12 replies to this topic

[MungFuSensei]

Destreza

Destreza is the Spanish style of sword fighting, which includes the use of a sword and dagger. This mech isn't the fastest, but it's not much of a problem if you pick your battles. Stay back and peck away with the LL, then when people get up close, gut them like a fish with 7 Small Lasers. Do not fire your LL in close combat unless you know it will be the final shot. Your small lasers are in effect an AC21. Each shot is about 17% heat. It's incredibly efficient.

Here's my last match.

[IraqiWalker]

I will definitely add this set up to my collection, crediting you of course.

[MungFuSensei]

Destreza mk2
Destreza mk3

Same basic concept, slightly more refined.

[Appogee]

Tried it. The problem is the SL range of 90 which requires that you always attack from the rear. Plus, speed is armor, and your builds are going much too slow in my humble opinion.

I believe I will have more success with the ERL + 3ML loadout I just configured. Lower DPS, lower heat, but is much faster, and much harder to hit.

Edited by Appogee, 08 March 2014 - 11:16 PM.

[MungFuSensei]

Speed = Armor is true, but it is circumstantial. I don't have a problem avoiding shots at 90+kph. The problem is in chasing other lights. I get around this by avoiding them, or sticking to dense terrain so they have to come to me.

The weaponry works off the same principle as the Hunchback "Ghetto Delight". Engagements at sub-120m are surprisingly common (I say 120 instead of 90 because you are still doing fairly effective damage at that range with the small lasers).

I admit that this build isn't for everyone, but it does work well.

[Appogee]

I agree. I also think it comes down to one's play style.

I am always attracted to the DPS of SLs. Yet every time I try a build that relies on them, I find myself scoring sub-optimally.because I'm getting killed before I do enough damage.

Perhaps my style just relies more on 'damage at distance'.

I have a friend who scores well by what he calls ''face hugging''. He rarely survives a match, but he usually gets a decent score.

[levitas]

I never understand these kinds of builds. You get a much higher heat efficiency per ton spent if you at least go to an XL255. You need speed to dictate how you engage, which is critical to using short range weapons like machine guns and small lasers. If you're dead set on that speed, you get higher free tonnage with a medium (or even a 60 ton heavy) than a light, and get more armor as a bonus. Why use the firestarter if you're gonna use it for a role that a heavier mech fills better?

EDIT: for example: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...91c043289cc1572

Faster, more heat efficient at any range, does a 24 laser alpha from further out with higher heat efficiency, jumps, and because I had the tonnage, also spits out ssrms. Oh, and it's got 192 more points of armor on it, nearly double. And that's on a chassis that's hardly ever seen because it's pretty terrible.

Edited by solar levitas, 09 March 2014 - 03:04 AM.

[MungFuSensei]

solar levitas, on 09 March 2014 - 02:57 AM, said:

I never understand these kinds of builds. You get a much higher heat efficiency per ton spent if you at least go to an XL255. You need speed to dictate how you engage, which is critical to using short range weapons like machine guns and small lasers. If you're dead set on that speed, you get higher free tonnage with a medium (or even a 60 ton heavy) than a light, and get more armor as a bonus. Why use the firestarter if you're gonna use it for a role that a heavier mech fills better?

EDIT: for example: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...91c043289cc1572

Faster, more heat efficient at any range, does a 24 laser alpha from further out with higher heat efficiency, jumps, and because I had the tonnage, also spits out ssrms. Oh, and it's got 192 more points of armor on it, nearly double. And that's on a chassis that's hardly ever seen because it's pretty terrible.

It's a heck of a lot easier to hit a Quickdraw going 90+kph than it is to hit a Firestarter going the same speed. Size does count. And heck, why play that Quickdraw when I can play a Victor that can do the same thing? The fact of the matter is you play the mechs you wanna play. 90+kph is plenty speed if you're looking to dictate engagement range. 130kph is great and all, but you can't FIGHT at that speed. You can't maintain accuracy. You'll miss with half your beam, and the other half will be spread all over. The moment you really wanna aim at something, you're gonna slow down. As I've shown in the screenshot, the build can get the job done. Speed is good for defense, but offense ain't too bad either.

[Adiuvo]

MungFuSensei, on 09 March 2014 - 04:26 AM, said:

It's a heck of a lot easier to hit a Quickdraw going 90+kph than it is to hit a Firestarter going the same speed. Size does count. And heck, why play that Quickdraw when I can play a Victor that can do the same thing? The fact of the matter is you play the mechs you wanna play. 90+kph is plenty speed if you're looking to dictate engagement range. 130kph is great and all, but you can't FIGHT at that speed. You can't maintain accuracy. You'll miss with half your beam, and the other half will be spread all over. The moment you really wanna aim at something, you're gonna slow down. As I've shown in the screenshot, the build can get the job done. Speed is good for defense, but offense ain't too bad either.

I fight perfectly fine at 150kph and don't miss my shots. It's more difficult to fight at that speed than it is at 90kph, but by only going 90kph in a light mech you're severely gimping your effectiveness. You have no ability to dictate engagements at that range and you are essentially taking on the role of a medium mech without a medium mech's firepower or armor.

Edited by Adiuvo, 11 March 2014 - 10:42 AM.

[JD R]

FS9-A

This works better. If i want to play as sniper i would use a CTF-3D or 733C.

Scout who it should be hit&run high dmg and for close combat enough firepower with low head.

[HlynkaCG]

JD R, on 11 March 2014 - 11:06 AM, said:

FS9-A

This works better. If i want to play as sniper i would use a CTF-3D or 733C.

Scout who it should be hit&run high dmg and for close combat enough firepower with low head.

I strongly disagree, the Need to close with the enemy is serious liability against anyone who is paying attention and a practically a death sentence on open maps. A LL or ER LL gives you options that you're going to need if you aren't running Jump-jets or as part of a pack.

[MungFuSensei]

The build works. Very effective as an assault hunter, particularly LRM boats and poptarts. Again, you don't need to go super fast, just fast enough.

I will say that this is a niche build, that does best against a specific type of target. However, that does not mean it is bad. Light hunter Shadowhawks aren't bad, even if they aren't particularly effective against assaults. LRM boats aren't bad, even if they suck against ECM lights. The Destreza is not good against other lights. Against all other opponents, it is more than capable, with its effectiveness increasing as the weight of the opponent increases.

[Koniks]

I played around with something similar. It's basically the anti-Cicada--an underweight medium rather than an overweight light. Without tonnage limits, there's no real reason to go this route with an FS9 rather than a medium. Unless you want practice managing heat, fire control, and damage spreading.

Since I tend to prefer speed over firepower, I've also been experimenting with pinpoint hit-and-run FS9s: XL295, ERPCC, w/ backup weapons, armor, JJs, and DHS to taste. Same niche but the added speed allows you to dictate range and pinpoint damage means you only have to face your target long enough to click the fire button.