202 replies to this topic

[Eddie Money]

I understand, Jingseng. This has been a lot of help across myriad different wavering opinions from me, and I appreciate everyone's patience and willingness to help spread knowledge to newbies like me.

That said, all things considered and based on how I like playing... I think I'm going to go with a Locust, most likely. Or a Jenner, but Locusts are going to end up much less expensive...

I know there's gonna be a lot of frustration and a lot of times where I misjudge what I can do, overestimating what my speed is capable of getting me through, but I feel like I've learned a lot both over the course of this thread as well as reading up on whatever I could find on Mechs that I saw and thought were interesting. Light Mechs are what I want to pilot. In spite of the frustration that'll come with one.

[Ertur]

God have mercy on your soul. You have chosen a path of frustration and heart-ache.

There is joy; the feeling of soaring through the battlefield is one that no assault or heavy pilot can ever know.

[Koniving]

What Ertur means, is that by being the lightest mech there is.. there's the issue of being really easy to kill if you stop moving or move into the enemy while they are looking at you.

You can avoid a LOT of frustration with this simple step... Once the match starts... count to 20 or stick near the allies until they get on the front line (and then go back away from them and find a way to sneak against the enemy front line.)

Or, count to 40 or more preferably wait a whole minute... and then scout ahead of the team (because by then when you do find the enemy, your allies MIGHT be close enough to help you... 'cause you know, you're fast).

[Eddie Money]

So wait a little while before I go Rambo. Got it.

On another note, Locusts are the thing to go for, in your opinion? Not Jenners? How do they compare other than expense?

[Ertur]

I'd suggest Spiders. They had a reputation for being the hardest lights to kill before the locusts came out. The V has a weak load out, true, (I think the best I ever found for it was 2xMPLas) but the D and K can be brutally effective. The K and V can go almost as fast as a locust, the D has ECM. I've got to go to work, but this evening I can work up some builds and costs. The V, for its limitations, can be pretty cheap to set up.

[Eddie Money]

Problem I have with the Spider... I really don't like how it looks.

Locust, Jenner, and Cicada are the main mechs I have in consideration at the moment; Yes, the Cicada is a Medium, but it's a Medium in name only.

[Koniving]

Eddie Money, on 14 April 2017 - 09:23 AM, said:

So wait a little while before I go Rambo. Got it.

On another note, Locusts are the thing to go for, in your opinion? Not Jenners? How do they compare other than expense?

What you need to know (for MWO)
Locust:

• 20 tons to work with.
  
• Expansive view. (See forward, left, right, and up with the left CTRL key + the mouse.)
  
• Compact size.
  
• Exceptional mobility (somewhat physics defying. Stop on a dime with X if you have Throttle Decay off. Stop even faster with it on, though you'd have to use the numpad for cruise control speeds. I like to keep my throttle decay off so I can adjust my speed; makes it harder for people to hit you if your speed keeps changing).
  
• Average torso twist range.
  
• Has an ECM variant (Hero Pirate's Bane)
  
• No jumpjet capability.
  
• Has variants that can use ballistic weapons.
  
• Engine caps at 190 for a maximum speed of 165.4 kph.
  
• Parts most likely to be lost: Arms. Legs. Side torsos.
  
• Easily killed in single hits by hole punching builds.
  
• Can easily outrun LRMs and dodge autocannon fire.

(Fastest mech Commando goes 167.2 kph but requires a 240.)

Jenner

• Restrictive view. (See forward. No other windows.)
  
• Short but long, somewhat comparable to other 35 tonners.
  
• Average mobility for its tonnage.
  
• Superb torso twist range (can shoot almost directly behind itself).
  
• No ECM variant.
  
• All variants can jump.
  
• Has zero variants that can use ballistic weaponry.
  
• Engine caps at 300 for a maximum speed of 149.3
  
• Parts most likely to be lost: Arms. Center Torso.
  
• Can be killed by single hits but it is very uncommon.

Spider: Basically a Locust but 10 tons heavier, with average mobility and above average torso twist range.

Cicada: Basically a Jenner at 5 tons more but with ballistic options instead of missile options. Has one missile variant, the hero. Has an average view (see forward, left and right with the left CTRL + mouse). Parts usually lost: Any; it isn't prone to losing specific parts especially often. Has an ECM variant: 3M.

Commando:

• 25 tons to work with.
  
• Restrictive view (Can only see forward).
  
• Compact size.
  
• High mobility (Almost believable physics.)
  
• Above average torso twist range. Significantly superior to most mechs if you know how to use the secondary crosshair and arms unlocked.
  
• Has an ECM variant (Com 2-D.)
  
• No jumpjet capability.
  
• Has a variant that can use ballistic weapons (not yet in MWO; WHY!?)
  
• Engine caps at 240 for 167.2 kph.
  
• Parts most likely to be lost: Arms. Legs. Side torsos.
  
• Easily killed in single hits by hole punching builds.
  
• Can outrun LRMs and dodge AC fire, but it isn't easy.
  
