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BRAWLER
This is pretty much for Heavy (60-75 ton) and Assault mechs (80-100 ton). These mechs are focused on close to mid range heavy firepower, and have somewhere between 400 to 600 armor points (hit points, not including internal structure). Not only that, they tend to also have the most hardpoints for weapons, but are also lumbering beasts that have a hard time keeping up when the team nascar's around the field. These mechs tend to be your workhorses, soaking up damage and drawing fire while trying to lay down some heavy damage on the other team.
Mechs best suited for this role: Atlas, King Crab, Highlander, Direwolf, Banshee, Battlemaster,
Skirmisher: And while not a 'main' role, there is a quasi sub-role of the brawler you could call a skirmisher. These tend to be Medium mechs and lighter heavy mechs that sacrifice armor for hit and run (more like shoot and duck) style of gameplay.
Mechs best suited for this role: Gargoyle, Timberwolf, Dragon, and pretty much any medium mech.
SNIPER
If you hadn't guessed, these are mechs that tend to focus on long range damage. While a surprisingly large amount of mechs can technically fill this role, there are certain mech chassis that are typically designed and quirked (special passive bonuses the mech has) that do this better than most mechs. These mechs tend to use PPC's and Gauss rifles.
Mechs best suited for this role: Battlemaster, Catapult, Cataphract, Jagermech, Warhawk, Awesome.
Long Range Fire Support: A quasi sub role of the sniper, these are pretty much missile boats, or ER Large Laser floyd disco balls of death. While not having the hard hitting, pinpoint damage of PPC and Gauss weapons, they are pretty much walking weapons platforms that spew out lasers and missiles at long range.
Mechs best suited for this role: Catapults, Maddog, Timberwolf, Direwolf, King Crab, Direwolf, and many, many more.
SCOUT
Also known as 'squirrels'. These mechs are pretty much there to scout, harass, narc and annoy the **** out of the enemy team, forcing them to chase you to (if you survived) your team where they can lay waste to them. This is pretty a duty only for light mechs, and a few select medium mechs. The best mechs for this job are able to equip ECM's. It allows you to get near the enemy team without them picking you up on radar, and prevents the enemy from getting a lock on you. These mechs really get the most out of their job when you have full elite masteries unlocked.
Mechs best suited for this role: Pretty much every light mech in the game, and to a lesser extent, the Cicada and Ice Ferret
SUPPORT
Not really a 'role', but certain mech variants are called supports because they are designed to help the survivability of your team. They are mechs that can equip ECM's, and 1-2 AMS systems. Since you cant heal, cant prevent the nemy from doing anything in the usual 'support' style, you are still expected to try and dps/focus the enemy team like every other mech. So dont expect to be treated like a special snowflake.
Mechs best suited for this role: There arent any real 'support' only mechs, so its more specifically special variants, Like the Atlas-D-DC, HBR-Prime, CDA-M, LCT-PB, KFX, MLX, RVN-3L and SDR-5D.
Now this isn't perfect, but this is a quick and dirty lowdown. I will update this guide as other players put in their thoughts, and new thoughts come to mind. So feel free to post if you think I am wrong (you certainly wont be the first).
