66 replies to this topic

[Junkman7mgte]

Don't remember if I use the xl275 or 300 in that mech, but. I run 2 x Llaser, 1 x ac5, 3 x ssrm, and 1 x srm6. Even with hit detection on srm's being borked, I prefer to at least shoot "something" when I hit the missile button even when I don't have a lock. It's also quite the surprise to enemy's when you have only been tossing srm's, and then you lock, and the streaks come out also

[CLANBOY FFI]

Theres a lot of great advice on the replys. all i will add is once you have tried a few builds follow other players once you have been killed. i learnt a huge amount this way till i found my feet.

[Kai Harper]

Very good point, Clanboy. Watching people who seem to be doing well in your matches is a great way to check out builds - and it's a solid way to improve if you study what they do, too.

[Johnny Reb]

I run my 2D2 like this:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a62d04293a12425
That said, you made a great choice for a first mech, there are alot of good builds for this mech.

[DarthPeanut]

Between rounds I experimented with some configurations on smurphy's last night based on the feedback and loadouts shared. Did not do the actual build though yet, was instead banking some cbills and x2 gxp playing in trial mechs. Also redeemed the happyholidays code for some premium time I will use in the near future.

I do spectate every match if killed, I found it helps a great deal in showing me how some of the more experienced players operate. Learned some valuable information this way. Like how even a light fast mech can get in behind a heavy and do some real damage.

[Kai Harper]

DarthPeanut, on 19 December 2013 - 06:28 AM, said:

Between rounds I experimented with some configurations on smurphy's last night based on the feedback and loadouts shared. Did not do the actual build though yet, was instead banking some cbills and x2 gxp playing in trial mechs. Also redeemed the happyholidays code for some premium time I will use in the near future.

I do spectate every match if killed, I found it helps a great deal in showing me how some of the more experienced players operate. Learned some valuable information this way. Like how even a light fast mech can get in behind a heavy and do some real damage.

Great to hear that. Just a heads-up: In-game, to chat to your team you hit "Y", to chat to all, you hit "T", and to chat to your lance, you hit "U". You just seemed awful silent when I said stuff to you over all chat yesterday. =P

[l337m4573rpyr0]

^This is the final piece of the puzzle for really improving. You've got principles for building your mech and you're spectating to understand how other players operate. Now, just start communicating with your team and watch everyone's effectiveness increase with your own.

[Victor Morson]

Johnny Reb, on 18 December 2013 - 07:05 PM, said:

I run my 2D2 like this:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a62d04293a12425
That said, you made a great choice for a first mech, there are alot of good builds for this mech.

Interesting setup; but i like it. That TAG would be pretty nice for it.

While you might like the extra JJs, if you ever drop two + a ton of ammo (not a bad sacrifice overall, you can still glide great) you can slap on Ferro and then stuff that engine full of DHS / fully armor the arms in the process. Just something to consider.

Edited by Victor Morson, 19 December 2013 - 05:47 PM.

[Victor Morson]

DarthPeanut, on 19 December 2013 - 06:28 AM, said:

I do spectate every match if killed, I found it helps a great deal in showing me how some of the more experienced players operate. Learned some valuable information this way. Like how even a light fast mech can get in behind a heavy and do some real damage.

Keep in mind there are a LOT of bad builds out there, so observe how well they are performing with their weapons rather than just what they have.

Builds that are too bracketed are terrible in particular; if you see a series of mismatched guns on someone, they are not in a good 'mech. (i.e. 2 AC/2 1 ER Large 2 SRM = Awful)

[Bruce13F4O]

It sounds like you are developing an idea of what your load out is. Remember that each loadout has Pros and Cons i.e. Range, Heat, weight...... There arent very many mechs that are suited to fill every roll (most builds arent extremely versatile, you picked a pretty good first mech though). The key piece to refining your loadout will become tactics. This usually means that you have to decide whether you'll support the people you'll drop with by performing reconaisance (not usually recommended if you speed is 130kph or less but sometimes neccessary unitl they fix the drop weights and requirements), protect the flanks using speed to fill gaps in the line, or protect the LRM platforms from lighter faster mechs taking advantage of reduced mobility relying on them to crush the heavy and assault mechs before you see them.
Communication is also a key to winning once you've developed your load out. This is just a way to help out, sometimes I've noticed that due to the op tempo people dont always have time to type enemy locations or ask for help. Once you've died if your spectating you have plenty of time, feed your team information until the match ends. Its better than being one of those people that complains about tactics they dont agree with in game errors that people make. It happens, no ones perfect. Hope some of the information helps. Good luck and have fun.

