8 replies to this topic

[Dragonporn]

MAL-MX90 vs. NSR-9P

More prone to Nightstar (looks), but I know that Mauler is considered pretty strong mech. Which one would you suggest?

[Eisenhorne]

The NSR-9P is a potato mech, do not buy it. The MX90 is good for Dakka builds, but if you wanna do dual heavy gauss, the Mauler 2P is better because it can mount more secondary weapons. Mine has 2 HGR + 6 Med Lasers.

of course, the ANH-1X can do dual heavy gauss better than either, and the ANH-2A can do 4x LBX10 very well, which is better than 2x LBX20 in the NSR-9P.

[BTGbullseye]

Or you can get the Fafnir, which does dual HGauss better than any other mech.

If you're only buying with C-Bills, the MX90 is a very versatile build for QP. It doesn't get prioritised as much as other mechs that can use similar loadouts, so it usually survives longer.

[CFC Conky]

Hi Dragonporn,

If you want to run three or four 10-class guns, then the Nightstar is the way to go. Four lb10x shotguns is a lot of fun on the -9 P.

That said, overall, the MX-90 is probably the better choice if you can only get one or the other.

Good hunting,
CFC Conky

[Koniving]

Need to know more about your playstyle, whether you have arms unlocked or locked, etc.

Maulers are walking center torsos. If your build is going for dps (sorry haven't opened the links am on a phone) then the Mauler will suck because the ct needs the protection of frequent torso twisting.

[Dragonporn]

Say, may Direwolf sport dual LBX 20s well f.e.?

@Eisenhorne
You broke my heart, is Nightstar really that bad? I have few buckets in my hangar already, really don't wanna suffer more... oh well.

@BTGbullseye
I would, but FNR looks real weird for my taste. Can't get over it.

@Koniving
Nope, not DPS. Basically MAL is dual Heavy Gauss with some backups and NSR is dual LBX 20s with some backups. Suppose I'd be able to twist MAL for spread. Can't say I have a playstyle, trying to adapt to all kinds really, so I'm looking for something fresh with these Assaults.

[Eisenhorne]

The Nightstar is, unfortunately, a very bad mech. There is nothing it does that another assault mech does significantly better. Maybe some day PGI will give it some serious quirks that it needs, but for now I'd avoid it. I wish that wasn't the case, I'd love to be able to swap an Annihilator out of my drop deck in FP for a Night Star, because then I could take 2 Warhammers + a Javelin instead of the Commando, but the Annihilator is so much better it isn't even funny. The Nightstar has a bad combination of bad hardpoints, not enough hardpoints, poor quirks, poor hitboxes, and poor mobility. It's kind of sad.

[Dragonporn]

Despite what everyone suggested, I still picked Nightstar instead of Mauler. NSR cockpit and overall design is just freaking mindblowing, mech is too beautiful (both interior and exterior) for me to pass on, plus being reverse-joint, which I'm a big sucker for. In any case, I thought during double XP, I'll have easier time leveling it and drop it if it's just too much on a bucket side.

Now I can see many things what people have concerns with first hand. Yeah, profile is pretty damn terrible, arms need several changes and ASAP which will make this mech MUCH better instantly, just make them a bit closer not to be hitting teammates all the time, and possibly a tad wider to be able to shield enormous STs. Surprisingly enough, I don't understand why with maxed armor STs are still so fragile, profile is somewhat similar to IS Marauder, which is rockhard immortal in comparison...

Anyway, what I like is flexibility with dakka builds (for 9P anyway) and overall tonnage. First build I've tried was dual LBX/20 + dual snub-nose PPCs. Unskilled I had big issues with heat, range and LBX spread, also mech is begging for torso twisting nodes which should improve general survivability along with aiming/leading by decent margin. When I accumulated enough exp to get 33 nodes in Survival, I slapped dual Heavy Gauss plus dual Med Pulse Lasers. With a little tougher STs, and trying to play quite conservatively, I manage not to get weapon explosion too often, and if I do, CASE can help out a little not blow my cockpit off.

Anyway, it's working quite good. Ballistic hardpoints are in very comfortable position, so I generally manage to hit what I'm aiming at, and having MPLs in hands make it good support. It is very cold one, and I can run this build until I get enough exp to unlock 91 nodes and maybe will try to switch back to previous build. Also gotta mention that mech isn't very slow for 95 tonner. Running 51+ KPH isn't too shabby, although twisting... well.

I really expected it to be worse, but if you play careful enough and pay some extra attention, it can be quite alright. On contrary, I checked dual Heavy Gauss Mauler, and if you want run it with 6 MLas, while it's very impressive firepower, you have to sacrifice TOO MUCH in terms of armor, which I wouldn't be very comfortable with in Assault, although I definitely might get Mauler next, it looks quite interesting.

Hopefully this little breakdown will help other brave souls who want to take NSR for a spin.
Thanks again to all for suggestions.

[CFC Conky]

Try loading up three AC10’s, some decent pinpoint daka to be had.