16 replies to this topic

[Tereva]

Hey guys,

I usually like it close and personal (struggling to stay behind with my ravens ) so I am wondering what chassis are at their best at close range ?

I guess the Cataphract and all the lights (at the exception of most Raven I guess). What else ?

Thx

Edited by Tereva, 09 May 2014 - 11:38 PM.

[crossflip]

Hunchback, hell yeah baby. One of the most fun and versatile brawler chassis.

[Modo44]

Two assaults can introduce your face to AC20+SRM18 (Atlas D-DC, Highlander 733C). AC20+2xLL or AC20+MLs+missiles will fit on any Cataphract or Orion. You can, of course, try that with mediums, but they usually require more positioning and standoff play (too squishy to really duke it out).

Edited by Modo44, 10 May 2014 - 12:08 AM.

[Rear Admiral Tier 6]

Kintaro 18 with 5 streaks,BAP and beefy XL engine,lasers optional but recommended backup,pack at least 6 tons of ammo AND CHAIN FIRE.
If you just want to annoy the big guys,use the stock STD-engine instead.

Brawlertaro

Upgrade to XL if you like the chassis,and splat those squirrels.Smaller one if you want large lasers for range,and 360 if you want catch every pesky lolcust.

crossflip, on 09 May 2014 - 11:40 PM, said:

Hunchback, hell yeah baby. One of the most fun and versatile brawler chassis.

Also very cheap to kit out,highly recommended,was my first chassis and i liked it a lot.

[Durant Carlyle]

Jenners, Spiders, Firestarters, Ravens, Commandos, Locusts, Cicadas, Blackjacks, Centurions, Hunchbacks, Trebuchets, Griffins, Shadow Hawks, Wolverines, Kintaros, etc.

Yes, i just listed all of the light and medium 'Mechs. They can all be fitted to be close-range 'Mechs. I have either run them as such effectively myself, or seen them run effectively on the battlefield.

Many heavies and assaults can also be built to be brawlers.

[Redshift2k5]

Cataphracts are typically used at long range.

If you're going to fight at close range, ti had better be for a good reason, and your particular reason will affect what mechs/loadouts will apply. The danger in being short range is, if you get spotted by long range enemies, you may die before ever getting into range.

Light mechs stuffed full of medium lasers, machineguns, or streaks certainly function well but rely on good maneuvering and situational awareness- you can't simply run headlong into the enemy, even in a max speed Jenner.

some classic short-range mediums include the Hunchback 4P with a pile of medium lasers or a Hunchback with an AC20, Centurion with 3 SRM6s in the left torso, etc- very limited range mechs, but perform well as ambushers, escorts, and skirmishers. You don't want to be anyone's primary target in a Medium mech!

Shortrange Heavies tend to be mechs like dual AC-20s, extremely deadly when within their nominal range, but a fairly big target and they tend to require an XL engine to handle the heft of dual AC20s.

Some Assault mechs will focus on shortrange, but generally they have the tonnage to bring a bunch of short range weapons and long range.

---

For mechs that I play that have short range weaponry, they tend to still have at least one long or mid range weapon, so you don't get stuck in a situation where you can never get within range of the enemy. Large lasers work great at close range and mid range, or an Ultra/ac5 brings significant DPS out to 600 meters and is much lighter than, say, two AC5s.

[Tereva]

Ok guys, thx for the tips.

I was wondering if there was a chassis specifically known as being close range (apart from the light of course). So there is the hunchy. Hum...for no valid reason I am not a big fan of it.

Thx guys

[DEMAX51]

A few more options:

The SplatCat - A1 catapult with 6 ASRM 6s. Huge Alpha Strike, and with adjustments to SRM hit detection this Mech might see a comeback soon.

The Zombie Centurian - Cent with two medium lasers on the CT and 3 SRM 6s in one of the side torsos. With a standard engine it's a pretty hearty Mech, and the arms make good shields since there're no weapons on them.

The dual AC20 Jaeger/K2 Catapult - absolutely massive pinpoint damage at close range. Get good enough with your aim and you'll core a Light in one shot, and most Mediums/Heavies in two. Both 'Mechs are a bit squishy, and enemies will focus you when they see how big of a threat you are, but with good positioning these builds are lethal. Personally, I prefer the Jaeger for the higher hardpoints for hill-humping, and since the weapons are on the arms you've got better up/down aiming ability.

The Blackjack-1 with 3 medium lasers and an AC20 makes a good skirmish/brawler, and is very fast/mobile with jumpjets. Great 'Mech for "pop-brawling" where you use your JJs to peek over a hill and pop off an Alpha before dropping back behind cover - then change position, rinse and repeat.

