41 replies to this topic

[ramp4ge]

My first 1,000+ damage game was in the Timber Wolf.

It's a fast, heavily armed, amazingly durable 'mech. It's ultra-flexible. It may be a jack-of-all-trades 'mech, but it's master of a few of them along the way too. How many 'mechs let you boat LRMs and lasers at the same time while going 80+ kph with maxed out armor?

Love my T-wolf.

Running a Prime in mostly-stock config, but without the MGs. Replaced the left torso with the -C torso for the AMS, which is vital in the current LRM-heavy gameplay.

[Hex Pallett]

Timber Wolf. I'm running all my three Timbers with 80% stock builds, and they yield satisfactory results. Prime and S are easy to master, but B is kinda janky with its right-hand CUAC5 being a bit hard to find its course in chaotic combat.

However.

HOWEVER.

Don't even think about Dire Wolf. Speed aside, the lack of lower arm actuators and, more importantly, a crippling 60-degree torso twist makes literally useless in 90% of the scenarios.

[M3 SABLE]

Everyone likes to talk **** about Direwolf.

I don't own it myself, but when it is played right, it can easily go over 1k damage, or at least average out in 800-900s like my friend does.

It is same as Atlas.

You need good positioning and timing for engagement.

No other mech packs a punch like Daishi.

Edited by Unikron, 28 June 2014 - 01:39 AM.

[Omen Strike]

I am sorry but the Dire wolf has it for me i got all three Mastered now and I 2 shot most Stormcrows (2x LB20-X and 2x LB10-X) avrage about 650 a match do 1k+ every 4th match got 10 kills in one match with it so far. and one on one i have not lost with full HP even Jenners and spiders get ONESHOTTED or legged in the first shot ill take on ANY mech build one on one with that set up.

Where is a Spellnazi when you need one? (.________.)

Edited by Omen Strike, 28 June 2014 - 02:44 AM.

[Kiiyor]

Mizeur, on 15 June 2014 - 05:42 PM, said:

I highly recommend the Stormcrow. It's one of the fastest clan mechs and is on par in speed with the Shadow Hawks but has a better cockpit view, better torso twist (almost full 180 after mastery), and better overall firepower with the only limit being a max of 1 ballistic but more energy or missile hardpoints. Even without jump jets, it can climb almost any hill a Raven or Locust can.

I haven't enjoyed the Summoner quite as much but it's comparable to the TDRs and Orions. But with 5 jump jets locked to the torso.

+1 for team Crow! The StormCrow is amazing. IMHO, It's a perfect storm of speed, firepower, survivability and usability. The TWolf is probably better all round, but as an old time, bitter Hunchback4SP jock, it's like the answer to a prayer I didn't even know I was making.

It's hardpoints are all perfectly located, and the low position of the cockpit means that your eyes are pretty much in line with your weapons, so no more filling the dirt with dakka (i'm looking at you Cataphract). The torso missile hardpoints are all above your cockpit, meaning you can even hit things you can't fully see - a trick i've pulled off a few times, and am convinced I need to master.

It's torso twist speed and range are phenomenal. If you stand still in it, you have great range with your torso either side, and 360° coverage with your arms. You're a moving turret with no blind spots. The twist speed also helps you spread incoming damage.

The hitboxes are great. Nothing stands out as being especially vulnerable, except maybe the legs.... which you can get used to protecting with terrain.

Firepower... is great. You can mount everything. Mixed missile/dakka/laser boats, or even pure boats. You can have up to 6 laser hardpoints. Awesome.

As far as a lack of JJ's, sure, I miss them (expecially for brawling) but IMHO the Crow is used best as a striker - dart in, kill, get out. No circling.

As a medium though, it is vulnerable to high alphas, and becoming the focus of more than one enemy can really wreck your day, but IMHO it's positives far outweigh this negative.

I run it as an oversized and more murderous Jenner. It's my favourite mech.

