58 replies to this topic

[MindWalk3r]

Mobility/speed is life for light/medium mechs. Also if this mech is to be friendly to new players i would suggest a more heat efficient versatile build over PPC for a build like this
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...72c16f60778be0c

Edited by MindWalk3r, 28 January 2016 - 08:18 PM.

[Kjudoon]

Well we are get my to make champion builds not experimental or training builds.

Just saying.

[jss78]

Just based on what Vindicators you actually see in the game, I think this needs to be an old-school VND-1AA poptart, with twin PPC's and max JJ's. However much you people at PGI may disapprove of the play style .

There's been a lot of complaining about LRM's since Polar Highlands came out, and this will undoubtedly redouble with the Archer release, so I included a dual-AMS as a gentle hint to the player.

Head-mounted ML retained because it's a Vindicator.

[Lajur Kas]

Regarding "Expendable"...just needs a TAG laser in the head.

[One Last Byte]

VND-1AA

Maybe shift a bit more frontal armor to the rear (4-6 points) for new players, and/or switch one PPC to the left arm. Otherwise this build is based around what the Vindicator does best: being one of the fastest moving poptarts in the game. The VND-1AA is probably my favorite mech to pilot, and I'd hate to see anything short of this build (with minor tweaks) on the champion. It's never going to be as good a brawler as the Blackjack or other laserboat mediums unless it gets a massive quirk buff and ER PPCs just run way too hot on it. 2x PPC with 1x ML for backup is the way to go IMO. It may not be the most "noob-friendly" build but then again the Vindicator has never been competitive enough to be a "noob-friendly" mech. This build is one of the few builds that sets it apart from other mediums IMO.

Edited by One Last Byte, 31 January 2016 - 10:53 AM.

[Evil Tiki Tiki]

VND-1AA

As much as many would disagree with this, I find large success in it. I find this to be a new player friendly build. It doesn't press them too hard and gives them a few points to learn. Survivabilty is key for new players because if they do not survive, most get discouraged from playing. So with that in mind, I amped the speed, JJs, and dual AMS.

Like I said, many of you are going to destroy this mech because it doesn't fit YOUR playstyle. I started playing this game in Alpha and Beta. I live in a house of 6 people, all now play MWO. So when I come up with builds, I think back on what I went through with these 5 new players, learning their playstyles and what they look for. Then I build a mech that gives them a good feel to come back and play more.

So there is my 2 cents as a veteran player.

Edited by Evil Tiki Tiki, 31 January 2016 - 12:38 PM.

[xengk]

Way too many PPC poptart here, not something most new pilot can get into a do well, resulting in they hating the chassis.
This is what I have on my VND-1AA.

It plays as an escort to bigger mechs.
Dual AMS with 2t ammo, preferably with AMS overload module installed.
This provide AMS umbrella to slow easy target from LRM rain, something that is happening more often since Polar Highlands.
A single PPC for range attack against what your escort is targeting; with some practice the PPC can aid in ripping out component open up my your escort.
Two MPL for upclose battle when you need to defend your escort from enemy lights and medium.
The head mounted medium laser as your last resort after being stripped of weapons.

Powered by a STD 225 with a top speed of 81kph, good enough to keep up with Assault and some Heavy without risking outrunning and getting kite away from your escort.
A pair Jump Jet for manoeuvrability in a close quarter with enemy light, or clearing over your escort to nail a PPC shot.

[Wildstreak]

Best Vindicator I have so far starting from scratch, its this or a Hollander 2.
The other 3 including Hero I tried Ranged, Mixed and Brawling of different types but none put up damage like this one.
Doesn't say much though given how hard it is to do well in these.

[Kjudoon]

If you must do a 1X champion mech...

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c56a3593220bc27

Of course, I prefer this:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...4d3c89da15c6926

It's my medium mech harrasser. A little missle action... a little PPC... and some pewpewpew from the noggin.

A little something for all seasons and reasons

Edited by Kjudoon, 01 February 2016 - 10:00 AM.

[Spheroid]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...45e6695ee33b8bf

VND-1R "Pure Vanilla"

200XL
4x LLAS
288/306 armor
12 DHS
4 JJ

Weapon group 1: left arm
Weapon group 2: right arm

Basically the perfect trainer. Learn ghost heat, side peaking and jumping all at the same time.

Edited by Spheroid, 02 February 2016 - 02:06 AM.

[One Last Byte]

xengk, on 31 January 2016 - 09:12 PM, said:

Way too many PPC poptart here, not something most new pilot can get into a do well, resulting in they hating the chassis.