Edited by DEMAX51, 10 May 2014 - 10:48 AM.

[luxebo]

Tereva, on 10 May 2014 - 09:30 AM, said:

Ok guys, thx for the tips.

I was wondering if there was a chassis specifically known as being close range (apart from the light of course). So there is the hunchy. Hum...for no valid reason I am not a big fan of it.

Thx guys

I think since you played the Orions already, you might want to give a try with the Hunchie, especially since Orions commonly lose their torsos, so you can really torso twist and protect the big hunch. Give a try with the HBK-4P(C) and see how you like that guy, it's very effective when used well.

Oh, and Ravens can easily be used as brawlers. 2xML 2xSSRMs 1xTAG RVN-3L works wonders, along with different combos of skirmisher weapons for the Raven (like builds like 2X: 4xML 1xSRM6 or 4X: 2xML 2xMG 1xSRM6, though I use it with an AC20. Max the engine as much as possible).

[SethAbercromby]

The Stalker and Atlas are the most brawler-ish 'Mechs among the Assault class. They can take massive amounts of damage and love to get into the enemies' faces.

Atlas is the thing anyone will shoot at first, so people tend to do pretty bad with it until they get a good feel for the chassis. In the hands of a good pilot, the Atlas can take a massive beating and survive brutal brawling situations that would kill any other 'Mech. The weapons are pretty low slung, which always poses a problem in combat with elevations, but whenever you can bring all your weapons into a good line of fire, you can ruin someones day very quickly.

The Stalker is a versatile Energy and Missile-based weapons platform (special mention to the Misery with its infamous Ballistic hardpoint). It can generally perform well in any environment (excluding the 3H, which is a dedicated LRM platform), which is why I personally like recommend all-range builds for the 3F and 5S. The 5M can boat SRMs like a champ and still bring a solid amount of Energy weapons to give it additional punch. From the front, the Stalker can soak up damage nearly as well as the Atlas, due to the narrow CT and large ST hit-boxes. The CT is fairly weak to LRM fire though, so try to make sure you have at least partial cover.

[Turist0AT]

Firestarter is a superb close range mech. Light sure, but deadly vs heavier opponents.

and

Kintaro-18 even more deadly. Never be afraid in cqc again.

or

Ilya muromets and Stalkers.

Edited by Turist0AT, 10 May 2014 - 12:58 PM.

[Graystone1]

Well different builds change your playstyle almost completely. But you're looking for tendencies, aren't you?
LIGHT HUNTING
that's pretty up close and personal. Griffins, Shadowhawks, Centurions, Trebuchets.

TYPICAL BRAWLING CHASSIS
Cataphracts, Hunchbacks, Wolverine, Thunderbolts, Victors, Zombie Centurions.
-- These are all mechs that you'll typically see dying to get up in your face.

LIGHTS
Firestarters, Commandos, Jenners. Almost anything that can mount a machine gun.
--dodging in and out of cover at close range

Edited by Graystone1, 10 May 2014 - 03:46 PM.

[Malcolm Vordermark]

Everyone else has pretty much covered what mechs to look for. But it seems nobody has mentioned the Banshee so I thought I'd share my favorite new ride, the BNC-3S.

Like all slow assaults it will require some thoughtful movement or you may get beat up at long range. The large lasers give you some ranged damage and with 19 DHS you can run them in close too. After a few alphas it will be running hot so some trigger discipline will be needed. Also, I distribute my armor heavily to the front but I just leave it on the default when sharing builds since everyone has their own preference.

[Bigbacon]

Locust 1E.

2 MPL + 4SL or 6SPL

run around and back stab everyone while they are occupied in a brawl or standing there sniping/LRMing.. I get a lot kills doing this.

Ember is a great platform as well.

[Tereva]

Bigbacon, on 12 May 2014 - 05:31 PM, said:

Locust 1E.

I thought about the Locust. Is it not an underpowered Firestarter ?

[Golrar]

If you want to have fun with a challenging close in mech, I present "hard mode" for your perusal. I run this all the time and love it.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e16c397133e7e84

The XL is dangerous, but speedy for a heavy. You can also exchange the LPLs for 2 ERLL and get some decent range. The LB10X tears up the holes the LPLs open up. I have the most fun with this build besides my 6 SPL JR7-F. You obviously don't want to go in without back up unless you are 1v1 and twisting like mad.

[Koniks]

SHD-2D2, AC10+3 or 4xSRM4. XL300 or XL280.
SHD-2H. LPL, 3xStreak, 3xMG. XL325 or XL350.