58 replies to this topic

[Flak Kannon]

My opinion.

If you mount SSRM on any mech, a must have is BAP so you can lock onto all those ECM pests...

Thats a no brainer for me, and it's a MUST HAVE.

[Zelumbras]

Since you want a reasonably fast build and don't want to rely on JJ too much i'd suggest something like this:
VTR-9S

It runs just over 80 km/h with speed tweak and the single JJ is enough to help you climb ledges and especially turn quickly whenever engaging a very fast light. The AC20 and dual Large Pulse give you a solid alpha punsh and profit greatly from the horizontal arm movement. The 15 DHS are enough to get out a few shots before you have to worry about the heat from the LPL and with 2x basics it even runs relatively cool on some maps.
The only downsides of this build are the lack of AMS and the low firepower in ranges over 500m. Of course, armor distribution is a matter of personal preferences and playstyle . The Victor is probaly the most forgiving assault to run a XL engine because of its large arms that can be used to absorb damage but if you are running an XL, make sure it is a big one! (the sweet spot for most playstyles is an XL 325-360)

I have used this build for 120+ matches now and it is really fun and in fact one of my mechs with the best statistics. Runs like a sightly sluggish medium (but faster and more agile than most heavies), hits like a AC40 JM and has good armor and weapon placement.

[Jody Von Jedi]

Vulcan888, on 20 December 2013 - 02:35 PM, said:

Since you want a reasonably fast build and don't want to rely on JJ too much i'd suggest something like this:
VTR-9S

I have used this build for 120+ matches now and it is really fun and in fact one of my mechs with the best statistics. Runs like a sightly sluggish medium (but faster and more agile than most heavies), hits like a AC40 JM and has good armor and weapon placement.

OK, I tweaked it a little like this. Dropped the LPLs and went with 2 ER Large and 2 SSRM. As you conceded, it lacks range. ER Larges solve that issue. I have pretty good aim, so holding on target isn't an issue for me.

Seems as though the majority is pulling for the Victor. Hmmmmmmmm....

I'm up to 32M now, my pocket is about to ignite.

Jody

[Jody Von Jedi]

OK, You talked me into it. I bought the Victor. I'm running a spare 300 XL right now, until I make a little of the C-Bill back. I hate dropping below 20m for some strange reason.

[AdultPuppetShow]

Terciel1976, on 19 December 2013 - 04:50 PM, said:

That looks OK to me (I'm a low-level VTR driver) but with 17 slots, you should get Endo and pack in some more DHS (in the engine if nowhere else). With SSRMs, also, always get Artemis for lock-on time and consider a BAP.

S

Artemis isn't compatible with streak missile launchers. He'd be wasting two tons and 750,000 Cbills if he did that.

[TercieI]

AdultPuppetShow, on 21 December 2013 - 06:26 PM, said:

Artemis isn't compatible with streak missile launchers. He'd be wasting two tons and 750,000 Cbills if he did that.

Not to be rude, but you are wrong. I run Artemis on all my streak builds. It adds no weight and due to a bug/undocumented feature, it uses the same code as LRMs and locks on significantly faster. Well worth the 750k c-bills.

@Jody: I'd drop to a 350 and get a BAP in there. Don't go streaking without it!

Edited by Terciel1976, 22 December 2013 - 07:49 AM.

[Bront]

Jody Von Jedi, on 19 December 2013 - 04:42 PM, said:

So, something like this?

VTR-9S

Not enough ammo (for anything other than the AMS), and not enough HS. Not enough armor on the arms either.

This is closer to what I run.
VTR-9S
Durable, fast, not many heat issues, and the 1 ton extra is flex space, you can sneak a second SSRM2 in there by dropping a little armor, or just ad another HS to keep frosty in a brawl. It's fast and maneuverable enough to not fear lights, and can take on assaults with some good piloting.

Edited by Bront, 22 December 2013 - 07:23 AM.

[Bront]

AdultPuppetShow, on 21 December 2013 - 06:26 PM, said:

Artemis isn't compatible with streak missile launchers. He'd be wasting two tons and 750,000 Cbills if he did that.

Sorta. It's not supposed to, but it does.

