25 replies to this topic

[BoPop]

so I did read this thread, http://mwomercs.com/...arauder-builds/ and while there is some good info in there I'd like to know the take away, as of today cuz that thread is also a tad old

at anyrate, hopefully i get some good games tonight and finish elite on the 5M, 5D and3R. I wonder which one you all think I should take the plunge and master first?

I got the basics and elite surprisingly quick on the lrm one and jumpjets are nice, I dig the 3 ballistics on the 3R but I don't know why, the other one was meh, so:

Your take aways? which one ya like? why? tell me some sweet build designs!

[Chrithu]

Did not read that thread. I mastered all Marauders including the Bounty Hunter II. I sold all but the BH 2 and run it with 6 LL. It's my premier money making 'mech now.

[Felix von Buelow]

The 3R with 2 LB10-X and 4 medium lasers is a heavy hitter. Just be sure to protect your right torso.
I also like the 5D as a brawler with 5 MPLs and 2 ASRM6. It will chew up almost everything at short range, only drawback is the limited range...

Edited by GhostNemesys, 26 June 2016 - 12:01 AM.

[TercieI]

Laser vomit BH2 is the best IMO but various dakka builds are very fun.

[MoeX]

Probably my 5D with 5 LPL, XL 300 and as many DHS as you can fit.

[Steel Raven]

Both my 5D and 5M are armed with 3 LPL ans 2 MLs. My 3R is more or less stock only with ES, a STD 300 for better speed and DHS, I love those PPCs (too bad the game doesn't) Going to give the twin LB-10X build a try, the 3X AC/5 build isn't bad but doesn't do enough in my opinion.

[Mr Inconsistent]

5D I run 3LPL and one MPL. Use it like a tankier version of the thunderbolt 9se champ. 5 kills first game in it. Use the jump jets for maneuverability and turn to protect your right like all mads. MPL is there only to fill tonnage so could potentially change engine instead

[Cato Phoenix]

Trip AC5 / 4ML on the 3R

2LBX10 5ML on the 5D

and 3LLAS and LRM10+15 on or 3LPL and 2ARSM6 on the 5M

[Omniseed]

The 5D with 2xSRM6 and a slew of lasers for me, I think it's something like two ERLL and two mediums at the moment.

The 3R and the 5M I think I have with fairly similar setups, each centered around an AC/10.

[Kuaron]

The best is pbbly the BH atm b/c of the laser vomit option. I run it with 6ML+1LPL+1UAC5 for a better DPM capability/heat management over time atm, after all it has significant ML quirks so why not fully use it.

The 3R allows several dakka builds. 2 UACs or 3 AC5s or XL and more PPCs or idk.
Probably the most versatile MAD.

The 5D I also like, atm mine has 2ASRM6+3LPL+XL325. A more brawly variation would include more MPLs, I guess, and the second arm (with armour on it). And speaking of it, I think I'll try it out.

[Void Angel]

My two favorite Marauders are my MAD-3R, and the BH-2, depending on how I want to play.

[TercieI]

Void Angel, on 27 June 2016 - 06:33 PM, said:

My two favorite Marauders are my MAD-3R, and the BH-2, depending on how I want to play.

I wanted to love that BH2 build but just too many matches I found it wasn't useful range-wise.

And why not make your 3R asymmetric?

[Kuaron]

Symmetric 3R are a waste of weight anyway, if you ask me. ^^
Also, 2 PPCs on one HS is far too hot.

[Steel Raven]

TercieI, on 27 June 2016 - 06:39 PM, said:

And why not make your 3R asymmetric?

On part, shielding. If you have a STD and can afford to put your weapons on one side, the other side can soak up enemy fire without loosing a weapon.

[Dawnstealer]

I run the BH2 more often than the others - never sold any of them off (I don't sell any of my mechs).

BOUNTY HUNTER II

7MLs, 1 AC10, AMS, 2 JJs, max STD engine

Runs a bit hot, but is a brutal mech. Is my go-to in FW back when I was dropping that on the regular.

MAD-3R

4 MLs, 1 AC20, AMS, STD 335

The 3R is the one without jump jets, so I decided to compensate for that by stuffing an AC20 in there. Sucks when you lose your right side, but if you can roll up on someone when they don't see you coming, it's over.

[TercieI]

Steel Raven, on 28 June 2016 - 09:22 AM, said:

On part, shielding. If you have a STD and can afford to put your weapons on one side, the other side can soak up enemy fire without loosing a weapon.

