97 replies to this topic

[CocoaJin]

Nicholas Carlyle, on 06 September 2014 - 11:20 AM, said:

Whatever you do, don't spend real money. I'd personally go ECM Atlas at this point. Great way to learn the game.

Why would you say that? If you find something you like, why not buy it? I agree one shouldn't rush to buy, but no need to spite PGI if they actually have something you want.

Edit:
Oh, never mind...you're bitter and miserable and won't be happy until you spread your negativity like a cancer. You're like that chick who follows a dude around bad mouthing him to everyone because y'all broke up...that's pathetic...especially if you happen to be a grown ass man.

Edited by CocoaJin, 06 September 2014 - 03:50 PM.

[Ultimax]

Roughneck45, on 06 September 2014 - 11:17 AM, said:

Get shadowhawks. Also, check out the new player section, there are always a bunch of threads there about which mechs to purchase for beginners.

This, definitely.

Is say you want the 2D2 or 2DH, and 2DK to start.

Great mech, a lot of build option variety, jump jets, agile, high mounted weapon option, etc.

[CheeseThief]

For new players I have always recommended the Hunchbacks.

Very cheap to buy, stock builds are rather good and they will teach you the basics of the game like how to protect that hunch.

The 4G lets you play with ballistic builds.
The 4P lets you play with loads of lasers.
The 4SP lets you play with missiles.

Large variety of playstyles and cheap enough to buy and equip that you could get all of them from the cadet bonus. If your learning the game then you can't go wrong with a Hunchy.

[Diablobo]

Nicholas Carlyle, on 06 September 2014 - 11:46 AM, said:

I reiterate, buy a DDC, equip ECM...profit.

I'd probably also throw an AMS on it. And then just play patient.

You will stay alive a TON longer than you will in any kind of Medium Mech with the way PGI balances this ****** game.

Putting a noob in a DDC just wastes a valuable assault slot for his team. New players should never play assaults. Each team needs its assaults to know what they are doing and do it well. New players should not even be allowed to play assaults until they have at least 50 drops under their belt. If I had my way....

[CocoaJin]

Honestly, I'd think Mediums and Heavies would be good choices for noobs...depending on one's play style. Some people want to be a little tanky with some descent punch, like a Battle/Armored Cruiser, so go Heavy. Some like to be a little more versatile with more speed and agility, like a Cruiser, go medium. The extremes(Assaults and Lights) of the spectrum should be reserved for someone with more experience and confidently knows his niche and how to play it...so I wouldn't recommend these two for a noob.

[Voodle]

I started out with this game fairly recently and it's really tough IMO since I basically squandered my cadet bonus on loads of the wrong things.
The Blackjack is what I started with since I really enjoyed the BJ1(C) build but actually buying a cbills mech is somewhat different since it starts out without the upgrades; the Blackjack really really badly needs an XL engine and endo steel to be effective (imo). It is great at running around with an AC20 though and it's fairly easy to play since it can have jumpjets and has the arms high up. Its major downside is that with such low tonnage, it doesn't last long against other mechs so it taught me to be careful quite early on.
Mastering that was definitely worth it but I do wish I'd picked a better armoured mech to start with.
It's also limited in that they have no missile hardpoints on any variants. I wish I'd realised this earlier because NARC beacons are a great way to get XP and cbills.

I went for the Shadowhawk after that since it was the other recommended IS medium (this was before the hunchback quirk was added to improve the right torso) and it was difficult to get used to how slow it is. It took me a long time to realise that this mech can run a standard engine quite nicely which allows my preferred AC20 to fit so it's a bit cheaper in that aspect. Some of the builds I've been able to upgrade to both endo steel and FF and it actually works.
The different variants also have a good variety of hardpoints so while I mostly run energy and ballistics, I can missile boat with them (though streak SRMs don't really work well for my play style) if I want to.

