43 replies to this topic

[RAM]

Background
Using the battletechnology stolen from the Terran Hegemony, the Commando was the second battlemech and the Lyran Commonwealth’s first. Once past the primitive prototype phase, the Commando would end up slightly heavier than what would become more contemporary reconnaissance mechs; in effect trading mobility for better weapons and more armour. Nevertheless the Star League repeatedly tried to secure the rights to the design, but through a combination of lies and delays the Commonwealth maintained its sole control. Although a prudent move, this has resulted in the COM not yet receiving Star League tech upgrades in factory variants. Nevertheless individual mechwarriors are free to customize their personal machines, tailoring them to their liking with whatever they have access to.

Common:
25 tons
150 rated Engine producing top speed of 97.2kph
10 Heat Sinks
No JJ
178 MAX Armour

COM-1B: 1,694,524 / 680 MC
SRM2, LL & ML w/ 128 Armour
CT 1 Missile
RA 2 Energy
LA 1 Energy
COM-1D: 1,744,526 CB / 700 MC
SRM6 & LL w/ 96 Armour
CT 1 Missile
RA 2 Energy

COM-2D: 1,781,524 CB / 715 MC
SRM6, SRM4 & ML w/ 128 Armour
CT 1 Missile
RA 2 Missile
LA 1 Energy

COM-3A: 1,799,526 CB / 720 MC
2xSRM6, Flamer & ML w/ 96 Armour
CT 1 Missile
RA 1 Missile & 1 Energy
LA 1 Energy


It should be noted that the 1D is down the LA weapon hardpoint and costs more than the 1B.


Despite being conceived as a scout mech (a role at which it excels) a canny mechwarrior can use the COM’s size and speed to effectively engage mechs in heavier weight classes. The Commando pilot intent upon combat should look to keep moving, engaging in hit and fade attacks that over time slowly whittle the opposing mech down, frustrating its pilot’s with an inability to effectively respond. Another often used tactic is exploiting the slower turning and twisting of heavier mechs to circle strafe their rear armour. At no time should a Commando contemplate going toe-to-toe with a heavier mech as even a single alpha strike can be crippling if not deadly!

The biggest threat to the COM is often a JR7 configured in a light mech hunter/killer role owning to the Jenner’s superior firepower, protection and mobility. A COM must always be mindful of faster enemy mechs since speed is king and robs the COM of its greatest source of protection.

As a Scout however the Commando is without equal. Able to achieving the highest speeds with modification, the crafty COM commander can cap continuously! Often blitzing in to start the capture before the enemy force has even finished moving out, causing all manner of chaos.

Regardless of role, it must never be forgotten that although not a true replacement for armour, speed and mobility are good substitutes and it behooves the future Commando pilot to ensure that his mech has the adequate amounts of each.


Mech Lab
Owing to the limited hardpoints, you do not see as many laser configs as you do with the Jenner
You do see a number of Flamer configs however
Missile configs are also popular due to the available hardpoints
Remember that your arm hardpoint arcs are much more responsive than your torso hardpoints
Limited tonnage restricts the ability to LRM support, but the additional missile hardpoints make this more viable than on the JR7-D (for the long-range harasser role)

Build Tips
3x SRM or 3x Streaks are good load-outs despite their ammo dependence. 3x ML or 3x MPL are less common but workable, although sadly the 3x Flamer exploiter is far more frequent than it should be.

The COM-2D with 3x SRM6 can deliver a crippling barrage although ammunition becomes an issue due to weight limitations. The SRM4 is thus a popular substitution for both more ammo and fewer shots fired. One advantage is that heat is rarely a concern which permits the removal of HS.

On the opposite end is the COM-1B with its 3 Energy hardpoints equipped with typically 3x Meds. Owing to tonnage limits the more damaging 3x Med Pulse Laser combo is significantly less common. The weight saved on the Medium Lasers permits a combination or more armour or more Heat Sinks. Unless one intends to stand and deliver, armour (or speed) is generally the better bet.

