52 replies to this topic

[Angel of Annihilation]

I wanted opinions from other Clan mech users who own the various mechs. I already own the T-wolf and am thinking about getting one more for the early access and also to conserve C-bills for other clan mechs I am going to want to eventually buy.

Here are my options:

The Nova package - $60 for the Nova and Kit Fox.

• Pro - two for the price of one.
  
• Con - these will be out for C-bills next month and be two of the cheaper clan mechs. Also I am not sure there is enough variations within the three chassis or omnipod configs, it looks like there might only be one good config for each chassis.

Direwolf - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - Most Costly Clan mech to purchase with C-bills, Very different play experience than any other mech from what I have read, requires mastery of all three chassis for bonuses to performance to offset maneuverability issues.
  
• Con - Slow and with maneuverability issues. Might not be fun to play. Can be owned for C-bills relatively quickly.

Warhawk - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - Almost as costly as the Direwolf. Seems to be a good mech. Last mech to be introduced so greatest value from early access.
  
• Not really sure about the fun factor. Smurfy builds seem uninspiring.

Stormcrow - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - One of it not the best Clan mechs currently in game. Lots of different build options and customization, looks like a heck of alot of fun. Released relatively late so decent value from early access.
  
• Con - Relatively cheap expected C-bill cost so not alot of C-bill grinding time saved by a cash purchase.

So of those options are what I am thinking about. Also don't want something too similar in playstyle to the Timberwolf I already own but want something fun that is going to keep me wanting to play 2-3 different variations of builds and utilizing multiple chassis.

What are the communities opinions?

[Bishop Steiner]

Viktor Drake, on 07 July 2014 - 11:12 AM, said:

I wanted opinions from other Clan mech users who own the various mechs. I already own the T-wolf and am thinking about getting one more for the early access and also to conserve C-bills for other clan mechs I am going to want to eventually buy.

Here are my options:

The Nova package - $60 for the Nova and Kit Fox.

• Pro - two for the price of one.
  
• Con - these will be out for C-bills next month and be two of the cheaper clan mechs. Also I am not sure there is enough variations within the three chassis or omnipod configs, it looks like there might only be one good config for each chassis.

Direwolf - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - Most Costly Clan mech to purchase with C-bills, Very different play experience than any other mech from what I have read, requires mastery of all three chassis for bonuses to performance to offset maneuverability issues.
  
• Con - Slow and with maneuverability issues. Might not be fun to play. Can be owned for C-bills relatively quickly.

Warhawk - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - Almost as costly as the Direwolf. Seems to be a good mech. Last mech to be introduced so greatest value from early access.
  
• Not really sure about the fun factor. Smurfy builds seem uninspiring.

Stormcrow - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - One of it not the best Clan mechs currently in game. Lots of different build options and customization, looks like a heck of alot of fun. Released relatively late so decent value from early access.
  
• Con - Relatively cheap expected C-bill cost so not alot of C-bill grinding time saved by a cash purchase.

So of those options are what I am thinking about. Also don't want something too similar in playstyle to the Timberwolf I already own but want something fun that is going to keep me wanting to play 2-3 different variations of builds and utilizing multiple chassis.



What are the communities opinions?

Well, I can't say enough about the Stormcrow. My favorite Clan mech to play, even if I wish I was saying that about the Summoner or Nova.

107 kph, well armored, and 23 tons of guns. Twist rates like a Griffin. Hard not to love it if you like Mediums.


The Blackhawk Pack....well, the Nova is IMO, trickier to do well in, and seems to have worse hitboxes than the 'Crow (thought the high shoulders on the Stormcrow can be an issue). Kitfox is a little gem, but is really limited to being the ECM and 3x AMS guy for usefulness. If you team up, it's a good NARC'er too, but that eats up almost all your weapon room.

Direwolf....if you do real well in slow Banshees and Stalkers, you might like it. But it is essentially the least mobile pig in the game, and even "fixed" the CT, like a Catapult, will always be a shell trap. Death Star level firepower though.

I am biased probably, but feel you can't go wrong with Stormcrow.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 07 July 2014 - 11:17 AM.

[Edustaja]

A hard decision. All of the choices are close.

You have to choose the mech you want to play the most.

