66 replies to this topic

[MechWarrior Sulik n Grampy Bone]

I feel that this PXH-2 not only captures the spirit of the Phoenix Hawk, but it also nudges an interested, new-to-the-PXH player toward working with the team in various roles and at varying ranges.
Its level of armor and durability, along with its considerable mobility, make it an exceptional 'Mech for information warfare. The TAG is great for revealing enemies, which can be done from cover.
It delivers when it comes to putting damage in the right place at the right time, which has been a rewarding experience, and it truly feels like a Phoenix Hawk, which is important to me. Seriously, in terms of lance-level action I am usually getting pumped in this 'Mech whenever I am cooperating with teammates. It also plays well as a lonewolf when necessary. Most enemies don't really want to mess with it because it is mobile, reasonable with heat, and typically more trouble than they want to chew. The pilot has to earn it, but it is fun figuring it out.

I've played this build almost exclusively (maybe completely ... probably) while mastering the variant, and I've looked forward to it every time; I continue to, honestly.

Endo-Steel
11 Double Heat Sinks
XL 295 (106.2 kph+)
6 x Jump Jets (70.31m)
Guardian ECM
2 x ER LL (RA)
1 x TAG (RA)
3 x Small Laser (LA)
Armor Rating: 304 / 306

Maybe the torso armor placement scheme should look something more like (37 / 07) (48 / 08) (37 / 07). That should be workable.

While some of the builds here are good, most of them are narrowing in their invitation to play another new BattleMech; or they appeal to current quirks which are on their way out; or they are a little bit advanced for a new player who owns no 'Mechs and wants to get into the game. (2 PPCs or an AC10 are more of a rewarding build for a 'Mech you actually own, in my mind, and not very much like the Phoenix Hawk...even if they are formidable; similar with something like 3 LPL)
Although a Trial-Champion Phoenix Hawk with MASC would be bad to the bone, the PXH-3S with an upgraded stock loadout might be the best you can find for the hardpoints. . . And this brings a question to my mind: how are quirks for Trial 'Mechs going to be handled once MechWarriors are assigning their own characteristics to their 'Mechs? Will Trial variant quirks resemble their configurations of quirks from recent balances of the game? I think that'd be plenty cool.

Beyond advertising, I recommend this 'Mech. Your team might thank you, and you will always find a smile awaiting in one of your 'Mech Bays. Go play it. 8-)

Edited by MechWarrior Sulik n Grampy Bone, 14 January 2017 - 01:13 PM.

[King Kahuna]

So the PHX-2 is one of my favorite mechs. Such a fun combination of speed, JJ maneuverability, ECM and decent fire power. Both of the builds below are ones I run that are new player friendly with good heat management profiles. The weapon mix is set to provide good range, while keeping the range within the bracket of a light hunter, scout or general purpose medium unit that has options.

PHOENIX HAWK PXH-2 123 72 50 1.44 108 63 1.71 42,172 186,977 15:50:29 Not the best stats but I am proud of what I have accomplished in the last year.

Classic Hawk Muscle Mech Rides:

Notes:
Part of my overall build concept had to do with a lore concept in mind. The PHX almost always featured a LL. It just seems right. That not only felt right, it works well in these builds.
Weapons: LL provides some ability for poking or extra range for that light unit that is out pacing you. The LL is a better weapon for this unit as a Light hunter vs the ERLL. This build is not a sniper and the LL is meant to be used when you have a free in-range free shot. The shorter burn and lower heat helps in high intensity fast paced battles. Either MPL or ML provide the base of your FP. This unit is not dependent on quirks or any special gimmick while avoiding ghost heat issues.

Maneuverability: High speed and jump ability is key while being able to still carry enough fire power, armor and heat sinks to not overwhelm the MechWarrior. Speed on this unit lets you get in (and out) of your best or worst situations.

Armor: Maxed with the exception of 2 points missing from the head. The PHX is a excellent flanker and can get in over its head if cut off. The more durability you bring the longer you are in the fight. This placement works for me but some could be taken from the front to the back if needed.

Heat: I find that with the all energy loadout the more DHS the better for a newer pilot. I also tend to play these units in a very high tempo way so the heat efficiency is great. This is especially true on hotter maps. Avoids ghost heat. This is key for a new MechWarrior as learning to control heat is key. You want to keep this as simple as possible at first.

"Vett"
[color="#0f72da"]http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6e22e8705f35922[/color]
This unit offers 120 KPH speed, 4 JJ, 1LL, 3 MPL with a XL310 and 2 extra internal HS and close to max armor. DHS, Endo and FF. This unit favors the more experienced MechWarrior with its pinpoint firepower. ECM standard.

"Mustang"
[color="#0f72da"]http://mwo.smurfy-ne...febd9499751b3dc[/color]
This unit offers 116 KPH, 6 JJ, 1 LL, 4 ML with a XL300, 2 extra internal HS and 2 extra external HS and the same armor profile. DHS with Endo. This unit plays very similarly to the above unit with better jump ability and weapon range. ECM standard.

Weapon groups: LL: 2, MPL or ML on 1 and 3 for chain fire.

Beginning MechWarrior note: An XL300 is a very good engine to have in the garage of a new MechWarrior. This is a versatile engine with many applications. For this reason I would pick option 2 for a champion build. As a new pilot with a starting garage, engines are at a premium.