Edited by Bruce13F4O, 19 December 2013 - 06:34 PM.

[dragnier1]

DarthPeanut, on 19 December 2013 - 06:28 AM, said:

Between rounds I experimented with some configurations on smurphy's last night based on the feedback and loadouts shared. Did not do the actual build though yet, was instead banking some cbills and x2 gxp playing in trial mechs. Also redeemed the happyholidays code for some premium time I will use in the near future.

I do spectate every match if killed, I found it helps a great deal in showing me how some of the more experienced players operate. Learned some valuable information this way. Like how even a light fast mech can get in behind a heavy and do some real damage.

Enjoy playing with the shadow hawks. You'll eventually have a favorite amongst the 3 variants.

[DarthPeanut]

Kai Harper, on 19 December 2013 - 02:14 PM, said:

Great to hear that. Just a heads-up: In-game, to chat to your team you hit "Y", to chat to all, you hit "T", and to chat to your lance, you hit "U". You just seemed awful silent when I said stuff to you over all chat yesterday. =P

Sorry, I am familiar with the chat but usually do not say much when running since I am still a bit clumsy with the controls. I tend to ask what the plan is pre-drop while waiting for everyone to go ready. Then talk a little as I spectate to help if I can.

I need to work on my communication, I honestly did not expect anyone to be talking to me in game so I probably was too focused on what I was doing to see it.

l337m4573rpyr0, on 19 December 2013 - 02:31 PM, said:

^This is the final piece of the puzzle for really improving. You've got principles for building your mech and you're spectating to understand how other players operate. Now, just start communicating with your team and watch everyone's effectiveness increase with your own.

Yea, will be working on this.

Bruce13F4O, on 19 December 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:

It sounds like you are developing an idea of what your load out is. Remember that each loadout has Pros and Cons i.e. Range, Heat, weight...... There arent very many mechs that are suited to fill every roll (most builds arent extremely versatile, you picked a pretty good first mech though). The key piece to refining your loadout will become tactics. This usually means that you have to decide whether you'll support the people you'll drop with by performing reconaisance (not usually recommended if you speed is 130kph or less but sometimes neccessary unitl they fix the drop weights and requirements), protect the flanks using speed to fill gaps in the line, or protect the LRM platforms from lighter faster mechs taking advantage of reduced mobility relying on them to crush the heavy and assault mechs before you see them.
Communication is also a key to winning once you've developed your load out. This is just a way to help out, sometimes I've noticed that due to the op tempo people dont always have time to type enemy locations or ask for help. Once you've died if your spectating you have plenty of time, feed your team information until the match ends. Its better than being one of those people that complains about tactics they dont agree with in game errors that people make. It happens, no ones perfect. Hope some of the information helps. Good luck and have fun.

Definitely something I have to be mindful of and remind myself as I work on a loadout... 'do not try to build to much into a mech' and that I can build more than one as I need different loadouts. Like most people do at first, I wanna put every weapon and module in the game on every mech, hahaha.

I am not a great scout, I have come to that realization fairly quickly... at least until I get better at moving under fire, I tend to retreat in linear paths which makes it easy to gun me down. I seem to do better (upward of 100+ damage, a few assists, and occasionally a kill) in support of the ranged platforms and then come into the front as the opportunity opens up for me to push in my weaker mech.

Edited by DarthPeanut, 20 December 2013 - 07:39 AM.

