20 replies to this topic

[DJDethGlow555]

Hey mechwarriors I've been playin a while now and I've unlocked elite efficiencies for my hunchback 4P which I've had a lot of fun with and love a lot but now I want somethin bigger. More tankier if you will. I've seen people say good things about catapults and dragons but I know I didn't like the trial version of the atlas that's been out for a while. Nor did I like the cataphract. I could use a pointer towards which heavy/assault chassis and variant.

Thanks for reading mechwarriors, any advice would be appreciated.

[dragnier1]

Catafracts are more suited for brawling, with the exception of the 3d. They are quite tanky, but terrain plays a big role with their low slung arms. They used to be common, when many brawled.

Catapult k2, a1 and jester are my preferred within the variants. They are fun to play, but not meant to tank. The k2 could go dual ppc or dual ac/gauss.

Orions are not bad too, if you like tanky mechs with ballistics. I use mostly ac5/ac10.

If you prefer mid range combat i recommend the catapult. They are more suited to fire support.

As for assaults, don't base them off the trial versions, they're bad. Should you go for assaults, especially the slow ones, remember that they are not made for "popping in and out" since they're slow.

[Rear Admiral Tier 6]

As far as assaults go,Banshee is good ballistics platform,the 3E is the one to get.3S is problematic miniatlas(i guess the S stands for slow),and 3M is a all energy mech.Battlemaster works as a LRM boat or limited brawling,i found it to be bit squishy for a assault,torso energy hardpoints are high mounted,so might work well with PPC:s.

Battlemaster has still 3 variants on c-bill sale,so c-bill wise it might be wise to try those first.Please note that you still need 20 mil c-bills to kit those out regardless of the sale.

[Modo44]

For pure power, I would still go with the 3D. The trial build is very bad, but the mech itself remains the strongest IS heavy. The XL280 engine comes in handy in many other mechs, too.

The Dragon is difficult to pilot (requires map knowledge and the ability to fire guns accurately while running), and expensive to build (around 15 million Cbills for a fully kitted-out build with a big XL engine). Lots of fun once there, but getting there will be frustrating.

The K2 is more forgiving. Its XL-friendlines allows for some of the highest DPS builds on IS mechs. It will be easy to kill for good pilots because the CT is huge, so allowing assaults to tank first is crucial.

The OinK is on sale. While not as agile as any of the above, it can tank a lot, and is at the tonnage sweet spot for some major firepower (including silly but deadly XL builds).

[HlynkaCG]

If you've been enjoying the Huchback 4P I would suggest going with a Battlemaster or Banshee as they foster similar builds and playstyle to the 4P. Reasonably "Tanky" with lots of energy hardpoints.

Otherwise I'll echo what others have said and recommend the Cataphract, it is still ton for ton one of the strongest IS heavies. The 3D and 1X in particular are very good.

[Davegt27]

I don't know all that much about all the mechs but when I go to the testing grounds taking out a Cataphract takes almost half my ammo

I am going to start calling them SLUF (after the A7 Corsair II) it means short little ugly fella and they used to carry a heck of a weapons load

Anyway

If you are going to spend money get a clan Mech (any clan Mech) I already spent close to $100 in upgrading my PC so I can’t see buying MC for awhile

GL

Edited by Davegt27, 13 August 2014 - 09:25 AM.

[SethAbercromby]

The Stalker, due to its fire support design, is a rather forgiving Assault. It can carry very balanced loadouts that can hit at any range (see 3F stock weapons), provide massive missile support while still being very cabable of defending itself at short range (see 3H stock weapons), or run any other energy/missile centric design purpose.

The chassis however suffers from heat problems as energy and missile weapons generate rather large quantities of heat when compared to ballistic weapons, so as a pilot you need to learn fire control and heat management to avoid shutting down.

Due to their shape do the Stalkers hate XL engines, but offer enough tonnage to play around with. You can run the stock STD255 if you need more tonnage for your weapons and intend to stick to the second or third line, or you can upgrade to the STD300, which will allow you to take more roles at the front.

If you want my personal loadout configurations,
All range fire support 5S (uses a modified 3F loadout)
Missile Overlord 3H
Face eating Misery

I personally havn't really found a heavy 'Mech that stuck with me, but I'm actually considering getting a Flame when it comes up in a future sale.

Edited by SethAbercromby, 12 August 2014 - 10:01 AM.

