43 replies to this topic

[Lsq78]

Athomahawk, on 02 November 2012 - 10:11 AM, said:

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

Actually, the xl195 is preferable over the xl200 because it saves you a ton and a half or so.

[Nokkeli]

Thanks for the advice. Will try the xl195 first and see how it goes.

[No use for a name]

about the engine, i still havnt changed it, but i think ill do it soon. i think ill have to strip out some armor, but since the commando alredy is so squishy, i gues wont he a problem...

[Lsq78]

No use for a name, on 02 November 2012 - 11:09 AM, said:

about the engine, i still havnt changed it, but i think ill do it soon. i think ill have to strip out some armor, but since the commando alredy is so squishy, i gues wont he a problem...

whaaaat? With my com 2D fitted with an XL195, i have the armor maxed out with 10 heat sinks. I use double heat sinks and endo-thingy structure. Heat efficiency is over 1.80 and i have 3 tons of ammo for my 3 streaks, and the medium laser come in handy too.

This mech is a killer. Seriously, try it.

[No use for a name]

nice to see im wrong... ill do it soon...

[Nokkeli]

Just bought the xl195 and I must say it's one of the best investments ever. Top speed over 120kph and with 2xML, 2xSSRM and AMS, not much can touch you. Just killed 2 awesomes, an atlas, centurion and some other lighter mechs without a problem. I love this mech!

[Athomahawk]

That's the spirit!

[No use for a name]

Ya! tested and approved the xl engines.

the more armor u can put on, i guess wont make a difference, since a torso blown up is bye-bye.

but the 127khp is really worth the risk.

[Nihilhast]

Hi guys. I'm using a commando as well, might need some advice...

COMMANDO COM-2D
2xSRM6
1xML
Standard engine 150
Endo + Ferro.

I want to equip a third SRM6 for more "shotgun" damage, so I need to go for the lighter XL engines. I'm pretty sure I have to get Double Heat Sinks and take out some armor for that no ? Yeah someone told me to get a 190 XL but that won't fit.

[Athomahawk]

xl engines need 3 crit spots in each side torso in addition to the normal engine critical spots.

[stjobe]

Some tips from an old Commando vet on the new upgrades:

* Do use Endo-Steel if you need an extra ton (and we all know you do )
* Don't bother with Ferro-Fibrous armour, you won't gain even a half-ton of weight (and you won't have room for ES/DHS).
* Do use Double Heat-sinks, you have lots of critical space (especially if you take my advice and skip FF armour).

I run my 'mandos like this:

COM-1B: XL195, 3xMPL, 5xDHS, 176 standard armour. I run this one as a Striker/Harasser. 3xMPL is 18 damage, and on chain-fire they let you continuously hit your target; enough to make rookie pilots panic and make mistakes. This one netted me five kills in one match the other day

COM-2D: XL195, Endo-steel, 3xSSRM-2 + 3 tons ammo, 1xMPL, 3xSHS, 160 standard armour. A fairly classic StreakMando. Run it as a Striker and just keep your Streaks flying and you'll get plenty of kills.

COM-1D: XL195, 1xLL, 1xTAG, 2xSSRM-2 + 1 ton ammo, 3xSHS, 160 standard armour. This one is the Scout. Use your TAG in every weapon group, and have it on a separate group as well. Always have a target TAGged, and you'll rake in the assist kill XP/CB.

Here's a variant that I'm considering at the moment:

COM-3A: XL195, 1xLRM-5 + 1 ton ammo, 1xSRM-4 + 1 ton ammo, 2xMPL, 3xDHS, Endo-Steel, 142 standard armour. Use the LRM for harassing fire on targets beyond your SRMs/MPLs, on approach, and on retreating faster 'mechs. I haven't actually tried this one out, but it's enticing to put a small LRM launcher on a fast, light 'mech. Perhaps even fit an Artemis on there to make the LRM5 even nastier.

[FFSstavros]

I like the idea on the COM-3A, using the speed to keep moving but having the LRM so you are not out of range to still do damage!

[Mordynak]

Nice guide, and i like the bit of background too.

Currently running
COM-2D
All Efficiencies unlocked
XL195
Guardian ECM
Small Laser
3xStreak SRM 2's with 3 tonnes of ammo
Endo Steel and Ferro Fibrous Armour
100% armour in all areas

It dominates pretty well, im able to take down pretty much everything in a 1 on 1 fight.

I was advised to try out Double Heatsinks but it was a waste of time and money if you ask me. 1.5 mil for no space for anything.
The 2D doesnt overheat anyway, so adding Double Heatsinks is pointless.
Ferro Fibrous Armour may only give you half a tonne but its much more usefull than Double Heatsinks.

