1704 replies to this topic

[Virlutris]

Bishop Steiner, on 16 June 2016 - 09:00 AM, said:

Oh, I enjoy my PNTs. They ain't meta.... or Urbies, but are probably my second favorite Lights in the game. Play em like mini-Mediums. Always enjoyed em in TT, too, though mine usually dropped the SRMs for a pair of MLs in the left arm.

Well, they can be built to approxomate the meta, but just as you observed, they're doing so as mini-mediums. Mid-range meta-conscious builds usually found on mediums like PPCs, El El Fu, and LPL scalpels all optimize really nicely on a Panther.

Urbies play a similar mini-medium game, in their own way. Wolfhounds can too, strangely enough, though faster. Probably helps explain why I like those 3 chassis as much as I do.

[Koniving]

Virlutris, on 16 June 2016 - 08:57 AM, said:

I got the Panther for my first result. Love 'em.

Got the Victor second. Not only is it rougher performance-wise, but the assault-level grind is an intrisically bigger mountain to climb.

Kon's mentioned it elsewhere, but the Panthers are one of the most uber-quirked mechs in the game. There's plenty that offsets it, keeping it from being OP. Still, once you've got the feel of it it's a steady and at times above average performer.

Victors, by contrast, don't get as much help relative to their peers, and it shows. All of my challenge builds for the Victor so far are rangy and rely on damage delivered steadliy over time. I hesitate to call them dps builds, as the dps calcs aren't really great.

If I get chewed up early, and lose a gun arm (in either chassis, really), it makes for an underwhelming match. It's compounded in Invasion matches, especially if all 4 waves consist of "push hard into the buildings." >.<

When I finally grind up my VTR-9S, at least it'll help with brawly situations.

So Kon, care to join our plethora of Panther pilots?

I pilot them and think I do fairly well. Been doing my Ember at around 107 post speed tweak and 90ish for my other ballistic firestarter. Medium pulse with some small lasers and mgs works well. The H wields a Gauss Rifle (Hollander!!!)

Good fun both of them. Lowered seems to have lost it but he had a screenshot of me portraying with a dual ppc blackjack.

[Amaranth Panther]

Progress Report:

Got my Davion Rank 2 mechbay over the weekend, was hanging around to snag an extra rank for the GXP, and just in case there was a particularly juicy FP event that had LP requirements or somesuch. Probably gonna "desert" for my next faction in the next day or two. I'm just gonna scroll sequentially through the flags on the faction list. (Edit: Got Dav 3 tonight, punched out. Next stop: Kurita)

I've got enough XP on my VTR-9B to take it through elites and be halfway through Mastery, maybe more (all with SHS so far, loololololol). I'm through basics on my VTR-9K (which I got my DHS upgrade for, sooooooo much nicer).

Grinding toward my VTR-9S, slowly and steadily.

Housekeeping/procedural question(s):

The stages are all oriented around Mastering 3 variants of a chassis.

* May we pick up 4th and 5th variants of a chassis (where applicable)? For example:
- The 4th Panther variant for me (PNT-10P)
- A Panther hero purchased with only f2p MC (when such a thing becomes a reality)

* May we pick up multiples of a given variant? (for instance, a second PNT-9R)

* Are we required to keep all variants? For Example:
- Say I purchase and grind a ClanTech OmniLight, like the Adder. They're kinda redundant with similar CTs.
- Could I just keep one (and all the pods) and sell the other two, so long as they're mastered?
- Or is it the spirit of the thing to get the 3, Master the 3, and keep the 3?

Just seeking clarity, thanks!

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 16 June 2016 - 09:50 PM.

[Wolf Clearwater]

Thorgeir Solv - Raven

[Amaranth Panther]

Wolf Clearwater, on 16 June 2016 - 08:39 PM, said:

Thorgeir Solv - Raven

Welcome!

Friendly request to our Veteran Challengers:

If you've mastered your first mech, and you've enjoyed yourself enough to recommend this fun to others, please consider donating the cost of one recruitment fee to our coffers.

When you pay it forward, you keep making fun possible for the next wave of Challengers!

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 16 June 2016 - 09:54 PM.

[Ih8tevictors]

Requiemking, on 15 June 2016 - 04:20 PM, said:

Okay, I'm all set up.