Are you a Stormcrow, Direwolf, Warhawk or a Nova person?

How to make hard choices:

[FupDup]

Nova has a few builds that work, like 6 ERML + 4 MGs, 2 ERPPC + 4 MGs, and 6 ERML + 6 ERSL (although after the nerf, you might want to just run with 9 ERML instead).

The KFX pretty much always has to use the ECM arm for obvious reasons, and generally needs the Alt S side torsos as well (for JJs, since the Alt S legs nerf your agility a lot). You can make a few builds on it but it will probably be energy-focused most of the time.

The Dire Whale carries a metric fuckton of firepower, but can be agonizing to play as when you need to cross long distances, climb anything that isn't flat, or escape from fire. It's a one-trick-pony of sorts. It can be very very powerful, but it's limited and very dependent on the right circumstances.

I haven't used the Warhawk yet, but it seems hard to find a good build on it in Smurfys, and they aren't that impressive in battle.

I haven't used the Ryoken yet, either, but it seems to be one of the most versatile chassis in the game, not just the Clans. It would probably be a very good addition to have.

Edited by FupDup, 07 July 2014 - 11:20 AM.

[Nicholas Carlyle]

Timberwolf is the best overall Clan mech hands down.

I feel like the Stormcrow is a close second.

After that it's a mix of the Kit Fox, Nova, Dire Wolf and Warhawk

With the Adder and Summoner at the bottom of the totem pole.

[Phlinger]

The Dire Wolf, Nova and Kit Fox will be out sooner for C-Bills so you may want to take that into consideration.

The main thing to use to decide is how you want to play....

Do you enjoy ECM mechs? Kit Fox
Do you enjoy large weapon boats like atlas'? Dire Wolf
Do you enjoy fast assaults, where the load out is limited but speed is also part of the package? Warhawk
Do you enjoy fast Mediums that play like a Kintaro on speed? Stormcrow
Do you enjoy a more Hunchback'y medium, but jumps? Nova

Of your choices listed, I'd personally go with Stormcrow, it has a varied assortment of layouts you can put on it and never stops being a blast. Even with the current Matchmaker favoring Heavies and Assaults the Stormcrow can easily hold it's own.

[Sephlock]

Viktor Drake, on 07 July 2014 - 11:12 AM, said:

The Nova package - $60 for the Nova and Kit Fox.

• Pro - two for the price of one.
  
• Con - these will be out for C-bills next month and be two of the cheaper clan mechs. Also I am not sure there is enough variations within the three chassis or omnipod configs, it looks like there might only be one good config for each chassis.

Good call on the con, although... do you think you'd be able to grind up enough c-bills to buy all the variants when they come out? There is a certain amount of flexibility there due to the Mister Potato Head nature of Omnimechs, but you'll want to elite them...

Also, the Kit fox is quite good, and the Nova... was specifically targetted for a PGI nerf.

Quote

Direwolf - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - Most Costly Clan mech to purchase with C-bills, Very different play experience than any other mech from what I have read, requires mastery of all three chassis for bonuses to performance to offset maneuverability issues.
  
• Con - Slow and with maneuverability issues. Might not be fun to play. Can be owned for C-bills relatively quickly.

If you can't have fun with the Dire Wolf you are either playing at high ELO or are dead inside. LOAD THAT MOFO UP WITH SIX AUTOCANNONS AND DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA!

Quote

Warhawk - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - Almost as costly as the Direwolf. Seems to be a good mech. Last mech to be introduced so greatest value from early access.

• Not really sure about the fun factor. Smurfy builds seem uninspiring.

Yeah... you tend to run out of either space or tonnage with the Warhawk- I thought the targeting computer would help but it seems like you really need to cram one in an arm unless you don't want to use the best one...

Still, I do quite well with it. YMMV.

Quote

Stormcrow - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - One of it not the best Clan mechs currently in game. Lots of different build options and customization, looks like a heck of alot of fun. Released relatively late so decent value from early access.
  
• Con - Relatively cheap expected C-bill cost so not alot of C-bill grinding time saved by a cash purchase.

So of those options are what I am thinking about. Also don't want something too similar in playstyle to the Timberwolf I already own but want something fun that is going to keep me wanting to play 2-3 different variations of builds and utilizing multiple chassis.

