28 replies to this topic

[The Flying Gecko]

A Stormcrow-D armed to the teeth with S-SRM6 doesn't even require a sober pilot to be devastatingly effective.

[dragnier1]

What's there to advice? Just play them all!

Just kidding.

I had fun with shadow hawks and centurions.

[Sukotto]

SuperPignouf, on 29 October 2014 - 12:16 PM, said:

Stormcrow, hands down. In my opinion, it is the second most effective mech in the game right now. The IS quirks are cool and all and I'm excited for a few in particular, but I really can't see them causing the IS mechs to catch up to the clan mechs.

My preferred build is 1 Gauss Rifle in the left arm and four C-ER Medium Lasers (head, RT, x2 Right Arm). Fill the rest of it up with heatsinks. My friend who normally only runs assaults tried the build and loved it right away. You could also run 2 C-ER LL and 4 C-ER ML, but I really prefer to have the Gauss Rifle in the other build since it allows you to keep shooting even when you're running hot.

Just remember that using this mech will allow you to pick your fights and escape, when necessary.

[Sparks Murphey]

The biggest problem I find with the Shadow Hawk is it's field of view. That square front window with nothing on the sides really confines your view, making it harder to see what's to your left and right. A quick mouse flick left or right will usually give you a view out the side of a medium, really useful for fast skirmishing; in a Shadow Hawk, you just see cockpit walls until the torso catches up.

My preferred mediums are the Trebuchet (not that you could tell from my signature) and the Griffin. Both can jump around at speeds over 100 while carrying a nice missile/energy loadout, making them great for bombing runs. The Treb offers a little more versatility (better spread energy hardpoints, the option of a ballistic variant) while the Griffin's shield arm makes it a little tougher (that pauldron on the left arm can catch most of a barrage of LRMs, preventing them from hitting things you care about).

I tried the Blackjack when it originally came out, and found that while it's fast and well armed, it's range of torso twist leaves something to be desired. It's possible that's just because I was comparing it to a Jenner, though. I may revisit that come the 4th and quirks, though.

[Cptn Goodvibes Pig of Steel]

G'day,


I haven't touched the IS 55 and 45 tonners, but have mastered two Cicadas (40t), three Hunchbacks (50t), two Centurions (50t) and a Trebuchet (50t). On the way with Clan Stormcrow's (55t), but these are a different kettle of fish. I do think I appreciate what you're after. Something smaller, more handier and agile than the heavies. Most mediums are pretty good in their own ways. Like others who have posted, waiting till the 4th November for the specialist quirks is probably a good idea. Something like a Hunchback 4G with its AC/20 quirks could make it a pretty fearsome little mech. If you were fortunate to have recently received that Centurion AH, then it might be a good idea to take it for a run. I tend to use this mech in the method it was intended for. I.e. A strictly AC/20 principal mount. Torso twist left to hit with the right weapon arm, then torso twist back to the right to defend with the left shield arm. Strictly the sword and shield Roman stuff, but still very effective in punching above its weight.


Regards,
Draughluin

[Rear Admiral Tier 6]

If you want to steer clear of the 55 tonners,Centurion is a solid choice,if A-variant had jumpjets,it would the most op medium in the game.I have had numerous 1000+ damage games in my A after the clans dropped,just torso twist like a madman,and dont run in the open,because everyone aims for the legs in the cent,because that is the easiest way to kill it.

If you want ultra-fast skirmishing and you love LRM:s,Treb is a solid choice,variants to get: 3C(comes with XL300,pricey but worth it,390 engine cap,goes 139 kph with that engine),7K(Best IS AC20 50-ton medium currently,until the hunchback gets its buffs,extremely hard to disarm,can also do a 100 KPH gauss + ppc combo) and 5J ( 2LL 3ML,max engine,endo and ferro,again,very good laserboat,and it flies with max jump jets)

[Samziel]

Hunchback 4P is my favourite IS medium at the moment, and when the quirks come boy that thing will be near OP! Lower burn time, lower cooldown on ML, lower heat gen. You'll be firing more concentrated damage faster and with less heatgen...

[Tim East]

Stormcrow is amazing because it can do a multitude of builds and still run almost 100kph. I've thrashed bigger and "better" mechs head-on in the thing because it is just that good. 5CSSRM6's and you can kind of just chainfire strip people's armor off in a matter of seconds, and that's just one of the many things you can use it for.

[MarkFBD]

I vote Kintaro 18. 5 LRM 5's, DBL Heat Sinks, max LRM 5 cooldown module, 2 medium lasers, mucho ammo, and endo steel, stock engine(for now), etc. I enjoy creating a literal bridge of missles to the enemy. I hide,shoot,and like a true Surrat finish many matches with above 90% armor.