New pilot name: Hresvelgr1
Mech: Hunchback

Invite sent Welcome to the unit.

Wolf Clearwater, on 16 June 2016 - 08:39 PM, said:

Thorgeir Solv - Raven

Invite sent Welcome to the unit

Accounting

Start Cbill 6,800,000

invite 2,000,000
invite 2,050,000

donation 2,000,000

ending Cbills 4,750,000

Amaranth Panther, on 16 June 2016 - 06:25 PM, said:

Housekeeping/procedural question(s):

The stages are all oriented around Mastering 3 variants of a chassis.

* May we pick up 4th and 5th variants of a chassis (where applicable)? For example:
- The 4th Panther variant for me (PNT-10P)
- A Panther hero purchased with only f2p MC (when such a thing becomes a reality)

* May we pick up multiples of a given variant? (for instance, a second PNT-9R)

* Are we required to keep all variants? For Example:
- Say I purchase and grind a ClanTech OmniLight, like the Adder. They're kinda redundant with similar CTs.
- Could I just keep one (and all the pods) and sell the other two, so long as they're mastered?
- Or is it the spirit of the thing to get the 3, Master the 3, and keep the 3?

Just seeking clarity, thanks!

It is my understanding that the idea is to master 1 mech, maybe 3 or more, picked by the What Mech according to your answers with nothing but free play. after you have mastered the chassis, which requires 3 variants, you can do what you want with the it. sell the ones you don't want, buy the others, what ever. also by playing just your challenge mechs your stats will remain uncluttered. there is also the Faction Play portion of the game were you do need 4 mechs for a drop deck. the idea there is to use your WMC mechs and if need be fill in your deck with a trial mech. if we can ever get the organization we may try to have WMC team drops in FW. I see a 12 Victor 1st wave. Ok i can dream can't I? think about the other team will be so confused. we will jump the gates and do an assault rush, ok jog. with awesome firepower, ok mediocre firepower, we will crush them in short order.

Edited by Ih8tevictors, 17 June 2016 - 06:12 AM.

[Virlutris]

Ih8tevictors, on 17 June 2016 - 06:04 AM, said:

Invite sent Welcome to the unit.



Invite sent Welcome to the unit



It is my understanding that the idea is to master 1 mech, maybe 3 or more, picked by the What Mech according to your answers with nothing but free play. after you have mastered the chassis, which requires 3 variants, you can do what you want with the it. sell the ones you don't want, buy the others, what ever. there is also the Faction Play portion of the game were you do need 4 mechs for a drop deck. the idea there is to use your WMC mechs and if need be fill in your deck with a trial mech. if we can ever get the organization we may try to have WMC team drops in FW. I see a 12 Victor 1st wave. Ok i can dream can't I? think about the other team will be so confused. we will jump the gates and do an assault rush, ok jog. with awesome firepower, ok mediocre firepower, we will crush them in short order.

I have to read "mediocre" with Russ's voice from that one Town Hall, sort of drawing it out a little with a hint of extra emphasis on each syllable.

[russvoice]

Mediocre

[/russvoice]

Looking forward to the Victor-y rush

One more variant to go. Speaking of which:

This might be a good weekend to grind,

If folks may be so inclined,

Because due to the loot bag event,

There may be goodies for cockpits, and game-cash to be spent.



I'm gonna split time between accounts. That grand prize means a lot on an f2p account.

Edited by Virlutris, 17 June 2016 - 06:20 AM.

[Ih8tevictors]

Few thoughts on the Victors

I mastered mine in OK fashion and time, for me. avg of about 200 damage per game.

my play style has always been a bit of a bizerker. I make no excuses or apologies for it. I am frequently out of position and gunned down trying to push into the Reds. So while my avg dam is low and K/D is dismal, i can safely say it is me that does it and the Victor was probably just ahead of the curve of my normal mastery.

now when the planets aligned and the pugs got aggressive the Victor in a Super Stock build (9S, 9B the K is a completely different animal) the games were glorious. using light tactics of get in fast and close, abuse the JJs, smaller throttle shuddering though this thing is an assault and has the acceleration curve of a garbage truck and just keep moving the Victor can stomp some Endo Steel. but unlike a lite it can almost never do it alone. One on One with an Assault or any amount of face tanking is basically suicide. get above and drop down on the blind side while they are distracted fighting a lite or another heavy or 2. Pick your spot and unload that AC20/SRM alpha, and move. I know since the big hover jet nerf JJs on an assault seem to be wasted tonnage. Put max JJs on and take a tour thru the Bog. it will surprise you.

