82 replies to this topic

[Ted Wayz]

Shout out to Harry Nilsson.

Me and my Arrow....

Both annoying and effective. Same with the Pirate's Bane. But I am probably most consistent with either the Ilya or the Golden Boy.

I have to thank PGI for giving the quirks to the original load-outs instead of making them to please the min/max crowd. I really enjoy piloting all the hero mechs now.

[Bishop Steiner]

Hillslam, on 25 March 2015 - 01:54 PM, said:

Do yourself a favor and never, never look at it in the mechlab. You will cry. It is horrible.

Its like those pretty women who get acid thrown on their faces. Firebrand, with its proud ballistics barrels.... no more. Stubby doesnt begin to describe it.

They dun f**ked it up.

HAHAHA!!!!! GOOD!
(Says every K2 everywhere)

[ShinobiHunter]

Misery anyone?




Or did I just get duds for the rest of my hero mechs?

[Duke Nedo]

KisumiKitsune, on 26 March 2015 - 12:32 AM, said:

Good stuff

Agree with almost every single word here, nice write-up!

If I'm allowed a few additions:

For assaults, the new loyalty Crab is also a Monster. I ran my Misery yesterday and question is if the Crab doesn't beat it after all. You can load it up with 2x Gauss+2x PPC+STD engine, or go 2x AC/20+2x LPL+XL (very rarely die to ST actually).

Another honorable mention is the BLR-G(P). I gave it a try yesterday as well and had quite a lot of fun running 6x MPL+2x AC/5+STD325. I guess 6x LL still works fine too, I used that build before quirks and it only got better.

For Mediums one could also mention the SHD-GD. I run it like my Flame but with JJ, that is: 1x Gauss+4xMPLs. That's a solid build even if it can't compare with the GI's quirks. The JJs make it fun though. Both the GD and the Flame have excellent Gauss hardpoint placements for these builds, though the Firebrand is definately better in the Heavy bracket.

Edited by Duke Nedo, 26 March 2015 - 01:31 AM.

[meteorol]

DaZur, on 25 March 2015 - 07:46 AM, said:

3 x UAC/5 Ilya hands down...

IMO, the Ilya has lost much, if not all of his appeal with the arrival of clan mechs.
It's a barnwide DPS mech with low hardpoints which carries XL engine on most builds (if you don't want go snailspeed).
Using 3x UAC5 you are forced to stare your enemies down, giving clanmechs the perfect opportunity to burn through your sidetorso.
Running a dps build with xl engine always had its issues against players who knew their game, kept cool, focused on their crosshair instead of their shaking cockpit and just XL cored you while spreading damage the UAC damage all over their mech. Now we are in a different world. Overall TTK was higher back when the Ilya had its prime. TWs are putting down 50 dmg laser alphas at 500m range. If you can't twist those while dealing damage, you will lose out on every trade and get killed fast , especially when using a xl.

I agree that the Ilya once was one of the top hero mechs. I got one too. But the powercreep since then (clanmechs, crazy IS quirks to keep up with clanmechs) made staredown dps with xl engine a subpar choice. I just got a Dragon 1N for the giggles and it wrecks havoc if it's ignored. But as soon as someone knows his **** and focues you the dragons limitations come into play and you go down... fast. The Ilya has the same issue. XL dakka dps is fine as long as you are ignored. If you are not, you are in for a world of pain.
It's way too situational to make the Ilya the top hero nowadays.


Ilya aside, my money would probably on the Hugin (crazy srm dps but well, it's a raven which has somewhat subpar hitboxes) the Misery (it's a stalker, it's tanky like sh*t and has some solid hardpoints) or the loyalty KC.

[StraferX]

YLW
Sparky and
CN9-AH
Panther - any one of them rock.

These are my fav by far even in stock configurations they beast out.
While I am not an assault pilot I just worked through the ZEUS and I must say that the Zeus-9 is killer. I have tried so hard to love the Enforcers but for some reason the pilot sucks in this mech, going to try to upgrade my pilot.