Then get a Summoner *ignores howls from Bishop Steiner* .

No seriously, maybe a Stormcrow... and try not to think too hard about the fact that the StormCROW and WarHAWK can't fly.

[Armament]

Depends on the weight class you play the most. The clan mechs play very similar to their IS counterparts. A Dire Wolf might appeal to a Stalker pilot, a Warhawk might appeal to..(haven't played anything other than my Dire Wolf so far.) I can tell you from experience that you will be left for dead most of the time if you're into pugging. Which is why I don't pug with it. When you finally do get into position, it's not a good idea to poke unless you're running a sniper build. Once you commit, you can't un-commit. It's by far the best mech in my arsenal, avg damage per match is around 750.

Edited by Armament, 07 July 2014 - 11:28 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

FupDup, on 07 July 2014 - 11:19 AM, said:

Nova has a few builds that work, like 6 ERML + 4 MGs, 2 ERPPC + 4 MGs, and 6 ERML + 6 ERSL (although after the nerf, you might want to just run with 9 ERML instead).

The KFX pretty much always has to use the ECM arm for obvious reasons, and generally needs the Alt S side torsos as well (for JJs, since the Alt S legs nerf your agility a lot). You can make a few builds on it but it will probably be energy-focused most of the time.

The Dire Whale carries a metric fuckton of firepower, but can be agonizing to play as when you need to cross long distances, climb anything that isn't flat, or escape from fire. It's a one-trick-pony of sorts. It can be very very powerful, but it's limited and very dependent on the right circumstances.

I haven't used the Warhawk yet, but it seems hard to find a good build on it in Smurfys, and they aren't that impressive in battle.

I haven't used the Ryoken yet, either, but it seems to be one of the most versatile chassis in the game, not just the Clans. It would probably be a very good addition to have.

I do OK in Warhawks, but their biggest issue is that the whole left torso is locked with DHS (and legs). Thus, even worse, usually than Atlases, as soon as the RT is popped, you have lost 50% or is running missiles or ballistics, likely 100% of your firepower.

It is a huge limiter to their effectiveness, because their mobility/hitbox/agility is generally solid. Well, that and 10 extra locked DHS period, which really limits it's missile/ballistic build versatility.

Truth to tell, I am not overly impressed with the Clan Assault in general, as either the firepower is TOO restricted(Warhawk) or the Mobility (Direwolf) which especially in the DW it needs to be for all that firepower.

Am hoping later Clan Assaults might strike a better balance.

[Mechteric]

You can't go wrong with Stormcrow. Choose Daishi only if you're already used to handling big slow mechs like the Banshee or Atlas.

[LordKnightFandragon]

I like the Warhawk overall. Its an Assault that doesnt trade in all it's speed and agility for firepower, while still packing a decent wallop and a moderately high amount of armor.

its moves pretty well at 68.4, pretty much the same as alot of IS Heavies and mediums, but it maintains it's Assault class firepower and armor, with good land speeds and agility.

Its hardpoints are largely Energy based, which can be a pain in the rump at times, but can be made into some moderately deadly loadouts. I dont think any of them will be PPFLD like the Direwolf and other mechs.

I give the mech maybe 7/10. Only if it had more quirks to benefit energy based loadouts it would be really good. Or maybe more Ballistic hardpoints mixed with energy...

[Xeno Phalcon]

Viktor Drake, on 07 July 2014 - 11:12 AM, said:

Warhawk - $55 ala cart.

• Pro - Almost as costly as the Direwolf. Seems to be a good mech. Last mech to be introduced so greatest value from early access.
  
• Not really sure about the fun factor. Smurfy builds seem uninspiring

Warhawk Pro List -

• Respectable speed for a assault (71kph with speed tweak)
  
• Very forgiving torso twist radius
  
• Insane Torso twist speed (Between the radius and the speed, its impossible to stay behind a warhawk, period)
  
• Can do respectable direct fire or missile builds

Warhawk Con List -

• Wide as a Dire Wolf, espectially from behind (The back CT is bigger than the front CT)
  
• Mind blowing number of Hardwired heat sinks (TEN TONS) Limits it by space and tonnage
  
• Only one arm can Equip lower arm Actuators limiting arm movement somewhat

---------------
Despite the cons I wouldn't trade my Warhawk for anything, especially with the Kitfox and Nova being very early on the cbill list and heartily recommend it. (If they would release the damn hardwired heatsinks from it then it could make better use of its hardpoints.)

