67 replies to this topic

[Mott]

I've mastered my medium HBKs and heavy CTFs. Now I'm pondering what to do in regards to Assaults.

I own the VTR-DS... but am not in love with it at all, don't play it much and rarely crack 300 damage (imo, terrible for an assault). Especially considering my HBKs that are half the size and firepower are now averaging 450 damage per PUG.

I don't like the VTR's low-slung arms, tall height (too much target) and i often forget i have JJs negating much of the VTR's mobility advantage.

I'm wondering if I should give the VTR a better chance and get 2 other variants to elite it and improve it.

Or, cut my losses and toss some CBills at other chassis like the Battlemaster or wait a month or so for some other new Assault chassis to be released (are there any coming?)

I have no idea how the BLR plays, but I'm looking for something with better punch, more rugged/durable and higher hardpoints (which i know the 'master has) than the VTRs.

The stalker, atlas and highlander are not options for me as speed turns out to be my best defense.

Any feedback is appreciated.

[TercieI]

The VTR should out-punch the BLR if configured right (ballistics!). It is the poster child for "elite skills make it like a whole new mech" though, so I wouldn't judge it too harshly just yet.

Edit: so I'd lean VTR myself (my BLRs still have the shrink wrap on them).

Edited by Terciel1976, 24 February 2014 - 08:27 AM.

[Koniving]

Of them I find Battlemasters to be more fun, the Victors to be more efficient (streaks aid everything), and the something else... Well.. If you consider the mechs.. We've got new lights. Got way too many new mediums. We're due for another heavy or assault right around the corner.

Actually lemme see here.
Last batch.
5 lights + 1 in the woodwork + 1 delivered (Locust) + Firestarter. = 8.
6 mediums + 3 delivered. = 9.
6 mediums + 1 delivered = 7.
5 assaults + 1 delivered = 6.

Judging by mech counts, we're more likely to get another assault than another heavy, but much more likely to get another heavy or assault before anything else.

We really need another 100 ton, 90 ton, or thinking about it... where's the in between?

...Also thinking about it, we need another 25 ton mech when the lights get another mech. Commando hasn't got any friends his size!

Edited by Koniving, 24 February 2014 - 08:29 AM.

[pbiggz]

Try out victors. With the current meta battlemasters are hard to... battlemaster...

I do strongly recommend the atlas though. If low speed is your Achilles heel, learn to overcome it.


Also we are allegedly scheduled to receive a brand new assault mech in march.

[Koniving]

pbiggz, on 24 February 2014 - 08:29 AM, said:

Also we are allegedly scheduled to receive a brand new assault mech in march.

Was it announced somewhere? Tell me! I haven't been keeping up to date with the latest NGNGs.

[Xoxim SC]

I wouldn't roll with the meta, personally. It comes down to what type of gameplay you prefer. Are you into pew pew lasers, or are you into heavy ballistics and jumping around all over the creation? Play to have fun, and ignore this meta bullcrap.

Judging by what you've described as far as your interest goes, I'd say Battlemaster. I'd dare say an Awesome would be a good pickup too, but they've unfortunately become a niche mech due to several factors.

[pbiggz]

Quote

Russ Bullock ‏@russ_bullock Feb 13
@AndrewWTrey I will say new Assault in March but that is all you will get from me sorry.

from russ bullock's twitter.


FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T BUY AN AWESOME.

Edited by pbiggz, 24 February 2014 - 08:41 AM.

[Modo44]

The stars say, Mauler coming soon (not Soon™). Though I would not mind a Nightstar, personally.

[PACoFist]

The Battlemaster is a good mech. It doesn´t have Jumpjets but you can use the shoulder hardpoints to shoot over a ridge or the arms to shoot around corners => no need for jump-sniping. And it can load lots of armour and firepower. I have wrestled down undamaged Atlas mechs on my own. Though you should try to avoid doing that. Always shoot from cover if possible, always have some friends around you.
But if speed and mobility is important to you should maybe stick to heavies and avoid the assault class.

[Macksheen]

The Dragon Slayer is my least favorite Victor. The S and B are both far more fun, and far more focused.

My issue w/ the DS is the lack of aim convergence between the torso and arm weapons - they get out of sync for me too often. The others don't suffer from this.

[Lukoi Banacek]

Both are great fun. VTR is ultimately the "better" mech as it currently stands but that being said...if you cannot overcome the personal inability to remember your JJs, try the high torso mounts of a BLR for fun.

But seriously...learn to use JJs. Adds a whole new level to the game.

