63 replies to this topic

[bad arcade kitty]

Koniving, on 06 August 2015 - 04:43 AM, said:

Hunchback -- played like a Clan mech. Because why not? Oh, "2nd, 4th and 5th worst weapons in the game?" Pfft! Those Stormcrows weren't laughing when they faced my Hunch.

i didn't get why it's named 'played like a clan mech', it's an ordinary brawler with lbx and small pulses... clan mechs usually aren't brawlers; also that crow which you pursued and killed was a lurm crow, it's hardly meta

Edited by bad arcade kitty, 06 August 2015 - 04:08 PM.

[Jack Shayu Walker]

Koniving, on 06 August 2015 - 01:14 PM, said:

Sounds good. If you want; here's the first time that build got used. Chase cam perspective, very first time I built it and fielded it. 7 kills, 711 damage dealt, death only occurred AFTER I bragged about the XL engine -- and they hit my left torso (as my right torso was abusing the hitbox issues of 99% front armor, no rear as the rear torso of the right side Hunch at the time was the size of the HBK's fist).

And -- a tried, tested and true anti-meta build for 3 years. Built originally to fight 6 PPC Stalkers/Awesomes, this thing still is great for slaughtering just about anything. It's survived Highlander nerfs and recent quirk buffs, and only has 1 weapon change (LBX to AC/10) for competition 12 versus 12 matches. Plays on the same concept as my HBK -- relentless fighting and speed. Just uses a Highlander to do it.

Also -- I would love to take on your Nova.

Care to participate in one of Lordred's "Solaris" battles?


<--This one I was in.
No hud, Third Person only, X number of weapons in use at any one time? You'll love it. (Also will fight you normally too.)

(Another similar build played earlier in another link on this thread -- a Trebuchet using the same concept but an LPL instead of an LBX).
(Same Treb -- but like Torezu said -- everyone focused me.)

Name your time and place my man, I'll add you. Not sure about the Solaris battles for the Nova, weapon firing restrictions might break the build, but other than that it sounds interesting. It's nice to meet another mechlab enthusiast who spends time beating down meta with something more creative.

[Not A Real RAbbi]

Ah, yes, one other bit of advice for OP: Don't try to get too fancy with your build.

Pick a primary weapon system. Pack it in there within reason. Beyond that, back it up with something like medium lasers (no ammo, light and small and easy to squeeze in). WVR has good options for missiles (as I think Koniving has already pointed out quite well, and as you likely already know), so if you're gonna brawl, then pack in some SRMs for your primary weapon system, and if you've got the tons available after armor and engine and JJs, then squeeze in a ML or two, as a backup if nothing else.

This generally works for anything medium or heavy. If you try to pack various weapons to make a jack-of-all-trades, you usually end up with something fairly weak.

Wanna boat LRMs? Pack a couple of big LRM launchers in there, and a couple MLs for when those doggone Arctic Cheetahs inevitably sneak up on you. Wanna gauss the crap outta someone? Cool. Pack one or two on, along with sufficient ammo, and tack on some MLs too. Wanna try your hand at the poptart game?

You see where this is going, right?

What chassis you pick, how and where you mount which primaries and backup weapons, is all up to your choice of play style. Just try not to get too fancy. Pick a role, find the right primaries for the right mech for that role, and remember to KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly).

[Jack Shayu Walker]

TheRAbbi, on 06 August 2015 - 08:25 PM, said:

Ah, yes, one other bit of advice for OP: Don't try to get too fancy with your build.

Pick a primary weapon system. Pack it in there within reason. Beyond that, back it up with something like medium lasers (no ammo, light and small and easy to squeeze in). WVR has good options for missiles (as I think Koniving has already pointed out quite well, and as you likely already know), so if you're gonna brawl, then pack in some SRMs for your primary weapon system, and if you've got the tons available after armor and engine and JJs, then squeeze in a ML or two, as a backup if nothing else.

This generally works for anything medium or heavy. If you try to pack various weapons to make a jack-of-all-trades, you usually end up with something fairly weak.

