21 replies to this topic

[John1352]

I've just bought 3 Stalkers in the sale, and as the 5M has double heatsinks, I'm playing it while I get Cbills for DHS for the others. I'm not going well. Here's my build: STK-5M

Is this build simply not viable? I've tried various tactics, and I can't seem to get a good result for me and the team. If I go charging in within the first ~3 minutes, I make a REALLY good distraction, my team gets a good opportunity to attack the enemies, I go down with barely any damage, and my team is likely to win. If I hang back, my team usually ends up getting picked off one by one, and eventually I end up fighting several enemies at once. I get a lot of damage this way, but it's a loss.

I generally pilot fast mechs, so I might be making some errors in positioning, but I'm thinking the stalker might just be a bad SRM boat. Does a build like this work for anyone else?

[Modo44]

You probably just have too little range and too much heat. The slow mech can get left behind and/or jumped without reach. More than 3 SRM6s will generate very high ghost heat when fired together. Consider downgrading to 3 launchers, and taking a pair of PPCs or ERLLs. Think 2xPPC+3xML+3xASRM6. You can also mix SRMs with streaks to work around ghost heat. This would be 2xERLL+3xML+2xASRM6+3xSSRM2. In both cases, use the long range in distance fights, and switch to the other stuff up close to prevent overheating. You can use streaks and SRMs in one weapon group to make the thing simpler to run.

[John1352]

It's only 3 ghost heat for an alpha strike, for a total of 43. The ghost heat isn't what's limiting it. I'll try adding longer ranged weapons, but I'm not going to go for endo steel, those builds have really low heat efficiency.

[Arctcwolf]

stalkers are designed to...stalk. if u want to support ur teammates, run some lrms instead of srms. u dont have the speed to play with srm's like a light or medium, ur a big target.

keep the medium lasers, dump most of the heatsinks, and run lrm 10's. bigger than that, use artemis. consider getting an XL engine as well. not as likely to lose a side torso at longer ranges. the lasers are only there for when ur out of ammo, or have a light mech harassing u.

[Roughneck45]

Assault SRM boats are just not strong enough IMO.

I always run my stalkers with either 5 Std/ER LL or 2 PPCs and 2 ER LL.

If you refuse to get endo then the PPC one would be better. STK-5M

Edited by Roughneck45, 21 August 2014 - 06:06 AM.

[DONTOR]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...747e43dbb8b3f8e
Make these changes to the build and it will be more effective. My personal build has 5 tons of ammo and i have more leg armor not sure what is off in the build.

Anyhow I LOVE my ASRM stalker it easily achieves 1000 damage, and survives through some crazy brawls. Best part is even if you lose half your mech it still has the frepower of most mediums. It MUST HAVE ARTEMS if you are using SRMs as your primary weapon.

It will 2 hit an atlas/DW at point blank or 3 hit from 150 ish meters. As you said the tricky part is gettng to combat effectively, I just play follow the atlas or have anyone Im plaing with on coms follow me, tunnel rush with this thing if you get the chance because it will clear a tight space like no mechs business...

[John1352]

I'm having a bit more success, still using the same build. I ripped a direwolf apart last game on caustic, but my entire team wanted to play run and snipe, so I had to choose between standing my ground and running away at 57 (still no speedtweak), so I gave the enemies a good blasting before I died.

I'll give artemis a shot once these sales are over, I still want to snag 3 firestarters.

[Garegaupa]

I'm using almost exactly the same build as Dontor, except I have Endo-Steel, a STD310 engine and one more ML (and probably a few less DHS to fit all of that, I don't have the exact setup in front of me right now). I love that thing! Given the right circumstances it's really deadly - and the 310 engine allows me to squeeze out the last drop of speed from the Stalker, which is really needed for such a short-range 'Mech!

Edited by Garegaupa, 21 August 2014 - 08:24 AM.

[DONTOR]

Garegaupa, on 21 August 2014 - 08:21 AM, said:

I'm using almost exactly the same build as Dontor, except I have Endo-Steel, a STD310 engine and one more ML (and probably a few less DHS to fit all of that, I don't have the exact setup in front of me right now). I love that thing! Given the right circumstances it's really deadly - and the 310 engine allows me to squeeze out the last drop of speed from the Stalker, which is really needed for such a short-range 'Mech!

Good call, but I personally dont like how the 1 ML in the CT doesnt sync up that well with the other 4, and as a zombie I would like to have atleast a LL or nothing. 5 SRM6 is actually damn hot so I just lke havng alot of DHS but maxing the engine is worth another look for me.

[The Basilisk]

I'm driving this one. STK-5M
Don't try an complete alpha on maps like Caustic or Terra.
I recommend firing either your large lasers or your short range weapons.
Making two groups of SR weapons worked pretty well for me.
Med lasers and streaks on the first and the 3 ASRM6 on the second.
You can mark and soften your oponents with your large lasers in the first match phase. After that you should switch to chainfire and get some dps out.
Your SR weapons will then do the rest.
Some will say its overgunned. I'm saying no its an assault.

[DONTOR]

The Basilisk, on 21 August 2014 - 08:45 AM, said:

I'm driving this one. STK-5M

Hmm myself and most other included greatly dislike XL stalkers, because the side torso are easy to take out, and with even half a (std engine)stalker you still have plenty of firepower to kill. Glad it works for you though!

[Mad Ox]

With as slow and limited with torso twist as Stalker is.

SRM boat is a one trick pony might get it off but after that time everyone will stay out of sight and come from behind. Not to mention 5 of those 6's a single ton of ammo only gives 3.33 volleys... thats mighty limited fire power.

