13 replies to this topic

[Villainy]

First off, I know Locusts are death traps in general. I love my PB and I love my 1V variants, but I picked up a 1M on a whim and it seems to be a disaster.

I'm currently running a 175XL, x2 SRM 4, and a Medium/Small laser combo for more consistent DMG and I am dying SO much faster than in my other two.

I tried an SRM2 x2 setup instead and got the same results. Are SRMs just not worth it right now?

Anything I'm missing or doing wrong with this ******* of a mech?

[GweNTLeR]

Like 2-3 years ago I was playing some troll build on that locust with 2*LRM 5 and 2*ML. It was funny. I guess annoying enemies with "INCOMING MISSILE" is still the best it can do With some air/artystrikes and a UAV it could be a decent support I guess.

Edited by GweNTLeR, 31 March 2018 - 01:06 PM.

[Old dirty B]

To survive and do well in a Locust you need speed and/or stealth, preferably both. The latter can be achieved by smartly using terrain to move around or more easier by using the Pirates Bane with the ECM. The first you need a big engine, personally i wouldnt go below an XL180. To get a big engine (big for a locust) you need tonnage and SRM’s with the ammo it needs just isnt helping with in that regard.

If you per se want to go SRM’s with the Locust your best and perhaps only choise is the 3S with SRM2’s.

As to your choise for the 1M, i would go with 2x SPL and 2x SRM2’s with a little bit of ammo and an XL190. Maybe you can squeeze a pair of MPL’s in with a single SRM4?

If i were you i would focus on the 1E, PB and perhaps the 1V. Small to medium lazers and machineguns are the best weaponry for the Locust as they offer the most dps/damage per tonnage. I like knifefighting with the Locust so i would go with Small pulses and machineguns or Medium pulsesz

Happy hunting!

Old dirty

Ps. Check out this guide for some info about combat with the Locust: https://mwomercs.com...mbat-guide-wip/

[jss78]

You are not missing much, it's just a too light platform to run missiles well.

Locusts remain decently popular, but I don't remember when I've seen either of the missile variants. It's always some set of ER-ML, ML, SPL, ER-SL.

(I like the 1M in the Harebrained Scheme's upcoming Battletech game.)

[Shadey99]

The biggest hurdle the missile variant Locusts have is the weight of IS missiles. A Clan mech can have a SRM 6 for just 1.5 tons, or a half ton more than an IS mech uses for a single SRM2. With only 20 tons total to work with, the 2 or 3 tons for a single IS SRM 4 or 6 is just to high. Missile Jenners and Javelins suffer for much the same reason: Not enough oomf for the weight used. The Javelin finds niche use, but the others just don't.

Edited by Shadey99, 05 April 2018 - 03:07 AM.

[IllCaesar]

The biggest obstacle for the missile Locusts is the weight of SRMs and MRMs. If you really want to use it I imagine that you might just be better off with Rocket Launchers for some nice emergency punch or the ability to take out an enemy's component after you've whittled it down.

[Spheroid]

2x mlas, 2x srm4 is the only viable build. Shrink the engine to whatever is needed to accomplish that end even at the cost of a proper ammo load. One and half tons may suffice but your mileage may vary.

[Old dirty B]

Villainy, on 31 March 2018 - 12:57 PM, said:

... I know Locusts are death traps in general. ...

I dont agree at all with this statement, Locust can be very effective but that requires alot of skill and attention - the ceiling is actually pretty high but its hard to get there.

The locust is at the extreme of the mech spectrum, its a specialist mech that needs to be played to its strengths. Making up for its weaknesses will end you with a mediocre build!

Its strenghts are:
* small
* nimble
* fast

Its weakness are:
* armor
* tonnage

Its lack of armor is copensated by its agility and size while its tonnage limit is compensated by its ability to stay in the optimal range to make most of its weaponry. Foremost the Locust survives by not getting hit or at least very minimal by using smart movements and stealth to move around the enemy and hit them at their weakspots.

The locust characteristics makes an excellent assasin, knifefighter or skirmisher. You either get real close and use the difference in mobility to avoid getting hit or you stay at a bit more range and be sneaky.

Considering the above, i personally dont like to mix range weaponry or have backup weapons on a Locust because that will limit your effectiveness at any range. Remeber its a specialist and it should be played at such.

The 1M just doesnt have the hardpoints to make most of these strenghts. The Mlas / SRM combo isnt ideal (for me) either as you need to be close to make most of the limited ammo - at that range the medium lasers are a handicap.

There are others variants that fit the Locust strenghts better but if you insist on the 1M - i would go for 2xSPL + 2xSRM2 with 2t of ammo. If you have trouble at the closest ranges you could try these less pure builds: 2xMPL + 1xSRM2 + 1t ammo or 1xMPL + 1x SL + 2xSRM2 with 1,5t ammo, but in the end these will be less effective when your skill and exerience builds.

Good luck!

Old dirty

[Valpone]

Did you try rockets on the 1v. It could just the the burst damage needed to kill a heavy with lasers after to be a squirrel.

[Rogue Jedi]

Valpone, on 02 April 2018 - 04:09 AM, said:

Did you try rockets on the 1v. It could just the the burst damage needed to kill a heavy with lasers after to be a squirrel.

The LCT-1V does not have missile hardpoints so how do you fit Rockets?
Only the 1M and 3S have missile hardpoints.
did you mean the 1M, it has 2 E and 2 M hardpoints?

[Valpone]

Yup I got my locusts confused sorry

[Leone]

Actually the missile version is my favourite locust, but it cannot hold enough ammo for a sustained engagement. You can take out, like, three mech afore you run dry. Mine is all missile with but a small laser.

~Leone.

[stealthraccoon]

I used to really love my 1M, but I did use LRM’s more than I should have... I ran XL190 and SRM8 for a time, but it was really a point-blank bomber at best.
I’d recommend ERLL and RL30 (I think LCT still only has 6 tubes, so be prepared for: 6x6x3 bursts), SNPPC and RL20 or MPLx2 and RL40.

Edited by stealthraccoon, 14 May 2018 - 09:50 AM.

[JediPanther]

I use mine as an sml narc pest. Used when people are going lrm happy or just to focus ecm mechs it can be a real pain. The only two down sides are it relies on having smart team mates and it can't really fight a mech on its own. LCT-1Mspeednarc

Can also try these builds that focus on max speed and hit-and-run tactics:
LCT-1M spldps
LCT-1Mdamsniper
LCT-1Mpewting