20 replies to this topic

[Zh0u]

Hi, I am still a relatively new player, and I have not own any light Mechs yet.

Quite tempting to get the Grinner as my first ever Hero and Light Mech.

What are your thoughts about the Grinner? And what is the best loadout on this mech?

Thank you!

[epikt]

Wolfhound is a solid choice, it is a great mech, powerful and tanky. Though I favor the Wolfhound-2 over the Grinner.
The Grinner gives you ECM, which is good if you want to be sneaky.

For the build, I suggest 5 MPLas or 5 ERMLas if you want a cool running mech.

[Koniving]

I use Stealth armor, ECM, and a single Heavy PPC alongside a large STANDARD engine, mostly front loaded armor and effectively treat it like a jump-less Panther. Large damage single weapon sharp shooter.

(Funny enough my hero Panther is treated like a jumping Wolfhound).

Note this isn't meant to be an ideal build; it's just how I play it.

Edited by Koniving, 31 December 2017 - 03:52 PM.

[Zh0u]

I don't think I am ready for my first Hero mech yet. I'll go for the WLF-2.

[Koniving]

If it's on sale, go for it. Otherwise sure, wait a while.

I think medium/heavy heroes might be a better place to start so you can really capitalize on the income bonus. The Rifleman hero is a really solid one to go with, pity the sales moved on.

[jss78]

I really, really love Wolfhounds.

I used to run them with STD engines, but these days I favour an LFE. Even with an LFE I still get lots of those epic games where I'm still alive at <30% health. They tank a LOT of damage, and the hardpoint placement guarantees you'll have 2-3 ML/MPL all the way to the end.

I also have the WLF-2. I prefer to keep the ERLL in the arm and 4xML in torso, to have something to poke with at long range, and I guess also as a nod to the lore loadout. Probably the meta-conscious approach would be to boat ML or MPL.

[Koniving]

My record with a Wolfhound is 13%. Which is pretty impressive for a light. (Only Light to have done better is a Panther at 7%).

My overall record is currently 4% health (done with the Misery; and I still had a weapon).
Riflemen are good for surviving amazing abuse too. Well the LK and the 3C. The other variants aren't as exceptionally capable of taking abuse but they can take it.

(the topic being overall health low points while still being alive.)

Edit: (Stand corrected, I had a Commando Death's Knell that made it down to 8%, so two mechs that did a bit better than a Wolfhound currently.)

Edited by Koniving, 31 December 2017 - 03:53 PM.

[Not A Real RAbbi]

I'd say grab it if you find yourself liking the other WLF at all, but DO NOT make the mistake of making an ECM light one of your first to master. You get used to it, and then you find yourself building bad habits.

[jss78]

Koniving, on 31 December 2017 - 03:48 PM, said:

My record with a Wolfhound is 13%. Which is pretty impressive for a light. (Only Light to have done better is a Panther at 7%).

My overall record is currently 4% health (done with the Misery; and I still had a weapon).
Riflemen are good for surviving amazing abuse too. Well the LK and the 3C. The other variants aren't as exceptionally capable of taking abuse but they can take it.

(the topic being overall health low points while still being alive.)

Edit: (Stand corrected, I had a Commando Death's Knell that made it down to 8%, so two mechs that did a bit better than a Wolfhound currently.)

I checked the file where I record various "personal bests" -- my lowest health in a game where I survived was indeed with Wolfhound WLF-1A, at 10%. That was with an STD engine before we had LFE's. Looks like I've also managed to survive in an XL-running Cicada at 17%

[Zh0u]

jss78, on 31 December 2017 - 03:10 PM, said:

I really, really love Wolfhounds.

I used to run them with STD engines, but these days I favour an LFE. Even with an LFE I still get lots of those epic games where I'm still alive at <30% health. They tank a LOT of damage, and the hardpoint placement guarantees you'll have 2-3 ML/MPL all the way to the end.

I also have the WLF-2. I prefer to keep the ERLL in the arm and 4xML in torso, to have something to poke with at long range, and I guess also as a nod to the lore loadout. Probably the meta-conscious approach would be to boat ML or MPL.

Hi, what is your current loadout for the WLF-2 which you think is the most effective?

[jss78]

Zh0u, on 31 December 2017 - 04:35 PM, said:

Hi, what is your current loadout for the WLF-2 which you think is the most effective?

