83 replies to this topic

[Qtvcfr]

I'd recommend starting with Shadow Hawks. They're lots cheaper than clan mechs and they come in many different flavors. They've got good hitboxes and are reasonably quick. It'll let you try a little of everything in one chassis.

[Rogue Jedi]

Judas Goat, on 03 December 2014 - 11:56 AM, said:

Thanks everyone for your responses, its given me a lot to think about. Far more than I expected actually...

I do have some questions

1) For a brawler, aren't XL engines a liability?

2) If I went Clan, CSSRMs better than CSRMs? CSRMs would allow me to snapshot from cover without having to rely on target lock, but Target lock would mean better damage I would think.

3) Is something like a LB-10X worth considering for face melting?

4) My only real experience with Jumpjets have been with the Firestarter and Jenner Trial mechs. Are they really worth it for Mediums?

5) I've noticed a lot of the builds posted here aren't taking advantage of the Quirks of each mech. Is there a reason? Should I try to optimize to take advantage of the Quirks or not bother?

6) Speaking of posted builds, how do I post them here so I can get advice on builds I come up with?

1) For a brawler an XL engine can be a liability but you are potentially trading 10+ tonnes or 20+ KPH for survivability and faster maneuverability. the Griffin especially (my favorite Medium) is just as effective with ether.

I used an XL (300) Griffin in a Run Hot or Die tournament about 6 months ago and it was pretty survivable

The XL275 is exactly the same speed as the standard 275 but weighs 7 tonnes less, that is an extra 7 tonnes of weapons, armor or equipment.

The XL 345 weighs the same as the standard 275, that is an extra 20kph and mush faster torso twisting allowing you to spread far more damage

most Mechs can mount XL engines, but there are a few exceptions, the Mechs for which an XL is a major risk are:
Atlas
Stalker
Jaggermech
Hunchback

for all those you will usualy loose a side torso before the center torso, but in the case of the JM6 the only way you can fit s decent weapons payload and move faster than the average assulat is to use an XL so if you are up against a Jaggermech then aim for a side torso

the following Mechs have a huge center torso and small side torsos making an XL almost completely safe because it is extremely rair to loose a side torso:
Jenner
Dragon
Catapult

almost all lights will mount an XL because that is the only way they can get suffiscent tonnage for a decent payload, and there speed makes it hard to target a specific torso

2) clan SRMs are much lighter and easier to use, just point and click, Streaks weigh about double what the standard Clan SRMs do and ony fire with a lock, they also have a longer recycle time, the requirement of a lock makes Active Probe pretty much essential otherwise you cannot fire on Mechs under ECM cover.
I personally prefer the simplicity of SRMs, but nether are outright better.

3) the LBX autocannons are great, but work best after the armor has been stripped, like Machine Guns they are extremely effective against unarmored targets. however the kings of brawling weapons are SRMS, AC20 and Pulse Lasers

4) the reason most of us have suggested jumping Mechs is because they can increase your turning speed as well as allow you to clear obstacles and escape from enemy Mechs, eventually you will figure out the shortcuts you can use without JJs but they are extremely useful for a beginner.

5) the quirks are great, but it is more important to find something that works for you then build to the quirks.

6) go to
http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab
after completing your build click the save and share loadout button,in the upper left, then copy the link into your forum post (it may ask you to create an account before you can do this)

Edited by Rogue Jedi, 03 December 2014 - 12:43 PM.

[SunSword Squire]

Griffin

GRF-3M

Kintaro

KTO-19

Stormcrow

SCR-PRIME

Edited by Judas Goat, 03 December 2014 - 12:56 PM.

[mad kat]

If you want you can stretch to a dragon its one of the very few mechs that can happily brawl with an xl due to its tiny side torso's it can pack a healthy punch run at medium mech speeds and have good mixed or focused loadouts. Its arm movement range also makes it exceptionaly good at pinpoint damage. But there is a catch you need to move as much armour as you dare to that front ctr torso, you can skimp on head armour in the dragon too. It also has a bit of a learning curve in that often not facing your foe head on helps use that aformentioned arm range.

