25 replies to this topic

[Koniving]

LookerM1r, on 26 April 2014 - 07:31 AM, said:

I want to get Atlas, I like good armor with reasonable firepower, but I am confused why there are 4 types, such as AS7-D, AS7-D-DC and so on
btw, from the 4 trial mechs I was doing my best with Hunchback

The trouble with rushing right to (starting with) an Atlas is that it tends to cost more than you get from the cadet bonus, and then upgrading it to compete with everyone else is an additional 1.5 million at the bare minimum. Usually about 4 million more.

Since you're good with a Hunchback, why not consider sticking with the Hunchback? It's a solid mech, and honestly a heck of a lot better custom built than the champion/trial version. Here's 3 video examples. 4G. 4P. 4J.

Other easy to use mechs that are cheap to start with include Griffin 3M, Shadowhawk 5M, and Wolverine 7K. All 3 come fully decked out at the start; change up weapons to suit yourself and have fun.

An Atlas to give you an idea of the most basic upgrades and the overall expense... Here's 2 Smurfy builds with only the most basic upgrades and some extra ammunition.
Atlas D.
Atlas D-DC (stands for dual cockpit; not that it matters here).
And the other two are pretty nasty on the wallet too. Then there's the whole learning positioning, the fact that you will die from mistakes and be unable to correct them on the fly. Lots of issues.

Edit: Sounded weird when I read my first sentence. Added some words.

Edited by Koniving, 27 April 2014 - 01:57 PM.

[Dragonfett]

I would personally try to get more used to piloting lighter faster mechs than the Atlas first and work on learning how to aim before going for an Atlas, but then that is just me. I don't even have any assault class mechs yet.

[Appogee]

ShadowHawks are great first Mechs ... fast enough to get you around, enough armor to keep you alive, diverse weapon loadout possibilities, and all the variants are viable in their own ways.

Atlases are good once you're good at the game. But I've seen many new players who get angry when they find they're not indestructible tanks like they were expecting, and who get frustrated when they frequently get killed by Lights.

Come Tuesday, there will be a lot lighter Mechs in the game, and Mediums will be even more viable than they were.

[Xmith]

The reason why a lot of new pilots have trouble at first is because they don't know what role they want to play at first.

If you want to be a killer, get an assault or a heavy mech. A lot of pilots frustration are due to the inability to find their play style and choose the right mech for their particular way of playing.

Light and medium pilots should not expect to get kills when they believe they should. They are best used as support for the killers. To these pilots, killing should be secondary to them.

I wanted to be killer. Lights and mediums were never considered. My killing and high damage mechs are the AS7-D-DC, JM6-S, JMS-DD, JM6-FB.

[Not A Real RAbbi]

I've really learned to believe that medium mechs (other than CDAs) are your best bet starting out, and Koniving pointed out the biggest reason. POSITION.

Assault mechs can take a pounding, but if you're getting focused by 3 or more reasonably-powerful enemies, you WILL be dead in 30 seconds or less. I've seen a fresh AS7 taken down in under 15--was AFK at drop, and found himself last man facing a LOT of enemy mechs. They're usually too slow to be able to maneuver independently.

Lights have the opposite problem. They're too FAST to stay put with the crowd, and the tendency is to overextend and get in a very bad position. With thin armor, one wrong turn is usually all it takes to end a light pilot's day.

CN9s and HBKs are GREAT starter mechs. Not too fast, nor too slow. Not too powerful, but not helpless. Not exactly tanks, but not all that squishy.

Run some of those HBK builds above. See what they do to fit into the team, how they support other mechs, and how they need support from other mechs. What feels like it's holding you back? Speed? Armor? Long-range punch? Figure it out, then pick a mech that does that thing better, and make that the next chassis you buy.

[Nik Van Rhijn]

Also, if you use Smurfy to play around with possible builds, the top right hand corner has the price of the fitted out mech in C-bills. This is important to remember as you will need 3 variants to "level" them up. It's why a medium is a good starter as they are cheaper. remember that you can swap engines etc in the mechlab until you have enough money to keep them fully built.
Another thing to remember is to fit ammo for ballistics, missiles (making sure its the right type) and for AMS (anti missile system) if fitted.
I'm biased as a confirmed medium pilot but I would recommend Shadowhawks as a beginner, preferably one with a decent XL as standard as XL engines are a big cost.