8 replies to this topic

[Bud Crue]

In looking at the proposed RKA unified drop decks that Mech the Dane proposed (http://mwomercs.com/...ck-composition/) it became clear from the Q & A of the subsequent thread that the builds and decks being proposed were viewed by their creators as a standard not intended to be debated or deviated from.

In discussing the proposed builds and decks with others however, particularly the Quickdraws, it became apparent that a lot of folks run really similar builds, but not exactly what Dane has put forth and so not the "unified" "stormtrooper deck" that he wants to see.

Anyway, I'm interested in knowing why. Why those differences? In other words: for those running builds that are similar to those put forth by Dane (see link above) but are a bit different, what are those differences, and why do you think your variant is better or preferred or what have you.

As an example: My Quickdraw 4H is similar to the proposed stormtrooper H but I run with SRM 4s rather than 6s with the extra tonnage going to an XL 350 as opposed to the 330, and I add two more jump jets.

<a href="http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=83&l=caaba169c0b01f417c3930f11dfab8c00b185554">QKD-4H</a>

Why? I never thought about it until I saw Dane's build and tried them both out. Having done that: I like the added speed/HS efficiency of the larger engine, the SRM-4 seem to spread less than the 6 (I also tried a version with ASRM4...meh), the cool down of the SRM4s match the lasers so alphas seem more uniform. As to the jets...I like a bit more lift because personally I want a mech with jets to be capable of jumping over the majority of terrain features or mechs that might be in my way, regardless of how often I may actually need or want to do that.

Now, I am sure there are reasons that Dane likes his version better (does more damage per alpha for one thing), and that sort of discussion is what I am interested in. Though I certainly am trying to get better at the game, I frankly find the engineering of the builds just as compelling as playing them, and would like to hear from you all as to your build preferences AND WHY you have those preferences; using Dane's proposed builds and variants therefrom as a starting point.

[Jarl Dane]

This might even be better:



I think the 4H can have a little wiggle room. But I do think speed is going to be super important. Might switch over to this one because of it.

Edited by Mech The Dane, 06 March 2016 - 03:01 PM.

[Bud Crue]

Mech The Dane, on 06 March 2016 - 03:00 PM, said:

This might even be better:..

I tried that too (I kept the 350, rather than 360, so I could keep my extra jets though) but it seemed a wee bit hot. I think with a player having more firing discipline than I (that is to say anyone) it would be wicked good.

[DaemonWulfe]

There's always room for a little tweaking. We generally use the suggested builds because we have egg-heads who crunch the numbers and provide the most optimized configuration for punch vs sustainable DPS. I run most of my builds straight from Metamechs, but occasionally I might use a different sized engine or slightly different load out depending on what's requested by the DC.

[nehebkau]

One thing I do different with the thunderbolt SE is i drop the armor on my legs, increase my right arm armor and put 1 of the pulses in the right arm. That lets me shoot down UAVs and, should I lose the left torso I still have a LPL to go down fighting.

Thunderbolt SE

With my SS I again shave off the legs to equip an AMS for CW.
Thunderbolt SS

I shave the legs because I can't remember the last time I was legged -- always CT deaths.

Edited by nehebkau, 07 March 2016 - 03:45 PM.

[The Honorable Teddy Scarr]

Laser vomit is fine and easy for new players. Once you are more experienced you will want a lot of different builds for different occasions.

Most of the mechs suggested in the Stormtrooper decks are outclassed by specialists. Need bursty laser vomit? The Black Knight is way better than the Thunderbolt and the Blackjack. Where are the autocannons? The UAC Jagermech and the AC/5 Mauler are total beasts, especially on defense maps. No mechs with Gauss and PPC?

Even still, the issue of bads isn't going to be solved in the forums. If you see the type of builds that some bads run, you know that they simply do not do any research. They are not the type of people that are going to go into the forums in the first place and try and find a good build. Or, they are simply going to argue about that one match they had with their ERLL and Machine Gun Warhammer that they did 2000 damage and so you're just wrong.

Edited by Cuddle Commander, 09 March 2016 - 08:00 AM.

[Bud Crue]

Cuddle Commander, on 09 March 2016 - 08:00 AM, said:

Laser vomit is fine and easy for new players. Once you are more experienced you will want a lot of different builds for different occasions.

Most of the mechs suggested in the Stormtrooper decks are outclassed by specialists. Need bursty laser vomit? The Black Knight is way better than the Thunderbolt and the Blackjack. Where are the autocannons? The UAC Jagermech and the AC/5 Mauler are total beasts, especially on defense maps. No mechs with Gauss and PPC?

Even still, the issue of bads isn't going to be solved in the forums. If you see the type of builds that some bads run, you know that they simply do not do any research. They are not the type of people that are going to go into the forums in the first place and try and find a good build. Or, they are simply going to argue about that one match they had with their ERLL and Machine Gun Warhammer that they did 2000 damage and so you're just wrong.

I don't think anyone denies that specific mechs on specific maps and/or specific modes might be "better" in certain players hands.

The Stormtrooper deck, is not intended to be the absolute best deck for all occasions. Rather its creators are merely looking to provide what they see as an optimized and unified deck, that can be readily made -and thus be readily available- to a large swath of the faction should they desire to partake in "stormtrooper" drops when called for. A way for everyone to be on the same page if they desire to do so. Your observation that dakka builds as well as others can be useful is certainly true, but not really relevant to what they had in mind, as far as I can tell.

As to this thread, my goal was to discuss slight variations of the specific mechs proposed for the stormtrooper and beginner decks, and to what extent would such variations be permissible and still fall within the molds that the creators had in mind. It seems pretty clear however, that such a discussion is not something folks want to engage in, so I am not going to post any more proposed variations for discussion.

[mikerso]

Trying to put into words what I am understanding from bud, and also what I am hoping is an agreement.

I've been running a 4 thunderbolt drop deck in cw for a while now. My 9se is pretty close to the general build, but I usually have a bigger engine. The purpose being to add an extra heat sink slot and heatsink. On the outside it looks the same, but I feel like I do a bit better in it than the meta builds. It is really close, but it is also my own creation.

I understand optimization to quirks, mechs, and hardpoints, but there is a forgotten optimization to the pilot as well.

I hope to build the stormtrooper deck soon, but there will most likely be some slight variation to optimize it to me too.

Edited by mikerso, 09 March 2016 - 08:45 AM.

[nehebkau]

mikerso, on 09 March 2016 - 08:43 AM, said:

I've been running a 4 thunderbolt drop deck in cw for a while now. My 9se is pretty close to the general build, but I usually have a bigger engine. The purpose being to add an extra heat sink slot and heatsink. On the outside it looks the same, but I feel like I do a bit better in it than the meta builds. It is really close, but it is also my own creation.

I understand perfectly, I always try to give it a little extra engine when I can as well -- its nice to have the responsiveness.