14 replies to this topic

[HidesHisFace]

Hello there. I'd like to ask you for advice about my Stalker-3F build
Here is my current loadout:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a6801eaaf388c87

I have optimized it for frontal armour and low heat buildup. The idea was to get a machine that could hold at any range in prolonged combat.
Double ER LRs give me some fire power at long ranges.
Double MLs come into play along with ERs as soon as something gets closer.
SRMs are for close very close range.
With current heat efficiency it can fire pretty much constantly without any major risk of overheating.
My only major concern right now is very low ammo count for SRMs - I just needed to drop some ammo for AMS - I find it essential with current LRM spam.
Armour is concentrated on the front mostly to counter large side torso parts.
So far, this build was pretty effective for me, though I find running out of ammo rather annoying - it simply looses effectiveness too much and too quickly if missiles pods run dry.

And here comes my question - what to improve?
Should I experiment with LRMs for range and drop ER LR for pulse lasers maybe? Drop some heatsinks to mount more weapons and ammo? I'm just not sure.
I've been experimenting with quad SSRMs but it didn't work well for me.

[Dawnstealer]

Looks like a pretty good build, to me. You have the right idea with the ERLL in the arms, and the 3F really shines as a Stalker brawler because of its twist-angle.

I run mine something like this (I didn't optimize the armor, but I always lower the legs to 65 - if someone wants to waste 65 points of damage attacking my legs, I'll oblige them by melting their face):

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...07d16b5d04c4c45

You could pull the LPLs for something with more stab at a distance (keep your ERLLs and free up space for ammo or whatevs). Another fun build is running some flamers in the arms in addition to the LLs.

Edited by Dawnstealer, 26 September 2014 - 09:46 AM.

[Spheroid]

I would find a way to add another two mlas. The potential alpha on such a setup is extremely deadly.

[HlynkaCG]

My only concern is lack of ammo. You've only got 16 trigger-pulls with those SRMs. With some minor weight redistribution you could have 25

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3112a86848341cb

[Nothing Whatsoever]

If willing, here's another alternative.

And if you consider the 5M

[HidesHisFace]

Thanks for feedback, I think I figured that one out.
I ultimately decided to drop some heat sinks to conserve some weight. I also exchanged 2 SRM4s for SRM6s, giving me 4 more missiles per salvo. I also moved medium lasers to arm mounts for better firing arcs.
With these changes I was also able to mount 2 more tons of SRM ammo.
Heat efficiency loss is not really that noticeable.
Here it is:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2806e79fc69e3a4
I may still tweak it a bit, but so far, it works.
After couple of battles, it performs nicely and is pretty deadly if someone decides to facehug it.
Basically it works pretty much exactly as I wanted - I can poke at longer ranges as well as fight up close and for quite a long time with more ammo.
Alternative is dropping back to pure SRM4s and adding 2 more medium lasers, but I'm worried that ghost heat would be a bit too much - the alpha damage increase would be less than 4 points.

Now I can start gathering money for a second Stalker, most likely with LRMs this time around.

[n r g]

HidesHisFace, on 26 September 2014 - 09:34 AM, said:

Hello there. I'd like to ask you for advice about my Stalker-3F build
Here is my current loadout:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a6801eaaf388c87

I have optimized it for frontal armour and low heat buildup. The idea was to get a machine that could hold at any range in prolonged combat.
Double ER LRs give me some fire power at long ranges.
Double MLs come into play along with ERs as soon as something gets closer.
SRMs are for close very close range.
With current heat efficiency it can fire pretty much constantly without any major risk of overheating.
My only major concern right now is very low ammo count for SRMs - I just needed to drop some ammo for AMS - I find it essential with current LRM spam.
Armour is concentrated on the front mostly to counter large side torso parts.
So far, this build was pretty effective for me, though I find running out of ammo rather annoying - it simply looses effectiveness too much and too quickly if missiles pods run dry.