Edit: more detail & depth.

Edited by King Kahuna, 16 January 2017 - 12:07 AM.

[The6thMessenger]

PXH-2 XL355 + ECM + 6x ML

[Grinster]

Kali Rinpoche, on 13 January 2017 - 09:37 PM, said:

PXH-1B

300 XL
2 DHS
2 JJ
2 PPC (right side)
ECM

Good idea putting one of the PPCs on the RT. Lose the arm and keep on trucking.

[MechWarrior Sulik n Grampy Bone]

There is also this PXH-1.
To be honest, I have not put this 'Mech together, let alone piloted it, but with the way MGs are working these days, this is a BattleMech in which I would not mind running around in a Faction Play drop. Maybe I just wanted this build to be seen. Even so, my brain says: "yes."
... Go ahead and put an ER Large Laser on there.

[Frytrixa]

PXH-1B(C)

By far the best optimized PPC popper with ~47m jump distance, good cooling and high mounted PPC for extra fun

[Nullmancer]

GhostNemesys, on 13 January 2017 - 04:05 PM, said:

Do new players know about ghost heat though? So they won't alpha all the time and get the heat penalty?

think of it like an exercise in learning fire control.

[Palfatreos]

PXH-1K (6 x ML, 2 x MPL, XL300))

[Kojak Bear]

Submitting Champion builds for the Phoenix Hawk

Build 1: Mid-range harasser.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...8962bf7461c0e41


Build 2: Laser Sniper

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...9d91db7e8fc14d5

[axe64]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2c5e75018dcb73b

[Pelmeshek]

IS answer for clan IFR.
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...388a62393ff9c4a

[Leone]

PXH-1B

One of the very few mechs I have that uses large lasers of any variety, and my favourite build so far.
3 Large Lasers
2 Machine Guns
1 Flamer
1 Ecm
2 Jump Jets
XL 270

~Leone

Edited by Leone, 14 January 2017 - 10:44 AM.

[Nereud]

PXH-1B(C) : XL265, 3xER Large Laser, Guardian ECM, 5x Jump Jets, 2xDHS
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...6af926975a1e8cd

[Colonel Puff]

Original Puff Phoenix Hawk-3S build,
Nicknamed: "Blitz"

XL 355 Engine
MASC MKII
Radar Dep if you have it
1 Lrg pulse laser(swap for Lrg laser and add two mg's/ton of ammo)
2 Med lasers

Top Speed W/tweak/MASC... 169KPH!!! Outruns all Mechs and matches Deaths Knell and locusts top speeds and turns on the dime!

I would post to Smurphies/Mechspecs but I don't know how
Edit 1: Thanks to the awesome Jay Leon Hart this mech is now on smurphies! Much obliged good sir!
link: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3dcae7137d8c28e

Edited by Colonel Puff, 14 January 2017 - 08:19 PM.

[McGosy]

PXH-1B(C-ERPPC3ML2MG4JJXL300)

[smurfy]http://mwo.smurfy-ne...617bf060f76cb5c[/smurfy]

[Jay Leon Hart]

Colonel Puff, on 14 January 2017 - 12:32 PM, said:

Original Puff Phoenix Hawk-3S build,
Nicknamed: "Blitz"

XL 355 Engine
MASC MKII
Radar Dep if you have it
1 Lrg pulse laser(swap for Lrg laser and add two mg's/ton of ammo)
2 Med lasers

Top Speed W/tweak/MASC... 169KPH!!! Outruns all Mechs and matches Deaths Knell and locusts top speeds and turns on the dime!

I would post to Smurphies/Mechspecs but I don't know how

TADA!

Just add it to your post.

[Katpocalypse Meow]

PXH-1K "The Flame Hawk"

All the Flamers
All the DHS
XL300
Ferro

This is by far my favorite Phoenix Hawk Build. I know what a lot of you are thinking, "but it doesn't do any damage!" Damage isn't the point of this build, this is close support. You stick with the brawlers and while the enemy is focused on the heavies/assaults you light them up and take away their weapons leaving them helpless. You won't do much damage and you'll never get a kill but you'll get lots of assist and can actually make a HUGE difference in a match.

[Bigga Moonpye]

PXH-1B
4 MPL
2 SMG
ecm
FAST and jumpy

[Bigga Moonpye]

Colonel Puff, on 14 January 2017 - 12:32 PM, said:

Original Puff Phoenix Hawk-3S build,
Nicknamed: "Blitz"

XL 355 Engine
MASC MKII
Radar Dep if you have it
1 Lrg pulse laser(swap for Lrg laser and add two mg's/ton of ammo)
2 Med lasers

Top Speed W/tweak/MASC... 169KPH!!! Outruns all Mechs and matches Deaths Knell and locusts top speeds and turns on the dime!

I would post to Smurphies/Mechspecs but I don't know how

Jay Leon Hart, on 14 January 2017 - 01:02 PM, said:

TADA!

i like where you're going with this.. but maybe drop the engine a bit for some JJ... not taking JJ is a bad idea..
PXH-3S
maybe?

Edited by Bigga Moonpye, 14 January 2017 - 02:40 PM.

[Nelos Kniven]

Here is a Phoenix with 1 AC5, 2 medlasers, AMS and CASE. Max armor, 4 jumpjets and 88 kmph. good for sniping