21 replies to this topic

[Thell]

So I am thinking of dumping more c-bills on a mech again. I prefer to use lasers and the bigger ballistics but I do like to be able to support at a longer range if I have to. I have been thinking about either getting more Hunchies, Centurions an assault or go with an Orion but I am not even sure if those live long enough. I typically like to brawl or play whack-a-mole by running around cover, although I don't mind doing long range support, I just don't really like missiles.

Ohhh almost forgot, I am a fan of the AC20 but not boating them.

Edited by Thell, 03 January 2014 - 06:32 PM.

[Bishop Steiner]

Thell, on 03 January 2014 - 06:32 PM, said:

So I am thinking of dumping more c-bills on a mech again. I prefer to use lasers and the bigger ballistics but I do like to be able to support at a longer range if I have to. I have been thinking about either getting more Hunchies, Centurions an assault or go with an Orion but I am not even sure if those live long enough. I typically like to brawl or play whack-a-mole by running around cover, although I don't mind doing long range support, I just don't really like missiles.

Ohhh almost forgot, I am a fan of the AC20 but not boating them.

what are your current chassis?

I for one am a big fan of the Orion, now that they don't get CT cored every shot. Good blend of speed and weapons hardpoint versatility. Victors are even better, thanks to similar weapon capability, but the bonus of JJs.

That said, I like Mediums most, and if one is patient enough to learn the ins and outs, they can really shine. I will say HBKs are cbill friendly, but due to the Hunch, probably one of the more difficult to truly master, as that hunch makes them potentially fragile. They are better at ambush and hit and run than outright brawling. Centurions and ShadowHawks shine in that role though. (Shads are probably the best Medium, and one of the best mechs in the game).

On most of these, I use the missile predominantly for SSRMs, as Light mech deterrent, though I do run SRMs and LRMs on some builds, depending on the role I am designing it for.

Out of all the mediums, I would say my hands down faves are the HBK-4G, HBK-4P, SHD-2D2, SHD-5M and the Yen Lo Wang. Honorable mention to the CN9-A.

Also, for big ACs and lasers, the Cataphract is always a worthy choice, as are Jagermechs. And for Assaults, the BLR gets released this month, and it does quite nicely.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 03 January 2014 - 06:38 PM.

[Thell]

I mostly run around in the Shadowhawks, the Hunchback I do have is the 4SP but I have been wanting a bigger mech and I don't really care much for the Thunderbolt or Battlemaster. I do have a Victor 9B but that is apparently the crappy one or I just don't build it right even though I have done decent in it, I have been leaning toward the Orion although I don't have what I would call a "real" assault mech.

[Bishop Steiner]

Thell, on 03 January 2014 - 06:42 PM, said:

I mostly run around in the Shadowhawks, the Hunchback I do have is the 4SP but I have been wanting a bigger mech and I don't really care much for the Thunderbolt or Battlemaster. I do have a Victor 9B but that is apparently the crappy one or I just don't build it right even though I have done decent in it, I have been leaning toward the Orion although I don't have what I would call a "real" assault mech.

the 9B gets overlooked a lot, but I find I do rather well in it. AC20 and 2 PPC are some serious conversation starters. Right now I run mine with AC20, 2 Large lasers and some Streaks. It doesn't tank like an Atlas or Stalker, but it is so much more maneuverable, and the massive arms make spreading damage a cinch with a little practice. It's actually been my most used VTR, though I have nothing bad to say about ANY of the Victors. Probably my least favorite is the 9K, just because it's hard to do anything really interesting with the extra energy hardpoint. Biggest mistake I see people make on VTRs is to over engine them (anywhere between a 320 and 360 is fine, more is really pretty pointless and takes away too much firepower. XL 340 and 350 are VTR perfection.) and neglecting the JJs. 1JJ is fine if all one does is poptart, but for brawlers and flankers, the extra thrust is the difference between success and failure.

Battlemasters are my second favorite Assault. Then the Atlas RS. In general I avoid the others as they are just too slow and clumsy for my tastes and styles, though other use them well.

I would think with your description, finishing out the Victors, or switching to Orions would probably be ideal.

Biggest thing on the Victor or Hunch is to finish unlocking the chassis, as they can become totally different feeling mechs with all the pilot tree unlocked. Both see insane jumps to their agility.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 03 January 2014 - 06:58 PM.

