18 replies to this topic

[Vorlon Antares]

Greetings all, somewhat new here...

Anyway, I recently bought my first Mech after saving up some C-Bills, and I settled on the Cat K2 and have been experimenting with several load outs.

Started out with the stock load out, then upgraded to an XL 275 engine which I feel comfortable with; this in turn allowed me to add a few more heat sinks as well.

Then I replaced the stock PPC's with a pair of ER-PPC's; yanked out the machine guns and their ammo, and added in a couple more heatsinks... so far its been pretty fun; except that I found I tend to hang back for the chance to get some extreme long range shots.

However, problem with that being, I noticed the quick play maps are pretty random as to which one you get dropped onto, and I've noticed a lot of these maps aren't really well suited to extreme long range builds.

So now, after saving up some more C-Bills, I'm trying something different.

Dual UAC-5's and dual ER Med Laser's; yanked out some of the heatsinks previously added, switched to Ferro Fibrous; and maxed out all the armor to fill out my full 65 tons.

After running a few rounds with this load out, I am thinking I like it... turns out its quite the tanky little beast dishing out some serious damage... I went from doing 200 - 300 damage; up to 4500 damage on my last run!

But now I am wondering, what about Jump Jets?

I could afford to lose a couple heatsinks from the legs, and add in Jump Jets, except that I can't find where in the MechLab to get them from???

Also, is it useful to install a Beagle Probe on a long ranged Cat K2 with a PPC/ER-PPC load out?

Lastly, I am also now contemplating taking advantage of the current Firesale before it ends tomorrow, and thinking about picking up a Cat Butterbee, Cat Jester, and the Jager Firebrand; though haven't decided on the 4th selection yet...

Maybe the Marauder Bounty Hunter and swap out its Gause for an AC or UAC; and others I have been thinking about for a 4th are the Thanatos, Warhammer, and Zeus...

Just wondering whether the first three are good choices, and what recommendations anyone might have for the 4th?

Edited by Vorlon Antares, 24 September 2018 - 03:34 PM.

[Koniving]

Okay.

First. Ferro is from Battletech as a cheap go between or alternative for endo steel for saving weight. Problem is in mwo it is inferior and thus worthless. (The reason to use is repair costs and availability...neither of which matter in mwo.)

Second. K2 cannot use jumpjets. Only Cat that can't.

Beagle? Not in mwo. There are some uses but you are better off with a targeting computer if mwo finally put that in for the IS or a command console (must go in head. Note its 3 tons because its a second cockpit but that's another thing mwo doesn't really apply.)


My advice... Avoid the firebrand. Truth be told its basically a K2 in a different shape with 2 low slung bonus energy hardpoints which isn't all that useful. I have all the non-2018 heroes. Firebrand is is also basically a rifleman and it isn't all that good for a Jagermech or a Rifleman. If you still want it then by all means.

If you get any IS pack you should get a hero Rifleman for free anyway. (Note one of the three packs not the hero thingy on firesale as far as I know.)

Own Jester and I like it. The speed is perhaps the nicest thing. Butterbee is more my style.


(Note I say mwo over and over as this may be different in upcoming MW5 and Battletech [pc and table])

Edited by Koniving, 24 September 2018 - 06:38 PM.

[Koniving]

Zeus. Mixed feelings on it. I don't really like it in mwo.
Bounty hunter is very popular. Warhammer is popular. Don't own a Thanatos so can't share an opinion.

(Note I own every Zeus Awesome and Victor. Opinion on Zeus is not very good. Fun...yes. Effective...difficult. Like Awesome it suffers from a few issues that require some advanced skills. If you can control the arms separate from the body you will like Zeus. If not...then best not to get it now or you might never grow to like it.)

[Shanrak]

If I were gonna drop money on the firesale and had low number of mechs, I’d probably go with the second pack and get some solid mediums and heavies. The IV-four is a top performer, the Fang and Legendbreaker are solid as well. I’d also get the clan omni Nova and Huntsman mediums. 5 great hero mechs all with cbill bonus and varying playstyle.

If you insist on group 3 the Jester is good, so are the ebon jag, hellbringer, linebacker, warhammer, grasshopper, maurauder heros. Even the assaults in there are decent. Lots of good choices in group 3 as well but you only get 4 mechs instead of 5.

Edited by Shanrak, 24 September 2018 - 07:57 PM.