This argument keeps being raised, but it doesn't make sense. Being a PPC poptart is what the Vindicator does best, and if new pilots hate the chassis because PPC poptarts are too tough to play and they don't enjoy it, then they can and should play other mechs until they feel comfortable trying poptarts since that's about as good as the Vindicator gets. If they'd prefer to play a laser vomit mech there are plenty of other champions PGI has put into the game that are better for that role and will always be better for that role (potential quirk changes aside). IMO the Vindicator shouldn't have its capabilities drastically limited just so it's "new player friendly," because then it starts to limit players who pick up the game quickly and/or actually enjoy the chassis and the poptart role.

Edited by One Last Byte, 02 February 2016 - 08:17 AM.

[xengk]

One Last Byte, on 02 February 2016 - 08:14 AM, said:

This argument keeps being raised, but it doesn't make sense. Being a PPC poptart is what the Vindicator does best, and if new pilots hate the chassis because PPC poptarts are too tough to play and they don't enjoy it, then they can and should play other mechs until they feel comfortable trying poptarts since that's about as good as the Vindicator gets.
If they'd prefer to play a laser vomit mech there are plenty of other champions PGI has put into the game that are better for that role and will always be better for that role (potential quirk changes aside).

IMO the Vindicator shouldn't have its capabilities drastically limited just so it's "new player friendly," because then it starts to limit players who pick up the game quickly and/or actually enjoy the chassis and the poptart role.

I understand what you mean, but I am against building a mech around quirk min-maxing.

I prefer to build mechs around hardpoint and team role.
I believe this provide a pilot new to the chassis a much honest experience. I am not asking for the mech to be debuffed/have its capability reduced to be newbie friendly.
The Vindicator is only a good PPC poptart as long as it has those quirks; once removed, the build collapse. Hence why there are always cry for refund after a major quirkening.

Pilot looking for a competitive builds can always refer to other source and tinker with their loadout.

[Quicksilver Aberration]

xengk, on 02 February 2016 - 10:08 AM, said:

The Vindicator is only a good PPC poptart as long as it has those quirks; once removed, the build collapse. Hence why there are always cry for refund after a major quirkening.

You realize that your build also relies on the viability of lasers though right? What happens if lasers get nerfed, that build you gave only becomes worse. This mech will always rely on some quirks, and since poptarting will always benefit PPFLD alphas more, giving it PPFLD weapons makes more sense since it can poptart fairly well.

Edited by Quicksilver Kalasa, 02 February 2016 - 12:42 PM.

[Kjudoon]

Do not design champion mechs based on quirks. Build them based on lore and what works well. The Vindie has ALWAYS been a scouting long range sniper build designed to pack a big initial punch then run away to reposition. It's not meant to play front line shock troop which most people seem to think is the only way to play this game.

[Kriefer]

Hey, this is my Vindicator : VND-1X(C)

-1 AC-5
-1 SRM 6
-2 Medium Pulse Lasers
-4 Jump Jets
-XL 235; 84.6 kph with tweak 90.9 kph
-Max Armor; -2 in the head!!!
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LKHWVDKdxOVQ9Fba1oeigpa35f3FwylTbbbYWApKlvKUQNxoEAT+9SDlfh17bPvNutKSyRJKjpnGkp7gjf2FWTRQFFFFB//2Q==

So Sorry about all those numbers It was surposed to be a image

[xengk]

Quicksilver Kalasa, on 02 February 2016 - 12:42 PM, said:

You realize that your build also relies on the viability of lasers though right? What happens if lasers get nerfed, that build you gave only becomes worse. This mech will always rely on some quirks, and since poptarting will always benefit PPFLD alphas more, giving it PPFLD weapons makes more sense since it can poptart fairly well.

Actually it does not rely on laser/energy quirk to be viable, 2 MPL and a ML is hardly quirk min-maxing.
With that logic, you might as well built a trollmech with 1 Flamer, 1 PPC, 1 ML, 1 SRM6, just in case any of those weapon got nerfed.

As I said, I do not favour building mech around quirks, will just leave this as another alternative to pilot who enjoy DPS and team orientated play style.

[Quicksilver Aberration]

xengk, on 02 February 2016 - 07:06 PM, said:

team orientated play style.

Any good mech (aka specialist) is oriented to team play. That is somewhat of a pointless statement, but the problem with your build is also that it is mixed which is not good in this game, thus should not be a champion.

[Cato Zilks]

VND-1AA

Fast, only has 2 weapon groups (easy for a noob to learn with 2 mouse buttons). Will fire LPL's for 30 sec without over heating. Has great AMS coverage.

This mech wont teach people to poptart (which is good), but should encourage hit and run tactics.

[jss78]

Cato Zilks, on 03 February 2016 - 01:06 AM, said:

VND-1AA

Fast, only has 2 weapon groups (easy for a noob to learn with 2 mouse buttons). Will fire LPL's for 30 sec without over heating. Has great AMS coverage.

This mech wont teach people to poptart (which is good), but should encourage hit and run tactics.

Armour dude.