I bought a light and a heavy as well, a Jenner and a Cataphract - neither work for me so I'm sticking with mediums.
I went for the Cicada after that, when the 3M variant was on sale and that mech can make a huge difference in matches with how important ECM is. The other variants aren't so easy to play as it's basically an overgrown light mech, they practically require XL engines and speed is one of the main things keeping it alive. Ballistic builds haven't really worked for me with that mech so much.

Now I've moved on to the Raven, since I also really like the 3L and made the mistake of buying a Huginn (ugh), I hated the game so much playing the RVN-4X I nearly gave up playing. Starting out with light mechs or lighter mediums ends up being more expensive than the purchase price of the mediums like the Shadowhawk once all the necessary upgrades are on there, since they all seem to require endo steel, double heatsinks, FF and XL engines to be even vaguely competitive.

One other thing I thought of: The Shadowhawk and the Blackjack both have jumpjets, those are so useful even if the jump sniping thing has been nerfed, even putting a single jumpjet on a mech can allow it to turn so much more quickly before it's mastered that doing things like making a 180 degree turn are so much easier. I seem to miss that facility a great deal on the mechs that have no jump jets.

Edited by Voodle, 06 September 2014 - 05:53 PM.

[Carrie Harder]

Shadow Hawks!




Variant guide:

2H: The specialized dakka boat. Not quite horrible per se, but definitely the red-headed stepchild of the Shad family. Not much it can do that the others can't do better. Maybe pick it up when you get spare cash, if you do choose to go with Shadow Hawks.

2D2: The missile boat of the family, with a good blend of energy and a ballistic as well. A pretty versatile variant, and a must-have for any prospective Shad owner.

5M: Doesn't specialize at any one particular job, but it is probably the most versatile of the bunch because it can create more "compromise" builds than the others. It's sort of a jack of all trades but a master of none. A good variant to have.

2H: Similar to the 2D2, but trades a missile for an extra laser. Like most Shads it's good, but it tends to have heat issues during brawls for most builds.

2K: The ultimate fire support/sniper of the Shadow Hawk lineup. The high mounted left torso energy slots were born almost specifically to carry Large Lasers or ER Large Lasers, and play peekaboo across the map. It also has missiles it can use for short range defense (SRMs) or other things. It has no arm weapons, meaning that you can use both arms as shields instead of just one arm like most Shads. Highly recommended variant.

[SgtMagor]

one with ECM might be what your looking for.
Kit Fox-S
Spider-5D
Atlas-DDC

[Sewman]

Interesting thread to read. Hunchies and Cents were recommended to me when I started. Both fun mechs with great torso twist but you won't be topping the score board much, even after you get comfortable piloting and aiming etc.

I went with Cataphracts instead and I wouldn't recommend them if I had to do it again because they're pretty wide targets and have low slung arms. You just end up shooting a lot of earth and over exposing yourself a lot (and dying a lot).

I too would recommend the Shadowhawk. I got into Mediums a little late but it's turned out to be my favourite weight class. It's hard to describe 'fun factor' but the mediums definitely have that. And the Shadowhawk always seems to survive the ongoing weapons nerf's/buffs because they're just so versatile! If 1 weapon type gets nerfed, you can switch up your build.

The previous post by Carrie Harder is a great summary - very true. My favourites: SHD-2K, 2D2. The 2H is fun but maybe not all that competitive if you're looking for the absolute best hard points.

I recommend getting 3 variants so you can master the mech. After you master, they completely change. They're just better at everything from turning to aiming to cooling down etc. etc. That'll be the true representation of what the mech has to offer.

A word on Assaults:
Personally, I 'learned' the most about map position and smart flanking from piloting mediums and lights. I don't think you should ever pilot an assault until you've gotten a good understanding of how to pilot lights. You have to get to the point where you get good at sneaking up on Stalkers/Atlases and coring them from behind. Then you're just in a more educated position not to get eaten alive by lights when you try out an assault (getting into the habit of thinking a few moves ahead).

I wouldn't recommend starting on assaults.

