16 replies to this topic

[drunkenjawa]

New player here, been playing about a couple of weeks now and loving it

I've see a lot of topics which debate which are the best brawlers, lots of people hate the awesome, but I recently got an AWS R to use as a 4x lrm15 LRM missile boat (basically an upgrade from my Jagermech-A 3x lrm15 missile boat), and I actually kinda love it. Having nothing in the left arm and twisting the torso around so people hit that instead of the massive barn door sized chest seems to work really well. I just wish I had more than the 2 med lasers for protection, it's not much of a deterrant.

I have elited some Jagermechs, and have immense fun with my Firebrand with XL 340 4x LL and 2x MG build - does 92k with speed tweak and I use it primarily as a heavy flanker. It doesn't stand up to much though in an actual brawl with it's XL engine. After taking so much punishment in the Awesome R, I kinda want to try a laser based brawling assault mech now. Just... the c-bill cost is huge lol so I thought I would ask more experienced players to help with my decision.

I can't decide though, which is better - the Atlas, or the Awesome as a brawler. Or any other assalut mech for that matter. I will eventually aim to elite them and get speed tweak but that won't be for a while yet. I don't want a stalker or highlander but they seem to be able to take a fair bit of punishment too. Again, I realise that there is a lot of hate for the Awesome but personally I like it so far from what I've experienced. But yeah, I'm new

I guess my ideal build would be an assault using energy based weapons (preferably LPL's?) be as fast as possible, and have little heat issues. I don't even know if that's possible, but any ideas would be appreciated! I was inclined to go with the 9M, but I remember seeing another Awesome there with a pure energy layout that is much cheaper, it just has a small max engine size though (300) so probably not that fast.

C-Bills are a concern for me too, so the total cost of upgrades, after the purchase, would also be a factor in this as well. The largest engine that I have on hand is an XL 340, however I'm pretty sure that I need a STD engine to be an effective brawler.

So in summary - speed to close the gap, ability to take a few hits (I have no issues with torso swivelling to soak damage), and a lot of wub wub would be cool. I figure that I'll probably need to set aside something like 15m c-bills for the build?

[Wraith 1]

I like the Awesome as a sniper, but I had a really hard time using it to twist damage at short range. I have seen brawler Awesomes used well, but in more of a skirmisher/flanker style than a spearhead/tank style.

I had a lot of fun using an Atlas with 2 LPL and an AC/20. It can be done on any Atlas with no upgrades, and can carry more lasers, missiles, or ECM once upgraded.

If you just want a tanky mech to destroy stuff with, I'd recommend an Atlas. If you want a fun, unorthodox brawler that is just crazy enough to work, go with the Awesome.

Either way, find a build you want with Smurfy before you buy anything. I could never find a build for my Awesome that didn't feel a little awkward, and I needed tons of little tweaks to my Atlas even after I found the perfect build.

[Roughneck45]

Get yourself an Atlas DDC. ECM, AC20, 2 medium lasers, and three SRM6.

You can also do a highlander 733C with the same build, essentially swapping out the ECM for jump jets. Highlanders are the strongest assault mechs right now.

You might enjoy the Awesome, but other than an LRM boat, it is weaker than every other assault in any role.

Edited by Roughneck45, 15 February 2014 - 02:49 PM.

[pbiggz]

An awesome is a death wish at all ranges, NEVER brawl with it, this isn't closed beta anymore. Take an As7-DDC with two medium lasers, 3 ASRM 6s, an AC20, and at least a standard 340 engine.

[NRP]

Well, if you want to try brawling in an Awesome, load up your 8R with 4 SRM6s and a STD300 engine and have at it. Don't need to spend much money at all. You'll figure the rest out on your own.

Edited by NRP, 15 February 2014 - 02:56 PM.

[Fuggles]

Of the two the atlas is a better brawler. It also comes with a std300 motor wich will work great in the 8 series awesomes. They will be expensive, but so is the awesome 9m.

So I would suggest getting both, pick up a atlas (d-dc is best) first and try it out, then focus on the chassis your most interested in.

[Dry Spill]

Primary Awesome-Pilot here.

Awesomes are effective in many ways, but not brawling*. Sniping, LRM-boating and support-fire are what Awesomes are built to do.

If you insist on brawling, go for the Atlas D-DC like the previous posts have said.

