6 replies to this topic

[Mothykins]

All of my 'Mechs are High mounted guns; Catapult, Locust, Raven, Jager, etc. So I was looking at the Stalker to keep with the looks, but I'm not certain; I can't foresee a build on one I might enjoy, so I figured I'd list what I have and how I use it to see if someone can fit my style;

Locust is knife fight, small pulse and Machineguns. Sit around the edge and spot, then take out any stragglers.

Raven is 2 Small Pulse and an ERPPC, harass from under ECM and pummel with short duration lasers when you need to close.

Catapults, You have the Jester twin ERPPC and a K2 Running twin LBX-10 and three Med las. One sits around at the edge and spots and takes pot shots, the other gets in the thick of things.

Jager is four AC-2 and Two Machine guns. Not as keen on it after nerfs.



I don't really have any missile builds, and Miiight want to try some out, but I want to see what you folks can suggest for assaults for me.

Becasue so far a 33 SHS STK-3F looks like the winner, and that scares me.

[HlynkaCG]

Lets see, going down the list...

• Awesome: A solid fire support mech, but overshadowed by the Battlemaster and Stalker in most respects.
  
• Victor: Plays like a larger angrier medium, good mobility and fire-power but kind of squishy it seems
  
• Battlemaster: King of battle IMO, good mobility excellent hard points, and can be out fitted to fill almost any role.
  
• Stalker: Low mobility but armed to the teeth and very hard to kill, closest thing the IS has to the DireWhale.
  
• Highlander: The Vistor's big brother, trades fire-power for durability
  
• Banshee: Hard to classify, ostensibly designed as fast laser or ballistics brawler but it's size and hit boxes hurt it badly.
  
• Atlas: This thing is a tank, pure and simple. If you aren't rocking max armor and the biggest guns you can carry you are doing it wrong.

ETA:
For what it is worth, my largely unmodified Stalker 3F (STD 300 Engine + DHS) is one of my top all around performers

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8af5b01d940ff6f

Edited by HlynkaCG, 04 September 2014 - 02:51 PM.

[Valdae Levien]

You, my friend, need some Clan Heavies I think.

However, if you're specifically looking for an IS Assault I would recommend the Banshee 3E. I'm not an LRM kind of guy, so I can't comment on boats, but for direct fire, a good 3E build will rip that Stalker you posted to pieces. In fact, having been piloting a lot of clan mechs recently, I would suggest that it's the only Assault outside of an Atlas that can roll with a Dire Wolf.

Fairly manouverable, torso mounted weapons only (arms make for good shields), I would also say that they're one of the two Assaults (the other being a Victor) that can run an XL. A word of caution, they're horrible to Elite and I found the 3M unbearable. The builds can be somewhat awkward to put together, but when you get it right, you're a wrecking machine.

Edit: Just looked at my Stats for this build, and it has the highest K/D ratio of any Mech I've owned. I'll post a Smurfy link later, I can't remember the exact build off the top of my head.

Edited by Valdae Levien, 05 September 2014 - 01:13 AM.

[Powerbomb256]

Awesomes: As a first assault, I would HIGHLY recommend staying away from any of these chassis. They have very large hitboxes, and have few redeeming quality's. You will probably be extremely frustrated.

Victor: since the JJ change, they seem to be much less common. However, these can make some very fast and very scary brawlers, but they do have serious durability issues due to the near need for an XL engine and broad torsos. Still, a solidly built chassis, but the XL up front will cost you.

Battlemaster: The do-everything mech of the IS, a Battlemaster is capable of taking any role and doing well, but is generally outperformed in that role by another mech. As a first chassis, they give you plenty of options, and do not require an XL engine to do well. Highly recommended.

Stalker: My personal favorite mech chassis, the stalker is hands down the most durable mech in the game. With its amazing hitboxes and huge amounts of potential firepower, it is capable of taking on nearly and other mech. However, they are notorious for both heat issues due to the amount of lasers they carry, and a VERY limited torso twist range. Once you figure out how to spread damage however, it will quickly become the most durable mech you own.

Highlander: Suffers almost as bad as the Awesome. Has highly compartmentalized weapons, super-nerfed JJ's, and isn't all that fast. I recommend staying away.

Banshee: The 3M and 3S are not that great of chassis, but still hold their own. However, the 3E chassis is one of the best in the game, with a huge amount of ballistic potential. It may, however, inadvertently teach you target fixation, which may not be a good thing. Overall, a decent first choice.

Atlas: Heavily armored, but not quite so heavily gunned the Atlas is a solidly built mech by design. Note that by bringing this mech, you are telling the enemy "Shoot me! I'm an Atlas!" Positioning is critical, and knowledge of torso twisting and heat management is KEY. Not a very beginner friendly mech, but still a very good chassis. Only buy one if you think you can handle it (And for the love of whatever deity you may or may not worship, DO NOT PUT LRM'S ON AN ATLAS).

All of these are just my opinions, the final choice is up to you. Oh, and have a upgraded versions of that Stalker 3F build.

[Escef]

Torso energy hardpoints on the BLRs are pretty high.

[Moonlander]

I too am looking for an Assault mech to start with. I'm very familiar with the Battletech Universe as I grew up playing the board game (and still do, when a group decides to meet up) and I understand mechs and their limitations. I don't however, know how they have translated the Mech's into this online world. On the board game, I've always run with an Atlas, Direwolf, Highlander or a Banshee. I've seen so many mixed reviews about the different Assault mech's that I'm just unsure of what to do. The 3E chassis for the Banshee seems to speak to me more than anything else. I'm not a man of Stalkers and I imagine I would need a bit of practice before becoming a slow, walking barn... albiet a tough one... Not a fan!

I'm a fan of Ballistics, specifically AC/5 or AC/10 - Actually, anything ballistic makes me happy. I'm not a HUGE fan of Energy, but I will brawl with some lasers if needed. I prefer a nice balance of ballistics, missle and energy and of all the chassis of all the assaults I've come across, the BNC-3E or actually, even the HGN-733C would be nice.

My question is... for those of you who do play the game and have experience with these mech's in the online world, which of these would be the better choice?

[Sigilum Sanctum]

Stalkers. See my signature. Get a Misery and you'll have some fun.