9 replies to this topic

[MechVenator]

As the topic states, new player returning and have some specific questions for mech choice.

I am currently running the HBK-4G. 2 ERLL and 1 Ultra AC/5 with 4 ammo packs. Have spent skill points for heat management, weapon range/velocity/ammo.

Long term I want to run a ER Laser (can be mix of Small/Med/Large) heavy build, with roughly the speed/maneuvering of the current HBK but with more killing power. That being said, I know I can't just hop in the latest and greatest on day 1. So my question is: What is a good progression path for mechs that allows for the above listed preferences? I have heard that Assault mechs are good to work toward, but they based on their cost I assume they are something I am not likely to be looking at for quite a while.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. In previous threads I saw smurfy-net being linked, but it does not appear to be working anymore... So if there are any other reference sites to use, they would also be appreciated as I am willing to do the work of researching.

[w0qjw0qj]

Hey, a warm welcome back to MWO!

Suggest you start either with a Heavy mech or Light mech (depends if your paying style)...
~Medium mechs are tricky to play, as it has less armour than Heavy mechs, and not as fast as Light mechs...
~Assault mechs need proper positioning hence tricky; need to get to the main battle area before the main battle starts.

Medium mech for laser vomit:
HBK-IIC-A, with JJ! (great for ridge poking, but a bit of a glass cannon)

Heavy mech for laser vomit:
Clan Hellbringer, with ECM. Also great for ridge poking

Edited by w0qjw0qj, 30 December 2024 - 03:00 PM.

[w0qjw0qj]

Some good post-Smurfy.de resources to get you started!

GOOD
http://grimmechs.isengrim.org/Database
http://grimmechs.ise...ts?list=general
http://grimmechs.isengrim.org
(Unfortunately smurfy.de is now long gone)


MechDB 2.0
http://mwo.nav-alpha.com/mechs
http://mwo.nav-alpha.com/equipment
http://mwo.nav-alpha...uipment/weapons
http://mwo.nav-alpha...pment/ghostheat
http://mwo.nav-alpha...d178645d_CUSTOM


Monthly Free Mech Guide (newcomer/returning player-friendly!)
http://mwomercs.com/...kill-trees-more

- - - - - - - - - -
Update HSL Quirk List:
http://mwomercs.com/...-hsl-quirk-list

MWO/Cauldron Patch History since April 2021:
http://mwomercs.com/...auldron-changes
http://mwomercs.com/game/patch-notes

- - - - - - - - - -
All of below resources are "optional" for you to refer to as needed:
There are good YouTube videos from MWO streamers who take the time to explain:

Baradul** (suggest 2018 to 2020 videos**)
TTB
JGx D A T A

Note: ** - Baradul used to explain in detail how your mech playstyle fits with your Skill Tree from 2018-2020. Recent 2021 and onwards Baradul videos use more cookie cutter Skill Trees with less explanation.

- - - - - - - - - -
Good Skill Tree Video (2 Parts)

Sean Lang's 2022 Skill Tree Guide

https://mwomercs.com...ew-player-guide

DATA's 2022 Skill Tree Guide
https://mwomercs.com...l-tree-tutorial

Edited by w0qjw0qj, 30 December 2024 - 03:01 PM.

[epikt]

Welcome back to MWO!

I'm afraid your HBK-4G build is quite... bad. It's mostly a chassis made to mount an AC20.
If you really like Hunchbacks, you can do ERLLas on the HBK-4P or HBK-IIC-A.

For ERLLas mechs, you want at least two things: high mounted lasers and range quirks. Laser duration quirks are good too, as well as laser HSL+.
Here are some suggestions, at he top of my head:
Lights: Raven-2X
Mediums: Vulcan-2T
Heavies: Hellbringer Virago (other Hellbringers can work), Nova-Cat-A, Grasshopper-5P
Assaults: Stalker-5S, Battlemaster-1G, Stone Rhino-6
There are others, but those are probably the easiest to pilot.

Quote

That being said, I know I can't just hop in the latest and greatest on day 1

Yes you can.
Save your cbills playing the trial mechs (it's the opportunity to experience different gameplay and see what fits you) and buy the mech of your dream. Of the mechs I mentions, I'd suggest the Grasshopper.

Edited by epikt, 30 December 2024 - 06:26 PM.

[Void Angel]

MechSenpai, on 30 December 2024 - 11:00 AM, said:

I have heard that Assault mechs are good to work toward, but they based on their cost I assume they are something I am not likely to be looking at for quite a while.

Assaults are easier to get than you might expect. If you get to playing with a 'mech you enjoy, and do the holiday events, you'll have a ton of C-bills before long. Siimilarly, do not be fooled into thinking Clan 'mechs are more expensive - the Inner Sphere and Clan options tend to be about the same price once you've upgraded the Inner Sphere with Endosteel and advanced engines. Clantech is very good - on the upper end of balanced - so don't get scared away from it.