Wanna boat LRMs? Pack a couple of big LRM launchers in there, and a couple MLs for when those doggone Arctic Cheetahs inevitably sneak up on you. Wanna gauss the crap outta someone? Cool. Pack one or two on, along with sufficient ammo, and tack on some MLs too. Wanna try your hand at the poptart game?

You see where this is going, right?

What chassis you pick, how and where you mount which primaries and backup weapons, is all up to your choice of play style. Just try not to get too fancy. Pick a role, find the right primaries for the right mech for that role, and remember to KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly).

It can really be as complicated as you can manage; Kon's Highlander up there has 4 different weapon systems. The key is really to learn your style, and test test test. I personally prefer to pick two different weapon systems that compliment each other, rather than a main weapon system and a backup weapon.

Edited by Jack Shayu Walker, 06 August 2015 - 09:31 PM.

[Koniving]

Jack Shayu Walker, on 06 August 2015 - 05:46 PM, said:

Name your time and place my man, I'll add you. Not sure about the Solaris battles for the Nova, weapon firing restrictions might break the build, but other than that it sounds interesting. It's nice to meet another mechlab enthusiast who spends time beating down meta with something more creative.

We'll get together in instant messages soon. My weekends are when I do the most work so I will be away. I should know something by this afternoon.

[Koniving]

bad arcade kitty, on 06 August 2015 - 04:06 PM, said:

i didn't get why it's named 'played like a clan mech', it's an ordinary brawler with lbx and small pulses... clan mechs usually aren't brawlers; also that crow which you pursued and killed was a lurm crow, it's hardly meta

At the time of the Clan release, PGI intended IS mechs to be more pinpoint FLD for "shoot and cover" tactics, while Clan mechs were intended for less 'cowardly' (in Clan lore) pop and squat tactics and designed in favor of aggressive, relentless brawling and open area combat.
Much akin to this scene:


Clans are intended to be played as frontal charging, glory-seeking chargers that could potentially take on several enemies at once and win, with really strong frontal protection and really weak rear protection. The mech Hitboxes are designed to be taken out by tactics rather than brawn.
Edit: Comparisons to back up the statement are placed in a spoiler because of the scroll caused by multiple high resolution images showcasing hitboxes.

Spoiler

Compare the very evenly defended Wolverine...

With the rear-weak and front strong Stormcrow.

This mech is virtually invincible from the front if you follow the old creed of "2 rear, all else front" for armor. Combine with its bounce and it can spread a single medium laser across 5 different body parts without even trying to spread the damage by simply running (this is why you should NEVER aim at the 'head' area of the Stormcrow, or anywhere around the cockpit pod; go for legs or shoulders).

Now take the Orion...

And the Grasshopper

Versus the Timber Wolf


Notice a pattern?

The Atlas

versus the Dire Wolf


The Battlemaster

versus the Warhawk

Notice an ongoing pattern there?

The downfall is that not only does this allow for Clan mechs to relentlessly charge into battle as they are intended to with their need for high levels of "face time", it also allows them to camp and sharp shoot better than the side PGI intended to for doing it (The Inner Sphere). Especially since Clan mechs get better ranges -- and that's another funny thing that irks me, as I believe PGI is errorneous in having the range advantage given to the Clans in terms of damage potential. Here's why:

Spoiler

Clans in Battletech don't get superior reach with their weapons, as it is canonically stated in several sources (as early as 1987) that "lasers theoretically have unlimited range but in practice are degraded by smoke, particles, and aerosols within atmosphere" and that "Autocannons have ranges up to several kilometers, but the likelihood of hitting a target as small and fast as a Battlemech at ranges above the given 'standard' with enough hits to nail damage is very unlikely).

Clans get superior accuracy with their weapons. They can converge faster, hit things farther, see better, react quicker. They are genetically engineered with technology that didn't go extinct (unlike the IS whose technological advances went backwards as they tried to wipe out each other's ability to fight).

