9 replies to this topic

[Void2258]

I have a locust 1V with a bonus from the Phoenix pack, so I would really like to use it. But there are basically only 2 builds for the mech that I can figure out: 4 Machine guns and a ML or MPL (depends on how much ammo you want for the MGs and if you can hold the ML on target) or 1 ER Large Laser by itself (of course 190XL+FF+DHS+ENDO). Neither build seems particularly good to me; I'm partial to the first one since the LL has such a long beam and you don't want to stand around trying to snipe with a mech that will fall over after 1 PPC or Gauss hit. Is there any way to make this mech effective?

I can run The PB and the 3M with effective builds (ECM +4 ML or 5 SPL respectively), and the 3S is garbage that I am seriously considering selling since I have the PB to make 3 variants for leveling basic.

Edited by Void2258, 10 January 2015 - 08:09 PM.

[Tim East]

The ERLL beam is actually way faster on the 1V, but I always liked the MPL+MGs better. Could always go AC2 joke build. Up to you, really. I haven't found the sweet spot for that mech in a long time. Check the Locust thread. Lots of good folks there.

[Spheroid]

The 1V is garbage. I will never play it again now that I have the PB. The 30% boost was the only saving grace.

[stealthraccoon]

XL190, 4 machine guns and TAG - give up on the notion that you can deal damage and run like hell

[RazorbeastFXK3]

This is what I ran with when I had my locust. It didn't do too badly. If you want to upgrade the small pulse laser to a medium pulse you can always drop either a ton of ammo or drop x2 m.guns. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...be2b94a23059a10

[3xnihilo]

There are basically 2 theories on the 1v. The Pro-quirk, erll, 2 mg. max engine (I think some people drop the mg all together, not sure) and the anti-quirk mpl/ml, 4 mg. max engine. Don't consider me an expert but more like a well read student, I just got the 1v myself, but I do have a lot of time in the PB, 3m, 1e, and 3s.

The erll quirks are pretty insane so you get a really fast cool down with a shorter beam duration. Use this one to be a major PITA from range, when the enemy is beaten and bruised close in and use the laser for wearing down their armor even more and the mg for crit seeking. This plays very different than say the 3m with 5spl where the idea is get in close alpha, get away, repeat, because of the longer face time required for the erll and the mg to be really effective.

The mpl/ml (I would go mpl) plays closer to some of the other locusts, but is most effective on already damaged mechs. 4xmg have a much higher dps than one would initially think, but again requires longer face time. But, with the mpl you do get that quick burst damage.

In all locusts, distracted targets are best. It is astounding how much time you can spend directly behind an enemy if you are careful about positioning (I have gotten off 3 or 4 alphas in my 3m [60-80 dmg if they last that long]) so the mg's can be very effective. Use TIG module and pick your targets carefully.

Go to the locust thread, lots and lots of good info there (and even more good bantering, locust pilots are hilarious).

[Nightshade24]

4 mg and a med las or med pulse is what I say is good.

I love that thing to bits, it's my money maker.
(and I got the pirates bane, phoenix shadowhawk, thunderbolt, battlemaster, wave II mist lynx, ice ferret, sparky, missery, jester, centurion (L), atlas (L), Kingcrab (L), etc)

Doing between 300 to 1000 damage is quite achievable in the Locust 1V.

Just remember to use your machine guns.

4 MG's do not have more DPS then 2/3rds the weapons in game for no reason.

[Darrious Quinn]

For a while I was running the Pro-Quirk ERL build without MGs.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...064b16112b0a3a6

It can be a fun build, but its often hard to be exceptionally effective in traditional Pug drops.

Just speaking from my own experience with it, This build is only viable with the ERL recharge mod installed. If you don't have the recharge, don't bother. The Range mod can be skipped though since there are so few maps that would actually allow you to snipe from over 1100 away, and even with adv zoom, your just hitting a blurry dot.

The fire rate with the quirks and mod is insane for an ERL. The trick isn't dealing the damage with the weapon though, its finding good line of sight to maintain consistent damage. Unlike its more popular brothers, this 1V build isn't for knife fighting. You can either site back and just be that annoying blue beam that comes out of nowhere, or you can run with the heavies and harass from the rear. Against slower mediums and heavier, I had great success with this build... when I was able to hide among the team. Those matches I'd hide off on my own and snipe are the ones when things went to crap.. usually in the form of a damn firestarter. Once you get one of those on you, odds are you're done anyway. Problem with hiding among the group though is, 1) getting stepped on constantly and 2) you have to keep moving with-in the cluster... otherwise your Gauss bait.

The only reason I gave this build up wasn't because I hated it or because it was a weak build, but because my play-style is too aggressive for it. I like my commandos and locusts that can zip in and out of a brawl and pepper targets of opportunity. This plays a little differently because of the burn time itself. Its still an ERL. To do any real damage you need to be able to keep the beam on mark. Something the knife fighters have an easier time with using SPLs and SLs.

The only thing about the 1V that I will openly, loudly and constantly condemn?
That idiotic cage geometry bolted onto my canopy further reducing the already TINY FOV the locusts have! I mean really?! Who thought it was a good idea and said, "Hey I can barley see out of this cockpit it as it is so lets just put big cage over the glass to narrow the viewable area out a little further! WOO go hard-mode!"

Ugh...

[TripleEhBeef]

From my experience, the 4MG build will devour back armour.

[FindersWeepers]

You want to run with a PB in the 1V. 2 1Vs plus a PB, all with ERLL...
that makes for a pissed off enemy team.
Tiny targets at long range with ECM, and popping in and out every 2seconds to zap you