19 replies to this topic

[ValkerieFire]

I'm new to the game. I got a Muromets as my first mech. I like a little speed so can move around more.

I was looking at this build here....
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...796b448608ae22f

I got the idea here...
http://mwomercs.com/...gameplay-video/

It has a 320xl max speed 74.1kph
3xAC5
3xML

Or should I get 300Xl with a Centurion D which has a 300XL and use
Max Speed 69.5
3xAC5
3xML
1xAMS
1xBeagle
Here is the build
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ce306abfe0d771f

It seems the AMS would be helpful since I am a noob, and the beagle is nice for the team, but probably not so good since I have no missiles. I figure the 300XL will give me more usefulness if I ever get YLW or something else cool.

Edited by ValkerieFirefighter, 28 February 2014 - 07:00 PM.

[luxebo]

Remember that you need to get 3 Cataphracts to master the chassis, 3 different variants. Therefore, any 3 variants, like CTF-3D (very solid second after doing Cadet Bonus with Ilya and Premium Time for maximum payout! Plus with XL 280, a solid choice of an engine if you don't want to try to run a standard engine), CTF-4X (solid if you love ACs), CTF-1X (great laser brawler, but overshadowed by others), and CTF-2X (great brawler with missiles, but again overshadowed.) Unless you want to get the Centurion mastered as well for XL 300 (solid engine for a ton of mechs), it's recommended to get a standard engine or XL 280 for the Ilya. Hope I helped.

[Gattsus]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e79ee30b21b1513
I would go fora a 300xl + heatsink and the extra ammo.
The 300xl it's a very flexible engine.
The extra heatsinks allow you to keep on brawling.
You should have about 60-90 shots per ac5, 80, I think it's fairly safe, and you have loads of ammo.

IMHO more than 45 in the legs it's a waste of tonnage (most of the time).

Edited by Gattsus, 28 February 2014 - 07:25 PM.

[Alaskan Nobody]

<Looks around before coming out of the shadows>

The 280XL that Ilya came with is really good for most builds IMO.
Weighs the same as the 275XL - and gives you lots of room to put lots of firepower in the mech.

Even if you want to stick with the AC/5s (I did for a long time) you can still put the Beagle or AMS on it with that extra weight

[Gattsus]

BTW... you have to buy the Ilya... maybe you would like to consider a free mech, another Catha, like luxebo mentioned, before throwing money into the game. nuff said.

Shar Wolf, on 28 February 2014 - 07:27 PM, said:

<Looks around before coming out of the shadows>

The 280XL that Ilya came with is really good for most builds IMO.
Weighs the same as the 275XL - and gives you lots of room to put lots of firepower in the mech.

Even if you want to stick with the AC/5s (I did for a long time) you can still put the Beagle or AMS on it with that extra weight

yep, the 280xl it's a strong engine as well with tweaks, usually reaches the speed of a 300xl, but with 1-2 to throw an ams or some extra ammo/heatsinks.

[Hauser]

I second what Luxebo just said.

There are great benefits to mastering a chassis and sticking with one pays off. Once you get the basics on three variants of the same chassis you unlock the elite tier. Once you elite three chassis in the same weight classs the basics are doubled. This will transform your mech into a completely different machine. Assuming you haven't got any other heavies mastered the most effective way is to master 3 more Cataphracts.

XL engines are expensive so you want to use them between different mechs. Since you'll probebly be getting more Cataphracs you want an engine and builds that work for all three of them. This will save you a significant amount of C-Bills.

The other advantage is that once you have mastered Cataphracts you'll have enough C-Bills to play around on other chassis more freely. Additionally you'll have the parts to do so without too much investment.

Playing this way allows you to be more effective then starting a completely new chassis. This in turn allows you to generate more income. Simply put a small investment in consistency early on pays off in the long run. So what you should do is look for an engine that works in all builds. I'm not sure about this but the XL280 is a good fit for that. You may want to get some more advice about that.

Edited by Hauser, 28 February 2014 - 07:34 PM.

[Malcolm Vordermark]

The XL300 is probably one of the best engines to have. It optimal for a lot of mechs and works well in even more. That being said I like the XL280 for the Cataphract 71kph after tweak seems plenty.

[Hauser]

Agreed. The XL300 is usable all round. Its a good investment.

The OP got the Ilya so he already has the XL280. This makes getting the XL300 a bit expensive. On the other hand, since engines also influence twist speed (useful before you get your doubles) the XL300 would still be a good choice.

[ValkerieFire]

Thanks for your help everyone. I am confused, is there a link that explains mastering chassis? I thought I could increase my skills to Elite with only 1 chassis. So I have to use C-bills to buy 2 more Cataphracts? That sucks, so really the best thing so spend my C-bills on is more Cataphracts then? Is that right?

