10 replies to this topic

[Dodge_This_LMAO]

Hello Everyone. Last time I posted, I was 8 days into this game.

Previous Post Here:
http://mwomercs.com/...ns-from-a-newb/

I have updates, and sadly, more questions :/
Updates:
-I'm now on day 25 of playing this game
-I joined a unit and have played 5 CW. The unit is a Merc Unit and currently with Clans (but the only mechs I bought have been IS).
-I now have 3 Firestarters (FS9-S, FS9-H, FS9-E) all mastered.
-I now have 3 Griffins (GRF-1E, GRF-2N,GRF-1S(C)) all mastered.
-I have unlocked Radar Deprivation (and purchased one module which I move to my active mech all the time (soooo expensive)
-I have unlocked ML-Range5 and Large Laser Cooldown-5 and bought the respective modules.
-I have now tried all the trial mechs for atleast 10 matches.
-I watch Majestics and Critical Rocket youtube channels for tips (almost all videos in the last 4 months)

I still want to make a CW Drop Deck (IS) with all mastered mechs and modules. I've looked on metamechs, and basically, the easiest variants to purchase would be the Black Knight (Heavy) and BattleMaster (Assault) . This is because they seem to have 3 variants in either Tier 1 or Tier 2. However, whilst I'm effective and laser builds (I get 500 DMG in my Sparky on average) , I realllllly like ballistics. Specifically I'm interested in 3xUAC5 builds. However, no ballistic builds seem to be "Good" for CW. Why??

So.. help me build a CW deck.
Requirements : I want to be competitive. I want atleast 1 mech that can go 4x AC5 or 3xUAC5 (open to 2xUAC maybe) . But, I need a mech who's other variants are easy enough to elite (so no chassis that has 1 awesome chassis and the rest are not even good for PUG)

Question 1: Is the 3 UAC5 or 4xAC5 better on a heavy or assault. Whichever one, what variant should I purchase (and what side variants to help me master them ). Must be IS (not clan)

Question 2: Can some experience IS player design a drop deck for me that ;
1> Maximises Tonnage
2> Utilises Griffin (tell me which one and what build is ideal for CW, I have a feeling my 2 LLas , 4 MLas Sparky will be it) (Note: it doesn't have to use Griffin if whatever heavy/assault you tell me to buy can use 2 variants in CW)
3> If possible, is there a viable Medium to long range ballistic build that can actually be used in Clan Wars (basically, no AC20) . The only reason I ask, is because I see all these Tier 1 youtubers having so much fun with ballistics and still getting 800+ damage in PUG that I'm sure it might be viable in CW?

[Rogue Jedi]

Anthrax87, on 23 February 2016 - 01:50 AM, said:

Hello Everyone. Last time I posted, I was 8 days into this game.

Previous Post Here:
http://mwomercs.com/...ns-from-a-newb/

I have updates, and sadly, more questions :/
Updates:
-I'm now on day 25 of playing this game
-I joined a unit and have played 5 CW. The unit is a Merc Unit and currently with Clans (but the only mechs I bought have been IS).
-I now have 3 Firestarters (FS9-S, FS9-H, FS9-E) all mastered.
-I now have 3 Griffins (GRF-1E, GRF-2N,GRF-1S(C)) all mastered.
-I have unlocked Radar Deprivation (and purchased one module which I move to my active mech all the time (soooo expensive)
-I have unlocked ML-Range5 and Large Laser Cooldown-5 and bought the respective modules.
-I have now tried all the trial mechs for atleast 10 matches.
-I watch Majestics and Critical Rocket youtube channels for tips (almost all videos in the last 4 months)

I still want to make a CW Drop Deck (IS) with all mastered mechs and modules. I've looked on metamechs, and basically, the easiest variants to purchase would be the Black Knight (Heavy) and BattleMaster (Assault) . This is because they seem to have 3 variants in either Tier 1 or Tier 2. However, whilst I'm effective and laser builds (I get 500 DMG in my Sparky on average) , I realllllly like ballistics. Specifically I'm interested in 3xUAC5 builds. However, no ballistic builds seem to be "Good" for CW. Why??