Clan gunpowder isn't better, their lasers aren't farther reaching. In TT an IS pilot with enough skill can reach farther than a Clan's stated accurate ranges with standard IS weaponry and without loss of damage. A PPC can hit for full damage at point blank -- you're just gonna have a harder time hitting "A target as small and as fast as a Battlemech [to note an HBK in MWO is as tall as an Atlas is supposed to be]" with a weapon "with most of its weight focused into the weapon's mounting and barrel rather than more spread like a laser of equal weight" per the 1987 phrasing. Or per the 1994, because "the weapon's charge to firing time makes most pilots a bit too anxious when an enemy is that close."

(which btw I wasn't brawling; this is Brawling; I was hit/encircle/hit/encircle/hit/run/return/repeat).
And this is Hunchback brawling.
Brawling in MWO isn't all that possible anymore.

Edited by Koniving, 07 August 2015 - 01:23 PM.

[Jack Shayu Walker]

Koniving, on 07 August 2015 - 04:45 AM, said:

We'll get together in instant messages soon. My weekends are when I do the most work so I will be away. I should know something by this afternoon.

Diddo, I work Sundays and Saturdays almost all the time. That will change soon when college starts again, but just let me know when is good for you.

[Not A Real RAbbi]

Jack Shayu Walker, on 06 August 2015 - 09:29 PM, said:

It can really be as complicated as you can manage; Kon's Highlander up there has 4 different weapon systems. The key is really to learn your style, and test test test. I personally prefer to pick two different weapon systems that compliment each other, rather than a main weapon system and a backup weapon.

Agreed with one BIG caveat: NEW PLAYER help. That's the name of the forum.

No offense, but I am growing a bit impatient with the constant need to qualify everything in this forum with "Oh yeah, and since this is in response to a post by a new player for help in the NEW PLAYER HELP forum, those of us with hundreds of hours of time in this game may disregard all of the following."

Again, not trying to get whiny at YOU, specifically, but there DOES seem to be a trend on the NPH forum of wanting to give NEW PLAYERs advice that really applies better to folks who've been at this for a couple years.

And my advice is for a NEW PLAYER. Still in the first 100 matches of one's MWO career, mostly.

Once you've been at this for three years, owned some sick number of mechs, measure the time spent equipping medium lasers in MONTHS, this is really not the place to get advice. And you probably already know to ask the likes of Koniving directly, if you have a question.

WITHIN THAT CONTEXT, I maintain that one should keep one's builds fairly simple. Primary weapon(s) of one type, backup weapon(s) of one or two other types that are similar in range. Less time spent fumbling with which weapons are in which groups means more time spent maneuvering and actually trading shots. Get the hang of that, and then you can go set up your PPC/LRM20/Gauss KGC-000 (or whatever).

ONCE AGAIN, please don't take this as me being snippy or whatever. Just reminding, that anything I've offered in the way of advice is intended for a NEW PLAYER, not as a follow-for-the-rest-of-your-life kind of guidance, but a get-through-the-hard-part-of-the-learning-curve one.

[Rogue Jedi]

TheRAbbi, on 07 August 2015 - 12:04 PM, said:

Agreed with one BIG caveat: NEW PLAYER help. That's the name of the forum.
And my advice is for a NEW PLAYER. Still in the first 100 matches of one's MWO career, mostly.

I agree, you are trying to help, if someone does not agree with you that is fine, but it is not uncommon for people (who usualy are trying to help) to give advice from the point of view of a competitive or highly experianced player, which is unfortunately not usualy good advice for a new player

like the "LRMs are worthless" crowd, yes as you get better LRMs become less useful, but they are pretty good for a new player if he/she can figure out how to use them.

another example is the Champion Mech rebuilds, many of them have ended up with a "meta" loadout which will likely be somewhat less than perfect for someone who is still learning, which is who I think the Champion "trial Mechs" should be designed for.

[Not A Real RAbbi]

Yeah, and that's just it. You get it! The hardcore meta discussion is great for later on, but for a new player just getting started in MWO it's just too much to process. Getting out there in a mech that's solidly built, should do at least decently in a given role (in which the pilot is interested), and has some backup firepower, leaves room for learning tactics, and for learning map strategies, and so on.

[Koniving]

TheRAbbi, on 06 August 2015 - 08:25 PM, said:

Keep It Simple, Silly!

