22 replies to this topic

[Bassethound]

With the high mc cost of modules, which once would you consider must haves for the new and cb tight player? I just finished my 3rd stormcrow but kind of at a loss on where to proceed. I play a streaker, gausscrow and a laser vomit.

Thanks!

Edited by Bassethound, 20 September 2015 - 04:29 AM.

[Chados]

Radar deprivation if you can get it. It helps a lot. Otherwise you get a lot of LRMs. Those Ryoken's ought to be survivable, though, Clan 'mechs are better for that than IS.

[dragnier1]

Personally i'd say none. You're better off saving cbills for the next mech.

Aside from that aim for siesmic sensor. Share it around your mechs since it's costly.

[JC Daxion]

Seismic is a great module..

Radar dep is pretty good too, but i typically use it on slower mechs.

Target info gathering, helps speed up getting to the paper doll, so you can find out areas that are damaged quicker, which is very helpful for pin-point builds

Hill climb.. Used on lights and mediums with out jumpjets.. (though i also put it on dragons) Great module for many mechs. the SCR is a pretty fast mech, so i would think it would work very well on it. Basically you can climb much better, maps like canyon become totally different when you can run up walls..

[TercieI]

Seismic. Useful in every single mech.

But mechs are more important than modules.

[xMintaka]

Seismic and Radar Deprivation, in that order.

[Rogue Jedi]

You cannot buy modules with MC so there is no MC cost to a module (except consumables).
Modules are expensive in both Cbills and GXP, I would not advise a new player buy modules, I would advise eleting 3+ chassis before worrying about modules.
You have already received some good advise about which modules you should concider first

Edited by Rogue Jedi, 20 September 2015 - 07:23 AM.

[jss78]

Once you have the three variants required to level up a chassis, IMO there's no correct answer to whether new mechs or modules should be prioritized. If you enjoy playing the current chassis, by all means buy modules to get the most out of it. If you want to try another chassis, then modules can wait.

Apart from those mentioned, in cases where you boat several of a single weapon type, weapon modules can be worthwhile. Range modules can give a few points more damage per alpha, in case you end up often firing from beyond the normal range. Cooldown modules give a direct boost to your DPS and make sense unless your ability to keep firing the weapons is badly limited by heat.

Since the word "gauss" was mentioned, Advanced Zoom might be useful to pinpoint damage from long range. This also depends heavily on your monitor size and on how good your eyes are, though. I can't hit the side of a barn without it, but many report doing very well without. It's cheap as far as modules go.

[Palor]

The 1st module I unlocked was Advanced Radar range (it was cheap), I loved this module as it helped me earn many scouting and spotting bonuses in the match. The c-bills really piled up. However with the ECM plague, I am not sure if it will still be that effective these days.
Overall the seimic sensor and redar dep mods are cornerstones in all great mech builds, you can not go wrong with them.

[dragnier1]

Terciel1976, on 20 September 2015 - 06:16 AM, said:

Seismic. Useful in every single mech.

But mechs are more important than modules.

The only time this is not true is when OP decides not to get any mechs.

[Captain Alt F4]

As someone who has gone through doing IS mechs, its best to totally finish mechs before moving to buying the next.... otherwise you end up like my IS mechs.. lots of mechs, mastered, but can't module them all due to the extreme cost... would have been better to work on a mech at a time. Still I'll chip away at it.

[JC Daxion]

Captain Alt F4, on 20 September 2015 - 04:44 PM, said:

As someone who has gone through doing IS mechs, its best to totally finish mechs before moving to buying the next.... otherwise you end up like my IS mechs.. lots of mechs, mastered, but can't module them all due to the extreme cost... would have been better to work on a mech at a time. Still I'll chip away at it.

Yea i kinda agree with this.. Especially if you like the mechs you have.. Build up a good amount of mechs, and the striping and swapping gets really old.. Modules were not around when i started, so i ended up buying a lotta mechs.. then modules came out, and i kept buying mechs when there were sales... now i'm at the point that i need to grind over double what i already made, just to outfit them with modules so i can play mech warrior, Not Parts warrior!.. Maybe in another 2 years of grinding they will be complete..

