160 replies to this topic

[Cion]

HBizzle, on 06 July 2014 - 08:07 PM, said:

Spend time getting your mouse sensitivity down pat. Adjust the mouse in and out of game. I have taken time to get mine better, but am tweaking it more as I go along.

I would switch from laser builds to more pinpoint heavy builds. Also if you are using lasers, or any build really, I would actually keep your arms locked so you are more likely to have all of your damage locked on one body part when you deliver it. I see way too many players using arms unlocked and having their damage spread over all of a mech, instead of hitting one spot, which is more likely to actually remove a part. Use your pinky to unlock when you need it by using the shift key.

Playing a brawler can be loads of fun, but exposes you to a lot of damage, and the game fundamentally runs on damage per second. That means if you are more apt to take a lot of damage in a short amount of time, you will not have the time needed to deliver more damage to your opponent. If you start thinking of the game as a math problem, i.e. how can I deliver more damage over a longer period of time, then you will improve your builds dramatically.

What is the average in game heat efficiency of your mechs?

Now this is helpful. thanks for taking the time to share the wisdom.
*noted on the pinpoint.
Yes I do have my arms unlocked. It was helpful before, but as you mention it, I'll probably change it. I think these new conditions warrant it. will put an accessible hotkey for that, arm movement still usefull in some occasions.

*heat efficiency - I can usually fire 4-6 times in a row without overheating. heat efficiency exactly? dont recall. I like 1.3 as ageneral rule, but it really depends on the mech and build (hit and run or constant DPS build)
thanks,

ArmandTulsen, on 06 July 2014 - 08:08 PM, said:

OP, that feeling you're experiencing... I got news for you:

It's not a feeling. It's the reality of the situation.

You ARE outgunned.

hahaha lol .

[Stain Pain]

There is nothing u can do. All my builds are completely useless. Wait it out till late August, sell all the piece of s**t mechs U currently own (I will propably even sell the hero ones) then buy the new op clan mechs. (However, you will propably regret it, it give u 4-5 weeks of fun tops, since after they release them for c-bills they wiill also massively nerf them)

[HBizzle]

ArmandTulsen, on 06 July 2014 - 08:08 PM, said:

OP, that feeling you're experiencing... I got news for you:

It's not a feeling. It's the reality of the situation.

You ARE outgunned.

I totally disagree with this. I had a thread, banished to ketatoe, where I was pretty much drunk and running IS builds and stomping on Clan mechs, just to show they are not OP. Build your mech correctly, work with other folks, and play smart and they aren't OP.

Most pilots in this game drop solo, and because of that they don't learn how to properly pilot a mech at all. PPL need to be more social, get on TS, and play with teammates.

Cion if you want jump on HHRCT's TS server and I will be happy to help you out.

http://www.HHRCT.com

Teamspeak Server is 198.100.153.190:7041 with no password. I am part of our training unit, and happy to help you out.

[Bishop Steiner]

Cion, on 06 July 2014 - 07:55 PM, said:

do you favor spread or pinpoint damage (ex: SRMS vs ACs) on those builds?

Not as much pinpoint as one would expect, actually.
JM6-DD
ON1-VA

my two primaries. They just suit me.

Also been having a good old time in a GRF-1N and a 4 srm4/2 ac5/ 2 mlaser JM6-A

and for the record, I NEVER use arm lock. Mobility and arm movement, combined with FLD weapons, are the way to combat the Clans, because they are almost pure DPS. Armlock keeps you staring too much.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 06 July 2014 - 08:18 PM.

[Cion]

Stain Pain, on 06 July 2014 - 08:13 PM, said:

There is nothing u can do. All my builds are completely useless. Wait it out till late August, sell all the piece of s**t mechs U currently own (I will propably even sell the hero ones) then buy the new op clan mechs. (However, you will propably regret it, it give u 4-5 weeks of fun tops, since after they release them for c-bills they wiill also massively nerf them)

There's been some really good ideas here. I've seen awesome IS pilots take on almost anything. There's a way dude.

