17 replies to this topic

[Rock Roller]

HELP!!!!

So out of 6 scouting drops 1 win has resulted. I am playing on the IS side and that seems to be the problem. The last several matches have just been plain bad. I think it may be the pilot quality. The last match I did a bit over 600 damage in my Sparky and the other 3 pilots averaged about 150 each. I have had some bad matches as well but normally I am pulling my weight. I may just need to do more. There is also some really pugtastic builds that people are bringing that are not working either.

What is the best tactic for approcing these runs and what is the best IS medium for taking out a Stormcrow and Nova.

So far I have ran 2 mastered Griffins, Hunchback and a PHX. The Griffin is by far the best for me. I like the PHX but its firepower is just not enough.

[Karl the Plumber]

Hey looks like you've got a great start for scouting with the griffins and the hunchies. Whatever your playstyle is, you'll be able to brawl with the best of them in those chassis. If you're pulling in that kind of damage and not winning, the problem isn't with you.
Anyhow, for me my best builds for scouting are the 9SPL Hunchie, the 2MPL 4SRM4 ECM Griffin 2N, and the 4SPL 2SRM6+Artemeis Hunchie 4SP.
Tactics for Crows: shoot the legs. Novas: shoot off the arms and they're junk. Never fight alone, ever.

If you don't have a team working together you'll get chewed up regardless, though.

Edited by Karl the Plumber, 03 July 2016 - 07:05 AM.

[Spheroid]

Its pilot quality. I completed the challenge but was routinely defeated by Griffin-2N murder packs. The Sparky is a good choice as well. You are bringing the right mechs.

You might try scouting on a different planet, that often improves the pug lottery.

The Stormcrow's weakpoint are the legs. You just need to close the distance and engage with SRMs, mlas or mplas boats and you will usually win owing to greater durability and sustained dps.

Edited by Spheroid, 03 July 2016 - 02:03 PM.

[Rock Roller]

Thanks for the feedback. The damage is a high point but not out of line for me. Often the teams have people way out of support range. The clan teams are almost always grouped.

Trying AMS now to see how it fairs against streaks. Used to use them a lot but with experience and radar dep modules they have been collecting dust.

Today I have been having better luck on a 6 Ml Jenner using slashing attacks and working the edge of the fight.

Anyone got a few builds that work for them?

[Void Angel]

Spheroid, on 03 July 2016 - 09:34 AM, said:

Its pilot quality. I completed the challenge but was routinely defeated by Griffin-2N murder packs. The Sparky is a good choice as well. You are brining the right mechs.

You might try scouting on a different planet, that often improves the pug lottery.

The Stormcrow's weakpoint are the legs. You just need to close the distance and engage with SRMs, mlas or mplas boats and you will usually win owing to greater durability and sustained dps.

Heh. You should tell that to This Whine Thread.

Rock Roller, on 02 July 2016 - 02:39 PM, said:

HELP!!!!

So out of 6 scouting drops 1 win has resulted. I am playing on the IS side and that seems to be the problem. The last several matches have just been plain bad. I think it may be the pilot quality. The last match I did a bit over 600 damage in my Sparky and the other 3 pilots averaged about 150 each. I have had some bad matches as well but normally I am pulling my weight. I may just need to do more. There is also some really pugtastic builds that people are bringing that are not working either.

What is the best tactic for approcing these runs and what is the best IS medium for taking out a Stormcrow and Nova.

So far I have ran 2 mastered Griffins, Hunchback and a PHX. The Griffin is by far the best for me. I like the PHX but its firepower is just not enough.

Try Something Like This. You have to watch the XL, of course, but the sheer amount of smashing power provided by those 4 ASRM6s will ruin anyone's day if your team focuses their fire and uses selective targeting - and the ECM means that they can't start locking onto you with any Streaks until you're close (not that Streaks should win against direct-fire anyway.)

As an alternative, you can go for A Little Laser On the Side. The downside is that it's a bit slower than the Stormcrows you'll often face (and slightly hotter,) but you can start on their legs from outside SRM range, and the extra damage output is always welcome.

I don't, unfortunately, have the chassis myself, but these are the builds I've seen used most effectively - both by my team and against me.

Edited by Void Angel, 03 July 2016 - 10:05 AM.

[Void Angel]

Rock Roller, on 03 July 2016 - 09:45 AM, said:

Thanks for the feedback. The damage is a high point but not out of line for me. Often the teams have people way out of support range. The clan teams are almost always grouped.

Trying AMS now to see how it fairs against streaks. Used to use them a lot but with experience and radar dep modules they have been collecting dust.

Today I have been having better luck on a 6 Ml Jenner using slashing attacks and working the edge of the fight.

Anyone got a few builds that work for them?

Hm... it's been a while since I dragged out the Jenners; my go-to used to be the Jenner D - but for the K I'd use This Pulse Laser Build.

[Void Angel]

However, given the prevalence of Skillcrows out there, you'll need to be very careful about being targeted as a Light, especially without ECM. Bring Radar Deprivation (of course,) but just expect that if you're targeted by a couple of SSRM30 Streakcrows... well, imagine a kitten being sandblasted into a wood chipper.

Edited by Void Angel, 03 July 2016 - 10:37 AM.