[Koniving]

Macksheen, on 24 February 2014 - 09:01 AM, said:

The Dragon Slayer is my least favorite Victor. The S and B are both far more fun, and far more focused.

My issue w/ the DS is the lack of aim convergence between the torso and arm weapons - they get out of sync for me too often. The others don't suffer from this.

Hit shift. Enjoy pinpoint precision.

[Mott]

Lukoi, on 24 February 2014 - 09:02 AM, said:

But seriously...learn to use JJs. Adds a whole new level to the game.

Yeah... i know... I KNOW. But still i forget. The DS is my only mech with JJs... so there's very little training reinforcement to get used to using them.

Thanks for all the feedback folks. I think I'll wait until the next Assault is released to make my decision. Maybe it'll be something amazing.

[Tesunie]

A new Assault is coming out in March. I'd probably wait to see what that is. It's only a few more days/a week before we know what mech it's going to be. Then, by the end of the month you could own it for c-bills. (Probably going to be a Zeus or Banshee, but it might be a King Crab! I can hope, right?)

(Looks like you already decided this though.)

[Redshift2k5]

How well does the Battlemaster hold up with an XL engine? Koniving, your input on the matter would be appreciated. Stalkers are generously famous for being poor with an XL but the Battlemaster offers a much higher engine rating, even with just the stock engine.

[Lukoi Banacek]

Mott, on 24 February 2014 - 09:24 AM, said:

Yeah... i know... I KNOW. But still i forget. The DS is my only mech with JJs... so there's very little training reinforcement to get used to using them.

Thanks for all the feedback folks. I think I'll wait until the next Assault is released to make my decision. Maybe it'll be something amazing.

Haha yer not the only one Mott.....I routinely fail to manuever past small rocks I get hung up on due to my forgetting the JJs.

Redshift2k5, on 24 February 2014 - 09:29 AM, said:

How well does the Battlemaster hold up with an XL engine? Koniving, your input on the matter would be appreciated. Stalkers are generously famous for being poor with an XL but the Battlemaster offers a much higher engine rating, even with just the stock engine.

I u se XL on two of my 3 BLR builds and they hold up fantastically.....use your torso roll and those big arms and you can do great in them.

[Tesunie]

Redshift2k5, on 24 February 2014 - 09:29 AM, said:

How well does the Battlemaster hold up with an XL engine? Koniving, your input on the matter would be appreciated. Stalkers are generously famous for being poor with an XL but the Battlemaster offers a much higher engine rating, even with just the stock engine.

Battlemasters are decent with XLs. Your sides are smallish, and I find I am more likely CT killed than side torso. It's not as safe as a Quckdraw or Dragon, but it's decent enough if you asked me. (And I hate to recommend XL in an Assault, just for the record.)

[Koniving]

Redshift2k5, on 24 February 2014 - 09:29 AM, said:

How well does the Battlemaster hold up with an XL engine? Koniving, your input on the matter would be appreciated. Stalkers are generously famous for being poor with an XL but the Battlemaster offers a much higher engine rating, even with just the stock engine.

I personally didn't like using an XL in a Battlemaster. But then many of the designs I use lately don't look away. There's one XL build that I do use, but it doesn't brawl.

With HSR I can't "move" to block a shot before it hits because there's a delay in seeing it, but not a delay in registering it. The old block AC/20s with arms gig doesn't work unless you 'predict' them before they happen. Because if you do it when you see it, it's already hit you.

I actually mimicked my Misery build on my Battlemasters. It works pretty well.

[Barkem Squirrel]

Look at the battlmasters, and Victors on youtube if you can. Both have different play styles. You can poptart the Victor and with arm lock use all variants for 30 point fire. Two of them can arm mounted AC 20 instead of 2 AC 5's for a 40 point alpha.

You can run 4 PPC battlemasters to good effect with high mounted PPC's on all Battle masters. Then there is the option with one to be a LRM boat. You can also sink a 400XL in to all of the Battlemasters, so the speed is not much different, but the torso twisting is better on the victors I think and you can run about at the same speed.

The hunches and Cataphracts that you have run will be a lot like the Battlemasters, but more energy based to a point. then the LRM's with the one battlemaster.

OR.... You could go outside your comfort zone and develop a different play style with the Victor. Remember Victors handle like heavies and with JJ's are the most mobile assault mech out there.

Edited by Barkem Squirrel, 24 February 2014 - 10:17 AM.

[Macksheen]

Koniving, on 24 February 2014 - 09:02 AM, said:

Hit shift. Enjoy pinpoint precision.

I know this, but I run out of fingers.