81 replies to this topic

[Ph30nix]

im not even talking when running a bunch of weapons it can barely even handle 2 LL and 2 ML have i just been running assaults to much lately or is there something seriously wrong with this mech?

[Mordin Ashe]

Well, its the hottest Mech of the season! Yeah, just look at those fine torsos...

More constructive answer would be probably that Mad Dog was always a Mech that was running either hot or undergunned. Still, I am running mine with 5xCMPL and SRM18+A, so it is not like the Mech can't take it, you just have to place your shots and make them count because you really can't avoid any misses.

[Piney II]

It's definitely a toaster. It's funny to watch a MDD driver blasting alphas and shutting down almost every shot. It's also a bit squishy.

The trick is that the mech really isn't a brawler. I run mine as fire support where I can pick and choose targets without resorting to alphas. It makes a great LRM boat.

[Bishop Steiner]

Mordin Ashe, on 27 September 2014 - 04:32 AM, said:

Well, its the hottest Mech of the season! Yeah, just look at those fine torsos...

More constructive answer would be probably that Mad Dog was always a Mech that was running either hot or undergunned. Still, I am running mine with 5xCMPL and SRM18+A, so it is not like the Mech can't take it, you just have to place your shots and make them count because you really can't avoid any misses.

yikes. I did that one, and 3x srm4s, etc. WAY too hot. It's a brawler build with no endurance, so it totally has to be run like an ambush harasser, or with friends. 2 heavy volleys and shutdown time. Add in it's lack of agility and large side torsos, and while it has some impressive firepower, I just don't feel it's good for that role. Especially when I can do it just as easily and do it better in my TWOlf. (Which is most builds, TBH).

It's funny though, even though it's on paper, more agile than the TWolf, it just doesn't feel it. (And why does it feel SLOWER? It's not, but it feels like it, to me).

Anyhow, I do run the 5 Mpl, but swapped to 3 LRM5 instead to add some ranged/indirect harassment capability, and my avg damage went up about 200 pts.

I must just be used to multirole mediums, instead of overspecialization.

[Bishop Steiner]

Piney, on 27 September 2014 - 04:39 AM, said:

It's definitely a toaster. It's funny to watch a MDD driver blasting alphas and shutting down almost every shot. It's also a bit squishy.

The trick is that the mech really isn't a brawler. I run mine as fire support where I can pick and choose targets without resorting to alphas. It makes a great LRM boat.

want REAL fun with it?

I use the Alpha torsos on my Prime and my Alpha. Run my Bravo with stock torsos.

The Alpha is packing 6 LRM5s with the lvl 5 LRM5 cooldown module, BAP and 2 ER MLasers and a UAC5. If the enemy doesn't have AMS, I chainfire the lrm5s, and the things chew through CTs like a beaver on steroids through a strand of balsa wood! Probably will shift this to my Prime chassis at some point. Use the lasers and UAC for close range engagement, and sometimes tie the UAC in with the LRMs, though on hot maps you gotta watch it.

Currently my Prime is pulling the "Scout Hunter" build. 4x ER Mlaser, BAP and 6x SSRM2 with mk5 cooldown. Streak machineguns! lay an alpha, then hit chainfire and watch the squirrels pop!

And of course, I leave the "heavy" engagement to my Bravo.

None of them come close to maxxing my alpha strike, yet each version seems to do far better for me than the Alpha-Builds. IMO, the MDD is a horrible "Alpha Mech", but it's starting to shape up as a harasser, dps support mech.

Of course, our MetaLords will never approve, but really, would they MadDog in the first place?

I can say, that I am starting to have more fun with it than my TW, but ain't no way it's replacing the 'Wolf for "serious" drops.

Ph30nix, on 27 September 2014 - 04:19 AM, said:

im not even talking when running a bunch of weapons it can barely even handle 2 LL and 2 ML have i just been running assaults to much lately or is there something seriously wrong with this mech?

so in answer, I tend to find it really needs to be "bracket" fired, like the stock Stalker builds to work. Have your long range guns, and your short range, and only mix the two when you have the kill shot, if needed. It simply does not have the heat endurance to allow you to max out and over specialize the firepower. But if you build with that in mind, it can be pretty successful.

Edited by Bishop Steiner, 27 September 2014 - 04:51 AM.

[xhrit]

Mordin Ashe, on 27 September 2014 - 04:32 AM, said:

you just have to place your shots and make them count because you really can't avoid any misses.