[Athomahawk]

Double heatsinks allow the 3xstreak + ML build to run practically heat neutral and keep your dps up.

idk, I thought it was worthwhile

[Atriedes]

I'm currently running COM-2D and loving it. Great little scrapper with the SRMs and med laser. My only problem is, despite being in the thick of it 99% of the time, on those PUG Conquer matches where my team runs in and get obliterated, leaving me vs. 6+ other mechs who actually stuck together, i spend the timeout clock ducking and dodging and taking potshots at faces and burnt out armour spots.
ok, that's not a problem, It's a lot of fun! So glad I read this guide. It helped me immensely.

[Runenstahl]

Mordynak, on 20 December 2012 - 02:42 PM, said:

Nice guide, and i like the bit of background too.

Currently running
COM-2D
All Efficiencies unlocked
XL195
Guardian ECM
Small Laser
3xStreak SRM 2's with 3 tonnes of ammo
Endo Steel and Ferro Fibrous Armour
100% armour in all areas

It dominates pretty well, im able to take down pretty much everything in a 1 on 1 fight.

I was advised to try out Double Heatsinks but it was a waste of time and money if you ask me. 1.5 mil for no space for anything.
The 2D doesnt overheat anyway, so adding Double Heatsinks is pointless.
Ferro Fibrous Armour may only give you half a tonne but its much more usefull than Double Heatsinks.

Hmm... my build is almost the same. I do however wield an ML instead of an SL and I only use 2 tons of ammo. I also use double heat sinks but no ferro armor.
Two tons of ammo is usually enough to last a whole match (I only ran out once so far, and at that point the enemy had only one afk mech left). Double heat sinks allow you to blast away without thinking about heat... even on caustic.

Lsq78, on 02 November 2012 - 10:31 AM, said:

Actually, the xl195 is preferable over the xl200 because it saves you a ton and a half or so.

Thats actually not entirely correct. Yes, it's 1,5 tons lighter... but you have to include another sink for it. So effectually it's only 0.5 tons lighter (which is of course still good for a meager 2,5 % reduction in speed).

Edited by Runenstahl, 28 January 2013 - 09:30 AM.

[Sgt Misfire]

Currently running a 2D with 3 streaks and a tag, only have a 170 XL at the moment, nice for grinding now that the TAG / NARC bonus is in, makes a lot of C Bills and Exp

[Supah]

Having great difficulty finding a 1-B build that can fight lights with ECM reasonably well. Running all upgrades, max armor with 3 ML and 1 SRM6, but it's super tough to fit with the SRM since they fire 2 at a time with 3 volleys, and the SSRM capable mech just has it on easy street against me. Any advice, guys?

[TungstenWall]

Supah, on 02 February 2013 - 03:29 PM, said:

Having great difficulty finding a 1-B build that can fight lights with ECM reasonably well. Running all upgrades, max armor with 3 ML and 1 SRM6, but it's super tough to fit with the SRM since they fire 2 at a time with 3 volleys, and the SSRM capable mech just has it on easy street against me. Any advice, guys?

Ill be honest with you, your fighting an uphill battle. Streak Commandos, Jenner-Ds, and Raven 3Ls were the Dog fighters back in the day. Streaks allow them to be extremely effective against any Light or Medium mech. With ECM, the 2D and 3L became almost immune to enemy streaks, and could still use their own. That is why the game is so unbalanced as far as lights.

You will get those "ohai im pro, ECM if fine, i laser noobs cuz i have skill" guys, but not every one can have such skill/ good ping to pull that off, and I have yet to see one of these guys kill me unless they catch me after i am almost cored in my 2D (after i wiped out 1-3 of their teammates).

The only advantage I can see a non-ECM light having is DPS against larger enemies who dont carry steaks. If you carry heavy enough Firepower, you may be able to harass larger mechs better than a 2D or 3L. But you MUST stay with your team, as a dog fight will be your end.

[KamikazeRat]

staying with your team is always the best way to survive, regardless of mech choice. (just throwing that out there)

i've been running a 2D-Endo, Srm4/Srm6 & Mpl, and having so much fun with it, gets a little hot on caustic, does fine elsewhere as long as i keep an eye on it, haven't decided if i want to dump nearly the purchase price of the mech itself on DHS to counter that problem and/or way more than the mech is worth on a XL. Using it for larger mech's rear armor while they are otherwise occupied has proven fruitful, although i still get into some trouble darting around, and darting in the wrong direction and finding myself on the butt end of a butt kicking when his friends round the corner to help, but i digress.

looking to get another one(and then another one later) for the skills and this guide(and subsequent conversations) helped me a great deal pick out which to get, no idea COMs were so popular, i figured they were "well i've got enough for a commando, why not" thats why i bought mine, then i had way too much fun to get rid of it

Edited by KamikazeRat, 06 February 2013 - 06:31 PM.