15 replies to this topic

[Leadpaintchips]

With the release of the Stone Rhino and the Anni's, there's a massive spike in the amount of heavy metal in each match.

Me, seeing how the Stone Rhino's cockpit is dead center mass and the Anni's having a cockpit that is flapping in the wind, go "No worries. Take some dual gauss and aim center mass and that massive pile of metal is gone!" but I forget that I'm at the top of tier 4 and a filthy casual. After a half dozen games of trying this strategy out, I have to face the cold, hard truth that a drunken sailor on the first hour of shore leave has steadier aim then me.

So, the question that I have the regulars who are much better at the game then I am, how can I contribute to stopping the tide of heavy metal assault 'mechs without being part of the problem of having >70% of the 'mechs in queue being assaults?

I know the standard answers of teamwork, communication, and git gud, but what else can I do? Normally I'm queueing in my own assaults (AS7-D-DC, DWF-C, FNR-J, or the KDK-SB), but I don't want to contribute to the tide, at least until the appeal of the shiny and new wears out.

[sycocys]

Hunchback-4SP (I run 3 set builds and one I switch up a little here and there depending on what the MM is doing)
5 MPL, 2 SRM6/a - My favorite build
5 ML, 2 SRM6/a - several iterations I run with different engines/equipment
5 ERML, 2 MRM20

Hunchback-IIC-B
2 MPL, 4 SRM6/a

Hunchback-IIC-Deathwish
5 HML, uAC20
5 erML, uAC20 (more forgiving for your skill level)

There's the laser vomit HBKs and the couple AC20 primary variants for both sides. The LRM variant is especially evil once you learn how to target dumbfire salvos while brawling and rarely bother to actually get locks.

Plenty of other great mediums like the Crab-27, VGL-4, BJ-1X, GRF-2N, DV-8D just off the top of my head. If you are stuck on guass the Grid Iron turns it into a more proper brawling weapon despite the charge.

[Leadpaintchips]

Not really stuck on gauss, just wanting to help with the matches without adding to the imbalance, and rather tired of seeing ~6 assaults per side.

Thanks for the suggestions, will look into them!

[Dekallis]

since you said you generally que in assaults just load a dire with ballistics or lasers, forget gauss. you don't need gauss to headshot anyway, it only takes like 30ish damage and that's assuming they didn't shave some cockpit armor for weight.

I used to kill atlas' with nova's laser fists aimed at it's right eye. Also assaults aren't quite as big of an advantage as people think at least in quick play.I've seen matches where the highest damage mechs were lights with 1k damage and the assaults all died early.

Mechs like the hunchback, huntsman, and artic wolf are all solid mediums that can pick off bigger mechs. they also all have JJ options available if you're into jets.


I'd probably recommend focusing on DPS builds if aim is an issue, you can better make up for missed shots with raw dps than with a redlining burst build where if you miss you're kinda screwed.

[Leadpaintchips]

Dekallis, on 25 July 2023 - 06:09 PM, said:

since you said you generally que in assaults just load a dire with ballistics or lasers, forget gauss. you don't need gauss to headshot anyway, it only takes like 30ish damage and that's assuming they didn't shave some cockpit armor for weight.

I used to kill atlas' with nova's laser fists aimed at it's right eye. Also assaults aren't quite as big of an advantage as people think at least in quick play.I've seen matches where the highest damage mechs were lights with 1k damage and the assaults all died early.

Mechs like the hunchback, huntsman, and artic wolf are all solid mediums that can pick off bigger mechs. they also all have JJ options available if you're into jets.


I'd probably recommend focusing on DPS builds if aim is an issue, you can better make up for missed shots with raw dps than with a redlining burst build where if you miss you're kinda screwed.

TBH my favorite builds are all sustain builds. Atlas with MRM 40 and 2x RAC/5's, Dire Whale with AC/2s, Jugg with 3x RAC/2s and HMGs, with the Cuddle Bear being the odd one out with 4xSRM 6's and AC/20 (with a ERPPC for poke).

I've just been failing with the long range poke and front loaded damage on lighter 'mechs (because I don't wanna contribute to the flood of assaults) because of the lack of armor.

Will try looking more into DPS builds instead of the 'meta' of FLPPD builds.

[Saved By The Bell]

Most of elitist dont have back armor, low legs armor. Very hot alfa strike.

Dont fight face to face.

[sycocys]

Leadpaintchips, on 25 July 2023 - 04:15 PM, said:

Not really stuck on gauss, just wanting to help with the matches without adding to the imbalance, and rather tired of seeing ~6 assaults per side.

Thanks for the suggestions, will look into them!