Afford.
You can't afford misses.
The problem with Idioms... ^^

[Bartholomew bartholomew]

Well, all the clan mechs ran hotter than the IS mechs to begin with. If you can get a 1.1 on your heat you are doing good with them. And all the calls for nerf them harder have only made them worse with the heat.

[Shredhead]

I don't know what you're talking about. This is for example a quiet cool running 2 weapon groups laser boat: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7d8351fb7c12cc6

Dude, I just built your mech, and if you overheat in this one you're a terrible player: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ec014d6bd7cf209

I call bullshit.

[FupDup]

Having only 12 hardwired sinks might contribute to that. The CERML heat increase didn't help matters...

[Malcolm Vordermark]

The Mad Dog is a bit tricky. It comes down to it having only 12 DHS hardwired and the recent heat increase on all Clan lasers. For example 2xER LL + 2xER ML is 32 heat. 2xER PPC is 30 heat. My general rule of thumb is that you need 18-20 DHS to run 2xER PPCs.

With the Mad Dog you really need to either focus on the missiles or the arms, you can't do both without running hot. Additionally, you may not be able to fire both the arm weapons and missiles at the same time because of heat. So far these are the builds I've been playing around with. Not mastered yet so I may later pull a DHS for some ammo or something.

MDD-PRIME

MDD-A

MDD-B

Edited by Rouken, 27 September 2014 - 06:01 AM.

[Gamuray]

Yeah.. Fun builds galore for the Mad Dog, but low heat and good durability will be difficult to achieve. Which is why I'll be playing it as a short lived striker. Either 6 ASRM6's with lasers or 6 lrm 15's with tag and lasers. Cheese it up!

[101011]

Shredhead, on 27 September 2014 - 05:30 AM, said:

I don't know what you're talking about. This is for example a quiet cool running 2 weapon groups laser boat: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7d8351fb7c12cc6

Dude, I just built your mech, and if you overheat in this one you're a terrible player: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ec014d6bd7cf209

I call bullshit.

To play devil's advocate, he never specified that his 'Mech ran just the 2 LL 2 ML.

[Mystere]

Shredhead, on 27 September 2014 - 05:30 AM, said:

I don't know what you're talking about. This is for example a quiet cool running 2 weapon groups laser boat: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7d8351fb7c12cc6

Dude, I just built your mech, and if you overheat in this one you're a terrible player: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ec014d6bd7cf209

I call bullshit.

A Mad Dog without missiles? Blasphemy!

[Targetloc]

Bishop Steiner, on 27 September 2014 - 04:42 AM, said:

It's funny though, even though it's on paper, more agile than the TWolf, it just doesn't feel it. (And why does it feel SLOWER? It's not, but it feels like it, to me).

Assuming its not bugged, probably because the cockpit sits higher on the mech.

[Mystere]

Targetloc, on 27 September 2014 - 06:14 AM, said:

Assuming its not bugged, probably because the cockpit sits higher on the mech.

I think it's more because the cockpit is closer to the center of torso rotation.

[TELEFORCE]

All Clan 'mechs run somewhat hot since the beam weapons are abundant and effective. Just exercise some firing control. I know how easy it is to want to fire things all the time, but effective fire control keeps you alive and well and the other guy dead and not so well.

[Brody319]

Heat management is required if you play Clan mechs. Better to fire slower and not over heat than alpha and risk powering down surrounded.

[El Bandito]

Bishop Steiner, on 27 September 2014 - 04:42 AM, said:

It's funny though, even though it's on paper, more agile than the TWolf, it just doesn't feel it. (And why does it feel SLOWER? It's not, but it feels like it, to me).

Why should the Dog be more agile than the Wolf? Timbie has 75 extra engine rating, and thanks to how engines work in MWO, that makes it just as agile and fast as the Dog, even if it is 15 tons heavier.

What is sad is that even a 400XL DS cannot match Timbie's agility. Kinda waiting on at least partial Victor de-nerf.

Edited by El Bandito, 27 September 2014 - 11:28 AM.

[Pika]

Ph30nix, on 27 September 2014 - 04:19 AM, said:

im not even talking when running a bunch of weapons it can barely even handle 2 LL and 2 ML have i just been running assaults to much lately or is there something seriously wrong with this mech?

I am dissapointed this was not about the 'Mech's physical appearance and it's overall sexy visage.

[XxXAbsolutZeroXxX]

The vulture / maddog is a 60 ton mech.

Its only 5 tons heavier than a shadowhawk, griffin, or wolverine.

These threads about the maddog having "armor like a medium mech" and "heat dissipation of a med" are pretty redundant.