23 replies to this topic

[Mannson]

Hello, you may known me from various MWO maps as that guy who starts off a game by writing something silly or sometimes even downright inspiring.

I consider myself as your all for one, one for all kind of guy. I have learnt to try and perceive the unseen aspect of a team game and that is.. Morale.
Yes. Behind every internet alies, behind every virtual bidepal machine of destruction and mayhem is a human being with current mood. We all know we perform the best when we are in the right mood! That is what I learnt to maintain during my leader tour back in warhammer online days.
But enough about fickles of human mind and internet relavity.

Let's get it on with MANNSON MECHS AND BATTLE DOCTRINES.

King Crab 000B "Nihilist"
4x UAC5
3x LRM 5
3x ML
DHS, STD engine, Endosteel
Almost maxed armor with strategic shavings

My first bought assault. Fell in love with the sound of dakka the trial version offered. First I ran this setup with normal AC5s and MPLS. They performed well, but I found myself needing to be able to put out larger volume of fire in tighter situations. So, I got the weight for UAC by going with the stock MLs
The Mannson Doctrine of Nihilist is assaulty. Looking for a chance to break through enemy formation, using massive arms and loads of armor to soak up damage while escorting those souped up heavy gun toting, not-so-highly armored brethren to better positions. Be it new cover, or right in smack middle of the enemy deathball. When possible, Quadra Uacs (especially in chainfire) are great way to pin down or suppress an enemy or atleast draw your target's fire to you. Medium lasers for backup and extra oomph.
Why LRM 5? They spread the less and don't need artemis to hit their stuff. I fire them when I can't get a shot with UACs or to compliment my constant dakka, usually fired.. you guessed it.. in chainfire for more suppression, but if I see AMS, it's all the five at the same time.

In short, I consider Nihilist a beefy support mech who brings either extra collective armor to a position, complement missile rain or lay down helpful barrage to help your friend. Assault can be a devastating force with an ally or two by your side to cover assault's waknesseses.

JagerMech JM6- A "Shrike
2x Uac5
4x LRM 5
2x MPL
DHS, Endo-steel, decent armouring, XL engine

This is my fire support mech, bringing quite amount of guns to bear. I have run with and without XL engine and I have liked the amount of dakka I can bring with XL engine, despite the brawlingc apability dropping a lot. Yeah, the sidetorsi of jagermech can act as good shields for your CT but there is just one thing; your guns are infront of that shield.
Even if I designate Shrike as a fire support, I firmly believe that ending a match with 80-100% health is just poor playing. Once agian, chainfiring ACs and LRMs is what I do the most to lay down a barrage from good spot to shred their armor, make their aim unstable or even get that one gausser off from harassing my allied slow and heavy fatty so they can make their move and lay their own hurt.
The quadra LRMs 5 look pretty brutal in chainfire as they almost fire in perfect cycling time. I did also try SRMs for more short range capabilities in case of wolfpacking lights, but found out MLP + ACs a decent repellant. Though I do admit, 4 times the SRM 6 is alot of hurt to the face.

Hunchback 4G "Wartraktor"
2x Uac5
3x ML
Ferro, Endo, Better-than-stock STD engine. SHS

My first bought machine ever and you can guess why. No DHS! I tried running it with AC20, but I either lack the skills or I have bad luck. everytime I thought I was in good spot or had good flank to properly use 4G's stock armaments to their full.. I was corrected viciously. SO, I opted out for Uacs (I know, what a surprise) and turned Hunchback into machingunner equilavent of mechs. With healthy range quirks, laying down (Again, chainfired)
Uac barrage is great firepower addition for more metay mechs and their alphastriking ways. Wartraktror performs well in the peekaboo trend too as long as you know when to gun a shared target and know when to hide that hunch. After all, it is a big target! On good note, 4G has taught me to torsotwist decently
MLs for extra oomph as always.

Though I may try running AC20 someday.. Chalk up the poor performance with it as lack of experience

Hunchback 4sp "Crosstraktror"
2x LRM 15
5x ML
Endo, DHS, STD engine, Almos max armor

A lurmer I like! My recent purchase, opted for longe range missile because I tended to have assault mindset when running with SRMs and while the hunchie can be deceptively resilient, it still ain't an assault. Nevertheless, I sometimes run this one with tag and sometimes I don't. Anywho, able to harass enemies by lurming, this does it fast with the ungodly cooldown perks. Either to complement true lurmer's barrage or act independently, laying lurms where it is needed. With some 3-4 tons of ammo, it can lob it long time, but still shouldn't do just that.
With 4-5 medium lasors, I tend to go either watch allied sniper/lurmer's back for the inevidable wolfpack of lights/fast mediums, or offer extra laser firesupport to medium lines.




And that's a wrap! Do drop, discuss, critize if you wish.
As closure, I say I expect every mech of mine to take "controlled damage", no matter how backline they may be because having 10 seriously damaged mechs is better than having 5 relatively healthy ones in the battlefield.

