16 replies to this topic

[Clownwarlord]

OK I know the mech overall when compared to other mechs the Archers are considered meh or bad. But because a lot of famous or infamous or characters in Mechwarrrior or Battletech universe piloted the mech I want one.

Now I know I can not get the hero mech even though I know if I could I would but I can't so that leaves me three variants. So out of the 3 variants I could get for CBills which mech should I get to fill this Archer fixation?

I am looking to use mostly as a lrm mech but backed up with some close range just for them pesky lights.

Please if you can share builds.

Edited by Clownwarlord, 16 January 2017 - 12:25 AM.

[Oberost]

The 5W.

[Stefan the Usurper Amaris]

Well i just picked up the -5W with the 9 Missile hardpoint. Ive seen builds with a mix of SRM and LRM. Seems to work for them based on my observations. Some games i do great and other times my lucks run out

[BoldricKent]

5W is the ultimate LRM boat, having 9 missile hardpoints, you could use arm ones
for srms (to defend pesky lights), top one for narc and 4 torso mounted for Lrms, that would make you one man band. But there is a glitch, tonnage and heat, to mount all that hardpoints with sufficient ammo youll need xl and some heatsinks. My suggestion would use srm2 on arms, lrm 5or 10 on torso, narc on top. Without artimis, for tonnage sake. Try using STD engine or at least 300Xl. You can go 9x5lrms as well make a flood out of rain.

2R- is a standard LRm boat for me , 3xAlrm10 with 4ML in arms, command console for fast lock, with BAP, using an XL on it. Its a response Lrm boat, therefor lrms are bit smaller, with deeper ammo bins, usual deployment is around 550-200 m. Never stand still, dont play lineholder.

5S- is the strangest one, it has best structure quirks, worse missile ones and its hardpoints are cross between 2R and 5W trading missile points for energy. For durability a better one, which makes use of STD even easier, how ever setup id s bit different. MPLs with srm6 on arms, Lrms in torso. Top energy points a hard to use, since cockpit is really low.

[El Bandito]

Get 5W, sell the rest. Archer's super low mounted cockpit means that it will never be more than a niche mech.

[TWIAFU]

El Bandito, on 16 January 2017 - 04:13 AM, said:

Get 5W, sell the rest. Archer's super low mounted cockpit means that it will never be more than a niche mech.

Personally, as a long time TT player, I bought all mechs of the Classic Collection, you know, nostalgia and was happy enough to see them, PGI earned my money for releasing them.

Far as Archers, they may be niche or may not, one thing is for sure, I smile, win or loose, while playing them. They are a decent missile platform but for them to excel, like any dedicated LRM, they need a wingman to keep them covered.

Archer is not a meta mech. Archer is a fun mech to drive. Archer can find a place in the MWO battlefield and do well.

OP, IMPO, as a TT player and a longtime fan of BT, do it; get the Archers. For the simple 'fun factor' Archer is worth the C-bills, MC, RL cash, all the Classics are. Keep in mind they are not top tier but they are enjoyable to own and pilot.

I hope you get them and enjoy them in the long run.

[Boulangerie]

BoldricKent, on 16 January 2017 - 12:52 AM, said:

2R- is a standard LRm boat for me , 3xAlrm10 with 4ML in arms, command console for fast lock, with BAP, using an XL on it. Its a response Lrm boat, therefor lrms are bit smaller, with deeper ammo bins, usual deployment is around 550-200 m. Never stand still, dont play lineholder.

Good advice, except that Command Console doesn't decrease your lock time. It decreases target info gathering time, which is the paperdoll. The BAP is still necessary for countering ECM however. I'd swap that tonnage for the CC into a larger engine, which will help you stay with the team and reposition.