And here comes my question - what to improve?
Should I experiment with LRMs for range and drop ER LR for pulse lasers maybe? Drop some heatsinks to mount more weapons and ammo? I'm just not sure.
I've been experimenting with quad SSRMs but it didn't work well for me.

I wouldn't run the stalker atm since I don't feel it holds up to par with other mechs out currently BUT....

...if you were dead set on it, I would strictly run the Stalker with 4erLL (i think it's get 21DHS). I have the smurfy if you need it. I think it's the 5M.

Anyway, if you want to run ballistics, then obviously the misery is the way to go with 2ppc1ac20 or even replacing the ppc for large pulse lasers might be better. 2large pulse 1 guass would also work depending on what you like.

Could give you smurfy's of those mech builds if you truly want them.

[Spheroid]

not bad, you could also do 2x ER, 4x mlas, 2x ASRM6. That would solve your ammo problem.

[Haydin]

Your build is entirely too reasonable for me. I like my 3F to have enough lasers to fight midrange decently, and enough srms to absolutely destroy something wounded in a couple volleys. It runs quite hot, but consider this build:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f46a7a034971427

[Tahribator]

It looks pretty good. Maybe I'd move Mls to arms and exhange half a ton of AMS ammo for more SRMs.

[That Dawg]

Praetor Knight, on 26 September 2014 - 08:24 PM, said:

If willing, here's another alternative.

NOW we're talkin
modules to extend range of ML's and SRM's, seismic, advance sensor, and THAT is the boogie man when you round the corner.

[JC Daxion]

My 3f, that i have had decent luck with, are 2PPC's, dual SRM4's and ML's with a 275, or 300.. i forget off hand.. I tried the LL's but with this mech i found them lacking. being slow, i find taking the shot, and then twisting, verse having to keep on target a better option. It does run hotter, but i do better with it.. I also run PPC's on my misery. In fact they are the only mechs that i have found in the 30 that i own, that PPC's work better than lasers. Perhaps it is in my head, but so far i have liked them in stalkers.

when things get up close, and heated, that is when i switch to the SRM's and ML's

[_____]

Spheroid, on 27 September 2014 - 08:38 AM, said:

not bad, you could also do 2x ER, 4x mlas, 2x ASRM6. That would solve your ammo problem.

Agreed here. Replace the SRM4s with ASRM6's. Tighter grouping means greater effective range and bettter targeting of specific components. Go into Testing Grounds and stand 150m from say a Catapult and you'll see how many of your SRM4s actually miss.

Edited by BlackhawkSC, 29 September 2014 - 05:11 PM.

[MisterPlanetarian]

This is subject to change with the upcoming quirk pass. But right now I feel that if you want to play a stalker use it's advantages: Hardpoint placement and hardpoint abundance.

3F Sniper.

High mounted laser hardpoints used to their maximum potential. With advanced zoom this is quite good. 22 DHS and AMS. The STK-3F's signifigant advantage in torso twisting makes it the superior variant for this role. If quirks give us something nice we might even see an ERLL bonus. An ERLL range bonus module would help this build alot.


3F Mixed.

Sacrifices the dedicated sniper role for some extra close range firepower. You can mount your SRM6's in the torso for better convergence but they'll be destroyed easier.

3F Brawler.

Pretty much helpless in anything but brawling. But it does it well. 4xSRM6 with Artemis is nothing to scoff at. You have about 22 volleys total so use them well. Artemis reduces ammo waste due to spread but you loose about 4 tons of ammo/heat sinks total which demands more of your accuracy. Remember to keep your missile bay doors open once you get in range so you won't have that fire delay screw you over.

Edited by MisterPlanetarian, 04 October 2014 - 09:55 AM.

[Ultimax]

E N E R G Y, on 27 September 2014 - 07:03 AM, said:

...if you were dead set on it, I would strictly run the Stalker with 4erLL (i think it's get 21DHS). I have the smurfy if you need it. I think it's the 5M.

Yeah I run my 3F with 4x ERLLAS.

Personally I don't think the Stalker is fast enough, or agile enough, to make good constant use out of SRMs in the current game.


This is my build: STK-3F