14 replies to this topic

[Veshna]

Hey all, I'm a returning player who last played all the way back in 2014-15ish, and I'm just wondering if there is a better mech for my playstyle and also just asking for general advice on my playstyle itself? I, both currently and a decade past, seem to really gravitate towards a close support/defensive flanking playstyle where I sprint to obj as fast as possible (if there is one), dip into cover and sit tight; peeking only to get early potential spots. Afterwards, I wait for my heavier allies to roll onto point and start trading with the enemy so I can start taking potshots at enemies who are trying to brawl with my Heavy/Assaults and not paying attention to me.

I prefer to stay at medium range and not move too much from the spot I was capping at, however I very much like to be able to rush over to an ally being attacked from close range and flank their aggressor and melt their back to force them into a decision; turn around to swat me and potentially get an easy kill while they are being slammed by my allied Heavy/Assault mech OR do their best to kill my Heavy while I'm strafing and melting their backside. To facilitate this playstyle, I currently own both a SDR-5K and a LCT-1E and found that for now I currently prefer my Locust with 3 Small Lasers and 2 Medium. My Spider has 4 MG's and a Large Pulse laser.

I'm basically wondering if I should stick with Lights and if so which would be recommended but if you believe a different weight class would fit better, which one(s) and what Mech(s) to go along with it. Also, if there are any tips for the playstyle in general I'd love to hear from true veteran players because while my account is old as dirt, I was never very good and used to play on a PC running Vista, so performance was....very bad. Anything is appreciated! Also sorry if this post turns out looking ugly, first time forum user

Edited by Veshna, 04 July 2023 - 09:52 AM.

[epikt]

Veshna, on 04 July 2023 - 09:44 AM, said:

I prefer to stay at medium range and not move too much from the spot I was capping at, however I very much like to be able to rush over to an ally being attacked from close range and flank their aggressor and melt their back

When I read that, I think Incubus. Typically this build. It's a pretty good mech.
Since you wonder if another class than lights can fit, I guess some fast mediums can do the job, like the ShadowCat, Ice Ferret (the build is on the hero because it's was I use, but you can do the exact same on the -P variant) or Black Lanner (no build, I honestly don't know this mech very much).

[Veshna]

epikt, on 04 July 2023 - 11:07 AM, said:

When I read that, I think Incubus. Typically this build. It's a pretty good mech.
Since you wonder if another class than lights can fit, I guess some fast mediums can do the job, like the ShadowCat, Ice Ferret (the build is on the hero because it's was I use, but you can do the exact same on the -P variant) or Black Lanner (no build, I honestly don't know this mech very much).

I've tried this weeks(?) trial Incubus and found I quite enjoyed it as it was, so looking into getting my own sounds like a great idea! I'll also check out each of the mediums of the ones you recommended and their variants to see if any of their hardpoints/quirks strike my fancy; tyvm for the recommendations!

[Void Angel]

Veshna, on 04 July 2023 - 09:44 AM, said:

Hey all, I'm a returning player who last played all the way back in 2014-15ish, and I'm just wondering if there is a better mech for my playstyle and also just asking for general advice on my playstyle itself? I, both currently and a decade past, seem to really gravitate towards a close support/defensive flanking playstyle where I sprint to obj as fast as possible (if there is one), dip into cover and sit tight; peeking only to get early potential spots. Afterwards, I wait for my heavier allies to roll onto point and start trading with the enemy so I can start taking potshots at enemies who are trying to brawl with my Heavy/Assaults and not paying attention to me.

I prefer to stay at medium range and not move too much from the spot I was capping at, however I very much like to be able to rush over to an ally being attacked from close range and flank their aggressor and melt their back to force them into a decision; turn around to swat me and potentially get an easy kill while they are being slammed by my allied Heavy/Assault mech OR do their best to kill my Heavy while I'm strafing and melting their backside. To facilitate this playstyle, I currently own both a SDR-5K and a LCT-1E and found that for now I currently prefer my Locust with 3 Small Lasers and 2 Medium. My Spider has 4 MG's and a Large Pulse laser.

