16 replies to this topic

[MechLord71]

I am debating between the 2 hero mechs (Ilya and Protector) that are on ale this weekend. I am a Founder, but really have not played until last week believe it or not. I am doing okay (damage totals and kills going up - slowly but going up).

Right now I enjoy my Cataphract-2X and Jagermech JMS-6 mechs quite a bit. I also have a Dragon Slayer, purchased in some sale a long time back, but the Dragonslayer seems to a be a bit hit or miss for me. Some games I do well, other games I barely break 100 damage. As for my Thunderbolt 5S, I really cannot get him to fit for some reason. I like his look, but I have tried so many loadouts to get him to work, but he always falls short compared to the others.

Anyway, that is my background. I want a flexible all around mech that can absorb some damage. I would like a mech whose hardpoints will allow it to stay viable even as the flavor of the month changes from certain weapon types to others. What would you experienced folks recommend? Ilya? Protector? Neither?

The other mechs I am seriously considering are the Highlander 733C or Banshee 3E (leaning toward Banshee), but I would like to wait for them to go on sale.

Sorry for the long post and thanks!

[theta123]

If you want flexibility, go Protector

[Bishop Steiner]

MechLord71, on 29 March 2014 - 05:52 AM, said:

I am debating between the 2 hero mechs (Ilya and Protector) that are on ale this weekend. I am a Founder, but really have not played until last week believe it or not. I am doing okay (damage totals and kills going up - slowly but going up).

Right now I enjoy my Cataphract-2X and Jagermech JMS-6 mechs quite a bit. I also have a Dragon Slayer, purchased in some sale a long time back, but the Dragonslayer seems to a be a bit hit or miss for me. Some games I do well, other games I barely break 100 damage. As for my Thunderbolt 5S, I really cannot get him to fit for some reason. I like his look, but I have tried so many loadouts to get him to work, but he always falls short compared to the others.

Anyway, that is my background. I want a flexible all around mech that can absorb some damage. I would like a mech whose hardpoints will allow it to stay viable even as the flavor of the month changes from certain weapon types to others. What would you experienced folks recommend? Ilya? Protector? Neither?

The other mechs I am seriously considering are the Highlander 733C or Banshee 3E (leaning toward Banshee), but I would like to wait for them to go on sale.

Sorry for the long post and thanks!

Both are worthy steeds.

The Ilya is one of the best brawlers in the game, and in open terrain, can snipe well, too. The Orion is more versatile, because the weapons on the ilya all tend to be pretty low mounted, whereas the missiles on the protector give it some ridge humping ability (depending on your choice of loadouts), and the torso weapon mounts are a little higher as primary weapons than the Ilya's.

Thing is, if you are already comfortable running Phracts, the Ilya should be a natural fit, and if you haven't mastered your 3 yet, I would definitely recommend it. The Triple UAC, triple LB-X builds are very nice, as is my "Hunter" build, centered around dual ac10, 2x mlasers and a 340 XL.

I think the Orion tends to be a little tougher (if you run XLs), but the Ilya usually can lay down damage faster, so it depends on build and play style. I have more matches in my Protector, but the Ilya is my top damage dealer, and tied for highest KDr.

For Assaults, I would categorically recommend AGAINST the Banshee, if you PUG. It is possibly the least agile mech in the game, and the thing cannot hill climb if your life depends on it (which it often does). Add into it the part where 2 out of 3 have no arm weapons, and you are all but dead if a Light Mech decides to circle you. If you run with a lance, that's not as big a concern (but bias the armor to the rear a bit more than normal).

Highlander is still a solid choice even after the Nerf. But I'd take the Ilya or Protector over either of the assault mechs.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 29 March 2014 - 06:24 AM.

[Fuggles]

MechLord71, on 29 March 2014 - 05:52 AM, said:

I am debating between the 2 hero mechs (Ilya and Protector) that are on ale this weekend.

I want a flexible all around mech that can absorb some damage. I would like a mech whose hardpoints will allow it to stay viable even as the flavor of the month changes from certain weapon types to others. What would you experienced folks recommend? Ilya? Protector? Neither?

