40 replies to this topic

[Gibson Ibanez]

I am currently sitting on 14.1 million c-bills. (My accountant says it has been laundered, so I guess that means it is clean)

I am torn between buying a new clan mech(s) -- Hunchback IIC chassis or two, a Shadow Cat, a Hellbringer or a Timberwolf -- OR -- Using it to finish unlocking the Seismic and Radar Deprivation modules that I have now unlocked with GXP.

My instincts are telling me to unlock the modules but I have never used ANY modules.

Please advise and please forgive my feeble attempt at humor.

[Audacious Aubergine]

The kinds of mechs that you have and use at the moment will determine whether or not you'd get value out of either of those modules. Do you use a close range brawler assassin that wants a better idea for when to jump out of cover and ruin someone's day? Then seismic sensor is for you. Do you like being able to have LRMs lose track of you the moment you disappear from anyone's line of sight? Then you'd love radar deprivation.
Or, do you love some variety with your play and like being able to switch game moods completely? If so then buy some mechs. Unhelpful answer, I know - I'm very good at that

[Ace Selin]

Get a mech. Im guessing you dont have many. Sometimes you get bored of a mech or have a bad streak in one and having something different on hand is nice. Modules are good to have but mechs are better. Personally i love the Hunchback IIC, dakka dakka.

[justcallme A S H]

Seismic level one, isn't great. You need to unlock lvl 2 and then it's awesome. That costs a lot of GXP though.

IMO get the radar derp and then unlock/purchase Adv Seismic once you get it unlocked to level 2.

Make sure you play ALL variants each time you get on to get the first win of the day bonuses and get that extra GXP kicker etc. You can swap the modules before each match as well, make the most of the modules early on so pretty good value and will help you (potentially) stay alive longer/play smarter.

Of course it does depend on your builds/play style if Seismic is even worthwhile - Radar Derps is usually the best.
That said if you get a SHC/HBR, you want seismic as the ECM already helps and you don't really need the derps.

[p4r4g0n]

Mechs first, modules later.

If you absolutely must, get Radar Deprivation first for its ability to reduce LRM/SSRM exposure, the chirp warning when someone catches you on sensors and flash warning when target locked.

Just in case you have no mechs, getting a module first is useless since you cannot equip it on the trial mechs.

[MOBAjobg]

I have to make it clear that the Seismic Sensors is mandatory for any serious mech pilot.

I can't do without it in my KDK-3.

[Wintersdark]

MOBAjobg, on 08 July 2016 - 09:11 PM, said:

I have to make it clear that the Seismic Sensors is mandatory for any serious mech pilot.

I can't do without it in my KDK-3.

At a higher level of play. For a new player, it's a huge investment.

He'd probably get more mileageout of radar derp (there'll be lots of lens where he is), and even more out of mechs at this point (assuming he has few)

Seismic is never bad, but often not best - depends on what you're piloting and how.

[Aleksandr Sergeyevich Kerensky]

Check list:

1) do you have 3 different mechs of the same chassis?
If yes, then move onto 2... If no, buy mechs until you have for-filled check 1.

2) are you happy with those 3 mechs?
If yes, then move onto 3... If no, consider if you should repeate check 1 with a new chassis, if you said no to this sub check, then continue onto 3.

3) get radar derp then move into 4...

4) do you have an extra module slot that isnt "weapon" only?
If yea, then move onto 5... If no, continue skilling up your mechs until you unlock and obtain the master module skill. Then move onto check 5.

5) use gxp and obtain ADV. Siezmic. Then purchase your siezmic sensor module!

[justcallme A S H]

Yeah I was assuming he has 3 variants and a couple other mechs when suggesting a derp module. That said if he's a brawler type person/loadout seismic would be better.

It's only more beneficial for derp on low cover maps like Polar/Alpine/Grim.
Seismic is king in Mining, Caustic, Viridian, Frozen (well, that's debatable now it's new map).

The other maps it's really situational.

[justcallme A S H]

Also leave weapon modules to last IMO. Seismic/Derp/Adv Zoom are quite versatile.

That's how I did it, got the weapons last. Weapons minor buffs only help when you've got a really solid understanding of the game after you've played a many hundreds matches, know you're mechs inside out and know the loadouts of other mechs to really take the module buffs and use that extra few % IMO.

[S 0 L E N Y A]

The mechs are always the tempting choice.
But remember this about mech modules: they are not tech specific. You can use them on any and all mechs.
Just something to think about

Regarding the mechs.
HunchieIIC is a lot of fun. If you own three of them then you have a lot of build variety, plus full customization with clan tech is fun. All things considered I would still reach for a storm crow first though.

The Shadowcat is also a lot of fun but very much a specialists mech. As far as being effective in game, not a lot of choices for viable builds. The trial champ loadout is my fav.

