25 replies to this topic

[Glxy Cmdr Jason Tseng]

Have a duel coming up for a Trial, and it is limited to Light/Medium. So I am looking for good dueling builds for mediums. Currently I am thinking of either the WANG

or

Running my GRID IRON - Essentially the same build, just a bit more protection.

Any thoughts from you fine people on good builds? Only Mediums currently Owned/Mastered are the Centurions, Hunchbacks, and Shadowhawks, so would appreciate sticking with those chassis, but open to others if the DPS is worth it.

[InRev]

One thing you should keep in mind as well is that streaks fired in chainfire can really mess someone up with screen shake and explosion blindness. That would make a Shadowhawk attractive since you can load up 4 of them, shake their screen around, soften them up and then punch holes with an AC/10.

[DEMAX51]

I don't think the Wang is a very good choice. Once you lose your AC arm (which is really easy, if you're dueling someone who knows what they're doing) you'll be at a huge disadvantage. I think a zombie Cent might be a good choice.

[Alaskan Nobody]

InRev, on 26 April 2014 - 01:09 PM, said:

One thing you should keep in mind as well is that streaks fired in chainfire can really mess someone up with screen shake and explosion blindness.

That and chainfired streaks concentrate more firepower - as group fired will try to hit different parts with each missile.
You still get a lot of spread with chain-fire, but less than group.

I wouldn't take a Shadowhawk into a duel though - the lower mobility and all. (JJ only help so much)
Possibly a Griffin with a LPL to back up the streaks though (or group of MPL/SPL)

[Derpington Von Trollington]

Killed a few people on 1vs1 (even the allmighty shadowhawks) with this HBK-4P
and the classic 9 mlas 4P, but noone were organized duels.
The classic Ac 20 Hunchback is good too, shave some armor from the legs of your grid iron and add another Mlas.

Just torso twist like a boss.

[juxstapo]

Trials are generally fought in very space-limited areas, so maneuverability kinda takes a backseat to durability. Embarassing as all get out to lose a trial because you broke the circle of equals.
That said, I'd still limit myself to something with jump jets, just because. (In fact, personally I'd hypocritically throw that durability axiom right out the window and take my BJ-1, but thats me).

The Wang isn't a terrible choice. Burst damage and durability. The arm-mounted cannon weakness is rather diminished by the fact that you will be facing a single opponent, and if you can't manage to spread damage from one point of origin, then you have some piloting issues that need to be addressed before you worry about many more trials.
Again, I'd take a BJ-1 before the Wang just because of arm-traverse and jets. I was running an Elited Boomjack looong before the Champion came out and frankly would stack it against any other chassis at knife range and one-on-one. If you elect to step into this little thing, the champion is set up perfectly, only difference between it and mine is I lose a single medium laser in favor of another ton of AC ammo.

Between the two chassis you've mentioned, I'll cast my vote with the Wang, just a bit more nimble I believe, at least with pitch and yaw, does anyone know where to find the torso twist speed quirks? The hunchback might twist faster, not sure.
The dual CT mounted mediums will give you better zombie capability also.

Bear in mind any medium brawler pilot worth his endo will eat either build with a jump-capable AC/20 brawler. (And potentially with a streak boat, but those aren't really my purview)

[Alaskan Nobody]

juxstapo, on 26 April 2014 - 01:28 PM, said:

does anyone know where to find the torso twist speed quirks?

http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/#mechs_quirks

Haven't tried a BJ yet though - so I couldn't really compare them to the Yenlo.

[Modo44]

InRev, on 26 April 2014 - 01:09 PM, said:

One thing you should keep in mind as well is that streaks fired in chainfire can really mess someone up with screen shake and explosion blindness.

They are also a waste of tonnage vs good pilots in anything not light. The effects are mostly visual -- they do not actually change your aim. Once you realize that, you can train yourself to ignore the shake and shoot straight despite it. At that point, you get a simple spread damage vs pinpoint damage situation. GG.

Edited by Modo44, 26 April 2014 - 01:51 PM.

[Crotch RockIt]

If you want to run an AC/20, then I think a Shadowhawk is a better choice than your Grid Iron. Equal weapons, slightly faster, more armor, and jump jets.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...142ee0bbeb8a716

[SethAbercromby]

The Wang is, in essence, designed to be a duelist, being used as a Solaris Mech for the longest time. However, it also used claws to get close and personal to increase the potency of the AC20 and MLas (replaced later by a Gauss and two MPLs, which is arguably its most famous configuration) in a brawl (the setup allowed the Wang to attack every turn with all weapons while beating their face in simultaneously, when standing in front of a Mech, causing tremendous damage. Not as important in MWO though).

