18 replies to this topic

[Zenyatta]

Hello folks. I've got my mind set on throwing c-bills on a nice new assault chassis, would like to hear a few of your opinions.

To this day I've mastered Ravens, Hunchies, Wolverines, Jagers, TBolts and Banshees. I wanted a MOAR DAKKA mech but since I'm waiting for c-bill Mauler release I thought meanwhile I can go for a long range laser/missile assault mech instead. (I have King Krabs in mind too, just want to compare once I get to that Mauler release point.)

Anyways, I've been eyeing Battlemasters for some time. High mounted energy hardpoints, good LRM-boating options and so on, handsome fella too. Shows real potential in a "putting a lot of hurt" way.

I also have a thing for Awesomes, ever since I played Mechcommander back in the day I liked them. Seems to me they are underperforming in wrong hands, but also watched some great plays by top notch pilots, hence they intrigue me in a manner of hardmode challenge!

Finally, Stalkers. Don't know why but they've always felt a bit sluggish, cumbersome. I know some variants are considered top IS assault mechs like 4N with LL boating, could be great for my CW deck during upcoming challenges.

Out of these three I'm sliiightly closer to BLR. Want to do some long range pew pew action along with LRM rains. BUT, as I've mentioned, I'm all ears to opinions, suggestions, advice, anything.

See you on the battlefield, fellow mechwarriors

[DarthHias]

If clan Mechs are an option for you the Warhawk is one of my favourites.

Full laser vomit + Lrm40? Check.
Full wubs + Srm24? Check.
Wubhawk? Check.

[Zenyatta]

I want to stick to IS for the time being but thanks anyway! I'll keep that in mind though, when or if I decide to start gathering Clan gear. Masakari and Mad Cat were the Clan mechs I liked from RTT game so nice of you to suggest that.

[STEF_]

Battlemaster.
Highest energy harpoints.
3S, 1G, then 1S if you like to snipe in CW

[Zenyatta]

Thanks Stefka! I guess I'll start with Battlemasters and maybe work my through the other ones afterwards.. Cheers!

[Luscious Dan]

The only IS assaults I have are the Zeus (always liked them, and once fully mastered they can be pretty good (tanky as hell)) and the King Crab. Mixed feelings on the Crab, I just started the gauss build when the nerf came in and slowed his DPS way the heck down. Quad AC5/UAC5 is basically the most Dakka you can get from IS, and I actually had one build with 2xAC5 and 2xLL on the right side, and one AC20 on the left arm. Did surprisingly well at mid range (500-600m), and had the big boomstick when fighting at 300m. You could probably upgrade to dual UAC5 if you wanted to run a little hotter. Something like this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...15d286be1cd85f4

Edited by Luscious Dan, 17 December 2015 - 03:02 PM.

[Zenyatta]

Ok so I started with BLR-1S and right now trying out this build:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...79e49466928dfa8

Still going through basics things get a little tough at times.

@Luscious Dan, yeah I've instantly thought of Crab for more dakka but Mauler looks like a fine choice too, just waiting for c-bill release

[Torezu]

Banshees are also spectacular, being tougher than Battlemasters (except maybe the 2C), with high hardpoints and some nice ballistic options. The BLR has missiles, though, where the BNC has ballistics. Your choice.

[Bruce13F4O]

Hey, this is just a suggestion, but if your going to stick with large lasers i would convert two of those into regular LG Lasers so that your not overheating as fast when the lights get to you. Good luck.

[Zenyatta]

@Torezu,
I've already mastered Banshees and they are indeed spectacular. Been looking for a different vibe so trying Battlemasters right now, but hey, thanks!

@Bruce,
Hmm good thinking, 4 ER LL sure seems a bit too focused on CW gameplay. Thanks for the feedback!

[Zenyatta]

Ok so after Bruce13F40's suggestion, I'm running 1S like this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a460e2bdfc8a018

Still at basics so it'll probably get a lot better once elited.

