12 replies to this topic

[TercieI]

Assuming I'm not buying a Protector, which three Orions are the ones to get and why? TIA.

[Hex Pallett]

K and M are musts. K for mid-range support, M for brawling.

V and VA...well, V has three missile hardpoints, only two of which is in the arms, but it also has two ballistic hardpoints. VA has 4 missile hardpoints, all in the arms.

I tried to build a VA. Not a fan. SRM in arms is not practical - too much movements to anticipate. You can go for 4xSSRM but there's only so much firepower you could cram into a single ballistic and two energy hardpoints, and even more so with an XL engine. Eventually sold it for an M. (My 3rd Orion is of course Protector, which is a solid machine)

I would say V.

[TercieI]

So how'd you build your Protector?

[Koniving]

Twin streaks, twin AC/5s, twin ML. Much akin to my original Victor design, Heavy Metal design, etc.

[Tahribator]

I would say V, K and VA. V for double ballistics second liner, K for an awesome 4ML+AC20 brawler and VA for a facemelting SRM brawler. I was never fond of M, it has a weird hardpoint distribution. Though, the build Helmstif posted is a very solid brawler.

[TercieI]

Tahribator, on 25 January 2014 - 02:18 PM, said:

I would say V, K and VA. V for double ballistics second liner, K for an awesome 4ML+AC20 brawler and VA for a facemelting SRM brawler. I was never fond of M, it has a weird hardpoint distribution. Though, the build Helmstif posted is a very solid brawler.

Yeah, "on the back of my napkin," those are the three I had and I had the K spec'd out as the brawler (STD300, AC/20, 4ML, 2SRM4). I wasn't sure what to do with the M.

I also can't see what the Protector really does differently than the K (brawler) or V (fire support) to justify real $. Is there some subtle only-figure-it-out-playing-it detail I'm missing or is it just Kerensyness?

[Tahribator]

Terciel1976, on 25 January 2014 - 02:38 PM, said:

Yeah, "on the back of my napkin," those are the three I had and I had the K spec'd out as the brawler (STD300, AC/20, 4ML, 2SRM4). I wasn't sure what to do with the M.

I also can't see what the Protector really does differently than the K (brawler) or V (fire support) to justify real $. Is there some subtle only-figure-it-out-playing-it detail I'm missing or is it just Kerensyness?

The best thing about it is the high mounted E hardpoint. It allows you to ridge peek and shoot over obstacles unlike other Orions. The only Orion that can work as a sniper IMO, although I use it as a brawler with great success. Also 2B+3E combos are dangerous and heat effective (2xLBX 3xML comes to mind).

[TercieI]

Tahribator, on 25 January 2014 - 02:53 PM, said:

The best thing about it is the high mounted E hardpoint. It allows you to ridge peek and shoot over obstacles unlike other Orions. The only Orion that can work as a sniper IMO, although I use it as a brawler with great success. Also 2B+3E combos are dangerous and heat effective (2xLBX 3xML comes to mind).

Ah. It is a high torso point. Thanks.

[Hex Pallett]

Terciel1976, on 25 January 2014 - 01:13 PM, said:

So how'd you build your Protector?

This.

[luxebo]

While I haven't tried Orions extensively (only a few runs with whatever some of my friends have), I think that Orion M only for if you need an XL 300, which judging from your experience you probably don't need it (though it can be usable at brawling, just a bit awkward to use). Orion K and Protector are both valuable, while Orion V is good for ballistics and Orion VA is good for missiles.

[Arnold J Rimmer]

I was worried about my VA until I bought one (didn't want to invest that much into the M, and figured I'd probably sell it). I call this one the Blunderbuss. You can switch the engine for a STD of equivalent weight if you like, I just prefer to book it in that thing. The LB and SRM20 just produce this... cloud of Nope. Riotous fun.

[Dimitry Matveyev]

I have V and VA. My third will be K. VA is good enough with 4 ssrm2, 2LL and Gauss or AC10. Hope with SRM fix it'll be devastating with 4 srm6. V is great with 2 ballistics. Now I'm using it with 2 AC5, 2 LL and 1 LRM10. K - 4 energy in arms. I definetely 'll try it with 4 LL and a lot of HS .

Edited by Dimitry Matveyev, 27 January 2014 - 02:32 PM.

[Prezimonto]

I've had really good success with the V and VA as LRM boats. 2ml, some combo of 50LRM, XL350, and something like 9 tons of ammo.

I've had matches where I still run out of ammo, but almost always manage 400+ damage (usually higher) as long as I stick with the team, and we don't get face rolled by 2lance vs. 1 in the first few minutes of the match.