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Looking For Easy-Play Medium For My Daughter


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#21 Barkem Squirrel

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 12:07 PM

Shadow hawks are dakka or missiles, Griffins are laser and Missile, and wolverines are a missile and laser,

there is one BJ with all missiles, but for later there are ones with AC's. Correction all lasers

Centurion, has one with 4 laser points and missiles.

Hunchbacks with 9 SPL's is fun or she can mix the colors. SPL. MPL, SL, ML, LL, LPL


You might want one of the Griffins - 1S or the Wolverine 6K. Both have jump jets to allow her to get out of bad spots, but they also allow for limited Missiles. May be SSRM's The griffin also has a big view port unlike the blinders on the shadow hawks. These two chassis may allow her to stay away from AC's but the one Wolverine has two ballistic hard points in the arm.

Just read the others, with recommending some LL's totally agree.

Edited by Barkem Squirrel, 27 March 2014 - 08:51 AM.


#22 Moonraven83

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 12:08 PM

HBK-4SP
HBK-4J no Missiles no Hunch
HBK-4H MGs are Lasers too

SHD-2H MGs are Lasers too
SHD-2D2
SHD-5M

#23 AlmightyAeng

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 12:13 PM

QKD-4H - Maneuverable, 96.5 kph, 3x streaks with bap (helpful for players learning to aim) 3 ML, 1 LL, JJ and AMS. Full armor -2 from the head.
For better heat, change the LL to a ML and upgrade the engine.

Edited by Ghost Badger, 25 March 2014 - 12:15 PM.


#24 Dawnstealer

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 12:23 PM

Not a medium, but get her a Jenner. They're great mechs, hard to hit, and pack a hell of a wallup.

#25 AlmightyAeng

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 12:46 PM

View PostDawnstealer, on 25 March 2014 - 12:23 PM, said:

Not a medium, but get her a Jenner. They're great mechs, hard to hit, and pack a hell of a wallup.


Hell, get the JR7-D in that case...it's basically the quickdraw I posted...but faster and with less armor :lol:

#26 ExplodedZombie

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 12:56 PM

Cicada-3M. If you don't make it as fast as a light, it has ECM, maneuverability, firepower. Perfect for someone learning.

Or just skip the learning and SHAWK!

#27 Kaputz

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 01:20 PM

Trenchbuckets are a rarity in the games current meta, but they are still quite functional. The 5J with its 5 JJ, and 5 energy hardpoints and 1 missile could fill your requirements quite nicely. It's a very maneuverable medium that can behave more like a light. It's also a great mech to learn Jumpjet usage on, as it again can handle like a light with the jumpjets and a proper engine.
TBT-5J Simplifed

Endo, double heatsinks 5 medium lasers and a std 300 with 4 external heatsinks and an ams with one ton of ammo to start with should be good for learning maneuvering and a bit of heat managment and the AMS will be welcome by any heavy's being escorted.

Bonus is that later you can set up an XL engine (once torso twisting has been learned) pick up an LRM 15 and a couple tons of ammo some more heatsinks or BAP, and your daughter can learn positioning and lrm usage in a more forgiving manner than boating. When it comes time for ballistics you can pick up a TBT-7k and continue eliting the lineup.

The speed and maneuverability also means it makes for a mean counter harrasser against lights. Especially if you go the BAP route for ECM countering.

#28 Aleski

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 06:11 AM

Hello everyone!


This is what i think : She is new, and want an easy mode. First : Don't take a Jenner or a Spider like some has said. Lights mech never forgive mistakes. It's too much frustrating for new players.


I'm a medium fan, and i have try many of them.

Trebuchet : i think it's not a good idea, you can made a good laser boat, but for the missile, Kintaro and Griffin will always be better. Far away better. This mech is design for LRM builds in priority.

Cicada : it's a very good mech, but it's the same mechanism of a light mech, Cicada has better armor but is bigger, this can be a problem with the new LRM speed. I will recommand the ECM Cicadas if you pick one, you will never regret it.

Blackjack : it should be a good way to go in order to made laser boat and try some ballistic buils. But if she wants to try missiles, avoid that one.

Centurion : it's a good way to try many different build, and the CN9-AL is a very good laser Centurion. If she likes missiles she can try some SRM, LRM and SSRM build on the other variants of the centurions. The hitboxes are better than the Hunchie too. And you can play a lot of build with standard engine, and when she will be more skilled, try the XL builds!

For a mix of Lasers and Missiles you can consider both of the Griffin and Wolverine. I will recommand the Griffin before the Wolverine, best cockpit in the game, huge maneuvrability... A good way to learn how to play well!