Terciel1976, on 21 December 2013 - 06:49 PM, said:

Not to be rude, but you are wrong. I run Artemis on all my streak builds. It adds no weight and due to a bug/undocumented feature, it uses the same code as LRMs and locks on significantly faster. Well worth the 750k c-bills.

@Judy: I'd drop to a 350 and get a BAP in there. Don't go streaking without it!

However, it might get "fixed" with the fix to artemis planned (likely coming with UI2.0), where Artemis costs 250,000 and requires separate launchers.

Also, if you're running less than 3 Streaks, BAP is optional on mechs larger than a Medium IMHO. at that point, it's an extra weapon system to add in damage, not a primary damage system. You can also get away without BAP if you have ECM (you can counter, and in fact, have to, as the counter of BAP no longer functions).

[Bruce13F4O]

So i read most of the posts, i'm sure they're all great builds, and I'm by no means a resident battletech expert......
The first question I have to ask you is, what you enjoyed so much about the light mech that would allow you to play to the point you have 30M cbills?
The second is, Can that need be met by any of the Heavy or Assault style mechs(if it was speed or mobility your certainly not going to get the same results you had before, its important because if you dont identify with the mech your buying you'll never be happy with it)?
The third is, What role are you trying to fill(designs are great but if you dont set goals you may be more dissapointed in the end)? If your looking to brawl then an ac/40 jager may be for you, or if your looking to make a LRM Boat you may want a catapult, if your looking for a faster flanker you may want a Dragon. They all have a purpose, and these are just some of the examples.

Take your time visit smurfy's and know what your getting, if you answer these three questions, then you can reference any number of builds listed above. I'm sure they all work great to fill their perspective roles.

[TercieI]

Bront, on 22 December 2013 - 07:20 AM, said:

Sorta. It's not supposed to, but it does.

However, it might get "fixed" with the fix to artemis planned (likely coming with UI2.0), where Artemis costs 250,000 and requires separate launchers.

Also, if you're running less than 3 Streaks, BAP is optional on mechs larger than a Medium IMHO. at that point, it's an extra weapon system to add in damage, not a primary damage system. You can also get away without BAP if you have ECM (you can counter, and in fact, have to, as the counter of BAP no longer functions).

I'm not completely sure it's a bug. I think it is, but the lack of documentation makes it uncertain. And I suppose they might fix it with the Artemis load out changes, but I'm not counting on it one way or another.

As for BAP, I see your POV without sharing it. If I have streaks, I want to be sure they're there if I want them. Also, BAP provides so many other benefits (lock on, sensor range, C-ECM) that I find it worth its tonnage when any streaks are onboard (note I never equip a single streak, two is the minimum that matters IMO).

[Bront]

Terciel1976, on 22 December 2013 - 08:22 AM, said:

I'm not completely sure it's a bug. I think it is, but the lack of documentation makes it uncertain. And I suppose they might fix it with the Artemis load out changes, but I'm not counting on it one way or another.

It's definately a bug. In TT rules, Artemis was incompatable with streaks, and it looks like they attempted to implement it that way, but didn't do it right. A fix would require either Artemis to work with streaks but require the extra ton/slot (Not likely as that would potentially invalidate some builds), or to prevent Artemis from functioning (which attaching it to the individual launchers would potentially help do).

[dragnier1]

I doubt it's a bug. It is likely an oversight during the earlier stages of design and gave all missiles the extra boost. The proposed changes might change that to match lore (though i prefer it the current way).

[Jody Von Jedi]

Bruce13F4O, on 22 December 2013 - 08:11 AM, said:

So i read most of the posts, i'm sure they're all great builds, and I'm by no means a resident battletech expert......
The first question I have to ask you is, what you enjoyed so much about the light mech that would allow you to play to the point you have 30M cbills?
The second is, Can that need be met by any of the Heavy or Assault style mechs(if it was speed or mobility your certainly not going to get the same results you had before, its important because if you dont identify with the mech your buying you'll never be happy with it)?
The third is, What role are you trying to fill(designs are great but if you dont set goals you may be more dissapointed in the end)? If your looking to brawl then an ac/40 jager may be for you, or if your looking to make a LRM Boat you may want a catapult, if your looking for a faster flanker you may want a Dragon. They all have a purpose, and these are just some of the examples.

Take your time visit smurfy's and know what your getting, if you answer these three questions, then you can reference any number of builds listed above. I'm sure they all work great to fill their perspective roles.