• Its missile capabilities make it very similar to Jenners.

In all of the above: Don't bother torso twisting to protect yourself. Run! Just not in a straight line.
Try to fight from an enemy's side or behind them. Never fight head on.

Edited by Koniving, 14 April 2017 - 10:35 AM.

[Koniving]

Gimme a minute on specific variants. Will edit this when ready.

Locusts:
Torso twist:
1M has the greatest at 135 degrees.
3M and 3S come up at 130 degrees.
All others are 120 degrees.

3M stands out due to being able to carry twin anti-missile defense systems (AMS).

1M and 3V can carry the most center torso lasers (do this with a standard engine to have significantly increased survivability and still be able to fight).

3S has the most missile hardpoints. Using multiple SRM-2s instead of 1 SRM 6 per arm would get you substantially more accurate missiles with a significantly higher rate of fire.

1V comes with the most ballistic hardpoints for maximum MGs.

All come with the same stock engine (160 STD).

Most energy weapons: 1E.

Cheapest stock: 1V (Also the best if you want to skip on the 1.5 million 'upgrade' to double heatsinks).
Most expensive stock: 3M.

(Note: M variants are often the most expensive, these are Marik variants. There's lore reasons but ultimately none of it matters other than to show why their stock mechs tend to be much better.)

Quirk list:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...ght_innersphere
Locust is first on the list.
(Torso yaw shows as red regardless of good or bad.)

Edited by Koniving, 14 April 2017 - 10:55 AM.

[Alexander of Macedon]

Eddie Money, on 14 April 2017 - 10:22 AM, said:

Problem I have with the Spider... I really don't like how it looks.

Locust, Jenner, and Cicada are the main mechs I have in consideration at the moment; Yes, the Cicada is a Medium, but it's a Medium in name only.

Don't stress it, Locusts are the best IS lights at the moment, tremendously fun to pilot, and arguably better than arctic cheaters in some situations. Jenners are thoroughly meh--they can work, but they haven't been good for ages. Get IICs if you really want to try them.

[Moomtazz]

Eddie Money, on 14 April 2017 - 10:22 AM, said:

Problem I have with the Spider... I really don't like how it looks.

Locust, Jenner, and Cicada are the main mechs I have in consideration at the moment; Yes, the Cicada is a Medium, but it's a Medium in name only.

Go Cicada then. Speed of a light with a bit more armor, plus an ECM variant for C-bills. ECM will be very helpful to a new player.

[Old-dirty B]

Wow from start with marauders all the way down to now the locust... now we are talking!

Go true CQC style and take the LCT-1E and/or LCT-3M with small pulses - personally i dont value the PB not even close to these two but its an option. This little beast will give you the edge of your seat gameplay - by far the most interesting mech with one of the highest skill ceilings. Not easy but very rewarding!

[Eddie Money]

Alright... I'll do it, then! I'm getting a Locust, starting with the 3S for SRMs. I think I've got it.

There'll always be Jenners for me to come back to in the future, I guess.

EDIT: No, wait, 3M for pulses.

Dammit, I'm so indecisive! The Jenner JR7-D is such an appealing Mech...

Edited by Eddie Money, 14 April 2017 - 11:19 AM.

[Old-dirty B]

Dont go missile locust, they are a joke. In order of bestest: 1E/3M, PB, 1V and the rest. If you want srm's go elsewhere - oxide!

[Koniving]

With 15M, why not get both?

The Jenner might have to do without an XL engine for a little bit (maybe), but otherwise snag 'em both and have fun.

Missile Locust just has to choose between big launchers or decent ammo. Go decent ammo every time and several smaller launchers. The precision pays off more than raw firepower.

Money wise a pulse focused Locust will be a lot cheaper, and won't even need an XL engine. Just use Endo Steel Structure instead.

[Eddie Money]

I don't want to be left with an unfinished mech in my garage, you know?

EDIT: On another note, my brother wants to get into MWO as well with a Medium PPC sniper, and I'm not really sure what to suggest for him...

Edited by Eddie Money, 14 April 2017 - 11:42 AM.

[Koniving]

It wouldn't be unfinished. Think of it like a tank in WoT. When you first get it, you have to play it for a little while to get a better engine, better weapon, the ability to put out fires, etc. In this case, faster speed is what gets left on hold for a bit.

[Old-dirty B]

std engined locust... wut?! Some lines shouldnt be crossed.

For a locust speed is your armor and for a big part offensive capabilities - dont cut on that!

Edited by B3R3ND, 14 April 2017 - 11:54 AM.

[Eddie Money]

Not putting an XL in a Locust seems like an iffy decision...

Anyway, anyone have a simple word or two for my brother on the PPC Medium Sniper he wants?

Meanwhile, I'll still be internally debating Locusts or Jenners...

[Old-dirty B]

Blackjack BJ-3 with 2 ppc, jumpjets and nice quirks - thats what you need.

[Eddie Money]

I did suggest a Blackjack to him, nice to know that wasn't a dumb suggestion.