4831 replies to this topic

[Alaskan Nobody]

One big advantage to the MG locust that may or may not have come up - no DHS really required.

[Bigbacon]

Shar Wolf, on 30 May 2014 - 05:31 PM, said:

One big advantage to the MG locust that may or may not have come up - no DHS really required.

this is true... the others ALL require it or watch paint dry as your heat bar SLOWLY drops....

[Alaskan Nobody]

Bigbacon, on 30 May 2014 - 05:32 PM, said:

this is true... the others ALL require it or watch paint dry as your heat bar SLOWLY drops....

Haven't really felt the need for it on any of mine actually - but I run kinda odd builds, plus I spend a lot of time squirreling
(IE running away trying more not to get shot than to shoot)


One of my best scoring Locust actually uses a 100std engine as well as SHS- but shhh! Don't tell anyone!

[VexDarkness]

hehehehehe I'd like to try a MG Locust.

[Alaskan Nobody]

VexDarkness, on 30 May 2014 - 05:49 PM, said:

hehehehehe I'd like to try a MG Locust.

Rather like the spider - but trade JJ for more speed

.... but with less armor and firepower in the trade.

Slightly better as a vulture though (in my experience anyways) as the Spider encourages you to be more aggressive - which is a good way to not live long enough to be able to vulture.

[Buckminster]

Shar Wolf, on 30 May 2014 - 05:53 PM, said:

Slightly better as a vulture though (in my experience anyways) as the Spider encourages you to be more aggressive - which is a good way to not live long enough to be able to vulture.

One of the hardest things for me to learn with my Locusts - don't be aggressive. During my best games in my -3M (4 ML, TAG) I spent the first third of the match TAGging for the LRMboats. Even if I had a clean shot I wouldn't take it - all it does is say "hey, please shoot me!"

[Alaskan Nobody]

Buckminster, on 30 May 2014 - 06:02 PM, said:

One of the hardest things for me to learn with my Locusts - don't be aggressive.

There are exceptions (neck deep in water for example) but yeah.

On the one hand - that one lesson makes you that much deadlier in everything else
(and translates fairly well into assaults, though more as "plan well ahead" than "do not be aggressive")

[Bigbacon]

recent rounds for me with the locust, not sure on the variant being used in the pictures though.
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0004.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0008.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0011.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0018.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0019.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0031.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0032.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0034.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0035.jpg

[IraqiWalker]

Bigbacon, on 31 May 2014 - 03:52 AM, said:

recent rounds for me with the locust, not sure on the variant being used in the pictures though.
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0004.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0008.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0011.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0018.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0019.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0031.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0032.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0034.jpg
http://starshipvonbr...eenShot0035.jpg

Great performance all in all. I notice that twice you got 11 assists. So close to the full 12 XD

[Wildstreak]

When I first did Locusts, I went through these.

All - On any Locust you can run LPL only. PPC damage at close range, effective on a fast Mech that moves in, shoots, then runs. Here is one way to do it, LPL would go CT on all others.

1V - Started with the ERLL & 2MG. Sniper and Vulture build.
Then did both MPL & 4MG plus ML & 4MG. Each has advantages.
he AC2 sniper was not much when I tried it both with 1 ton ammo and 2 tons.

3M - Due to heat issues, started with 3ML & TAG. Learned to manage the 3ML Alpha heat. TAG gives away the Mech too much, given the armor, I would not recommend it. Then I went 4ML. Learned to manage the 4ML Alpha but I could never see myself going 5ML. After running the 1E, I would recommend 3ML & 2SL, see the 1E section.

3S - Some did ML & 2Streaks, others did pure SRMs. I ran 1MPL & 2SRM2 then 1ML & 2SRM2. Somehow I did better than some other Locust pilots, might be because of what is in the ammo section.

1M - Still Mastering it. First did 2ML & 2SRM2 similar to the 3S. While effective, it actually can get too high on heat unlike the 3S. Now working on Elite trying 2ML & 2LRM5, interesting mix of 3 roles (Scout, LRM boat, Vulture) but runs very armor light. Might try 2ML & NARC.

1E - Figured 4SPL & 2SL was a good start for heat management. I can use both weapons for a while then only the SLs when I need to cool off without running. After getting Basics, switched to 4ML & 2SL. Same thing though I have more range but heat up faster. I tend to use 4ML either in drive bys or poking over terrain, once the scale is high, switch to SL until it drops. 3M could do the same with 3ML & 2SL.

Ammo - I tend to only bring 1 ton ammo for anything except when trying the LRM Locust. I find Locusts don't last long enough for 2 tons to be used up enough.

[IraqiWalker]

Merchant, on 31 May 2014 - 08:35 AM, said:

When I first did Locusts, I went through these.