Indeed. I was asking why he didn't have it asymmetric. He has a PPC in each arm, which costs tonnage, convergence and shielding ability. Literally the only upside i can see to the LA PPC is having something left if you lose the right side, but a single PPC is so weak, it's not really worth it at all.

[Zombie Gandhi]

I don't pilot my Marauders all that terribly often, but I've found a few builds that seem to work to varying degrees. All my loadouts for the Marauder are ranged fire support. Brawling/close combat in it just doesn't personally strike me.

MAD-3R:
2x PPC
3x AC/2

Overall effectiveness of this one seems to ebb and flow, where some matches it will do marginal damage, and on the other end of the spectrum, will put up near 1000 damage. To do such damage, I do have to put a lot of time on target, and be able to keep alive long enough to see enough targets to sling PPC and AC/2 down range.

MAD-5D:
1x LRM15 w/ Artemis
1x LRM10 w/ Artemis
2x PPC
3x Medium Laser

This loadout is my more reliable. At just over one thousand LRM missiles to hurl, I'm able to provide some decent LRM damage support. If ECM/terrain, or whatever else may inhibit the LRM firing, I can shift into more of a direct fire support role with the PPC. Should a faster mech be running about, or a mech close in to the minimal range, those three medium lasers do some decent damage to help ward away those closer ranged threats. I like this loadout as I can be both direct, and indirect, fire support. I am thinking about replacing the PPC and medium lasers, with large lasers.

MAD-5M:
3x Large Laser
2x AC/5

This mech is one I'm still trying to make something work, and feel right. I like the large lasers, but the ballistic options are still lacking. I still need to play around more with this, to find something that suits me.

[Void Angel]

TercieI, on 27 June 2016 - 06:39 PM, said:

I wanted to love that BH2 build but just too many matches I found it wasn't useful range-wise.

And why not make your 3R asymmetric?

Well, because it makes my firepower less vulnerable to partial loss, and allows me to corner-peek for either end. The build is primarily heat-limited: if I'm up close, I'm hammering at people with the ACs - the PPCs add to my alpha strike when engaging at middle ranges. Obviously if I lose my AC torso I'm also out a PPC, which wouldn't happen if I had both on the other side, but it feels more comfortable having each arm on its own tic for corners and heat control.

As for the Bounty Hunter, patience is key, and it depends on when you're playing, as well. Some days, the trend is for long-range competitive camping - if I want Marauders then, I go to the 3R.

As for being "far too hot," well... It has a 17 second base time to overheat - so while some personal preference comes into play here, mech building is a math problem with graphics, and that was the wrong answer.

[Steel Raven]

TercieI, on 28 June 2016 - 10:06 AM, said:

Indeed. I was asking why he didn't have it asymmetric. He has a PPC in each arm, which costs tonnage, convergence and shielding ability. Literally the only upside i can see to the LA PPC is having something left if you lose the right side, but a single PPC is so weak, it's not really worth it at all.

Sorry, misread your post.
Void Angel more or less covers it in the post above, loosing half or even 3/4 is better than loosing it all.

[TercieI]

Void Angel, on 28 June 2016 - 10:34 AM, said:

Well, because it makes my firepower less vulnerable to partial loss, and allows me to corner-peek for either end. The build is primarily heat-limited: if I'm up close, I'm hammering at people with the ACs - the PPCs add to my alpha strike when engaging at middle ranges. Obviously if I lose my AC torso I'm also out a PPC, which wouldn't happen if I had both on the other side, but it feels more comfortable having each arm on its own tic for corners and heat control.

As for the Bounty Hunter, patience is key, and it depends on when you're playing, as well. Some days, the trend is for long-range competitive camping - if I want Marauders then, I go to the 3R.

As for being "far too hot," well... It has a 17 second base time to overheat - so while some personal preference comes into play here, mech building is a math problem with graphics, and that was the wrong answer.

Steel Raven, on 28 June 2016 - 08:07 PM, said:

Sorry, misread your post.
Void Angel more or less covers it in the post above, loosing half or even 3/4 is better than loosing it all.

I misread yours too, I guess. You seem to be arguing for asymmetric building.

Yeah, I just disagree. It's not worth risking the damage from side poking to get off one measly PPC shot and it's not worth the cost in cooling, speed and shielding ability that you'll be using all the time for again one measly PPC left you'll be using only if you lose your main guns. This is a better version of the build: Asymmetric, faster and cooler.

Edited by TercieI, 29 June 2016 - 06:38 AM.