Id say spend about 24m on some modules.. 12m on mech, and 12m on weapons for the time being.. They really do help. It will be worth it.. Just think it really isn't that much more than buying a timber wolf, so why not just take a little break from the mech grind, and play your mastered mechs.. and just have fun for a while. take the grind outta the game for a while so to speak

[Not A Real RAbbi]

Seismic and Radar Dep should be the first two MECH modules you unlock, I think.

Info Gathering is useful, but you'll need time and experience to make the most of them.

Advanced Sensor Range isn't as useful right now, because ECM is just too common. Also, there aren't that many maps where you'll likely have line-of-sight to a mech that far away, that you'd benefit from an increased sensor range.

Advanced Zoom is useful for snipers, but the narrowed field of view really hurts situational awareness. Not what I'd call noob-friendly.

Target Decay is good for LRM boaters, and that's about it. Even then, it's defeated by the Radar Dep.

Hill Climb, Gyros, and a couple others, are pretty much a waste. AT BEST, they're niche AF.

Seismic Sensor, though, passively increases your situational awareness. If an enemy is sneaking up on you from outside your field of view, you'll catch him within a certain range (as long as you're standing still). Good to have that extra Spider-Sense, y'know? Also, can't be spoofed by ECM.

Radar Deprivation means that, even if the enemy has that Target Decay module, when the enemies lose line of sight to you, they lose the red dorito and targeting data IMMEDIATELY. Enemy LRMs got ya down? Well now you can turn it around, sport! Simply equip this wonder module (filled with snake oil, I'm sure), break line of sight, and go on about your business! Money back guarantee! (No, not really.)

Those two modules are PASSIVE, and they're VERY helpful with survivability. Any mech can be helped by having one (or both) aboard. I highly recommend them for the first two new player's mech modules.

[mad kat]

dragnier1, on 20 September 2015 - 04:40 AM, said:

Personally i'd say none. You're better off saving cbills for the next mech.

Aside from that aim for siesmic sensor. Share it around your mechs since it's costly.

What he said. I've been playing since July 2012 and now only just started using modules. I Feel they do not make enough of a difference for them to be worth the cost. Sure when you've got all the mechs you want go to town on them as i am now but the attraction of a new mech or Xl engine over a marginal performance increase is too much for me.

They Do help improve situations but they are not really worth the cost. Start with modules like target info gathering, Sensor range, Seismic and Radar Dep are the key ones but it also depends on the build you are running. For example a Yen low Wang which only has three pinpoint weapons so benefits mostly from Weapon cooldown Modules or range extension target data retention and target info gathering so you know where best to aim your limited firepower. Much that in the same way a long range LRM mech would benefit from weapon range module, Sensor range, target decay and a (not module) BAP.

Edited by mad kat, 21 September 2015 - 07:27 AM.

[Boulangerie]

TheRAbbi, on 20 September 2015 - 09:11 PM, said:

Seismic and Radar Dep should be the first two MECH modules you unlock, I think.

Info Gathering is useful, but you'll need time and experience to make the most of them.

Advanced Sensor Range isn't as useful right now, because ECM is just too common. Also, there aren't that many maps where you'll likely have line-of-sight to a mech that far away, that you'd benefit from an increased sensor range.

Advanced Zoom is useful for snipers, but the narrowed field of view really hurts situational awareness. Not what I'd call noob-friendly.

Target Decay is good for LRM boaters, and that's about it. Even then, it's defeated by the Radar Dep.

Hill Climb, Gyros, and a couple others, are pretty much a waste. AT BEST, they're niche AF.

Seismic Sensor, though, passively increases your situational awareness. If an enemy is sneaking up on you from outside your field of view, you'll catch him within a certain range (as long as you're standing still). Good to have that extra Spider-Sense, y'know? Also, can't be spoofed by ECM.

Radar Deprivation means that, even if the enemy has that Target Decay module, when the enemies lose line of sight to you, they lose the red dorito and targeting data IMMEDIATELY. Enemy LRMs got ya down? Well now you can turn it around, sport! Simply equip this wonder module (filled with snake oil, I'm sure), break line of sight, and go on about your business! Money back guarantee! (No, not really.)

Those two modules are PASSIVE, and they're VERY helpful with survivability. Any mech can be helped by having one (or both) aboard. I highly recommend them for the first two new player's mech modules.

