71 replies to this topic

[MadPanda]

I've played quite a bit with the newly released orion (got the V model first), and no matter how I spin it, it comes off as a weaker version of my atlas or a slower version of my dragon. The way I see it there's two ways to approach the orion. You make it either into a slow weapons platform (mini-atlas, weaker atlas), or a fast heavy mech (350+xl engine) which is still 30kph slower than my dragons but carries the same weapons.


So yes you can make a decent build with the orion, but I personally hate overlapping mechs, especially when you overlap with some other mech that is clearly stronger. Have you guys found any unique builds for the orion that makes it different from atlas/dragon ?

Edited by MadPanda, 18 September 2013 - 05:38 AM.

[DegeneratePervert]

So far, no. As you said, if one chooses to make it a heavy weapons platform, you usually get creamed in battle because of the thing's size. If you were to make it a fast mech, you're being outclassed by the Dragon.

Have you tried running an XL in it? How easy is it to pop the side torso? Judging from Mechlab, the shoulder that houses missiles counts as a side torso.

[Ghogiel]

It's CT is a bullet magnet even if you play with a burst loadout and try to do a lot of tanking on sides. So XLs and keeping in a safe place seems to be the best place for it...

[Ngamok]

My current OV1-V that I run as a mini AWS-8V

ON1-V

Also, I like the look of the Orion because I love how the missile tubes look on the arms.

Also, different but similar to the Flame:

ON1-K

Mini Atlas but faster:

ON1-K

Better CLPT-A1 (mine has 4xLRM10s and 2xSRM6, prefer the Large Lasers):

ON1-VA

Splat Orion:

ON1-VA

Edited by Ngamok, 18 September 2013 - 06:15 AM.

[Methuselah Honeysuckle]

I've tried to brawl with the K, but I go down real quick due to the CT. So far I've survived the best by staying at range although I don't do much damage,

[veedubfreak]

xl 360, ac10, 2 srm6, 3 medium lasers. Its not a brawler mech due to the ct being huge, play it like a stiker and hit and run. As long as I don't overextend I'm usually good for 2-3 kills and 500+ damage.

[MadPanda]

veedubfreak, on 18 September 2013 - 06:18 AM, said:

xl 360, ac10, 2 srm6, 3 medium lasers. Its not a brawler mech due to the ct being huge, play it like a stiker and hit and run. As long as I don't overextend I'm usually good for 2-3 kills and 500+ damage.

This is exactly what I mean. My dragon: 350xl, lbx10, srm6, 4 medium lasers and it runs 30kph faster than your orion.

[Escef]

Haven't picked up an Orion yet, but I'm planning on it.

Right now I'm debating between

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0dea7d6f095520b

and

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b0bc6771023dad2

The AC20 version will obviously be cheaper to put together, but slower. The long range version will be very expensive, but I rather expect it to do well as a mobile ranged attack platform that can still function reasonably up close.

[Jzaltheral]

I built mine out as a Marauder (MAD-3M) with 2 SRM6s added on. It works decently, though I'm still getting the hang of driving it.

Edited by Jzaltheral, 18 September 2013 - 07:29 AM.

[627]

XL or not isn't the question. You have only one real decision with an Orion: AC20 or XL?

Ok, instead of AC20 you can also use 2x LBX or 2x UAC5 but it stays the same, heavy ballistic yes or no.

My current layouts:
Protector: AC20 + 2ML + 2SRM6, 14DHS STD300
- classic brawler, nearly full armor. nothing more to say. Just remember, it is a poor mans atlas so keep heads down.

-K: LBX + 4ML + 2SRM2, AMS, 20DHS XL325
- Faster and cooler, not the same punch but max shotgun if you sync the LBX with those srm2s. You can upgrade to srm6s but i like the low cooldown.

-VA: AC10 + 2ML + 4Streaks, 16DHS XL360
- Was a test with the streaks but does well. A bit of a troll mech, but that AC10 helps a lot for seriouz bizzness.

-V 2ML + 2 AC5 + 2SRM6, 18DHS XL275
- Bought as LRM mech but thanks to ghost heat and ams 2LRM15+LRM20 suck (or better, i do with it). I dropped the LRMs and added this and bingo! But don't get cought alone.


After all, Orions are a nice addition and can load some good mixed builds as long as you can manage your weapon groups.

[Ngamok]

627, on 18 September 2013 - 08:37 AM, said:

XL or not isn't the question. You have only one real decision with an Orion: AC20 or XL?

Ok, instead of AC20 you can also use 2x LBX or 2x UAC5 but it stays the same, heavy ballistic yes or no.

My current layouts:
Protector: AC20 + 2ML + 2SRM6, 14DHS STD300
- classic brawler, nearly full armor. nothing more to say. Just remember, it is a poor mans atlas so keep heads down.

-K: LBX + 4ML + 2SRM2, AMS, 20DHS XL325
- Faster and cooler, not the same punch but max shotgun if you sync the LBX with those srm2s. You can upgrade to srm6s but i like the low cooldown.