Stalker more then really any Assault needs some range on it. I have Misery and settled on single ER LL in center Torso its saved me a few times. Would throw in a LRM but I stick to SRM 6, but probably going to swap that sooner or later but so far when I do run it works out decently.

Throw on some LRM5/10's on arms for some reach single ton of ammo for each gives you 36/18 shots perfect for start of game and few near end to chase lights trying to run and gun on ya.

[RuneOfDeath]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...356dfc4cc22927e

This is what I run. I know its really slow and all, but firing all 5 lasers together gives you nice damage for acceptable heat, and those SRMs are just devastating.

Weapon groups: 1-all lasers, use at midrange, at short range when needed and when heat is low.
2-the 2 SRM6s in the arms
3-the 3 other SRM6s
4-the CT large laser

Works for me, any ideas on how to improve it?

[Nightshade24]

I do not know about you.

but my stalker 5M is 100% stalk and I got a few 700+ damage games with 5 kills or so.

[ShinVector]

The SRM Stalker much like other SRM mechs used to be OP in the past.

A few things really screwed up the SRM stalkers game...
Strong long range weapons... Seismic Sensor.. Poor hit reg.
You should be able to sneak around an blow people backs with that thing.

Simple put... Slow short range assault ain't very good in todays META game...

Edited by ShinVector, 31 August 2014 - 09:41 PM.

[Nightshade24]

maybe do the same build I am (aka stock) and maybe change the ER large laser into a regular Large laser and 1 narc into the 3rd SRM 6, no ghost heat, still some range (large laser and LRM's), etc.

I've seen some really scary stalkers in the past when pugging just before clans, I saw one 5M on the enemy team (my team off 10 players versus him and 1 DC) and he won... doing over 1000 damage in a large pulse, medium laser, 5 SSRM 2 stalker on terra therma...

However Stalker is not good at close range BT wise and in MW: O, I think you should try to go for rather the typical LRM boats or Laser boats or a mix most stalkers are running, with SRM's for close range support.

[theta123]

Unleash an alpha strike, then begin launching chain fire. I do this with my 4 SRM 6 Battlemaster BLR 1S and this REALLY boosted combat performance.

First you fire that powerfull broadside, then with the constant banging, the target gets very irritated and loses concentration

Edited by theta123, 01 September 2014 - 08:14 AM.

[PhoenixFire55]

Arctcwolf, on 21 August 2014 - 04:35 AM, said:

stalkers are designed to...stalk. if u want to support ur teammates, run some lrms instead of srms. u dont have the speed to play with srm's like a light or medium, ur a big target.

Don't listen to stupid lurmers and stick with SRMs. If used properly the SRM Stalker is a deadly machine. Only thing I'd do is switch to 3F for better torso twist. Four SRM6s is enough.

[Arctcwolf]

PhoenixFire55, on 01 September 2014 - 08:31 AM, said:

Don't listen to stupid lurmers and stick with SRMs. If used properly the SRM Stalker is a deadly machine. Only thing I'd do is switch to 3F for better torso twist. Four SRM6s is enough.

lol, u mean dont drop an advanced UAV over an enemy position and rain down 1200+ damage and 3+ kills per match

[Zordicron]

Brawlstalker is perfectly viable, and isnt dependant on the team for spotting, defense, etc. it also makes good use of the stalkers superb durability to be up in the fight. LRM stalkers can be effective, but the armor and hitbox advantage is lost as, in general, if you are winning, you didnt need the armor because you are an LRM boat, and if you are losing, the LRM stalker will just get ganked and the armor and hitbox wont matter much. Besides, other mechs have better tubes or more speed for positioning.

If you want SRM's, I would drop to 4's, use the extra tonnage to put some LL on instead, maybe drop artemis, but thats up to you with 4's. I dont use SRM at max range unless I have to, and 4's dont spread like 6's do. It will run cooler, give you longer reach to participate earlier and more often.

The real trick is to get some longer range, and overlapping ranges. LL work pretty well, you can reach, or add them to close combat if you can spare the heat. SRM work pretty well now, but running 5 launchers can be really hot in a longer brawl.

I actually ran a streakboat 5M, and put some LL on it and a few ML for more brawl ability. Anything smaller then you, just chainfire streaks, aim lasers at side torsos or open areas, legs on small stuff, the norm. Usually, eventheough the streaks spread dmg, running 5 of them and focusing on weak spots on your foe will melt them down/disable them/neuter their offense pretty quick. The downside is fighting big boys, well, 5 streaks vs an Atlas is pretty pointless until he is showing some open crits. Its a waste to shoot missiles into arms and legs when some well placed shots can take a side torso and arm at same time.

Anyway, you are on the right track, but I would boat a few less missiles, it isnt always best to run the biggest/most you can. It runs too hot, you get to specialized. Maybe.....

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d4fe79a452c51d0


If you save the SRM for facewrekz, and hold back on lasers in the brawl, it is substantial dmg output. There is enough ammo for 15 salvos of SRM, which is enough dmg in itself to wreck stuff, and then you still have significant laser dmg to add. it will run really hot if you alpha strike nonstop, really the LL should be held back for sure in close range unless you are desperate. Run 3 triggers, two LL on one, 3 ML on another, SRM on third. Use the weapon that makes most sense for foe and range(NO SRM ALPHA AGAINST THAT SPRINTING SPIDER, use those ML instead) Overlapping ranges, some longer range, decent speed and almost all the armor.