I prefer the fast striker role. Run in, take targets of opportunity and run out. However, I tend to get bored with a certain strategy and start looking for another play style. I don't have the patience for LRM boating. I won't stay behind the line and support. I want to run in and that gets me killed quick.I also like a fast brawling mech or light hunter.

I'm really of the opinion that smaller mediums go relatively unnoticed if you stick with a heavy or assault. I guess that's why I like the BlackJack so much. I can rack up 700 dmg in the smaller, faster mediums that have yet to even come close to the the Victor, best I've done is around 400 dmg and 3 kills in a single match. So far, I've played 20 matches, 9 wins, 11 losses. 11 kills and 17 deaths. Total damage is 5355 which averages to 267 per match.

I also used some of my GXP to get all of the basic efficiencies.

This is my current build.

Jody

[J0anna]

Here is one of my 'go-to' builds (3 tons of AC-20 ammo is a bit light, 4 is fine, but 5 lets you take the longer shots or the pot shots at lights):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4bab33d163a40b3

for lights you alpha the streaks, when brawling the bigger ones, chain fire them while the AC-20 recycles. The lasers are great for hitting internals once the AC-20 cracks open the armor.

[Jody Von Jedi]

UP to 27 matches now. I am improving: 13 wins, 14 losses. 19 kills, 19 deaths. Average dmg is up to 281.

Moenrg, on 22 December 2013 - 10:56 AM, said:

Here is one of my 'go-to' builds (3 tons of AC-20 ammo is a bit light, 4 is fine, but 5 lets you take the longer shots or the pot shots at lights): http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4bab33d163a40b3 for lights you alpha the streaks, when brawling the bigger ones, chain fire them while the AC-20 recycles. The lasers are great for hitting internals once the AC-20 cracks open the armor.

I don't dislike your build, but I need at least 1 long range weapon. 1 large or ER Large and 1 med may work. I can't stand not to be able to return long range fire.

[GrandKlaive]

Definitely would say to use the Victor!

[J0anna]

Jody Von Jedi, on 22 December 2013 - 11:08 AM, said:

I don't dislike your build, but I need at least 1 long range weapon. 1 large or ER Large and 1 med may work. I can't stand not to be able to return long range fire.

Then use this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...450cd64a5fb2392

The UAC's require a bit to get use to, but once you do they can do extreme damage. You can drop to 5 tons of ammo and use a 3rd jump jet if you feel like it. You can also shed some more armor and up it to a 350XL and keep the 2 heat sinks (my preference). The only mech I like more than my 9S is my 9B, I run that with 3xAC2's, that one can change games.

Edited by Moenrg, 23 December 2013 - 03:47 AM.

[Autobot9000]

With such a sum waiting I would save at least 24 of these for a Timberwolf next summer (look at www.sarna.com for CBill price to get a rough estimate). Maybe you can grind another 24 million until then, but from my point of view such a sum requires patience to say the least (with 25-100k CBills earned per match that's roughly 384 games, if you have a win/loss ratio of 50% and hence an average earning of 62.5k).

[Jody Von Jedi]

OK, I'm beginning to improve somewhat. I'm up to 29 matches now. 15 wins, 14 losses and 23 kills to 20 deaths. That's better. I just need to get the damage #s up.

Autobot9000, on 23 December 2013 - 04:00 AM, said:

Maybe you can grind another 24 million until then, but from my point of view such a sum requires patience to say the least (with 25-100k CBills earned per match that's roughly 384 games, if you have a win/loss ratio of 50% and hence an average earning of 62.5k).

That's very doable. I play a lot. Only game I play. I'm averaging 77k per match.

[Jody Von Jedi]

Moenrg, on 23 December 2013 - 03:45 AM, said:

Then use this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...450cd64a5fb2392

The UAC's require a bit to get use to, but once you do they can do extreme damage. You can drop to 5 tons of ammo and use a 3rd jump jet if you feel like it. You can also shed some more armor and up it to a 350XL and keep the 2 heat sinks (my preference). The only mech I like more than my 9S is my 9B, I run that with 3xAC2's, that one can change games.

Hate to give up the AC/20, but I've used the UAC in one of my Blackjacks loadouts. I know about the "Weapon Jammed" consequence of rapid firing before cool down.