63 replies to this topic

[Knownswift]

Void Angel, on 10 October 2022 - 10:37 AM, said:

BEHOLD --

Edward Missilehands!

I haven't played a lot with him yet, but initial results have been favorable.

FYI Light 275 and Light 280 engines have the same weight.

[Void Angel]

Yeah, I wasn't paying attention when I bought the thing. =) Just swapped the engine type.

And the 1.1 kph isn't worth spending the money for.

[Curccu]

Void Angel, on 10 October 2022 - 10:37 AM, said:

BEHOLD --

Edward Missilehands!

I haven't played a lot with him yet, but initial results have been favorable.

Have you compared it to something like this on1-va <-- loses tiinybit DPS but cooldowns sync pretty damn well and no burn duration = no staring into enemy and a bit faster.

[Void Angel]

Curccu, on 11 October 2022 - 03:22 AM, said:

Have you compared it to something like this on1-va <-- loses tiinybit DPS but cooldowns sync pretty damn well and no burn duration = no staring into enemy and a bit faster.

Not yet, though I will. I went with the AC/10 initially because I wanted to have the energy backup (to harass/discourage lights outside SRM range) and couldn't quite fit enough ammo into the build otherwise - and also because I was in a hurry that night, and I'm rusty. The way it works out, I do like having the extra range for flexibility in QuickPlay; but the AC/20 is a clearly better option if I'm being focused on while close-in.

In short, the AC/20 is better for the knife-range brawler role, but quickplay matches so often revolve around midrange combat and Snipar Warriors, that there's still a reasonably-sized opportunity cost to swapping out the AC/10.

Edited by Void Angel, 11 October 2022 - 11:26 AM.

[Duke Falcon]

Orion vs Orion 2c?
Both!
Either because both looks super cool and nice or because you know you do want them!
Compare IS models with their Clan counterparts are tricky. MWO dumped much when balanced the two sides (more or less) but generally clan versions are more developed. In MWO it means clan-grade equipment what lacks being trully clan-grade. <= Perhaps in this case that is good because otherwise noone would use any spheroid techs at all, yeah, balance...
Orion 2c mayhaps able to carry more weapons so if you go for damage, go for 2c. Otherwise (in QP as I experienced) pretty much the same both just the crosshairs' colour differs...

[VeeOt Dragon]

for those asking on Orion builds i have two that i run (the second is the free September mech so i don't have a lot of matches in it).

Orion-V (1 MRM-40 (2t Ammo), 1 UAC/10 (3t ammo), 2 MLs, 1 AMS (1/2t ammo) running an LE-315, 2 DHS, Endo and LFF)

had to strip a bit from each leg to fit it all but it works well. been thinking of lowering it to an MRM-30 for more DHS and perhaps a larger engine. MRMs usually run out of ammo before the match is over though.

Orion-VA (4 SRM-6 (5t ammo), 2 LLs, 1 AMS (1/2t ammo) running an LE-315, 6 DHS, and Endo)

had to strip a little from the legs on this one as well but not as much as the other one. took me a bit of fiddling with it to get it right, i had started with 10 tubes of SRM and 2 LPLs but i like the add range of the standard LL (ERs not as good with those low mounts and the standards run cooler) over the extra 2pnts of energy damage (the added missile tubes more than make up for it.

i run more back armor than most though but i find it adds more to my suitability there than those extra points do if i had them to the front as it means i don't get cored out in one shot from a light mech if it gets behind me (or by friendly fire when people aren't watching what they are doing or i oops and step in front of a shot by mistake. i tend to run about 10pts in each torso on most of my mechs.

Edited by VeeOt Dragon, 15 October 2022 - 09:26 AM.

[MrMadguy]

Akamia Terizen, on 29 September 2022 - 10:34 PM, said:

So, question for the forum. Heavy 1v1/2v2 event queue aside, why is the Orion considered terrible, while the Orion IIC actually gets some amount of respect? Does it actually get the respect I perceive it does compared to its Inner Sphere predecessor?

I've seen it around here before, that the leading advice for using Orions is "don't", but by contrast, I've never encountered it with the Orion IIC. After all the balance passes the game's had since the introduction of Clantech, I sincerely doubt the answer is as simple these days as "Clantech stronk". There has to be more at work here.

Ehhh. When IICs were released long time ago - I ignored them. But then there was Christmas/NY promotion, that granted free Marauder IIC. And all of a sudden I realized real truth about IICs. Customizable Clan 'Mech??? No XL ST death penalty??? Wut??? I want it!!! IICs are just the best of both worlds.

Edited by MrMadguy, 12 October 2022 - 04:44 AM.