The Hellbringer offers a lot of build variety, but due to limited weight it tends to excel at lazor puke. Makes for good deadside builds with lasers, which is good because the mech is borderline glass cannon.
Over all good hardpoint locations plus ecm = win.

The Timberwolf is still one of the best mechs in game period.

[Gibson Ibanez]

Thanks everyone.

To clarify, I do own every Kodiak -- SB, (S), 1-5 -- and I have Atlases, Battlemasters and Blackjacks elited but screwed up and sold a least favorite Battlemaster and Blackjack chassis each. (I did not think the extra module slot would be a big deal and wanted to open a couple of mechbays...D'OH!)

I am mainly an assault pilot. Since I bought the Kodiaks I have been working to master them and really have not piloted anything else. My favorite is the Spirit Bear which definitely is a brawler with 4 srm6-Artemis, LB-20X, 2 spl copied from Metamechs.

I was also thinking of buying the AS7-S but forgot to list it. It is supposed the be even better than the Spirit bear with the shotgun loadout and I do love my Atlases. I feel like I cheated on them when I bought the Kodiaks.

[mailin]

Because you're feel that you are primarily an assault driver, I'd suggest Timberwolf or Hellbringer next. The Timberwolf is one of the best mechs out there. It is fast, can mount jump jets and has a variety of hardpoints. The Hellbringer is decent, but it's main advantage is ECM, which if you stay close to the fatties in it can be a game changer. It doesn't have the number of available weapons at one time that the TBR has, but they also don't get focused as hard. However, you will still get focused by those who recognize the importance of ECM. Also, ECM is better than radar deprivation.

I can't speak to the Hunchie IIC as far as driving them goes. But I do know that they pop pretty well.
No matter what though, you need to plan on buying 3 variants and take them to full mastery. At higher levels that extra module slot can be really important.

Like others have said before, get mechs first. Modules will come eventually.

When you are looking at buying modules, one general rule that I use is the slower the mech the more important seismic is: I don't worry about it in my Spiders beccause they're always on the move.

[p4r4g0n]

Jack McKnight, on 09 July 2016 - 04:55 AM, said:

Thanks everyone.

To clarify, I do own every Kodiak -- SB, (S), 1-5 --
-snip-

I hope you are already aware of this but if you are not, please note that PGI normally refrains from tweaking new mechs i.e. nerfing mechs that are recently released until they are released for C-Bills. Given the way the Kodiak 3 is now, be prepared for some changes. It will still be viable but maybe no longer top of the heap.

[Aleksandr Sergeyevich Kerensky]

Assaults almost require radar derp, since out maneuvering the opponent is essential to the assault class!

Definatelly get that!

Seizmic also hells for the same exact reason!

[Gibson Ibanez]

Thanks again for the tips.

Since my Kodiaks do not have ecm and lrms love them, I ponied up the c-bills for radar deprivation. I played a couple of matches with it and I can already see a huge difference.

I just hope I remember to move it from mech to mech as I try to master them.

[Sadistic Savior]

Jack McKnight, on 08 July 2016 - 07:35 PM, said:

I am currently sitting on 14.1 million c-bills. (My accountant says it has been laundered, so I guess that means it is clean)

I am torn between buying a new clan mech(s) -- Hunchback IIC chassis or two, a Shadow Cat, a Hellbringer or a Timberwolf -- OR -- Using it to finish unlocking the Seismic and Radar Deprivation modules that I have now unlocked with GXP.

My instincts are telling me to unlock the modules but I have never used ANY modules.

Please advise and please forgive my feeble attempt at humor.

I'd say buy the mechs first.

I would not get any IIc variants until you have some real Clan mechs though (ones that use Omnipods).

[Koniving]

Avoid Shadow Cat for now, when a bit more hardened come back to it.

Seismic, etc as Alex mentioned great for assaults or slow Mechs. Personally use it on slower heavies and mediums.

Hellbringer is great fun, remember to beef armor it seriously lacks it.

Hunch IIC is one I haven't tried yet but I'm certain it's as good as the hbk with not so fast firing rates.

Timber of course is good. Remember 2 rear rest front and you'll see why it has some neg quirks . A hitbox change to make the rear matter more and it wouldn't need negative quirks.

Edited by Koniving, 09 July 2016 - 10:42 AM.

[S 0 L E N Y A]

p4r4g0n, on 09 July 2016 - 06:16 AM, said:

I hope you are already aware of this but if you are not, please note that PGI normally refrains from tweaking new mechs i.e. nerfing mechs that are recently released until they are released for C-Bills. Given the way the Kodiak 3 is now, be prepared for some changes. It will still be viable but maybe no longer top of the heap.

True. But the question is how?
I cant see much more than it droping or reducing its current quirks. It will still be beastly sans quirks

[p4r4g0n]

They could always do a negative quirk, the Timber Wolf still has some.