Between these two combat extremes, the COM-2D with 3x Streak2 enjoys a nice balance of weight, ammo efficiency and heat permitting more armour and/or speed. Although lacking the pure combat power of the previous two options, the Streak lockon does have its own advantages. This build works well in the swing scout/harasser role.

The COM-3A with its double mirrored hardpoints can adequately switch between any of the above configs or even look to combine them: 2x Streak2 & 2x ML is a decent combat load with plenty left over for engine & armour. 2x SRM6 & 2x MPL with Heat Sinks and armour can be a nice light fighter.

As the COM-1 shows, there are other options as well. A single heavy Energy weapon can be well used to provide striking power from afar while still permitting adequate movement and protection. Indeed, the COM-2D can even be configured as an LRM platform! While 3x LRM10 (the largest that can be reasonably equipped although dual LRM15s or a single LRM20 are possibilities) cannot stack up when compared to a CPLT, for fast moving Scout support it is unmatched.

The majority of the configs utilize the XL engines to free up tonnage. Despite their greater vulnerability to damage/destruction due to the Side torso crits, the extra speed/armour from the freed tonnage is generally well worth it. Essentially short of an ammo explosion, by the time a COM’s side is destroyed it is generally already (near) dead.

Combat Tips
DO:
•Feel free to engage your opponents actively. While the COM is technically a 25-ton Scout 'mech, 18 odd SRMs can be a deadly barrage weapon.
•If SRM based, conserve ammunition and carefully time shots. The main drawback of SRMs is their limited ammo. A good MechWarrior does not fire the Commando's SRMs unless he has the opponents head or rear torso in their sights.
•Avoid open spaces. The Commando's speed does allow it to wade into the thick of a brawl, it should not stay there, merely pass through.
•Juke by quickly turning left and right whilst going full-speed makes it more difficult for an opponent to hit you in a single location.
•Only allow opponents to face you when you are going to fire at them. A Commando simply does not have enough armor to brawl and survive.
•Use your maneuverability to enter and exit combat. The Commando has a small profile and a good speed. Use this to hit-and-fade as you do not want retaliatory fire and to avoid overheating.
•Avoid being surprised; you should be the surprising one. Remember: Not by Strength, but by Guile!
•Most importantly, stick to cover! The Commando just does not have enough armor to allow for an opponent to repeatedly fire at you.

DO NOT:
•Brawl a Jenner. You will lose.
•Rely on your armor, because you have none of it.
•Overheat. The Commandos strength is a low profile at speed. If you unexpectedly stop moving, you are probably not going to survive much longer.
•Believe that since you are 25 tons, you must scout.
•Fire your SRMs at a target moving laterally. Wait until they slow down or face you to take a shot, then take a shot on them. Not only will this throw their aim off, but you will do more damage with your SRMs since more missiles will hit.
•Piece-meal your opponents by shooting off their arms or legs. You do not have enough ammo to destroy them afterwards. Aim exclusively for kill-shots; do not chip your opponent apart.


RAM
ELH

[Kmieciu]

RAM, on 30 October 2012 - 02:38 AM, said:

Yes, the vaulted 300XL can be squeezed in (barely!) granting a top speed of ~200kph

Could you update your guide for the current beta build?

[ShoulderMonkey]

Thanks RAM, I've been piloting and loving this chassis almost exclusively. I found out most of the above the hard way. I hope this guide will encourage people to keep using Commandos even though it is frustrating how easily they crack open. I found getting killed is mostly due to falling for the temptation to stick around after one or two shots.

In addition I'dd like to suggest commando pilots to team up with another commando or light and harass in pairs, attacking from different angles.

[Jasta85]

Commando's are one of my favs as well. One piece of advice for any commando user is to beef up the armor on their legs. Aside from getting shot, commandos tend to take damage to their legs simply from falling off ledges or even running on some uneven ground. Once a com loses its legs it's dead, speed is its biggest asset offensively and defensively.

Furthermore, commando's are dirt cheap to field (I don't take the XL engines to keep the costs down). I typically have maintenance costs under 20k even if destroyed. They may not be as effective as some other light mechs but you can make a whole lot more money over the long run, simply by avoiding destruction (if your team gets wiped run to the edge of the map and power down).

