47 replies to this topic

[Tristan Winter]

I want to buy the Mad Dog when it's out for C-bills and MC. But I don't know what to do with it. I already have a Summoner SRM-boat, so I don't want another SRM-boat.

Are there any dedicated Mad Dog mechwarriors out there who can teach me how to Mad Dog? How does this mech work? How does it compare to other clan mechs? What can I do with it? Is it similar to any Inner Sphere mechs? Does it work with LRM20's with BAP and Artemis, or should I be using pulse lasers and keep LRM15s with 2 tons of ammo as backup weapons? Is there any point in using the ballistic hardpoint?

Is this basically just a slower Storm Crow that takes up a heavy mech slot? Or is it worth its weight?

Teach me your deadly stuff, Mad Dog pilots!

[KraftySOT]

Id like to hope so but I havent seen any in a while. Splat and pulse lasers seemed a good set up. Killing them is fairly easy tho with the big shoulders, taking half their weapons pretty much neuters them.

I dont know about their LRM capabilities, seems like theres better chassis for that.

[Brody319]

I've heard they are the Clan's version of the Catapult. So it would be an LRM boat. Their side torsos and hit boxes make them terrible for brawling. So I would say the farther from combat you could be, the better.

Something like this:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2f98793a1df7867

[Metus regem]

I run one with 6xcLRM 5 on chain with quad cERML+TAG.

One with 6xcSSRM 6+Active Probe and laser vomit.

One 6xcSRM6 + pulse laser vomit.

Out of all of them, I enjoy the prime with the LRM5 chain o pain. I use the TAG for the accuracy buff to the LRM's and with their habit of ct speaking it works well. The lasers are there if I run out of ammo.

[Scratx]

There are two prime roles for Mad Dogs.

1 - Long range indirect support : LRMs as you like, with room for energy backups

2 - SRM striker : easily fits 24-36 SRM tubes and still has room for energy backups.


However, Mad Dogs aren't restricted to this. There's a lot you can do with them. The one big drawback they have is that their side torsos are trivial to hit... you aim at a Mad Dog, you hit a side torso. Or so it feels like at times. So, you'll almost always die from side torso loss.

You're also not fast enough or have enough cooling to stay in a brawl and fight it out. You Are Not A Timber Wolf Or a Stormcrow.

[FupDup]

What you need to know most of all is that your side torsos are freaking HUGE. It can take quite an effort to protect them sometimes, and if you've already lost one it's hard to keep the other one from being destroyed too. Torso twist carefully and use a destroyed side as a huge shield for the CT/other side.

Edited by FupDup, 17 November 2014 - 05:24 PM.

[DYSEQTA]

Not sure I would call myself an "Ace" but I find the Mad Dog to be a great all rounder. I personally run a 4xCLRM5+A, 2xCSRM6+A, 4xCERML. Another thing I would say is armor to the front as you are fat in front and skinny in back as far as hit boxes go. I find that with this build I am pretty much always an asset to my team and really never find myself without a solution to whatever situation I am faced with..

Note that I don't give an ef about alpha strikes, front-loaded-pinpoint-damage, and all that so called competitive crap.

Edited by DYSEQTA, 17 November 2014 - 05:25 PM.

[DjPush]

I'm an ace in any mech but that's beside the point. These are my favorite builds.

Variant 1:

2 x LRM15
2 X ERLL
2 X ERML

VARIANT 2:

3 X SRM6 + Artemis
3 x ERML
1 x UAC10

VARIANT 3:

4 X SSRM4
2 X LRM10
2 X ERML
2 X ERSL
CLAN BEAGLE ACTIVE PROBE

[Ultimax]

If you want to play a 2nd line mech that relies heavily on some kind of missile weapon, then you might enjoy this mech.


That's what it does that is unique, beyond that there are several much better direct fire clan mechs.

[Davegt27]

I could have sworn (correct me if I am wrong) I saw a Mad Dog with 6 S-SRM6s'

I want one when they come out for c-bills

plus they look cool

[NovaFury]

At 60 tons, with a top speed similar to other clan heavies and huge side torso hitboxes, the MDD is an interesting beast. It handles like a heavy, feels a little sluggish compared to other clan vehicles of similar weight, and cannot take hits like its larger brethren. This relegates the mech to a standoff role. You can mount 6 SRM launchers, but unless they're streaks and can be employed at a greater distance, you'll get better results from a Summoner or Timber wolf.

