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What Would You Do In This Situation?

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#1 AjerWerklWerkl

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 02:20 PM

Hi everyone! I need a little advice about next mechs to purchase.

First, a little background: I play maybe 1 hour a day on average, mainly as a PUG because coordinating group stuff is a pain. I don't have a gazillion c-bills like some folks here, and have paid for almost all my mechs via hard-earned grinding and contests. I play a little CW, but it takes too long to find a game, and too long to play a game, so I prefer the other modes.

I currently have about 13 million c-bills and don't want to use MC to buy mechs.

My mechs (please note that some, like CDA-2B, VTR-9K, RVN-2X, etc... aren't listed because they were sold due to limited mech bays after they helped with eliting my favorite chassis):
RVN-3L [Elite]
CDA-3M [Master]
CDA-2A(C) [Elite]
CN9-AH [Basic]
HBK-4J [Elite]
HBK-4P [Basic]
HBK-4SP [Basic]
JM6-S [Elite]
JM6-A [Basic]
JM6-DD [Basic]
TBR-C [Basic]
VTR-9S(C) [Elite]
VTR-9S [Elite]
AS7-D-DC [Basic]

I did buy a bunch of mech bays so I have space for new mechs now. :)

Modules:
Radar Deprivation
Adv. Seismic Sensor

My CW drop deck is: VTR-9S, JM6-S, HBK-4J, CDA-3M (235 tons)

Any advice?

For example:
- Buy the other TBRs so I can experience the TBR's full elite potential
- Buy the HBK-4G since AC20 quirk is awesome
- Buy some other new mech and elite it
- What to sell?

Thank you!

Edited by AjerWerklWerkl, 01 January 2015 - 02:59 PM.


#2 Smith Gibson

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 02:49 PM

I'm a firm believer in sampling 'Mechs from all 4 weight classes. As well as getting Elite on everything I have.

If you like missiles, get two more Ravens so you can elite them all.
If you like Direct Fire weapons, get the last Cicada for the same reason.

Only keep both Victors if you plan on using them both on the same CW Dropdeck.
Otherwise sell one of your VTR-9S's, as they only count as one 'Mech for unlocking Elite.
I have no idea if the Champion one sells for more or not.
(Assuming the same upgrades have been applied.)
Double check if one had Double Heat Sinks, Endo Steel etc. that the other one doesn't.
Keep which ever one is more upgraded, but strip out it's weapons, ammo, armor, and engine.
then look at your weapons and equipment inventory.
Sell any weapon past 12 of the same thing besides Medium Lasers.
(12 SRM 4's? Sell the surplus.)
Sell any single heat sinks you have past 20, sell any engine you have past 2 unless it's a 275, 280, or 300.

Lighter 'Mechs are fairly cheap, so you might be able to buy all 3.
You might have to temporarily loot the engine off of your other Cicada or Raven to get your new one running, but I think you'll enjoy 2-3 light 'Mechs more than just 1 Heavy or Assault.

I honestly don't know if PGI is going to do any more of the 35% off C-Bill sales on certain 'Mechs like they did about 4 months ago, but just in case, I now keep a spare 10 million C-Bills set aside just in case another C-Bill sale happens.

#3 Wintersdark

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 02:55 PM

Don't sell mechs, you'll only regret it in the end.

I sold a DRG-1N and -5N, TDR-5SS, 4 AWS's, STK-4H and - STK-4N and a few other mechs back when Clans where released to fund my Clan mech experimentation. Sadness ensues.

More TBR's is worthwhile, if uninteresting. Buy one, get it's basics, sell it. Repeat, keep the C so you can Master it.

The HBK-4G is a great mech, lethal and lots of fun. Also, it's very cheap to buy and kit out as you'll stick with a standard engine, and likely a smallish one at that, so it's just the DHS tax and ES/FF(? I forget).

View PostSmith Gibson, on 01 January 2015 - 02:49 PM, said:


Only keep both Victors if you plan on using them both on the same CW Dropdeck.
Otherwise sell one of your VTR-9S's, as they only count as one 'Mech for unlocking Elite.
I have no idea if the Champion one sells for more or not.
(Assuming the same upgrades have been applied.)


