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To Buy An Assault Or Another Heavy


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#1 LunaticRED

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Posted 02 December 2022 - 01:04 PM

Hello everyone!

I have been liking the game so far, though I have made a few financial missteps in the game (namely, buying several mechs considered middling or difficult to pilot). So far, I own a light 'mech (KFX-D, customized with SRMs, difficult to pilot), a medium 'mech (CN9-A, engine dropped down to 190, customized to mount an UAC/10 and an MRM 20. The Centurion is a middling from what I've heard but is currently my favorite because it has good survivability) and a heavy 'mech (RFL-8D, stock with armor moved to front, dies too fast, though someone suggested me swap out the RACs for two medium lasers and a pair of LB-10X autocannons to remedy this), and I am now pondering what mech I should get next. This time, I think I am better off if I make an informed decision, which is why I have come to consult the forums!

I have read up slightly on the roles of various weight classes, and I have found that heavy 'mechs are generally the workhorses of the team, being tough enough to survive a barrage while also being mobile enough to lead a push, while assault 'mechs are slow, lumbering behemoths that require team support to do well, but that can inflict brutal punishment on anything caught in its reticles.

So now I have another difficult decision to make: should I buy an assault mech so I have one 'mech of each weight class, or should I buy a heavy 'mech that doesn't need a suite of personal bodyguards?

I figured that assault 'mechs aren't too beginner friendly because they tend to draw a lot of fire, but if I am to buy one, which one would suit a relatively inexperienced player like me? While I am down to 13 million C-bills at the moment, I should be able to get around 18 million more during winter break. I expect to be able to afford any non-hero 'mech in the game by the end of said break. The qualities I am looking for are survivability and the ability to recover if I make a mistake. My Kit Fox and Rifleman rarely live to see more than one engagement owing to my lack of skill and experience, and I'd like to own a 'mech that can stay in a match and ensure or at least increase the odds of victory.

Alternatively, I can buy another heavy 'mech. Since matches tend to snowball after losing an amount of 'mechs, I figured that a dead heavy wouldn't be as impactful as a dead assault. Furthermore, heavies aren't as big and scary as an assault, so I probably won't draw as much fire if I am piloting one. Since my current Rifleman will die if sneezed on (the Rifleman already has relatively poor armor, and the survivability issue is exacerbated by the XL engine the 8D variant has by default), I would like something decently survivable, even if it means that it doesn't have the best firepower.

So, what suggestions do you have? Are there any heavies or assaults I should get that will allow me to survive for long enough to be an actual asset to a team rather than a liability?

EDIT: I have not slept well for 5 days in a row, so the text might not be very coherent. Apologies!

Edited by LunaticRED, 02 December 2022 - 01:07 PM.


#2 CFC Conky

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Posted 02 December 2022 - 02:46 PM

Welcome to MWO.

First off, you should have a look at the Grimmechs website for build ideas. Off the top of my head I’d opine that your Centurion build is sub-optimal due to the engine size. Save up some bills and upgrade to a LFE engine and when you get a bit more time in you can even upgrade to an XL mill to maximize weight for weapons although this is the most risky option due to the risk of death from a single side torso loss.

Good hunting,
CFC Conky

https://grimmechs.is...im.org/Database

#3 w0qj

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Posted 03 December 2022 - 06:04 PM

A warm welcome to MWO!
As an Assault/Heavy pilot, rejoined MWO 2+ years ago, and advice from warrior to warrior Posted Image

1a) Suggest you use ballistic weapons for your Heavy or Assault, sounds like you prefer face-to-face tanking, seem to expect killing enemy faster than you get killed... but also agile enough to spin around to kill a Light mech, with your back agains the wall):

Mad Cat II: MCII-B (2xUAC10 + 2xUAC5; see below video) - Assault
Fafnir FNR-5: (4xLBX10 + ECM, or ballistic dakka of your fancy) - Assault
Cyclops Sleipnir: CP-S (2xUAC10 + 2xUAC5, or 4xLBX10 but slow) - Assault hero mech

Catapult CPLT-K2: (2xRAC5 + laser, or 2xLBX10 + laser) - Heavy
Hellbringer (any variant): (2xHLL + ERML laser vomit + ECM) - Heavy
Roughneck RGH-BLT (2xRAC5 + Laser, or 3xRAC2) - Heavy hero mech

Do have fun choosing your mech!

1b ) Light/Medium mechs: sounds like you prefer avoiding Light/Medium (too fragile)... at high speeds 100+ kph, the Lights thrive...
Piranha PIR-2 can kill Atlas assault mech with just 2x Alpha in back of CT (!), so any mech dies with PIR-2 behind you...
This also demonstrate the most common problem of Assaults, with Light mechs coming for your backside...


