47 replies to this topic

[torytrae74]

Hi guys,

I am back to this game after not playing it ... well ... since shortly after release I guess.
And boy it got tough. Most people playing seem to be regulars with lots of experience and sometimes I totally do not know what to do.

I only do random solo drops - and still learing a lot about loadouts, new weapon balancings etc.

Still - most battles I get torn to pieces within seconds only delivering around 200 dmg - so I guess its all about missing situational awareness. Getting seperated from the group - not paying too much attention ... dont know.

Any useful tips for me?

If I play my IM with 3 AC5, 2 LL and follow the assault group for second line fire support - it works fine most of the time averaging around 400-500 dmg ...

Whenever I try to utilize my founder Atlas I horribly fail though. I tested every possible loadout but get shredded to pieces so fast all the time.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

Edited by Dakkath, 24 April 2014 - 09:35 AM.

[Jin Ma]

I think stick with group is best advice.

and for a new player, don't be the first to stick your head out let the atlases be the taunt dummy, people are more than happy to shoot those

Edited by Jin Ma, 24 April 2014 - 06:36 AM.

[oldradagast]

Welcome back!

The game is tough, but fun.

What loadout do you have on that Founder's Atlas? It may help us offer some recommendations.

For my Atlas's, I personally run a mix of lasers, an AC20, and some LRM's, but I don't hide in the back just LRM'ing things. The challenge with assault mechs is that they are slow and big targets, so you have to know where you're going and what you'll do when you get there. You can't just race around the battlefield from one hot spot to another - once your committed, it takes a long time to walk back to the group, and you cannot run away from a fight. That's why I have the LRM's on them - I can hover near the middle of the formation, waiting for a good time to advance, while still raining LRM's down on the enemy. As the group starts to push in a direction, I move along with them, acting as the big, annoying thing that won't die. But don't lead the charge in a big assault mech unless you are quite certain of victory. You should be near the front, sure, but you're not the guy who pokes his head around a corner to see how bad it is, nor the guy who tries to be the point of the spear because you're too slow to disengage and too big a target to be "unkillable" if your the only thing to shoot.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Edited by oldradagast, 24 April 2014 - 06:39 AM.

[AlmightyAeng]

torytrae74, on 24 April 2014 - 06:32 AM, said:

Hi guys,

I am back to this game after not playing it ... well ... since shortly after release I guess.
And boy it got tough. Most people playing seem to be regulars with lots of experience and sometimes I totally do not know what to do. Use those big arms of yours to soak damage by torso twisting...and DON'T get caught alone.

I only do random solo drops - and still learing a lot about loadouts, new weapon balancings etc.

Still - most battles I get torn to pieces within seconds only delivering around 200 dmg - so I guess its all about missing situational awareness. Getting seperated from the group - not paying too much attention ... dont know.

Any useful tips for me?

If I play my IM with 3 AC5, 2 LL and follow the assault group for second line fire support - it works fine most of the time averaging around 400-500 dmg ...

Whenever I try to utilize my founder Atlas I horribly fail though. I tested every possible loadout but get shredded to pieces so fast all the time.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

Well, if you're using your Founders as a brawler, it takes good timing to get your 'commit' to hit the enemy hardest and not just get focused down. Wait until post April 29th, and then see what your SRM's can do.

Situational awareness is a big key. Don't find yourself left alone. Move from cover to cover instead of backing up when you start taking fire. Always aim for a torso component you think will be a kill (sides on XL's, CT on standards...which you come to recognize via loadouts).

If you're playing a support role (like with the Ilya you mentioned) don't always be the first guy to fire. It draws attention to your big gun, low endurance mech. Let someone else take the first couple, then add your firepower to his, helping him take out his target.

Edited by Ghost Badger, 24 April 2014 - 06:39 AM.

[Joseph Mallan]

torytrae74, on 24 April 2014 - 06:32 AM, said:

Hi guys,

I am back to this game after not playing it ... well ... since shortly after release I guess.
And boy it got tough. Most people playing seem to be regulars with lots of experience and sometimes I totally do not know what to do.

I only do random solo drops - and still learing a lot about loadouts, new weapon balancings etc.

Still - most battles I get torn to pieces within seconds only delivering around 200 dmg - so I guess its all about missing situational awareness. Getting seperated from the group - not paying too much attention ... dont know.

Any useful tips for me?

If I play my IM with 3 AC5, 2 LL and follow the assault group for second line fire support - it works fine most of the time averaging around 400-500 dmg ...

Whenever I try to utilize my founder Atlas I horribly fail though. I tested every possible loadout but get shredded to pieces so fast all the time.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

Remind your team of your top speed... or lack there of. Do try to stay close to your other Assaults. Check your stats. Bring the weapons you have high hit rates with, damage on target is important. I know its Meta, but dang it your an Atlas so bring the PPC/AC combo, You are MEANT to bring lots of pain, so do it and let the whine flow.