Also for my 3S variant going with this build:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...14c55c8e4f281ae

AMS and BAP are all there to cover up leftover tonnage but should still be useful. You can improve the engine instead, I only have XL 375 and 400 and my 1S uses 400, didn't want to switch every single drop. At some point I have to chain fire the LPLs but it works so far

[Bruce13F4O]

Glad to hear that its working out for you. You could also try this build as well:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8b8b956a47dd898

[Audacious Aubergine]

King Crabs are about as dakka as they get, if you ask me. That said, they also have high laser mounts and large tube capacity missile hardpoints, with at least one variant having multiples. Combine this with some impressive torso twist range and speed for any mech, let alone a 100T assault, and you have what I think is quite a versatile mech, if extremely XL unfriendly.
The new champion build looks excellent right out of the box, too, and I -think- it might be a trial mech at the moment?

[Zenyatta]

Bruce13F4O, on 24 December 2015 - 06:57 AM, said:

Glad to hear that its working out for you. You could also try this build as well:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8b8b956a47dd898

Oohh, definitely gonna try this one out. Cheers!

[BeaverOnFire]

Well, maybe i can use this thread for my question, it´s kinda related:

I want to master my next IS Assault, already mastered King Crab, Stalker and the Atlas. And can´t decide between the Battlemaster and the Banshee. Which one would you guys prefer?

[Zenyatta]

Banshee chassis has 4 variants, one being an MC variant. If you are not going to spend some real money, you are bound to play with 3 c-bill variants. I've had fun with 3M and 3E (mostly 3M, 1000+ damage games!), but couldn't really make it with 3S. 3M is the Wubshee that you've probably heard about. Real good with LPL - MPL mix, runs cool if you go XL as well. 3E is the Dakka Banshee. 3xAC5 along with LL or ML combinations put a lot of hurt. 3S though... Well, I'm not the one to talk about it because I've just bought it, used my general exp to elite it and sell it right away! I think you can play it like an Atlas with AC20 laser combo. No missile variant except La Malinche, don't know how's your playstyle so you might want to consider that. Big, meaty shield arms and XL friendly torso are plus sides, though some hardpoint locations are a bit lower compared to BLR.

Battlemaster, on the other hand, has lots of variants. Some may look the same but as I've started to familiarize with them, I'm seeing that they provide all sorts of gameplay. You like ACs you can go for ballistic variants like 1G and I've seen players go crazy in that variant, or if you like laser boating you can go for 3S, 1S or 2C (which has abnormally good armor quirks, making it as tough as a BNC at least). 1S is also good at LRM boating and all the variants have the highest possible hardpoints. However, they are also pretty huge compared to other 85 tonners, even heavier ones. Makes them pretty easy to hit. Sure you get shield arms as well but not as effective as Banshees.

So basically you have to decide if you want higher hardpoints, more boating options, missile usage or not, toughness, that sort of thing. But if I were you, I'd pick Banshees first!

Hope this helps, see you on the battlefield!

[BeaverOnFire]

Thx for the answer. Banshee it is then. I love LPL builds and that´s what i´m going to test first!

Edit: I gotta say, the 3M is a beast. I built it with a STD engine. What XL-Engine do you use for your 3M? And again, thx for the help!

Edit: first game 947 damage and the second one 1024. I´m in love

Edited by BeaverOnFire, 25 December 2015 - 06:56 PM.

[Zenyatta]

Good choice, glad that you loved it!

I use XL 400 for 3M, goes with 3 LPL 3 MPL with 22 DHS if I'm not wrong. Otherwise you can go with an STD 350 with fewer heat sinks.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0e08966c03fca4b

Yep, 22 DHS.

Edit: Oh, and that 73.3 kph quirked speed of a 95 tonner...

Edited by Zenyatta, 26 December 2015 - 02:46 PM.

[jaxjace]

Wubshees and Wubmasters are still extremely terrifying.