I'm basically wondering if I should stick with Lights and if so which would be recommended but if you believe a different weight class would fit better, which one(s) and what Mech(s) to go along with it. Also, if there are any tips for the playstyle in general I'd love to hear from true veteran players because while my account is old as dirt, I was never very good and used to play on a PC running Vista, so performance was....very bad. Anything is appreciated! Also sorry if this post turns out looking ugly, first time forum user

You are describing the Shadowcat. You can use that play style with Lights as well. The Incubus is a pretty good Light, and I really enjoy my Locust 1V with 4 HMGs and an MPL. But with the Shadowcat, you can set up on the side and pour fire into the enemy while still having enough burst speed to get back to the team if they come after you. Most often people play ERPPC with the Shadowcat, or ERLL - but a Closer-Range Build can deal impressive damage, engaging alongside heavier elements and "discouraging" enemy Lights from harassing your bigger teammates.

It depends on what you want to do, but for solo flanking, the Shadowcat is one of the better 'mechs.

[BLACKR0SE]

roughneck sssssss LARGE LAZERS , MRMS , ACsss

[Taurian_Stubbornness]

The Cicada CDA-3F with 2xERPPC might be up your alley, it has been heavily quirked for them and can be built so that it only needs to expose a small portion of the 'mech to incoming fire.

As a returning player myself, here's what I've picked up on. Alphas and damage in general is MUCH higher than it used to be, if you're running a lighter 'mech, you can be effectively taken out of the game (nearly legged, open side torso, etc) in a single shot from the right build, so be careful.

[Veshna]

Void Angel, on 04 July 2023 - 12:27 PM, said:

You are describing the Shadowcat. You can use that play style with Lights as well. The Incubus is a pretty good Light, and I really enjoy my Locust 1V with 4 HMGs and an MPL. But with the Shadowcat, you can set up on the side and pour fire into the enemy while still having enough burst speed to get back to the team if they come after you. Most often people play ERPPC with the Shadowcat, or ERLL - but a Closer-Range Build can deal impressive damage, engaging alongside heavier elements and "discouraging" enemy Lights from harassing your bigger teammates.

It depends on what you want to do, but for solo flanking, the Shadowcat is one of the better 'mechs.

As this is the second Shadowcat recommendation, I think I'll get that next especially since you were kind enough to supply a build. I bought and tuned an Incubus-2 using epikt's build, plus a few tweaks, and have more than doubled my damage per game in comparison to my Locust. Got it fully skilled out already, so I'm eager to fill out that last mech bay slot and that Shadowcat build seems an absolute winner to me since I won't need to adjust to new weapons while having more firepower and survivability. Top speed is pretty comfy too!

[Veshna]

Capellan Shenanigans, on 04 July 2023 - 04:05 PM, said:

The Cicada CDA-3F with 2xERPPC might be up your alley, it has been heavily quirked for them and can be built so that it only needs to expose a small portion of the 'mech to incoming fire.

As a returning player myself, here's what I've picked up on. Alphas and damage in general is MUCH higher than it used to be, if you're running a lighter 'mech, you can be effectively taken out of the game (nearly legged, open side torso, etc) in a single shot from the right build, so be careful.

Honestly I've wanted to use PPC weapons for years, but anytime I built them the mech really felt like a frankenbuild that worked all wrong. Having a mech thats actually MEANT to use them would be very nice, and I may honestly get rid of my Spider to acquire that Cicada. Spider was charming, but felt far too weak/slow with the weapons I had (I probably picked a bad variant/build for what I want, tbh).
And I agree, so far I pretty much constantly stick to and fire from cover and never try to take an engagement on an open field unless they CLEARLY aren't looking towards me. In the Incubus, I may have the guns to do some serious damage to all mech types, but I would still never want to facecheck an Assault mech, much less their whole team by overextending/flanking too aggressively. Currently I sit, do massive damage when able, then run back to the closest cover behind me if they so much as clip me with anything more than a medium laser. I'll let the big boys and...braver ...light mechs do all the frontlining/facechecking.

[Void Angel]

ERPPCs are like all "sniper" weapon types: slow-firing, hard-hitting, and long-ranged. In order to get your money's worth from them, you must hit what you aim at, and maximize your firing time - but doing so will serve you well.