[Effectz]

Victor 9B and the 9S are calling you.

[Thorqemada]

Black Jack, Shadow Hawk, Jagermech, Viktor come to my mind.

[Thell]

Hmmm, I think seeing some Victor or Orion builds would be nice

[Effectz]

9B really fun build to use.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a707d888ba967eb

Edited by Effectz, 03 January 2014 - 07:25 PM.

[Thell]

So much dakka. I am kind of surprised no one mentioned the Highlander, at least one of them can use an AC20.

[Bishop Steiner]

unfortunately, Smurfy does not allow for bulk postings, and it's rather slow and clumsy to paste multiple through their interface.

Thell, on 03 January 2014 - 07:30 PM, said:

So much dakka. I am kind of surprised no one mentioned the Highlander, at least one of them can use an AC20.

Because in general, it is slow and not as effective as the Victor. Marginally more armor, double the weight JJs, similar firepower, and WAAAAAAAY slower and clumsier. Useful mech still, but too slow, IMO.

[Thell]

Well, I think I am going to give the Orion a whirl. Not sure on which variant though.

[Malcolm Vordermark]

If you like lasers and big ballistics take a look at the cataphracts, The 1x has 5 energy and can mount the AC20. The 3D is also a great mech. Even though they're 5 tons lighter than the orion I find them to be more durable.

[Escef]

Orion might do ya.

[RickySpanish]

If you're thinking of going Assault, don't half *** it with a Victor. Go balls deep and get a Highlander 733C - ignore the worthless missile slots for anything more than streaks and dump an AC20 / 2xUAC5 in the arm backed up by 2xPPC in the torso and a standard engine. Now plod into battle and tank damage with your missile torso until the AC20 is in range and then it's time to send 12 noobs to their makers.

[Bishop Steiner]

RickySpanish, on 04 January 2014 - 12:32 AM, said:

If you're thinking of going Assault, don't half *** it with a Victor. Go balls deep and get a Highlander 733C - ignore the worthless missile slots for anything more than streaks and dump an AC20 / 2xUAC5 in the arm backed up by 2xPPC in the torso and a standard engine. Now plod into battle and tank damage with your missile torso until the AC20 is in range and then it's time to send 12 noobs to their makers.

lolz.

Highlanders are for Victor pilots who can't drive.

[Effectz]

Bishop Steiner, on 04 January 2014 - 07:20 AM, said:

lolz.

Highlanders are for Victor pilots who can't drive.

That's a Presumptuous assumption to make.

Edited by Effectz, 04 January 2014 - 07:24 AM.

[Sephlock]

Bishop Steiner, on 04 January 2014 - 07:20 AM, said:

lolz.

Highlanders are for Victor pilots who can't drive.

Victors are for Highlander pilots who feel like streaking .

[Amsro]

Bishop Steiner, on 04 January 2014 - 07:20 AM, said:

lolz.

Highlanders are for Victor pilots who can't drive.

Or is it the other way around?

The Victor is far more forgiving. At a max speed of 65kph the Highlander can get left behind or stuck in the wrong spot. The Victor's speed allows you to be FAR more mobile at an exchange of roughly 70 armor.

Not that you don't already know all of that, just it can be viewed from both sides.

Victors
Highlanders
Cataphracts
Battlemasters

Having seat time in all of them I can without a doubt claim them ALL to be deadly.

All mechs suck without an experienced pilot.

[Bishop Steiner]

Effectz, on 04 January 2014 - 07:23 AM, said:

That's a Presumptuous assumption to make.

twas the whole point! These forums are so stale right now.

But let's be honest.... HGNs rely mostly on their armor and poptarting (total props to those who don't poptart), whereas Victors need their pilots to move a lot and twist a lot to survive.

Would it be nicer to compare HGN's to Garbage Trucks, and Victors to a Muscle Car?

[Sephlock]

Bishop Steiner, on 04 January 2014 - 08:10 AM, said:

twas the whole point! These forums are so stale right now.

But let's be honest.... HGNs rely mostly on their armor and poptarting (total props to those who don't poptart), whereas Victors need their pilots to move a lot and twist a lot to survive.

Would it be nicer to compare HGN's to Garbage Trucks, and Victors to a Muscle Car?

Atlases are the Garbage Trucks. HGNs are the Muscle Cars, and Victors... well...