13 replies to this topic

[Vermin]

[Vermin]

I wanted to start this thread up to bring to light something I find fascinating. The raw Damage to tonnage ratio of the MDD as well as its ability to keep up with most mediums.

I have always been a fan of the Mad Dog since MW2, either on the pc, ps2, so on. So back when the Vulture came to roost in MWO I was thoroughly excited.

Sadly I would have liked to pull its engine in favor of a slower one to replicate my builds in MW4-mercs a bit better (ammo problems on the 5x, heat problems on the srm6's)

Anyway I wanted to start up a conversation about playstyles people favor.

Edited by Vermin, 28 June 2016 - 02:40 AM.

[invernomuto]

Thread subscribed, Mad Dog will probably be my next Clan mech after the Kodiak and the Timberwolf (I am still thorn between the MDD or the HBR).

[Vermin]

I never liked Hellbringer in previous mechwarrior games myself. Mind you, in MWO ECM on a heavy is a big deal.

[grendeldog]

Vermin, on 28 June 2016 - 05:55 AM, said:

I never liked Hellbringer in previous mechwarrior games myself. Mind you, in MWO ECM on a heavy is a big deal.

The HBR is actually also relatively tanky; the MDD is not so much. However, I have found the Mad Dog to be a fun mech to play. It's not meta, but depending on the weapon loadout you can deal more damage than a 60 ton mech might be expected to produce. The key with the MDD is to corner peek when using the arms because they are so low and the cockpit so high that you'll hit the dirt all the time if you try to hump a hill vertically.

Each chassis has its advantages and disadvantages. The Hellbringer wins out from the perspective of high alpha gauss-puke meta, even with the jesusbox (ECM) having been somewhat castrated compared to the old days, but I don't want to play that kind of mech all day every day. Sometimes I feel like taking out my MDDs for some 6 * LRM5 hail or 2 * LRM15 rain, or 4 to 6 ASRM6 splattery, just for the challenge of piloting a mech with difficult hitboxes and a mixed loadout.

I would recommend the HBR to newer players over the MDD because it is more forgiving, but both can be fun and effective chassis.

[invernomuto]

Which is the best MDD variant to start with? MDD-A?

[Vermin]

A is the one I run most often, but since omnipods exist they all end up pretty much the same. one note is the 60% Accelleration rate/Decelleration as well as torso twist perks the C has.

Mind you you end up spending out via the omnipods to get those LOVELY 6 chest slots that the A variant has split between its left and right torso's.

The A's perks are good as well, 45% acc/decel, 35% turn, 30% torso twist. The 'Big Bird-A' moves like a medium, which aids it greatly. However I am inclined to agree with you that the A variant does boast the best hardpoints straight outta-the-box.

Edited by Vermin, 28 June 2016 - 06:37 PM.

[Vermin]

grendeldog, on 28 June 2016 - 09:36 AM, said:

The HBR is actually also relatively tanky; the MDD is not so much. However, I have found the Mad Dog to be a fun mech to play. It's not meta, but depending on the weapon loadout you can deal more damage than a 60 ton mech might be expected to produce. The key with the MDD is to corner peek when using the arms because they are so low and the cockpit so high that you'll hit the dirt all the time if you try to hump a hill vertically.

Each chassis has its advantages and disadvantages. The Hellbringer wins out from the perspective of high alpha gauss-puke meta, even with the jesusbox (ECM) having been somewhat castrated compared to the old days, but I don't want to play that kind of mech all day every day. Sometimes I feel like taking out my MDDs for some 6 * LRM5 hail or 2 * LRM15 rain, or 4 to 6 ASRM6 splattery, just for the challenge of piloting a mech with difficult hitboxes and a mixed loadout.

I would recommend the HBR to newer players over the MDD because it is more forgiving, but both can be fun and effective chassis.

I agree totally (especially since i recommend new players choose a mech with ECM until they can unlock the module Radar Deprivation). I have always played the MDD as if it were a medium armed like an assault.

Another interesting note is that the MDD has its cockpit up top, not centered in its torso, this has the side effect of it actually doing far better as a brawler than could be expected as head shots are far less common (compared to a timberwolf for example).

Edited by Vermin, 28 June 2016 - 05:31 PM.

[xengk]

Love the Dog, tend to run my dogs with stock components.
My favourite being the B and PRIME variant.
Play fire support/escort to Assault or other Heavy.

[krevLL]

I just got my 4th variant ( B ), don't ask why I got it last. I just did, and all of them look pretty much like A's anyway. I find I do the best with LRM loadouts, since when I use SRMs or SSRMs I find myself brawling too early, and not smartly. Running at and singling out a single mech surrounded by allies is a terrible way to play. Unhelpful. That being said, I've flanked and single-alphad both a Warhawk and an Awesome with a 6xSRM6+AIV build. That was fun. Depends on playstyle for best loadout, but I love my MDDs!

Edited by krevLL, 05 July 2016 - 06:00 PM.

[Batt Country]

I purchased the MDD-C and really enjoy it. I replaced the gauss rifles with UAC-10s and maxed out the armor. I can brawl and escort assault mechs pretty well. I tend to score higher with this build than I do with the Prime MDD.

[SN95Mustang]

I love my annoying 6xCLRM 5 and 2x CERMED laser build. 1. Chainfire for days. 2. Feed on tears. 3. Win.

[FuhNuGi]

Love my -A as a boat w/lrm 50 and 3x erml.
Also have a prime for more direct action.

I preferred the Dog over the Hellbringer, just seemed more mobile and survivable. ECM is nice, but the radar deprivation mod makes up for that. I have other mechs for ecm. The Dog brings the damage.

I like the firepower the Dog can bring, enough different hardpoints to allow a wide range of play styles. Enough quirks to work with in the chassis variations to help with most setups also.

[Crow Splat]

I play my MDD just like it's IS namesake, a vulture. I stick to the outskirts of a fight and poke with an ERPPC. 2x LRM 5 keep people honest and get them to tuck back into cover when I want.

The longer the game goes, the more it plays into my hands. When the brawling starts I'll throw in pot shots and circle around to the enemy rear. When they start to break contact, find one with open or nearly open torsos and let the LB20-X and 3x SRM 4 do work.