7 replies to this topic

[Xeno Phalcon]

*Chinscratch* I had looked at the skoko when I was looking to spend the MC I had amassed through events but didnt want to move into assault mechs as I tend to prefer mediums or low end heavies these days (So I got a Flame and Street Sweeper instead).

At first I thought swapping out the weapons for some snubs and a LRM15 would let you pepper people until the fight got real but wanted to keep at least one MRM So I opted for a unusual combo of a Light and heavy ppc and dropping to a single MRM in the right arm. DPS drops bit its still pretty solid in theory, and the MASC that was the most appealing part of skoko for me was should let you reposition and keep up with nascars so thats always a plus.

SKOKOMISH

Could also drop the MRM for a LRM rack to focus on long range combat but you'll need to avoid close in slug fests at all cost.

[The Basilisk]

Since the Zeus isn't realy an assault mech in terms of beefiness and also not fast enough to hit and run your only choices are different flavours of support fire and/or stealing *cough*.....I mean securing kills.
So as the mech is by itself an uncommon frowned upon mech why not try uncommon frowned upon approaches.

Sei either you try lurms (plz do not *whimper*) or you start trying funbuilds.
I tried this and well it works.
Run with the other slower heavys and assaults and try to find a mech that is hated like an MK2 or something. Now do support fire till you've racked up some dmg and when you feel your team or the other team faltering fing weakened targets and kill them with Rocket blasts.

[WrathOfDeadguy]

I've had very good results just with dual MRM40. You can also do a conventional brawler with it, but that involves more waiting for the late game, not less. Another possibility is a hybrid brawler, which leans heavily on the shoulder launchers since they're your only decent peeking mounts (just watch out for ghost heat and never fire all four launchers at once).

The key to making the Skokomish more than just a Zeus is MASC. Speed up to peek, lay off the button long enough to shoot, MASC back into cover. The Zeus is overall one of the weaker assaults, but MASC is a lot better than people give it credit for, and lots of folks just use it wrong and treat it like a turbo speed boost instead of as an agility buff, which is where it's most useful. The Skokomish is actually the strongest Zeus variant because of that- it can turn and peek like a medium, and at least its shoulder mounts let it expose much less 'Mech than the other variants need to, so you can get away with some trades without even taking return fire as long as you're careful with your timing and positioning.

There's also the Blitzkrieg factor to consider: if you pop the MASC when your team pushes, you can leap from the second line of the push- where you'll initially draw less aggro- right up through the front and into the enemy's back with your faster buddies. It can outspeed the Gargoyle in short bursts, but carries a much more useful weapon load, which makes it a perfect shock-and-awe 'Mech. Nobody really expects to see an assault 'Mech hustle like that.

[Yumoshiri]

It being a Zeus, it suffers from all problems a Zeus has. Despite all the regular hate on Zeuses, I have one that performs like a beast, because it can be played like a heavy. To me, that's what you should try to achieve with your hero. Focus on speed, combined with MASC. Appear, attack, and disappear when twisting around.

It can't fit an AC20, I'd take a lbx10 over ac10 to save a ton. Go for an XL engine (think 380), which means you have to think as a heavy, but with speed tweak and MASC, you may be able to top over 100 kph. MRM's are tempting and perfect to sync with your lb10, but large MRM throwers are only interesting with good missile quirks, essentially you are wasting missile slots. I'd go with SRM6 or SRM6A. Again, use the speed, move in, rupture someones armor with srm, then let the LB10 crit.

Avoid lasers: the laser makes you have to commit your entire torso to the target, making you vulnerable for focused fire.
Rush in from a flank, shoot, and twist your side to spread damage over your entire mech. Avoid double gauss.

You could consider running two snubnoses, if you can deal with the heat. The pinpoint damage could be worthwhile. Just strip the missile arm of armor and weapons.

XL engine tip: Make sure your side torso is stuffed with heatsinks if there are slots.

[Larsh]

I just uploaded this bad boy today. Works amazing to get in close for a brawl.

4 SRM 6, and 2 Flamer

[Windscape]

Thicc roughneck 1C: SKOKOMISH
YeetMech: SKOKOMISH