32 replies to this topic

[Zieten]

Hey guys!

Is the IV with its current quirks worth its money? It looks kinda fun, but most posts concerning it call it a rather bad mech. I didnt find any newer posts about it, though as most of the threads are from 2015.
Thanks in advance !

[TercieI]

It ends up being slow due to low engine cap and big ballistics and needing to expose the whole mech to shoot both ballistic arms. Even in a world with more sensibly sized QKDs, I'd skip it. I have it mastered and occasionally mess with builds on it but haven't actually been inspired to play it in quite some time.

[Davy J0nes]

Dont own it but look at them armor quirks you can do 90 front 10 back thats pretty good if you ask me, as good as an assault.

However quirks we are talking about could change whenever so...

[Bud Crue]

People always say "don't get a mech based on quirks" but then when you ask for help they say "play a meta build/mech" which are almost always the meta at least in part do to the quirks.
Whatever.

The IV-4 is 75% fun but out classed and 25% practical but potentially good in the right situations. And all of that is due to its quirks. All that extra armor and that 30% ballistics cooldown makes the 2 AC10 build (I add 2ML and a single JJ) really good on a couple of maps...particularly Vitric and Caustic in CW and Terra and Mining Colony in QP. Places where you are in a high heat situation and/or fairly close confines, this mech can shine. Anywhere else and you are likely toast or a Dragon or Rifleman is a better choice at 60 tons.

That said, yes, it requires face time to be really effective. Yes its useful builds are really limited (there is a reason that this thing is/was the bottom of the metamechs list). But on the right maps, there are few mechs that are more fun.

[Zieten]

I am aware that it is not top tier, but I found it somewhat confusing that the guy from metamechs speaks rather positively about it but placed it at tier 5. I am a pretty mediocre player so I guess I'm lacking the skill to make it work. Still, it is a rather unique mech and thats why I was interested in the first place.

[Bud Crue]

Zieten, on 24 September 2016 - 08:03 AM, said:

I am aware that it is not top tier, but I found it somewhat confusing that the guy from metamechs speaks rather positively about it but placed it at tier 5. I am a pretty mediocre player so I guess I'm lacking the skill to make it work. Still, it is a rather unique mech and thats why I was interested in the first place.

I'm a terribad, I wouldn't let lack of skill stop you. I think it is one of the most fun mechs I own (148, 130 mastered). Won't know if it is your cup of tea unless you give it a go.

[Zieten]

Bud Crue, on 24 September 2016 - 09:42 AM, said:

I'm a terribad, I wouldn't let lack of skill stop you. I think it is one of the most fun mechs I own (148, 130 mastered). Won't know if it is your cup of tea unless you give it a go.

Well yeah...if it was just for C-Bills I'd have bought one already ^^ A bit hesistant to spend cash on it though...

[TheLuc]

looks like a fun Mech to play, If one day I get one, I'll go for this

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...55036a1ce7f2cfa

[TercieI]

TheLuc, on 24 September 2016 - 09:52 AM, said:

looks like a fun Mech to play, If one day I get one, I'll go for this

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...55036a1ce7f2cfa

That's an undergunned light mech in a 60-tonner's body. It makes me sad as both a light and a heavy pilot.

The one thing it does is spit ballistic shells very quickly, so if I was going to run it, I'd run something like this or this or (if you're crazy about hops), this.

Edited by TercieI, 24 September 2016 - 11:23 AM.

[Zieten]

Yeah, I had sth like that first build in mind.

[Chados]

The main thing people don't like about it is that you can't boat anything and it has a low engine cap. Six hardpoints, 2B, 2M, 2E and the best energy weapons you have room for are medium pulse lasers.

It's one of my favorite mechs.

But I like the PXH-1 and Jester too...and I don't like the traditional meta Clan mechs. So I'm no roadmap.

The QKD-IV4 has enough armor that it can credibly pack an XL engine and it needs one to fill out its hardpoints. Its rate of fire with AC5 and level 5 module is nearly equal to a uAC5, and it has decent missile and laser quirkage. It can move a bit faster than most assaults, and it can jump decently with two jets. I like to downgrade the SRM6s to SRM4s, and add max armor, one ton of AC5 ammo, and an AMS. Other than that I like the stock loadout.

[Void Angel]

Zieten, on 24 September 2016 - 08:03 AM, said:

I am aware that it is not top tier, but I found it somewhat confusing that the guy from metamechs speaks rather positively about it but placed it at tier 5. I am a pretty mediocre player so I guess I'm lacking the skill to make it work. Still, it is a rather unique mech and thats why I was interested in the first place.

The thing to remember about Metamechs (other than that it's one guy's educated opinion and not Holy Writ) is that "top-tier 'mechs" in MWO are a lot like "best in slot items" in MMORPGs. Just as many "best in slot" pieces are only the best in concert with the entire set, so "top tier" mechs - and builds, for that matter - are often only the best in the context of top-level tactics and skillsets.