Running primarily HBK's and only mediums I generally perform on par with most of the assaults with the benefit that the mobility allows me to cut off lines and steer traffic better than lights. When I pull into t3-4 drops I usually am one of the top 2 on the drop win or lose.

A lot of it has to do with knowing how to make builds like the ones you use spread damage all over the place - it's rare I die with less than 550 damage taken, running IS XL and low rear armor at that. Pretty much the only thing that gives me consistent issues is a coordinated light group.

[PocketYoda]

Griffons and Crabs are a solid Medium choice.

[1Exitar1]

If your aim is unsteady, you might want to turn the sensitivity of your mouse down. It's what I had to finally do after not being able to keep lasers on target.

[Tarl Cabot]

1Exitar1, on 26 July 2023 - 09:47 AM, said:

If your aim is unsteady, you might want to turn the sensitivity of your mouse down. It's what I had to finally do after not being able to keep lasers on target.

This, slide that sensitivity down in settings. Then if your mouse has DPI buttons, use them to increase/decrease the DPI. I run low DPI in game then a few clicks up when not in game. It can make that much of a difference.

[kalashnikity]

Leadpaintchips, on 25 July 2023 - 03:19 PM, said:

With the release of the Stone Rhino and the Anni's, there's a massive spike in the amount of heavy metal in each match.

Me, seeing how the Stone Rhino's cockpit is dead center mass and the Anni's having a cockpit that is flapping in the wind, go "No worries. Take some dual gauss and aim center mass and that massive pile of metal is gone!" but I forget that I'm at the top of tier 4 and a filthy casual. After a half dozen games of trying this strategy out, I have to face the cold, hard truth that a drunken sailor on the first hour of shore leave has steadier aim then me.

So, the question that I have the regulars who are much better at the game then I am, how can I contribute to stopping the tide of heavy metal assault 'mechs without being part of the problem of having >70% of the 'mechs in queue being assaults?

I know the standard answers of teamwork, communication, and git gud, but what else can I do? Normally I'm queueing in my own assaults (AS7-D-DC, DWF-C, FNR-J, or the KDK-SB), but I don't want to contribute to the tide, at least until the appeal of the shiny and new wears out.

Lights are OP, OP, I just got 5 kills in an Arctic Cheatter on scapyard...

[VeeOt Dragon]

well seeing as the Rhino is as wide as a barn door i had a LOT of luck today with MRM builds (ran my MRM Maurader for a bit then my 3 snub, mrm-30 Hellslinger for bit. both did grand.) honestly anything with good maneuverability can serve you well. hit and run is what you need or bring something lighter with ECM that way you can hang around those big boys giving them some ECM. the Rhino is easy enough to pick apart it seems and the the weaknesses of the Anni are pretty readily known. (also sometimes people for get that those top side guns on the Rhino will be seen before you can see your target so if you know what to look for you can just blast away at that weapon pod when they think they are safe).

i didn't bring out any of my LRM boats since the patch (today was the first day ii have played since it dropped) but if you know how to employ them they can be devastating against big slow assaults (especially if they get caught in the open). usually i would have just to see how well they preform on he new map but since my hand Tremors were almost non existent today i had fun with other stuff.

[Leadpaintchips]

1Exitar1, on 26 July 2023 - 09:47 AM, said:

If your aim is unsteady, you might want to turn the sensitivity of your mouse down. It's what I had to finally do after not being able to keep lasers on target.

It's more I'm not good at making the micro adjustments that are needed for pinpoint damage on something as small as a cockpit, guessing where it's going to go. I have cranked down my sensitivity as far as it can go while being able to turn without flinging my mouse across the room, but it always is good to keep it in mind.

[Leadpaintchips]

the check engine light, on 26 July 2023 - 04:46 PM, said:

The mewling genuflection, self-debasement and self-flagellation is weird and uncomely.

What the hell are you on about?

I'm fully aware of my capabilities and how forums work. I know I'm not a great 'mech pilot, as my being in Tier 4 shows. I know, through over a decade of gaming with very brief and sporadic stints in shooters, that my aim is not good. It took a bit for me to remember, through experience playing a couple of matches, just how bad I am at that aspect of shooters.

I'm not a regular on these forums, as you can see from my post count. I know that forums for smaller, older games have a more top heavy distribution of player skill reading them. So filling in a group that don't know me and are better at a game then me with information and some self deprecating humor (that shows that I know my skillset comparatively against the larger group) isn't weird.

TBH your post is the first time I've seen that sort of reaction in my decades on the internet. This'll also be the last time I'm contributing to this discussion because I'd much rather this thread stays on topic about contributing to an assault heavy queue as a non-assault, then devolving into whatever this is about, to help both myself and any future readers who might have this question.