44 replies to this topic

[Hellskeep]

I choose the Hunchback for my first mech set to build up. I use Trebuchet to get my 25 rounds in. That first kill and win without dying was an accomplishment that was well earned. I choose the hunch for the brawler concept (ac 10, 4 med lasets) plus I'd have a missile variance cause I used missiles in a supportive manner in the trial.

My questions are those who use hunches, what is the best position to engage? Do you allow the Heavy and Assault pilots soften up enemy armour or do you kill the fleas that speed up to kill your slower teammates?

What primary roll for hunchback should be best?

[Rogue Jedi]

There is no absolute correct answer th that, the best role for a Hunchback depends on many factors, which varient? What is the loadout? How do you prefer playing?

I coult tell you how I use the 4G with an aC20 moving at 88 but that advice would be wrong if you had an AC10 or Gauss, and would be worthless for the 4P, 4SP or 4J

Most Hunchbacks can work well as brawlers but that does not mean they all will.

A standard engine Hunchback is realy durable but if you loose the hunch it looses most of its weapons

[SpootieBloot]

I appreciate all of the responses! I was thinking of putting some cash into the game, when is the loyalty reward thingie to fet the BJ-2?

Is the hero Blackjack any good?

[Koniving]

SpootieBloot, on 02 September 2016 - 01:07 PM, said:

I appreciate all of the responses! I was thinking of putting some cash into the game, when is the loyalty reward thingie to fet the BJ-2?

Is the hero Blackjack any good?

Mixed feelings on the hero. Sometimes it is pretty sweet, sometimes it frustrates me.

You mean when does it deliver?
October 6th. 10 AM PST (1 PM EST).
https://mwomercs.com/profile/content

Just qualified for the BJ-2.

Hellskeep, on 01 September 2016 - 05:44 PM, said:

I choose the Hunchback for my first mech set to build up. I use Trebuchet to get my 25 rounds in. That first kill and win without dying was an accomplishment that was well earned. I choose the hunch for the brawler concept (ac 10, 4 med lasets) plus I'd have a missile variance cause I used missiles in a supportive manner in the trial.

My questions are those who use hunches, what is the best position to engage? Do you allow the Heavy and Assault pilots soften up enemy armour or do you kill the fleas that speed up to kill your slower teammates?

What primary roll for hunchback should be best?

I've got every single Hunchback... including Hero and Founder's Inception version of the 4G.

And just like Rogue said, it depends on what variant. Hunchbacks are good workhorses, they can fulfill many roles with each variant though some do it better than others.

Killing the "fleas" is best for 4SP, 4J and maybe 4P with certain equipment.

Edited by Koniving, 02 September 2016 - 01:20 PM.

[Gibson Ibanez]

SpootieBloot, on 02 September 2016 - 01:07 PM, said:

I appreciate all of the responses! I was thinking of putting some cash into the game, when is the loyalty reward thingie to fet the BJ-2?

Is the hero Blackjack any good?

Welcome to MWO!

I own the Arrow Blackjack hero and can tell you it is a good mech. I run mine with 6mgs and 3 mpls.

WORD OF WARNING: I used it in a match one time and it glitched out. My machine guns were continuously firing but it did not show it on my end. I almost killed one of my teammares from behind and pretty much sprayed everyone in the general area. Watch your ammo after you fire a burst with the mgs because they may lock.

[Audacious Aubergine]

Jack McKnight, on 02 September 2016 - 01:18 PM, said:

Welcome to MWO!

I own the Arrow Blackjack hero and can tell you it is a good mech. I run mine with 6mgs and 3 mpls.

WORD OF WARNING: I used it in a match one time and it glitched out. My machine guns were continuously firing but it did not show it on my end. I almost killed one of my teammares from behind and pretty much sprayed everyone in the general area. Watch your ammo after you fire a burst with the mgs because they may lock.

Also to answer the question about the role of Hunchbacks, the simplified answer is "Stay alive, shoot the bad guys" The best part about the chassis is there's a variant for every range

[Lucius Dominus]

You can't go wrong with a hunchback.

[Koniving]

Jack McKnight, on 02 September 2016 - 01:18 PM, said:

Welcome to MWO!

I own the Arrow Blackjack hero and can tell you it is a good mech. I run mine with 6mgs and 3 mpls.

WORD OF WARNING: I used it in a match one time and it glitched out. My machine guns were continuously firing but it did not show it on my end. I almost killed one of my teammares from behind and pretty much sprayed everyone in the general area. Watch your ammo after you fire a burst with the mgs because they may lock.

