14 replies to this topic

[The Red Priest]

I want to get a clan heavy, but don't know which one to go with. The Mad Dog is the cheapest, the Hellbringer has ECM, and the Timberwolf is insanely expensive, but considered the best heavy mech.

Any suggestions?

[rolly]

Go with the play style and loadout you like best.

[Brizna]

Mad Dog isn't considered a good mech. Side torsos are too big to brawl and weapon are too low slung, so it's good only to boat LRMs.
Timber has low slung weapons too but is hard to kill, it also has plenty speed and armour so it makes a great short/medium mech.
Hellbringer has great torso hard points, you cna make a good sniper with it, which ECM helps a lot, side torsos are big and it's easy to kill making a less ideal brawler.

[Wintersdark]

I'd say Hellbringer, to be honest. The Timberwolf is a technically better mech, but if you're newer to the game (you are) and you're asking this questions (you are) then you're going to be more mid-range Elo at best. As such, there's probably lots of LRM's in your PUG matches.

ECM is the Magic Jesus Box that makes LRM's go away. This is a force multiplier for you - you'll take less damage, be more stealthy, and it'll protect your allies who will in turn live longer, do more damage, and draw more attention from you so you take less damage and live longer... So you'll win more, make more cbills, and generally look more attractive to the opposite sex.

In a 1v1, I'd take a Timberwolf over a Hellbringer every single time. But for overall success in PUG matches, when you're new to the game? Go Hellbringer.

[The Red Priest]

I've been playing for over a year, so I'm not new. I just never post on the forums. I ask, because the only experience I have with clan mechs is with the Kitfox.

[BUDFORCE]

Go for all three in the long run, all great mechs.

Don't overlook the mad dog, it makes a really great LRM support boat becuase it relatively quick and can pack some decent close range support with it.

As posted above though, the timberwolf as a standalone mech is the best, but Hellbringer will serve you well in pug matches and help to support your team.

[bad arcade kitty]

BUDFORCE, on 15 April 2015 - 10:28 PM, said:

Don't overlook the mad dog, it makes a really great LRM support boat becuase it relatively quick and can pack some decent close range support with it.

what about streak dog?

[Bows3r]

The Streak Dog is not to be overlooked. Extremely potent 'mech, even in PUG's. For a new player like yourself, I'd recommend the Hellbringer. ECM to help your fellow PUG's, excellent and varied possible weapon configurations (like the Timber Wolf). Tanks better then the Timber Wolf, and runs just a bit cooler.

[DrunkenAntichrist]

The 6xSRM6+A setup on a MadDog can be a beast, but don't roll front of the pack. They can brawl but not well against a fresh mech. Find one that's been banged up some and go to town though.

[luxebo]

mrripley9, on 15 April 2015 - 03:15 PM, said:

I've been playing for over a year, so I'm not new. I just never post on the forums. I ask, because the only experience I have with clan mechs is with the Kitfox.

Timber if you are cheesy. Hellbringer if you play support roles a lot. Mad Dog if you like Catapults, Kintaros, etc missile boats (SRMs, SSRMs, LRMs). Mad Dogs are fantastic at brawls btw. And Summoner if you have poptart skills. ER PPC + Gauss is a powerful combo, as long as you can fire em both at ONCE.

Well, you can also go for outliers in the meds and assaults. Stormcrow is cheesy. Nova is a ton like the Hunchback/Centurion/Griffin. Same gameplay style in most cases. Gargs are worse Timbers but can boat lazors if need be (and Exe would be better AND faster if MASC isn't useless.) Warhawks play a lot like Dires though so more assaulty than anything.

So in the end, it's your call. What do you like to play as IS? Brawling? (If brawling then Mad Dog/Timber/Nova/Stormcrow) Poptart? (If poptart then Timber/Summoner, Summoner is better since JJs and connected hardpoints) Sniper? (Hellbringer, Stormcrow).

[Senor Cataclysmo]

It's not just streaks. Regular old splat-dog is great fun too. I had a game with 7 kills and 800 odd damage in my splat-dog the other day.

[Tordin]

None of them, do the crazy thing like me. Get 3 summoners! (I got Prime, C and D), I still cling to the hope that they will one day be a force to be feared after some very needed tweaks to their chassis (like more Hardpoints, overall improved JJ for all mechs using them etc)

[Bespoke Cheese Cake]

My vote goes to the Timber Wolf, easy to customize with great armor, speed and firepower. The Hellbringer and Mad Dog are both good in their own right as well, but if you can only afford one right now it has to be the Timber Wolf.

[grendeldog]

I think the best possible answer to your question would be predicated on your choices for your favorite IS heavy mechs.

If you can let us know what heavies you enjoy from the Inner Sphere we can then give better suggestions. Your choice of IS heavies will likely reflect your preferred role and playstyle, which will in turn allow us to make a more informed recommendation as to which of the clan heavies you'll likely enjoy the most.

[Shalune]

I'm here to simplify your choice:

Do you like Inner Sphere mech design more than clan? (better hit boxes, more torso weapons)
- Get a Hellbringer.

Do you love using massed missiles more than any other weapon setup?
- Get a Mad Dog.

Otherwise
- Get a Timber Wolf.