31 replies to this topic

[Angel of Annihilation]

Last night I decide to drop into my first match stock with my Nova Prime just for the LOL factor. I mean 12 ER MLs on a mech with a 0.88 heat management and a reputation for self immolation with a single alpha what could go wrong right hehe.

Imagine my utter shock when not only did I have zero issues with self immolation, but the mech preformed brilliantly. 1st Match, Zero efficiencies unlocked, 3 kills, 5 assists and 550 damage and ZERO heat related shutdowns.

Anyway it was Alpine so a colder map and I figured it was just a fluke but the second match I get MORDOR!!!! Game over now, heat is going to bring this LOL build to its knees.

Result - 2 kills, 7 Assists, 663 damage, ZERO unintentional heat related shutdowns and only 1 intentional shutdown due to intentionally pushing it to get in a kill.

I ended the night by unlocking all my basics in 10 matches which resulted in 13 kills for 5 deaths running my Nova prime completely stock. I think I had only maybe 5-6 total heat related shutdowns the whole night.

Obviously the key here was fire discipline. I ran 4 groups of 3 C-ER ML and rotated between the groups, never firing more than 6 at one time and usually just chain firing each group in quick rotation. I couldn't use large alphas and keep my heat anywhere near reasonable levels but what I lacked in alpha, I made up with in sustained DPS. All in all it worked out great.

So for the very first and probably only time, I am running a stock build with no intention of ever changing a thing (Well until they get around to nerfing the C-ER ML to uselessness like they did the C-ER LL.)

[Bigbacon]

that is the thing with the nova, it is all about not getting that itchy trigger finger or getting into panic mode where you just mash buttons.

play around with 6 MLs and 6 SL, you can get all that fire power off without breaking 70% heat assuming you give it that half second before firing the next group. though the nova is not for people with high pings...I tend to avoid it once my pings get into the 200+ range because the HSR makes it near useless.

[Voidcrafter]

You're doing it right mate.
You expect it to overheat when you do something stupid and thus you're careful about it.
Everyone aside of doing exactly that would be dissapointed, but it seems it's hard to get that

[Turist0AT]

I run mine with 12 SPL + 4MG so much fun. Almost as fun as FS9K with 8SPL

[Rhaythe]

Novas are fun. Like many other mech chassis, they don't fit into any particular category of meta. The cynic in me imagines that's why they get so much vitrol. But Novas do absurd amounts of close-up brawler damage, so they've fit my playstyle quite nicely.

[Alistair Winter]

It's kind of like playing the YLW, actually. Except you're protecting both arms, you don't have a shield side to rely on. Also, if you accidentally fire with both arms instead of one, you die.

[Livewyr]

It is taking some getting used to. (I usually set up my mechs so I can alpha if need be...formed a habit for snap executions.)

Just paid for it for the first time in Nova.

[El Bandito]

Nova arms are vulnerable and low but at least they are much easier to aim with than torso mounted 4P hunch. And unlike the 4P hunch, even if you lose 1 arm, you still got 6 MLs to play with.

Edited by El Bandito, 27 August 2014 - 05:37 AM.

[OznerpaG]

unfortunately i'v proven i can't trust myself to not alpha all 12 cERMLas in certain situations lol

hardly the most optimal loadout, but at least i can trust myself with it and only 1 cERMLas worth of additional ghost heat

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b936dd7d2ffe6a6

[nonnex]

The Stock Nova how it is, is a perfect teaching Mech. if you can't perform with this build you hav to learn more about heat management, weapon grouping and discipline.
If you perform, then: "Congratulations on your graduation!"

Edited by nonnex, 27 August 2014 - 05:40 AM.

[OznerpaG]

El Bandito, on 27 August 2014 - 05:28 AM, said:

The arms are vulnerable and low but at least they are much easier to aim with than torso mounted 4P hunch. And unlike the 4P hunch, even if you lose 1 arm, you still got 6 MLs to play with.

disagree - with the hunch and head weapons above your cockpit and smart use of cover you can keep almost your entire body under cover and lay down a beating while taking almost no damage in return. nova ALWAYS has to expose itself fully, except on corners (it's biggest strength)

[Bhael Fire]

I love Novas. Definitely my favorite medium mech. So much fun.

[DarthPeanut]

Zoeff did 1700+ dmg game in a prime variant... so I think it has potential if you get a long game and can manage the heat.

[A banana in the tailpipe]

Saying you enjoy the stock nova is a big fat endorsement for ghost heat.

[Xarian]

lockwoodx, on 27 August 2014 - 06:17 AM, said:

Saying you enjoy the stock nova is a big fat endorsement for ghost heat.

No, no it is not.

You know that you don't get ghost heat when you fire <= 6 lasers, right? It isn't just some angry guy with tattoos that waits for you on a street corner and steals your wallet.

Edited by Xarian, 27 August 2014 - 07:47 AM.

[mogs01gt]

Tried it and hated it!!! Really low slung arms and couldnt turn the torso for ****!

[Gallowglas]

I think the only problem with the stock Nova is you set 3 firing groups of four and overlap cooldowns or you run on the brink of shutdown most of the match. The 6 x CERML, 4 MG loadout is much more effective IMHO.

[Wild Hamster]

I fire 2 arms at the same time to fulfill my longtime fantasy of doing this:

[Agent 0 Fortune]

I run my Nova with 10 ER Medium Lasers. I found that 12 (two groups of 6) was just a little hot to manage, but by dropping two lasers and adding two heat sinks I was able to find my sweet spot.

[FDJustin]

I only tried it a few times. First match, I over-extended too early, got blinded by a never-ending stream of missiles and literally couldn't see friend, foe, or terrain. 44 damage and an inglorious defeat.

Second game I got 2 kills and 390 damage. It's nice to lose a side-torso and just shrug, knowing that only having half your damage output is still going to match quite a few mech's full damage output.

*Didn't find the heat too hard to handle. What I did was switch the second group to chainfire right away, that way if I got too ambitious the penalty wouldn't be too severe.

Edited by FDJustin, 27 August 2014 - 08:48 AM.