26 replies to this topic

[Troutmonkey]

Jun Watarase, on 14 December 2015 - 04:07 PM, said:

For a new player i would suggest :

IS : Jagermech or Cataphract. Dont jump on the tbolt bandwagon, because boating LPL/MPL is not going to help you improve much and you wont get to use a variety of weapons. Jagermech and Cataphract have plenty of laser/ballistic options. LRMs are a bad idea and SRMs are tricky to use for a new player, but both mechs have variants that can mount them if you want to try them.

Clans : Ebon jaguar, largely for the same reason as the above.

Mediums rely a lot on positioning to be effective, which is tricky for a new player as they need experience to grasp the flow of the battle and position themselves correctly. With something like a stormcrow for example, it is very tempting to push too far, too fast with all that speed. Heavies have just the right mix of speed, firepower and armor IMHO.

Note that clan mechs will be very expensive to kit out as the clan weapons are VERY expensive, and you HAVE to buy mechs with stock loadouts (which include a lot of weapons you wont use).

While I like these mechs, I can't recommend them right now. Jagermech is a massive glass cannon and dies quickly if it gets too much attention. The CTF-3D is still a decent mech and tank well if you know to use the left side as a shield, but other CTF variants I've found underwhelming. They're also the opposite of what OP is looking as they're usually ballistic based and OP is looking for laser mechs.

[Dukat281]

Buy a Thunderbolt TDR-9S Inner Sphere Heavy Mech.

• usable engines will range from 255 to 315, teaching you important stuff about heat sink usage in combination with engines.
  
• 6 energy hardpoints, 2 missile hardpoints and 2 ballistic hardpoints will allow you to experiment with different weapon combinations and types in 1 mech.
  
• features some distinctive energy hardpoint placements in the shoulder for peeking action.

[Aetes Nakatomi]

I always recommend new players to buy either a Hunchback 4P or a Stormcrow as their first mech (depending on the faction they want to be). Both mechs are pretty good, quite cheap and can run the laser meta. Also as a new player taking a medium slot in the PUG queue is best. They can move quickly but at the same time are not expected to scout.

[Naduk]

You most certainly should check out the battlemasters
Sounds like your cup o tea

Thunderbolt and Hunch back might also work well for you
Also investigate Zeus, banshee and blackknight

[Jun Watarase]

Troutmonkey, on 14 December 2015 - 04:37 PM, said:

While I like these mechs, I can't recommend them right now. Jagermech is a massive glass cannon and dies quickly if it gets too much attention. The CTF-3D is still a decent mech and tank well if you know to use the left side as a shield, but other CTF variants I've found underwhelming. They're also the opposite of what OP is looking as they're usually ballistic based and OP is looking for laser mechs.

The jagermech is a 65 tonner and has structure quirks...it certaintly isnt as quishy as people make it out to be, and it has good hitboxes to boot.

The EBJ is a lot squishier in comparison.

[zagibu]

Jun Watarase, on 14 December 2015 - 06:08 PM, said:

The jagermech is a 65 tonner and has structure quirks...it certaintly isnt as quishy as people make it out to be, and it has good hitboxes to boot.

The EBJ is a lot squishier in comparison.

Not really. The jager usually has IS XL engine, which means pop one torso and it's down.

[Druarc]

Definitly the storm crow or timber wolf both good all round mechs.