So.. help me build a CW deck.
Requirements : I want to be competitive. I want atleast 1 mech that can go 4x AC5 or 3xUAC5 (open to 2xUAC maybe) . But, I need a mech who's other variants are easy enough to elite (so no chassis that has 1 awesome chassis and the rest are not even good for PUG)

Question 1: Is the 3 UAC5 or 4xAC5 better on a heavy or assault. Whichever one, what variant should I purchase (and what side variants to help me master them ). Must be IS (not clan)

Question 2: Can some experience IS player design a drop deck for me that ;
1> Maximises Tonnage
2> Utilises Griffin (tell me which one and what build is ideal for CW, I have a feeling my 2 LLas , 4 MLas Sparky will be it) (Note: it doesn't have to use Griffin if whatever heavy/assault you tell me to buy can use 2 variants in CW)
3> If possible, is there a viable Medium to long range ballistic build that can actually be used in Clan Wars (basically, no AC20) . The only reason I ask, is because I see all these Tier 1 youtubers having so much fun with ballistics and still getting 800+ damage in PUG that I'm sure it might be viable in CW?

1) if you want 3 UAC5 or 4 AC5 on IS Mechs, that limits what Mechs you can use to 2 varients of Jagermech the S and DD
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e2a95fe2cd99fec
or 2 Cataphract varients, Illia Muramats ^{(costs real money, hero varient)} and 4X ^{(the Cataphract Mastery Bundle available in the gift store for rean money or the ingame store for MC includes both)} for heavies
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3251e77f024dc01
^{(although they would be running less ammo than I would prefer)}, or the Mauler
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1e2ef1fcc229f3c
or King Crab assault Mechs,
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...613a07dbaee6040
those are to the best of my knowledge the only IS Mechs capable of mounting those weapons.
note the builds I provided were just to show that you could do it, the ammo placement and armor allocations are completely down to persional choice

as for Griffins, it totally depends on what you want to do, in my opinion the most useful variant is the 3M with 4 SRM4 and 2 lasers, but the 2N with its ECM backed by ether 4LRM5 and 2 LL or 4SRM4 and 2 MPL would also be realy useful, albeit not quire as durable, if you want a laser boat then Sparky would work but a Crab would probably be better for that.

the 3/4 (U)AC5 you asked for in question 1 works pretty well short to long range, that is a 15/20 point alpha strike every 1.5 seconds, potentially 0.75 seconds if you double tap Ultras, 1 ton of (U)AC5 ammo is 30 shots, 150 potential damage, I usualy recommend 3 tons per (U)AC5, that is 450 damage potential per gun, if you have 4, hit with every shot and use all the ammo that is 1800 damage

[Kyynele]

You totally can use ballistic mechs in CW. In fact, it's one of the easiest ways to deal lots of damage especially on the hot maps.

The only problem is the ammo dependency. CW matches last much longer than PUG matches, and there are 4 times more enemy mechs to kill, so running out of ammo is a much more likely scenario here. Which means your choices are to either gimp your dakka mech build by making it even slower, even lighter armored or have reduced firepower to carry more ammo with you, or you have to be so confident in your ability to deal an absolute s**tload of damage to the enemies with your essentially throw-away-when-out-of-ammo mech.

Energy weapons are so much easier, if you stay in one piece, you can shoot at enemies.

For a quick way to a decent IS CW deck, I'd just get the 3 Battlemasters or Black Knights you mention and elite them.

Battlemaster (85) + Battlemaster (85) + Sparky (55) + Firestarter (35) = 260.
Black Knight (75) + Black Knight (75) + Black Knight (75) + Firestarter (35) = 260.
Can't go very wrong with either.

If you want the dakka, Jager DD with 3x UAC5 would be my top choice. But Jager is a 65 ton mech, and you need something heavier to max out your drop deck, your current mechs being on the lighter side, so I'd save it after buying either of these.

[Rogue Jedi]

Kyynele, on 23 February 2016 - 05:22 AM, said:

You totally can use ballistic mechs in CW. In fact, it's one of the easiest ways to deal lots of damage especially on the hot maps.

The only problem is the ammo dependency. CW matches last much longer than PUG matches, and there are 4 times more enemy mechs to kill, so running out of ammo is a much more likely scenario here.

yes there is 4 times as much damage available but you have 4 Mechs to do that damage, a build that works for you in solo or group queue should also work in CW, admittedly I do try to squeeze in a bit extra ammo on a CW build than I would for group queue but I do not need to do that.