That being said, I am saving for at least 3 variants of one clan mech when they do become available

[BoomDog]

I've been using a burst fire/twist style. Weapons that fire instantly, then immediately twist. Any thing that made me stay facing the clan mech (ie lasers, ac2, MGs) has usually ended bad for me.

[HBizzle]

Cion, on 06 July 2014 - 08:13 PM, said:

Now this is helpful. thanks for taking the time to share the wisdom.
*noted on the pinpoint.
Yes I do have my arms unlocked. It was helpful before, but as you mention it, I'll probably change it. I think these new conditions warrant it. will put an accessible hotkey for that, arm movement still usefull in some occasions.

*heat efficiency - I can usually fire 4-6 times in a row without overheating. heat efficiency exactly? dont recall. I like 1.3 as ageneral rule, but it really depends on the mech and build (hit and run or constant DPS build)
thanks,


hahaha lol .

Ideally if you have trouble with not overheating I would keep it at 1.3 or higher, if not 1.4. In the heat of battle it is easy to lose discipline, I know I am guilty of it, and overheat. So until you can control it I would aim closer for 1.4.

Also with Armlock, the mech's torso twists the same speed with it on or off, so twisting to absorb damage is the same either way.

Edited by HBizzle, 06 July 2014 - 08:18 PM.

[MischiefSC]

SRM builds crush very well for brawling - especially SRM4s. 6s have a much wider spread; diminishing returns for the tonnage costs with IS SRMs. Also the faster refire on SRM4s is *very* significant when fighting clan mechs. All their weapons tend to have slower cycle times. You hit, hit, hit and make sure that when they cycle up for a shot at you they're reeling from your last punch. MLs, SRMs, bigger ACs. AC20s are still flat out brutal killing tools against Clan mechs.

JJs for brawling are also *very* good. Most Clan mechs have a lot of torso aimed firepower - this means that they can't tilt up to shoot you at close range. With their chicken legs they are low-slung; even 1 JJ can help you clear a Timber Wolf. Get right above him and he'll be happy if he can spray some laser fire on you while you rain pain on him.

What's your favorite brawler build?

[HBizzle]

BoomDog, on 06 July 2014 - 08:16 PM, said:

I've been using a burst fire/twist style. Weapons that fire instantly, then immediately twist. Any thing that made me stay facing the clan mech (ie lasers, ac2, MGs) has usually ended bad for me.

Exactly! Exposure to damage matters. If you can keep the time you are exposed down then you will do better.

[KharnZor]

Learn to use jj's on mediums, in particular the 2D2 and the wolverine. Clan mechs don't really deal well with the speed and maneuverability you can get out of those two. You can have pretty decent weapon fits also.

[Heeden]

I've been having a fair amount of success with a CN9-D -A tonight (last night was a disaster but we won't mention that...) Particularly enjoying popping Timberwolves, their huge side torsos take most of my 3xSRM6A shots and once one is gone their fire-power is pretty much halved. One thing I've noticed with clan mechs is their components are very easy to target, letting you slice them up easier (remember Clan XL engines go down with both side torsos destroyed).

Edited by Heeden, 06 July 2014 - 08:22 PM.

[Cion]

HBizzle, on 06 July 2014 - 08:14 PM, said:

.....
Cion if you want jump on HHRCT's TS server and I will be happy to help you out.

http://www.HHRCT.com

Teamspeak Server is 198.100.153.190:7041 with no password. I am part of our training unit, and happy to help you out.

thanks bro, will give it a shot next gaming block time I have.

Bishop Steiner, on 06 July 2014 - 08:15 PM, said:

Not as much pinpoint as one would expect, actually.
JM6-DD
ON1-VA

my two primaries. They just suit me.

Also been having a good old time in a GRF-1N and a 4 srm4/2 ac5/ 2 mlaser JM6-A

I;ve seen that JM6 build a lot lately. interesting......
I like that Orion Build, I have notices SRM4+artemis is pretty good.

Althought I do own those chassis I'll see what I can do. they seem efficient, and even its SRMs or LBX I;ve seen (and sometimes done) ppl "concentrate" damage with those.