Keep the Champion. Even once mastered, the champion bonus is worthwhile because it applies to GXP earnings as well as XP earnings because GXP is calculated off your final XP earnings. So, yeah, keep the Champ.

#4 AjerWerklWerkl

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 05:40 PM

Thanks! In response to the suggestions so far:

1. Definitely keeping the VTR-9S (C). I'll also keep the normal VTR-9S because I might want a 2-Victor drop deck at some point.

2. Sounds like I should try the HBK-4G... I've definitely been considering that one!

3. Buying another TBR is possible... but seems like a waste since I could buy 3 smaller IS mechs for that price and elite them. At least that's my thinking so far.

4. I have sold a bunch of extra equipment, but I do keep some extras lying around so I don't have to keep moving everything from one mech to the other if I want to experiment. :)

5. Any new chassis recommendations to try? (I don't need to stick only with what I've got listed.)

Thanks!!

Edited by AjerWerklWerkl, 01 January 2015 - 05:41 PM.


#5 Spheroid

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 10:13 PM

You should finish out Centurions then one of the following

Lights
Jenner with 280-300XL
Firestarter with 260-295XL

Mediums
Shadow Hawks 280-300XL

Heavy
Thunderbolt meta builds
endo + 275-300 STD

#6 Thorqemada

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 10:31 PM

My Dropdeck currently is King Crab (Dual Gauss, Dual ERLL), Thunderbolt, Cicada (ECM), Jenner (JJ) = 240t.
You want Gauss in your Dropdeck and i do not own Jagers, also the Crab can take a tad more backfire at longer range, when you change the ERLL to ERPPC you can do hurt far far away.
You dont know what mission you get so you want a mixed bag of Mechs with Range and/or Speed.

Edited by Thorqemada, 01 January 2015 - 10:33 PM.


#7 El Bandito

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 12:28 AM

One can never go wrong with the Stalker chassis. Get all the Stalkers you can buy.

#8 Greenjulius

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 01:08 AM

View PostEl Bandito, on 02 January 2015 - 12:28 AM, said:

One can never go wrong with the Stalker chassis. Get all the Stalkers you can buy.


I agree, and have never even run a Stalker.

Stalkers seem to be highly recommend because they can either laser boat (Really well) or LRM boat. (Somewhat well) They are a solid for an 85 tonner.

Battlemasters are more interesting to me however... whether that be the 84kph 3M WubMaster, or one of the many BLR-1S LRM50 deathboats. I've had many 1000-1300 damage games in the 1S, and haven't even gotten elite skills yet.

My Elited Mechs, and whether I'd recommend it:

IS

Firestarter - Yes. Probably the best light in the game.

Jenner - Yes, but is overshadowed by the superior Firestarter.

Raven - Yes, still inferior to the Firestarter. An odd duck... Solid information warfare 3L, with the other two being bad until the quirks fixed them. Lots of variety.

Shadowhawk - Yes. Best IS medium, at least to me. The 2H and 2K are tournament level mechs, especially the 2K.

Catapult - No. Lost it's luster over the past few years. It has many variants for lots of variation, but I find it hard to recommend.

Cataphract - Yes, but only if you like ballistics. The Ilya and 3D can be solid mechs, and the 4X is improved via quirks. It's not as good as it used to be, but it's still solid.

Atlas - No. It can be devastating when used well in a brawl, but it's overshadowed now by the King Crab and lighter, fast assaults. Avoid the temptation to ever by the Boar's Head. I own it, as well as the rest of the Atlai, with the exception of the horrible K.

IS, Working on Eliting:

Locust - No, unless you want a challenge. It can be painful to run.

Blackjack - Yes. I'm finding more and more that I like this chassis. I like the high mounted arms, like a mini Jagermech. Solid energy mech, with ballistic options.

Centurion - No. I just don't get it. I see people do well in them, but I never like playing this mech. It's very SRM heavy and seems to fill and odd light brawler role that I have trouble fulfilling.