Jin Ma, on 24 April 2014 - 06:35 AM, said:

I think stick with group is best advice.

and for a new player, don't be the first to stick your head out let the atlases be the taunt dummy, people are more than happy to shoot those

Its hard to stick with the group when the group is 50% faster than you!

[torytrae74]

Well I learned the hard way already that beeing an Assault Mech does NOT mean you should be the first poking over that hill ... that thing turns like an oil tanker and will never get into cover again without beeing cored.

My recent loadout uses 2 AC5, LRM20+15+artemis, 4ML and 350 standard (never use XL in assaults).
I also tried a Gauss and some SRM4 + ML but the Gauss charge timer is new - have to get used to this first.
My AC20 / LRM 20 / SRM 6 / 4ML standard layout gets blown to pieces in brawls within seconds. Probably because I am always trying to spearhead ... not a good idea.

I could also try 2 PPC in the arms and some AC in the torso for some fire support. I usually always use AMS on any mech though by default if possible.

Thanks for the feedback so far

[Bhael Fire]

OP: If you're pulling 400-500 damage per match then it sounds like you're doing a lot better than you're giving yourself credit for.

[torytrae74]

Well in a good match - thats not the average. Its a good match in my IM when noone is focus firing on me.
On my atlas sometimes its only around 150 in a bad match And about 400 in a rare very good match.

[Kyynele]

Sounds to me like the problem is with the Founders' Atlas?

Honestly, I think Atlases aren't that great assaults. They're slow, huge targets, it's easy to concentrate fire on specific torso parts, the hardpoints are mostly low and many assaults can outgun them because of more and better located hardpoints. If it weren't for the D-DC's ECM, I'd bet Atlases would be much more rare on the field.

If you insist on playing Atlases and want to do well... Firstly, you do have full efficiencies, right? They make a huge difference, and Atlases are so clumsy you want all the help you can get. Secondly, if you have full efficiencies, you probably have D-DC as well. I'd consider concentrating on that first since it has obvious advantage in the game over the D(F). If you're trying to get better, the first thing I'd do is make sure I'm not gimping myself by playing the harder variant.

[AlmightyAeng]

torytrae74, on 24 April 2014 - 06:49 AM, said:

Well I learned the hard way already that beeing an Assault Mech does NOT mean you should be the first poking over that hill ... that thing turns like an oil tanker and will never get into cover again without beeing cored.

My recent loadout uses 2 AC5, LRM20+15+artemis, 4ML and 350 standard (never use XL in assaults).
I also tried a Gauss and some SRM4 + ML but the Gauss charge timer is new - have to get used to this first.
My AC20 / LRM 20 / SRM 6 / 4ML standard layout gets blown to pieces in brawls within seconds. Probably because I am always trying to spearhead ... not a good idea.

I could also try 2 PPC in the arms and some AC in the torso for some fire support. I usually always use AMS on any mech though by default if possible.

Thanks for the feedback so far

You don't want to spearhead with 2 AC5, LRM20+15+artemis, 4ML and 350. In that build, for the first part of the match, be either the base of the spearhead, or the shaft. Unload your LRM's first, because once you get "in the brawl" they'll be useless. Don't hang back at the VERY END the whole match...be somewhere in the middle. Send in LRM's and when something gets in closer unload those 2 AC5 and 4 ML into a center torso to assist in the kill.

LRM the first half of the match, in a group, play roving cleanup the second half. NEVER be frontman in that build unless your team is already whittled down to you and a couple others.

Edited by Ghost Badger, 24 April 2014 - 06:57 AM.

[torytrae74]

No, I only have the founders Atlas - level 1 skills. No other atlas or any other skills yet.
I do not have the CBills to buy a second one yet.

The only two mechs with Elite are the Cataphracts and the Jenner. I did pilot my founder Jenner a lot back in the days and usually did very well in it ... but as I do not know most of the new maps or new mechs its too risky to go with a light mech randomly over the map.

[LoneMaverick]

Kyynele, on 24 April 2014 - 06:55 AM, said:

Sounds to me like the problem is with the Founders' Atlas?

Honestly, I think Atlases aren't that great assaults. They're slow, huge targets, it's easy to concentrate fire on specific torso parts, the hardpoints are mostly low and many assaults can outgun them because of more and better located hardpoints. If it weren't for the D-DC's ECM, I'd bet Atlases would be much more rare on the field.

If you insist on playing Atlases and want to do well... Firstly, you do have full efficiencies, right? They make a huge difference, and Atlases are so clumsy you want all the help you can get. Secondly, if you have full efficiencies, you probably have D-DC as well. I'd consider concentrating on that first since it has obvious advantage in the game over the D(F). If you're trying to get better, the first thing I'd do is make sure I'm not gimping myself by playing the harder variant.

All of this!

In the current state of the game, a non-DDC Atlas is just a really big target for LRMs and long range front-loaded damage, pretty much insuring that by the time you actually get to where you can do some good, you're lucky to have half your mech unless you're reading the flow of battle really well.