[Hades Trooper]

huh, wall of text made me just go straight to respond.

[cSand]

I like your attention to being useful at varied range

keep on rockin man

[Valdherre Tor]

Hades Trooper, on 10 January 2016 - 09:58 PM, said:

huh, wall of text made me just go straight to respond.

yup and in 12 hrs this post wont even show at the top. Shame...

[kesmai]

I stopped reading at 3xlrm 5.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

No no no. Walls of text and snarky comments at the beginning of the match are my shtick.

[Rushin Roulette]

Mannson, on 10 January 2016 - 09:21 PM, said:

Almost maxed armor with strategic shavings

Brazilian?

P. S. First name Charles or Marilyn?

[Sagamore]

I don't recognize you from the game but here's my 2 cents if you want it.

Mannson, on 10 January 2016 - 09:21 PM, said:

King Crab 000B "Nihilist"
4x UAC5
3x LRM 5
3x ML
DHS, STD engine, Endosteel
Almost maxed armor with strategic shavings

I would recommend if you want dakka to just stick with 4 UAC5 and spend your remaining tonnage on engine upgrades and ammo. I run 4xUAC5 on my KGC-000(L) for kicks and it can quite often put out 700 damage or more.

If you want long range, you might be better off running that KGC you have with 2 Gauss Rifles and 3 (ER) Large Lasers.

Mannson, on 10 January 2016 - 09:21 PM, said:

Hunchback 4sp "Crosstraktror"
2x LRM 15
5x ML
Endo, DHS, STD engine, Almos max armor

The HBK-4J makes a better missile boat because of the faster missile cooldown and heat generation. The 4SP is a bit tankier so it fares better as a brawler with SRMs.

[Michael Abt]

Sagamore, on 11 January 2016 - 01:42 AM, said:

(...)
The HBK-4J makes a better missile boat because of the faster missile cooldown and heat generation. The 4SP is a bit tankier so it fares better as a brawler with SRMs.

Since re-quirking this is debatable. In my opinion the armor buffs from the 4SP are worth more compared to the minor weapon advantages the 4J offers. Anyway, i am running 2x LRM10, 2ML, TAG and 1260 missiles for a rainy day.

@OP
The 4G with AC20 needs some training and experience. Once you are engaged in a brawl there are rarely chances for a retreat, and most of the time you brawl a heavy so there is not much room for mistake. It is mandatory to have a high hit rate, and you have to hit were it counts.

[Saint Scarlett Johan]

K.

[Applecrow]

I usually start the match with:

"Its my first match, go easy"
"Peace Among Worlds"
"Which button do you press to transform?" (and I respond to alt-f4 that "I use that as push to talk")
"I hope the Blue team wins"

[5LeafClover]

kesmai, on 11 January 2016 - 01:29 AM, said:

I stopped reading at 3xlrm 5.

I hear ya Kesmai. It's one of my new fave weapon combos. Fewer tonnes and troll-fast fire rate. No need to ever take a dedicated LRM boat ever again.

Narcissistic Martyr, on 11 January 2016 - 01:34 AM, said:

No no no. Walls of text and snarky comments at the beginning of the match are my shtick.

That's one tall wall!

[Dread Render]

I like to start each match with this simple phrase:
Hi, I like plastic.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

5LeafClover, on 11 January 2016 - 01:46 PM, said:

That's one tall wall!

I've got a 20+ page balance manifesto (with analysis and commentary). The 2016 edition should be out by the end of January.

[Hillslam]

You all are imposters. Walls of text and snarky opening of battle comments are MY domain!

Git off my lawn

[Sandpit]

Mannson, on 10 January 2016 - 09:21 PM, said:

having 10 seriously damaged mechs is better than having 5 relatively healthy ones in the battlefield.

only part I didn't "agree" with really.

I'll take 5 fresh mechs against 10 seriously damaged ones any day of the week most times. This is why I see a lot of teams lose actually.

"Yay! We killed their light lance, only lost 1 heavies, 1 assaults, and a medium while doing it! That gives us the numbers advantage now!"

Meanwhile the other 8 mechs that have taken little to no damage and are carrying a HECK of a lot more armor and firepower than that light lance combined are now fresh and slamming into your beat up mechs. Target prioritization is important (and fluctuates), but I'd much rather take out big mechs early on as opposed to light mechs because the closer you get to the end of the match, the more beat up your mech is going to be and facing off against lights instead of assaults at that point is a MUCH better position to find yourself in

[Mannson]

5LeafClover, on 11 January 2016 - 01:46 PM, said:

I hear ya Kesmai. It's one of my new fave weapon combos. Fewer tonnes and troll-fast fire rate. No need to ever take a dedicated LRM boat ever again.