A Word on the Trial mechs:
As well, the trial mechs are NOT an accurate representation of what these mechs actually perform like. All mechs come alive after mastering but Assault especially suck without all of the upgrades. The suckiness is much more noticeable

Edited by Sewman, 06 September 2014 - 06:28 PM.

[Johnny Reb]

Ultimatum X, on 06 September 2014 - 03:49 PM, said:

This, definitely.

Is say you want the 2D2 or 2DH, and 2DK to start.

Great mech, a lot of build option variety, jump jets, agile, high mounted weapon option, etc.

This!

[El Bandito]

Stalkers are one of the most newbie friendly Assaults there is. Due to narrow CT profile, you do not get insta-cored, even if you are not familiar with TTing. Not to mention the high mounted weapons.

Edited by El Bandito, 06 September 2014 - 06:58 PM.

[Johnny Reb]

New ppl prolly should not take an assault! Might as well tell them to run a light first, at least they will have fun before they die.

[Escef]

Johnny Reb, on 06 September 2014 - 06:57 PM, said:

New ppl prolly should not take an assault! Might as well tell them to run a light first, at least they will have fun before they die.

I would never recommend a light mech to a new player. Most can't handle the speed at first, and without proper map familiarization they will get hung up on terrain and come to a dead stop... Emphasis on dead. A light getting hung up on terrain in front of an enemy is going to get shot to bits. For that matter, until you learn proper evasive maneuvers, you are going to get shot to bits.

Yeah, lights have the speed to get out of trouble, but if you don't know the map or aren't used to the controls yet there's a good chance that speed won't help you as much as it should.

[InspectorG]

I would say Hunchbacks for cheaper and more boating options.
Shadowhawks are better but you may need an XLengine which would be a grind.

Dont get an Atlas. All that will happen is you will get frustrated by lights you cant even see killing you from behind. The pug group will leave you behind, making you a nice target, as well.

Dont worry about ECM yet. Dont let it be a crutch. Use SKILLS to avert LRMs. It will suck at first, but as your ELO gets better you will see fewer LRMs
I you NEED an actual ECM, the Cicada is a medium that runs like a light.

After your Hunchback/Shadowhawk, i would say get a heavy. Either Jager or Cataphract.
IF you do spend money on the game, get a Clan Timber Wolf...so far its the best heavy. Until further nerfs come in or something.

[Astrocanis]

Pandawaffle, on 06 September 2014 - 10:18 AM, said:

I'm new to MWO and have only tried the trial mechs thusfar. I was recommended to buy a hunchback for learning to play the game in a Twitch chatroom, but I would like a second opinion before I make the purchase. I've also looked up threads similar to my request in this one, but many of them are from 2013, and I would like something more up-to-date.
I've enjoyed the blackjack thusfar, but I have been hurt badly in games by the coordinated missile spam that clan-stacking groups commonly do, so a kit-out with ECM would be nice.

After further reflection: buy Timberwolves.

[Ultimax]

InspectorG, on 07 September 2014 - 06:25 AM, said:

I would say Hunchbacks for cheaper and more boating options.
Shadowhawks are better but you may need an XLengine which would be a grind.

Everything is going to be a bit of a grind.

He'll need DHS
He'll need Endo

For all of the variants of hunchbacks he gets.


All of the CBill hunchbacks come with 200 STD engines, which are WAY TOO SLOW.


He's going to need to buy an Engine anyway, it might as well be a good XL like a 280 or 300 that he can swap around a multitude of builds (I recommend the 300 personally).


I know you all mean well, but telling him to start with hunchbacks is doing him no favors.


It is not an easy mech for a new player to start with, and the "cost savings" on one single engine aren't worth being invested in a mech that doesn't have even remotely close as much versatility and viability as the Shadowhawks.



This is from Kiiyor's thread.


Go ahead, take a look at the average performance of Hunchbacks and tell me if that's what a new player should be running.

Or are hunchbacks so low...because people keep recommending them to new players?