*Note, the Pretty Baby and 9M have been used for Hit & Run tactics but that's not 'brawling' like you're looking for.

[Wintersdark]

Atlas.

Actually, I'd recommend Highlander as well - build with the same overall builds, but give it a Jump Jet (just one) so you're not hedged in by steep slopes. The added maneuverability even if you never bother with advanced JJ usage is invaluable.

The Awesome... Well, when you're new, it's disadvantages are less evident, but as you gain skill in the game and climb the Elo ladder, you'll find it's huge barn-door profile will lead to your being torn apart very quickly... And it's reliance on energy weapons (and in some cases missiles) means it's heat-capped more than anything else.

The Highlander/Atlas brawling setup allows you to use both energy and ballistic weapons. This is important, because it allows you nearly twice the sustained DPS.

And in brawling? Sustained DPS is king. When you're sniping or herfing missiles at range, hitting your heat cap and just waiting to cool off a bit isn't a big deal. Hitting your heat cap (or, god forbid, overheating) in brawling range gets you dead.

[drunkenjawa]

Awesome guys, thanks a lot for the input, I'll start saving for a D-DC now.

NRP - Legend, thanks a lot for that info as well. I just found a nice build for the 8R that seems like it'd work, and much cheaper than purchasing a whole new awesome to try out brawling in it, only to (from what it sounds like) wish I'd gone with the Atlas instead.

Utini!

[Koniving]

If tabletop's "armor equality" wasn't in MWO, and instead max armor was based on stock values like engines and hardpoints were, I'd say Awesome.

But, that's because stock Awesomes outclassed Stalkers in armor, and severely outclassed Victors. In MWO, the tabletop equal armor values for all mechs in the same weightclass has turned the Awesome into a walking coffin.

Given the choices and MWO's armor equality, Atlas.

Otherwise, Highlander.

(And I say this as an Awesome user that owns all the Awesomes including the Pretty Baby, and still uses them.)

[Blue Hymn]

I really hate to way this, but the current MWO favors Ballistics by a long mile.
Low heat, no worries about running out of ammo (at least in the given time limit of 15 minutes, when you got other teammates to help with your consumption) and instant damage dealing are the prime reasons why Bullets are more favorable than missiles (with its bad hit registration) or the energy (with ghost heat plaguing it).

In the end, it boils down to your discipline in firing. Are you the trigger happy type, or the selective firing type? If you want to go in guns blazing without too much concern about overheating while taking brutal amounts of damage, then the Awesome may not be good for you. If you're more selective in your fire, know when to pick your shots and when to reposition yourself for firing, then I would probably suggest the Awesome.
Unfortunately, the reason why there is so much hate for the Awesome is because it's not a beginner's mech. It's a mech that suffers from a lot of gameplay balancing issues of MWO - and completely neglected by the developers because only a few minorities pilot the chassis. There's no room for error for this mech. You find yourself in a hot map, good f'ing luck. However, If you want to build situational awareness, pilot an Awesome. If you want a challenge, pilot an Awesome.

If you want plain ol' tank that can take a beating and deliver it back under the current meta-favoring-ballistics, the Awesome is not for you.

[Wildstreak]

I know others have tried Awesome brawling as did I. The only decent Awesome brawler I ran is the 8R with 2LL & 4SRM6, chain fired there is a nice flow to the weapons, by the time you fire each once, the first is ready to go again and repeat. I ran the 8Q as a long range sniper with backup 2PPC & 2LL. The 8T was best with 2LRM15 & 2LL fighting from long range. My 8V is no good anymore due to Ghost Heat, 3LL at the same time with 1LRM15 as secondary. I usually ran the Q, T & V as what I call Distance Brawlers, fighting anywhere from 180-450 meters, sometimes out to 900 the furthest my LLs could reach.

I would lean more towards the Atlas but you have to be ready for the slower speed, being ganged up on and the Mech expected to lead ground charges.

With the hitbox changes, the Awesome tends to lose side torsos thus arms a lot before getting cored. If you want better speed than the 60-70 range, try Victor or Battlemaster instead. Best engine an Awesome can fit is 300 and you do not want XLs. Awesomes do not need 15m for a build, mine are about 12m each but I have also made Medium Mechs costing that much, differenece is the engine.