Jack Shayu Walker, on 06 August 2015 - 09:29 PM, said:

It can really be as complicated as you can manage; Kon's Highlander up there has 4 different weapon systems. The key is really to learn your style, and test test test. I personally prefer to pick two different weapon systems that compliment each other, rather than a main weapon system and a backup weapon.

TheRAbbi, on 07 August 2015 - 12:04 PM, said:

Agreed with one BIG caveat: NEW PLAYER help. That's the name of the forum.

Please don't take this as me being snippy or whatever. Just reminding, that anything I've offered in the way of advice is intended for a new player, not as a follow-for-the-rest-of-your-life kind of guidance, but a get-through-the-hard-part-of-the-learning-curve one.

I can see both sides here. Jack isn't necessarily disagreeing with you. He's saying the possibility is there to get complex (not necessarily right now but later on when and as the player can manage). To begin with, definitely keep the setup simple. In fact the simpler the better. It is why I personally like to conjure up mechs and weapons that can use one, maybe two systems for a new player.

Later, when they can manage it and be comfortable, I believe a player should get as diverse as they please. Jack was reciting a build within a video I shared of an anti-meta rig I built specifically for leading charges and hammering down enemies -- even as I pull up the battlegrid and distribute commands for the rest of the team to ensure all the flanks are covered during a full-on push, which uses 4 unique weapon systems (LBX, AC/2, ML, Streaks) to great effectiveness. Is it ideal for a new player? No, it was just an example that it is a possibility to aspire to.

Definitely any new player should use the K.I.S.S. advice.

I myself have made builds specifically for new players (typically unique to specific player dilemmas) on budgets to be able to update their rigs in stages. Get Mech, retool weapons to this. Upgrade to DHS, retool weapons to this to make the best of it. Get better engine, retool weapons (and armor since XL engine) to this arrangement that you really desired. Now profit.

Anyway. I also know the frustration. There were a few meta junkies lurking the NPH forum for a couple of years who were very short sighted, only "competition-worthy" builds could ever be suggested and anything else was "heresy and steering new players to their doom." But they can't afford the XL engine, "Then he's not playing to win." Spent his money a little to liberally, he can't afford DHS yet. "Here's 7 builds all featuring DHS, XL engines, endo steel and totally new weapons; you must get them now." Unfortunately those people's need to spread those builds into new player lanes (which have no experience to counter them) had literally robbed all the fun out of the game, and we had a period where many players would just flat out quit (and by then, PGI finally rebalanced the at-the-time overpowered near insta-kill PPCs and triple gauss builds and really nerfed twin AC/20 builds heavily).

Don't fret, we're right there with you about that. Me and Jack were just swapping some unconventional anti-meta rigs using more dynamic tabletop-esque concepts (something this particular original poster could appreciate as a tabletop person, too).

Whether it's primary and backup (LRMs + lasers), or two complimentary weapon systems (for example AC/20 + MLs. Similar range. AC/5 + LBX; almost identical flight speed, terrifying firing rate), it works. Two sides of the same coin.



___________

Oh, Jack. I'm free Monday through Wednesday throughout the days to evenings. Nights won't be free though -- gotta spend some time with the girl or she'll be strangling me.

Edited by Koniving, 07 August 2015 - 01:52 PM.

[Jack Shayu Walker]

All I was saying was this:

Spoiler

We don't need to instill into new players that the only way to build things is a main weapon system backed up by some medium lasers. It's a good place to start for many, but my original post was about telling the OP that he shouldn't be afraid to experiment beyond that.

I'm not saying that new players should equip five different kinds of weapons to one machine and expect brilliant results. What I am saying is to let them tinker once they have a build or two that they can generate C-bills with. Different players are good at different things; some excel at weapon management but have a rougher time with strategic positioning. More often than not it's the other way around, you're right, but I don't want to hammer into new player skulls that two weapons good, more is bad (the meta-types will sure do a good job of that later)

Personally, I am a two weapon system kinda guy, but some people like Kon don't turn out that way. All I'm saying is I don;t want to discourage new players from making creative builds that they enjoy. It only takes one or two tests to know if a build doesn't work for you, and finding a build that synchronizes with your play-style can be a euphoric experience that locks you in as a long time player.