Edited by SethAbercromby, 26 April 2014 - 03:18 PM.

[Duncan Longwood]

SHD-2H

LPL, 3MGs, 3ssrms = 7.65 sustained dps

I love my wang and a bj.... (phrasing!) But I would still take this in a one-on-one fight. Before stat reset this lil baby was my highest average dmg per ton of mech (8.78dmg per ton on average).

[Glxy Cmdr Jason Tseng]

SethAbercromby, on 26 April 2014 - 03:17 PM, said:

The Wang is, in essence, designed to be a duelist, being used as a Solaris Mech for the longest time. However, it also used claws to get close and personal to increase the potency of the AC20 and MLas (replaced later by a Gauss and two MPLs, which is arguably its most famous configuration) in a brawl (the setup allowed the Wang to attack every turn with all weapons while beating their face in simultaneously, when standing in front of a Mech, causing tremendous damage. Not as important in MWO though).

If they could/would put physical attacks in I would absolutely use the claws Xiang had added. Would have been an awesome touch had PGI added those to the model.

So far, I do like the idea of the Boomhawk the most; just due to it already being mastered and not having the time to master a new chassis just for the ToB. I have been running the Wang/GI exclusively to get used to them, learn the quirks, etc.. I am usually a light pilot, so stepping into something heavier than 30 tons is abnormal lol.

I do appreciate the suggestions, and will be testing some of these builds out now. =D

[Samziel]

When your duels are? If you get the tuesdays patch and SRM's are fixed, wouldn't something with SRM's work really well?

I'm going to pilot this right when the new patch comes.

[Red Line Pilot]

I think your best bet is on the HBK-4P. 9 medium lasers standard load out. Since it is a 1v1 vs a medium, you cannot loose the hunch in one hit. You will kill the other guy in two 45 dmg alphas. (or at least blow of a torso/limb)

[Kurkotain]

Best dueler out there: HBK - 4SP

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...47a307f72c1492b

Faster + a bit cooler:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2f7aed339f5cc98

[Bene Gesserit]

Easy for me to answer, my best dueling medium is my Blackjack.

Here is my build: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8433bec70402533

Pretty standard, ac20, 3mls

I find it to be better than any of the "meta" mechs because it has 3mls and JJs plus it goes 93kph with a speed tweak. I find that it is a pretty small target compared to mechs like griffins, and shadowhawks. The balistic hardpoints are almost as high as a Jagermech so you have a big advantage shooting over ridges. The last and arguably most important is people don't concentrate fire on you. They see that you are running a blackjack and subconsiously target another mech that is "more dangerous". When given a choice people will almost always target a cataphrat or shadowhawk over a blackjack. This works to your advantage.

[ShinVector]

Bene Gesserit, on 28 April 2014 - 06:20 PM, said:

Easy for me to answer, my best dueling medium is my Blackjack.

Here is my build: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8433bec70402533

Pretty standard, ac20, 3mls

I find it to be better than any of the "meta" mechs because it has 3mls and JJs plus it goes 93kph with a speed tweak. I find that it is a pretty small target compared to mechs like griffins, and shadowhawks. The balistic hardpoints are almost as high as a Jagermech so you have a big advantage shooting over ridges. The last and arguably most important is people don't concentrate fire on you. They see that you are running a blackjack and subconsiously target another mech that is "more dangerous". When given a choice people will almost always target a cataphrat or shadowhawk over a blackjack. This works to your advantage.

Unfortunately.. Close range medium duelling.. I would say XL for max speed... One with 4 Streaks or even 5 for the case of the golden boy... Wins 1v1.... Mediums do not have enough armour streak wreak people close in..

Oh wait.... Now that I think about it... ECM Cicada.. ERLL or PPCs... Spot him first... Leg him.. GG TOAST !!
I can't imagine a cheaper mech than that.. Infact... All the ECM mechs have great advantages in duels..

Edited by ShinVector, 28 April 2014 - 06:31 PM.

[Maverick27]

I'd go with a Shad or Wvr 6R and a combo of ssrm and balistics.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d1eebc486a17267

[Magna Canus]

I have a SHD-2H with 1xLBX, 3xSSRM, 2xMG that eats face pretty well. I can face down most lights/meds/heavies in a 1v1 with it.

I use the SSRM's on chain fire to confuse my enemy and open up sections and then let the LBX/MG's do their magic.

[Redshift2k5]

A little while ago I used a Shadowhawk to tear the legs off a Misery mana a mano in a match- Usding my LRM Shadowhawk but forced into close quarters, I used an Ultra/5 and two MLAS to tear off both his legs.

If the target is also a medium or light, I'd consider something moderately fast with Streaks & BAP in case they bring something with ECM.