For the 9 hardpoint, I'd suggest LRM5s or 10s max, because since you're adding in some smaller SRM tubes, you don't really want to add Artemis. The reason is that you'll have to use Artemis SRMS, and since they are smaller launchers, you are adding on one ton each for a minimal gain in the spread. It is great for SRM6s, but for 2s or 4s, you don't really need that, especially for a backup weapon. If you are running LRM5s, you don't need artemis either, so they synergize well.

The high mounted E points are also a great place to stick a TAG, in case you wanted some ability to counter ECM at range, and if you are playing actively (moving with team, sharing armor) you'll get a lot of use out of it. You also get good CBill rewards with the TAG.

[Escef]

I've gotten good results from the 5W with 5xLRM5 and 4xSRM4. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...aec91628bbdc8d2

[Bud Crue]

Oberost, on 16 January 2017 - 12:18 AM, said:

The 5W.

The 5W (with the 5/4 split of LRM5s and SRM4s) is really the only one that gives you a game play option/feel that you can't already get in a Catapult, and the Catapult is just better and more fun to play with the same/similar potential builds. So yeah 5W.

Edit...this gets me to thinking: if PGI really does get rid of most quirks (other than those that Russ says are necessary for underperformers like "his dragon") I wonder how many people will just end up dumping mechs like the Archer 5S or 2R. I mean will we ever see them in the game again? Or do you think PGI will back track further and rather than eliminate flavor quirks make them a greater aspect in order to drive folks to purchase middling (not bad, just middling) mechs like these?

Edited by Bud Crue, 16 January 2017 - 05:38 AM.

[Oberost]

Bud Crue, on 16 January 2017 - 05:35 AM, said:

The 5W (with the 5/4 split of LRM5s and SRM4s) is really the only one that gives you a game play option/feel that you can't already get in a Catapult, and the Catapult is just better and more fun to play with the same/similar potential builds. So yeah 5W.

Edit...this gets me to thinking: if PGI really does get rid of most quirks (other than those that Russ says are necessary for underperformers like "his dragon") I wonder how many people will just end up dumping mechs like the Archer 5S or 2R. I mean will we ever see them in the game again? Or do you think PGI will back track further and rather than eliminate flavor quirks make them a greater aspect in order to drive folks to purchase middling (not bad, just middling) mechs like these?

No, because old mechs can be purchased with in-game currency and PGI needs that you spend real money in their new toys...

[El Bandito]

TWIAFU, on 16 January 2017 - 04:40 AM, said:

Far as Archers, they may be niche or may not, one thing is for sure, I smile, win or loose, while playing them. They are a decent missile platform but for them to excel, like any dedicated LRM, they need a wingman to keep them covered.

Archer is not a meta mech. Archer is a fun mech to drive. Archer can find a place in the MWO battlefield and do well.

Oh, I love playing with the 5W. Otherwise I wouldn't have made a thread like this. https://mwomercs.com...nown-as-arc-5w/

Still, once the Kodiaks and NGyrs came out for C-Bills, I dropped it. The low cockpit really hampers the mech's performance.

[Bud Crue]

Oberost, on 16 January 2017 - 05:58 AM, said:

[/b]

No, because old mechs can be purchased with in-game currency and PGI needs that you spend real money in their new toys...

I think you will be proven right. I hope you (and I) are proven wrong.

[Brain Cancer]

For a decent mix of missile capacity and the energy weapons to back it up, the -5S.

No Archer goes more missilecrazy than the -5W though, because ALL THE HARDPOINTS.

[Vellron2005]

My Archer is one of my top-performing mechs, I use a 2 x LRM15 + 6 x MLAS build.. it kills alot..

[The Basilisk]

Don't like the 5W personaly.
Its the 3R with TAG, 3LRM10 and 5Mlasers or the 5S with Quad SRM4 and 3LPLs for me.

Edited by The Basilisk, 17 January 2017 - 02:36 AM.

[Alex Morgaine]

made one into a 70 ton thug. actually kinda fun.

[Stefan the Usurper Amaris]

If played right and with the support of others locking targets, you can get good results.