As Kyynele here says, are your Atlases not mastered? if so, grab a AS7-D-DC with your next fistful of C-bills, if you already have one, then run him a couple games instead, there's quite a difference.

Also some helpful resources if you haven't found these yet:
http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/
http://www.mechspecs...forum/index.php
http://4x.reddit.com/r/OutreachHPG/

[torytrae74]

Ok, so basically running the Muromets until I can afford a D-DC then?
At least it is elite and has a cbill boost.

I was also pulling out my founder Catapult with 2 LRM15 artemis + 4ML to give some support - but it seems that either I use LRMs wrong or I do something else wrong - I only do about 20% of the LRM loadout damage. So like 200 if I fire all 1000 rockets - seems to be a bit low. Maybe going LRM builds (atlas + pult) is not a good idea for me.

[Durandal]

Check out the MechSpecs website, they can add some more info/loadout suggestions for you.

As for the rest, if you're pulling a 400-500 game, you've done well. 150 damage matches happen too, and in an Atlas, you're just going to have to settle for being more vulnerable than you might think. I LOVE to find Atlases that have been abandoned by their faster teammates, they don't last long against my Jenner or Cicada 3M.

Of course, having just returned to the game a couple months back myself, I can say that having patience is key for you...like anything else, it takes some practice to really get back into the flow. Once you're used to keeping the map in your peripheral vision, and adjusting your movement appropriately, you'll notice your score go up more and more. Until you get a team that doesn't care for their assaults, and leaves them to get eaten by light squads

[Why Run]

I PUG exclusively, as I have no friends. The key for me is one established, comfortable mech. From time to time swap chassis and play something else, but largely I'm in a Cataphract. I simply do not play enough to be good enough across multiple different platforms. If you're swapping mechs and primary weapons every game, but not playing often, it'll take longer to get use to the mechanics. Leading with a PPC vs. the current ACs is now much more different than it use to be. Once you get back into it, experiment for a few games with some new mechs and then go back to the staple. Better a master of one or two than a jack of all trades but only mediocre at all.

[Clit Beastwood]

torytrae74, on 24 April 2014 - 07:08 AM, said:

Ok, so basically running the Muromets until I can afford a D-DC then?
At least it is elite and has a cbill boost.

I was also pulling out my founder Catapult with 2 LRM15 artemis + 4ML to give some support - but it seems that either I use LRMs wrong or I do something else wrong - I only do about 20% of the LRM loadout damage. So like 200 if I fire all 1000 rockets - seems to be a bit low. Maybe going LRM builds (atlas + pult) is not a good idea for me.

You can always swing by our clan TS server. We've recently been playing with a new gamemode we call "The Bodyguard" where we protect someone. It's a hoot for us (I have 95 mechs all mastered, not much left to do - looking for fun anywhere we can find it!) and so far, whomever we're "protecting" is having a great time too. We've been doing it with either random pugs, or with one of our own that's trying to level a mech, etc. It'd be a win/win if you're interested, hit http://www.wbhmercs.com, our TS details are in there.. swing by, we'll tag you up as a friend, and let's go kill some robots!

For what it's worth, a DDC is probably a good starting point for an atlas... I'd purchase a DDC, figure out what loadout works on the DDC for you.. then build on that with your founder's atlas.

*personally* my atlas builds all center around LL and LBX for the most part. My RS is 4LL and an LBX, my DDC is 2LL 2LBX, etc. etc. - personally I'm a huge fan of direct fire, but do not enjoy missiles. Find what works for you, and don't be afraid to play with it

In all seriousness though, feel free to swing by our teamspeak. This isn't me plugging the clan, several of us just enjoy helping others. We adopt random pugs all the time, and give them the TS details after a drop. No pressure to join or anything, we've got a "friends" tag for a reason. Good luck, soldier!


Sidebar - maybe try watching some people on twitch.tv play.. I don't see many founders atlases (atlai?) streaming, but if you've been out of the loop for a while, it's a good way to catch up.

[torytrae74]

Thanks for that kind offer Fierostetz. I will visit your TS and see if there is a way to drop together (considering we are probably on different time zones).

But would be fun and really help me

[Mcgral18]

Never underestimate the power of torso twisting.

When your weapons are recycling, don't stare your opponents down; use that time to twist and show them an arm or a side torso. This helps you prevent CT damage or even protect your AC20. It helps you survive a bit longer.

[Nicholas Carlyle]

Definitely need to work on opening up the Elite's and Double Basic's.

It's super important, especially for Assaults.

For the IM...correct me if I'm wrong, but 2 LL and 3 AC5 is a lot of weaponry, might want to look at changing that load out a bit.

But basically...dropping solo is very random. So expect some deviation from game to game.

[Bobzilla]

It seems like you know what works and what doesn't, but maybe your attention is still too focused on controls and weapons so you lose some site of the situational aspect, which in your slow atlas means out of position then dead.

If you have a good grip on the hardest part of the game (knowing when to do what), then just practice until you get aiming and piloting down to muscle memory, and you'll be able to pay better attention to the situation and not get stuck in bad ones.