[Koniving]

If tanky is what you need, there is no IS mech more tankier than the Stalker. 3F is the common preference. 5M and 5S are also fantastic variants.

Tanking example.

Rewards for a single match.

Spoiler

If you want something that can feel like a bigger Hunchback, Shadowhawk is a medium that has a similar sensation. In the Heavy class, the Orion gives this feeling. In the assault category, the it's kinda between a Victor and the Battlemaster. But neither of them tank anywhere near as well as the Stalker.

Keep in mind the champion builds are often some of the worst builds you can have for mechs.

[Remarius]

In fairness most people get that achievement remarkably easily by getting a lance mate to destroy bits when everyone else is hunting down the last survivor in a massacre. Seen that too often....

[Takashi Uchida]

Remarius, on 12 August 2014 - 12:55 PM, said:

In fairness most people get that achievement remarkably easily by getting a lance mate to destroy bits when everyone else is hunting down the last survivor in a massacre. Seen that too often....

it can backfire tho, one guy was trying to farm it when we were stomping the other team. But their last guy (Spider) snuck up and poked him and he blew up

[bayoucowboy]

From the Hunchback, I would recommend you try either the Orion or the Thunderbolt. Be aware that both are going to feel "slow" to you. Thunderbolt has some high placed energy points on the right shoulder.

[Mott]

bayoucowboy, on 12 August 2014 - 03:49 PM, said:

From the Hunchback, I would recommend you try either the Orion or the Thunderbolt. Be aware that both are going to feel "slow" to you. Thunderbolt has some high placed energy points on the right shoulder.

If built and piloted right... the Thunderbolt can also tank like a mofo. However, it's still not a great chassis.

If the OP did well with the HBK though, it's not like he'll go wrong with any of the suggestions... but i'd vote for Stalker > Orion > all others, for what he specified.

If real $ isn't a limitation though... Timberwolf or Stormcrow for sure. Best 2 mechs in the game.

[Macksheen]

I find the Awesome amusing right now too.

For IS, my personal preference runs (Heavy) Catapult, Jagermech, Cataphract ... (Assault) Stalker, Awesome

I do think the SHD is a nice move up from the Hunchback, and the Thunderbolts with the shoulder mounts could also be similar.

[ImperialKnight]

keep playing, save more CBills, if you're still around in November, buy the Timberwolves

[Koniving]

Remarius, on 12 August 2014 - 12:55 PM, said:

In fairness most people get that achievement remarkably easily by getting a lance mate to destroy bits when everyone else is hunting down the last survivor in a massacre. Seen that too often....

That's just cheating.

In normal combat the first one is easy.
The second not so easy.
The third and fourth... very difficult.

To get them all in a single match with a Stalker that, in the end, had less than 6% health after taking on a 95 ton Banshee, a Firestarter, and a PPC + LRM Catapult at the same time and winning after losing both arms, one side torso, one leg, critical hit to the head, and down to literally 1 AC/5 and 3 shots left (after an ammo explosion) after killing the last enemy (the Catapult) and still pull through... is not so easy. Of course, the Misery can't tank as well as the other Stalkers, no missile doors means no 10% resistance on each arm when the doors are closed.

This was a little bit before making that last kill. The Catapult is running because I broke his PPC so it was only LRMs left. I didn't think I'd make it so I took a screen while chasing the catapult over the hill.

On the display on the left you can see half my heatsinks are gone, too. The head damage came with the volley of LRMs that waited for me over the ridge.

Edited by Koniving, 13 August 2014 - 05:13 AM.

[Sky Hawk]

If you want tankier... than use Assaults.. Heavies have never enough armor ... But, don't forget.. With Assaults you can't just jump from nowhere, fire like hell, and run away, like with your Meds... It takes time to reacht your targets.. loooots of time... so..

If you like Energy Weapons... Than use the Stalkers!... Only they have high enough hardpoints to fire "over" things (hills, other Mechs, etc.)... Aaaand Trials Mechs.. They are usefull mostly to one thing: to see in the Mechbay, how actually a Mech looks like...

Here is my 2 very basic Stalker varianst... (I think they are perfect for beginners)

1. First is an LRM Attack Boat (so always one step backwards from frontline!):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...48bbd744f5dfb5b


2. Second is a really tank, goes in all IS Mechs true (just never turn or stop with it!):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...31daff984e3bdbe

If you want learn Assault with Laser+Missiles variants, much simpler can't be..