The K well it became the long range support mech. kept the gauss and maxed the JJs. it can almost fly with 6. kind of fun to get to the high ground with the med and lites with assault class armor. a couple of erlls and yes it needed an XL eng which made it a bit squishy, but for first wave FW on defend it made a good long range open exchange shot trader. just twist and move.

Victors will never be meta mech killers. i found running it like a slow jumpy centenarian with bad hit boxes seemed to work best

Edited by Ih8tevictors, 17 June 2016 - 06:49 AM.

[Ih8tevictors]

Almost for got the Grab bag event. Thanks for reminding me Virlutris. with a possible mech bay up for grabs it will be a must play weekend. always need a free mechbay. too bad it is random Radar Dep and an XL400 are just icing on the cake. MC is also always welcome.

So Challengers get out there and earn some free stuff.

http://mwomercs.com/...?t=201606summer

[Amaranth Panther]

I'm pretty much settled around having a dakka build (9B, UAC+ACs), a sniper or mid-range build (9K, Gauss+ERLL, maybe AC10+LPL), and a brawler build (9S, AC20+SRMs) on the 3 variants. I'll be able to tailor my deck a little better to maps and strats (Victor-y push ftw!) that way. Frankly, the 9S can't come soon enough for my Taiga drops.

The loot bag grand prize reminds me to bring up modules for a progress report.

I spent my first batch of GXP (15k) on unlocking Radar Dep, right around the time I was Mastering my Panthers and moving on to Bonus Stage 1. That'll come in handy if I pull the Grand Prize, but it was really just an investment in the future.

Next thing I unlocked was Seismic (basic, for 7.5k). I didn't do that until I got trolled about consumables at the end of an FP match. "Why don't you have any ... ," was the gist of it.

Now, I'm not really tied up in knots about it, but I did respond "it's a new account," to which I received a "so?"

That made me curious enough to check the unlock price on consumable modules. It's been so long since I unlocked them on my main that I'd forgotten the unaugmented versions are available with no unlock required. It's 15k to upgrade the c-bill version to perform like the MC version. Totally forgot.

Now, am I going to be paying GXP for that consumable upgrade any time soon? Nope. Do I equip consumables now? Yes, a strike and a UAV. Do I use them? Rarely, when the situation screams for it, mostly in FP. When the thing will pay for itself and help the team, it's an easy call. Otherwise, it compounds the grind.

Anyhow, while I was there poking around the module unlocks, I unlocked Seismic (basic), and noted that the Advanced edition unlocks for 10k. It's gonna be awhile unlocking Advanced Seismic, much less consumable improvements or another mech module like Target Info Gather or Advanced Sensor Range or somesuch. GXP is a slllllllowwwwwwww grind.

It's also gonna be a while before I can afford the super mech modules out of pocket, but I figured I'd report on what I'm doing there for the edification of fellow challengers. Being able to use that Grand Prize module (IF I'm that lucky) would be gravy, and worth last month's use of that GXP in my humble opinion

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 17 June 2016 - 09:26 AM.

[Wolf Clearwater]

I will kick in a bit of C-bills for my invite costs. -Thorgeir Solv

Glad you guys are doing this. I am excited.

[Amaranth Panther]

Wolf Clearwater, on 17 June 2016 - 05:34 PM, said:

I will kick in a bit of C-bills for my invite costs. -Thorgeir Solv

Glad you guys are doing this. I am excited.

Glad you're here!

We're generally asking for folks to kick in for their invite fee after they've mastered their fist chassis.

Granted, we can't technically stop you from donating, but the idea is to let the new folks "focus fire" on their initial grind.

I'm personally more concerned with you being able to purchase and build out all 3 of your mech variants before donating.

The grind can be ... grindy ... without premium time.