The best thing about the Shadowcat's kit is MASC, however. The increase in speed is good, but the mobility boost is excellent. Ram the throttle to full, hit the MASC at top speed... and then stomp on the Jump Jets. You'll never sell that 'mech.

[epikt]

Veshna, on 04 July 2023 - 05:30 PM, said:

As this is the second Shadowcat recommendation, I think I'll get that next

One more good thing about the ShadowCat: it's an omnimech, so you can do a lot of different builds on it. Especially since all SHC center torsos are the same, you can do everything on the same chassis.
Another build you might like is this one (I didn't posted it in my first message because it's pretty similar to the Incubus, I wanted some diversity).

[Veshna]

epikt, on 04 July 2023 - 06:53 PM, said:

One more good thing about the ShadowCat: it's an omnimech, so you can do a lot of different builds on it. Especially since all SHC center torsos are the same, you can do everything on the same chassis.

Oh we loooove versatility! Honestly, I enjoy being safe and doing loads of damage whether or not I get the kill while also being able to defend my teammates and shut down flanks if need be, so all of the suggestions today from everyone have been perfect! I'm no "tank" player, so being able to properly help my assault/heavy teammates while in no way being helpless is great and a huge improvement from how I used to play; honestly been the best day in MWO that I can remember! It'll also be nice to have the same playstyle while also actually having Jump Jets for once with the Shadowcat.

[SafeScanner]

if your still keen on spider try this

https://mwomercs.com...-spdr-a-anansi/

[Ignatius Audene]

I am not going to recommend any specific chassis. I can only encourage to test out other weight classes chassis as well. It does not only prevent weight class x is op discussions, but helps u understand their strong and weak points too. And in return u can now utilize this knowledge to find new prey.

[kalashnikity]

Capellan Shenanigans, on 04 July 2023 - 04:05 PM, said:

The Cicada CDA-3F with 2xERPPC might be up your alley, it has been heavily quirked for them and can be built so that it only needs to expose a small portion of the 'mech to incoming fire. As a returning player myself, here's what I've picked up on. Alphas and damage in general is MUCH higher than it used to be, if you're running a lighter 'mech, you can be effectively taken out of the game (nearly legged, open side torso, etc) in a single shot from the right build, so be careful.

CDA-3F is an amazing mech, I run it with 2erPPC and 2ML and 2 or 3 JJ, which due to the PPC buffs actually sync nicely. Gives it a 30 alpha for more effective brawling and descent pop tarting, but with enough long range to stay in the fight no matter what range you end up shooting at. The ML also come in handy for lights whoa re hard to hit with PPCs.

OP may want to ditch the lasers and all but one JJ, for extra speed, if running alone a lot.

SafeScanner, on 04 July 2023 - 10:25 PM, said:

if your still keen on spider try this https://mwomercs.com...-spdr-a-anansi/

SDR-5D with 3LPPC is a great mech.

epikt, on 04 July 2023 - 06:53 PM, said:

One more good thing about the ShadowCat: it's an omnimech, so you can do a lot of different builds on it. Especially since all SHC center torsos are the same, you can do everything on the same chassis. Another build you might like is this one (I didn't posted it in my first message because it's pretty similar to the Incubus, I wanted some diversity).

yes, a very good build for people who aren't as good with PPC. It's also good for if you get caught alone against a light with high DPS short range weapons, since PPCs are nearly useless against fleas and locusts.

OP might also think about an Arctic Cheetah with 2erppc and ecm...

ETA: I've been looking for a build that mimics the handling characteristics and hardpoint locations of the Arctic Cheetah with 2erPPC & ECM, but with full armor. I'm too tired to think right now (just spent 12 hours working), but IIRC I haven't found one...yet. There is an assassin build that gets close but no ECM and less JJ.

Black Lanner is a favorite for 2 erppc ECM sniping and harrassing, no JJ, but it has enough speed to make up for that.

Edited by kalashnikity, 19 July 2023 - 06:56 PM.

[Void Angel]

Fleas and Locusts actually do not like being shot at with ERPPCs at all. The only thing they hate more is boated pulse lasers - particularly cLPLs that reach out and hitscan from hundreds of meters away. If you can hit with your ERPPCs, Lights will tend to leave you alone.

At least, this one will. ;]