Was there for that. o.O;

[Gibson Ibanez]

Audacious Aubergine, on 02 September 2016 - 01:35 PM, said:

Also to answer the question about the role of Hunchbacks, the simplified answer is "Stay alive, shoot the bad guys" The best part about the chassis is there's a variant for every range

HAHAHAHAAA!!! Nailed it!

That was pretty funny though. I was at a complete loss. I wish I had a video of it.

Koniving, on 02 September 2016 - 02:10 PM, said:

Was there for that. o.O;

Heh

That was wild.

[Syanis]

First off I'll say I'm not reading through everyone else's posts but skimmed a few.

I'd first off suggest to NOT buy any mastery bundles at least until you have a strong feel for the game and your style and even then to me its just not worth it. I don't see a point spending real $$$ just so you can get something quicker then grinding it in the game. What I may suggest is if their is a steam sale for a MWO pack they are great deals then (but only on sale). Beyond that possibly a Resistance pack (cheaper then clan and depending on style and which can get some nice cbill grind mechs).

As far as your core questions skip completely modules for now. If you find your a sniper and LOVE to snipe at long range then maybe an advanced zoom or a radar derp. But more importantly in my opinion is getting the coolshot boosts 20% effect and 9x9 and then airstrike (or artillery if you prefer artillery). Modules come into play later on as your skill increases but for a new player modules just aren't the thing quite yet.

So what I would recommend is while sticking to trials decide what you feel most comfortable with be it a brawler, long range, medium range, or maybe a ballistic lover. Then go for a medium/heavy that fits that and work towards 3 variants and mastery (lights and assaults are very situational and are more difficult to play at tier 5 when teamwork is majorly lacking). But do aim for something you think will be a cbill winner and it doesn't hurt if you did drop the money to pick up a hero mech for the 30% cbill boost that fits your style.

What mechs first to get changes every few months as nerfs come in and new mechs are released. What you read before may no longer apply even if written just 3 months ago.

I'll include a few I don't think you can go wrong with though in the medium/heavy range which I think is a great start.

Ebon Jag - all around good for numerous different built types.
Mad Dog - Great for Streak and SRM killers
Crab - Solid speed and can get some range with lasers or the behind the brawler laser vomit.
Black Knight - Great for laser vomit if you can stand the low hardpoints.
Nova - Laser vomit brawler for short range galore or pop tart sniper.
Hunchbacks and Hunchback IIC's can do various things with them and lots of versitility.

Plenty of other great mechs out there as well but many are far more limited and/or will only find one or two variants worth it while others are just *meh* crap you have to deal with,

[Mechwarrior Ellis]

I love the looks of the Kodiaks and was thinking of buying them. Are they good mechs?

[Koniving]

Mechwarrior Ellis, on 04 September 2016 - 09:57 AM, said:

I love the looks of the Kodiaks and was thinking of buying them. Are they good mechs?

I just bought them the night before last but haven't fielded them yet.

Give me a few hours and I'll have some feedback to let you know.

I will tell you, that like any other assault mech, you'll be high on the "Kill it, KILL IT!" priority list, more so since there seems to be an ongoing impression that Kodiaks (particularly the "3") are "overpowered." Not that actual Kodiak users believe this. I personally found them relatively easy to deal with when outmatched by one, provided I use a few tricks. Their hitboxes have changed and I haven't encountered them since the change (but I haven't played much in the last month either as I've been taking a break).

I'm really excited about twin LBX-20s high mounted in the chest, though.

[Gibson Ibanez]

Welcome to MWO Mechwarrior Ellis!

I personally love the Kodiaks. As Koniving said, they are usually high priority targets and will get focused down quickly. You have to pick your fights. I try to be patient and use my autocannons to soften targets up before I like to push. NEVER push into a bunch of fresh mechs. The Kodiak is not as tough as an Atlas.

@Koniving, I would be happy to run Kodiaks with you. At least I will not be shooting anyone in the back with machine guns. O_o

[Koniving]

Jack McKnight, on 04 September 2016 - 10:44 AM, said:

Welcome to MWO Mechwarrior Ellis!

I personally love the Kodiaks. As Koniving said, they are usually high priority targets and will get focused down quickly. You have to pick your fights. I try to be patient and use my autocannons to soften targets up before I like to push. NEVER push into a bunch of fresh mechs. The Kodiak is not as tough as an Atlas.

@Koniving, I would be happy to run Kodiaks with you. At least I will not be shooting anyone in the back with machine guns. O_o

You're not putting MGs on your Kodiak!?
For shame!

I'm logging in to drop right now.

[Koniving]

Will be taking more footage tomorrow and uploading it all then.

