133 replies to this topic

[Tremendous Upside]

Sephlock, on 09 July 2014 - 09:05 PM, said:

... I see 12 Energy slots... but neither of your builds uses all of them...

.

And he DID say that the good point of the design is that it has so many energy hardpoints... .

6 ERMLs and 6 ERSLs. With 21 DHS, I actually cool off firing just the ERSLs...

[Mcgral18]

Sephlock, on 09 July 2014 - 09:19 PM, said:

And the remaining energy slots?

IF YOU HAVE THE SLOTS YOU NEED TO FILL THEM.

YOU *MUST* !!!!

Fill them with tag lasers if you must!

All of them?

Alright, 11 ERSLs, 2 ERLLs.

Bam, all E slots full.

[Jman5]

Sephlock, on 09 July 2014 - 09:13 PM, said:

Fly?

I think what you're looking for is one of these.

There's that, but I'm mostly jealous of its insane damage and ridiculous amounts of heatsinks you can shove into the nova. If I build my hunchback really recklessly I can practically match the raw damage in the initial volley. The problem is that the hbk runs so damn hot I quickly get outclassed by DPS.

Edited by Jman5, 09 July 2014 - 09:31 PM.

[Carrioncrows]

Sephlock, on 09 July 2014 - 08:36 PM, said:

Your only hope is to poptart.


Which ones are worse in your opinion?

Also, how do you get the most out of those 12 hardpoints? How do you set up your Nova so that you don't get your face caved in due to heatstroke-induced narcolepsy or the need to stare at your targets for even longer than you had to before the ghost heat nerf?

Summoner - Worst
Nova - 2nd worst
Masakari - third. And I love the XXXX out of my masakari and can get it to preform well but it's kind of a bad mech. There are a great deal of places on maps that you are simply dead. Even if you out ton and gun the guy you have to retreat because you can't get your guns to clear before they pick you apart.

The best way i've found to use the nova is 1 of 2 ways.

Jumpsniper and line mech. Or a combination of the both.

For instance Prime I run x4 Er mediums, x1 er ppc, x 4 mguns.
Jump and hammer. Twin ppc's is a bit of a waste due to the heat but he ERPPC pairs well with the quad mediums. Jump hammer and then burn down targets in the open. Mguns are strictly last ditch. I think I have like 1/2 ton of ammo for them.

For the S variant I run - 2 Er larges, 2 Er mediums, 2 Er smalls and 4 mguns.
You want to stay at range and use the larges over mediums, the smalls and mguns is for when you are forced up close and need more bang.

For the B Variant I run - LB5X - x4 er mediums, x4 mguns. Just like the prime variant but cooler running allowing you to stand up and salvo.

The thing about the nova is that the last place you want to be is up close and personal. Sure it happens and I see lots of people packing on the ER Smalls, but you will die really quick. I see people run in and alpha and then just get obliterated. So the best builds are the ones that keep the range and then only as a last resort push CQC

Edited by Carrioncrows, 09 July 2014 - 10:12 PM.

[Gasoline]

Koniving, on 09 July 2014 - 06:46 PM, said:

I agree; it's not an easy thing to use.

The main reason people are having problems with the Nova is firing discipline.

I tried a stock Prime without any basics in a Pug match on Caustic. I overheated once while testing weapon grouping and once while being a little too optimistic (wanted that Commando dead so badly... ). I easily scored 450 damage and lost an arm mid match (and I'm a pretty average casual player...). It's totally doable even with just 2 weapon groups (4 are better - 4 ER ML each). Not to say it's effective, but it can at least work.

Just don't hold that mousebuttons down. Take potshots when the opportunity arises, then back off to cool down. Alpha strikes are a no no.

I find myself often enough false educated by this hilariously high heat threshold. One adapts so easily to this alpha strike mentality. Heck, without ghost heat we could even safely do an alpha strike in a Nova Prime without even shutting down...

Edit: that grammar...

Edited by Gasoline, 10 July 2014 - 02:08 AM.

[Fallreaper]

I actually love the Nova. I usually pilot mediums or lights and my previous go to mech was the Centurian A-model. The Nova is not a brawler, you will lose your limbs faster than leper in the Dark Ages. but for firing line support and sneaky flanks and suprise attacks it cannot be beat by the pure damage you can do. Like others have said the key is using the arms separately and having good trigger control.

