11 replies to this topic

[Ishanaut]

Almost NONE of you will know me as Ishanaut in MWO. Anyway I DID have a TD 5S but it didn't really work for me. I am down to roughly 4 million C-bills and I want a good heavy mech. I am considering a TD 9SE, because I like NRG weapons, and LRMs too. I am also thinking about an Orion but cannot decide. Can I get some help from one of you pros?

Edited by Ishanaut, 13 February 2014 - 07:35 AM.

[Fuggles]

Orions are good, but if you want to focus on energy weapons their hardpoints are low in the arms. I dont own any thunderbolts so I can't say myself but if you want to focus on energy weapons the cataphract 3d and 1x are good choices.

To be honest though pretty much all the heavies are solid. The only really tricky ones are Dragons.

[Hex Pallett]

Stick, to, the Thunderbolts.

[Wintersdark]

The Thud's not a bad mech, but it's not a particularly good one either. You want to consider 3 mechs of whichever chassis you choose, as you'll need to level them all up to get up to Mastery in that mech. The SE with it's jump jets is kinda fun, and the Phoenix variant is decent. The SS is just bad.

Jagermechs are generally viewed as the best heavies currently as they can mount multiple large ballistics (nice and cool, good up front damage, long range) in high locations so you can easily fire over terrain.

I've never piloted an Orion myself (despite having some 50 mechs) so I can't really comment on them.

Cataphracts are definitely solid mechs, with a good mix of hardpoints, an awesome hero option (Ilya Murmomets), a solid pure-ballistc monster (4X), and a jump capable beastie (3D).

Catapults are not terribly good for newer folks. They've got huge cockpits and center torsos, and are pretty easily killed (particularly before you learn defensive piloting techniques).

Quickdraws and Dragons... Well, just don't, till you have more experience. They can be fun mechs, but only if you're looking for specifically what they do and understand their limitations (of which there are many).


For a newer player, I'd recommend Jagermechs (start with the JM6-S), Cataphracts (Start with the 3D), or Orions (not sure which to recommend there).

[Grey Black]

Cataphracts are easily my favorite and, in my opinion, the best heavy mech in the game. With a good combination of ballistic and laser hardpoints, JJs on the 3D, and some excellent capabilities, it easily outclasses the Jager, IMHO.

[Victor Morson]

Ishanaut, on 13 February 2014 - 07:25 AM, said:

Almost NONE of you will know me as Ishanaut in MWO. Anyway I DID have a TD 5S but it didn't really work for me. I am down to roughly 4 million C-bills and I want a good heavy mech. I am considering a TD 9SE, because I like NRG weapons, and LRMs too. I am also thinking about an Orion but cannot decide. Can I get some help from one of you pros?

For heavies, if you want a well rounded, absolutely top tier 'mech that any of the best players will agree on, there is only one option: The Cataphract.

The Jag is alright in niche roles, but the Cataphract is king of the heavies:

• The 3D is generally the regarded as the best variant, with the popular 2x AC5 2x PPC build, because it can jump; it can also run AC/20 and some other setups very effectively.
  
• The 4X only really runs 4x AC/5 2x ML well, but it does it very very well. Some variants drop the ML for more ammo.
  
• The 2X has missiles, which makes it unique. I'd take it as a 3rd option if not for...
  
• ..The Ilya Muromets is one of the best cash grinding heroes in the game, running tripple Ultra.
  
• Finally the 1X I'd rate the worst, but it can still run an AC/20 and slew of medium lasers and rank up pretty fast!

While I'd say Jags would be a second choice for Heavies, the Cataphract is unquestionably the best in the category. If you're willing to go heavier, check out the Victor, as it's a cross between a heavy and assault sitting at the midway point between Phract and Highlander - very solid.

[DrRedCoat]

I agree about the Cataphract. I picked up a 4X and did the common 4 AC5s, 2ML build and it really delivers. Shreds through centers in a matter of seconds. You gotta run an XL engine though to get enough ammo for those guns so you're a little soft for a heavy.