Like other mechs mentioned they have a mix of energy, ballistic and missile (v limited missiles mind) loadouts. (Ill post a couple when im back at a pc).

*Edit* This for example is a prime example of how modifying a mech can get pricey just under three times the price of the original cost but it can keep up with slow lights, hit hard enough and survive well for an XL mech and have the ability to pick and chose fights as you see fit with that speed although this is more a flanker/skirmisher than a real brawler.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f36f9e10eb9ba27

One more thing, dont believe the bs about the lb10x being a pos. Three of my hero's run them and my firebrand has a pair of them. Combined with a machinegun or two and some srms you'll find yourself removing enemy mecg components very quickly. I like it it has good range decent accuracy (well it is a shotgun) and removes internal components rather effectively. Just beware its not the best of weapons for getting through armour in the first place that's what pulse lasers and srm's are for.

Edited by mad kat, 04 December 2014 - 02:46 AM.

[SunSword Squire]

Stormcrow without Streaks

SCR-PRIME

[SunSword Squire]

The more I play around with smurfy, the more I realize there are certain things I like and don't like as I think back on the matches I've been in.

I don't like all lasers
I don't like relying completely on ammo based weapons
I don't seem to hit well with ACs
LRMs seem boring
SRMs are fun

I don't like a wide combination of weapons Long, Medium, Short. I would rather specialize in Short and Medium, or just short. I cant seem to hit the side of a barn at range...

SRMs and lasers seem to be a good combo for me.

I like the idea of most of my weapons in my torsos. Losing arms and most of my shooting seems to be a death sentence...

I like the idea behind this Centurion build, but it only has a Firepower of 37.8. It is compact and durable it seems though.

CN9-A

The Griffin has JJs and 44.4 Firepower but then has a laser in the arm.

GRF-3M

But then I keep coming back to the Stormcrow with its Firepower of 60... IS it really that much better? I know it's expensive... but wow...

SCR-PRIME

And then the Timberwolf... Firepower 80, same speed as the Mediums, and JJs. Only drawback is its cost and most of the lasers are in its arms...

TBR-PRIME

I just don't know what to do... I hate so many choices lol

[DarkonFullPower]

Remember that arm laser (or any weapon that is not LRM for that matter) are NOT a bad thing. Unless you are still playing with arm lock on, arm weapons can decide brawls. On heavier mechs, they also allow shots at vertical angles that the torso weapons cannot aim at. They are there for more then just shields.

Edited by DarkonFullPower, 03 December 2014 - 02:32 PM.

[Brizna]

SHD-2K also makes an excelent SRM + MLas brawler, but it's expensive to build.

https://www.mechspec...00-std250.5481/

[SunSword Squire]

Of the IS 55t, this does seem best

SHD-2K

[SunSword Squire]

I'm actually leaning toward this Wolverine

WVR-7K

It has SRM6 Quirks, so better range and cooldown. It has two lasers in an arm, but its the right arm which I tend to favor.

Thoughts?

Also, should I buy more than one chassis at first and then switch to the versions I want over time? Or just drop a lot into one initially and save for the others?

[Alaskan Nobody]

Grab multiple variants and you can level them faster.

Grab one and upgrade it and it will start out with better stats.

I generally prefer to have one stable then work toward the others - but there are big advantages to having a full trio.

[Budor]

The wolverine is ok but griffin 3m is still better for srms. Stormcrow lacks jumpjets but beats the 2 in firepower and survivability. Its the Timberwolf of mediums, best in its weightclass atm.

[Flak Kannon]

You could also get the Timberwolves little InnerSphere brother.. the Catapult A1 and mount 4 or 5 SRM6 racks and one LRM rack to touch them from distance...

But a well played Splat Cat can still sway a charge.


I own a little more than 90% of all the innersphere mechs.

You may want to look into the Orion1-M.

It has been up-quirked to have a near FULL AUTO Shotgun ( LBX10 ) and up-quirked for (3) SRM6 racks... Seems to fit your requirements.. and you get 3 Medium Lasers for good measure. Uses a cheap STD300 engine, so you don't have to drop a lot of Cbills for an XL engine.

