59 replies to this topic

[WrathOfDeadguy]

I dunno what the all-powerful meta is gonna make of this beastie, but I have to say I'm enjoying it... and I don't do heavies. So far, I've run a super-stock 3N (with XL255 and max armor), a dual AC20 3N (XL240, near-max armor), a 2xPPC 6xML 5D (STD250, max armor), a 4xAC2 3C (XL 255, max armor), and a 2xAC10 4xML LK (XL255, max armor). If you can see it, you can shoot it- with every weapon at your disposal, since all of the weapons are at cockpit level or slightly above it. It's hard to ask for anything more in a direct-fire support 'Mech.

It's a bit squishy, but the Rifleman was always a second-line 'Mech, not a facetanker. If it doesn't get focused, it can puke out some rather impressive DPS for its size. I had a match in my quad AC2 3C just a short while ago where I belted out 200 damage and a KMDD even though I lasted all of about 20 seconds from first shot to untimely death by focus fire... much to the chagrin of the TBR whose nose I reamed out.

I need to check out the hitboxes, though. I suspect there might be a little sliver of rear torso visible from the front; I got killed several times by rear-coring even though I never once showed my back to the bad guys.

*Edit.- Checked out the hitboxes in a private match. Nothing fishy going on; tried from all kinds of angles but couldn't manage to generate a rear torso hit from the front. Either I caught friendly fire from behind and a bad guy finished me off, or I got ganked by a proper ninja and owe that sneaky bugger a salute. The rear torso hitboxes are just fine.

Current builds:

RFL-3N(S)- Super stock is love. Super stock is also shockingly useful. Might trade the MLs for a quartet of SLs just to be a completionist and fill all the hardpoints.

RFL-3N- I dub thee RoFLBOOM.

RFL-3C- Dakka. All the dakka. Tested and proven to melt straight through an Atlas CT in 15 seconds or your money back.

RFL-5D- PPCs... still fun, still bad, still need real guns to back 'em up. Glad I didn't keep the ERs.

RFL-LK- BAM! pew pew pew pew BAM! Good fun for the whole family. Might just become my favorite heavy.

I'm still flabbergasted. I found a heavy I'm not pants in. On the first try. With real money. No buyer's remorse at all. What is this madness?

Edited by WrathOfDeadguy, 17 February 2016 - 03:05 AM.

[DrRedCoat]

Day One started hit or miss. I never did below 200 damage but I died a lot. My favorite is probably a 4 AC2, 2 Medium laser, max XL 3C. It's fragile but the damage output is good and it's just fun. The 3N is better off as a support brawler. I use 2 AC5 and 4 ML with a standard engine. When I switched to the group que, I was able to get 700-800 damage in both of these mechs on more than one occasion. The 5D I'm not a fan of. I love PPCs but I can't make this one sing like the other 2.

[Not A Real RAbbi]

All with XL 265 or XL 280:

-3C 4x AC/2, 2x ML
-3N 2x UAC/5, 4x ML
-5D 3x PPC, 2x ML

More Ks than Ds so far, though damage hasn't come quite as quickly as I'd hoped. Meant to go back and ditch a DHS for another ton of ammo in that -3N. MIGHT play with ERPPCs instead of standards in that -5D, but I doubt it. FUN mech, by the way. Load up the three PPCs on the same arm, shave off some armor on the other. Interesting that the zombie hard points are well ABOVE the cockpit--if they were ST points, that'd be a whole new ballgame.

Still, I like 'em so far. Not GREAT, but GOOD. Not going to make any real waves in game balance. CT feels a LITTLE more bullet-magnet-like than I am comfy with, but it's just time for me to grow up and git gud I guess...

[8mmspikes]

Here are the builds I've been running:

RFL-3N - 2x UAC5, 4x ML, XL 280, 6 tons of ammo

RFL-3N - 2x AC5, 6x ML, XL 280, 6 tons of ammo

RFL-5D - 2x LPL, 4x ML, XL 285

RFL-3C - 4x AC2, 2x ML, XL 285, 5 tons of ammo

Its definitely a fragile mech so take care in your engagements...

Edited by 8mmspikes, 18 February 2016 - 03:58 AM.

[Exard3k]

I must admit that XL 280 is a good engine for most Riflemen. I can't seem to get ballistics shine without XL. Only variant I run with STD is the 5N with 5ML and dual PPC. No matter how much heat sinks you put into that thing...everything runs very hot.