You summed up the Orion and the protector variant perfectly. the ilya has been a beast for a long time but When the auto cannon nerf comes it might become very average.

The Orion is a sturdy mech with a great range of hard points

[MisterPlanetarian]

The Protector is good but it does not really offer anything you can't get from the regular orion. You only get a Standard 300 in the mech which while durable is not particularly expensive to buy separate. The High engine cap is pretty fun though if you have something big lying around.
Protector XL350 Loadout.

The muromets on the other hand have three ballistic hardpoints in three separate locations which makes it capable of stuff like 3x Ultra Autocannon 5 with the stock XL engine installed. Downsides include a wide torso profile and a low mounted weapons. Getting killed by side torso shots is relatively rare though as your CT hitbox is pretty big.

Ilya Muromets: XL 3xUAC5 Build.

Ilya Muromets: Standard 3xAC5 Build.


If you like Cataphracts i'd recommend the Ilya since you already have one. If not the Protector is not bad either. Its hardpoints are good for either long range or brawling if SRM's ever get fixed.

[MechLord71]

Thanks! All the advice has been very helpful.

[Kubernetes]

I do love the Protector (and all the Orions), but the Ilya may be the best hero mech in the game. On open ground I'd give the Ilya fair odds 1v1 against any mech save a Banshee 3E.

[Daekar]

After the hit box adjustments, the Protector has been more survivable. It is definitely XL friendly since I almost always still die to CT coring, but it's better. I fitted a Gauss Rifle and 3 Large Lasers to mine (could've done 2xAC/5 + 2xPPC but I'm lousy with PPCs) and have been having a good time.

My Ilya has almost always worn the 3xUAC/5 + 3xML build because I have had bad experiences with other fits. The low-slung weapons can be a gamebreaking liability, so using the face-melting DPS is really the only reason to run that chassis if you have a Jagermech.

Hard to say how the meta will shift after 3-3-3-3 drops are in or after AC nerfs strike... the Orion might be very desirable soon as the tankiest heavy, offering a miniature Atlas when no more than 3 assaults are allowed per company. I imagine I'll be very glad I invested in them despite their lack of jump jets.

[Bishop Steiner]

Kubernetes, on 29 March 2014 - 08:33 PM, said:

I do love the Protector (and all the Orions), but the Ilya may be the best hero mech in the game. On open ground I'd give the Ilya fair odds 1v1 against any mech save a Banshee 3E.

run a bigger engine in your Ilya, and the BNC-3E is no worry either, as it can't turn fast enough to track you. 86 kph in my Ilya.

[Tahribator]

MisterPlanetarian, on 29 March 2014 - 07:32 AM, said:

The Protector is good but it does not really offer anything you can't get from the regular orion.

The biggest advantage of the Protector is that it has that torso-mounted E hardpoint. It is mounted pretty high and just below the cockpit, so it allows you to shoot over cover and take low-exposure shots. Combined with the decently high mounted B slots, it can return fire in almost every situation. Other Orions have almost exclusively arm-mounted weaponry, and because the Orion's arms hang so low, they have to expose themselves fully every time they want to use their firepower. Just because of that, the Protector is the only Orion variant that can give direct fire support well, but that hardpoint is useful in pretty much every situation.

The other advantage is the Protector combines the "best of" the Orion variants in terms of hardpoints. It has 2B slots, 2M slots that have 30 tubes, which can be either used to boat LRMs or SRMs for brawling. 3E is a decent amount that taps into the "boating terroritory" of heavy energy weapons like LL,LPL or PPC. The build diversity it offers is huge and will keep you tinkering even months after buying it. Compare it to the other heroes which usually have just one "definitive" build and a few other quite terrible builds.

Once you have the Protector, there's absolutely no reason to use other Orion variants. It IS superior in pretty much every situation, except a few extreme boating cases. I use mine as a brawler, and I fully tap into it's advantages I listed above and I can safely say that it is my best brawler in this game, out of other 70 chassis' that I own. Once you master the hitboxes, there's no mech you can't defeat in brawls, including the Atlas. You just need to master its unique hitboxes.