[Corrado]

1- Huginn (average 250-300k cbils per match, had few 400k cbills matches) 2SRM4+ART / XL280 / 2JJ configuration
2- 4UAC5 KB-000L
3- YLW / HBK-4G(F) / HBK-GI (4G can often go head on, YLW with XL300 for brawl flanking, GI for mid range Gauss 3MPL flanking)
4- ilya in both 3UAC5 3MLAS and 3AC10 variants
5- La Malinche AC20 3LPL STD325 (given you dont show your CT all the time)
6- Misery AC20 2LPL 3ML STD275 (stalker chassis... so f*ckin good at tanking)
7- Atlas-S AC20 SRM24 STD350
8- Atlas-BH AC20 6MPL STD325
9- jag FB 2UAC5 6MLAS or 2Gauss 4MLAS

In my opinion:
Jester gets CT down in seconds 2LPL4MLAS. ineffective
Oxide inferior to the huginn
CPL-C1 SRM12, 2LPL 2MLAS. inferior to the A1 in a splatcat contest.

[Apnu]

KisumiKitsune, on 26 March 2015 - 12:32 AM, said:

I'll offer a view through the non-rose-tinted glasses of fighting them, not piloting them. With claims to the Ilya still being good, you can tell that there's a fair bit of "it's my baby so I love it" sentiment, rather than actually what's in the title. What's the best inner sphere 30% bonus.

In general, confidence against opponent can depend on the 'mech I'm driving, but I find that essentially unless I'm running something ultra-light or ultra-heavy, I handle most opponents the same in sizing them up. I can tell you right now, the Ilya, YLW and TDK in particular make me grin and try to get to the fresh meat before someone else does. While all three 'mechs can do damage against unskilled opponents or in optimal situations (meaning being completely ignored), that's like attesting to a knife's quality by slicing through styrofoam and butter. It does it amazingly, but that doesn't mean it's a good knife. Put it up against something "normal" that other knives are compared to, and suddenly it's nowhere near good. In real fights, there are only a couple of IS heroes I still tread carefully around.

To pick one from each category, starting from light, the indisputable monster is the Huggin. The sheer DPS from SRM4s is insane, and I know that if that pilot knows what they're doing, I'm dead if I run into one alone. There just isn't anything to do, in any build, against something that can take your legs in seconds while being able to stay out of your firing arc. I also own one, and there is no 'mech of any build that I won't outright charge in against one on one unless it's packing 10 or more streaks in total tube count.

For medium, it's a good toss-up between the Founder's Hunchback and the Grid Iron. While both are still relatively fragile in overall terms, they can put out such a high rate of high damage fire. In the hands of someone who can make every shot count, being hit by something that big repeatedly is staggering. I'll stay clear of them unless I'm in a light or heavily-gunned assault / timber wolf, and even then, a pilot that goes for the sides of a clan 'mech will easily work out that XL kill very quickly. With armor quirks to that hunch, the old adage of "shoot for the hunch" is less of a sure way to win.

Unfortunately for the heavy bracket, there's not one hero 'mech out there that actually scares me. Many of them are outright jokes compared to other variants of their chassis. The most formidable, and I use the term loosely, is probably still the firebrand, just because it's a Jager that can pack two gauss, and dual gauss Jagers never stopped being deadly. The Ilya suffers from easily hittable side torsi and low mounted hardpoints, and compared to many other 'mechs and especially after quirks, it's nowhere near the fear-inspiring power house it was years ago.