Edited by Exard3k, 17 February 2016 - 06:21 AM.

[Macksheen]

Just spun up mine. Here's what I'm trying initially...this is based on the lack fo structure quirks on most, meaning face-time will be punished so hit and twist/fade is better than sustained fire. W/O torso structure quirks, I'm going STD engines and asymetric.

3C - XL, Endo and DHS but running dual AC10s ATM. - may end up doing boomjack on this as well - XL280. Has a wee bit of structure quirks, so there's that.

3N - Boomjack. Asymetric AC20 ... the AC5 buff is only an additional 5%, so I'll take the 20% on an AC20 (plus the velocity boost) ... STD 275 or 280 (if I go 280 I need to strip arm armor on the shield arm), Endo, DHS, gimp arm.

5D - 2xPPC, Asymetric - STD engine (270 I think) Endo and a bazillion heat sinks, gimp arm. Zombie option w/ CT MLs.

LK - Running dual LBX for now, as the LBX boost is more than marginal and I'm not afraid of the LBX. Best structure quirks, so least punishing to face-time. May end up running this like a Boomjack, or possibly an Arrow.

[Wildstorm]

I've had fun with these two builds so far. I'm more of a brawler or spastic Raven player so still getting used to the sniper playstyle that is probably needed.

3N - 2 Ultra AC/5, 4 ML, XL 290, AMS because it looks cool
5D - (Baby Black Knight) 3 LL, 4 MPL, 17 DHS, XL 290

5D is a bit hot if not disciplined, but I'm not fully quirked either.

[Exard3k]

Wildstorm, on 17 February 2016 - 07:13 AM, said:

3N - 2 Ultra AC/5, 4 ML, XL 290, AMS because it looks cool
5D - (Baby Black Knight) 3 LL, 4 MPL, 17 DHS, XL 290

I don't like UAC without jam quirk and I dont have 2tons left because I like to run with the large lasers that have similar range to the (U)AC5s. But hey....plenty of time for experimenting; I'll keep that loadout of yours in mind
AMS looks very good on the rifleman model!

Edited by Exard3k, 17 February 2016 - 07:30 AM.

[Starbomber109]

Came back to the game recently. Rifleman has always been a cool mech in my book, so I've been hammering away at it. The dakka variant was fun, but I switched it up for dual ac10s, works great, now I just gotta figure out the other two, I can't find a 5N build that works for me. I wanna do ppcs but either I can't aim or the 2x ppc build doesn't do as much damage as I thought. (I probably just can't aim.) Pulse lasers do much better for dmg, but the heat is too much.

[TouchFluffyTail]

These two 3N builds seem to work well for me. Haven't gotten around to playing the 3C and 5D yet.

2x Gauss, 2x ML, 3 tons of ammo with XL255

2x AC/5, 2x LL, 4x SL, 4 tons of ammo with XL270

[Windscape]

i made it to nuber 43 on the leaderboard using an ac10 and 2 lpl

[MisterPlanetarian]

Exard3k, on 17 February 2016 - 07:29 AM, said:

I don't like UAC without jam quirk and I dont have 2tons left because I like to run with the large lasers that have similar range to the (U)AC5s. But hey....plenty of time for experimenting; I'll keep that loadout of yours in mind
AMS looks very good on the rifleman model!

UAC5's only have a 15% jamchance and they dont automatically double tap if you use one weapongroup trigger for either chainfire or both at the same time. With the same ammo per ton and all things concidered there are few reasons to take an AC5 over a UAC5 other than quirks or tonnage issues.

The option to double tap for extra burst when its safe is great. The benefit of the AC5 is that you get 5% more cooldown reduction with the 3N, but even that does not outweigh the extra burst potential imo.

Also, UAC's sound is just awesome.

[Vossiewulf]

This is my favorite of late, my RFL-5D Pulseman, 2 x ERLL + 6 X MPLL + 10 DHS + 352 armor. Basically same armament as my Banshee on way less tonnage, and although you can't maintain the DPS that the Banshee can, you can do good DPS with just the MPLS at shorter rangers, and it can alpha X2.

[Raso]

I recently discovered the insane AC5 quirks on the 3N. Way maybe thinking something along these lines?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6463a16a4a5ce06

Edited by Raso, 05 April 2016 - 07:31 AM.

