9 replies to this topic

[Random Wanderer]

That's an AWS type mech build, not an "awesome build," although it wouldn't hurt if it was that, too.

I've wandered through mechspecs and the mechlab, but I'm not sure which chassis to start with (although I lean towards the 9M for speed), and I want to get some advice before spending the c-bills.

Let me clarify what I'm after. I'm looking for a build that can do something I've been told you shouldn't do in an Awesome, and I want it because it's the only sort of playstyle I find fun. I'm looking for something that can brawl. I don't enjoy sniping: long-ranged against tiny little shapes in the distance where the smallest twitch of the mouse can throw my shot completely off... Even when I've built mechs that did it well, I didn't enjoy it. I just don't find it fun.

I like being able to get up close, to see the damage I'm doing, and not just through an advanced zoom window. So that's what I'm looking for. Something that can get in close and hopefully do more damage to the enemy than the enemy does to it.

Can it be done? And if so, what chassis should I build from? I've worked with energy-boats before, although my most effective one, the Jester, is certainly worlds different than the Awesome's walking brick wall. Should I go with the 9M and mix up lasers with streams or regular SRMS? Or one of the others? I'm open for advice (except for "forget it, if you want an Awesome fight at long range." I'm ignoring that advice. ).

[MWNoob]

try this

good luck!

[Wrenchfarm]

Okay, big disclaimers. 1 - The Awesome is not a good mech. It was always the assault also-ran, and the more the meta crept towards pinpoint alphas, the more the walking-barn suffered. 2 - your stipulations are setting yourself up for failure. I would NEVER brawl in an Awesome, not until SRMs are working again (and even then it's dicey). If you load a 9M up full of streaks, don't be surprised when you get obliterated by every Atlas, Victor, and even Shadowhawk out there.

That said, the AWS-8Q loaded up with 2 LLAS and 5 MLAS can be a formidable energy boat when used with excruciating care. You have a powerful and cheap alpha that can be used multiple times and reset with coolant and enough spare tonnage to carry a BAP to help friendlies. If you like, you can mix it up with 3 LLAS and 4 MLAS at the cost of heatsinks and incurring a slight heat penalty. More range, higher alpha, less chances.

Other options include a pair of PPCs mixed with MLAS for direct damage at range that closes into a brawling machine. Again, far from optimal, but possibly fun. I've also enjoyed setting up the AWS-8Q like a ghetto BlackKnight (sans the small laser).

Other AWS can be set up as LRM boats. Back in the heyday of MWO when SRMs registered, the 8R could be a devastating SRM6 boat, and the perpetual loser Pretty Baby could at least bull rush the enemy with some SRM packs and two LLAS. But, nowadays that won't work, and you said you want to brawl.

Not exactly sure what else to tell you. The AWS is a support mech even in the lore, designed to sit back and sling PPCs or lurms at the enemy. At least on TT it's armour was heavy enough to let it spearhead a fight. In MWO, when size and hitboxes matter, and it carries the lowest armour rating possible for an assault mech, and jump jetting mechs have a supreme mobility advantage in brawls and mid range, I don't see you coming away a winner with a brawler AWS anytime soon.

[Random Wanderer]

An impossible task, hmm? Looking at this now, and thinking some more, I may have made this too restrictive. I chose the Awesome because I know it is actually capable of moving (unlike most assaults I've tried which are lucky if they can get out of their own way), and also has a decent field of view, unlike my battlemasters, which always leave me feeling cramped and unable to see where enemies are around me.

I'm not sure what to do. I run a number of heavy brawlers that can regularly score well, but my various attempts with two Atlases, two Stalkers, a highlander, one Awesome (way back when I was getting started), and three Battlemasters have never worked out. I always die, and I hardly ever get any kills. I can't believe that assaults are all completely useless at short range, but I can't seem to make any of the ones I've tried work.

[DONTOR]

MWNoob, on 20 January 2014 - 02:42 PM, said:

try this

good luck!

Ya this build looks like it could be effective, lose a DHS for 1 more ton of ammo and upgrade to an ERLL, and your golden.

[Solis Obscuri]

It's not exclusively a brawling build, but I've had a lot of fun with this THG-11E-inspired AWS-8T configuration.

[BP Raven]

Posted in another thread, but this is my current build AWS-9M (armour total correct, distribute according to taste). Having said that, the Awesome is most definately hard mode for, well, anything these days. It can work, but you need dedication, and the build i posted would probably suck until you got speed tweak to be honest.

[Modo44]

I like my 80 ton Hunchback 4SP with 2xLPL+3xML+2xSRM6(A). Get in, put 2-3 alphas in, get out. It requires good map knowledge and patience, or else you die while in the open.

[SnagaDance]

I never seem to die to side-torso loss in my Awesomes so here's BP Raven's Awesome with a faster engine, 3 more DHS and even a bit more armour: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e352386446c1c0c

That said. I find that you just can't really solo-brawl in an AWS. I've only become better at that by always buddying up with another mech, preferably a heavy or Assault capable of drawing aggro and taking apart opponents together. Even in pug matches I like to team up with an Cataphract or Jager (autocannons always draw immediate attention) and all of a sudden it seems like 'I'm just an Awesome' and they focus their fire on my buddy. I often correct this mistake. Fast.

[Flyto]

The AWS-9M can be a lot of fun with a big engine, although it takes a lot of practice to play well (hint: play it like an oversized medium, not an assault. Never rely on your armour, and never stick around long enough to let people focus on you. You CANNOT take the same punishment that a Highlander or Atlas can).
Mine is something along these lines, though there are other decent builds out there.

However, for all of the other Awesomes, there's another mech out there that does it better (except possibly as an LRM boat). Even the 9M's unique place as the speedy assault is less clear now that there are Victors running around at 80kph.

I'm not sure if that helps at all... I think my advice is that if you're sure, go for it, and definitely go for the 9M. But bear in mind that
(i) the 9M is tricky to make work, due to its hardpoint layout and the unusual playstyle that is required;
(ii) the 9M is incredibly expensive to set up (expensive chassis with an XL, plus a bigger XL, plus all the usual stuff like DHS - by the time it's equipped you probably won't get much change from 18 million cbills);
(iii) If you like it, you'll have to put up with two other awesomes to get those 2x unlocks that will make it work much better...

Edited by Flyto, 21 January 2014 - 05:50 AM.