When I was a new player, I found this game to be miserable, but I tried to convince myself I loved it because mechwarrior was my childhood. I played with trials, hated them. I bought a Cicada with MC, couldn't keep track of things in such a fast mover, hated it. I bought a Dragon with MC, it was too sluggish and had beefy hitboxes, hated it. I wasn't happy until I found the mech that was right for me. When I did, it clicked, and I couldn't put the game down.

The first mech I really did anything significant with and had any fun in was the Kitfox. I slapped double ERPPCs and ECM on that thing and had a blast. From there I got to thinking, "why do I need this extra PPC? it's way too hot to be worth 6 tons!" So I ripped the ERPPC off of the left arm and stuffed it with streaks before taking it to the testing range. From there I tinkered endlessly, replacing the streak 6's with streak 4s, slapping on artemis for it's inadvertent lockon time reduction, I added a couple of jumpjets to scale walls, optimized armor and ammo and slapped on two extra DHS. I then took the improved build to battle and was filled with joy when my new design got me even better results.

For about three months I didn't play Mechwarrior Online, I played Kitfox Simulator 2014. That mech was the only reason I stuck with this game, and it's still one of my favorite builds today (it's down there in my sig, although it's slightly outdated; I still tinker with it).

The point is I woulda been outa here if I had stuck to the standard new player builds. Maybe they'll work for the OP; they certainly aren't bad, they're easy to grasp and that's a definate plus for new players. I just know that for some mechwarrior fans coming into this game, mechlab junkies like I was, finding that build that matches you is what makes the game fun.

TL;DR: simple "main weapon + medium laser" builds are good for new players; but if they aren't for you, don't be discouraged, feel free to tinker in the mechlab. Just put some thought into it before you buy something new, and test test test to see if it's for you.

Edited by Jack Shayu Walker, 07 August 2015 - 10:52 PM.

[Jack Shayu Walker]

Koniving, on 07 August 2015 - 01:45 PM, said:

Oh, Jack. I'm free Monday through Wednesday throughout the days to evenings. Nights won't be free though -- gotta spend some time with the girl or she'll be strangling me.

I'll see if I can get up with you on monday afternoon. My Nova, is what I feel is an improved twist on the traditional 12x ERSL Nova. It swaps out 6 ERSL and their respective extra heat sinks for a UAC/10. The UAC/10 gets placed in the right ST so that the right arm can be stripped of armor. This combined with armor trimming in the legs allows for the design to mount AMS for LRM protection, as well as a targeting computer for better laser performance.

IMO the current version of the UAC/10 has the perfect blend of poke and DPS. The Nova can use it to melt faces, or it can peek fire until such a time that it can brawl effectively. During a brawl, it's heat efficiency also balances out the insanely hot 6 ERSL deathray, allowing the Nova to continue blasting away, long after a 12 ERSLNova would have to stop to cool down.

Edit: I threw this together after my first match of the night. It's me brawling an Atlas with my Nova. We're both nice and fresh and we have a 1v1.

Edited by Jack Shayu Walker, 08 August 2015 - 01:35 AM.

[Kahadras]

My advise would be to go onto Youtube and look up No Guts No Galaxy. Watching Sean Lang helped me a lot back when I was first learning to play the game. Other than that it's just about getting in your mech and playing the game. The tips that I usualy provide are...

1. Team up. Don't run off by yourself.
2. Aim. I see too many players blazing away missing shot after shot. Take that extra second and line up your target.
3. Lock targets. Pressing that R key helps the rest of your team.
4. Manage your heat. Overheating is one of the worst things that can happen to you in a brawl.
5. Take damage. You're going to get shot during this game; accept it and take the hits.
6. Skill up your mech and save up for moduals as they'll really improve your mechs performance.
7. Have fun. It's a game so don't take it too seriously.

[Koniving]

While somewhat useful to those aspiring to higher echelons of anti-meta combat, this is somewhat strayed in topic and thus I put it in spoilers.

