29 replies to this topic

[Moebius Pi]

Honestly when folks say it's a decent LRM setup, I wouldn't disagree due to the missile placement. SRMs are nice on it... right until you realize you have high ground and CANNOT LOOK DOWNWARDS. It's like that weird movie line where a guy insists dogs can't look up, save this is a mech that cannot look downwards.

I was using SRM's right until I noticed that, and it irritated me so much that I just switched to Streaks instead (I've long since unlearned to use LRMs effectively, and haven't endeavored to get back into their use again, so I'm kinda pooched there). The high placement can make hitting shorter mechs with standard SRMs an effort in utter frustration.

That said, it can pack a mean wallop while being fairly nimble, but really doesn't have anything I'd actually consider an outright positive point on it beyond the LRM/Narc positioning either. I'd definitely go with Widowmaker on this as a way to get some use out of its odd setup.

[DivineTomatoes]

Decided to try the C version again, 2 er large and 2 guass.

Before I even bothered playing it I noticed how ridiculous the guass looks like, it's got one big wang.

[Zookeeper Dan]

I changed my Orion IIC(O) build for the challenge and have had pretty good luck with it.

350 XL engine, UAC/20, 3 SRM6, 3 ERML's. The rest ammo and heat sinks.

It brawls really well (at least at my tier). It's durability is okay, but you're putting out so much damage they wind up worse off. The speed is what saves the build, it's so fast that it's easy to go back into cover and repossession or flank. At 75 kph before speed tweak it moves like a medium.

[Black Ivan]

Just tried to get into the Orion IICs and I'm having problems getting accustomed to them.

So I wanted to ask what are the most viable builds to drive them. Are there any good build, things the Mech shouldn't have and so on ?

[JunkyardJack]

I've been experimenting with the IIC, IIC-A, and IIC-B. I'm loving all 3 with minor tweaks. Rework the armor as you see fit, I've been running 6, 8, and 10 on back armor depending on which engine I'm running. Mini-Atlas builds are just as fun on this chassis as the IS counterparts, although, more speed is a given due to being XL Friendly. Testing with varied Engine sizes, trying to find the sweet spot for speed and maximum use of 'Mech tonnage. My II-B, for example, runs a touch light. Around 2 unused tons. I'm mix and matching different aspects from other builds and I'm having minor issues with the tonnages (saving for that XL 360 and I just don't like being below 20mil c-bills). Advice on using every ton with similar loadouts to what I use would be great!

The IIC-B - 2x LPL, cUAC/10, SRM6
The IIC-A - 2x cMPL, cLBX/20, 3xcSRM6+A
The IIC - 2x cERLL, cGauss, 3xSRM4

Have yet to try and of the LRM builds and wouldn't feel as bad boating on these as the IS, sans the VA I guess. Although, if you don't load your VA up with SRMs to give warm fuzzy missile bear hugs you're not living.

[Zookeeper Dan]

Wormrot, on 04 February 2016 - 09:03 AM, said:

Advice on using every ton with similar loadouts to what I use would be great!

The IIC-B - 2x LPL, cUAC/10, SRM6
The IIC-A - 2x cMPL, cLBX/20, 3xcSRM6+A
The IIC - 2x cERLL, cGauss, 3xSRM4

Have yet to try and of the LRM builds and wouldn't feel as bad boating on these as the IS, sans the VA I guess. Although, if you don't load your VA up with SRMs to give warm fuzzy missile bear hugs you're not living.

I run XL350's on my IIC and IIC-A with similar loadouts. My IIC-A is almost the same as yours only I have an additional ASRM6 and only 1 ML (don't remember the exact build, it's probably above). One of of the most fun mechs I have, it's as fast as a lot of mediums but packs the brawling punch of an Atlas!

I ran my IIC(O) as pretty similar to my IIC-A for the event and had a lot of luck too. XL350, UAC/20, 2 ML, 3 SRM6. It worked almost as well.

I think the XL350 is a sweet spot for engines. XL300 isn't quite fast enough and you have problems filling tonnage/slots. I might try XL325, but I don't want to spend the money. I'd rather make the XL350 work.

[JunkyardJack]

Zookeeper Dan, on 04 February 2016 - 10:05 AM, said:

I run XL350's on my IIC and IIC-A with similar loadouts. My IIC-A is almost the same as yours only I have an additional ASRM6 and only 1 ML (don't remember the exact build, it's probably above). One of of the most fun mechs I have, it's as fast as a lot of mediums but packs the brawling punch of an Atlas!

I ran my IIC(O) as pretty similar to my IIC-A for the event and had a lot of luck too. XL350, UAC/20, 2 ML, 3 SRM6. It worked almost as well.

I think the XL350 is a sweet spot for engines. XL300 isn't quite fast enough and you have problems filling tonnage/slots. I might try XL325, but I don't want to spend the money. I'd rather make the XL350 work.

Cool, thanks for the input. I was aiming for the XL360 but I may lower it for the 350 as you say. I just unlocked Speed Tweak on all my variants today, so I'm having a blast. I've been using the XL 315 on the A and B variants, and that's where I'm running into trouble with tonnage. Even though they're a couple of tons light, they are still proving to be highly effective. For shits, and a familiar feel, I put a STD 300 back into the IIC(O) and been running it like a Mini-Atlas that can trade well at range with the cERLLs/cGauss and changed the arm to cSRM4 instead of cSRM6. 460/462 armor and can face tank if I have to. Went with 10 armor on the back just for a touch added protection back there since I'm hanging with the assaults on this build, and seem to be a juicy target from the flanking lights. Successfully defended a whole lance of Assualts from an Arctic Cheetah and Mist Lynx as I was hanging out behind them and giving long range fire support. My SRMs made short work of their legs and they realized the back shots on me weren't as effective as they were planning. Scored a lucky head or CT Gauss shot, not sure which it was, on a Stormcrow that poked his head over a hill after his two light buddies went down. So many killing blows so fast.

Keep this thread going! I'm having as much fun with these as I do with my IS Orions!

Edited by Wormrot, 04 February 2016 - 11:28 AM.

[Hexenhammer]

IIC mechs are paper thin when compaired to their IS counter parts. For good or bad it shows you how valuable perks are to mech's durability.

[JunkyardJack]

Hexenhammer, on 04 February 2016 - 11:39 AM, said:

IIC mechs are paper thin when compaired to their IS counter parts. For good or bad it shows you how valuable perks are to mech's durability.

Yes, I agree. Once I reworked the armor to my liking its not as bad for myself. If the IICs had the same quirks... damn boy. I've had a blast in them today though. From what I understand, that's how all the IICs were in lore. I've seen "glass cannon" associated with all the IICs so far.

I feel like its a bit of a trade off from the IS, which is how it should be. Much faster moving 'Mech, and access to Clan tech, but slightly more squish.

[NRP]

I've been playing the Trial version off and on. It's a pretty fun build once you learn how to play it. Not sure I'd invest in the chassis though. Maybe if I get bored and need a new mech to screw around with.