19 replies to this topic

[Ano]

So I've finally started playing the Awesomes I bought in the various sales. The 8Q is great fun, the 8R much less so (oh well) and the 9M, which I thought would be my preferred variant, is somewhere in the middle.

I've been running 9M 3ERPPC 3MPL STD300 but it's exceedingly hot. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it's best to get close to the engine cap in the 9M, but bumping up the engine size seems to require considerable tradeoffs. Right now, I'm trying out removing 1 of the PPCs and upgrading to a STD340 (as I happen to have one) along with a couple of other tweaks, but that feels like a BIG loss of damage output.

The Ultimate Awesome Guide thread seems to suggest running an XL engine in the 9M -- I haven't tried that yet, but given the number of matches I've finished with one torso missing, and the huge width of the Awesome, I'm not sure. Perhaps something like AWS-9M 3ERPPC 3ML XL380 ?

I'm happy enough running around in the Wubmaster with an XL400 but I'm not sure about the 9m

So: should I try an XL in the 9M? Any other obvious things I'm missing?

[Chadamir Fitzkrieg]

I personally don't recommend XLs, especially in Assaults. Some prefer that extra speed or the weight it saves, but in a large profile mech. it isn't worth it when your side gets blown off.

If you want to fulfill the role of support mech, http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e78439f5da36bfc, this can do some damage and remain cool enough

If you really love ERPPCs though, maybe this: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...aca28cef154a98. I don't like the heat difference, but still, if the enemy gets within 90m you're pretty doomed in the first one.

[Ano]

That second link doesn't seem to work btw.

For the first, I have a fairly similar setup in my 8Q (std300 instead) where the ppcs are quirked, and it seems a shame to miss out on the ERPPC quirks.

[Tahribator]

Don't XL the 9M. Before it got a hitbox pass, the Awesome was incapable of taking damage anywhere but in the CT. That's why old guides refer to the 9M as "the best Awesome" and recommend XL builds. Now it's the other way around. PGI essentially removed the viability of XLs completely.

With the 9M your best bet is to focus on ERPPCs, but they're still going to be hot. I'd say drop the MPLs and go for 21DHS without Endo. I've also seen people using ridiculous 4xLPL+3xML builds, but that's too much face-time for the Awesome in my opinion.

Edited by Tahribator, 24 January 2015 - 08:00 AM.

[Ingga Raokai]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...95e6b49a27bf977

pretty much what i have on my 9m, quirks+module = 1km erppc, you dont really need the laser because erppc dont have min range, and i swapped the head MLas to tag because we cant really hump hill anyway and with xl if we lose torso we dead, although it is preference. i think xl360 is just the right size for heatsink:speed.

[Ano]

I gave the XL option a try with an XL350 I had handy -- didn't like the fragility at all.

re: the old guide, given it's still on the first page of the assault builds section, it's a shame that no-one can go and at least stick a "WARNING: THIS IS OUTDATED!" sticker on it.

Right now, I'm back with a STD320, 3ERPPCs and the three MPLs. I might give the ERPPC-only option a go in a bit; I do like having the MPLs though, to dissuade the inevitable Firestarter going for the David-and-Goliath moment.

[Spheroid]

If you want to keep your endo, I would say go 320/325 no secondary and a another DHS. Also chain firing is a great help.

Edited by Spheroid, 24 January 2015 - 08:47 AM.

[UndeadEdd]

This is what I'm running: AWS-9M
And I really mean "running", as in "running at 83.5 KPH". Spamming dual ERPPC at long range and finishing off with the LPL at closer ranges. Your "fragility" is compensated by your high speed. Just watch the map and keep your distance. This is the only mech which allowed me to get 8 kills and I have several other mechs with which I get a good number of kills on an average match. It was in large part thanks to my high speed and maneuverability.
For me, if an assault can carry a high output engine I will try to use an XL unless it interferes with torso weapons like in an Atlas or a Banshee ( - 3E and 3S but not 3M).

Edited by UndeadEdd, 01 February 2015 - 12:33 AM.

[Moarginplz]

I keep it simple on mine, it works ok, but I do prefer the 8Q.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d2c26c4e31f3fc7

EDIT: forgot to mention, this goes 78 kph with a standard engine and 3 ERPPC's, but you have to drop the cash on endo and ferro to get it done.

Edited by Moarginplz, 06 February 2015 - 05:44 PM.

[Templair]

XL for sure

[Evogenesis]

I'm an Awesome 9M pilot, so I thought I'd quickly chime in here.

Tahribator is correct in that before the hitbox change the Awesome center torso was a sponge for all incoming damage. At first I also felt that the XL engine was no longer viable. Over time I have come to change that view, perhaps out of sheer stubbornness.

The Awesome is short and stocky and has so called barn sized side torsos. Yet it has a relatively narrow side profile. With a good XL engine in there it can torso twist extremely well. It allows you to get your shot off then expose whichever arm has more armor very quickly. Good torso twisting is a must in the 9M with an XL engine. Any good shot will be able to target a torso, you're job is to keep it away from them. On the plus side, no one ever legs a 9M.

If a mech can fit a huge XL engine in there, I say go for it. The fragility is compensated by the greater speed and increased weapons payload. Outgun what you can't outrun. Outrun what you can't outgun.

Check out this thread by Aethos. Great tips on how to play a run and gun Awesome. While it is about the PB, what it says also applies to the 9M. In fact, this thread is what got me playing 9M in the first place.

http://mwomercs.com/...orld-aws-class/

Edited by Evogenesis, 11 February 2015 - 02:16 PM.