Shadowhawk : one of the best medium, the SHD-2D2 is good with the 4 missiles hardpoints but you can't made a laser boat with all of the Shadowhawk variants, so avoid it if you want to pew pew with lasers!

Conclusion : Go to Griffin and Centurion-AL in priority i think...


I hope i help you!

See you on battlefield.

#29 Clideb50

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 10:53 AM

I'd suggest the CN9-AL, the Cents as a whole are very good 'mechs for new players, especially with their tiny CTs (even after the nerf, they're still smaller than most CTs.) I'll admit I'm biased towards the Centurions since they're the 1st mech I owned in MWO.

For teaching her balistics, I'd suggest an LBX, not as valuable as other ACs in the meta (to hell with the meta anyway :)), but the spread makes accuracy a bit more forgiving.

I'd also suggest the Griffin 1S. The lasers are focused into the arm, and the missiles are in the left torso instead of the right. It has 4 energy hardpoints, and 2 missile hardpoints; allowing for a variety of builds (cqb, omni, or long range.)

I'll link some decent (in my opinion) starter builds for the AL. I'm still toying with the 1S so not sure how to spec it yet.

Oh and please tell her welcome to MWO.

EDIT:
CN9-AL starter (some relatively cheap mods to the standard AL, good start if on a small budget)

CN9-AL starter optimized ("Min-Maxed" so to speak, new engine, and uses all three upgrades. Not really cheap anymore.)

GRF-1S concept (something, I'm working towards building/upgrading myself. Idea is not tested so it may work or just blow up.)

*builds are all omni builds to allow long range, and close range combat. Nothing worse for a new player to be stuck on alpine with nothing but close range guns, or for a long range mech to slowly die at the hands of some light they can't fight back.

Edited by Regulus1990, 26 March 2014 - 11:39 AM.


#30 mogs01gt

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 12:26 PM

If I was a new player, I wish someone would have recommended a build like this:
TBT-5N
Its fast
good armor
has LRMs to get assists(new players need to stop trying to get lots of kills)
Has MLs to help with lights and other Med.

This mech could be made better quickly by adding in an XL and switching to lrm15s
TBT-5N

Edited by mogs01gt, 26 March 2014 - 12:29 PM.


#31 Osric Lancaster

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 12:48 PM

View PostJimEvolved, on 25 March 2014 - 12:02 PM, said:

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.


I think you'd get pretty much the same effect if she had her own account with a password you know tied to an email you control. Plus that way you're prepared for the eventuality that if / when you have two computers you can actually play the game with your kid. You don't want to kill your kid's interest by having any investment they have in your 'Mechs washed away when they start from scratch on their own account, either. Unless you plan to gift them your current account later I'd set them up with their own now.

Oh, and yes the ECM cicada's a good Medium.

Edited by Osric Lancaster, 26 March 2014 - 12:49 PM.


#32 jper4

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 01:03 PM

View Postarghmace, on 25 March 2014 - 11:42 AM, said:

You can't go wrong with BJ-3.
Biggest STD engine, jump jets, AMS, 6 ML, 17 DHS.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...979ca71bcf69f81




yeah the BJ-3 i'd say works a bit better than the 1X since the 1x with 8 lasers tends to run hot even though it's a bit faster because if things go bad the BJ-3 at least gives you JJs to get out of trouble a little easier sometimes than the 1X does. plus she might like jumping up on top of stuff and blasting away at the heads of all the mechs below her. just split the MLs into two groups left side/right side and there should be minimal heat issues to worry about (except on caustic maybe).

was one of my few original test builds that started working right off the bat for me.

#33 WeatherWitch

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:20 PM

I definitely back the suggestions for a CN-9AL It's a tough fun mech to run. With the ability to reach out and touch people at every range it will allow her to do something in any match.

I love Cents though, so I may be a bit biased.

The TDR-5S is a nice mix of the same qualities if you want to play with the build a bit. It's as fast as the Cent with 15 tons more weight to play with.

Edited by WeatherdoG, 26 March 2014 - 09:22 PM.


#34 L Y N X

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:37 PM

View PostJimEvolved, on 25 March 2014 - 12:02 PM, said:

Thanks so much to everyone for the good ideas to consider, lots of good content here to think about.

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.



Good Parent! Not to mention the TOS/EULA states 13 for minimum age of account ownership.

#35 Amsro

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:43 PM

View PostJimEvolved, on 25 March 2014 - 10:30 AM, said:

I have started to allow my daughter, 10, to play a few rounds of MWO on my account. She got through the tutorials ok . . . still learning to play, but you know how kids are she'll probably be better than me shortly. In the live rounds she's played, she's tried some of the trial mechs and also the mechs I own. I'm a pretty new player so I have 7 bays in which I currently have the CN9 reward from a couple weeks back, 3 Cataphracts on which I'm trying to get the Elite skills, and 2 HBKs (4P, GI) (having already gotten Master unlocked).