You can wreak face in this nowadays.


Hmm... Perhaps a Griffin Chassis? Good Laser, Good SRM, Jump capable, agile 55 ton mech..?? Or A couple of the Kintaros now have been up-quirked to SRM4...


PM me if you have more specific questions. I do not own any Clan mechs tho... so I can't offer any advice there.

Enjoi

Edited by Flak Kannon, 03 December 2014 - 05:54 PM.

[SunSword Squire]

I'd looked at the Orion-M as well. I used to run Orions a lot when I played Battletech.

Was looking at this one. It is expensive...

ON1-M

[Rogue Jedi]

Judas Goat, on 03 December 2014 - 02:19 PM, said:

I like the idea behind this Centurion build, but it only has a Firepower of 37.8. It is compact and durable it seems though.

CN9-A

The Griffin has JJs and 44.4 Firepower but then has a laser in the arm.

GRF-3M

But then I keep coming back to the Stormcrow with its Firepower of 60... IS it really that much better? I know it's expensive... but wow...

SCR-PRIME

And then the Timberwolf... Firepower 80, same speed as the Mediums, and JJs. Only drawback is its cost and most of the lasers are in its arms...

TBR-PRIME

I just don't know what to do... I hate so many choices lol

the Timber Wolf and Storm Crow are generally considered to be the best Mech in there respective classes. they are both at the top of the weight class with good speed and manuverability for the weight.

the Clan weapons are more powerful but also harder to keep on target, but this does not apply to the Clan SRMs.

the firepower number is the potential alpha strike, it does not take DPS into account, e.g.
the Dire Wolf can get past 150 firepower but due to its lack of speed and agility it dies extremely fast in a brawl, and most people would agree that the Timber Wolf and Stormcrow are better at everything except fire support.
the SRM4 has a lower firepower than the SRM6 but cycles faster so is not far off on DPS despite being 1/3 lighter

most of those builds will run hot, if you alpha strike twice on the Timber Wolf, 3 times in the storm crow, 4 times in the Griffin or 5 times in the Centurian you will shut down.

and there is the advantage to the IS mechs, the Clan weapons run hotter and they can generaly pack more weapons in, meaning an IS mech usualy runs much cooler

Edited by Rogue Jedi, 03 December 2014 - 11:37 PM.

[SunSword Squire]

Thanks Rogue.
I didn't know what firepower represented. makes sense now


What did you think of my Orion build?

[Tim East]

SRM Stormcrow is pretty good. Kind of expensive though.

[John1352]

With that orion you would be buying 2 XL engines, while it would make a strong brawler, you will have a lot of grinding to get it, then you will be starting from 0 for your next mech. If you're going to spend that much you'd be better to get a timberwolf. I still think 55 ton mechs are the best starting point.

[Rogue Jedi]

Judas Goat, on 04 December 2014 - 01:21 AM, said:

What did you think of my Orion build?

Again that build runs hot, your 4th alpha strike in a row will make you overheat, however the LBx 10 is a cool weapon which you can always fire, that build is viable if you pay attention to your heat and learn the heat levels your weapon groups generate (like almost any build), with that build I would have the 3 weapon systems assigned to separate weapon groups + a 4^th group for SRM chain fire, but that is just me (my mouse has 6 fire groups mapped to it).

also you can get an extra 3.5 tonnes with Endo Steel for additional heatsinks or ammo, (although you should have plenty of ammo already) or possibly upgrade the MLs to MPLs, or switch one to an LL by dropping half a ton of Armor

[SunSword Squire]

So, consensus for starter Brawler is an IS 55t, either a Griffin or a Wolverine.

Both have a lot to offer it seems.

Wolverine

WVR-7K

Griffin

GRF-3M

Both have same weight, speed, and are jump capable. Wolverine has Range (20%) and Cooldown (20%) SRM Quirks, while the Griffin just has SRM Range (10%).Wolverine also has one more Medium Laser, which also gets Range Quirk (12.5%).

I think I might go with the Wolverine. The other two chassis look to be more interesting than the other Griffins.

Final thoughts?

Though... Stormcrow is still a contender, lol!