12 replies to this topic

[Monky]

I've done some thinking on LRM centric mechs and decided upon a few optimal characteristics;

Be capable of mounting an arm-based TAG with lower arm actuators (so you don't have to look directly at the enemy in order to hold lock/tag them, useful for direct fire which can lead to a sitting duck effect otherwise, where you look directly at the enemy allowing easy CT shots on yourself)

Be capable of mounting at least 20 total Artemis LRM tubes without significant sacrifices performance-wise (with faster travel speeds LRMs are more about a sustained, punishing barrage at medium ranges, ammo capacity counts for more than launcher amount. This is because the main penalty for DPS weapons - having to stay exposed - is greatly reduced by indirect fire. This does not mean chain fire - AMS counters LRM's very potently now.)

Be capable of mounting jumpjets (in order to clear small obstructions when launching or when needed to help maintain lock on their own)

Be capable of mounting at least 1 adequate self defense weapon without significant performance sacrifices, or a cluster of smaller ones. (You will need at least sometimes to be able to defend yourself up close. If you get an ER PPC then you can also cancel ECM for your team, and is a bonus all around weapon for most engagements. ER or normal Large lasers are also great, a single LPL might be adequate if a clutch of medium lasers is not possible).

Be capable of fitting a BAP without significant performance sacrifice (BAP increases detection range for when you need to spot on your own)

Be capable of mounting at least 1 AMS with 1 ton of ammo for counter-support (You will be relatively close to the enemy to ensure maximum LRM accuracy, probably no greater than 600 meters, which means your fire teams and brawlers will need additional coverage - and you are vulnerable to occasional locks and counterbattery as well.)

Be capable of moving faster than most assaults and heavies while maintaining effective armor coverage and heat efficiency (You're support, should be able to stay in range of your assaults and rendezvous if you get separated, as well as be generally survivable.)

Now, the heaviest mech which can meet or exceed all these requirements currently is.... The much maligned TDR-9SE

Here is the build I have for it; TDR-9SE

You can clear obstacles, move at a decent pace for a support role, defend yourself, counter ECM in 3 different ways, lock quickly and bring plenty of sustained firepower. You should be capable of making a good show at distances sub 400 meters and still be effective out to 600 or so. As a bonus, although I don't consider it required, you have a shield arm on the left for those situations where you just happen to get focused. This reduces some of the penalty of running an XL if you use it well. As icing on this cake, you also avoid ghost heat by using 2 launchers instead of a higher count.

So, what do you think, what mech would you use, what features would you look for in an LRM mech that is both survivable, effective, and leans primarily on LRMs for its damage?

Edited by Monky, 18 March 2014 - 05:17 PM.

[Walks_In_Circles]

I like what you said about putting the tag on an arm, and I agree with it's usefulness. As for survivability, I tend to choose low profile, fast, mechs for my boating. The bane of most missile boats is not being able to get in a good position fast enough, or simply being left behind. The thunderbolt is just too big for my taste and has too broad of side torsos for me to feel comfortable with an XL. I too am looking for a new LRM chassis as I've used my cats so much that they are getting old.

I've been looking at a Griffin 1n or 3m lately, but have yet to decide for sure. Both chassis allow for 40+ tubes which is much more than any thunderbolt chassis as well as a small profile and good speed at the cost of available tonnage. I've tried boating with the 9SE and couldn't ever get a feel for it (too big and slow).

The Griffin would be something like this: GRF-1N

I have been also considering an Orion-M with 41 tubes and 75 tones to work with. Speed will be similar to the thunderbolt if not a bit slower, but it is a lot narrower.

This is the Orion I've been considering: ON1-Missile

Of course I am assuming that you are looking for alternative builds and not obvious missile boats like the cat or stalker.

[Tesunie]

Oh, I have a ton of builds that would fit some of these things, and I've been having a lot of luck in, before the LRM speed boost too.

Stalker 3F: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1b0fed418ebb28e
Griffin 3M: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c4acc2e2546a287
Thunderbolt 5S: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1e01d025e505557
Shadowhawk 2H: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f9634c0c93c9903
Wolverine 7K: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d4aee549656bb43 (Untested)
Catauplt 1A: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...445ae491b5bf9cf (Untested)


I've been doing similar loadouts for a while now... so the LRM patch hasn't changed my concepts on mechs for a while...
(First mech I piloted: Hunchback 4SP: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...bb0bc827b009caf )

[Triordinant]

I prefer not to use XL engines in anything bigger (and slower) than a light 'mech. A medium mech with the LRM firepower of a heavy sounds like a great idea, however -especially since weight class limits are coming.

Edited by Triordinant, 18 March 2014 - 06:26 PM.

[Prezimonto]

I"m actually quite fond my of SHD-2D2 with LRM's. It's pretty decent, and can pack an NARC instead of the TAG.

[Monky]

Prezimonto, on 18 March 2014 - 06:29 PM, said:

I"m actually quite fond my of SHD-2D2 with LRM's. It's pretty decent, and can pack an NARC instead of the TAG.

That's what I'm using now since I haven't put down cash for a 9SE, and it is working reasonably well. I do 4x LRM5 instead of 3x5 + narc however, and no Artemis currently.