[Jaegerwulf]

okay stormcrow fans, so far I have tried the prime and the d, prime I have done reasonably well, but my performance in the d has been abysmal... and I while I am getting the hang of lrm's, and gotten some narc bonuses, I am still not sure I like lrms...

any thoughts on how to switch up the d?

[Angel of Annihilation]

The two most well rounded Clan mechs are the Timberwolf and Stormcrow, at least in my opinion. The Timberwolf offers probably the most varied options for builds ranging in anything from LRM boats, to close quarter brawlers and anything in between and the Stormcrow offers a damn near perfect combination of speed, firepower, armor and excellent hit boxes.

One mech that surprised me was how well I see the Warhawks doing. Very commonly I see them leading in both kill counts and damage and weirdly they seem to hardest for me to kill.

[Hervedgerse]

Viktor Drake, on 28 June 2014 - 02:57 PM, said:

The two most well rounded Clan mechs are the Timberwolf and Stormcrow, at least in my opinion. The Timberwolf offers probably the most varied options for builds ranging in anything from LRM boats, to close quarter brawlers and anything in between and the Stormcrow offers a damn near perfect combination of speed, firepower, armor and excellent hit boxes.

One mech that surprised me was how well I see the Warhawks doing. Very commonly I see them leading in both kill counts and damage and weirdly they seem to hardest for me to kill.

SRMs were my answer to the D. 4ERMLAS and 3SRM6. Runs a little hot with all the SRMs, but it does well at skirmishing and brawling.

[RLBell]

BSK, on 23 June 2014 - 09:10 AM, said:

IT IS A PAIN I HAVE NEVER FELT BEFORE!

Do not buy the Dire Wolf, you run with less than 50kph behind the battles or the pugs let you die alone in your one-hitbox-only mech in lurmageddon. In conquest I never make more than 100 damage with this mech because of this.
If you want fun, the Kit Fox is everything you ever asked for in a light or medium mech. It is the Shadow Hawk you always wanted. Nova and Stormcrow are components killers and rewarding if you know how to shield and cover.

DO NOT DROP A DIRE WOLF INTO A CONQUEST MATCH!

I did that twice, because the lance mate commanding the group had selected 'any'. Both times we dropped into Terra Therma. Both times, while I did score a kill, I spent the whole time trying to catch up to the fighting. Never have I heard such laughter.

[RAM]

Jaegerwulf, on 15 June 2014 - 05:33 PM, said:

based on per mech stats, my best win/loss ratio's are in thunderbolts and shadow hawks. does this suggest/recommend any particular clan mech?

as for play style I find I like being just outside the brawl firing in (carefully) and watching for flankers....

If you prefer the Thunderbolt, go with the Summoner; if you prefer the Shadowhawk go with the Stormcrow. Both are more than capable of fulfilling the direct fire close support role. The Stormcrow is a little faster and can pack more weapons, but the Summoner has jump jets, twin AMS and fires quicker.

As a Thud pilot myself, I find the Summoner to an outstanding upgrade: increased range, damage, firepower & maneuverability.


RAM
ELH

[NRP]

My only advice: do NOT get the Adder.

[Jaegerwulf]

Thank you all for the responses, and it occured to me that I should clarify that I did pre order the full masakari pack well before the clan patch. this thread is mostly to figure out which of the clan mechs on which I should focus.

also I tried the lights and did much worse than I expected >.<

[Angel of Annihilation]

Escef, on 20 June 2014 - 05:36 PM, said:

Stormcrow is a pocket Timber Wolf. It's flippin' awesome.

I got a Timber Wolf first then just bought the Stormcrow last night and this statement is true and correct.

The Stormcrow plays almost exactly like a non-jump jet Timberwolf. The Stormcrow is slightly more speedy and agile, has excellent hitboxes which makes it very durable and packs considerable firepower. The Timberwolf has more armor but a much more easily targeted CT and a perhaps 10-15% more firepower. Overall the Timberwolf holds a slight edge but when you consider your comparing a 75 ton mech to a 55 ton mech, the Stormcrow is just a beast.