Which Phacts should I get? CTF-3D and the CTF-1X as Luxebo recommended?

Here is what I have so far....

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...dd7a8664582174c

Stock 280XL
3xAC5 w/90 rounds per gun
3xML
1xAMS
1xBeagle (don't know why but hey)

Edited by ValkerieFirefighter, 28 February 2014 - 08:03 PM.

[xXBagheeraXx]

Here ya go...all you need

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...17e7a829953df05

Do NOT do what someone else suggested earlier and strip the legs down to 40..IF YOU CAN HELP IT...I always test peoples legs first the second i notice they are weak they get legged. Stripping leg armor has become the norm now a days and i get plenty of easy kills because of it.

Edited by xXBagheeraXx, 28 February 2014 - 08:26 PM.

[Alaskan Nobody]

ValkerieFirefighter, on 28 February 2014 - 07:52 PM, said:

Thanks for your help everyone. I am confused, is there a link that explains mastering chassis? I thought I could increase my skills to Elite with only 1 chassis. So I have to use C-bills to buy 2 more Cataphracts? That sucks, so really the best thing so spend my C-bills on is more Cataphracts then? Is that right?

Oh! I just wrote that up the other day!
(weeee!)

[ValkerieFire]

Shar Wolf, on 28 February 2014 - 08:28 PM, said:

Oh! I just wrote that up the other day!
(weeee!)

Perfect exactly what I needed to know. Thank you.

I decided to go with the speed since it seems I will be with the Phract for awhile (3 variants). I chose the 320XL by iteself for the speed, I need to move around or I'll get smashed.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...96c74c1a5f44536

Only 60 rounds per gun but thats ok, I'm usually dead before I run out

Edited by ValkerieFirefighter, 28 February 2014 - 08:42 PM.

[Roughneck45]

Do you not like Ultra AC5's? I find I prefer them over the standards much more when I use an XL engine.

[Amsro]

ValkerieFirefighter, on 28 February 2014 - 08:38 PM, said:

Perfect exactly what I needed to know. Thank you.

I decided to go with the speed since it seems I will be with the Phract for awhile (3 variants). I chose the 320XL by iteself for the speed, I need to move around or I'll get smashed.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...96c74c1a5f44536

Only 60 rounds per gun but thats ok, I'm usually dead before I run out

If you can stomach learning to use the Gauss with the charge mechanic this will work well. Muromets, I modded the build for the XL320 you now own.

Good luck with the 3 cataphracts, they are all great mechs!

[xMintaka]

Personally I use the stock XL280 now that I run 3x UAC5's and 2x Mlas. Used to use just the UAC5's and XL300, but didn't perform as well.

Looking at Smurfy, if you're using regular AC5's, I'd suggest you go with the XL320 if you have it lying about. Just messing around with it, my build ended up with 270 rounds of AC5 ammo and half a ton left over. Naturally, you'd probably use that for armour. 270 rounds is plenty. The only time I've ever wished for more (I have 210 on my UAC Ilya) was when myself and a lancemate got completely ignored on a flank, enabling us to unleash hell for near 2 mins of constant fire with impunity.

The circumstances I describe above are incredibly rare. The extra speed of the XL320 should enable you to reposition faster, thus enabling you to unleash the dakka.

Edit:

Amsro, on 28 February 2014 - 09:03 PM, said:

If you can stomach learning to use the Gauss with the charge mechanic this will work well. Muromets, I modded the build for the XL320 you now own.

Good luck with the 3 cataphracts, they are all great mechs!

Only two? Weak.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4f4528aba51c70d

Clearly, this is a joke build. That, while liable to get you killed in short order, is hilariously fun and I heartily recommend you try it. As long as you're not a uber-seriousface player who must win at all costs, that is.

Edited by Lunatech, 28 February 2014 - 09:07 PM.

[Turist0AT]

ValkerieFirefighter, on 28 February 2014 - 06:59 PM, said:

I'm new to the game. I got a Muromets as my first mech.

[xXBagheeraXx]

Lunatech, on 28 February 2014 - 09:03 PM, said:

Personally I use the stock XL280 now that I run 3x UAC5's and 2x Mlas. Used to use just the UAC5's and XL300, but didn't perform as well.

Looking at Smurfy, if you're using regular AC5's, I'd suggest you go with the XL320 if you have it lying about. Just messing around with it, my build ended up with 270 rounds of AC5 ammo and half a ton left over. Naturally, you'd probably use that for armour. 270 rounds is plenty. The only time I've ever wished for more (I have 210 on my UAC Ilya) was when myself and a lancemate got completely ignored on a flank, enabling us to unleash hell for near 2 mins of constant fire with impunity.

