Maybe I'll try that build with a STD engine (maybe 230 with some lowered armor on the left arm). I will be trying throughout usage of Centurions some builds using the arm and some builds not using the arm.
I like the new full trial rotation on the trials, I'm pretty happy about that. The Victor trial is very powerful and represents the assault class well. The Raven hero is not bad, though I don't think I'll be buying it. It's not bad though, but it's ammo dependence doesn't really suit me. SRMs are better, this patch is pretty nice I guess.
My Catapult and Centurion mech builds planned before Clans come in, then I'll figure what to do after:
CPLT-A1: Splatcat (6xASRM6s). HSR isn't bad as before, so it's viable.
CPLT-C1: Dual PPC and dual SRM6s. Not bad of a poptart.
CPLT-C4: Dual ALRM15 w/ Dual ALRM5 to cross AMS.
CPLT-K2: Dual AC10 w/ 4xMedium Lasers. A bit of a brawler.
CPLT-J: 2xLarge Pulse Lasers, 4xMedium Lasers. (probably not getting it though)
CN9-A(C): 3xASRM6s w/ 2xMedium Lasers.
CN9-AL: 1xLarge Pulse Laser w/ 2xASRM6s.
CN9-D: 1xTAG, 2xALRM15s.
CN9-YLW: 1xAC20, 2xMedium Lasers. (once again probably not getting it)
I'll update after I actually start playing in the real game with the Centurions/Catapults, and I'll post smurfy builds in a bit.
During the public test, not only did I test these builds (well some of them on this account, some on another), I also tried some other mech builds on another account, namely some 'meta' builds some of my friends just wanted to show me. I don't understand why people complain about them so much, they really aren't that powerful, but they're very situational. The 5 that I tried with my friends are the CTF-IM (triple AC5 w/ triple med laser), HGN-733C (dual PPC dual Ultra AC5), BNC-3E (dual PPC triple AC5), JM6-S (dual AC20), and STK-M (dual PPC w/ AC20). All these are really situational, and these can all be defeated with different ways. A ton of people complain heavily on these kind of builds, but they really aren't as powerful/OP as people say they are. The Ilya runs out of ammo quickly and usually has XL. The Highlander is really easy to disarm (which was what happened constantly when testing it). The Banshee was either slow or fragile, and STD engines at max go to about 40 kph, while XL engines are easy to shoot off. The Jagermech is really easy to destroy because the shoulders are easy to shoot off. And the Misery is slow and weak for how much tonnage it weighs, so it can be taken out. The problem with people complaining is that people don't know how to kill these quickly. As a general rule to most of these kind of builds, don't brawl with 'meta' mechs dependent on ammo in general, as they are much better at nailing you close range (Jagermech and IIya examples). Instead, kite them and snipe them from afar. Do the opposite for the ones with PPCs, as they have a 90m minimum range, which could be taken advantage of (Highlander, Misery, and Banshee examples). Aim as a general rule for the legs first (scratch em and check them for ammo and weak armor), and then the right torso. Don't shoot the shield side, as it's wasted effort and ammo/heat. Finish them in the right torso if they have an XL or destroy their center if they don't have an XL. After testing, I realized that 'meta' mechs are generally very situational and can be taken out quickly when known.
Should I repost this section (the one talking about the public testing and what I did) in another topic section in guides/new players section? Or should I just keep it here? I feel that not many would read this part, but I think it might help some newbies struggling in this game.
Edited by luxebo, 01 April 2014 - 02:51 PM.