29 replies to this topic

[Tim East]

I like the 10K with a single ERPPC and very good jump jets, and I really like the 9R with dual PPCs and a SPL. Didn't much care for the 8Z though. Using it with 2 LL as well atm, and it just feels bad. Probably because I don't like those Raven snipers and I feel far too much like one using it. The 9R can deliver hard at medium range, and the 10K can harass like nobody's business, but the 8Z just needs too much face-time for too little reward for my taste.

[Shadey99]

Tim East, on 28 May 2015 - 10:47 AM, said:

Didn't much care for the 8Z though. Using it with 2 LL as well atm, and it just feels bad. Probably because I don't like those Raven snipers and I feel far too much like one using it.

The 8Z really needs to be played as a mid range harasser/assaulter and not a 'sniper' which it lacks the range for. It's not even like the 3xLL Ravens, which can peek over/around (which the Panther really can't as the guns are lower). You also need to shield with the left arm like it's a Griffin/Wolverine. With only 2 LL I tended to dance around switching between dual fire (button 1) and chainfire (button 2) modes and basically riding the red line in heat the whole game and taking hits with the left arm whenever possible.

[Flak Kannon]

My 10 K® is built as such.

XL 250
(1) ERPPC
(1) ML
(1) SRM4 +Artemis 100 Rounds
(2) Jump Jets.

This one is very fun. Can get hot if you unleash 3 or 4 Alphas without cooling down. But I like the range and speed of the ERPPC. A Panther with an ERPPC is such a pest....

Once you get hot, just do not fire the ERPPC. The SRM plus ML is a solid 6 DPS with NO heat issues. I do run out of ammo often tho, but I'd rather have a couple Jump Jets and a Max engine, than an extra ton of SRM ammo.

Enjoi

[Tiamat of the Sea]

Tim East, on 28 May 2015 - 10:47 AM, said:

Didn't much care for the 8Z though. Using it with 2 LL as well atm, and it just feels bad.

Try this instead.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ce9f21bc752ebb9

A very brawly sort of Panther, does well in Community Warfare as well as general matches.

[Gundam Prime]

My last score with my Panther 10K build with 2 srms 4 and 2 sls was 1 kill and 6 assists with 260 damage. Not bad for a light mech with that build. And the kill was an Atlas...in front of me...

[Tim East]

Quickdraw Crobat, on 28 May 2015 - 03:10 PM, said:

Try this instead.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ce9f21bc752ebb9

A very brawly sort of Panther, does well in Community Warfare as well as general matches.

Focus on the SRMs? That's actually kind of an interesting idea. I'll probably play around with that a bit rather than use it exactly because I dislike non-pulse medium lasers, but yeah. Maybe if I treat it like a Commando I'll be able to make it work.

[Bleary]

Even with 2 SRM-4 the Panther is not a great short-range light. It's also not a great sniper in any of its variants compared to a Raven; the arm mounts are just too low. The one thing the Panther does is jump and carry zero-duration long range weaponry. Thus, if I'm not mounting at least 6 jets and an ER-PPC, I don't feel like there's a reason to run the 10k.

[eFTy]

Hey folks. After having lots of fun with the 10K & 9R, I finally bought the 8Z (the clan sale made me detour through Hellbringers).

Unfortunately, however, I just don't feel like it's working as well as the other two. I tried 2LL+SRM4 & 2ML, LL +2SRM4, and neither has done very well. The LPL, 3ML + SRM2 & ERPPC, ML + 2SSRM2 did much, much better from the get go. With this one, I'm having flashbacks to when I got into the game years ago and bought my first Raven (and it wasn't a 3L)...

So, care to help me with some ideas?

For the record, I considered but decided to stay away from setups like 3MPL+2SRM4. My computer, ping and skill level mean I perform much better as support than as a brawler.

[Wildstreak]

Well, I have seen the odd LRM Panther if Support is your thing.

[Tiamat of the Sea]

Tim East, on 29 May 2015 - 11:15 PM, said:

Focus on the SRMs? That's actually kind of an interesting idea. I'll probably play around with that a bit rather than use it exactly because I dislike non-pulse medium lasers, but yeah. Maybe if I treat it like a Commando I'll be able to make it work.

Actually, with this thing I tend to focus on the Mediums and the Jump Jets, with the SRMs for extra firepower boost if something's missing armor or I'm about to duck behind cover for a little while (or someone gets smart and shoots off the arm). It's very much a 'mech for hanging around the main group and freewheeling around through the scuffle taking opportunity shots for short bursts.

You absolutely have to leverage the jump jets, though, and it's not much good in level terrain. Puts out some pretty nice numbers, though, and the CT SRMs are higher-mounted than you think until you fire them.