I run my Prime which is my favourite with 10 ermls. I just have one group for each arm. Playing with Nova rewards those who are patient, situationally aware and precise with their shots. Aim for weak points one arm at a time. Use bigger mechs, terrain and corners for cover. Peak out, take your shot and go back into cover. Should be common practise with most people to use cover as much as possible but with the Nova it's essential. If you get caught in the open the jump jets really help to spread the damage. The legs are really frail but I don't usually see that as an issue since when my legs are shot off I'm out in the open or separate from my teammates.

The basic Prime loadout should nudge people to this kind of playstyle. It's extremely hot if not handled with care and fragile limbs means cover is priority in combat. If you are good pilot and like to flank i think the 12 small laser loadout is one of the best close range killers (even after nerf) to unaware enemies at the moment since you can engage and disable multiple mechs in short period of time.

[Wispsy]

Just use 12 small lasers, 4 mgs and smart positioning guys come on...it is the best medium push mech, purely because of its huge hitscan dps. Or you can put 2large 4meds on one arm like Eglar and poke all game long whilst being only an arm so not often shot at.

Running more then 6 meds is crazy...you cannot even fire 6 meds without overheating in a couple of shots...not only that but the cooling is terrible...alpha builds are nice and all that, but it loses its power when you cannot actually alpha due to ghost heat and the burn time is huge so damage is very easily spread...and you only get 1 or 2 shots.

Edited by Wispsy, 10 July 2014 - 02:58 AM.

[ArchSight]

Alistair Winter, on 09 July 2014 - 05:17 PM, said:

The Nova is much better than the Stormcrow...


... said no person ever.

The Nova is much better than the storm crow.

[Bishop Steiner]

Carrioncrows, on 09 July 2014 - 09:52 PM, said:

Summoner - Worst
Nova - 2nd worst
Masakari - third. And I love the XXXX out of my masakari and can get it to preform well but it's kind of a bad mech. There are a great deal of places on maps that you are simply dead. Even if you out ton and gun the guy you have to retreat because you can't get your guns to clear before they pick you apart.

The best way i've found to use the nova is 1 of 2 ways.

Jumpsniper and line mech. Or a combination of the both.

For instance Prime I run x4 Er mediums, x1 er ppc, x 4 mguns.
Jump and hammer. Twin ppc's is a bit of a waste due to the heat but he ERPPC pairs well with the quad mediums. Jump hammer and then burn down targets in the open. Mguns are strictly last ditch. I think I have like 1/2 ton of ammo for them.

For the S variant I run - 2 Er larges, 2 Er mediums, 2 Er smalls and 4 mguns.
You want to stay at range and use the larges over mediums, the smalls and mguns is for when you are forced up close and need more bang.

For the B Variant I run - LB5X - x4 er mediums, x4 mguns. Just like the prime variant but cooler running allowing you to stand up and salvo.

The thing about the nova is that the last place you want to be is up close and personal. Sure it happens and I see lots of people packing on the ER Smalls, but you will die really quick. I see people run in and alpha and then just get obliterated. So the best builds are the ones that keep the range and then only as a last resort push CQC

Eh, I'll toss the Adder as the worst, any day. All the weaknesses you ascribe the Nova, (low arms, etc) AND minimal hardpoints, low speed, no JJs, no ECM.

Also, the issue with the gun clearance of the warhawk is largely shared by the Direwolf. Warhawk makes for a better missile-boat. Really the biggest weakness to the 'Hawk is the DHS locked LT. It keeps you from maximizing ballistic and missile firepower, and also makes it a no brainer to simply shoot RT. Once that pops, any non pure energy 'Hawk is all but neutered.

Actually comp Clan play, we see a fair bit, and use a fair bit of Novas, and yeah, even Summoners. Both, IMO do underperform, compared especially to the 'Crow and TWolf. But both are able to hold their own over most IS Mechs in their weight class. (Boom/GaussJagers, Ilya, and a few Orion Builds being the only ones I would call flat out better)

[Bishop Steiner]

Wispsy, on 10 July 2014 - 02:55 AM, said:

Just use 12 small lasers, 4 mgs and smart positioning guys come on...it is the best medium push mech, purely because of its huge hitscan dps. Or you can put 2large 4meds on one arm like Eglar and poke all game long whilst being only an arm so not often shot at.