Edited by Monky, 18 March 2014 - 06:49 PM.

[Tesunie]

Triordinant, on 18 March 2014 - 06:24 PM, said:

I prefer not to use XL engines in anything bigger (and slower) than a light 'mech. A medium mech with the LRM firepower of a heavy sounds like a great idea, however -especially since weight class limits are coming.

I hesitate on anything larger than a Light mech as well. Mediums are acceptable. Beyond that... it's a mech by mech basis, with most going as a "no". (Dragon, Quickdraw, Battlemaster to name a few "yes".)

[Walks_In_Circles]

Prezimonto, on 18 March 2014 - 06:29 PM, said:

I"m actually quite fond my of SHD-2D2 with LRM's. It's pretty decent, and can pack an NARC instead of the TAG.

I mastered my 2D2 boating missiles, but in the end I couldn't get past the 10 tube limit for the LRMs and sold it once mastered. for a missile-centric chassis, I like to keep the number of missiles I can fire at once no less than 30 (I usually use 2x LRM15).

As for XLs, it's always a mech-by-mech basis for me, however, as a boat, you won't be in the thick of things and will need the extra tonnage for ammo. All my cats use an XL as well as my ravens because the side torsos are so small and rarely get crited.

Edited by Hrothmar, 18 March 2014 - 06:51 PM.

[Prezimonto]

Hrothmar, on 18 March 2014 - 06:46 PM, said:

I mastered my 2D2 boating missiles, but in the end I couldn't get past the 10 tube limit for the LRMs and sold it once mastered. for a missile-centric chassis, I like to keep the number of missiles I can fire at once no less than 30 (I usually use 2x LRM15).

As for XLs, it's always a mech-by-mech basis for me, however, as a boat, you won't be in the thick of things and will need the extra tonnage for ammo. All my cats use an XL as well as my ravens because the side torsos are so small and rarely get crited.

I generally agree. Less that 30 tubes is usually pointless. The high mobility of the 2D2 helps compensate though, and I find that I can ridge hump with a little spotting or NARC assist (and I can pack a NARC) to drop a consistent 400 damage on mechs, all without major exposure on my own part. It's really and exception and again highlights the extreme versatility of that chassis in my experience.

[Walks_In_Circles]

Prezimonto, on 18 March 2014 - 06:54 PM, said:

I generally agree. Less that 30 tubes is usually pointless. The high mobility of the 2D2 helps compensate though, and I find that I can ridge hump with a little spotting or NARC assist (and I can pack a NARC) to drop a consistent 400 damage on mechs, all without major exposure on my own part. It's really and exception and again highlights the extreme versatility of that chassis in my experience.

Took the words from my mouth. Versatile? Fast? consistent? Yes! But the feel of the mech is all wrong to me. A jack of all trades as it were.

EDIT: A good mech, don't get me wrong, but perhaps not the best missile boat out there.

Edited by Hrothmar, 18 March 2014 - 07:03 PM.

[Monky]

Hrothmar, on 18 March 2014 - 07:00 PM, said:

Took the words from my mouth. Versatile? Fast? consistent? Yes! But the feel of the mech is all wrong to me. A jack of all trades as it were.

EDIT: A good mech, don't get me wrong, but perhaps not the best missile boat out there.

I agree - it isn't the best missile boat, but its manueverablity makes it flexible enough to push 5-6 hundred a game at a minimum so long as you aren't being steamrolled, while using an LRM build.

[Walks_In_Circles]

Hrothmar, on 18 March 2014 - 06:11 PM, said:

I like what you said about putting the tag on an arm, and I agree with it's usefulness. As for survivability, I tend to choose low profile, fast, mechs for my boating. The bane of most missile boats is not being able to get in a good position fast enough, or simply being left behind. The thunderbolt is just too big for my taste and has too broad of side torsos for me to feel comfortable with an XL. I too am looking for a new LRM chassis as I've used my cats so much that they are getting old.

I've been looking at a Griffin 1n or 3m lately, but have yet to decide for sure. Both chassis allow for 40+ tubes which is much more than any thunderbolt chassis as well as a small profile and good speed at the cost of available tonnage. I've tried boating with the 9SE and couldn't ever get a feel for it (too big and slow).

The Griffin would be something like this: GRF-1N

I have been also considering an Orion-M with 41 tubes and 75 tones to work with. Speed will be similar to the thunderbolt if not a bit slower, but it is a lot narrower.

This is the Orion I've been considering: ON1-Missile

Of course I am assuming that you are looking for alternative builds and not obvious missile boats like the cat or stalker.

I tested the Orion build from my previous post, and I must say: Amaze. I have a new favorite mech for sure. It's a bit spendy (you could buy a DDC), but man is it a good missile build. I highly recommend it.

Here's some other variations I've been playing with:
ON1-Missile II
ON1-Missile III

Edited by Hrothmar, 21 March 2014 - 07:14 PM.

[MischiefSC]

I've yet to see anything compete with either the Stalker or HGN 733 missile builds. 50-70 tubes, the HGN has JJs. Plus they have lasers to backup and tag, most carry 1800-2100 LRMs.