All - On any Locust you can run LPL only. PPC damage at close range, effective on a fast Mech that moves in, shoots, then runs. Here is one way to do it, LPL would go CT on all others.

1V - Started with the ERLL & 2MG. Sniper and Vulture build.
Then did both MPL & 4MG plus ML & 4MG. Each has advantages.
he AC2 sniper was not much when I tried it both with 1 ton ammo and 2 tons.

3M - Due to heat issues, started with 3ML & TAG. Learned to manage the 3ML Alpha heat. TAG gives away the Mech too much, given the armor, I would not recommend it. Then I went 4ML. Learned to manage the 4ML Alpha but I could never see myself going 5ML. After running the 1E, I would recommend 3ML & 2SL, see the 1E section.

3S - Some did ML & 2Streaks, others did pure SRMs. I ran 1MPL & 2SRM2 then 1ML & 2SRM2. Somehow I did better than some other Locust pilots, might be because of what is in the ammo section.

1M - Still Mastering it. First did 2ML & 2SRM2 similar to the 3S. While effective, it actually can get too high on heat unlike the 3S. Now working on Elite trying 2ML & 2LRM5, interesting mix of 3 roles (Scout, LRM boat, Vulture) but runs very armor light. Might try 2ML & NARC.

1E - Figured 4SPL & 2SL was a good start for heat management. I can use both weapons for a while then only the SLs when I need to cool off without running. After getting Basics, switched to 4ML & 2SL. Same thing though I have more range but heat up faster. I tend to use 4ML either in drive bys or poking over terrain, once the scale is high, switch to SL until it drops. 3M could do the same with 3ML & 2SL.

Ammo - I tend to only bring 1 ton ammo for anything except when trying the LRM Locust. I find Locusts don't last long enough for 2 tons to be used up enough.

Thank you very much. I haven't had a chance to test out the new Locusts, however, once I do, I will add them to the OP. Your insight is very appreciated, and I hope you would allow me to quote some of what you posted here.

[Bigbacon]

haha, I feel so bad for my teams...

I've trying out the LRMCust^tm today....

god it is an awful mess...

[GunnyKintaro 01]

Bigbacon, on 01 June 2014 - 07:00 AM, said:

haha, I feel so bad for my teams...

I've trying out the LRMCust^tm today....

god it is an awful mess...

i really like that one !

[Bigbacon]

actually after a few rounds with 2 LRM5s and a ML it can work.....sorta....crimson straight was great. I sat in the water behind enemy lines and just launched missiles at stuff and was also getting in that 200-270m range so I oculd use my ML and the missiles.

sadly alot of the missiles go to waste.

Edited by Bigbacon, 01 June 2014 - 07:53 AM.

[Buckminster]

I had tried the LRMCust, only with a TAG instead of the ML. It worked fine on the bigger maps, but was way to vulnerable if you got caught.

[Bigbacon]

Buckminster, on 01 June 2014 - 10:49 AM, said:

I had tried the LRMCust, only with a TAG instead of the ML. It worked fine on the bigger maps, but was way to vulnerable if you got caught.

but you are always vulnerable when you get caught. I always have to have a back up weapon even if it is a lonely SL...I can't bring myself to not have a weapon with infinite ammo.

tag is too much of a beacon for me all

Edited by Bigbacon, 01 June 2014 - 10:58 AM.

[IraqiWalker]

Bigbacon, on 01 June 2014 - 10:56 AM, said:

but you are always vulnerable when you get caught. I always have to have a back up weapon even if it is a lonely SL...I can't bring myself to not have a weapon with infinite ammo.

tag is too much of a beacon for me all

Also, in locations with water, try and do the submarine play. Pop out to fire the missiles, and then immediately dive back down, to avoid return fire.

[KuroNyra]

Chagatay, on 23 February 2014 - 04:56 PM, said:

I'll say this, real men pilot mediums...and the down right crazy bat guano insane people drive locusts. Locust should also come with a wheelbarrow to carry the pilot's jewels in because they are just that big.

I truly feel sorry for the pink misty remains of the locust pilots I have killed with PPCs....they are the TRUE mechwarriors.

Real men pilot Hunchback, and Centurion's.

But true Mechwarrior pilots: Urbanmech!

[Bigbacon]

IraqiWalker, on 01 June 2014 - 02:57 PM, said:

Also, in locations with water, try and do the submarine play. Pop out to fire the missiles, and then immediately dive back down, to avoid return fire.

i've done this a few times in river city.

[Bigbacon]

well....the LRMCust is growing on me.....

if you are with friendlies and can keep the enemies outside that minimum range it works well and you are so fast you can out run locks and other LRMs

Edited by Bigbacon, 01 June 2014 - 05:08 PM.