I think I have LFE-250, 12 DHS, ERLL in arm, 4xML. WLF-2

It's not really a meta-minded loadout. I think optimally you'd drop the ERLL for more ML, and add bigger engine and/or more DHS. I tend to play in this "fast escort" role around my team's heavier 'mechs, and I like having at least something to poke with when my team sticks at a distance...

[Zh0u]

jss78, on 31 December 2017 - 05:35 PM, said:

I think I have LFE-250, 12 DHS, ERLL in arm, 4xML. WLF-2

It's not really a meta-minded loadout. I think optimally you'd drop the ERLL for more ML, and add bigger engine and/or more DHS. I tend to play in this &quot;fast escort&quot; role around my team's heavier 'mechs, and I like having at least something to poke with when my team sticks at a distance...

I tend to stick around my heavy mech teammates to play a more support fire role as well. This build might suit me.

[Yumoshiri]

The one hero every one needs is a Pirates Bane. It's the cheapest hero in the game, but a monster of a machine.

That said, if you're inexperienced with lights, it wouldn't be good to waste your bucks on a light hero, that you perhaps may not like Try some different lights:

Speed/scout: Commando/locust
Flanker: Jenner, Wolfhound, Arctic Cheetah
Missile flanker: Javelin
Jumper: Myst lynx, Spider, Panther, Jenner
Slow fire support mechs: Adder, Urbanmech, Kitfox, Cougar, Panther
Sniper: Panther, Raven
Narc/scout: Raven
Mini atlas: Urbanmech

Life as a light is harsh, but you are less dependent on the skill/strategy (or lack there of) of your team and more on your own skill and tactic. Therefore the complete opposite of an assault mech.

[Jingseng]

yes... but for your FIRST hero, I would not recommend grinner or pirates bane.

Because your first hero mech is one you'll be turning to often to help accumulate cbills. And a light does not do that well (the one or two really stellar match every dozen or so does not offset all the others with a much poorer payout).

Would recommend something more durable and hard hitting for your first hero, in the heavy, or else medium or assault category (roughly in that order).. And generally aligned to the tech base you like better (or have more of).

[Exard3k]

Wolfhound great mech, hero mech that has ECM? beginner? perfect combo....

Just don't rely on ECM too much for your mechs...your "invisibility" won't be as effective in higher tiers.

[Zh0u]

Jingseng, on 01 January 2018 - 05:39 AM, said:

yes... but for your FIRST hero, I would not recommend grinner or pirates bane.

Because your first hero mech is one you'll be turning to often to help accumulate cbills. And a light does not do that well (the one or two really stellar match every dozen or so does not offset all the others with a much poorer payout).

Would recommend something more durable and hard hitting for your first hero, in the heavy, or else medium or assault category (roughly in that order).. And generally aligned to the tech base you like better (or have more of).

You always offer me words of wisdom. Well, I have decided to hold off Grinner as my first Hero mech anyways.

[Koniving]

I made the exact same suggestion.

Koniving, on 31 December 2017 - 03:06 PM, said:

I think medium/heavy heroes might be a better place to start so you can really capitalize on the income bonus. The Rifleman hero is a really solid one to go with, pity the sales moved on.

Overlooked, I was.

[Zh0u]

Koniving, on 01 January 2018 - 11:22 AM, said:

I made the exact same suggestion.


Overlooked, I was.

Sorry. All words of wisdom. I grabbed the WLF-2 instead. Will keep my first Hero mech for another day.

[IllCaesar]

I picked it up the other day and quickly fell in love with it.

That said, you're a new player. New players are really best off getting their feet wet with mediums and heavies and then figuring out where they stand regarding weight classes. You might loathe playing lights and it'd be a shame to have a mech you paid real money for gather dust because you don't like its class. Save the heroes for when you decide you like the class or even the specific chassis. I only picked up the Grinner because I had the MC and because it was nearly identical to the other Wolfhound variants. I probably wouldn't pick up the hero even on variants that I like, such as the Vindicator or Awesome, because a fair amount of hero mechs are considered, well, not good.

[TheFourthAlly]

That's funny. I just picked up a Grinner and two others in the sale, to add to my light stable.

Thanks for sharing those builds people, something good to start with.

I do recommend a heavy or a medium Hero of a chassis you like already (or a close relative of one you like, depending on the trial mechs available) for first money purchases. Easier to do reasonably ok in, which makes a significant difference in space bucks earnings.