[Kyynele]

Rogue Jedi, on 23 February 2016 - 07:03 AM, said:

yes there is 4 times as much damage available but you have 4 Mechs to do that damage, a build that works for you in solo or group queue should also work in CW, admittedly I do try to squeeze in a bit extra ammo on a CW build than I would for group queue but I do not need to do that.

Yes. The problem in CW is that sometimes you have a bad run in one mech. When you have a bad run in PUG, you just move to a next match. If you die early with a mech in CW, you have to make up for that loss with the rest of your mechs. If you use energy based builds, any of your mechs are capable of lasting the remainder of the match - however long that is - at full efficiency if needed. At least you should have 1 strong (heavy or assault) energy based mech in your deck.

[John1352]

How do you feel about the trial King crab? KGCs will give you a lot of dakka, with some other options. Maulers are also good for dakka, they have tightly grouped torso ballistics, but may give you trouble shooting up/down hills.

[Arrgyle]

Quote

I realllllly like ballistics. Specifically I'm interested in 3xUAC5 builds. However, no ballistic builds seem to be "Good" for CW. Why??

Mostly ammo reasons and for the amount of "face time" you have to spend on the enemy can be bad on some pushes.

griffens are great and firestarters as a light are good also... that is a good start.

griffen x2 = 110 or griffen + firestarter = 90 so 150 tons or 170 tons left.

for x3 UACs the jager is it, currently and easily, this would leave room for a stalker also. Stalkers are very popular

Maybe I am approaching this wrong... how have you done in assaults? Sometimes finding the right fit could really dominate the rest of your mech selection really. Like my first assault was the victor... I never play them and I personally feel they suck, never fully masterd them and moved on. Battlemasters were the first assaults I truely enjoyed playing. So, find you assault and pick from there IMHO.

Currently I run a Zeus (6t brawler or 9s for more range) a Warhammer (6d MpL or 6r with x2 uac5s), this leaves me with the ability to have 2 55 tonners, but I have been running one griffen (55) and a blackjack (45t).

What I would do is try out different asaults. Stalkers dont have the ballistics for dakka builds but are very popular all around.. Battlemasters are mostly laser boats of one sort or another. I am fond of the Zeus for its tankyness and speed, both of which are useful in CW. So find the mech that is the heaviest you are comfortable with and roll with that first. often the rest will fill in after that.

[Dodge_This_LMAO]

Kyynele, on 23 February 2016 - 05:22 AM, said:

For a quick way to a decent IS CW deck, I'd just get the 3 Battlemasters or Black Knights you mention and elite them.

Battlemaster (85) + Battlemaster (85) + Sparky (55) + Firestarter (35) = 260.
Black Knight (75) + Black Knight (75) + Black Knight (75) + Firestarter (35) = 260.
Can't go very wrong with either.

I like the Battlemaster builds mentioned

Kyynele, on 23 February 2016 - 07:36 AM, said:

At least you should have 1 strong (heavy or assault) energy based mech in your deck.

Agreed. I watched a lot of Battlemaster videos online , and it seems like a very agile assault.

John1352, on 23 February 2016 - 07:49 AM, said:

How do you feel about the trial King crab? KGCs will give you a lot of dakka, with some other options. Maulers are also good for dakka, they have tightly grouped torso ballistics, but may give you trouble shooting up/down hills.

Tbh, I hated all the trial assaults, I just couldn't use them, not so much the weapons, but not being able to move when under fire fast enough, sucked...

Arrgyle, on 24 February 2016 - 01:42 AM, said:

Mostly ammo reasons and for the amount of "face time" you have to spend on the enemy can be bad on some pushes.

griffens are great and firestarters as a light are good also... that is a good start.

griffen x2 = 110 or griffen + firestarter = 90 so 150 tons or 170 tons left.

for x3 UACs the jager is it, currently and easily, this would leave room for a stalker also. Stalkers are very popular

Maybe I am approaching this wrong... how have you done in assaults? Sometimes finding the right fit could really dominate the rest of your mech selection really. Like my first assault was the victor... I never play them and I personally feel they suck, never fully masterd them and moved on. Battlemasters were the first assaults I truely enjoyed playing. So, find you assault and pick from there IMHO.