I had a Jagermech when they first came out and they're fun if you like ballistics but like the 4X, you need an XL engine to carry enough ammo and, like I said, it'll make you more fragile.

The Orion has some good potential but I struggled having so many weapon groups, even with my multi-button gaming mouse. It does have the advantage of housing a solid build with a STD engine so it's more durable. I've had quite a bit of success in it but I probably wouldn't recommend it until you're very familiar with the more advanced game mechanics (twisting and all that jazz).

As for the Thunderbolt, I agree with Wintersdark. It's not a great mech but it's not bad either. I ran a 5S for a while with 30 LRMs, a PPC, and some medium lasers. It didn't do anything special but it pulled its weight. Sometimes I'll strip it and put a Gauss Rifle and an ERPPC on it and run around sniping just for fun but again, it's nothing special.

That's it for the heavies I have extensive experience with.

[NautilusCommand]

Victor Morson, on 14 February 2014 - 12:42 PM, said:

For heavies, if you want a well rounded, absolutely top tier 'mech that any of the best players will agree on, there is only one option: The Cataphract.

The Jag is alright in niche roles, but the Cataphract is king of the heavies:

• The 3D is generally the regarded as the best variant, with the popular 2x AC5 2x PPC build, because it can jump; it can also run AC/20 and some other setups very effectively.
  
• The 4X only really runs 4x AC/5 2x ML well, but it does it very very well. Some variants drop the ML for more ammo.
  
• The 2X has missiles, which makes it unique. I'd take it as a 3rd option if not for...
  
• ..The Ilya Muromets is one of the best cash grinding heroes in the game, running tripple Ultra.
  
• Finally the 1X I'd rate the worst, but it can still run an AC/20 and slew of medium lasers and rank up pretty fast!

While I'd say Jags would be a second choice for Heavies, the Cataphract is unquestionably the best in the category. If you're willing to go heavier, check out the Victor, as it's a cross between a heavy and assault sitting at the midway point between Phract and Highlander - very solid.

The 1X better than you give it credit. I'd say the 1X is second best (C-Bill bought) only to the 3D, back when ghost heat wasn't a thing it would be first but even now 4x LL with an XL-340 is great. Great speed and lots of PEWPEWPEW!

Edited by NautilusCommand, 17 February 2014 - 12:37 AM.

[Victor Morson]

NautilusCommand, on 17 February 2014 - 12:36 AM, said:

The 1X better than you give it credit. I'd say the 1X is second best (C-Bill bought) only to the 3D, back when ghost heat wasn't a thing it would be first but even now 4x LL with an XL-340 is great. Great speed and lots of PEWPEWPEW!

The 3D can run 4x LL too, and do it with jump jets. So it's really not that big of a deal and definitely not enough to lose jets over.

It definitely rates poorly against the ballistic 4X right now. It would crush a XL Laser build one-sidedly.

[NautilusCommand]

Victor Morson, on 17 February 2014 - 01:53 AM, said:

The 3D can run 4x LL too, and do it with jump jets. So it's really not that big of a deal and definitely not enough to lose jets over.

It definitely rates poorly against the ballistic 4X right now. It would crush a XL Laser build one-sidedly.

In the build with JJ you lose more heatsinks, plus Jump Sniping with LL is almost worthless it's hard as hell to keep everything in on target. The 4X is just a baaaaaad mech that low mounted AC's and low engine rating, you're better off in a jagger.

[Fuggles]

NautilusCommand, on 17 February 2014 - 07:10 AM, said:

The 4X is just a baaaaaad mech that low mounted AC's and low engine rating.

i find your lack of faith disturbing

[NautilusCommand]

Fuggles, on 17 February 2014 - 08:35 AM, said:

i find your lack of faith disturbing

I mean I got to like 5th on the heavy boards with the 1X when the challenges were going on. and the 4X was my second mech I've ever had. But it's not that great for me now.