[Holy Jackson]

The K2 is a solid mech because it is so versatile. You can run it with dual ballistics (UAC, lbx, gauss, whatever) or dual ppcs as your main weapon, and then its up to you how to spend the rest of your tonnage.

My favorite build is a 2x lbx10, 4x medium laser build.

[Vorlon Antares]

@Konivng
Ok, so Armor.... Ferro is not useful, as an armor buff of sorts? It says its supposed to offer 12% more protection, per ton..
I get that, repairs and such don't really apply to MWO, and that its not that much of a space saver compared to Endo.. thogh I chose it specifically for its armor upgrade as opposed to being a space saver.

However, if I switch back to standard armor, and go with Endo for the internal structure, then I have room to add in an IS Targeting Computer.. Several are available for the IS, as well as the Command Console; and its allowing me to install them into the Torso as well as the Head. However the Head only has 1 slot available... Torso had 2 slots so I chose the MK II Targeting Computer.

Though, I am curious as to which would be more of a benefit; the MK II Computer, or the Command Console? The MK II offers the same things as the Command Console but also offers benefits to using AC's and PPC's and I am wondering if that includes the UAC's? Curious about this as I'm currently running a pair of UAC-5's.

Jump Jets, not available on the K2! Ok thats not a problem, and thanks for explaining that, I can live without them as it was really more a curiosity anyway, and I get the feeling from using some trial mechs that have them. that they really wouldn't be all that much beneficial unless I were able to install quite a lot... IE: after trying the Trial Hunchback IIC which has 4 jets, I noticed they were barely able to lift it before they ran out of fuel.

As for the Firesalel Avoid the Firebrand! Noted! Personally I would prefer the JM6-S or JM6-DD, so I may just hold off on a Jager until I've saved up the C-Bills for one of those.

Thanks for your suggestions and responses!


@Shanrak
Thanks you also for your response! I understand what you mean by going with the Group 2 mediums... as I did see there were quite a few solid Mechs in there.

However, I am leaning more towards the Group 3 Heavies as I am seeing it as a more economic route (only $30) to acquiring two more Catapult Variants, thus giving me three total to work on their skills... which I've been doing with my K2.

Sounds like I should avoid the Zeus though due to Kon's advice on that one.

I like the Bounty Hunter as it looks like I would be able to swap out its Gauss for an Ultra AC-10 which yeah I know does less damage per shot, but its got a faster cooldown and thus higher DPS... and I don't like that whole, hold down the mouse button to "charge up" the Gauss before you can fire it.

I just noticed Group 3 also includes a Stormcrow which gives a decent Medium Mech; and the Mad Dog Bandit is starting to look a little appealing too; as is the Grasshopper.

Think I'm gonna sleep on it, as the Firesale doesn't end for another 14 hours for me!



@Holy Jackson
Yes, I am currently running my K2 with 2x UAC5, 2x ER Med Laser and I'm loving it!

Edited by Vorlon Antares, 24 September 2018 - 10:25 PM.

[Brethren]

Vorlon Antares, on 24 September 2018 - 10:23 PM, said:

@Konivng
Ok, so Armor.... Ferro is not useful, as an armor buff of sorts? It says its supposed to offer 12% more protection, per ton..
I get that, repairs and such don't really apply to MWO, and that its not that much of a space saver compared to Endo.. thogh I chose it specifically for its armor upgrade as opposed to being a space saver.

The desciription is misleading here. The max amount of armor plates is fixed for each mech and it depends on their tonnage. Ferro armor does not change that.
"12% more protection per ton" simply means that your armor plates weigh less. On a 65t mech I guess you would gain about 1 ton of free pod space in exchange for 14 critical slots.

Endo structure also "costs" 14 critical slots but comes with higher weight gain. So it's always Endo before Ferro. If you have still enough slots to spare afterwards, Ferro or light Ferro is fine.

P.S.: Maxing out armor is always a good idea. Although you might drop a couple of plates off head, legs or arms without weapons, to gain half a ton or so to fit more stuff.

P.S.S.: Am I correct, that you run single heat sinks? You wrote about heat sinks in the legs. You should definately take the c-bills (1.5mil) to upgrade to double heat sinks. You will end up carrying fewer heat sinks, but DHS are way stronger than SHS! This will save you weight, too.

Edited by Brethren, 24 September 2018 - 11:31 PM.