2. You can watch YouTube MWO beginner mech suggestions all day, but it's better to find a MWO QP Team in your timezone who are willing to share better mech builds, give you real time advice (MWO ingame chat, or better still Discord/etc.), positioning, etc.

2a) Top-4 mechs for new players coming into the game - Sean Lang
https://mwomercs.com...g-into-the-game
Mad Cat II: MCII-B (2xUAC10 + 2xUAC5 + JJ) - Assault
Wolfhound WLF-2: (Medium Laser build) - Light
Vapor Eagle VGL-3: (3x ERPPC build + JJ, or ATM + JJ build) - Medium
Vulcan VL-5T (MPL build) - Medium
Blood Asp BAS-A (UAC20 + 2xUAC10 + ECM + JJ) - Assault

2b ) TTB's beginner mech videos (a little long winded, but in great detail... from 2-3 years ago)

TTB's Guide to best Assault mechs:


TTB's Guide to best Heavy mechs:



TTB's Guide to best Medium mechs:



TTB's Guide to best Light mechs:





View PostLunaticRED, on 02 December 2022 - 01:04 PM, said:

Hello everyone! ...I have been liking the game so far...

So now I have another difficult decision to make: should I buy an assault mech so I have one 'mech of each weight class, or should I buy a heavy 'mech that doesn't need a suite of personal bodyguards?

I figured that assault 'mechs aren't too beginner friendly because they tend to draw a lot of fire, but if I am to buy one, which one would suit a relatively inexperienced player like me? ...

...The qualities I am looking for are survivability and the ability to recover if I make a mistake....

So, what suggestions do you have? Are there any heavies or assaults I should get that will allow me to survive for long enough to be an actual asset to a team rather than a liability?

EDIT: I have not slept well for 5 days in a row, so the text might not be very coherent. Apologies!

Edited by w0qj, 03 December 2022 - 06:36 PM.


#4 valt901

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Posted 03 December 2022 - 06:32 PM

use this code in the redeem section and get a free dire wolf.
MWOCOMPCS22GF
it expires tomorrow.

Edited by valt901, 03 December 2022 - 09:14 PM.


#5 w0qj

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Posted 03 December 2022 - 06:33 PM

Hi LunaticRED,

A warm welcome to MWO!

FREE Dire Wolf DWF-C (will expire SOON!)

https://mwomercs.com/profile/redeem
MWOCOMPCS22GF

This will expire SOON, Sunday 4-Dec-2022 @ 16:00 UTC Time
http://www.mwomercs.com/clock

Hoping that you will redeem this in time!!

Edited by w0qj, 03 December 2022 - 06:34 PM.


#6 ThingsSureAreGettingSerious

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Posted 03 December 2022 - 08:30 PM

holymoly thank you!!! awesome!!! Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image

#7 LunaticRED

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Posted 04 December 2022 - 02:12 AM

Thanks for all the answers! I really appreciate the guidance!

View Postvalt901, on 03 December 2022 - 06:32 PM, said:

use this code in the redeem section and get a free dire wolf. MWOCOMPCS22GF it expires tomorrow.


View Postw0qj, on 03 December 2022 - 06:33 PM, said:

Hi LunaticRED,

A warm welcome to MWO!

FREE Dire Wolf DWF-C (will expire SOON!)

https://mwomercs.com/profile/redeem
MWOCOMPCS22GF

This will expire SOON, Sunday 4-Dec-2022 @ 16:00 UTC Time
http://www.mwomercs.com/clock

Hoping that you will redeem this in time!!


I have been eyeing the Dire Wolf for a while because it is a clan mech that looks like an overgrown Viper. The ECM on this particular variation means that I can actually be halfway useful for the team for once! I have managed to snatch it in the nick of time. I am very thankful for this gift!

View Postw0qj, on 03 December 2022 - 06:04 PM, said:


1a) Suggest you use ballistic weapons for your Heavy or Assault, sounds like you prefer face-to-face tanking, seem to expect killing enemy faster than you get killed... but also agile enough to spin around to kill a Light mech, with your back agains the wall):

Mad Cat II: MCII-B (2xUAC10 + 2xUAC5; see below video) - Assault
Fafnir FNR-5: (4xLBX10 + ECM, or ballistic dakka of your fancy) - Assault
Cyclops Sleipnir: CP-S (2xUAC10 + 2xUAC5, or 4xLBX10 but slow) - Assault hero mech

Catapult CPLT-K2: (2xRAC5 + laser, or 2xLBX10 + laser) - Heavy
Hellbringer (any variant): (2xHLL + ERML laser vomit + ECM) - Heavy
Roughneck RGH-BLT (2xRAC5 + Laser, or 3xRAC2) - Heavy hero mech

Do have fun choosing your mech!