[MechVenator]

Thank you everyone for the replies, and yes I am very much enjoying my time back.

epikt, on 30 December 2024 - 04:51 PM, said:

Welcome back to MWO!

I'm afraid your HBK-4G build is quite... bad. It's mostly a chassis made to mount an AC20.
If you really like Hunchbacks, you can do ERLLas on the HBK-4P or HBK-IIC-A.

For ERLLas mechs, you want at least two things: high mounted lasers and range quirks. Laser duration quirks are good too, as well as laser HSL+.
Here are some suggestions, at he top of my head:
Lights: Raven-2X
Mediums: Vulcan-2T
Heavies: Hellbringer Virago (other Hellbringers can work), Nova-Cat-A, Grasshopper-5P
Assaults: Stalker-5S, Battlemaster-1G
There are others, but those are probably the easiest to pilot.


Yes you can.
Save your cbills playing the trial mechs (it's the opportunity to experience different gameplay and see what fits you) and buy the mech of your dream. Of the mechs I mentions, I'd suggest the Grasshopper.

I appreciate your honesty, and I all ready assumed I was not running an ideal build. I messed around with various loadouts and this is what happened to feel good with what I had.

Since I will be on the grind for credits and other rewards, would it be better for me to ditch the AC20 and instead mount other projectiles and then replace the ERLL with more smaller ERL's? Be more of a brawler type early on?

[martian]

MechSenpai, on 31 December 2024 - 05:06 AM, said:

Thank you everyone for the replies, and yes I am very much enjoying my time back.

I appreciate your honesty, and I all ready assumed I was not running an ideal build. I messed around with various loadouts and this is what happened to feel good with what I had.

Since I will be on the grind for credits and other rewards, would it be better for me to ditch the AC20 and instead mount other projectiles and then replace the ERLL with more smaller ERL's? Be more of a brawler type early on?

What about arming your HBK-4G with Gauss Rifle or Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle, with ER Medium lasers as a backup? You would not use those AC-20 quirks, but even those gneric ballistic and energy quirks are nice. That ranged weapon would allow you to learn the game, while hiding a big part of your Hunchback behind cover.

[epikt]

MechSenpai, on 31 December 2024 - 05:06 AM, said:

would it be better for me to ditch the AC20 and instead mount other projectiles and then replace the ERLL with more smaller ERL's? Be more of a brawler type early on?

I don't think you can real turn the HBK-4G into a pure brawler, and I would advice against it anyway. It's a pretty vulnerable mech since the hunch is huge and pack the main weapons.
You could do what martian suggested and mount gauss: regular, SB or even 2 lights. It won't be optimal (the gauss hunchy is the Grid Iron hero) but the additional range should give you room to breathe (and you seem to enjoy being at range).
But tbh I would not pass on the AC/20, the quirks are so good. Especially the range+velocity, that make it more of a mid-range mech despite what's the build is showing on paper. Plus the cooldown is yummy.

[CFC Conky]

Hello MechSenpai,

I'm no elite-level player but my advice would be to run that Hunchie with the AC20. It's quirked for that and is pretty handy with it.

If you want to do laser vomit, there are a lot better rides for that, as others have mentioned.

Good hunting,
CFC Conky

[Void Angel]

The key to running a Hunchback - or any Medium - is to understand what a Medium does in MWO's combat ecosystem. Mediums can brawl, or fight from long range... but whatever weapons they're using, they exist as a mobile firepower platform. You don't want to be slugging it out in a Medium if you can help it; armor is a resource to be used, but you don't have a lot of it. What you do have is a moderate amount of guns with a moderate amount of mobility, and generally the best way to use that is to sort of add your firepower to other people's fights.

Try This Build with the Hunchback, try to stay with larger 'mechs, and shoot what other people are hitting. Generally, pick a Big (or Bigs,) and you be their Hunchbuddy. If the enemy is trying to harass your Bigs, beat the crap out of them with the AC/20; when your Bigs expose themselves to fight, you expose just after them, and add a couple of AC/20 rounds to the argument until you start taking return fire - hammer whoever shot at you with - again - the AC/20, and repeat. Don't try to trade damage with people outside your AC's range, and stay in cover; use the ERMLs to harass people who aren't moving, or when you don't have a good shot with the AC. It'll take a bit of getting a general feel for how players in your Tier and time of day will go about things, but if you work with your team, Mediums can do a lot of work for you while you grind out those C-bills.

Also, don't sleep on the Trial 'mechs! They all have quirks to simulate a full, optimized skill tree, so you can grab any one of them to try, and not feel like you're taking a step back from your existing 'mech stable.