[Horseman]

Vorlon Antares, on 24 September 2018 - 03:29 PM, said:

So now, after saving up some more C-Bills, I'm trying something different.

Dual UAC-5's and dual ER Med Laser's; yanked out some of the heatsinks previously added, switched to Ferro Fibrous; and maxed out all the armor to fill out my full 65 tons.

After running a few rounds with this load out, I am thinking I like it... turns out its quite the tanky little beast dishing out some serious damage... I went from doing 200 - 300 damage; up to 4500 damage on my last run!

Try dual UAC10s and quad Medium Lasers: https://mwo.smurfy-n...b34b7d171afa6fa

Quote

I could afford to lose a couple heatsinks from the legs

You're still using Singles? Switch to doubles. This is one of the first upgrades to do on most IS mechs that come with SHS stock (with Endo-Steel - switching Ferro-Fibrous off if you need more space - the second). Yes, I know it costs 1.5 million a mech, but it's worth it. Your engine heat sinks will double in performance and on a lot of builds that alone is enough to keep your heat under control without spending excessive tonnage on extra heat sinks.

Quote

Just wondering whether the first three are good choices, and what recommendations anyone might have for the 4th?

Bounty Hunter and Black Widow are good. Jester is kinda meh, IMO, but it has its' uses as a jumpjetting energy boat. Butterbee is a sidegrade compared to CPLT-C4, personally I wouldn't take it. No opinion on Firebrand.
You should consider one of the Roughneck heroes - they're 65 tonners, but have the durability of a pocket assault mech and high hardpoints. Powerhouse does well as a UAC20 + MRM30 (or 3xSRM-6) brawler.

Of the others... Tempest is an okay ECM + MRM brawler, Top Dog is a decent heavy laser boat and Ilya Muromets is a tanky, cold DPS mech once armed with 3xLB10X

Vorlon Antares, on 24 September 2018 - 10:23 PM, said:

@Konivng Ok, so Armor.... Ferro is not useful, as an armor buff of sorts? It says its supposed to offer 12% more protection, per ton.. I get that, repairs and such don't really apply to MWO, and that its not that much of a space saver compared to Endo.. thogh I chose it specifically for its armor upgrade as opposed to being a space saver.

It's a common misunderstanding. Ferro doesn't make your armor more durable, it makes the individual armor points cost less tonnage.

Quote

However, if I switch back to standard armor, and go with Endo for the internal structure, then I have room to add in an IS Targeting Computer.. Several are available for the IS, as well as the Command Console; and its allowing me to install them into the Torso as well as the Head. However the Head only has 1 slot available... Torso had 2 slots so I chose the MK II Targeting Computer. Though, I am curious as to which would be more of a benefit; the MK II Computer, or the Command Console?

They offer different buffs. It depends on what you want. If you don't know, then choose neither and buff your weapons or ammo supply instead.

Quote

The MK II offers the same things as the Command Console but also offers benefits to using AC's and PPC's and I am wondering if that includes the UAC's? Curious about this as I'm currently running a pair of UAC-5's.

UACs are included in those buffs far as I know.

Quote

Jump Jets, not available on the K2! Ok thats not a problem, and thanks for explaining that, I can live without them as it was really more a curiosity anyway, and I get the feeling from using some trial mechs that have them. that they really wouldn't be all that much beneficial unless I were able to install quite a lot... IE: after trying the Trial Hunchback IIC which has 4 jets, I noticed they were barely able to lift it before they ran out of fuel.

JJs have uses in any amount, for example in helping you climb steeper cliffs.

Quote

as I am seeing it as a more economic route (only $30) to acquiring two more Catapult Variants, thus giving me three total to work on their skills...

You've read / watched some outdated tutorials, I presume. The rule of three was removed last year - any single mech you own you can skill fully without having to own a second or third variant

Edited by Horseman, 25 September 2018 - 02:57 AM.

[Vorlon Antares]

@Horseman

Thank you for your responses!

Especially informative on that last point, that 3 variants of the same mech are no longer needed to unlock certain skills?

I noticed while working on the skills on my K2 that most all the little skill nodes were a light blue color, but then there were a few, maybe 2 - 3 that showed dark purple, and a few that also showed as green. I presumed these were nodes that had to be unlocked on other Catapult variants.

That is no longer the case?

On the point of replacing my UAC5's with UAC 10's (very tempting there!), wouldn't the lack of heat sinks be an issue with the quad medium lasers?