[Athomahawk]

Bump for streak com-2d aka "trollmando" or "keebler elf".

[Saint Rigid]

Thanks for the tips, that is helpful as a new lover of the COM-2D. Though I do have a question regarding the last tid-bit about non-piece-mealing your opponent. Does that fall under a harassment role? I have a lot of desire to slow other mechs down, am I just using the wrong mech for this role. 2 SRM4's (RA) and a flamer (LA) allow me to "shotgun" at a mech's leg to take it out (particularly Jenner's! haha) after that I feel like my job is done and I run away (hard for them to put up a chase with a peg leg). Like wise the flamer is intended to "slow down" the mech with overheating. This is not intended as a "rate my build" question, it is meant to be more about roles. Is this harassment? Is this Close range support? (limiting mobility while spotting).

Finally, I would like to add one more possible piece of advice for the Commando pilot. It's called "The Clinch" Much like a boxer grabbing their opponent to limit their offensive capabilities, a Commando can make a "strategic retreat to the front", if you will. Often times because of your low profile gettting closer to a larger mech removes you from the field of view even if you are right in front of them. Particularly on a mech like the Atlas which is literally four times your size, you can stay close to try and avoid damage while the cavalry arrives, or while you flame it up to shut it down and then run away. (side note, I don't recommend firing SRMs at this range as it has the potential to damage yourself as well).

[Karasumaru]

My personal tip: if your chassis has a Large Laser, ditch it. As a sniping weapon, it's not worth the weight, and you're wasting your mobility. Better to downgrade to a medium and upgrade your engine or armor.

[Forever]

Some topics advice you to stay in trials until you can get a Jenner or a Hunchback, but I got myself a Commando 1D to reach a Hunchback a little bit faster.

Why a Commando? You start getting GXP earlier and you get more money than in a trial. Repairs for a Commando are also really cheap (0-20k).

Why a 1D? It has 2 missile 2 energy hardpoints allowing for different builds later on when you have several mechs and go back to your Commando for some fun. But the biggest reason is: It has an arm with no hardpoints. That means you can take away some armor from the useless arm and distribute it to more important parts of your mech.

The build I used is: 2x Medium Pulse Laser, 4 more Heatsinks, rest in more Armor.
(you could also put in some streak Missiles instead of more Armor and Heatsinks if you want, but it will reduce your monetary gain due to higher repair and ammo costs after each match)

With a build like this you have to think about your role: Two MPL can do a lot of damage, so staying alive and doing damage is your highest priority.

• You can scout, but you should run away when they open fire on you. Personally I advice you to do nothing that could get you killed early on.
  
• Stay away from open space. Use cover.
  
• Always stay at full speed and if they shoot you go zig-zag in unpredictable ways while circling around cover.
  
• Engage bigger Mechs with other people. Your role is basically a rouge, stabbing them from behind and from a little bit of distance (~ 180).
  
• You are a high priority target for a lot of people because you are so squishy. That's fine, while they try to shoot you they can't shoot your team. Just make sure to do the above mentioned things.
  
• Jenners are a nightmare for you. Don't actively seek a duel with them. Running away isn't helpful against them though. Sometimes you have to fight.
  
• Try to shoot the center body part (front or back) that has lost their armor (outer glowing part) - this is deadly after only a few shots with your MPL.

You can't take much damage but you can deal pretty much half the damage of much heavier mechs while not really having problems with overheating. The Commando is a nice mech. I am not the best pilot in MWO myself, but after playing it a lot yesterday, I had one last match that was just blowing me away. I was pretty lucky, but it can show you that a Commando is not trash at all:



I am not claiming that the Commando is a really strong mech - most of the time a Jenner IS the better mech for a light slot (and easier to use for newer players). But the Commando CAN shine if you practice.

Edited by Forever, 31 October 2012 - 12:16 AM.

[Hersaint]

Took some of the advice here and bought a commando with two SRMs. a 6 and a 4. I put a TAG on the other arm. What the heck does it do? I cant seem to get it to help my SRMS. Is it only for LRMs of my teammates?
Oh I also tried to take out a heat sink but it wouldnt let me, sayng the engine required it.