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!


The 5J is a decent energy boat with JJ for decent maneuverability and I tossed AMS in for missle defence. My personal favorite is the Trebuchet 3C. It plays a little more like a light mech, great speed to get in and out of cover and the Streak SRMs help vs lights. I also have used a faster 3C the Large Laser for some range/punch and 3 Mediums in the arms for accuracy.

Good Luck!

#36 Alaskan Nobody

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:44 PM

View Post7ynx, on 26 March 2014 - 09:37 PM, said:

Not to mention the TOS/EULA states 13 for minimum age of account ownership.

Oohh...forgot about that. >.<

Good call - and thanks for the reminder 7ynx

#37 Koniving

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:59 PM

View PostBarkem Squirrel, on 25 March 2014 - 12:07 PM, said:

there is one BJ with all missiles, but for later there are ones with AC's.


O.o;
The BJ with missiles (BJ-2) never made it into MWO.

#38 Koniving

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 10:11 PM

View PostJimEvolved, on 25 March 2014 - 10:30 AM, said:

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!


From this list, let's take a look at what kind of attention they will get as lots of attention means a quick death.

A Trebuchet, unfortunately, is the height of an Atlas and/or a Banshee. Sure it's skinny but there's no denying how freakishly tall it is.

The Centurion and Wolverine are about the same height to each other, but quite a bit shorter than a Trebuchet.

The Hunchback and Blackjack are about the same height as each other (but shorter than the Centurion and Wolverine).

Centurions and Hunchbacks work best up close.

Wolverines can be played either way. Blackjacks can be played either way. The 1X Blackjack is really fast which could be a benefit if she likes speed. It only has energy hardpoints though.

Great for this or sniping but that's about it. (Your pretty laser colors may vary).

If you're not confident in her ability to drive just yet perhaps consider a Wolverine. They can take a fair amount of abuse and if you remove the head laser you get a pretty clear view. Streaks and/or LRMs can be beneficial too.


This video is probably terrible for showing off my skills and due to language I wouldn't recommend your daughter hear it as you watch but it does feature wide-angle views of the cockpits of the Griffin, Wolverine, and Thunderbolt in back to back matches. From my channel you can find more videos on various mechs you just might find something good? Or at least a good view from the pilot's seat; something that I think is absolutely crucial when just starting in a game...being able to see what is going on.

Edited by Koniving, 28 March 2014 - 04:25 PM.


#39 Derpington Von Trollington

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 10:47 PM

View Postmogs01gt, on 26 March 2014 - 12:26 PM, said:

If I was a new player, I wish someone would have recommended a build like this:
TBT-5N
Its fast
good armor
has LRMs to get assists(new players need to stop trying to get lots of kills)
Has MLs to help with lights and other Med.

This mech could be made better quickly by adding in an XL and switching to lrm15s
TBT-5N

Dude, you say the hunchback is SLOW, but your builds have the same speed as my slowest hunchback (not saying that they are bad).

I would give her a Hunchback 4sp, arm mounted lasers, no hunch, can mount lrms, srms, or streaks.

HBK-4SP Same speed as the above trebuchet but one more lazor.
Fast "in your face" srm brawler HBK-4SP

For streaks a kintaro or trebuchet is better.

@mogs01gt i think you should give hunchbacks a second chance, they aren't as bad as you belive.

Edited by Derpington Von Trollington, 26 March 2014 - 10:51 PM.


#40 mogs01gt

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Posted 27 March 2014 - 05:33 AM

View PostDerpington Von Trollington, on 26 March 2014 - 10:47 PM, said:

Dude, you say the hunchback is SLOW, but your builds have the same speed as my slowest hunchback (not saying that they are bad).I would give her a Hunchback 4sp, arm mounted lasers, no hunch, can mount lrms, srms, or streaks.
HBK-4SP Same speed as the above trebuchet but one more lazor.
Fast "in your face" srm brawler HBK-4SP
For streaks a kintaro or trebuchet is better.
@mogs01gt i think you should give hunchbacks a second chance, they aren't as bad as you belive.

and here we go...

All Hunchies, except for the Champion, come STOCK with a 200std engine. The Trebs come STOCK with a 250........How is the Hunchie as fast as Treb with a smaller engine STOCK!!!!

The 4sp is the one of the worst mechs for a new player. Its slow, it wants to brawl with SRMs which have hit detection issues. The only thing a 4sp can do right now is rain down fire with LRM 10s and the Treb is 100x better at doing it.

Edited by mogs01gt, 27 March 2014 - 05:36 AM.






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