Spoiler

Jack Shayu Walker, on 07 August 2015 - 11:02 PM, said:

Edit: I threw this together after my first match of the night. It's me brawling an Atlas with my Nova. We're both nice and fresh and we have a 1v1.

I see it's a classic brawler, rather than a 'modern brawler'. This'll prove interesting and tough at the same time. After all the jam frequency appears to be pretty low, and the UAC/10 proves to be a hefty threat when packed with 6 ERSL compared to my twin MGs, LBX, and triple SPL. Novas also have incredible twist -- something I tend to scoff at since they're not really supposed to have any.

Now the big thing is finding out when Lordred will be available to film. I'm faster than you. So I have that. My twist is a little more capable but I hate using it unless I have to.

Looking at the analytics:

I outclass you on optimum ballistic range by 67.5 meters. Not that it is very useful considering I'm using an LBX.
You outclass my optimum energy range by at least than 64 meters (depending on the quirks that could be up to 102.5 meters).

Taking quirks into account and assuming we're both elited: I beat your prime-fire AC/10 mode firing time by 0.125 seconds.

On the other hand you can double fire at an 11.2% chance to jam instead of a 16% jam. I can't jam but neither can I double fire. Meaning that ballistically you completely outclass me in raw damage.

My MGs, assuming they are in fact enhanced by ballistic quirks, have range of 135 meters and combined will deliver damage at 1.8 units per second; MGs have a cone of fire however so this isn't terribly reliable.

These will assist my constant ER SPL bombardment however which have 15% reduced heat will have me at 0.6205 heat per second. Alongside the LBX, and breaking down all potential heat to a standard rate I'll be cooking at a rate of 1.080333333333333 per second and a cooling rate of 2.62 heat/sec (assuming forest colony). Basically heat neutral if not for the "Heat Retention" trait of weapons fired non-stop (most noteworthy of Flamers, but affects a lot of weapons behind the scenes) and the fact that my heat produces spikes every 2 seconds rather than a flat rate.

Your Ultra 10 and 6 ERSPL has me blatantly outdone in terms of damage though I cut it close. What gives me any chance at all is that my twin MGs and LBX are significantly more likely to score crit hits, and every crit hit gives me bonus damage to your internal structures. (Just had a match staring down a twin LPL + triple SRM + triple SPL Warhawk at point blank and tore him to shreds before facing a Timber Wolf in stationary combat. Didn't last too long against the TBR though since the Warhawk kept at me).

In a rather blunt statement, what I have going for me is heat management, and plenty of high-probability bonus damage once your armor is down. In other words; my hand is in whatever tactics I take and dice.

I'm so screwed.

On a side note, I have a 6R Wolverine design following a similar premise. And boy does that thing tank, too.

I love the view from my Wolverine too.



Echo Freebirth, when you feel the urge, share your adventures.

Edited by Koniving, 08 August 2015 - 08:56 AM.

[Veev]

Cookiemonter669, on 04 August 2015 - 05:40 PM, said:

try to take as much shots at the enemy as you can without blocking your teammates or straying too far from the main group(minimap!)

use lasers,hunchback 4p is good in this,they are easy to use,high hardpoints,point and shoot.

If a teammate gets between you and the enemy after you were already firing just proceed to fire another volley. J/K

[Freeman 52]

My adventures? 100 matches in and thanks to all the advice, videos and guides I think I'm getting the hang of my WVRs: a twin LRM10 7k (nicknamed Friendly because what is friendlier than indirect fire?) and a twin AC5 6r (nicknamed Curious because what shows more curiosity than peeking over a hill to strafe someone). With double xp and the oceanic event I am making my way to purchasing the 6k at a steady pace. I might be neglecting real life a bit, but sometimes escapism works. ;-)

I am finding the medium mech/fire support experience really interesting. Clearly I am going against the meta: it seems that in random public games you only really excel if you can either withstand a couple alpha strikes or avoid them through sheer speed. Instead, I need two things: terrain mastery, and smart and coordinated assaults and heavies. If I have the latter, it's a blast: I will flank, cover, do some area denial, and likely survive to a victory with 6+ assists and 200+ damage. If not, I will get destroyed by sniping or smart lights.