The circumstances I describe above are incredibly rare. The extra speed of the XL320 should enable you to reposition faster, thus enabling you to unleash the dakka.

Edit:




Only two? Weak.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4f4528aba51c70d

Clearly, this is a joke build. That, while liable to get you killed in short order, is hilariously fun and I heartily recommend you try it. As long as you're not a uber-seriousface player who must win at all costs, that is.

You say that but ive seen triple gauss muromets builds in pug games...LOOOL

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...704153c57736187


My other muromets. I had an xl260 from purchasing one of the Jagermechs, i forget which. Worked out perfectly. 7tons is my minimum for dual gauss builds, and the gauss rifles charge up perfectly with the firing cycle of medium lasers...line up somone, and have your gauss in the same fire group as the mediums. the second the beam ends, let go of the gauss, Poof 45 damage alphas all game..i have topped 800 damage in that mech easily if im allowed to constantly keep firing, and the mech is at near max armor, and moves like a rocket compared to the other gauss boats you usually see in game, AND actaully has some back up weapons in the rare instances you run out of ammo. I put the gauss in the arms to pad them in case i lost arm armor, and they MIGHT take a hit instead of your gauss rifles blowing up and potentially killing your XL engine.

Edited by xXBagheeraXx, 28 February 2014 - 09:33 PM.

[xMintaka]

xXBagheeraXx, on 28 February 2014 - 09:33 PM, said:

You say that but ive seen triple gauss muromets builds in pug games...LOOOL

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...704153c57736187


My other muromets. I had an xl260 from purchasing one of the Jagermechs, i forget which. Worked out perfectly. 7tons is my minimum for dual gauss builds, and the gauss rifles charge up perfectly with the firing cycle of medium lasers...line up somone, and have your gauss in the same fire group as the mediums. the second the beam ends, let go of the gauss, Poof 45 damage alphas all game..i have topped 800 damage in that mech easily if im allowed to constantly keep firing, and the mech is at near max armor, and moves like a rocket compared to the other gauss boats you usually see in game, AND actaully has some back up weapons in the rare instances you run out of ammo. I put the gauss in the arms to pad them in case i lost arm armor, and they MIGHT take a hit instead of your gauss rifles blowing up and potentially killing your XL engine.

Consider that build completely stolen. Minus the MLas and plus three more tonnes of ammo. Not entirely sure how you managed to fit that, but nevermind. Danke

Herpdederp.

That only has two guass rifles. As I said, weak.

Gotta go with three, imho, if you're going to mount your guass so low. You have to expose your entire body to fire, you may as well CT core almost any mech your fire on in one go. No? IMO, if you're going dual Guass you're much better off in a Jagermech.

Edited by Lunatech, 28 February 2014 - 09:40 PM.

[luxebo]

ValkerieFirefighter, on 28 February 2014 - 08:38 PM, said:

I decided to go with the speed since it seems I will be with the Phract for awhile (3 variants). I chose the 320XL by iteself for the speed, I need to move around or I'll get smashed.

3D is your first best bet (though I didn't realize XL 280 was already with Ilya). The JJs are what can make it different from others. Then afterward it's up to you whether you like the slowness of the 4X vs the ACs. The 1X and 2X are reliant on a single strong AC/ballistic with backup lasers/missiles. Choose to your liking, what do you prefer?

Also, XL 320 is also a solid engine for many heavy/assaults, maybe some faster mediums. However, since likely you are gonna make the 1X, 2X, and 3D brawlers (well some builds can be sniping builds), while 4X can't fit XL 320 at all. 3D maybe ok with XL 320 on some sniping builds, but 1X and 2X are better off with their stock STD 280 engines I think.

Edited by luxebo, 28 February 2014 - 10:05 PM.

[Amsro]

Lunatech, on 28 February 2014 - 09:36 PM, said:

Consider that build completely stolen. Minus the MLas and plus three more tonnes of ammo. Not entirely sure how you managed to fit that, but nevermind. Danke

Herpdederp.

That only has two guass rifles. As I said, weak.

Gotta go with three, imho, if you're going to mount your guass so low. You have to expose your entire body to fire, you may as well CT core almost any mech your fire on in one go. No? IMO, if you're going dual Guass you're much better off in a Jagermech.

The 2 Gauss in the arms makes for a deadly mech, the arms freely move, huge bonus to my play style.

But my build has a XL280 with 9 tons of ammo. I've had it set up a few different ways, end up back at the same dual gauss.

I've used the triple before, you can talk to Dontor about his. To fragile and team reliant for me. But fun times to be sure.