My first module was Adv Target decay, before we got all these newfangled wall hack and stealth modules! Anyway, the new ones are waaay better, although Target decay actually counters Radar Dep, not the other way around.

You still get the bonus time from Target decay, just not the normal few seconds. This means that I think you still have a couple seconds of lock on time even if they have Radar Dep and go into cover. It's not ideal for LRM, but it can make a difference still if they think you will lose your lock instantly and wait to go into cover.\

Target Decay can also help out a Streak boat if they are fighting lights with Radar Dep in an urban environment and their target keeps darting between buildings. You'll still have to time your shot perfect though.

Once I bought Radar Dep, my non ECM mechs really jumped in survivability, as well as my light and Medium skirmishers. Not only good against LRM, but the more important minimap of your opponent. Normally, they would have a better idea of your position and heading, but you can duck into cover and then change direction right away to create backstabbing traps and to bug out for another position if flanking or sniping.

Just got the 1st level of Seismic, and Oh man, that is awesome. I'm saving up for the 2nd level right now, but it's super helpful to get an idea of whether there is someone on the other side of that cliff, or which direction they will come out of the rock cover etc.

I made the mistake of getting more weapons modules, but they aren't quite as handy as the Mech modules, unless you are stacking up the Cooldown on an uberquirked mech. Some examples are Dragon 1N, Huginn, Grid Iron, HBK-4J etc. Range is usually a better option, and though I haven't actually bought this one, I wish I had started with something vanilla like ML Range module which can be applied to just about any mech in the IS.

[Kira Onime]

Focus on getting a decent collection of mechs before thinking of getting modules.
Or if you really want a module, get seismic sensors and share the module across all your mechs as it was mentioned above.

[JC Daxion]

TheRAbbi, on 20 September 2015 - 09:11 PM, said:

Hill Climb, Gyros, and a couple others, are pretty much a waste. AT BEST, they're niche AF.

Gyros Ok, i agree, there is no knockdown, so that is kinda pointless now. shock'sr, maybe on a high flying jump mech.


But hill climb? You really need to try this on a non-JJ mech that runs at 90KPH+.. though the faster your engine, the more it shines.. For example very fast mechs, can run up the walls in canyon... Lots of places you cannot go with out it. After using this module for about 4 months now, I'd load it up in any fast non JJ mech, before i even loaded up radar dep..

I can avoid LRM's, and 1.5 secs drop speed is nothing in fast mechs, i rather pause a sec to drop off radar and then make my next move.. something i can easily do in a fast mech.. what i can't do is climb a hill with out hill-climb

[Not A Real RAbbi]

You can climb most hills without it. There are some spots that ARE tough, and that module will get you over the hump. Not something that's useful on every map, nor on every mech.

But that's simply my opinion, and I respect that opinions will vary. Your perspective is at least as valid as my own, and I thank you for engaging in constructive dialog!

[Kali Rinpoche]

I would work on saving for mechs first, but these three are the most important to get when you can afford them.
1. Radar Derp
2. Seismic Sensor
3. Advanced Zoom

I would recommend buying the derp module asap. Makes a big difference in PUGs. Periodically PGI has challenges that reduce the purchase price of modules which I advise you to take advantage of these sales when they are available. Getting 2-3 key weapon modules can really help too. Pick your three most used weapons, max the exp for them and buy all three.
(Particularly SSRM range or cool down modules if you use them on your builds.)

Edited by Kali Rinpoche, 21 September 2015 - 07:33 PM.

[MechWarrior3671771]

"You can climb most hills without it [Hill Climb module]"

True. I put it on my fast lights and its fun, but not that necessary. Especially when you get more bang for your buck with Seismic and Radar Dep. And those are the two I recommend to the OP.

Hill Climb can actually hurt you too - if you are brawling in circles on uneven terrain, your speed will vary uphill and downhill, making you harder to target. But with Hill Climb, your speed is more constant, so its easier for Red Team to predict where to shoot.

1) get Radar Dep first to save you from the LRM hell of the new player tiers.

2) then grab Seismic to avoid turning corners blind into 6 red team mechs.


Really wish PGI would buff up some of the mech modules. Most aren't worth dropping Seismic and Radar Dep for.

Edited by Fenrisulvyn, 21 September 2015 - 10:21 PM.