Either way






If he ends up loving medium mechs and wants to try some others that's his choice, but for outright usability and overall "betterness" he's better off with Shadowhawks.

[Nicholas Carlyle]

Escef, on 06 September 2014 - 12:42 PM, said:

In other words, it's safe to ignore your opinions.

Way to totally miss the point I'm making in this thread. But you bought the Overlord package, so not a big surprise.

CocoaJin, on 06 September 2014 - 03:44 PM, said:

Why would you say that? If you find something you like, why not buy it? I agree one shouldn't rush to buy, but no need to spite PGI if they actually have something you want.

Edit:
Oh, never mind...you're bitter and miserable and won't be happy until you spread your negativity like a cancer. You're like that chick who follows a dude around bad mouthing him to everyone because y'all broke up...that's pathetic...especially if you happen to be a grown ass man.

haha, yes, I'm bitter about a franchise I love turning into this crap.

By the way, nice Flea signature. How's that mech treating you? When did they say it was going to be in the game? LOL

Edited by Nicholas Carlyle, 07 September 2014 - 08:31 AM.

[Furry Fox]

I just started playing this game about a month ago. After doing my own research regarding which mech to purchase first, I decided to go with the Shadowhawk 5M (SHD-5M). In my opinion, it was a GREAT first choice! Not only is it very versatile, but it comes with an XL-275 engine! I used that engine in my other two Shadowhawks, and I'm using it now in my Jenners. It may appear to be pricy, but that's because it comes with equipped with double heat sinks (1.5 million C-bills), endo-steel structure (~0.5 million C-bills), and a good engine.

I believe that my first build looked something like this:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...50856851277417b
I had a bunch of fun peaking my arm around corners to blast people with the ER large lasers, wreaking havoc with the UAC/5 once I gained some momentum, and then moving in to use my SRM4 (I usually made the kill before getting that close, hence such a small amount of SRM ammo).

It was very fun to use. =D After mastering the Shadowhawks, I moved onto the Banshees (it's like a slower Shadowhawk with TWICE the weapon potential!) and fell in love with brawling. Because both chasis mount their main weapons in the side torso, it was a very natural progression.

Please feel free to PM me if you would like to talk to somebody who was in your shoes a month ago! Everything is still fresh in my mind, and I would love to help a new player 'cause this game is awesome!

P.S. - If you get annoyed by LRM spam like I once did, then this is a good first build. As it utilizes long-range weaponry, it encouraged me to stick to cover. ALSO!!! Don't use General XP (GXP) for mech skills. I saved mine up to unlock radar deprivation (15,000 GXP), and I rarely ever get hit by LRMs anymore. This is because, by default, even if the enemy loses sight of you, they can still track you for a couple of seconds. However, with radar deprivation, the loss of tracking occurs the instant they lose sight of you (which makes the missiles stop following you).

Edited by Furry Fox, 07 September 2014 - 08:58 AM.

[Escef]

Nicholas Carlyle, on 07 September 2014 - 08:30 AM, said:

Way to totally miss the point I'm making in this thread.

That people should take advice from someone that doesn't play? I don't do any wood working (not since middle school shop classes, over 2 decades ago), would you listen to my opinion on saws or varnish?

You don't play, ergo you are not in a position to give meaningful advice. Take off, hoser.

[Mawai]

Just to add another opinion:

Jenner for lights
Shadowhawk is a good medium (I have mastered hunchbacks since I got one originally and some variants are great but the "hunch" aspect makes that part very vulnerable due to hit boxes and it often has a lot of the firepower). Centurions are also an option since due to invisible arm hit boxes that contribute to extra reduction in damage transfer they can be very survivable.
Jager - particularly the JM6-A ... are very versatile heavy support mechs that can be fitted with almost any combination of ballistic/energy ... the JM6-A can also fit missiles which is why it is so versatile.

I don't play assaults much but in general I don't think they are a good starting class (I have mastered Stalkers so far ... working on Battlemasters)