Speaking of which, this is a great weekend to start! Single days of premium time are one of the loot bag items available. Even if you only play a little on your challenge account, and focus on your main account this weekend, the little goodies are nice

(Edit: The little goodies are very nice. I've gotten 4 warhorns and a bunch of hanging and standing items for the cockpit, in addition to grind-reducers lice c-bills and GXP. An MC. Sweet, sweet MC.)

Welcome aboard!

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 19 June 2016 - 12:18 PM.

[NoMoreCenturions]

Decisions, decisions...

So, I got lucky and hit the grand prize for the current challenge somewhere between 15-20 drops in (this almost never happens to me -- usually I either don't get it, or if I do, it comes after many hours of grinding). Anyways, the radar derp is very useful for my current mech (Shadow Cat), but the XL400 doesn't currently fit anything in my dropdeck (Victor or Centurion), and while I hate to sell such a great engine, I need another $2M creds to afford my third Shadow Cat variant. Additionally when I'm done with Shadow Cats, I'll have completed Bonus Challenge #2, so I'm unlikely to need such a massive engine. So, I should sell it, right? Or do I wait for Bonus Challenge #3 and hope a large assault fits the parameters of the challenge so that I can use the engine? All in all, not a bad decision to have to make, but even so...

[Amaranth Panther]

NoMoreCenturions, on 19 June 2016 - 04:02 PM, said:

Decisions, decisions...

So, I got lucky and hit the grand prize for the current challenge somewhere between 15-20 drops in (this almost never happens to me -- usually I either don't get it, or if I do, it comes after many hours of grinding). Anyways, the radar derp is very useful for my current mech (Shadow Cat), but the XL400 doesn't currently fit anything in my dropdeck (Victor or Centurion), and while I hate to sell such a great engine, I need another $2M creds to afford my third Shadow Cat variant. Additionally when I'm done with Shadow Cats, I'll have completed Bonus Challenge #2, so I'm unlikely to need such a massive engine. So, I should sell it, right? Or do I wait for Bonus Challenge #3 and hope a large assault fits the parameters of the challenge so that I can use the engine? All in all, not a bad decision to have to make, but even so...

Unless you're getting a Boar's Head (with lots of f2p MC), Dragons Slayer (with lots of f2p MC), or Banshees (WUBSHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!1!!), then you can set your mind at ease. There is absolutely nothing you can do with it in the bounds of the challenge as it's currently set, at least with mechs in the quiz.

Even if we add an Unseen stage to the Challenge, (maybe'd 20+ pages ago), none of those mechs can even equip the XL400).

Unless you're holding out for the unforseeable, I'd say you're right, that the cash is better here. Even on challenge mechs that can equip the bigger engine, there's exactly one on which it's useful (WUBSHEEEEEEEEEEE!1!!!1!), for a given value of trolly usefulness.

Everything else runs better with a smaller monster engine, which means that you're still better off selling it, to put toward whatever costs you're realistically planning for (even the most hypothetically realistic ones, like an XL380 for an LPL Banshee that you're not currently in line to get).

You're okay here. Sell it!

And enjoy your mechbay (Muh Precioussssss ...) and Disappearing Act Module

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 19 June 2016 - 07:04 PM.

[etarm]

Amaranth Panther, on 19 June 2016 - 07:03 PM, said:

Unless you're getting a Boar's Head (with lots of f2p MC), Dragons Slayer (with lots of f2p MC), or Banshees (WUBSHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!1!!), then you can set your mind at ease. There is absolutely nothing you can do with it in the bounds of the challenge as it's currently set, at least with mechs in the quiz.

Even if we add an Unseen stage to the Challenge, (maybe'd 20+ pages ago), none of those mechs can even equip the XL400).

Unless you're holding out for the unforseeable, I'd say you're right, that the cash is better here. Even on challenge mechs that can equip the bigger engine, there's exactly one on which it's useful (WUBSHEEEEEEEEEEE!1!!!1!), for a given value of trolly usefulness.

Everything else runs better with a smaller monster engine, which means that you're still better off selling it, to put toward whatever costs you're realistically planning for (even the most hypothetically realistic ones, like an XL380 for an LPL Banshee that you're not currently in line to get).

You're okay here. Sell it!

And enjoy your mechbay (Muh Precioussssss ...) and Disappearing Act Module

Good advice, thanks!

