Looking For Easy-Play Medium For My Daughter
#1
Posted 25 March 2014 - 10:30 AM
I just sold my third HBK, not needing it any more. That opens up one more slot for a new mech, and I told her I would let her pick one out.
That being said, I'd like to encourage her to get one that has some specific qualities that I think would be helpful for an inexperienced gamer her age.
First, she wants something that either is a medium mech, or feels like a medium mech from a speed/maneuverability standpoint. I support this. She's still getting used to cover, although she's getting better at backing up larger teammate mechs (without getting in their way if they want to retreat). So she wants something that feels maneuverable so that it's easier to get to her teammates on the map and get out of the line of fire, especially when she makes a mistake.
Second, I'd like her to have something that uses mostly beam weapons but is very, very forgiving on heat management. Again, not being an experienced gamer, she's not well-versed yet on leading her targets, so ballistics are something we'll work her into. And missiles, being good at that takes a better understanding of positioning and patience than I think she's interested in at this point. With lasers you get the target lined up, in range, and pew pew.
Jump jets optional.
Once I get my elites on Cata I'll buy two other variants of whatever we get here so that we can get the efficiency bonus.
Thoughts? Medium mech, mainly laser-based, forgiving heat management build. I'd give her my HBK 4P with a modified build but I think I'd prefer something for her that doesn't just have a big SHOOT ME target on it carrying most of her weapons, and besides I think she wants something she considers "hers".
Potential candidates: BJ-1X, CN9-AL, HBK-4SP, TBT-5J, WVR-6K. There's a number of missile hardpoints in there, but I think we can tinker with them to focus on the energy weapons with additional heat management, max armor, AMS. Part of why I'm posting is because I'm still fairly new myself so I don't have experience with some of these chassis.
Thanks much!
#2
Posted 25 March 2014 - 10:51 AM
The Hunchback chassis has some variety (one with 9 medium lasers), and solid armor to compensate for positioning mistakes. That said, heat management is a big deal, so better get doubles.
I would also suggest the Raven light mech, too. ECM allows your daughter to contribute directly to heavier, slower mechs, while also being able to pack some large lasers so she feels like she is contributing to the damage charts from a safe distance as well. Teamwork is great for a young person to learn early.
Good luck in her gaming!
Edited by Guilty Gun, 25 March 2014 - 10:53 AM.
#3
Posted 25 March 2014 - 10:52 AM
In Mediums, it's a 55 tonner or nothing for the easier mechs to play, I know how everyone has their pet builds, but I'm considering what you see competatively. I'm not saying load it out as a meta, but the chassis are the most survivable.
The safest style of gameplay is still an LRM mech or poptart. the hardest is brawling assault or light. LRMs is the way to start learning this game though. Don't let the die hards tell you otherwise.
#4
Posted 25 March 2014 - 10:55 AM
#5
Posted 25 March 2014 - 10:56 AM
JimEvolved, on 25 March 2014 - 10:30 AM, said:
Kjudoon, on 25 March 2014 - 10:52 AM, said:
Out of the list I find myself leaning towards the Trench-bucket -and I am not sure why as I have yet to use them, or even really see them get used.
Before he went to college I ran with a fellow who used them regularly - and while you probably won't be using his builds, they did make a fairly good support mech. (that was before the 55 ton mechs though - so no idea how they relate now)
If nothing else, it would probably label her as a low priority target.
The CN9-AL is also fairly solid - but probably would work better as a light hunter.
#6
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:00 AM
I don't recommend the BJ-1X or Cicadas because breaking cover to get in a brawl is very dangerous right now with all the missile spam.
ECM Spiders last a long time on the battlefield, you should definitely consider that for her.
Edited by Spheroid, 25 March 2014 - 11:03 AM.
#7
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:02 AM
#8
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:14 AM
if you want her to do well but build no skill whatsoever get her a LRM boat.
#9
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:20 AM
Getting away from durability I might suggest Raven 3L since it has ECM.....I keep looking for something else like Quickdraw 5k or Cat K2 but you really need XLs for a new player and taking durability and standard engines into consideration I keep going back to hunchbacks and centurions, hard to go wrong with either of those.
#10
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:27 AM
Just a pair of Large Lasers on a highly maneuverable platform with good visibility. Doesn't much better than that to learn on.
(just teach her to twist away (roll with the punch) when being attacked -- good advise for real life as well)
Edited by focuspark, 25 March 2014 - 11:28 AM.
#12
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:34 AM
Edited by Spheroid, 25 March 2014 - 11:46 AM.
#13
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:35 AM
-skexy
#14
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:37 AM
Gtbuck, on 25 March 2014 - 11:20 AM, said:
Some of the worst advice I ever took on this site was using a Hunchie as my first mech.
Reasons why:
Slow
Main weapon located in RT which is easily shot off
brawling is difficult for new players
4sp needs to brawl but again no speed
SLOW!
XL engines are poor in them
#15
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:39 AM
Skexy also brings up a good point as well. The Cadet Bonus and 4 mechbays of her own to play with might be worth it.
edit: redundant wording.
Edited by Viken, 25 March 2014 - 11:43 AM.
#16
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:42 AM
Biggest STD engine, jump jets, AMS, 6 ML, 17 DHS.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...979ca71bcf69f81
Or if she'd like to have a Hunchback, 4J makes an excellent, fast and very cool 6 ML mech without the hunch. That's the beauty of it, strip the missiles and the hunch is completely gone.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e36dfef6c025334
#17
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:45 AM
Spheroid, on 25 March 2014 - 11:34 AM, said:
For you and I, yes - but the OP said this is for his new-to-mwo 10 yo daughter and specifically asked for lasers without heat issues.
#18
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:47 AM
A mech that acts like a medium but isn't a medium mech is a quickdraw or dragon that sports more armor than mediums.
#19
Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:53 AM
#20
Posted 25 March 2014 - 12:02 PM
As for her own account, which is a separate but important issue . . . that's less of a technical issue because obviously yes it would be nice for her to have her own bays and then I could focus on my own bays and stats, etc., and more of a parenting issue where we're still easing into the idea of still pretty young kids having their own accounts on social, connected games whose player base is mostly adults and where there isn't much of anything by way of parental controls. Which is fine, I don't expect a game like MWO to have tools like that beyond the terms of service, but it does mean I have to be aware that she could be directly exposed to stuff that is not intended for, or even appropriate for, someone who is that young. If she's playing under my account, the risks aren't eliminated but as a parent I have just a little bit more direct visibility and control over her activity. As she gets older, yes, she'll start to get her own accounts.
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