Still, I really enjoy the support role! The only thing I need for my WVRs is more speed: so next stop is an xl320 or so. I feel with greater maneuverability I will be a flanking machine.

Two questions I have now that I am in for real are:
1 - When to start spending real money: mech bays, mastery packs...
2 - When to join a unit for group drops or CW. I really want actual tactics, my style right now practically demands it...

[Jack Shayu Walker]

Koniving, on 08 August 2015 - 08:40 AM, said:

While somewhat useful to those aspiring to higher echelons of anti-meta combat, this is somewhat strayed in topic and thus I put it in spoilers.

Spoiler

I see it's a classic brawler, rather than a 'modern brawler'. This'll prove interesting and tough at the same time. After all the jam frequency appears to be pretty low, and the UAC/10 proves to be a hefty threat when packed with 6 ERSL compared to my twin MGs, LBX, and triple SPL. Novas also have incredible twist -- something I tend to scoff at since they're not really supposed to have any.

Now the big thing is finding out when Lordred will be available to film. I'm faster than you. So I have that. My twist is a little more capable but I hate using it unless I have to.

Looking at the analytics:

I outclass you on optimum ballistic range by 67.5 meters. Not that it is very useful considering I'm using an LBX.
You outclass my optimum energy range by at least than 64 meters (depending on the quirks that could be up to 102.5 meters).

Taking quirks into account and assuming we're both elited: I beat your prime-fire AC/10 mode firing time by 0.125 seconds.

On the other hand you can double fire at an 11.2% chance to jam instead of a 16% jam. I can't jam but neither can I double fire. Meaning that ballistically you completely outclass me in raw damage.

My MGs, assuming they are in fact enhanced by ballistic quirks, have range of 135 meters and combined will deliver damage at 1.8 units per second; MGs have a cone of fire however so this isn't terribly reliable.

These will assist my constant ER SPL bombardment however which have 15% reduced heat will have me at 0.6205 heat per second. Alongside the LBX, and breaking down all potential heat to a standard rate I'll be cooking at a rate of 1.080333333333333 per second and a cooling rate of 2.62 heat/sec (assuming forest colony). Basically heat neutral if not for the "Heat Retention" trait of weapons fired non-stop (most noteworthy of Flamers, but affects a lot of weapons behind the scenes) and the fact that my heat produces spikes every 2 seconds rather than a flat rate.

Your Ultra 10 and 6 ERSPL has me blatantly outdone in terms of damage though I cut it close. What gives me any chance at all is that my twin MGs and LBX are significantly more likely to score crit hits, and every crit hit gives me bonus damage to your internal structures. (Just had a match staring down a twin LPL + triple SRM + triple SPL Warhawk at point blank and tore him to shreds before facing a Timber Wolf in stationary combat. Didn't last too long against the TBR though since the Warhawk kept at me).

In a rather blunt statement, what I have going for me is heat management, and plenty of high-probability bonus damage once your armor is down. In other words; my hand is in whatever tactics I take and dice.

I'm so screwed.

On a side note, I have a 6R Wolverine design following a similar premise. And boy does that thing tank, too.

I love the view from my Wolverine too.



Echo Freebirth, when you feel the urge, share your adventures.

Off topic response to Koniving.

Spoiler

Well my plan would be to XL check your hunchie on that non-Hunch side, but the match may end up close if we're doing no consumables. Typically in a regular drop, my 9x9 flush is what allows me to bring down guys bigger than me in a straight face to face brawl. It brings my 3 volleys in a row to 5 in a row, which usually allows me to at least take a ST and cripple my opponents DPS; from there it's rather easy to finish them off.

On the other hand, I have problems with stage fright so hopefully that won't interfere with my straight thinking. Should be fun either way.

Edited by Jack Shayu Walker, 08 August 2015 - 10:35 AM.

[Jack Shayu Walker]

EchoFreebirth, on 08 August 2015 - 10:25 AM, said:

Two questions I have now that I am in for real are:
1 - When to start spending real money: mech bays, mastery packs...
2 - When to join a unit for group drops or CW. I really want actual tactics, my style right now practically demands it...

