25 replies to this topic

[Tool Box]

I'm curious. I play clan almost exclusively but I have been branching out into inner sphere mechs recently. I have played the raven 3l and the jenner f for lights, getting them mastered and learning how to play in each role. So I don't have to go and try out all the inner sphere mechs. What are the best Inner Sphere mediums for sniping and brawling? If possible please link me builds.

Edited by Tool Box, 17 October 2014 - 05:22 PM.

[ImperialKnight]

Shadowhawk

[Redshift2k5]

Best at what? Upcoming quirks will make the HBK-4G likely the best as using an AC20, and already other mediums are best at boating lasers, boating SSRMs, or carrying ECM.

Shadowhawk is a pretty solid jack of all trades, so it makes a good place to start since it does a bit of pretty much everything, but other mechs will do some of those specific things better. Shadwhawk has some pretty generous hitboxes, good speed, good loadout options, JJ. Other mediums have better visibility, more hardpoints, better torso twist, etc.

[Tarogato]

Cicada.

... if you're a light pilot.

But seriously, it's probably the shadowhawk. I feel like the srm18+ griffin will give it a run for its money. The SHD-2K can run the same build with better hitboxes, but nobody expects a griffin to wreck face, so you tend to not get focused down early. =]

Edited by Tarogato, 17 October 2014 - 06:48 PM.

[UrsusMorologus]

Cicada -3M with ECM is best sneaky sniper. You can get behind the enemy and share target lock with your LRM boats, then pop the target with PPCs at the same time as the missiles and they wont even know you're there. Cicada hero X5 is also very solid for brawling, with 4x MLs and 2x ASRM4 you can really ruin stuff. They move very fast too, 1337 kps with 300 XL after elite (kind of funny--"leet speed" is 1337 haha). Great mech if you like being aggressive and hate hanging back.

If you want something tankier, there are a bunch of choices for ~4 lasers and ~2 SRMs, some with jumpjets, some with very high engine speed, some with blocking arm, etc, really depends on what you are looking for.

[Macksheen]

Blackjack. Mastered SHDs a while back, avoided the Blackjacks but they are super awesome.

[Gangnail]

Shadowhawks will give you the best all around results

[W00DSTER]

centurian

[muskrat]

Shadowhawk

2K : http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d625cab05f64cdf

2H : http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7776ceab2639c4f

2D2 : http://mwo.smurfy-ne...eb578334f0b8819

@Shadowbane Opps yep 5M much better more jumpy too

5M : http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ffd7ad86c29254b


Just some of the builds available with this versitile Mech

Edited by muskrat, 18 October 2014 - 01:49 AM.

[Spheroid]

Shadowhawk

Edited by Spheroid, 17 October 2014 - 07:57 PM.

[ShadowbaneX]

muskrat, on 17 October 2014 - 07:44 PM, said:

Shadowhawk

2K : http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d625cab05f64cdf

2H : http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7776ceab2639c4f

2D2 : http://mwo.smurfy-ne...eb578334f0b8819

Just some of the builds available with this versital Mech

The 2D2 isn't really the mech you want to be running the AC/20 on. Try the 5M instead. That way if your AC/20 gets taken out you've still got 2 MLs on the opposite arm. Also let's you strip some arm armour which means an extra JJ or half a ton of ammo.

[Johnny Reb]

Shadowhawk is the best overall, however speed and ecm the cicada-3m or if lrms/srms are your bag the kintro-18 is a good choice.

[Rogue Jedi]

there is no single best IS medium, depending on what you want:

the Cicada variants are the best scouts sue to high speed and the best support Mechs due to the ECM variant,
the Blackjack is the best mini Jagermech,
the Centurian is the best at tanking huge amounts of damage,
the Shadwhawk is the most versitile,
the Griffin with up-to 24SRMs and extreme agility is the best brawler

Edited by Rogue Jedi, 17 October 2014 - 10:37 PM.

[BleuDeath]

Shadowhawk-2ac5-1erppc.

[HlynkaCG]

The closest thing you will see to an official answer is the ShadowHawks followed by the Griffon 3M.

Personally I've never done well in them. Give me a Hunchback, Wolverine or Blackjack any day of the week,

[mailin]

Another vote for the Shadowhawks. Because they have a variety of hardpoints they really can mount almost any weapon you want. They're fast because they take XLs well, and to top it off, they have jump jets. I can't tell you the number of times I've gotten below 30% health in my Shadowhawk brawlers with XL and lived until the end of the match.

[Motörhead]

Shadowhawk right now but wait for all quirks, you might like some specific build more

[dragnier1]

I agree. Incoming quirks would probably require us to re-evaluate "enhanced" mechs

We will probably see a lot more shadow hawk (and storm crow) owners with the incoming discount.

Edited by dragnier1, 18 October 2014 - 01:11 AM.

[The Basilisk]

I like the Griffin for its enormous torso twisting capability.
3M without XL only for folowing a heavy or assault around.
3M with XL feel it doesn't realy matter since you are useless as soon as you loose your srm torso anyway.
I'm not very adept to torsotwisting ( I mean shieldside / one side wonder ) builds.
But I hear this 1N can be a nice hit and run mech. ( me thinks too slow and to inflexible )

Last thing I like for pugging is 1E
Has a brutal punch but don't try brawling or prolonged fights.
Follow other mechs around and hit enemys with a burst of punishing firepower.
Also try jumpsniping over boulders or ridges while moving.

Edited by The Basilisk, 18 October 2014 - 02:51 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

If you want sniping AND brawling in the same chassis, Shadowhawk is a good choice. High mounted shoulder ballistic weapons for a pair of AC5s, or generous missiles & lasers for close-in builds. JJ will help you get into positions you cant' reach in a Centurion.

For sniping though, you should consider a Cicaa 3M with ECM; ECM is a great tool for a sniper because you will not show up on the enemy radar, and it's fast enough to really get behind enemy lines or place itself far on a flank where nobody is looking, until they take a pair of PPCs to the back. Other Cicadas are build much like Jenners, with 4-6 energy weapons, but it's a larger, less maneuverable alternative. Technically a medium but plays as a light, if that floats your boat.