PS. Lol, Kon can't just simply give a poor smurfy link.. he just can't...

PS2. Looks like I can't either... Thanks @SethAbercromby... the most part I agreed with you, but....

1. The reason for that is simply... I choosed the wrong line in the MechBay.. (I changed it now, thanks! I hope this time, it is what I wanted to show...)

2. It is, as I said.. a very basic variant... I don't know how good pilot @DJDethGlow555 is.. I offered the easiest variants for beginners, that I know... If he is a good pilot, he will choose surely a higher skill level build... but, it could be, that he played till now just with lasers, and will start first with an easier build... and learn how to use SRMs/LRMs,.. perhaps you didn't heard it, but not every player is an Elite Pilot... thats why this build.... simply... good to learn SRM.. later he will sure change it anyway...

And those DHSs in the arms..Ye, this is a really-really hot build, if he start from Zero Basic Skill, he will need every piece of DHS, he just can build in... So many SRMs+MLs.. even with so many DHSs he could manage in the best case max. 2 Alfa.. Those arm DHSs have no other place to go... Ammo can go in the leggs, but DHSs not... and again.. as I said, a very simply variant for beginners... Thanks for your help!

Edited by Sky Hawk, 13 August 2014 - 07:01 AM.

[Macksheen]

Koniving, on 13 August 2014 - 05:04 AM, said:

That's just cheating.

In normal combat the first one is easy.
The second not so easy.
The third and fourth... very difficult.

To get them all in a single match with a Stalker that, in the end, had less than 6% health after taking on a 95 ton Banshee, a Firestarter, and a PPC + LRM Catapult at the same time and winning after losing both arms, one side torso, one leg, critical hit to the head, and down to literally 1 AC/5 and 3 shots left (after an ammo explosion) after killing the last enemy (the Catapult) and still pull through... is not so easy. Of course, the Misery can't tank as well as the other Stalkers, no missile doors means no 10% resistance on each arm when the doors are closed.

This was a little bit before making that last kill. The Catapult is running because I broke his PPC so it was only LRMs left. I didn't think I'd make it so I took a screen while chasing the catapult over the hill.

On the display on the left you can see half my heatsinks are gone, too. The head damage came with the volley of LRMs that waited for me over the ridge.

Stalkers are such beastly tanks.

[SethAbercromby]

Sky Hawk, on 13 August 2014 - 05:27 AM, said:

1. First is an LRM Attack Boat (so always one step backwards from frontline!):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...21c4085833516fd

2. Second is a really tank, goes in all IS Mechs true (just never turn or stop with it!):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...31daff984e3bdbe

If you want learn Assault with Laser+Missiles variants, much simpler can't be..

1. Why are people doing that? Why waste a LRM15 on a 10 tube launcher? I'm really starting to consider that a capital offense on any 'Mech. With ten tubes, you either use 5s, 10s or 20s, but the dual volleys of 10-5 from a LRM15 are a complete waste of potential and tonnage as they barely outperform a LRM10 with the same tube count. You're also carrying unused Narc Ammo, but I was nice enough to patch you up. That's enough ammo for a hybrid Missile Striker.

2. The Stalker is such a great design in its multi range ability (see what Kon did with his? Even that one is based around that design quirk). You've ripped out it's biggest strenght and forced a short range build down its throat that's not even that good. Personally, I'd just run with a heavily modified stock loadout as it has served me indedibly well, but it's not the only way to do it. You could drop a heatsink to get a ton more armor in the legs if you think they get shot off that quickly, but the arms are safe due to their extremely narrow shape, which makes them unlikely to get hit.

[BSK]

DJDethGlow555, on 11 August 2014 - 08:37 PM, said:

Thanks for reading mechwarriors, any advice would be appreciated.

I have met you in a game 2 days ago, you don't have the responsibility for the role of an Assault, to say it in a diplomatic way.

[n r g]

DJDethGlow555, on 11 August 2014 - 08:37 PM, said:

Hey mechwarriors I've been playin a while now and I've unlocked elite efficiencies for my hunchback 4P which I've had a lot of fun with and love a lot but now I want somethin bigger. More tankier if you will. I've seen people say good things about catapults and dragons but I know I didn't like the trial version of the atlas that's been out for a while. Nor did I like the cataphract. I could use a pointer towards which heavy/assault chassis and variant.

Thanks for reading mechwarriors, any advice would be appreciated.

Dragon slayer or Timberwolf if you have the $$$