataphract family cause I couldn't make it work. I've already earned enough XP with it so I might stick with him for a bit longer. I'll see if I can make a build like that. Thanks a lot for the help everybody.

[NRP]

The only reason (and it's a big one) to choose a Victor over a Highlander is speed. They pack nearly identical firepower, and both can jump.

You have a lot of good choices, and probably can't go wrong with any of them.

[Prezimonto]

iiDeadSeriousii, on 09 November 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

What would make me wanna get a Viktor over a HGN? Just out of curiosity cause I'm staring at my mechlab with enough c-bills for either right now.

Mobility. The HGN pilots like a pig, better than an atlas, but still a pig. Victors are the nimble athlete of the assault class, able to stuff huge engines + jump jets, and still carry a crushingly nasty amount of weapons.

Don't get me wrong, Highlanders are great mechs, probably the best in the current meta. The Victor is just more fun to pilot when you stuff an XL350 or more in it (and you can and still be survivable).

Keep in mind that tonnage limits are coming as well. 10 tons of difference may matter soon.

Finally, it comes down to your play style. If you want to be hard hitting, highly mobile, and still able to take a beating the Victor is the best. If you want to pilot a steel wall with great weapons load out and JJ to help spread some damage, and don't mind sacrificing the pure nimbleness then the HGN is what you want.

OR: if you want a big heavy mech, with great armor and extra tonnage... go with the Victor.
BUT: if you want a slightly, smaller, faster Atlas with JJ and better hard points (but no ECM) go for the highlander.

Edited by Prezimonto, 09 November 2013 - 06:37 PM.

[iiDeadSeriousii]

Prezimonto, on 09 November 2013 - 06:37 PM, said:

Mobility. The HGN pilots like a pig, better than an atlas, but still a pig. Victors are the nimble athlete of the assault class, able to stuff huge engines + jump jets, and still carry a crushingly nasty amount of weapons.

Don't get me wrong, Highlanders are great mechs, probably the best in the current meta. The Victor is just more fun to pilot when you stuff an XL350 or more in it (and you can and still be survivable).

Keep in mind that tonnage limits are coming as well. 10 tons of difference may matter soon.

Finally, it comes down to your play style. If you want to be hard hitting, highly mobile, and still able to take a beating the Victor is the best. If you want to pilot a steel wall with great weapons load out and JJ to help spread some damage, and don't mind sacrificing the pure nimbleness then the HGN is what you want.

OR: if you want a big heavy mech, with great armor and extra tonnage... go with the Victor.
BUT: if you want a slightly, smaller, faster Atlas with JJ and better hard points (but no ECM) go for the highlander.

Thank you sir, I do really like being nimble so once I'm done with Cataphract family I'll move up to the Viktor.