P.S. Oops, posted from my prime account by mistake.

Edited by etarm, 19 June 2016 - 07:46 PM.

[Ih8tevictors]

Almost took a contract with House Marik as it was for the same 20% bonus as House Liao but right now better the devil you know then one we don't.

Still will Liao for the next 7 days. riding that 20% bonus train, for now...

[Amaranth Panther]

Update Time, aka Why Events are Helpful:

Due to the goodies from the events, I've gotten 2 days of Premium Time, ground a bunch of c-bills, mech XP, and GXP, and agumented that with lootbag GXP, c-bills, and the precious f2p MC.

I purchased, outfitted, and ground to elite, my 3rd Victor, the 9S (AC20, 2SRM6, SRM4, STD320). I've elited my 9K, purchased its XL340 and a 3rd ERLL (yass!), and finally, at long last paid for the DHS upgrade on my Dakka Victor, the 9B.

BTW, I ground so much XP on it while grinding for the other Victors and 2 CW mechbays (1 Merc, 1 Davvie), that I was able to master it outright once I'd skilled up the other 2, all with XP earned with those old-fashioned SHS.

I also unlocked advanced seismic with all that GXP, and I'm either close to unlocking basic sensor range, or halfway to target info gather. Probably the latter.

Still no grand prize though (81 QP and counting, 1 FP Scouting). I've got 6 mechbays, all full. I was hoping for that mechbay

Regarding Scouting in a Panther: I'm experimenting with the 9R, using an XL250, 4MPL, and a SRM4A. It acquitted itself nicely in a wipeout, getting matchsocre on damage numbers, and won a match gathering intel and smokediving after being ignored. Felt good, even though I'm technically a "deserter." Considering buying an extra 9R to set up as a permanent scout.

I've also got a cockpit item for every slot except one hanging item.

All three Victors have matching isobaric speaker warhorns and 8-bit Urbie glasses, and unique standing items. My PNT-9R picked up an Urbie warhorn

Fun!

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 19 June 2016 - 09:33 PM.

[etarm]

Amaranth Panther, on 19 June 2016 - 09:32 PM, said:

Still no grand prize though (81 QP and counting, 1 FP Scouting). I've got 6 mechbays, all full. I was hoping for that mechbay

Ouch! Otherwise, though, sounds like you're having a good run.

[Amaranth Panther]

etarm, on 19 June 2016 - 09:47 PM, said:

Ouch! Otherwise, though, sounds like you're having a good run.

Getting a little concerned that I'm gonna have to go to CW Invasion/Counter for a shot at it, with no guarantees. I may not bother at that point, because it really has been a very good run. Scouting should be okay though.

Then again, I wouldn't mind the Disappearing Act Module and the cash from that XL400 either ...

/sigh #1stworldproblems

Edit (21Jun2016): It's re-scale patch day, and I'm nervously anticipating he effect of the re-scale on my Panthers when I get home. :s

My Victors will only get better, so at that's a positive at least.

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 21 June 2016 - 01:03 PM.

[Amaranth Panther]

Final Score for the event:

I got a second XL250 for the "scouting" Panther, unlocked the Target Info Gather Module the drop after the event ended, have the Victor 9S and 9K 60% 75% to Mastery, enough extra weapons for scout loadouts for 2 3 different builds, unlocked Basic Blue (looks nice with the Sienna Orpiment and Amaranth I've got), and enough in the bank for a scouting Panther in my next mechbay.

Gonna take my time banking c-bills for the ClanTech Bonus round, and figuring out what chassis that's gonna be anyway.

I've also got surplus cockpit items. Missed the Grand Prize, marginally frustrated (100 QP, 11 Scouting, 1 Invasion). I'm missing that module, mechbay, and cash, but I got a ton of good stuff anyway. I'm not gonna dismiss the mountain of awesome I did get, because I didn't get the shiniest prize in the bag.

Edits: details

Moar Edits: with spillover Premium Time from the event, I unlocked the master-level module slot my 2nd and 3rd Victors. Gonna buy a couple duplicates for a few of my serial loyalist tour mechbays, and bank cash for the ClanTech Bonus round.

Edited by Amaranth Panther, 23 June 2016 - 03:29 PM.