-VA: AC10 + 2ML + 4Streaks, 16DHS XL360
- Was a test with the streaks but does well. A bit of a troll mech, but that AC10 helps a lot for seriouz bizzness.

-V 2ML + 2 AC5 + 2SRM6, 18DHS XL275
- Bought as LRM mech but thanks to ghost heat and ams 2LRM15+LRM20 suck (or better, i do with it). I dropped the LRMs and added this and bingo! But don't get cought alone.


After all, Orions are a nice addition and can load some good mixed builds as long as you can manage your weapon groups.

I got the V lasty night with 3xLRM15s, I use chhain fire so the ghost heat doesn't affect me. 3 volleys are just as good as dumping them all at once. I push the button pretty fast but still avoid the 0.5s heat penalty.

[CDLord HHGD]

I read this as: How are you building your Onion.... I need to get to sleep.....

[Lootee]

I'm turning my Onion 1K into a Marauder 5S clone. 2 ERPPC, 2 ML, Gauss rifle. 15 DHS.

Use the gauss when waiting to cool off from the heat cannons.

Edited by PanchoTortilla, 18 September 2013 - 09:14 AM.

[JohnnyWayne]

Well, I've been waiting quite a while to get an Orion. Now I have them and they suck. They take so much damage they are not worthy to be considered a 75 tons mechs, its laughable. Don't think I gonne keep playing these.

Maybe its due to the elo changes or due the chassi itself, but my K/d is going down like theres no tomorrow.

Edited by JohnnyWayne, 18 September 2013 - 12:19 PM.

[Levi Porphyrogenitus]

My K build has 4 ML, 2 SRM4s, and an LBX-AC10. It does great work in a brawl and can tag people pretty far away (the recent buff to LBX spread has helped a lot with that). It uses a STD300 engine and is reasonably heat efficient. I went with SRM4s because of the weight savings and superior rate of fire over 6s.

I haven't bought any others yet - I want to get the Basics finished on the K and work toward saving up for some Elite efficiencies before I get my next one.

Here's the link on Smurfy:

ON1-K

[Thejuggla]

I bought the protector first ran with a STD, It's build seemed to work good at all ranges but I am going to change it because after trying out the M with an XL it seemed to work decent with torso twisting to the healthiest side to spread damage, plus arms seem to block a bit if you are lucky.

Protector

STD 300
2 Medium Lasers
LBX 10 - 2 tons
Srm 4 - 1 ton
Lrm 10 - 2 tons
12 DHS
FF
Endo

For the M I went more missle support

Xl 300
2 Medium Lasers
Large Laser
LBX 10 - 2 tons
Lrm 15
2 Lrm 5- 5 tons
14 DHS
Endo

and the VA I made into a brawler

XL325
4 SRM 6 - 5 Tons
2 Medium Lasers
LBX10 - 2 tons
AMS - 1 Ton
14 DHS
Endo

[Phlinger]

Protector

xl 300

2 large lasers in arms
2 ac/5's
ASRM 6
ASRM 4

rest in ammo and heatsinks, works ok but the CT is paper, over extend and you are toast to anything larger than a Cicada and even then if you don't burn them down fast

Or

Protector

STD300
2 UAC/5's
3 med Lasers
ASRM 6
ASRM 4

Rest in UAC ammo and 1 ton SRM ammo for use as a shotgun
This one works the best for me, but still, CT is paper, burn your enemy down fast before you get cored

Experementing with my current build, still undecided on it.

Protector

XL 340
2 AC2's 3 tons
3 Large Lasers
ASRM 6 - 2 tons
ASRM 4

It's fast, but once again, CT is paper, over extend and you are toast, very quickly

I would also like to say, even with a STD engine, you will never be zombied, you will always and I mean ALWAYS lose the CT 1st. Played over 100 Matches so far with various Orion builds while getting to expert.

[Royalewithcheese]

IMO the Onion is super underwhelming for exactly the reasons MadPanda stated. So far the least bad build I've tried is quad-LL which I'm going to try with an XL350 eventually. The CT is IMO not as bad as ppl say it is if you torso twist like you would with an Atlas, though.

[Bishop Steiner]

Royalewithcheese, on 18 September 2013 - 05:08 PM, said:

IMO the Onion is super underwhelming for exactly the reasons MadPanda stated. So far the least bad build I've tried is quad-LL which I'm going to try with an XL350 eventually. The CT is IMO not as bad as ppl say it is if you torso twist like you would with an Atlas, though.

I tired that Build. Just as a note... VERY tough to torso twist AND hold 4 Large Lasers on target, especially if staggering the fire to avoid our friend ghost heat.

Most fun build I have is on my VA, ON1-VERYbadidea

But overall viability, well, the name says it all.

[Royalewithcheese]

Bishop Steiner, on 18 September 2013 - 05:10 PM, said:

I tired that Build. Just as a note... VERY tough to torso twist AND hold 4 Large Lasers on target, especially if staggering the fire to avoid our friend ghost heat.

That matches my experience too hahaha. My strategy has been to put an unsafe amount of armor on the CT and paint the Orion black. It's had mixed results.