Edited by Hersaint, 31 October 2012 - 07:59 AM.

[Athomahawk]

Commando is a good training mech for light pilots; once you master commando playing jenner feels like cheating

[MightyBolamite]

I have been trying to convince new players that getting a Commando is better in the long run rather than saving up for a heavy. Not just for c-bill and xp reasons, but I think the Commando is an excellent training Mech.

Please, new players, listen to RAM. He knows his stuff and has been around a while.
Shoot, old players, listen to RAM.


EDIT:

Athomahawk, on 31 October 2012 - 08:38 AM, said:

Commando is a good training mech for light pilots; once you master commando playing jenner feels like cheating

Ha! It's funny because it is true.

Edited by MightyBolamite, 31 October 2012 - 08:42 AM.

[Forever]

Hersaint, on 31 October 2012 - 07:41 AM, said:

Took some of the advice here and bought a commando with two SRMs. a 6 and a 4. I put a TAG on the other arm. What the heck does it do? I cant seem to get it to help my SRMS. Is it only for LRMs of my teammates?
Oh I also tried to take out a heat sink but it wouldnt let me, sayng the engine required it.

SRMs are not guided like LRMs and Streak-SRMs (SSRMs). SRM 4 and 6 are basically like a shotgun.
The TAG laser only helps your team's and your own LRMs. I am not sure about SSRMs, but I don't think TAG helps out with those.

[Hersaint]

ahh ok that confirms it for me then. just for LRMs. Ill prolly ditch the TAG then for a small pulse or maybe an AMS

[Athomahawk]

COM-1B with medium lasers and double heat sinks is vicious.
Protip: use those arms to shoot jenners in the face when circling.

[Kmieciu]

Athomahawk, on 31 October 2012 - 08:38 AM, said:

Commando is a good training mech for light pilots; once you master commando playing jenner feels like cheating

Once I mastered the Commando during closed beta, then I bought a Jenner and I felt like this:
http://www.youtube.c...iww00de3g#t=43s

[No use for a name]

Im loving my 2D(with 3x SSRM2 and 1xML)... and btw i learned the hard way to run away from jenners as soon as i spot them. once they get behind me there's no way for me to get away from them. But overall im liking it, specially because i already took 2 atlas by hitting their backs.

I once saw a commando packing a PPC. can anyone tell me if its a worth build? cause it seems interesting...

Im loving my 2D(with 3x SSRM2 and 1xML)... and btw i learned the hard way to run away from jenners as soon as i spot them. once they get behind me there's no way for me to get away from them. But overall im liking it, specially because i already took 2 atlas by hitting their backs.

I once saw a commando packing a PPC. can anyone tell me if its a worth build? cause it seems interesting...

[Athomahawk]

No use for a name, on 02 November 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

I once saw a commando packing a PPC. can anyone tell me if its a worth build? cause it seems interesting...

In theory it could work but is far from optimal. I would advise Large Laser over ppc if you want some range capability. Adding double heatsinks will allow you to fire pretty often.

[Lsq78]

No use for a name, on 02 November 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

Im loving my 2D(with 3x SSRM2 and 1xML)... and btw i learned the hard way to run away from jenners as soon as i spot them. once they get behind me there's no way for me to get away from them. But overall im liking it, specially because i already took 2 atlas by hitting their backs.

I once saw a commando packing a PPC. can anyone tell me if its a worth build? cause it seems interesting...

Im loving my 2D(with 3x SSRM2 and 1xML)... and btw i learned the hard way to run away from jenners as soon as i spot them. once they get behind me there's no way for me to get away from them. But overall im liking it, specially because i already took 2 atlas by hitting their backs.

I once saw a commando packing a PPC. can anyone tell me if its a worth build? cause it seems interesting...

...What? I run the same config as you do, and i NEVER had to run away from a jenner.
What engine are you packing? I've got a 195XL.

[Nokkeli]

What engine would you guys recommend for my 3A with 2xML, 2xSSRM2 and AMS?

[Athomahawk]

xl195 or xl200 are plenty big, xl215 weighs quite a bit more for only a couple km/h gained.