Yup, that's the point. Even better when chainfired against enemy that is not protected by AMS. My Jagermech with quadra LRM 5 can be quite brutal even if it can't emloy ACs either due too much damage taken or positioning. It's a pack of missiles in very short intervals. Besides, LRM 5 is pretty darn accurate without artemis, so it's kinda of MLP of missiles. (Granted, MLP is 1 ton and LRM5 is atleast 3 tons if you want to shoot it)

Sandpit, on 11 January 2016 - 07:25 PM, said:

only part I didn't "agree" with really.

I'll take 5 fresh mechs against 10 seriously damaged ones any day of the week most times. This is why I see a lot of teams lose actually.

"Yay! We killed their light lance, only lost 1 heavies, 1 assaults, and a medium while doing it! That gives us the numbers advantage now!"

Meanwhile the other 8 mechs that have taken little to no damage and are carrying a HECK of a lot more armor and firepower than that light lance combined are now fresh and slamming into your beat up mechs. Target prioritization is important (and fluctuates), but I'd much rather take out big mechs early on as opposed to light mechs because the closer you get to the end of the match, the more beat up your mech is going to be and facing off against lights instead of assaults at that point is a MUCH better position to find yourself in

True that, should've reworded it better. Like.. "I'd rather have 6 moderately damaged heavies than 3 relatively high health ones" or something like that. One thing I don't understand is squirrel hunt. Sure, a light may be attractive easy target, but good light pilot knows that and is going to use that fact to his advantage and cause dissarray.

Michael Abt, on 11 January 2016 - 01:09 PM, said:

Since re-quirking this is debatable. In my opinion the armor buffs from the 4SP are worth more compared to the minor weapon advantages the 4J offers. Anyway, i am running 2x LRM10, 2ML, TAG and 1260 missiles for a rainy day.

@OP
The 4G with AC20 needs some training and experience. Once you are engaged in a brawl there are rarely chances for a retreat, and most of the time you brawl a heavy so there is not much room for mistake. It is mandatory to have a high hit rate, and you have to hit were it counts.

I actually did have 4J for awhile for mastery purpouses, didn't like it as it seemed too weak in a firefight or brawling situation. Not to mention, swayback or not, the assumed hunch is quick to blow up! With 4SP I have practically two hunches to use and it feels more sturdy when pitted against lights or mediums. Not to mention the laser quirks! I will someday try SRMs when I shake off the assault mentality xD

Same thing with my 4G, gonna try AC20 someday now that I know more how maps work and how fights usually go.

Sagamore, on 11 January 2016 - 01:42 AM, said:

I don't recognize you from the game but here's my 2 cents if you want it.



I would recommend if you want dakka to just stick with 4 UAC5 and spend your remaining tonnage on engine upgrades and ammo. I run 4xUAC5 on my KGC-000(L) for kicks and it can quite often put out 700 damage or more.

If you want long range, you might be better off running that KGC you have with 2 Gauss Rifles and 3 (ER) Large Lasers.

So you are saying.. I should take off weapons to achieve more dakka by sticking with just UAC 5s? That sounds less dakka and more mobility. I don't want to run the trial build anymore

And just like CSand pointed out, I want to be useful on varied range. Not specialize on one range. In games of overspecialization, few jack-of-trades are more than welcome.

(Besides, I never cared about match score or high damage. 300 is good enough for me if my mech's explosions netted us 2-3 kills, got us lead in conquest or downed a gen or two in conquest)

[Sagamore]

Mannson, on 11 January 2016 - 09:06 PM, said:

So you are saying.. I should take off weapons to achieve more dakka by sticking with just UAC 5s? That sounds less dakka and more mobility. I don't want to run the trial build anymore

And just like CSand pointed out, I want to be useful on varied range. Not specialize on one range. In games of overspecialization, few jack-of-trades are more than welcome.

(Besides, I never cared about match score or high damage. 300 is good enough for me if my mech's explosions netted us 2-3 kills, got us lead in conquest or downed a gen or two in conquest)

Just don't underestimate speed/mobility, especially on assault mechs. Torso twist rate is tied to engine size. Twisting allows you to spread damage and last longer in battle. I know its tempting to fill all those weapon hardpoints sometimes.

But each to their own! That is the beauty of this game's level of customization, you can find a set-up that really clicks for you.

Unfortunately at higher tier games jack-of-trades mechs are truly master-of-none. Most players try to equip weapons of similar range and pick their engagements at that distance (classic example is the Atlas build with medium lasers, AC20 and SRMs all with max effective range of 270m). Great if you can make it work though!

[Sorbic]

If you haven't done so yet you should play around with the 6 AC/2 KC. It's not the most effective but the sound... sweet, sweet music.

[627]

is this a new thing now, that you have to "introduce" yourself everywhere?

If you go to a new walmart, do you shake hands with every cashier first and then have a short interview with the side manager?

Just curious about all these self-presentation in the last weeks...