[Araevin Teshurr]

Honestly, I have run all the Energy Awesomes, and would tel you first, abandon the line, they are so easy for other players to kill due to bad hit boxes. Sell them all, Pickup the Victor or Banshee or something else - anything else.

If you stick with the 9m. Do this, 4xLPLs, Standard engine, all the double HS you can find. You can fire 2 LPLs in a group, have 2 groups, and rotate them. When you get the chance, you can still alpha all 4 and not explode.

LPLs do much more pain, you have to play the mech like a support mech though, do not get up front, or you are dead.

[Blue Hymn]

Honey Badger

Surprisingly, this build works rather well. ERPPC helps give the Awesome that extra range, while the rest of its armament ensures that it can dish out some concerning damage for any lighter mechs that see it as a potentially easy target. This particular build requires to play a hit-&-run method, where you dart from cover to cover while laying down some harassing fire. It shines most well when you're in a team deathball, where the XL engine allows you to get where you need the most to provide support fire and whatnot.
Try it out, see how it fares. I can say that it will most certainly be quite a ride with this build.

[Matthew Ace]

I'm running an AWS-9M with a 350XL myself. 3 ERPPC 3 SRM2 (for tighter grouping). 3-4 of my kills had been contributed by the SRMs. Range 5 Modules allows you to deal ~6 damage per ERPPC at 1.5km (~5 without).

It was originally an experiment to test the effectiveness of TrueDubs in such a large engine, but the speed really lent itself nicely to hit-n-run or peek-a-boo. It's worth the ST vulnerability. The supressive fire this Awesome can lay out in sufficiently open maps also makes it a pest for slower mechs to deal with. But you have to watch the vicinity for lights flanking. Good shooting can put at least 1 light down if swarmed by 2-3.

AWS-9M Hellknight

Edited by Matthew Ace, 09 March 2015 - 06:23 AM.

[Mad Ox]

XL if going to use range of ER's and good at twisting to spread damage. If not then don't even look at XL

Ended up eliting with 2 ERPPC's one in Arm and other same side torso and rest 4 MPL. was rather effective mixture when I remembered to twist to soak damage. PPCs still close in so could combine them when needed or peak around corner.

Just up close use MPL only ERPPC just mean well to you shutdown. With this ran a 340XL if i remember right

[TwoPair]

Currently running a 4 PPC 8q and seeing 400-600 dmg during the average game using std engine. getting similar results from my 9m using one ERPPC (arm) and 2 LPL's backing it up with 3 ssrm 2's, and it has an XL (71 KPH). I find it to be all about how you play. If your play style is aggressive, tackle the enemy head on and get in their face, then yeah and xl isn't for you. If your going to avoid direct combat, focus on the harrasment of enemy mechs, focus on flanking finding vulnerable targets, then and xl is probably your best bet.

Araevin Teshurr, on 13 February 2015 - 10:39 AM, said:

Honestly, I have run all the Energy Awesomes, and would tel you first, abandon the line, they are so easy for other players to kill due to bad hit boxes. Sell them all, Pickup the Victor or Banshee or something else - anything else.

If you stick with the 9m. Do this, 4xLPLs, Standard engine, all the double HS you can find. You can fire 2 LPLs in a group, have 2 groups, and rotate them. When you get the chance, you can still alpha all 4 and not explode.

LPLs do much more pain, you have to play the mech like a support mech though, do not get up front, or you are dead.

I love the awesome, expecially the 8q with quad PPC and don't find it's large hit boxes to be a problem, but then I run it under the doctrine of FTBF (follow the big ****er). As a direct fire support mech it is highly effective. If you make good use of terain it is highly effective. If you think your an atlas or Crab or D-Wolf you will die quick. Instead lag 50-100m behind something big and nasty that draws fire, then start lining up on anything that attempts to engage it. Don't worry about kills, your task is to protect the heavier assualt.

[CruiseMissileCowboy]

The Awesome is no longer a front line mech in any variety unfortunately, the newer mechs have surpassed it in many ways.
There is no way to make them competitive, until PGI gives us some serious customization tools.
You would be best to sell them off and invest in the Thunderbolt for Inner Sphere, or TimberWolf for Clan.

Edited by CruiseMissileCowboy, 16 March 2015 - 08:37 AM.

[Macksheen]

I ran a few builds, basically:

XL350 w/ 4xLPL http://mwo.smurfy-ne...08bd876dd667f77
STD 325 w/ 3LPL, or 1LPL and 5MPL

[John80sk]

If you ask me 25% heat reduction isn't enough to make ERPPC's a good choice on the 9M. During the pinpoint meta sure, but nowadays it can't compete with the DPS and raw alpha's that are being thrown around.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...74a1df7ec80043e
This is my most recent successful creation on the 9M, and have found it capable... as far as Awesome's go anyways. Yeah, it's no Direwolf or Banshee but it's suprisingly heat efficient, and packs a solid alpha with a quick burn time. The XL is rough in that it makes you very fragile, but on the other hand it allows you to chose your engagements which to me contributes a great deal more to survivability than armor and surface area does.

[process]

Awesomes have enough energy hardpoints and quirks to run well as laser brawlers. Just strap in the biggest STD engine and an array of medium/medium pulse/large pulse lasers and you'll be golden.

PPCs are still garbage.