[Exard3k]

Raso, on 05 April 2016 - 07:29 AM, said:

I recently discovered the insane AC5 quirks on the 3N. Way maybe thinking something along these lines?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6463a16a4a5ce06

Quirks are really great. The +velocity makes AC5 or AC10 much more accurate. Ammo always depends on how good you are at aiming. I wouldn't take more than 5tons for the 2x AC5. I usually take 2tons for each AC5, but with the Quirks I add another ton that allows me to get 1k dmg matches.

I prefer XL 290 but Std engine is fine too. The engine quirks makes you maneuverable despite your slow speed.

[Raso]

Exard3k, on 05 April 2016 - 08:02 AM, said:

Quirks are really great. The +velocity makes AC5 or AC10 much more accurate. Ammo always depends on how good you are at aiming. I wouldn't take more than 5tons for the 2x AC5. I usually take 2tons for each AC5, but with the Quirks I add another ton that allows me to get 1k dmg matches.

I prefer XL 290 but Std engine is fine too. The engine quirks makes you maneuverable despite your slow speed.

I'm use to dual AC10 Jagers where 5 was enough. I haven't used dual AC5s as a primary weapon before so I wasn't sure how the rate of fire boost would effect my ammo economy.

[Exard3k]

Raso, on 05 April 2016 - 08:07 AM, said:

I'm use to dual AC10 Jagers where 5 was enough. I haven't used dual AC5s as a primary weapon before so I wasn't sure how the rate of fire boost would effect my ammo economy.

AC5 has much better suppression capability than AC10 and AC5s generate very low amount of heat, so you can always fire your AC5s no matter how hot your mech is. (even works perfect vs. Flamers)

I use my 6x Medium Lasers for burst damage (2-3 volleys until overheating) in close quarters and AC5 for pretty much everything. You are never helpless in a 3N because you can always return fire and hurt the enemy with your 0,96sec cooldown. I hate those situation with laser builds when you are close to shutdown and can only fire in chainfire with single lasers while enemy wrecks your face.

Depending on map and build you can even cool down while shooting your ACs.

Great Mech. Try out Ultra AC/5s, many people love it...I prefer to stick to the cheaper AC5s with a bit more cooldown. I don't like the luck-based mechanics.

Edited by Exard3k, 05 April 2016 - 08:25 AM.

[Nazlfrag]

Well my theory is if you're gonna be fragile, be fragile. I use 2xAC5, 2xAC2, 4ML, XL200

[MoeX]

It took me a while, but I'm really liking my Riflemen. My approach to this mech is to play it as a true fire support mech, because it is just to squishy and too slow to fulfill any other role. But played right, it can excel. I'm using an XL engine in all of them and try to pack as much firepower as I can get. For most players riflemen are still considered sub par, so for them you're either a cookie or a minor threat. Therefore it is important to hang with your team and not getting focused. These are the builds that I run and I am really liking them all.

Legend-Killer (Should work just as well with the 3C)

3 AC5 + 6.5 t Ammo, 4 ML, XL 255, DHS, ENDO

I decided to make this a slightly smaller version of my Jagermech with 3 UAC5 + 4 ML. I tried several builds, but with this one I had the most success. AC5s and ML work really well together, because of the kow heat AC5s generate. With quirks + skill + module you get 32% cooldown reduction for your AC5s.

3N

2 AC5 + 5 t Ammo, 6 ML, XL 280, 5 DHS, ENDO

Nothing special here, because it works so well. Chainfiring the AC5s gives better suppresion, but firing the as pair gives better dps.

5D

3 LPL, 5 SPL, XL 280, 7 DHS, ENDO

This one is for poking, so I put all 3 LPL in the right arm. If anything gets near you, you can hit them in the face with the power of an AC20 every 2.5 seconds or so.

[Audacious Aubergine]

I caved and got the standard pack last week + the -LK add on, so far I've been having a real blast. I use 3 of them so far:
-3C ("The Roflman") with 4x AC2 + 2 ML - 2nd line fire support, plinking enemy assaults from a distance
-3N with 2x AC5 + 4 SL - this one is kind of a brawler, runs a std engine so it doesn't explode too easily
-LK with 2x LB-10X + 4 ML (or MPL, I forget) - another brawler, but the spread quirks on the LB-10X mean that I can still hit people from decent ranges without spreading the pellets too far.