[Buckminster]

DarthPeanut, on 20 December 2013 - 07:34 AM, said:

Sorry, I am familiar with the chat but usually do not say much when running since I am still a bit clumsy with the controls. I tend to ask what the plan is pre-drop while waiting for everyone to go ready. Then talk a little as I spectate to help if I can.

I need to work on my communication, I honestly did not expect anyone to be talking to me in game so I probably was too focused on what I was doing to see it.

Look into something like Teamspeak. I find I'm the same way when I'm playing - I don't use the chat much until I'm dead. But a big part of that is that I use a joystick for my throttle, which sets to zero when I'm typing. So every time I chat, I stop. I also spectated someone that was typing something in chat, and couldn't react to the fact that he walked out in front of a horde of enemy mechs, and got neutered. Remember - don't text and drive!

And I don't know how far into your pilot efficiencies you are, but you'll find that they go a long way towards making your mech more maneuverable. You'll really notice the difference when you buy the second chassis variant, and go from one with all the efficiencies to one without any of them. That new mech will feel like molasses.

[Smedlee]

I'm a relatively new player too. I've been playing off and on for about 4 months. I bought the phoenix mechs, but my first mech was the hunchback 4SP. I went with 2 large lasers and 1 AC/5 on my shadow hawk 2D2. I mounted a STD Engine 275, endosteel, double heat sinks, and ferro-fibrous armor. That is probably not the best set-up. It is what my hawk evolved into. I don't have a smurfys set-up for it.

[DarthPeanut]

Yea I am on a keyboard and mouse control with the degrading throttle option on... so I stop as well when I lift unless I manually set throttle percentage on the keypad. I am a sitting duck.

[DarthPeanut]

I almost wish I would have gone 2H with 3x AC2 build first but 2D2 with 3x SSRM2, 2x ML, AC5, max armor, endo, xl280, bap, etc should be a good starting place. I will do a 2H at some point as well.

[Buckminster]

I've really liked the UAC over the usual AC5. The jamming is annoying, but the higher ROF is nice.

Although lately I've been running my -2D2 as a Gauss, 4xSSRMs, AMS, BAP, XL280 and a single jump jet. The Gauss has definitely taken some getting used to - that delay fire mechanic is tricky - but when it's worked it's really worked. 4 Streaks is really nice too - death to lights, and does enough damage to be a threat to the heavier guys too.

The big thing I've noticed is that the jump jet is crucial. Even if you need to strip some armor to fit one, it's important to have the jump.

[DarthPeanut]

Hrm, slightly massaged the planned loadout I had to include the UAC instead of the standard AC and you are right the option to make a quick follow up shot would be nice. Admittedly I did not understand how that worked until I just went and read up on it, 25% chance of jam but you can force fire in a reload/ cooldown.

Had the 1x JJ planned and eliminate the other 2... I want to be able to jump for sure.

The timing of firing the Gauss is definitely different, one of the trial mechs right now is setup with it and I am not a fan. It clearly could work well if you can get the timing down.

Activating my 7 days premium time so I get crazy over the weekend and get some playing time in.

Edited by DarthPeanut, 20 December 2013 - 12:52 PM.

[Kai Harper]

Buckminster, on 20 December 2013 - 07:42 AM, said:

Look into something like Teamspeak. I find I'm the same way when I'm playing - I don't use the chat much until I'm dead. But a big part of that is that I use a joystick for my throttle, which sets to zero when I'm typing. So every time I chat, I stop. I also spectated someone that was typing something in chat, and couldn't react to the fact that he walked out in front of a horde of enemy mechs, and got neutered. Remember - don't text and drive!

And I don't know how far into your pilot efficiencies you are, but you'll find that they go a long way towards making your mech more maneuverable. You'll really notice the difference when you buy the second chassis variant, and go from one with all the efficiencies to one without any of them. That new mech will feel like molasses.

Loving that TS, eh Bucko? =P

[White Panther]

Welcome to the game!

I'll you what to do with that shadow hawk, take off the XL and put a standard engine with a ppc, ac20, and jump jets. You have a really strong setup right there.

Edited by White Panther, 20 December 2013 - 03:26 PM.