[Piney II]

I've always driven heavies, but the Stormcrow has become my favorite Clan mech - fast, and packs a punch.

[Sephlock]

Honestly I'd go with whatever you feel most comfortable with, because that is what you are going to be in while you are grinding up the c-bills for the other mechs.

Given your criteria I'd say... the Stormcrow. MAYBE the Warhawk.

I'd recommend the Warhawk more highly but TBF it really depends on your personal preferences.

[Revis Volek]

Go Al La Carte Timberwolf and join in on the fun!

Everyone will hate you and cal you OP..... so do it!

In all seriousness IF i had to choose one....Stormcrow or Timber Wolf hands (Even little weird Stormcrow hands) down!

[Ursh]

I love the stormcow. Can only do one ballistic, but it can do some great combos. It's also fast after speedtweak and can almost shoot stuff directly behind it.

[Jeb]

I would base it on the weight class you prefer to play the most now... with the exception of the kitfox and nova as they will be out soon for cbills... (I would wait for the cbill versions as that isn't that far out for them, unless you really want the 30% cbill bonus... which is nice if that is gonna be the mech you play most often)

The ones that are a ways out though are the following...
Direwolf week 4 of Sept
Stormcrow week 4 of Oct
Timber Wolf Week 2 of Nov
Warhawk Week 4 of Nov

You can't go wrong with a Timberwolf if you enjoy Heavies

The Stormcrow is great if you like mediums... (I really like this mech, you can create energy, missile or ballistic builds (although the ballistic builds are big ballistic with some lasers or missiles for support weapons for in between cooldowns or for range or whatever) so your not stuck playing almost the same role for all three variants which feels like the case with some of the clan mechs)

Warhawk I haven't played so no comment, once I finish my basics in the direwolf, I am gonna give it a try though just to shake things up (I get bored if I play the same thing too many games...)

Direwolf is slow... very slow... 48.6 or 53.5 with tweak... and it's a huge threat so it gets focused when it finally shows up... if your already good with the Assaults this might be a good choice but I think id wait for the cbill version if your new to Assaults... (Warhawk is 64.8/71.3 so it's almost as fast as some of the heavies running without max engines so this opinion may not apply to it...)

Edited by Jeb, 07 July 2014 - 12:20 PM.

[Duncan Longwood]

I put together a quick-reference list of the Prime variant clan mechs configured with max armor along with their associated Free tonnage/Free slots/Non-removable DHS.

Kit Fox 14.5tons/27slots/10DHS
Nova 15.4tons/34slots/14DHS
Stormcrow 22.8tons/33slots/10DHS
Summoner 20.7tons/35slots/14DHS
Warhawk 32.3tons/26slots/20DHS
Dire Wolf 50.3tons/41slots/15DHS

As you can see from the list, the SCR and DWF have the most flexibility in the mechlab. The nova and summoner both have 5 non-removeable JJ's which can also limit build options.

Having said that, the SCR is my favorite mech from the clan pack. It can run SRM, LRM, Energy, or Ballistics with ease. It can also take and distribute damage with the best of mechs; I have run it down below 30% health countless times.

The merc in me likes the SCR because it is the only clan mech that I have gotten back-to-back 300k Cbill games in... so far. (Prime variant + Premuim time, no consumables)

[Starbound]

Well, I've played them all now and the standouts for me are the Timberwolf (for speed despite its big CT to core) and the Warhawk. Truthfully, I take my Warhawk over the Twolf, its fast for the firepower, great turn/twisting and you don't get left behind like the Direwolf (and you can even fight laterally!) The LT full of locked heatsinks is annoying but I prefer energy builds anyway and the prime is stock with a killer 4 ppc build that you can fire off chained for good damage without too much heat. I average about 700 per game with my prime. Its also going to be the last to release for Cbills, so there's that too. The other 2 variants have some flexibility and you can rock a meta if you want (2ppc, gauss) to play sniper. Overall, its a heavy mech with some extra guns/heat dissapation/armor.

[Lightfoot]

Mad Cat