The assault bracket has the clearest contender. The Misery is an outright monster. I don't own one simply because of the expense, but it's definitely one I want. I piloted a brawler 3F for most of my formative months, and imagining an AC 20 on that thing is beastly. The entire chassis tanks damage so well, the hardpoints are so high up, and the outstanding pinpoint damage of 3 LPL and a 20 make me immediately turn an arm to this 'mech whenever I see it and go for that side. Problem is, the shape makes it so difficult to hit the side on a Stalker unless the pilot turns it directly toward you, which any good Misery pilot will never do with that all-important torso. Honorable mention for the reward Atlas. Though its good name is frequently dragged through the mud and filth of LRM spazzes misusing it, it is a fearsome brawler. Stick four SRM4+A and a 20 in it, and you'll blow the face off anything but a Dakka Wolf in a staredown. The ability to have two shield arms on it makes it incredibly brawly.

Dishonorable mentions of "hero" mechs that make me laugh in each class-
Death's Knell (I know it's fast, so is the locust, which is now better armed. Get over it.)
Tie between the St. Ive's Blues and X-5.
IV-Four
Outstanding tie between La Malinche, Pretty Baby and Heavy Metal. How the mighty have fallen.

Nice analysis.

[Apnu]

Corrado, on 26 March 2015 - 07:09 AM, said:

9- jag FB 2UAC5 6MLAS or 2Gauss 4MLAS

I cannot get the hang of the UAC5, and the jamming makes me hurl insults at PGI's fathers. So mine runs 2xAC5s and 6xML. Takes a DPS hit, but I don't jam, works for me.

[Karl Streiger]

Even if it makes my AS7-D(F) really sad - there can be only one:



only need a Heavy Gauss

[Sagamore]

I agree with many of the mechs stated already. YLW is a favourite. I'm really liking the ® Enforcer. Always been a huge fan of my 30% Atlases. But despite that...

The BLR-1G(P) is my best C-Bill farmer to date. Huge XL engine with 4 LPL and all of the heatsinks. The torso laser mounts are at cockpit level so ridge humping and shooting over things is a breeze. Its also got some general heat/range/duration quirks on lasers. I've pulled in so many 800 damage + matches with this thing its insane. Very consistent.

[Barantor]

Apnu, on 25 March 2015 - 01:14 PM, said:

*sigh* the CPLT-C1. That's the one mech that makes me regret not going Legendary on the Founders program. If I could only roll the clock back. *sad panda*

Having said that, I still demand that PGI put the old arms back on the CPLTs. Those new boxes are ugly and got to go.

What are you running on the TDR-5S(P)? For a long time I ran mine like a flightless CPLT-C1 (2xLRM15A, 3xML, TAG) and it was my go-to LRM c-bill farmer. On the first quirk pass I ran it with 2xSRM6A, 3xML, LL and that was pretty good. Now not so much.

I still run the LRM build on the 5S(P) because it just works, quirks be damned.

Fortunately I can only run 2xLRM15s in my catapult, so the 'look' wasn't changed on that mech and it kept it's glorious pointy nose. It has 3 mdl and a tag as well. Mason put the build up on mechspecs a looong time ago and it just works on it. Still nimble enough to get the lasers around even if you can't get the LRMs moving. Pity that this game has such horrible heavy queues or I would use it more.

[Bishop Steiner]

Barantor, on 26 March 2015 - 08:14 AM, said:

I still run the LRM build on the 5S(P) because it just works, quirks be damned.

Fortunately I can only run 2xLRM15s in my catapult, so the 'look' wasn't changed on that mech and it kept it's glorious pointy nose. It has 3 mdl and a tag as well. Mason put the build up on mechspecs a looong time ago and it just works on it. Still nimble enough to get the lasers around even if you can't get the LRMs moving. Pity that this game has such horrible heavy queues or I would use it more.

I hate the nose, but yeah, otherwise, good stuff. Tis a reason my Founders Cat is named Streisand.....

[Iskareot]

quirked out Gridiron with 3 mpl and guass -- you can chain fire that thing... extend range on the mpl and reload on the gauss - its wicked.