In the mean time I will say this.
Despite the impressive speed for its size at 64.8 kph, it is slow and lumbering. Positioning is everything (as you will see in my forthcoming video; especially where I take out 200 tons of enemies in about 16 seconds or less due to perfect positioning)... And this mech is far from invincible; in fact I find it rather fragile when under focus fire which it will be pretty much all the time.

In one or two vs me fights, it holds its own and will usually win if it doesn't blow itself up with its thermal issues... which has happened several times. It is in desperate need of cooling power but more cooling means fewer weapons and it isn't loaded with a lot of spare slots due to the structure and possibly armor upgrades giving it more available tonnage.

The high mounts on autocannons and SRMs are perhaps some of its best features.

Will have more opinions and such tomorrow.

[Koniving]

To tide you over, some Atlas play for comparison.
How the general populous believes an Atlas (or any assault) should be played...and how everyone else should play around it whenever possible (the two Atlases almost never stops; entire team follows them in support).


In one of the scenes in the upcoming video, I take one out in less than 8 seconds, followed by a Kodiak in front of him using my Kodiak.

Kodiak kinda feels like running this Atlas setup; so many weapon groups to deal with.


The 3 feels like a Mauler. Note: There's very useful 'range' information here of AC versus LBX ballistic weaponry. There's also an almost simultaneous double kill.


The best overall comparison I can think of is the Banshee.


So in short, you'll most likely enjoy it. But probably after you get a good bit of practice first.

Going into the field to get more footage in a moment after changing the Kodiak builds from 'near stock' to something I'd more traditionally run.

[Koniving]

Mechwarrior Ellis, on 04 September 2016 - 09:57 AM, said:

I love the looks of the Kodiaks and was thinking of buying them. Are they good mechs?

I'm still uploading the big vids 1 and 2.

For now, this is the Kodiak perfect positioning short, where I got into the perfect place with the Kodiak-2 behind an enemy force.
Last night I reported I had killed an Atlas followed by a Kodiak as that is what I remember seeing. There was actually 300 tons (Atlas, Dire Wolf and Kodiak), of which I still killed 200 tons (Atlas and the Direwolf; not the Kodiak -- the Kodiak was killed by my allied front line during my pincer attack).

[Bandilly]

Modules are way to expensive to get early on, usually costing more than the mech itself to kit out and some of the bonuses are relatively minor. Now if you really only like one mech and master it and just keep grinding then I could see starting to drop all the modules you want on it. Early on though you'll want some variety, which is also needed for faction drops. This means you'll need more mech bays. You could grind out event earned MC and spend it all on bays, you will slowly get more bays, or:

Syanis, on 04 September 2016 - 06:49 AM, said:

I'd first off suggest to NOT buy any mastery bundles at least until you have a strong feel for the game and your style and even then to me its just not worth it. I don't see a point spending real $$$ just so you can get something quicker then grinding it in the game. What I may suggest is if their is a steam sale for a MWO pack they are great deals then (but only on sale). Beyond that possibly a Resistance pack (cheaper then clan and depending on style and which can get some nice cbill grind mechs).

I agree you should hold off to start, no sense in buying some mechs you may end up not liking at all....but if a new player finds that they really like playing the game and figures out what they like then the mastery bundles can be a really good deal. The packages have 30 days premium and 3 mech bays which all could cost you around $16 if bought separately. With the sale going on the average mastery bundle is about $21, so you're basically paying about $5 for 3 mechs. The lights are mostly cheaper than that $16, so with those packages you're getting discounted bays and premium time and the mechs are thrown in for free (granted you don't really get the bays since they're used immediately).

MWO might be free to play, but it takes money for them to keep the game going, they have to make some money. Spending a reasonable amount of money on a F2P game isn't a bad thing. Just keep it within your budget. I try compare what I'm spending on a F2P game to the old days where we had to buy our MMOs (EQ, WOW, others) and still pay a monthly fee on top of that.




Otherwise just keep grinding out that cash and perfecting your mechs load outs one at a time. Sometimes you'll spend around twice as much modding the mech as it costs to begin with. That is at least for IS mechs, if you need a new engine, endosteel, and to upgrade to double heat sinks you're going to need a lot of cash. Of course other times the chassis comes near perfect and only needs a few minor tweaks.

Edited by Bandilly, 05 September 2016 - 10:10 AM.

[Koniving]

So. Kodiaks. This one has them 'mostly' stock and plays Kodiaks 3, 2, and 1 (S) which is still the Kodiak 1 but with a 30% cbill bonus.

If you're pressed for time, skip to 3:30.

[Mechwarrior Ellis]

That was a good way to see some of the different Kodiaks. Thanks for that.

What would you guys say is the best clan assault mech? I have learned that I really really don't want to be in front of either the Dire Wolf or the Kodiak.