First off, glad your enjoying the medium mech role! it's personally my favorite weight class (I count Kitfoxes and Adders as honorary mediums, because they play the same as mediums).

Onto your two questions
1. If you're going to spend real money I wouldn't spend it on mechbays, you can sometimes earn those during weekend events that PGI holds. Second, if you are going to get hero mechs, mastery packs are a good way to go, they'll get you a lot of value for your money. Before you buy one, I would advise you buy a c-bill version of the mech your considering a mastery bundle for (Idealy you'd buy the variant not included in the bundle but you don't have to). Test the mech out, see how it maneuvers and plays, if you like it buy the bundle, play with each variant, and sell the one you like the least (or the double if you have two of the same variant).

After it's all said and done you come out with a spare mech bay and a hero mech that you (hopefully) like.

I would also suggest you try the clan mechs before you start spending cash. If you find that you're more attracted to their style of play you're going to be spending your money in an entirely different way. There aren't mastery bundles for clans, but you can purchase an a la cart "pre-order" pack on the website for whatever mech you like (the preorder packs never come down even after the mech is released). The preorder packs don't come with an exclusive varient which may not make them worth it to you, but you do get an invasion variant that makes extra c-bills and has exclusive geometry.

The reason Clans don't get heros is because they are customized differently than IS mechs; you get to customize hardpoints rather than customize the Engine, JJs, Armor, and Structure. If you really like tinkering with weapon combos clans can be a blast, but they aren't for everyone. Just test out both kinds of mechs and see what's for you.

2. As soon as you're ready : ) . Group drops will allow you to be a lot more tactical, but just bare in mind that the same goes for the enemy team. If you drop in a group, the matchmaker will pair you up against people doing the same thing. If you end up favoring the clans, Clan Wolf International still should be accepting new members, and their recruitment process is pretty fun!

[Leone]

EchoFreebirth, on 08 August 2015 - 10:25 AM, said:

Two questions I have now that I am in for real are:
1 - When to start spending real money: mech bays, mastery packs...
2 - When to join a unit for group drops or CW. I really want actual tactics, my style right now practically demands it...

I would personally suggest springing for some MC and grabbing a buncha mechbays right now, whilest there's a sale on. Now, let me explain why I suggest this. Sure, you start with four, which allows you to get three Wolverines and master them, and try out one other thing, and yes, you can quicky nab another ten by going into Community Warfare and getting rank two in each faction. (Which I whole heartedly suggest before deciding on a unit. Yes, it's dangerous to Pug alone in CW, but this way, you get your cheap mechbays and have room to expand your mechs while dropping with a unit, such as the aforementioned CWI.

Also, it hopefully gives you a chance to meet many a different unit and pick one that suits your play style. For instance, I joined a unit that loves to brawl. Their a great bunch, and we have alotta fun, but it's not for everyone. I've met some great units that I heartily respect who I just don't work with as well. Now, on the flip side, Joining a unit early should get you alotta help early on, but I know for me, it would make breaking off to go mechbay hunting harder on me, since, you know, you go through all the trouble to make friends and then actively decide to play without em for a week. It's up to you, just, you know, food for thought.

Honestly, if you don't mind waiting, there's no reason to get a mastery pack, as new mechs will become available for C-bills eventually. Pretty much the only things I would suggest spending MC on are, Mechbays, a colour or two for if you want to have your own colours (I honestly just worked with c-bill paints until last sale but I wanted me some black,) and one shot camos, for if you like that sorta thing. And yeah, unless you plan on changing camo around on ten mechs, the one shots are the way to go. If you want to go that route.

You can get mastery packs, heros, or preorder mechpacks, but you'd know better'n me if it's worth your money. For other in game purchases, those three things are the only things I'd suggest spending MC on. And, hey just so you know, I waited till I got free MC from Community Warfare rank 10 before buying colours and camo.

I have a friend who prefers basic green camo and spends all his MC on premium time for more XP and cbills, so hey, everyones different. Figure out what's important to you, and go for it.

~Leone.

Edited by Leone, 08 August 2015 - 01:24 PM.