6 replies to this topic

[SilentScreamer]

I currently have participated in two Stock Mech Monday Events and had a great time. Aside from just having purchased a new Firestarter, I had to downgrade my mechs back to original specs to participate.

After the first event, the mechs just hung out unused. After the second event, I wondered, can I make these mechs usuable in normal everyday play?

The expense of going back and forth on the upgrades for double heat sinks, endo-steel, etc., prohibits me from using these upgrades. Using engine swaps and weapon swaps I've actually come up with two builds I have fun piloting and can actually perform well. I still haven't figured out viable "field" upgrades for my other mechs.

Jagermech A - remove both LRM10s, add 2 LRM5 and 2 SRM2. Add CASE and ammo for AC2 and SRMs.

Shadowhawk 2H - swap the engine out for a 275XL. Add an AC2 and ammo ( keeping the AC5).

Other then alternate builds while waiting for stock mech days, these concepts could be useful for completing Basic Skills on newly purchased mechs without dumping a lot of c-bills or relying on your team to carry you to a win.

Who knows, you might start a new popular build!

[Thunder Child]

I've found the Stock Hunchback with the AC10 to be perfectly viable, as long as you don't go too crazy with FIRIN' ALL TEH LAZORZ! Well, it was before Clantech was released. Not so sure now.

[Malleus011]

I have a confession to make ... I've been running completely stock builds in normal matches.

The stock 'mechs can fight in the normal matches. You can't keep up the fire tempo of the DHS machines, and it is rare to equal their raw damage output, but you can deal decisive damage and score kills.

My WLV-6K and GRF-1S both fare about as well as their upgraded cousins in normal matches. They both feel a tad under-gunned, but fighting at such as disadvantage reinforces good habits like teaming up with other mechs of your weight class and focusing fire. You don't have the heat capacity to solo that enemy Stormcrow, get help.

The stock TDR-5S fights just fine, so long as you remember that you are a multi-role 'mech without enough heat capacity to fire every weapon at once. So long as you keep using the right weapons for your range band, you can compete.

Finally, my stock BLR-1G has been the best performer of the lot, despite running very hot. The PPC is only for long range work, otherwise it's massed medium lasers + SRM & MG, then back behind cover while you cool off. I've gotten three kills and 600+ damage before (the MGs are excellent) against the new Clan machines.

And there's nothing as satisfying as killing a Mad Cat in a stock 'mech.

[SilentScreamer]

Malleus011, on 01 July 2014 - 10:19 AM, said:

The stock 'mechs can fight in the normal matches. You can't keep up the fire tempo of the DHS machines, and it is rare to equal their raw damage output, but you can deal decisive damage and score kills.

My WLV-6K and GRF-1S both fare...well...

The stock TDR-5S fights just fine....

Finally, my stock BLR-1G has been the best performer of the lot.

I have piloted both the stock wolverine and thunderbolt you mentioned and I agree they are effective stock. I do not have any experience with the griffin or battlemaster. I think the stock highlanders are good working mechs as is too.

What I was hoping to focus on in this thread was how to improve the stock mechs which are not effective, rather then which stock mechs can be used effectively "as is".

With my jager-A it was giving up the big LRM15 for smaller launchers, add SRMs and more ammo for the AC2s. The shadowhawk really needed more punch so it got an XL engine and a second autocannon ( the first build I tried downgraded the AC5 to an AC2 for extra ammo and SRMs and I was not happy with performance).

With these types of changes (nothing from "upgrades") the pilot can more effectively grind skills on a new purchase without spending a lot more c-bills and the mech can easily be switched back to stock if you want to join the player run events later.

Edited by SilentScreamer, 04 July 2014 - 07:25 AM.

[TygerLily]

Griffin-1N and Spider 5V both do good as stocks.

The Griffin is a PPC and LRM10 with JJs...basically, a smaller poptart that uses both "metas" right now. It's been easy to get a regular 1-2 kills, 200 to 300+ dmg.

The Spider 5v is cool because it moves 150kph with a standard engine and has a 1.42 heat efficiency and mounts pretty much what you would put on the 5V even if it were upgraded...

[TygerLily]

SilentScreamer, on 04 July 2014 - 07:20 AM, said:

What I was hoping to focus on in this thread was how to improve the stock mechs which are not effective, rather then which stock mechs can be used effectively "as is".

Oops...to be honest, autocannons are the way to go for heat efficiency, haha.

The Commando 2D can use single heat sinks with ECM, 3 streaks and a TAG. The SSRM's don't need the DHS and the extra crit space allows you to put Ferro on in addition to Endo for max armor.

I built a Wolverine 6R with a Gauss Rifle, 3 streaks, and a ML. SHS, no Endo or Ferro, and a JJ. Could be good for direct fire and chasing off Lights.

[Kin3ticX]

Threads like this make me wish single heatsinks had a niche to fill besides stock mech private matches and troll builds.

I dont think you can keep up in the public queues running single or base tech stock plus. Most everyone is running DHS or shooting for DHS. The first 10 DHS construction requirement gives everyone else an automatic effective 20 SHS.

Edited by Kin3ticX, 09 July 2014 - 04:24 AM.