7 replies to this topic

[Anachronda]

I've been trying to get faster mechs together, and in Assaults two chassis have been suggested to that end: Zeus and Banshee. I have a Banshee 3M currently, with wub configuration, and it is pretty good. But I need to buy two more variants and I am unsure which ones to get. I like these large pulse lasers but I think when I looked at some other variants they may need something different. I'll be going with a 400XL for speed - this is one of the reasons for the choice of mech.

[The Basilisk]

There are only 3 variants you can get without MC ( 3S, 3E, 3M )
Since you need 3 that are the ones you should get.
The La Malinche is the Banshee Hero and somewhat disputed.
3E for ballistics and 3M for lazormeta.
3S cause you need 3 to level.

[B L O O D W I T C H]

The 3S variant caps out at an 345 engine rating, that's kinda as fast as an atlas with 360 engine (a.k.a. slow).
Either go for the Hero Variant (400 rating cap) (if you do want to spend MC AND keep the Variant of course) or plain drive the 3S stock and sell it after you got the basics done (or use GXP, if you have enough for that on spare).

[Anachronda]

The Basilisk, on 23 November 2015 - 03:15 AM, said:

There are only 3 variants you can get without MC ( 3S, 3E, 3M )
Since you need 3 that are the ones you should get.
The La Malinche is the Banshee Hero and somewhat disputed.
3E for ballistics and 3M for lazormeta.
3S cause you need 3 to level.

LOADED, on 23 November 2015 - 03:26 AM, said:

The 3S variant caps out at an 345 engine rating, that's kinda as fast as an atlas with 360 engine (a.k.a. slow).
Either go for the Hero Variant (400 rating cap) (if you do want to spend MC AND keep the Variant of course) or plain drive the 3S stock and sell it after you got the basics done (or use GXP, if you have enough for that on spare).

You're right. I forgot to check this again because I am a silly person - this explains why I didn't post it before.
The suggestions all make sense - sad about the 3S because you're right - no sense in buying that expensive an engine if you're not gonna keep it. I probably will keep it, but it'll be a painful slog to get it through stock, I am sure.

I guess what I need to look at is builds. The above guidelines sound reasonable - any suggestions there as far as being more specific? I remember now my first problem with the 3e is being unsure how to go to still do enough damage. At least there is some confirmation here that taking advantage of the ballistics in some way is still part of that.

[DaveRatters]

BNC-3M - I think this is the best variant - have managed 1517 damage in mine - 3 large pulse and 5 medium lasers - make sure the large pulse lasers are in the high mounts (add them last).

My mouse has 3 keys on top (+ mousewheel and a set of 12 keys for the thumb - it's a Logitech G600) so possibly my grouping won't suit you if you don't have something similar you use for MWO - with that in mind my grouping is:

mouse 1: 3xLPL
mouse 2: head ML, two mid chest MLs:
mouse 3: 2 waist level MLs

BNC-3E - 3xAC5s and 3 large lasers

grouping for this is:
mouse 1: 3xAC5s - can alternate between chain/all fire to taste!
mouse 2: shoulder two LLs (you may want to hill hump with these for long range poking maybe substitute ER LLs - add these last if so when configuring loadout)
mouse 3: waist mounted LL

(Adjust armour values to reasonable back/front distribution)

BNC-3S was a pain to level - didn't like this variant at all

Edited by DaveRatters, 01 December 2015 - 12:21 PM.

[The Basilisk]

Anachronda, on 23 November 2015 - 04:08 AM, said:

[...]
I guess what I need to look at is builds. The above guidelines sound reasonable - any suggestions there as far as being more specific? I remember now my first problem with the 3e is being unsure how to go to still do enough damage. At least there is some confirmation here that taking advantage of the ballistics in some way is still part of that.

Asking is almost never stupid and since there ARE 5 buyable Banshees ( 2 for MC one hero and one champion ) there could have been a must have.

Concerning Builds I'm always somewhat reluctant since I don't realy belive in Meta and encountered numerous meta builds I find absolutely appaling to play. I'm just no LAZOR guy.
So I guess what I would recommend can possibly be quite poisonous to other players and could even spoil someones fun with a perfectly good mech.

I prefer the 3 E with 3AC5 and dual PPC. Select Engine, structure and heatsinks as you like but be considerate concerning the optimum reaktor ratings ( Heatsink / weight / rating ratio ) --> above 300 weight climbs fast but every 25 rating you can put an additional sink into the engine ( space is your motivator ) so: 250 = 0 extra engine slots, 275 = 1 ; 300= 2 ...and so on.
In my opinion 325standart is the best standart reactor for assaults and 350xl the best xl for assaults.
Both reactors are also usable for a number of heavy mechs.
An other Banshee that I found to be quite cool is this 3E with 3LL and dual UAC5

If you are abundant on money and you like to experiment try the 3S with Gauss and PPC or with UAC5 and 3 LPLs
The last one does work actualy quite well in PuGs.....for a 3S that is.
But never the less the 3M is better on lasers the 3E better with ballistics

[Torezu]

Maybe I'm just weird, but the 3S turned out to be my best of the three. Gauss, 2 LPLs, 4 (or 5, if you want to run hot) MLs, 325 STD, as many DHS as you can cram in, full armor on all but arms and legs, and high on those. Heat management is critical.

[RandomExponent1]

The 3S is exceptional when you ignore the ballistic and missile hardpoints. 3 large lasers and 5 mediums is very effective. Run a STD345 engine and fill all the remaining tonnage with heat sinks. If I remember correctly I run mine with endo so I can have max armor everywhere on the mech.

It is very durable and gives you a "shield" side because of the weapon locations. Then you also have a shield arm on the side with the majority of your energy hardpoints.