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#1 Panther (especially 10K):
The Panther is often described as a bad light, however I feel it is often misunderstood. The Panther is a bad traditional light, but a great sniper/fire support mech.
A Panther 10K has great ERPPC quirks (40% velocity) and good sustained RoF (keeps cool enough especially when skilled out).
Run the mech with an XL about 124 kph (with speed tweak) and it is fast enough to keep up with the group, avoid fire, and stay very maneuverable. It isn't light fast (like 140kph+), but it also isn't circle strafing at 200m either. This is purely a long range sniper/ poptarter. It does the job really well. You can also carry 2 SRM4s for backup incase the ERPPC arm gets destroyed.
If projectiles like ERPPCs aren't your strong suite (either aim or worse hit reg due to connection), it has good laser variants as well.
#2 Vindicator (especially 1AA):
This choice is definently off the beaten path. It is a flawed mech, but quirky enough that you may enjoy it.
First the benefits. It can go 116kph (speed tweak), fire 2 PPCs with low heat production, 40% velocity, and good RoF. It jumps excellent as well, it is very nimble for a Medium.
Negatives are a few. Arm hitboxes are rather big from the front, so arms can be vulnerable. Only have room for 1 head mounted MLaser for under 90m protection. The 1X variant is torture to grind due to poor hard points.
The 1R can mount 5 energy so you can carry adequate energy backup for close range, however it is slower than the 1AA and doesn't jump as well.
If you are performing your sniper role well, the under 90m and more vulnerable arms will be less of an issue. Still, this is a quirky and controversial choice. If you like a challenge that can pay off with smart piloting, try the Vindicator.
#3 Urbanmech:
Remember, we are talking off the beaten path
I think the Urbie is still MC only so you may want to keep this one at the back of your mind for when the C-Bill versions launch.
The Urbanmech he the same issue as the Panther, but slower yet. It has an engine cap of 180, so the best it can do with Speed Tweak is about 110kph I believe. I run mine with an XL170 (101kph).
It's negative is it's strength in a way. Small engine means more tonnage for heavier weapons and generally has the quirks to aid it. Also it has very high mount weapons and best of all, 360 torso twist range. It can also move fast in reverse for pop-out sniping.
First, ignore ballistics other than MGs. If you want to snipe, I run mine as the following (XL170 and DHS)
R63: 1 ERPPC, 2 SLasers, 3 MGs. JJs too
R60: 3 LLasers, no JJs
R60L: 2 ERLLasers, 4 MGs. JJs
The Urbie is slow, but it is generally able to keep up with the pack, can JJ, and can torso twist every which way. It's good reverse speed makes for good pop out sniping and best of all, people hate dieing from an Urbanmech...plust they are super cool
.There are my choices. They are the odd ones, but I have fun using them for a Sniper/Fire Support roll.