Thunderbolt - Yes, if you take advantage of the quirks, it's a devastating chassis.

Victor - Yes. Another mech that used to be godlike, but is tarnished with age. Now it's merely solid.

Battlemaster - Yes. It's a very solid chassis that gets overlooked. Lots of great configs, but light on ballistics.

King Crab - Yes. I'm having very solid games in the 0000, and expect it to be godlike once mastered.

My Mastered Clan mechs:

Kitfox - Yes. It's probably the best clan light at the moment. The ECM arm leave you with lots of sneaky builds, and some clever players have found good builds with SRMs.

Mist Lynx - No. Not the worst mech in the game, but not great. Limited capabilities due to limited tonnage.

Ice Ferret - No. I've only found one good build for it, that being 2xERLL+1DHS. I play the long range sniper/harasser and do well with it, but don't think I'll take it out much now that it's mastered.

Stormcrow - Yes. Nicknamed Doomcrow for a reason. Missiles or Energy, take your pick, it does them all well.

Hellbringer - Yes. I love this thing. I wish it was an IS mech. Devastating energy builds.

Gargoyle - Maybe. I like it, but the Timberwolf, Hellbringer and Stormcrow all boat energy just as well, and are smaller targets. I still get good games in it, but it's so large that it's hard to recommend.

Edited by Greenjulius, 02 January 2015 - 01:09 AM.


#9 El Bandito

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 02:56 AM

View PostGreenjulius, on 02 January 2015 - 01:08 AM, said:


I agree, and have never even run a Stalker.

Stalkers seem to be highly recommend because they can either laser boat (Really well) or LRM boat. (Somewhat well) They are a solid for an 85 tonner.


In addition, STK-5M has SRM cooldown and range quirks as well as 5 missiles slots. It is a good brawler. Misery also can brawl but the OP does not wish to spend MC.

Edited by El Bandito, 02 January 2015 - 02:58 AM.


#10 Karl Marlow

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 03:03 AM

View PostAjerWerklWerkl, on 01 January 2015 - 05:40 PM, said:


5. Any new chassis recommendations to try? (I don't need to stick only with what I've got listed.)

Thanks!!


Alot depends on what you are wanting to do with your expansion.

Speaking genreally you should try the following Chassis

Light
Jenner
Firestarter
Spider (Jumping ECM)

Medium
Shadowhawks
Wolverines

Heavy
Thunderbolts are very FotM right now.
Orion (Personal preference. Not really overly popular with most people)

Assault
Stalker
King Crab

#11 Yosharian

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 03:24 AM

Focus on Mastering all your chassis'. The extra module slot is really worth it. If you don't want to master your D-DC, sell it, no point having a basic Atlas.

#12 That Dawg

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 03:55 AM

I used to buy just one mech, then, I took a missile to the knee.

I've bought all three mechs, and grinded one to master or elite level..many times that sucked horribly. And wound up selling them all off wasting time because SOMEONE said, oh mah gerd, they are uberest (like those POS shadowhawks)

NOW, and I'm talking TWO years I've been here, heed this advice:
TRY the trial mechs, those cheap rentals no one likes and hates to see on the battle field when you cue up.
Go to the practice maps and trot around.
You WILL find that one or two just click, for whatever reason- for me one was the Kintaro, I never in a million years would have bought one- its one of my go to paycheck mechs, and did real well in CW drops.

Those ones you have already? Which ones you like? Which ones are you as likely to use as anything else in bays?
Buy the rest of those. The other variants have features you already like for starters-and you're third done

To me- buying one mech just to try it? -without intention of grinding three of them to basic, and one all the way out to the 3rd module is a waste of time.
Its fun to get a new mech, but I have MORE fun doing well in a mech, killing stuff, dominating, getting the achievements for headshots, leaning back and taking a screenshot cause I can't believe I killed 7 mechs, or broke a grand in damage

p.s. for Gods sake, do NOT, under ANY circumstances buy a hero or a champion mech UNLESS you have already humped thru 3 of them, and LIKE the chassis/variant.
And then, by all means, drop the MC on one of those and profit

#13 Burktross

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 07:34 AM

Not only are hunchbacks blatantly the best medium with quirks, they rocked people's world without it.