Edited by Vorlon Antares, 25 September 2018 - 01:16 PM.

[Horseman]

Vorlon Antares, on 25 September 2018 - 01:15 PM, said:

I noticed while working on the skills on my K2 that most all the little skill nodes were a light blue color, but then there were a few, maybe 2 - 3 that showed dark purple, and a few that also showed as green. I presumed these were nodes that had to be unlocked on other Catapult variants.

That is no longer the case?

It's no longer the case. The differently colored nodes relate to a specific weapon class: Ballistic (purple), Laser (yellow) or Missile (green).

Quote

On the point of replacing my UAC5's with UAC 10's (very tempting there!), wouldn't the lack of heat sinks be an issue with the quad medium lasers?

Not when you have double heat sinks and use your mech responsibly (read: pop in and out to take shots when they matter, instead of protracted face-time engagements). Small correction - an engine DHS is worth 1.5 SHS, not 2. You're still saving a lot of tonnage with them.

[Vorlon Antares]

@Horseman

Thanks for the explanation. Its obvious I still have a bit to learn...
I decided to skip the Firesale... there will be more sales in the future, games like this always have them.
I figure its better I learn more, before dumping real cash into a Mechwarrior/Battletech version of Unreal Tournament... in the mean time I can just save up my C-Bills to acquire a second or third mech.

[Koniving]

Vorlon Antares, on 25 September 2018 - 04:48 PM, said:

@Horseman

Thanks for the explanation. Its obvious I still have a bit to learn...
I decided to skip the Firesale... there will be more sales in the future, games like this always have them.
I figure its better I learn more, before dumping real cash into a Mechwarrior/Battletech version of Unreal Tournament... in the mean time I can just save up my C-Bills to acquire a second or third mech.

Look up the annual rewards/loyalty program. If you do spend a bit of money be sure it'll go towards a reward that you want for added free stuff

As I said about Ferro. The idea is it will save weight by being lighter than standard armor. It is better per ton used but the total armor is fixed and all you really get is a weight savings. Endo steel is far better. Now...if this was battletech.... Endo is extremely difficult to get very expensive and difficult to repair but those weight savings would be like cheating in return. Here everyone and their brother has it...and no big drawbacks. So no reason to chose the lesser evil of Ferro

[Ruccus]

Vorlon Antares, on 25 September 2018 - 04:48 PM, said:

@Horseman

Thanks for the explanation. Its obvious I still have a bit to learn...
I decided to skip the Firesale... there will be more sales in the future, games like this always have them.
I figure its better I learn more, before dumping real cash into a Mechwarrior/Battletech version of Unreal Tournament... in the mean time I can just save up my C-Bills to acquire a second or third mech.

If and when you choose to put money into the game, I'd suggest checking out the Solaris 7 package. For $30 (and likely ~$20 during the Steam Summer and Winter sales) it provides solid value for the new player and adds a wide variety of mechs to your stable.

Also, as Koniving mentioned check out your status for the yearly rewards program here. Looking at the Leaderboards you've got over 40 games logged so far so you should be fine for the 'Play 100 games' reward ($2 million c-bills, a mech bay, and a cupcake) if you keep up your gaming pace but keep an eye on it if your pace slows down. For the MC Credits reward (a Javelin 11F light mech) the above Solaris 7 pack will qualify you for the reward, as will buying $6.95 worth of MechWarrior credits.

Since you like the Jester and seemed interested in the Firebrand, the Inner Sphere Reward might also be of interest to you. Buying any Inner Sphere Standard pack ($20 for medium or heavier mechs, $15 for light mechs like the Javelin, Osiris, or Flea) qualifies you for getting the Rifleman RFL-8D in November.

[Horseman]

Ruccus, on 25 September 2018 - 09:11 PM, said:

Since you like the Jester and seemed interested in the Firebrand, the Inner Sphere Reward might also be of interest to you. Buying any Inner Sphere Standard pack ($20 for medium or heavier mechs, $15 for light mechs like the Javelin, Osiris, or Flea) qualifies you for getting the Rifleman RFL-8D in November.

As does buying any of the standalone Resistance Heroes from the cash shop ($10 for light mechs). The same goes for the Clan rewards - any single cash shop hero mech purchase qualifies you for... what was it again, ECM Night Gyr?