[HBizzle]

Cion, on 06 July 2014 - 08:19 PM, said:

thanks bro, will give it a shot next gaming block time I have.


I;ve seen that JM6 build a lot lately. interesting......
I like that Orion Build, I have notices SRM4+artemis is pretty good.

Althought I do own those chassis I'll see what I can do. they seem efficient, and even its SRMs or LBX I;ve seen (and sometimes done) ppl "concentrate" damage with those.

Add me in game as well. Name is same as on here.

[MischiefSC]

I saw someone rocking a Cent with an AC5 and an AC2 in the arm. I mean he was *rocking* it. That taptaptap seemed to flat out shaft most clanners LAZOR DEATH STARE. He handled it well too - accuracy helps a lot. Had some MLs to back it up but that taptaptaptap was just relentless. You could see people all but swatting at their screen going 'stop it! Stop it! I can't f**king see anything!'

[Mcgral18]

Stain Pain, on 06 July 2014 - 08:13 PM, said:

There is nothing u can do. All my builds are completely useless. Wait it out till late August, sell all the piece of s**t mechs U currently own (I will propably even sell the hero ones) then buy the new op clan mechs. (However, you will propably regret it, it give u 4-5 weeks of fun tops, since after they release them for c-bills they wiill also massively nerf them)

Well, that's simply not true. You might just be a poor pilot.

If I can make the WubShee work, a 400XL IS assault, mounted exclusively with Pulse Lasers, arguably one of the worst weapons, against the Clan mechs; I think some of the effective IS mechs can work fine.


But, if you think the Clan mechs are OP, well, not much can help with that.

[Scurry]

Well, like many others mentioned, I think the focus should be on FLD. PPCs, autocannons and SRMs work rather nicely. Never take a Clanner on in a straight-up fight. Focus down Clan mechs whenever possible.

AMS is probably essential for taking on Clan LRMs. IS LRMs can probably give a good accounting of themselves.

In some niche cases, Clan energy boats can be outlasted. They often run hotter than the closest IS equivalent, so if you can get them to run hot, that's good. The Nova is probably a good example.

Also, strange as it may seem, I feel that JJs are an advantage against Clans. In close, they'll help spread damage and get partial misses. Used to escape, the only Mechs that can follow are the Nova, Summoner and Timber Wolf. Novas can be outlasted. Summoner is probably one of the few you can take on in a straight-up battle. TW, on the other hand......well, OK. but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

And one more thing - Clan mechs have lousy vertical torso twist. Engaging on slopes where possible might be a good idea.

Edited by Scurry, 06 July 2014 - 08:23 PM.

[Cion]

thanks for all the comments, hard to answer all but I am reading them.

MischiefSC, on 06 July 2014 - 08:17 PM, said:

...
What's your favorite brawler build?

So far I've used Mlasers, SRM4s and SRMS6s, and AC20 every now and then. Any possible combination on the chassis I own. (Hunchies, Catapults, Thunderbolts, Awesomes, Atlas). So think stuff like 2SRM6 5 med laser hunchie, 2SRM4 3 M pulse Thuderbolt, ECM AC 20 3 SRM6 2 med laser atlas type of stuff.
*Yes I know they are not the most efficient chassis, but they're fun and I;ve made them work most of the time

[Cion]

Heeden, on 06 July 2014 - 08:19 PM, said:

I've been having a fair amount of success with a CN9-D -A tonight (last night was a disaster but we won't mention that...) Particularly enjoying popping Timberwolves, their huge side torsos take most of my 3xSRM6A shots and once one is gone their fire-power is pretty much halved. One thing I've noticed with clan mechs is their components are very easy to target, letting you slice them up easier (remember Clan XL engines go down with both side torsos destroyed).

two side torsos are overall more armor, and I know the trade off is that you face less weapons. However, I do think I should focus more on the side torso. Thanks.

Scurry, on 06 July 2014 - 08:22 PM, said:

.....

And one more thing - Clan mechs have lousy vertical torso twist. Engaging on slopes where possible might be a good idea.