I own 10 hunchbacks.
I regret nothing.

Small mech, but packs a huge punch. Goes decently fast with speed tweak. And by God is there going to be a variant for you! I used to only play MWO with the 4sp. These things can do everything and they will do everything

This is my whole depot of config pictures.
There's a lot more possibilities, but some are in text form and buried in my documents.

You wont regret dumping cbills into hunchbacks. Endo is really not even needed-- it just helps you fling on more ammo, so the only tax is DHS.

#14 5LeafClover

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 09:08 AM

From the OP I can see you don't get to play much, don't want to spend more MC right now and favour IS.

If it was me, I'd be looking to get a pair of mechs from the 13m stash. Also, ones that won't need XL engines later. Therefore I'd probably go for a heavy IS mech with average price tag no more than 7 million (Or if not heavy, a 55 tonner).

So for me, it'd have to be Cataphract or Orion, which in my opinion is a very under-rated mech. ON1-M with the LB10X quirk is lethal!

#15 Leeroy Mechkins

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 10:20 AM

The 55-ton mediums are quite fun to play so you could check out the Phoenix Hawk, Griffin, Kintaro, Wolverine or Stormcrow. They can fight somewhat like light heavies which can be enjoyable.

Edited by Leeroy Mechkins, 02 January 2015 - 10:22 AM.


#16 Fate 6

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 02:00 PM

TDR 5SS and 9S are very good and fun to play. I like Stormcrows and Centurions personally. You might like them a lot judging from your current stable of mechs.

#17 Brody319

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 02:02 PM

No Stalkers?!
boo!

#18 AjerWerklWerkl

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 03:15 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice!

A few responses to various posts:

Smith Gibson: all good advice! I'm keeping the second VTR-9S in case I want two for CW, as you mentioned.

Wintersdark: agreed that selling mechs is foolish -- I guess the more foolish thing was not shelling out $6 to get some mech bays back when I was starting... and losing a lot on mechs in the process. I even sold my TDR-9S, which is now a great mech! I will try the HBK-4G soon... will be quick to elite as well.

Sphreoid (and others): I've never been able to get Shadow Hawks to do anything interesting... any advice on how to play them? (They seem neither here not there to me.)

ThomasMarik: great advice all around, thank you!

Yosharian: the basic Atlas is still quite a beast... it's the only mech I've broken 1,000 in (without any air strikes or artillery)! I can only dream of having a mastered one! VTRs also aren't mastered (but at least they are elited), and I've gotten 900s several times but never broke 1,000. :(

That Dawg: very thorough and useful response, thanks! I did checked out the trials but some of the ones I really wanted to test are now gone. :(

Burktoss: yes, HBKs are awesome!! Already have 3 and will probably get the 4G also. The 4J is what I've used for some of the harder tournaments/challenges.

5LeafClover: very thoughtful response, thank you.

El Bandito & Brody319: No stalkers because it's so pricy to get 3 of them. :)

Fate 6: The TDR-9S is really fun... will try the TDR-5SS next I think so I can elite the 9S.

Edited by AjerWerklWerkl, 03 January 2015 - 03:16 PM.


#19 AjerWerklWerkl

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Posted 09 January 2015 - 04:32 PM

Bringing this one back to life because of the upcoming FRR sale... given that, what new mechs should I be looking at?

(Since I posted this, I bought the TDR-5SS and elited the TDR-9S, and bought a Spider-5V also to have flying ECM.)

Thanks!!

#20 terrycloth

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Posted 09 January 2015 - 04:45 PM

Catapults are awesome. They are also the cutest mech. They tend to blow up really easily, though, so your definition of 'awesome' may vary. Basically, you can put XL engines in them and then they're pretty fast and have a lot of firepower, and you'll still die from your CT being exploded.

I've got the K2 and the C1, which are the best ones to keep. The C4 and A1 have ugly VCRs on their ears, and the whole point of playing a Catapult is that it's cute.





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