Currently I run a Zeus (6t brawler or 9s for more range) a Warhammer (6d MpL or 6r with x2 uac5s), this leaves me with the ability to have 2 55 tonners, but I have been running one griffen (55) and a blackjack (45t).

What I would do is try out different asaults. Stalkers dont have the ballistics for dakka builds but are very popular all around.. Battlemasters are mostly laser boats of one sort or another. I am fond of the Zeus for its tankyness and speed, both of which are useful in CW. So find the mech that is the heaviest you are comfortable with and roll with that first. often the rest will fill in after that.

I think I'm going to try the Battlemaster assault next, and then step down to a heavy. Heavies I seem torn between Jager, Thunderbolt (Which I also sucked in the trial mech, but I have a feeling I can use it much better now) & War Hammer (so sexy) and Cataphract (top build in metamechs)

So maybe a bit more experience and I'll figure out what I want there. Above all, I want to help my unit and remain competitive. So choosing the funner of 2 fun builds (daka and wub) at the detriment to my team is not an option

[Rogue Jedi]

Anthrax87, on 24 February 2016 - 10:01 AM, said:

I like the Battlemaster builds mentioned

Tbh, I hated all the trial assaults, I just couldn't use them, not so much the weapons, but not being able to move when under fire fast enough, sucked...

I am with you there, I am hopeless in most assualts, the BLR is one of the few I can use effectively

Quote

I think I'm going to try the Battlemaster assault next, and then step down to a heavy. Heavies I seem torn between Jager, Thunderbolt (Which I also sucked in the trial mech, but I have a feeling I can use it much better now) & War Hammer (so sexy) and Cataphract (top build in metamechs)

So maybe a bit more experience and I'll figure out what I want there. Above all, I want to help my unit and remain competitive. So choosing the funner of 2 fun builds (daka and wub) at the detriment to my team is not an option

Warhammer is great, I think it is a strong contender for best heavy (other competitors are Timber Wolf and Marauder), but there is not yet an ETA for cbills, so if you want to get it any time soon you will have to buy the pack, and I think Black Widow is the best variant so that would be $35 in total if you went with that.
as for the others Thunderbolt is popular because it still has some semi-overpowered builds available.
Jagermech is one of the better mid-long range direct fire support Mechs, and is primarily setup for ballistics with lasers, although the -A can use 4 missiles.
I never realy liked the Cataphract so am not the best person to be offering advice on them

[Moarginplz]

Three Black Knights and a FS9-S would put you at 260 tons exactly.

The Mauler MX-90 can mount 5 AC-5's, so if you like the dakka, that may be the assault for you. A Mauler + A Black Knight + Sparky + Firestarter puts you at 255 tons, and gives you a bit of variety from drop to drop.

Battlemaster, Black Knight, Sparky and Firestarter is 250 tons. You could also do 2 Battlemasters and 2 Firestarters, your overall tonnage would be a bit light at 240 tons, but I think you'd still be plenty effective.

[Fobhopper]

If you are looking for a Ballistic assault, here are 2 different KGC's I actually do run in FW.
KGC-000: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d5566d8869d29aa

ALSO you can run a Gauss KGC: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0724e92f1756dfa
You can drop the engine down a little if you want to get some more tonnage for lasers or more ammo (dont drop the engine below 300 rating).

I legitimately run both of these in FW to pretty good effect, but I personally prefer running ballistic over laser or missiles. If you find yourself running out of ammo in the UAC5 build, maybe (i wouldnt recommend it) drop the engine rating lower and add more ammo. But a better option would be switching to AC5's, its gives your 4 more tons to get more ammo, but it also reduces your dps because of a slower firing rate (but modules can improve it's CD timer).

I wouldn't recommend the Mauler for a ballistic wagon. The weapon hard points are in the chest, and the chest on the mauler has a really ****** pitch/yaw/twist rate. Its better as a missile/laser boat.

And while others have recommended the Jager and Cataphract (not bad choices) if you are willing to dabble around a little bit, I actually recommend trying out the Marauder. Put a Gauss rifle in the torso, and 4-6 medium lasers (depending on the variant) OR going with 1-2 UAC5's or AC10 with 2-4 medium lasers. Works pretty well, but thats just personal taste.

Edited by Fobhopper, 24 February 2016 - 04:07 PM.