Running more then 6 meds is crazy...you cannot even fire 6 meds without overheating in a couple of shots...not only that but the cooling is terrible...alpha builds are nice and all that, but it loses its power when you cannot actually alpha due to ghost heat and the burn time is huge so damage is very easily spread...and you only get 1 or 2 shots.

Yeah, your build can work (really well in the right conditions), but you gotta admit, it can be crazy limited too. I remember dropping against your lance on Tourmaline, and this was one of the rare instances I saw you get skunked, mostly because of the limitations of that build.

It's popular in CGB, too. But any build that is completely useless past 200 meters, really is too teamwork/map dependant for me to embrace, personally.

[Wispsy]

Bishop Steiner, on 10 July 2014 - 04:22 AM, said:

Yeah, your build can work (really well in the right conditions), but you gotta admit, it can be crazy limited too. I remember dropping against your lance on Tourmaline, and this was one of the rare instances I saw you get skunked, mostly because of the limitations of that build.

It's popular in CGB, too. But any build that is completely useless past 200 meters, really is too teamwork/map dependant for me to embrace, personally.

Yeah it is my first real medium mech so I make plenty of mistakes and sometimes it costs me a lot...however the DPS in that 200m is really overpowering and with correct positioning can pay off most of the time. If your whole team gets completely owned by competent players though then yes you will be unable to carry.

[Bishop Steiner]

Wispsy, on 10 July 2014 - 04:30 AM, said:

Yeah it is my first real medium mech so I make plenty of mistakes and sometimes it costs me a lot...however the DPS in that 200m is really overpowering and with correct positioning can pay off most of the time. If your whole team gets completely owned by competent players though then yes you will be unable to carry.

Yeah, I thought you looked a little uncomfortable that match. Doesn't really seem like your sort of ride, with it's relatively limited speed. But it can be used to some good effect. They can be particularly good when it's time to take out the garbage, as that DPS is vicious on damaged mechs. Just a little too limited for my own tastes.

Give Stormcrows a try, too. 107 kph, 4 er Mlasers and an LB20x is disgustingly good fun. (though I do miss JJs) It's like my YLW only....more evil.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 10 July 2014 - 04:34 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

I like the Nova. YMMV.

[Bishop Steiner]

Redshift2k5, on 10 July 2014 - 04:34 AM, said:

I like the Nova. YMMV.

I wanna slap Nova arms on my Summoner. Nuff said.

[Wispsy]

Bishop Steiner, on 10 July 2014 - 04:33 AM, said:

Yeah, I thought you looked a little uncomfortable that match. Doesn't really seem like your sort of ride, with it's relatively limited speed.

I will get it right, it will be worth it, my theorycrafting and analysis has never been wrong before!

[Vassago Rain]

Wispsy, on 10 July 2014 - 04:38 AM, said:

I will get it right, it will be worth it, my theorycrafting and analysis has never been wrong before!

There's a first for everything.

[Cyborne Elemental]

Here is a thought, go play a HunchBack-4P, then with a straight face try saying Nova's suck again. k thx.

[Wispsy]

Vassago Rain, on 10 July 2014 - 04:44 AM, said:

There's a first for everything.

That is incorrect...in every sense...except "there is a first for everything that that exists". Which would not apply here.

Edited by Wispsy, 10 July 2014 - 04:51 AM.

[Vassago Rain]

Mister D, on 10 July 2014 - 04:45 AM, said:

Here is a thought, go play a HunchBack-4P, then with a straight face try saying Nova's suck again. k thx.

Hunchbacks are bad mechs from 2012. They are relics. Novas are competing with shadowhawks, griffins, and stormcrows for medium slots.

Tell me with a straight face that a robot with no endo or ferro to save weight is better than the competition.

[Wispsy]

Vassago Rain, on 10 July 2014 - 04:55 AM, said:

Tell me with a straight face that a robot with no endo or ferro to save weight is better than the competition.

To be fair I am maxed on slots...