[martian]

MrMadguy, on 12 October 2022 - 04:44 AM, said:

Ehhh. When IICs were released long time ago - I ignored them. But then there was Christmas/NY promotion, that granted free Marauder IIC. And all of a sudden I realized real truth about IICs. Customizable Clan 'Mech??? No XL ST death penalty??? Wut??? I want it!!! IICs are just the best of both worlds.

Clan second-line BattleMechs are good if they have exactly those hardpoints / loadouts that you want to use.

In case you do not like the hardpoints that those BattleMechs offer, Clan OmniMechs with their interchangeable OmniPods are the better choice because you can cherrypick exactly those OmniPods with the desired hardpoints (if PGI offers them, of course).

[Curccu]

MrMadguy, on 12 October 2022 - 04:44 AM, said:

Ehhh. When IICs were released long time ago - I ignored them. But then there was Christmas/NY promotion, that granted free Marauder IIC. And all of a sudden I realized real truth about IICs. Customizable Clan 'Mech??? No XL ST death penalty??? Wut??? I want it!!! IICs are just the best of both worlds.

99% of IIC builds or clan battlemech builds are better with XL.

[pbiggz]

Curccu, on 12 October 2022 - 09:53 AM, said:

99% of IIC builds or clan battlemech builds are better with XL.

Now i have exactly zero qualms about criticizing mrmadguy, but I think he means the single xl side torso death penalty; hes contrasting clan XL to IS XL engines. At least I hope he is. If he's running clan standard engines IDK what to tell him.

[Curccu]

pbiggz, on 12 October 2022 - 10:36 AM, said:

Now i have exactly zero qualms about criticizing mrmadguy, but I think he means the single xl side torso death penalty; hes contrasting clan XL to IS XL engines. At least I hope he is. If he's running clan standard engines IDK what to tell him.

Yeah I might have misinterpreted what he said/meant, dunno.

[Void Angel]

Yeah, he's associating engine tech bases with 'mech types - I'm sure he knows the difference, and it's just a slip of the tongue, so to speak.

[An6ryMan69]

I actually find both the IS and IIC Orions to be good generalists for quickplay.

As mentioned by many though, the IIC's benefitting from clan technology relating to engines, heat sinks, armor and weapons...well, if you're ahead in all those areas, it's pretty hard to just not be ahead, period.

[martian]

An6ryMan69, on 17 October 2022 - 09:49 AM, said:

I actually find both the IS and IIC Orions to be good generalists for quickplay.

As mentioned by many though, the IIC's benefitting from clan technology relating to engines, heat sinks, armor and weapons...well, if you're ahead in all those areas, it's pretty hard to just not be ahead, period.

Usually PGI balances IS 'Mechs (such as the Orion) with stronger quirks.

[Brizna]

Orion sucks...



Or may be not so much...

Edited by Brizna, 19 October 2022 - 04:09 AM.

[VeeOt Dragon]

yeah thats some nice front armor but just about anything will core that mech in one shot if they get behind it.

Edited by VeeOt Dragon, 19 October 2022 - 06:31 AM.

[martian]

Brizna, on 19 October 2022 - 04:07 AM, said:

Orion sucks...
Or may be not so much...

When brawling, some enemy can get behind you. Or some sneaky light 'Mech. You can have a problem with your thin rear armor.

Also, even artillery strike can remove that armor easily.

But of course, it is your choice.

[Meep Meep]

Brizna, on 19 October 2022 - 04:07 AM, said:

Orion sucks...



Or may be not so much...

I LOVE running across mechs with 1 point of rear armor. Makes ct coring them sooo much easier. Also means that only one alpha from my fle-20 is going to take near half your ct health. For me I run with at least 10 back armor on mediums and 15 to 20 on heavies and up. Lights can get away with low back armor due to their agility and small hitboxes but larger mechs are super easy to ream as they retreat.

[Curccu]

Meep Meep, on 19 October 2022 - 07:11 AM, said:

I LOVE running across mechs with 1 point of rear armor. Makes ct coring them sooo much easier. Also means that only one alpha from my fle-20 is going to take near half your ct health. For me I run with at least 10 back armor on mediums and 15 to 20 on heavies and up. Lights can get away with low back armor due to their agility and small hitboxes but larger mechs are super easy to ream as they retreat.

Never over 5 back armor, lights usually one or two, getting cored from behind is.... well not that good awareness issue.
Showing that back to enemy is option pilot usually can decide to do or not to do.

[Brizna]

Some guy once proposed a game on these games. Every time you die from a backshot you add 1 point of armor to the back, every time you die from the front you add 1 point to the front. Soon you will have 0 armor in the back. I only place more armor in the back if I have to protect something really squishy like Gauss Cannons or maybe if I am carrying many tons of ammo in a torso, for the rest stuff you are protected very solidly just with Internal Structure.

Anyway you don't need to drive the mech like that, you can just move a bit of armor to the back and enjoy a very sturdy brawler with more than decent DPS.