Also agree with the given Cent AH I think it was.. all quirked - Ac20 3 srm4s.. all reload time and range on the srm4 makes that thing a 45.8 damage wicked in your face brawler. Those two are deadly really

[Apnu]

Iskareot, on 26 March 2015 - 08:33 AM, said:

quirked out Gridiron with 3 mpl and guass -- you can chain fire that thing... extend range on the mpl and reload on the gauss - its wicked.

Also agree with the given Cent AH I think it was.. all quirked - Ac20 3 srm4s.. all reload time and range on the srm4 makes that thing a 45.8 damage wicked in your face brawler. Those two are deadly really

The GI was awkward before the quirks, after I used it as my GR training mech.

the CN9-AH(L) is my stand in YLW. Its slower and ammo dependent, yes, but its alpha is wicked superior to the YLW. I've dueled YLWs in the AH and won. Also the unique geometry and skin on that thing is both sexy and bad ass.

[jackswift]

Gonna have to respectfully disagree with you there KisumiKitsune on the Death's Knell. I don't know if you have run one but it is actually one of the most reliable mechs in my garage. Always a good earner and good damage dealer. For me, the thing that sets it apart from the locust is the arm movement. I put heavy value on arm movement and the ability to taget componets quicker with it. You may have run into many pilots who have yet to figure it out or don't know how to use it, so they aren't scary. Me? Its my second most run mech behind my YLW. I know if I run into a TDK pilot, they can be a nasty monster. I am not claiming that I carry matches in it. That is just silly. But it is a bane to anything medium and above. As a distraction and pocket brawler/finisher it is a most excellent mech.

[Quietly Crazy]

I'm gonna end up being an oddity here, but the Ember has never done me wrong. That little mech always does solid damage for me, and even with the MG nerf, I go crit hunting all the time. The c-bill farm, it's real.

[Mogney]

If you want chills, sorry but its timber time.


otherwise Misery.

[DaZur]

Alistair Winter, on 25 March 2015 - 11:19 AM, said:

For me, it's dead even between Huginn, YLW and Ilya Muromets. Although I think the Ilya is better overall as a c-bill farming device. It's hard to really get those big paydays with 800+ damage in a YLW with limited ammo. And the same is true for the Huginn. I'm not saying it can't be done with those mechs, I'm just saying the Muromets gets the biggest paydays with more regularity.

I've switched to AC5 after the Quirkening Vol. 3, though I haven't played too much yet. I don't know if it's necessarily better. I just know I absolutely lose my sanity in a fit of rage every time I turn a corner to blast an assault mech in the face, and all three UAC5's jam on the second shot.

@OP, I run AC20 and MPL or LL on my YLW. The MPL is better for brawling, the LL is there to have some kind of firepower outside 300 meter range.

I run 2xSRM4 and 4MGs on the Huginn. Because whatever stupidity PGI inflicts on my MGs, I'm still going to use them. It's just the way I was raised.

Apnu, on 25 March 2015 - 01:10 PM, said:

Its for this reason I won't touch a UAC5. I've been burned by it way too many times. In spite (and with PT running) I ground out the ENF-5P w/ AC5s and a LPL.

I use the Ultra's primarily for their range advantage, rarely using the double-tap unless I'm going in the the finishing move... If/when I get kicked in the nuts with a jamb, I can always float with my 3 x mLas.

That said, it's pretty rare for me to ever jamb all three AC... must be lucky I guess!

[AlmightyAeng]

Apnu, on 25 March 2015 - 10:33 AM, said:

My Firebrand currently has 2xAC5 & 6xML.

I run the same, with a STD engine. That said, it's a runner-up to the King Crab 000(L). 2 Gauss. 2 ERLL. All win.

The most fun 30% C-Bill mech though? The Huginn. 7.5 tons of ammo, 2 SRM's and the cooldown quirks. You run, you jump, you missile! Hilarious and fun

Edited by Ghost Badger, 26 March 2015 - 09:35 AM.