[Grey Black]

Timber Wolf. No other mech in the game at the moment comes close.

./thread

[Autobot9000]

The mech closest to Thunderbolt/Shadowhawk is a Summoner hands down. My suggestion is the prime variant "as is" (except for upped armor ofc) or a U/AC20+ERPPC combo. Both work. You don't get these "omg I have 20 lasers and can alpha strike them" moments, but the consistent damage output of the Summoner makes him more useful than he appears at first.

I don't know why people recommend to you a Timberwolf. It's a great mech, but it has nothing to do with a Thunderbolt/Shadowhawk, it's entirely different.

Edited by Autobot9000, 10 July 2014 - 01:28 PM.

[Angel of Annihilation]

Autobot9000, on 10 July 2014 - 01:27 PM, said:

The mech closest to Thunderbolt/Shadowhawk is a Summoner hands down. My suggestion is the prime variant "as is" (except for upped armor ofc) or a U/AC20+ERPPC combo. Both work. You don't get these "omg I have 20 lasers and can alpha strike them" moments, but the consistent damage output of the Summoner makes him more useful than he appears at first.

I don't know why people recommend to you a Timberwolf. It's a great mech, but it has nothing to do with a Thunderbolt/Shadowhawk, it's entirely different.

Well lets be honest here. Yes, the Summoner is probably the most similar mech to the Thunderbolt/Shadowhawk but it is also considered one of the worst clan mechs available mostly due to being stuck with a standard internal structure, five fixed JJs and very limited hard point selection.

In any case, I think people are mentioning the Timberwolf and everything but the Summoner to try to keep the OP from wasting real money on it.

Now honestly the Summoner isn't a horrible mech by any means, rather there are just much, much better choices so basically I think the universal recommendation on the Summoner is purchase it with C-bills or not at all.

[Jaegerwulf]

Viktor Drake, on 10 July 2014 - 06:34 PM, said:

In any case, I think people are mentioning the Timberwolf and everything but the Summoner to try to keep the OP from wasting real money on it.

and also, the op (ie me) has pre ordered the entire collection (im a bit ocd that way) and the 'consider' part of the thread title is supposed to imply consider playing/mastering and not consider buying €

[Autobot9000]

Viktor Drake, on 10 July 2014 - 06:34 PM, said:

Well lets be honest here. Yes, the Summoner is probably the most similar mech to the Thunderbolt/Shadowhawk but it is also considered one of the worst clan mechs available mostly due to being stuck with a standard internal structure, five fixed JJs and very limited hard point selection.

In any case, I think people are mentioning the Timberwolf and everything but the Summoner to try to keep the OP from wasting real money on it.

Now honestly the Summoner isn't a horrible mech by any means, rather there are just much, much better choices so basically I think the universal recommendation on the Summoner is purchase it with C-bills or not at all.

I agree. Just advised him, because it's the answer to his question. He owns all the mechs anyway.

[Wrenchfarm]

The Madcat is the single best Heavy in the game. It's as fast as a medium, has jets, and can carry as much (or more) firepower than most Assault mechs. It can survive more damage than any other Heavy trying to match it's speed or firepower thanks to the Clan XL. It is very clearly P2Win for the time being, and if you can only buy ONE Clan mech, it's the one.

The Clan lights are slow compared to IS lights, the Nova and Stormcrow are ok (but maybe not good enough for $55+), the Summoner is a joke, and the Direwolf is a slightly more mobile turret emplacement.

If you are going to spend money, get the best one and don't look back.

[Angel of Annihilation]

Jaegerwulf, on 10 July 2014 - 09:52 PM, said:

and also, the op (ie me) has pre ordered the entire collection (im a bit ocd that way) and the 'consider' part of the thread title is supposed to imply consider playing/mastering and not consider buying €

Yes, but there will be alot of other people, who haven't pre-purchases also coming to this tread with the same question so this is just as much for them as for you.