AWS-8Q Sniper (I forget what I did with the leftover ton)

AWS-8R Brawler with Artemis

AWS-8T Distance Bomber

AWS-8V Distance Brawler

I have never run the 9M or PB.

[mad kat]

I don't understand this Awesome hate. Its a superb mech but it does require a little investment and elite skills group.

I run my 8V as a brawler with much success, got the heat sinks and ammo to keep up sustained fire and no Xl for durability and all weapons in torso's for extra longevity. Stay at range at first and put the dual LL to use then move in behind your team and pick off assaults (big hit boxes) with a healthy volley or artemis SRM's

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...db5a8bb34ff211f

if you don't like that try this 8Q build, don't let the heat rating fool you chain fire is your friend as are coolant shots. On cold maps it's positively lethal and great for lulling other mechs into a false sense of security. Pah its just another awesome it'll drop like a sack of spuds....They regret that decision as soon as i let loose with four chain fired large pulse lasers and for the killing blow a dose of LL to finish the job. Hell if your really good at aiming spray the cockpit with the LL and use the LPL on the torso. My foes beat a hasty retreat when they take this on which gives you time to find somewhere to shut down. However on a hot map it's not so good.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0fa681b7718f410

Edited by mad kat, 04 March 2014 - 12:42 AM.

[Voivode]

I have four Awesome's and two Atlas', and I've brawled very effectively with both mechs. Here's what I've found.

When it comes to that initial push, there is no replacement for an Atlas. No other assault has the sheer amount of armor to do that. If you are looking for a mech to lead the charge into a brawl, you are looking for an Atlas.

When it comes to being the next guy in after the Atlas, the Awesome is a great choice (as is the Victor) because it is much more nimble. Get behind targets engaging the Atlas and pop them in the back. I'd suggest an Awesome 8V, 9M, Pretty Baby, or perhaps an 8T for the job. The 8R used to be the best brawler of the lot (when SRMs were good) but suffers in the role now with SRMs being so unreliable.

In summation: the Atlas is your tank/face brawler and the Awesome is your support/flank brawler.

[MisterPlanetarian]

Hold on to your Cbills for another two weeks or so and wait for what the March Assault is going to be.

* If the March assault is either a Banshee or Cyclops without dual gauss rifles then buy a Highlander 733C. You don't have to use PPC's and UAC5's even though its highly effective. An AC20, some SRMS and lasers can still make a deadly brawler when you concider the ability to jump over buildings and stuff which the Highlander can.

* If we get a King Crab/Devastator/Pillager or some other wrecking ball of an Assaultmech next month you're gonna wish you saved your money for one anyway so thats why I'd reccomend holding onto your Cbills for now.


In the meantime use this reference guide for Assaults in MWO:


Awesome = Hardmode difficulty

Victor = Fast moving striker, kinda expensive to fit since it needs a 325+ XL engine to work but otherwise alot of fun to play

Stalker = Standoff monster. Fun laserboat, great heromech

Battlemaster = Kinda meh, Pretty good missileboat though.

Highlander = Easymode difficulty, Armoured, Can do well at 600ish meters and brawl all the same. 733c should be the first one you get.

Atlas = Mechwarrior classic. Can still do great in pugs. -D and D-DC are the best in my experience with the Boars head and -RS coming in third.

Edited by MisterPlanetarian, 28 February 2014 - 03:46 PM.

[mbebe23]

mad kat, on 28 February 2014 - 08:18 AM, said:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0fa681b7718f410

I don't have AWS-8Q but this build..... almost made my decision Thank you!

[mad kat]

mbebe23, on 03 March 2014 - 02:19 AM, said:

I don't have AWS-8Q but this build..... almost made my decision Thank you!

With great power comes great responsibility lol.

ETA: The medium laser really is surplus to requirements and in fact i run mine without it unless on a cold map and an alpha strike opportunity presents itself in a do or die situation.

The Awesome does have a lot of potential for a lot of firepower and a lot of armour however the first port of call is binning the 240 engine, The Awesome benefits most from speed (all things considered) which is kinda important when brawling with the barn. In my opinion though the hit boxes aren't as big as people make out. The Atlas, Stalker, Highlander, Jagermech, catapult, quickdraw to name a few are all a piece of piss to hit.

Edited by mad kat, 04 March 2014 - 12:47 AM.