[Requiemking]

Well, Phoenix Hawks can do what you need them to. I run this build mostly for scouting.
Suzaku

Now, you may be wondering why I am running an XL engine in this build. Quite simply, the PHX-1 is the only PHX that can effectively an XL, not because of XL friendly hitboxes, but because that variant suffers from Mist Lynx syndrome. Once you are disarmed, you are useless. I run this build on hot maps, not just because its a fun, trolly build, but it is actually quite useful on hot maps.
Firebird
I will say this though, Coolshot is mandatory on this build. But, I will say this, it is so satisfying to overheat and explode an SPL Nova on Caustic. You can also farm surgeon kills with this build, if you are good at hitting Heads.

[Moldur]

Griffins are good for pug play because they work well with whatever anyone else brings. They have the speed and firepower to show up and aid in brawls (which is what most pug scout matches turn into.)

They are at a disadvantage by almost always running an XLs though. Hunchbacks and Centurions are safer and also do well. Standard engine Shadowhawks with AC/20s and srms is also a good option, though somewhat slow. Keep in mind you don't need as much ammo as in Quick play. Even just 2 tons of AC/20 can be adequate.

[Rock Roller]

So with a lot of practice this is getting better. The wait time is rough but I think I am getting it. Thanks for the advise guys. Switching between my Sparky and Hunchback and seeing much better results. Also your feedback helped my build transition.

Main improvement outside of the mech: buying a headset and giving directions to teammates and cool shot used liberaly.

[Lorcryst NySell]

I've played several games today in Scouting mode with my Hunchie 4-SP, and I have to say it suits my play style ... 2 SRM6 + Artemis and 5 med lasers on mine.

My biggest problem isn't fighting, brawling or the like, it's the Freya-forsaken people that go into Scouting mission with the intent of doing damage and NOT collecting intel ...

And guess what ? When I hear "kill first, cap later" and see a single Stormcrow on the opposite side, I already know the match will be lost ... because THE WHOLE POINT of Scouting is to GATHER INTEL AND GTFO, *not* making kills !!!

One of the best match I had, I was with another hunchie and two Ravens, we collected 12 points of Intel and just kinda wove around until the timer for the Dropship departure was into the last 15 seconds, then rushed to be airlifted.

Match won.
Game scores above 50 for all four of us.
Much goodness for the event.
AND WE DIDN'T WENT IN LOOKING FOR A FIGHT FOR THRICE-DAMNED POINTS !!!

[Felix von Buelow]

Lorcryst NySell, on 04 July 2016 - 07:47 AM, said:

I've played several games today in Scouting mode with my Hunchie 4-SP, and I have to say it suits my play style ... 2 SRM6 + Artemis and 5 med lasers on mine.

My biggest problem isn't fighting, brawling or the like, it's the Freya-forsaken people that go into Scouting mission with the intent of doing damage and NOT collecting intel ...

And guess what ? When I hear "kill first, cap later" and see a single Stormcrow on the opposite side, I already know the match will be lost ... because THE WHOLE POINT of Scouting is to GATHER INTEL AND GTFO, *not* making kills !!!

One of the best match I had, I was with another hunchie and two Ravens, we collected 12 points of Intel and just kinda wove around until the timer for the Dropship departure was into the last 15 seconds, then rushed to be airlifted.

Match won.
Game scores above 50 for all four of us.
Much goodness for the event.

AND WE DIDN'T WENT IN LOOKING FOR A FIGHT FOR THRICE-DAMNED POINTS !!!

Problem with this game mode is, that collecting Intel is not even close as rewarding in regards of C-bills, XP and ultimately match score as just killing the enemy team and collecting a single data point...

Edited by GhostNemesys, 04 July 2016 - 09:09 AM.

[The Flying Gecko]

Due to the lack of matchmaking, it is IMPERATIVE that you team up with at least 2 other people that fall into the 'don't completely suck' category before queuing up. This game has a massive level of skill discrepancy.

[Rock Roller]

GhostNemesys, on 04 July 2016 - 09:09 AM, said:

Problem with this game mode is, that collecting Intel is not even close as rewarding in regards of C-bills, XP and ultimately match score as just killing the enemy team and collecting a single data point...

There are a match I ran in my Jenner that I collected most of the data points and was the only one in the drop ship zone to escape. Just missed the 50 point mark. Yep that makes complete sense.

[DannDruid]

Go to your faction's teamspeak hub and form a 4 man group-communication is overpowered

[Cato Phoenix]

I usually run a Cicada - mostly run the 5 med pulse on the B but I also use the 6 MLas one as well as the X5. Speed enough to kite/gather intel and enough firepower to wreck mechs.

I think the hunchies/griffs/wolverines are great, but you are then so dependent on having decent teammates.

[Rock Roller]

So far I have the most consistent results in Griffins. I would love to find a build for my PHX that worked well for this. If it wasn't so handicapped by the all arm mounts I wold think it would be good. Have to keep working on it. I do hope the give it more in the way of arm structure or armor quirks.

[Aerei]

If you're going to run a Phoenix Hawk, I recommend the 1K, and then stack medium pulse lasers. Or...I suppose you could stack small pulse lasers, then go crazy with the engine--that might give you a niche for the Phoenix Hawk as a mech that can catch arctic cheetahs, but not die immediately to streak boats.