17 replies to this topic

[GreyNovember]

Bit of background. I'm a Raven pilot for most parts. Started with a K2, wasn't particularly good with it, so I decided to pull out of the heavy slots and let someone else take over the role with more firepower while I L2P'd in a less impactful mech.

Running around at 150 as I do, I come across many situations wherein I find a teammate being rained upon while he backpedals to cover; usually an assault or another heavy. If I'm still relatively healthy, my first instinct is to dive in front of him and let my CT take a few hits before darting away. Failing that, I shoot mid lasers into the general head area of the offending mech and try to draw attention.

I tend to not have much success with acting as a shield, which I assume is due to me being narrow and short. I'd like to ask for suggestions as to which light/medium would fit this bill.

[FupDup]

For lights, a Firestarter might work because they're taller and have bulkier shoulders that attract fire.

For mediums, you could try a Griffin or Shadow Hawk. Both are very tall and have good enough hitboxes to spread damage all over their body.

[Thejuggla]

Probably be better off running ams or ecm than using a light/medium as a shield for bigger guys. They have way higher armor you shouldn't be shielding them. Being said centurion has a nice shield arm going for it.

[Pendraco]

Thejuggla, on 25 September 2014 - 06:32 AM, said:

Probably be better off running ams or ecm than using a light/medium as a shield for bigger guys. They have way higher armor you shouldn't be shielding them. Being said centurion has a nice shield arm going for it.

This, with a standard engine the Centurian is just incredible at tanking damage. You could tank a ton missiles and still run around SRM bombing enemies, or tickling them with a few Med. lasers.

Edited by Pendraco, 25 September 2014 - 06:39 AM.

[Josef Nader]

Pendraco, on 25 September 2014 - 06:39 AM, said:

This, with a standard engine the Centurian is just incredible at tanking damage. You could tank a ton missiles and still run around SRM bombing enemies, or tickling them with a few Med. lasers.

QFT.

SRM bomber Cents are one of the best assault escorts in the game. You can lose both arms and your right torso without losing a single point of firepower. Good Centurion pilots can often tank more damage than assault pilots. It got so bad a while ago that I still reflexively shoot for a Cent's legs, because otherwise I don't stand a snowcone's chance in hell of bringing him down before he escapes if he knows what he's doing.

[Soul Tribunal]

Gotta admit they are right, and the Centurion even gets a bonus to that Arm in its quirks.
If there is one mech that can tank Damage and be a Zombie, its the Cent.

-ST

[MeiSooHaityu]

I think there is a Kitfox that has 3 AMS mounts.

If you want to escort assaults and heavies and keep missiles off of them, i'd do that instead of physically blocking the missiles with your light mech.

Triple AMS is one heck of an anti-missile system.

[Ghogiel]

centbombs are amongst the best shields and great at being either 1st or 2nd into the brawl and tanking. Just don't go in with CT straight on. Tank on the right side until you are in there, then get to work.

[Kalimaster]

Just a suggestion if you can afford the loss in armor or other options. Equip an AMS with a half ton of ammo.

[Reitrix]

MeiSooHaityu, on 25 September 2014 - 06:59 AM, said:

I think there is a Kitfox that has 3 AMS mounts.

If you want to escort assaults and heavies and keep missiles off of them, i'd do that instead of physically blocking the missiles with your light mech.

Triple AMS is one heck of an anti-missile system.

Especially when its 3 Cute Foxes tailing a pair of Dire Whales.

[Moonlander]

In my lights/mediums I run AMS with lots of ammo and I tend to just stick to my assaults and heavies who are putting out damage. May not get every one but it helps. I also pretty much circle around them, watching their backs and LoS so they aren't picked away.

Edited by Moonlander, 25 September 2014 - 07:31 AM.

[RockmachinE]

Don't act as a "shield", force the enemy to attack you, if he doesn't he dies or loses a component. Try to work on the back plate if you can or a main weapon, even a 20dmg alpha will be enough to either outright kill the enemy or take a component. They will be FORCED to attack you or face the consequences. I do this in my Commando all the time.

In fact you can use this tactic to take several enemy mechs "out of the fight" by forcing them to chose between being killed by your buddies or destroyed by you, either way their attention will be divided and they will die.

[Brody319]

It depends on how they behave. If we pulled back and left an assault alone because he isnt fast enough, I'll push back to draw fire and do more damage till he is back with the group. But if he suicide charges I'll let him die. Just be careful taking the fire because if your legs get crippled in a light or medium you are probably dead.

[Fut]

Eonai, on 25 September 2014 - 05:58 AM, said:

Bit of background. I'm a Raven pilot for most parts.

[...]
I tend to not have much success with acting as a shield, which I assume is due to me being narrow and short. I'd like to ask for suggestions as to which light/medium would fit this bill.

While I applaud your awesome sense of "team" and willingness to assist a team mate in need, I really don't think that acting like a shield is a smart idea in a Light Chassis. Your armor is simply too thin for the task.

Edited by Fut, 25 September 2014 - 08:23 AM.

[Joseph Mallan]

Eonai, on 25 September 2014 - 05:58 AM, said:

Bit of background. I'm a Raven pilot for most parts. Started with a K2, wasn't particularly good with it, so I decided to pull out of the heavy slots and let someone else take over the role with more firepower while I L2P'd in a less impactful mech.

Running around at 150 as I do, I come across many situations wherein I find a teammate being rained upon while he backpedals to cover; usually an assault or another heavy. If I'm still relatively healthy, my first instinct is to dive in front of him and let my CT take a few hits before darting away. Failing that, I shoot mid lasers into the general head area of the offending mech and try to draw attention.

I tend to not have much success with acting as a shield, which I assume is due to me being narrow and short. I'd like to ask for suggestions as to which light/medium would fit this bill.

As a Heavy/Assault player, I would like to say, Thank You. You are making a sacrifice and that is appreciated. I would like to tell you I will return the favor any time. So hide in my shadow anytime.

Edited by Joseph Mallan, 25 September 2014 - 08:00 AM.

[Greenjulius]

MeiSooHaityu, on 25 September 2014 - 06:59 AM, said:

I think there is a Kitfox that has 3 AMS mounts.

If you want to escort assaults and heavies and keep missiles off of them, i'd do that instead of physically blocking the missiles with your light mech.

Triple AMS is one heck of an anti-missile system.

^This. If you want to be everyone's best friend, pick the Kitfox with a C arm, put ECM and 3x AMS on it, and try to cover the group. You'll find you win more often when you have a few players using AMS and ECM to the team's advantage rather than just themselves.

[Piney II]

Fut, on 25 September 2014 - 07:56 AM, said:

While I applaud your awesome sense of "team" and willingness to assist a team mate in need, I really don't think that acting like a shield is a smart idea in a Light Chassis. You're armor is simply too thin for the task.

Agreed. Distract the enemy and use that speed to draw some fire away from the mech he's trying to protect - buy some time for the wounded comrade to withdraw.

[Elizander]

Bring a Jagermech with dual AC/20s. It does one of two things when you shoot at a mech attacking your ally:

1) It forces it to deal with you instead.
2) It dies.