The IV4's hardpoints and quirks make it look a little like my Shadowhawk 2H, but with more tonnage (and much lower ballistic mounts.) If you like Quickdraws, the IV4 is a good buy (wait for a sale, as with all hero 'mechs;) simply use it as a close support heavy. Find another 'mech that's a higher priority target than you (like a Kodiak) and fight what he's fighting. If the enemy lets you whale away with 30% quirked dual AC/10s and the odd SRM volley thrown in, you do tons of damage - and if not, you can focus on spreading damage while you hide behind your buddy, who should be wrecking their faces.

[jonfett]

I saw someone do over a 1000 damage with one of these recently. I was surprised, because I thought they were bad.

[Zieten]

a small update:

i finally decided to buy an IV. the first evening i played it, i was pretty disappointed. the firing rate wasn't too great and i had a hard time using the low mounted autocannons ( i had mostly used torso-mounted weaponry before, so using arms was something i had to learn as well). overall - i was unhappy and more or less regretted buying it.
when i got the rapid fire skill it got better but the real dealbreaker was the AC10-cooldown module. suddenly the mech pumped out sweet dps. i also got more used to the quickdraw-chassis itself.
as i posted above, i'm not a great player (currently t3 with 75% to t2) but for me the mech really works great. you need to find a good fighting distance (300-400 metres is perfect for me) but then this little bugger starts to shine. i also noticed that people tend to ignore quickdraws if there are more threatening targets around - so stick to the big guys and let them take the beatings

[Bud Crue]

Zieten, on 02 October 2016 - 01:40 PM, said:

a small update:

i finally decided to buy an IV. the first evening i played it, i was pretty disappointed. the firing rate wasn't too great and i had a hard time using the low mounted autocannons ( i had mostly used torso-mounted weaponry before, so using arms was something i had to learn as well). overall - i was unhappy and more or less regretted buying it.
when i got the rapid fire skill it got better but the real dealbreaker was the AC10-cooldown module. suddenly the mech pumped out sweet dps. i also got more used to the quickdraw-chassis itself.
as i posted above, i'm not a great player (currently t3 with 75% to t2) but for me the mech really works great. you need to find a good fighting distance (300-400 metres is perfect for me) but then this little bugger starts to shine. i also noticed that people tend to ignore quickdraws if there are more threatening targets around - so stick to the big guys and let them take the beatings

Welcome to the joys of the IV-4. There is no greater joy in this game, for me, than making a Kodiak 3 turn away from me in my bottom of tier 5 on the metamechs lists IV-4, because the poor Kodiak can't handle the beating I'm giving it with those rapid fire AC10s (and MLs). It is certainly not often, but when it happens, you will be filled with a sense of joy few others -save maybe expert Commando players- can appreciate.

[Nightbird]

I own it, and I say no, it's hard points make it hard to build and ballistics points are low, spread apart, and have convergence hit issues.

[TercieI]

Bud Crue, on 02 October 2016 - 01:53 PM, said:

Welcome to the joys of the IV-4. There is no greater joy in this game, for me, than making a Kodiak 3 turn away from me in my bottom of tier 5 on the metamechs lists IV-4, because the poor Kodiak can't handle the beating I'm giving it with those rapid fire AC10s (and MLs). It is certainly not often, but when it happens, you will be filled with a sense of joy few others -save maybe expert Commando players- can appreciate.

Fact: Outdueling an ACH in a Commando will make your chest puff out so far you need stitches.

[Zieten]

ironnightbird, on 02 October 2016 - 02:20 PM, said:

I own it, and I say no, it's hard points make it hard to build and ballistics points are low, spread apart, and have convergence hit issues.

it`s got its low tier rating for a good reason. i would never claim that it is an effective or good choice for the heavy bracket, but its got its own distinct feel to it which is rare in the world of LPLs and ultra autocannons. the convergence is a big issue, thats right. especially while brawling a lot of shots just go where they want and not where they should.
i'm just having a blast playing it and thats what counts for me

Edited by Zieten, 02 October 2016 - 02:37 PM.

[Chados]

Quickdraws are supposed to have been intended as the Rifleman's successor. I play mine like an RFL-3N with jets and missiles, or like a Wolverine Quarantine only with another AC5. The RFL-3N(S) and WVR-Q are on my top ten favorites list. . And its stats for me are similar even running an XL engine. I'd love to try it with the AC10/ML build but you can't run max armor and a STD 240. Plus the low mount arms and losing the jets would make it less able to move and strike. So I stick with essentially a modified stock loadout and it seems to run about like a 3N, which has no structure or armor buffs and is as fragile as most Catapults.

It is the IV-4's armor and weapon quirks that make it viable. I notice that the other QKDs, which have similar quirks to the Catapults, and very minimal weapon quirks, just are terrible. Run standard engines, you can't pack anything bigger than medium lasers. Run an XL and get your ticket punched in the first enemy volley. Wolverines are tougher, and 5 tons lighter! They'd really benefit from addition of the "Operation Bulldog" era weapons and light fusion engine.

[Bluttrunken]

AC2's +30% querk.