1b ) Light/Medium mechs: sounds like you prefer avoiding Light/Medium (too fragile)... at high speeds 100+ kph, the Lights thrive...
Piranha PIR-2 can kill Atlas assault mech with just 2x Alpha in back of CT (!), so any mech dies with PIR-2 behind you...
This also demonstrate the most common problem of Assaults, with Light mechs coming for your backside...


2. You can watch YouTube MWO beginner mech suggestions all day, but it's better to find a MWO QP Team in your timezone who are willing to share better mech builds, give you real time advice (MWO ingame chat, or better still Discord/etc.), positioning, etc.


My preference for tanky 'mechs is temporary, as I would like my 'mechs to survive even if I make a mistake. I am open to trying more daring loadouts later down the line once I get a better hang of the game! The Kit Fox (champion variant specifically, but I bought a regular KFX-D and retooled it to be similar to the Champion variant) appealed to me at first precisely because of its high-octane burst damage play style! But I found myself woefully outmatched by more skilled players, since the only ones I got close to killing were Assaults who were not paying attention and separated from their team.

I am well aware of the Assault's weakness to lights. Some people don't like the fact, but I personally think it's best that way. Lights can't hold their ground unlike heavier weight classes because of their poor armor and can be swatted away by alert mediums and heavies with superior firepower and armor. One 'mech takes up one slot in the team anyways, and nobody would want to play lights if they were literally good for nothing!

I actually do like mechs of lighter classes as well, but the problem is that I am still not skilled enough to use them well. The Centurion is actually my current favorite due to its good blend of survivability and maneuverability. My best matches so far have all been inside the cockpit of the Centurion. Best I can do at the moment however is awkwardly shuffling in and out of cover between shots or simply sticking to the closest teammate (preferably a lancemate) and shooting back at whatever shoots at them or me.

The videos are a useful resource too!

See you all on the battlefield soon!

#8 w0qj

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Posted 04 December 2022 - 03:53 AM

Ah, yes, the Dire Wolf...my favorite... and since you're well aware of Lights behind your back of Dire Wolf & Annihilator, then we'll broach on this topic:

Dire Wolf can do mega damage, and with DWF-UV, DWF-C(S), DWF-Prime(I) or its upcoming Platinum Collection counterpart, practically prints CBills with its +30% CBills bonus, which would greatly help kickstart your MWO Cbills economy!

DWF-C: 2xLBX20 + 2xLBX10 + ECM + JJ
DWF-C: LBX20 + UAC20 + 2xUAC10 + ECM + JJ
DWF-C: 4xLBX10 + 3xerSML lasers + ECM + JJ
DWF-C: 2xUAC10 + 3xUAC5 + ECM + JJ
DWF-C: 6xUAC2 + ECM + JJ

DWF-UV: UAC20 + 2xUAC10 + 2xUAC5 (aka 'The Delete Mech')
DWF-UV: 2xLBX20 + LBX10 + 3xSRM6 (from GrimMechs)
DWF-UV: 2xAC20 + 2xAC10
DWF-UV: 8xUAC2

DWF-Prime: 2xGauss + 2xLPL + 6xERML (Set-of-8 bonus)

DWF-A can replace any of above three (3) Dire Wolf variants should you wish, albeit without the CBills bonus for this DWF-A Standard Variant...

As you can see, any way you slice+dice the Dire Wolf, it is a potent damage dealer, as long as you are protected from Light mechs coming up behind you! ymmv

Edited by w0qj, 04 December 2022 - 05:44 AM.


#9 DavidStarr

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Posted 04 December 2022 - 12:51 PM

How about... DWF-C with 6 LBX-2s? I've had a lot of fun with this build.

#10 Sawk

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Posted 04 December 2022 - 03:50 PM

hmm your new -- STOP STARTING A BIG slow mech, turn your eye to the MADCAT, its can run a 70 KPH, with good alpha strike, the death strike, works good, basic build is 2 ac 10 cannons your choice, and 4 med lazers, and you can get jump jets,

BUT on the CHEAP, you can do the same with lazer vomit, 2 er large and 3 or 4 med lazers, you put that on the hunchback 2c for a med, and ebon jag at 65 tons no jets, or a TIMBERWOLF, with jets 75 tons, also seen folks running VIPERS, with ECM light wolf PACK.

SAWK CLANNER

#11 ThingsSureAreGettingSerious

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Posted 07 December 2022 - 03:53 PM

do this giveaway again yo homies Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image





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