24 replies to this topic

[Orville Righteous]

BlackhawkSC, on 12 May 2016 - 08:38 PM, said:

That's a really awesome question! At one point I was going to do an EBJ vs HBR comparison video. You already laid out one of the main points is that HBR has better hitboxes and so it's easier to spread damage. The EBJ CT is huge and much more glass canon-y. So it's very much a trading off a balanced chassis (HBR) vs a highly offensively oriented chassis (EBJ). The high mounts on the EBJ are unfortunately so high mounted that the enemy sees you before you see them, and they increase the overall size of your mech, so it's a double-edged sword.

For scouting, I've seen the 5 SPL IFR do some serious work. SPL Nova and Jenner IIC with SRM4s is another choice.

IS FP: I like the Warhammers right now. Lots of variety in builds and fits the tonnage limits pretty well. Thunderbolts are not bad also but lack a well quirked dakka variant for hot maps. For WHMs there are better chassis for any given particular role, but if you were to choose 3 of a single mech, the WHMs are pretty sweet. For scouting: Griffin 2N/3M, SHD-2D2, HBK-4SP, brawler Cent-A/AH would be my choice.

^^ -- Above answers not geared towards new players

I know one of the reasons I picked the EBJ over the HBR is because the EBJ has Endo and I don't think the HBR does (at least I believe it was Endo). I just assumed the EBJ would have a slight edge in weapon tonnage.

One of the things I noticed after I bought the EBJ, yes, they are squat, but they are also very wide. I get my arms caught on obstacles and other mechs. I notice I shoot the landscape often when peeking. The arms are also a big target when you're walking around a corner.

I have noticed people shooting the pod over the left shoulder more lately, like you mentioned. It wasn't a problem in Tier 5 and 4, but it's been more of a problem lately.

The Warhammer is a great suggestion for IS mechs. I noticed EMP was using the Warhammer-BWs in the last match I watched. I don't own any but I've had fun when teamed up with my friends in Warhammers. I'm an old TT player and having a Warhammer without PPCs seems odd to me which is one of the reasons I haven't purchased yet. I've had my eye on Grasshoppers but they're limited to one build.

Thanks for advice Blackhawk SC.

[Stormbringer13]

All great info.
It's really a ton to absorb even being as familiar with everything as I am. I can imagine the intimidation factor for many players, especially casual ones, who take one look and run away.

For the HUnchback, I think I will be going with the 4SP, 4J and 4P. I liked ballistics on the tabletop, but my marksmanship ain't the best here yet. I still need to see where my shots are landing. Although, I did get my first headshot last night with a Gauss Rifle, so that was fun.

[Tesunie]

Stormbringer13, on 14 May 2016 - 09:07 AM, said:

For the HUnchback, I think I will be going with the 4SP, 4J and 4P. I liked ballistics on the tabletop, but my marksmanship ain't the best here yet. I still need to see where my shots are landing. Although, I did get my first headshot last night with a Gauss Rifle, so that was fun.

I would probably recommend a ballistic Hunch instead of two missile Hunchs. However, it really does come down to what you want in the end. Just recall you'll want to get Endo and Double Heat Sinks on your mechs. So make sure you have those C-bills planned.

Also, do listen to any and all advise you hear. Even if they contradict each other. You'll have to probably sift through what is good and bad advise on your own. (Different people, different results, different opinions.) Like, for example, Blackhawk and I may disagree, but I'm not going to say he doesn't present good points from time to time. (The Hellbringer probably is a great starter choice for a Clan mech, in this example. We just disagree on if it is "the" starter mech of choice.)

[_____]

Orville Righteous, on 14 May 2016 - 07:15 AM, said:

I know one of the reasons I picked the EBJ over the HBR is because the EBJ has Endo and I don't think the HBR does (at least I believe it was Endo). I just assumed the EBJ would have a slight edge in weapon tonnage.

One of the things I noticed after I bought the EBJ, yes, they are squat, but they are also very wide. I get my arms caught on obstacles and other mechs. I notice I shoot the landscape often when peeking. The arms are also a big target when you're walking around a corner.

I have noticed people shooting the pod over the left shoulder more lately, like you mentioned. It wasn't a problem in Tier 5 and 4, but it's been more of a problem lately.

Yes actually the EBJ has quite a bit of weapon tonnage advantage, especially once you start carrying larger weapons like ballistics. In the end, because of the hardpoint locations and weapon payload, the EBJ I feel is more suitable for hitting from the sides and not really trading with an enemy mech. You can surely put out a big alpha in the EBJ, but the return damage is going to be mostly CT, which is going to severely reduce your effectiveness for the rest of the game. The HBR can actually trade a bit because of minimal exposure, but ideally in that chassis as well you're trying to use your ECM to get the first shot off and/or get ignored and not take any return fire.

Glad it helps!

[Tesunie]

BlackhawkSC, on 14 May 2016 - 08:30 PM, said:

The HBR can actually trade a bit because of minimal exposure, but ideally in that chassis as well you're trying to use your ECM to get the first shot off and/or get ignored and not take any return fire.

On this comment, I'd like to remark what the typical new player tends to do... Stand still and not twist damage. Often out in the open and not using cover to "hull down" in.

I'm not bashing higher mounted weapons, but saying "it's good to hide behind a taller object and just poke your weapons above" isn't exactly a skill I'd associate with "new players". It's obviously a skill new players benefit from learning, but it's not something they are typically inclined to do right away.

I'm finding your suggestions good, but some of the reasoning seems to come from "more experienced and skillful use" standing points. Such as "twisting damage" and "hull down with shorter terrain". Each are skills most new players lack, and their mechs should try and over come this in some manner.


Out of Clan mechs though, it does sound like the Hellbringer wouldn't be a bad selection. Then again, neither does the Ebonjaguar. Each has merit, but I also don't own either one. (I have Summoners, Novas and Arctic Cheetas as my Clan mechs, so my clan experience is not as diverse. I typically don't provide advice for Clan specific mechs and leave that for players more experienced with those subjects.) ECM is an automatic "good for any player". If your mech can take it, you probably should. ECM does help to counter the new player "standing out in the open" a little. This does give favor to the Hellbringer.