This is VERY interesting. Whole new tactical approach there. Thnx

[MischiefSC]

Cion, on 06 July 2014 - 08:25 PM, said:

thanks for all the comments, hard to answer all but I am reading them.


So far I've used Mlasers, SRM4s and SRMS6s, and AC20 every now and then. Any possible combination on the chassis I own. (Hunchies, Catapults, Thunderbolts, Awesomes, Atlas). So think stuff like 2SRM6 5 med laser hunchie, 2SRM4 3 M pulse Thuderbolt, ECM AC 20 3 SRM6 2 med laser atlas type of stuff.
*Yes I know they are not the most efficient chassis, but they're fun and I;ve made them work most of the time

That works! D-DC with std 325, 2xLL, AC20, 3tons ammo, 3xASRM4, or 3 tons of ammo, ECM and DHS for the rest of it works well, along with AMS. Stick with your team - ESPECIALLY Dire Wolves. You'll synergize like hell with them. People will want to close with them. At long range they'll rain fire and you'll protect them with ECM. Some poor ******* comes to short range, you blow his face off. Just be careful to keep your buddies lane of fire open, so that when the chump with the bad idea of getting close realizes that you're going to hump his face off with SRMs and an AC20 (don't use the LLs up close save for finishing someone) he's going to have to choose which of you guys he wants to ignore while you kill him.

Stick within 100m of them. Not too close but close enough. You'll both be able to bring your weapons to bare to defend each other.

AC20 Hunchie... pick yourself a Warhawk or Timber Wolf who's got that ballistic right arm and lasers (not PPCs) on his other arm. These guys are going to be loaded for the brawl 9 times out of 10. They also draw a LOT of attention. You act like a floating AC20 and shoot whoever they shoot. Most will ignore you until it's too late and the flat out STUPID DPS they put out will strip people down for you 20 to finish off. Timing is important - you want for that orange internal side or center. Don't waste that 4 second reload; your buddy (ies) tank way more damage than you and do a LOT of DPS but have trouble finishing what they start. You do that for them and you'll soak up kills and magnify your teammates firepower.

Tbolts and Catapults.... meh. You're in a lot of trouble there. They were never great (not recently anyway) and their vulnerabilities play to Clan mech strengths. The others though, they synergize well with the Clanners on your own team. Same with the SRM and 5ML hunchie - more firepower very suddenly. The key is wait for two bursts from your teammate, then move in and finish the enemy when he's trying to run. For the Clanner it's irksome as hell; you shoot, wait wait wait shoot, awesome! He's almost dead but.... he ran away before my weapons cycled again.

You catch that sweet spot and you live there. You can always count on 2 or so Timber Wolves on your team every match. If they're not LRM or sniper builds, roll with them and you'll both gorge on kills. That D-DC will magnify Dire Wolves and heavier Warhawks and you'll end up in the late match with minor armor damage (everyone shoots the Dire Wolves first), plenty of ammo and enemies who are all one-legged and no armor. You wander around and blow them up.

Just switch those MLs for LLs. You need that range.

[Cion]

MischiefSC, on 06 July 2014 - 08:38 PM, said:

......

AC20 Hunchie... pick yourself a Warhawk or Timber Wolf who's got that ballistic right arm and lasers (not PPCs) on his other arm. These guys are going to be loaded for the brawl 9 times out of 10. They also draw a LOT of attention. You act like a floating AC20 and shoot whoever they shoot. Most will ignore you until it's too late and the flat out STUPID DPS they put out will strip people down for you 20 to finish off. Timing is important - you want for that orange internal side or center. Don't waste that 4 second reload; your buddy (ies) tank way more damage than you and do a LOT of DPS but have trouble finishing what they start. You do that for them and you'll soak up kills and magnify your teammates firepower.
....

A lot of great stuff on the whole post, but this, is something I really hadn't thought about. On my meds (depending on the build) I would support X Assault mech (like the tipical Atals). I did not take the time to think that with the clans, the mechs I support need to change (like figure out which clan mech to support). Great tip on identifying friendly mechs.

Thnx.

edited for clarity

Edited by Cion, 06 July 2014 - 08:44 PM.