Edited by Horseman, 25 September 2018 - 09:33 PM.

[Ruccus]

Horseman, on 25 September 2018 - 09:32 PM, said:

As does buying any of the standalone Resistance Heroes from the cash shop ($10 for light mechs). The same goes for the Clan rewards - any single cash shop hero mech purchase qualifies you for... what was it again, ECM Night Gyr?

Didn't realize a single Resistance Hero also qualifies you for the Rifleman. In that case my value suggestion is definitely the Urbanmech K-9 Hero for $10. It's a wonderful little mech once the engine is upgraded, and getting a bonus Rifleman is a steal. Don't forget to hit L for the lights and siren.

[Yumoshiri]

catapult has always been a star in my selection. with old tech i'd run it with 4x LPL, nowadays with 2x HPPC and support lasers +magine guns.

The high arm laser hard points are just too good to not use. This also applies for the jester.

[JediPanther]

My K2 is my go-to mech for when I want to mess with ballistics and lasers. So many options on it and it is a tank-y mech. Xl friendly and if you go to the newer lfe engines you get the nice mix of speed and weight savings minus the st death from the xl. I fondly have mine nicknamed battlecat. As for skill tree I went full mobility and rest into survival with left overs into sensors for adv zoom.

The k2 has too many mix and match options to list but it has remained one of my favorites that sees constant rebuild and use. The unit I'm in likes to do themed drops and dropping 3-4 K2's in a lance with identical builds, color schemes and patterns is a blast.

Get engines in these ratings and you'll be set for eternity if you like to constantly try new builds or old and current metas. Just swap the engine and fit your weapons,ammo etc and have fun

200 needs 2 external hs allows dual 20s lbx 20s
250 no external hs
265
280
300
315

Don't ever sell an engine as IS engines are swap-able so one engine might work in another mech for that build you really want to try. I have a big stock of engines that I swap around which has saved me billions of space bucks for other stuff.

[Jables McBarty]

Horseman, on 25 September 2018 - 09:32 PM, said:

As does buying any of the standalone Resistance Heroes from the cash shop ($10 for light mechs). The same goes for the Clan rewards - any single cash shop hero mech purchase qualifies you for... what was it again, ECM Night Gyr?

Vorlon Antares, on 25 September 2018 - 04:48 PM, said:

I decided to skip the Firesale... there will be more sales in the future, games like this always have them.
I figure its better I learn more, before dumping real cash into a Mechwarrior/Battletech version of Unreal Tournament... in the mean time I can just save up my C-Bills to acquire a second or third mech.

Just to clarify for Vorlon Antares, the Heroes that qualify you for the Annual Rewards Program must be purchased from one of the following locations:

Qualifies for Clan Rewards (you get a free Night Gyr heavy 'mech)
-Clan Heroes (https://mwomercs.com/clan-heroes)
-Clan Heroes 2 (https://mwomercs.com/clan-heroes-two)
-Clan IIC Heroes (https://mwomercs.com/clan-iic-heroes)

Qualifies for IS Rewards (you get a free Rifleman heavy 'mech)
-Resistance Heroes (https://mwomercs.com/resistance-heroes)

NOTE: There are other ways to buy heroes with cash on the website store, but doing so *may not* qualify you for rewards.

According to the rewards program, the above purchases would qualify you for the indicated reward 'mech...and if you get a Light (there are like 8 options), you'd be paying only $10 and qualifying for the relevant reward.

[Vorlon Antares]

As some have suggested...

I changed from standard heatsinks, to double, on my Catapult K2...

Then managed to replace my Ultra AC/5's, with a pair of Ultra AC/10's with 5 tons of Ammo... kept my two Med ER Lasers as back up weapons, and kept the Endo structure and dropped the targeting computer.

Decided to do this after trying out the Trial Hunchback and its dual UAC/10's.

Very impressed and having a lot of fun with these UAC/10's!

Also picked up 3000 MC yesterday, threw some customizations onto my Catapult, repainted it cause I hated that ugly default green paint. Then bought a $15 Crab from the Resistance Hero Pack earlier today, which I'm still waiting to be added to my account. So now I'm also qualified for the Javelin and Rifleman from the Annual Rewards.

Appreciate all the help and advice everyone has given so far!

I don't usually like PvP games, but I've been having a blast (literally!) so far with this!

Edited by Vorlon Antares, 27 September 2018 - 11:31 AM.