PS: Never, ever, ever use XL's in your Orions. It tanks like a beast once you understand how its hitboxes work.

Edited by Tahribator, 30 March 2014 - 01:57 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

I have to disagree, I love my XL Orions. A lot of armor and guns to swing at 77kph. Anything lower than a 300 engine I find too sluggish. I suppose I run it a bit like a Summoner but without the Clan XL.

[Aim-Bot]

Ilya is the better shot its just a beast.

[Bishop Steiner]

Tahribator, on 30 March 2014 - 01:54 AM, said:

The biggest advantage of the Protector is that it has that torso-mounted E hardpoint. It is mounted pretty high and just below the cockpit, so it allows you to shoot over cover and take low-exposure shots. Combined with the decently high mounted B slots, it can return fire in almost every situation. Other Orions have almost exclusively arm-mounted weaponry, and because the Orion's arms hang so low, they have to expose themselves fully every time they want to use their firepower. Just because of that, the Protector is the only Orion variant that can give direct fire support well, but that hardpoint is useful in pretty much every situation.

The other advantage is the Protector combines the "best of" the Orion variants in terms of hardpoints. It has 2B slots, 2M slots that have 30 tubes, which can be either used to boat LRMs or SRMs for brawling. 3E is a decent amount that taps into the "boating terroritory" of heavy energy weapons like LL,LPL or PPC. The build diversity it offers is huge and will keep you tinkering even months after buying it. Compare it to the other heroes which usually have just one "definitive" build and a few other quite terrible builds.

Once you have the Protector, there's absolutely no reason to use other Orion variants. It IS superior in pretty much every situation, except a few extreme boating cases. I use mine as a brawler, and I fully tap into it's advantages I listed above and I can safely say that it is my best brawler in this game, out of other 70 chassis' that I own. Once you master the hitboxes, there's no mech you can't defeat in brawls, including the Atlas. You just need to master its unique hitboxes.

PS: Never, ever, ever use XL's in your Orions. It tanks like a beast once you understand how its hitboxes work.

I agree with everything but the last part.

Once one understands the hitboxes, it tanks well WITH an XL, and has the speed to disengage and twist to absorb damage better, while maintaining equal or greater firepower. Unless the loadout requires a Standard Engine (like mounting an ac20), I NEVER run one.

I learned as a Centy pilot, long ago, that unless one has barn door side torso, that extra 10-20 kph has saved my life more often than tanking. Even in Brawlers, which oftentimes have no capability to disengage when outgunned, if running a Standard. Sure I might survive to 16% before dying, but I still die. With that extra speed, I (usually) can live to fight another day.

Pretty sure my ON1-K was the only one I regularly ran an XL in, and I ended up swapping the ac20 for an LB-X, and went more into a "crit seeker" build.

Not saying your playstyle is not valid, just saying this is not a mech like the Stalker, Atlas or Hunchback where an XL is 99% suicide, but more like a Jager or Centy, where the viability of an XL depends entirely on playstyle.

[Amsro]

+1 Ilya , I am biased as I do not have orions, as well I'm very happy with dual gauss in the arms. 2nd Favorite mech besides the Heavy Metal.

[Kubernetes]

Tahribator, on 30 March 2014 - 01:54 AM, said:

Once you have the Protector, there's absolutely no reason to use other Orion variants.

Very much disagree with this. I also kept the VA (superior missile boat) and the K (mini-Atlas or Marauder-style builds). The Protector is great (I often run ERPPC, Gauss, 2 LL), but the other variants do certain builds better.

Quote

PS: Never, ever, ever use XL's in your Orions. It tanks like a beast once you understand how its hitboxes work.

Sorry, disagree with this too. Orions are fairly XL friendly. I only use std engines if I'm doing an AC20 build.

[Randall Flagg]

Ilya for sure. A few AC5s and a few medium lasers = beast.

Edited by BDU SKINLESS, 31 March 2014 - 03:28 AM.

[Karl Streiger]

With current "high" viable multi functional autocannons class 5 - the Ilya... to react better on changing Meta (or to build a Meta independent build the Orion)