All your lasers are in your arms. They seem to attract a suprising amount of fire, especially when twisting, so plan accordingly. A large number of missile hardpoints allows you to use multiple, more efficient smaller launchers, 6xLRM5 being popular, and 6xASRM4 may have a place. I personally prefer streaks if I go for a gimmicky shorter range build, for reasons I mentioned earlier. Practically, you'll want LRMs, and play as an 'aggressive' LRM boat. Stick a tag in the right arm and use your lasers to surgically cut enemies after you've sandblasted them. Be wary of return fire, as you can't take what you dish out.

I would describe her as fragile, but that's not exactly correct. The MDD cripples quickly, with a symmetrical construction that guarentees half of the weapontry lost to a side torso loss. Yet with a tiny, comparatively robust CT, you can twist to expose your destroyed side torso (Much like a centurion) and shield easily once crippled. This severely hamstrings your damage due to your lack of weapons, but will extend your 60-tonner's lifespan considerably.

Edit: The gyroscope in the cockpit is OP. SPINNY!

Edited by NovaFury, 17 November 2014 - 05:47 PM.

[Alistair Winter]

Davegt27, on 17 November 2014 - 05:42 PM, said:

I could have sworn (correct me if I am wrong) I saw a Mad Dog with 6 S-SRM6s'

I want one when they come out for c-bills

plus they look cool

Like this?

Only enough ammo for 22 alpha strikes. I guess it'd be a fun troll build. 2 cheesy 4 me tho

[Malcolm Vordermark]

As much as I love the Mad Dog, I got kinda tired of the massive side torso hit boxes. I decided to play with something a little slimmer, the Warhawk.

[Risko Vinsheen]

Honestly I run my Mad Dogs mostly stock, with some minor changes.

Prime I swapped out the LRM-20s for LRM-15s and two extra tons of LRM ammo, plus an extra heat sink in the CT. Gives it the ability to rain fire down for a bit longer before it has to engage close up with the pulse lasers where its torsos are an issue.

A I've left stock so far.

B I just switched the 3 Medium Pulse Lasers for 3 Medium Lasers and 3 extra heat sinks.

[Star Wolves Admin Account]

4 srm 6 with artemis

4 er medium lasers,

fill up legs with ammo, spend a couple of tons on heat sinks

Anything with the internals exposed will die.

[Bishop Steiner]

Mad dog is my mech choice on my clan account. As Metus says the lrm chain of pain is how the mad dog shines. 5-6 kill matches are not to hard, and the sts are not that hard to protect with a little practice, and I usually fight midrange line of sight.

[Strong Female Role Model]

The Mad Dog is a victim of the MWO matchmaker. It is the smallest weight possible for a heavy so you are depriving your team of up to 15 tons of additional mech every time you launch. Since we don't have fixed load outs like you might in BT tabletop it's value as a missile boat is rather marginal since you can make just about anything into a LRM boat, possibly even a better one. It has ok speed, but no JJs, weak armor, and really vulnerable sides. Going back to the weight issue, the biggest problem with driving a Mad Dog is that you are not driving a Timber Wolf instead.

[Metus regem]

Bishop Steiner, on 17 November 2014 - 08:20 PM, said:

Mad dog is my mech choice on my clan account. As Metus says the lrm chain of pain is how the mad dog shines. 5-6 kill matches are not to hard, and the sts are not that hard to protect with a little practice, and I usually fight midrange line of sight.

Before anyone asks, no I am not Bishop's alt... Though yes I do use my Mad Dog in similar manner.....

[Malcolm Vordermark]

Metus regem, on 17 November 2014 - 08:34 PM, said:

Before anyone asks, no I am not Bishop's alt... Though yes I do use my Mad Dog in similar manner.....

I dunno, has anyone ever seen you two in the same place at the same time? Mighty suspicious.

[Escef]

All of my Mad Dogs run quad ERMLs in the arms with A side torso. 6xALRM5, 6xSRM6, and 6xSSRM6. The LRM build is decent, playing the IDF role gives me something to do that curbs my aggressive playstyle. The 6xSRM6 is probably the best, but it requires a certain amount of trigger discipline as it gets hot fast. The Streakboat can put out some impressive damage numbers due to accuracy, but is a worse heat pig than the SRM version and light on ammo due to the heavier launchers, also doesn't get kills as often due to the sandblaster nature of the Streaks.

So far, I like the Mad Dog more than any of my other clan mechs. Yes, the Timby is better, but something about the Mad Dog feels right to me (which is funny, because I'm not usually fond of SRM-bombers).