17 replies to this topic

[lshtaria]

As a fan of LBX builds I always look for mechs with decent ballistic cooldown quirks to pair with. The CHP-1N2 has a total of 50% LBX cooldown from just quirks alone and with the skill tree it brings an LBX-10 from 2.25s down to an awesome 0.85s (62%).

This kind of LBX-10 speed makes it a very effective mech against all weight classes and a great striker in general too. This is the build I currently run with:

AW;:2021|F@|F@|i^|i^|i^|Tdp]0|o?|JOq]0|F@|F@|F@|6@|6@|i^r00|i^s00th0|\O|JOuh0|JO|JOvB0w>0;0;0

CHP-1N2 at MechDB

I chose an XL engine because the speed difference between the heaviest LFE you can equip makes the extra vulnerability worth it and the ST hitboxes on the CHP aren't overly vulnerable despite its wide front profile. The high speed also allows you to semi-scout, strike and escape to safety. It also allows you to quickly place a hard hitting mech into a side or rear firing position and again, retreat or reposition if necessary.

The drawback of IS lasers are always their shorter range so I always use ER-MLs when suitable and they work great here. A small heat quirk and the skill tree helps to keep their additional heat acceptable but the most important thing is optimal range synergy with the LBX. The pair of SRM-2s help to give a little extra punch at closer ranges if your heat is a bit too much to be firing the lasers comfortably.

It's also a decent c-bill printer too. In a couple of losing matches I've still managed to earn over 200k (with premium) despite it not carrying a 30% boost. In winning and losing teams I'm regularly the highest or 2nd highest damage dealer (and match scoring) on my team. Bear in mind this is heavily influenced by the mech suiting my playstyle extremely well of course, many of you may not have similar experiences.

Despite being the lowest weight to be classed as a heavy, it never feels like the mech is under armoured but care still needs to be taken as it only carries minor armour quirks. Once you've taken some hits, it's always best to pair up with assaults as it's more likely they will become the focus whilst the damage you deal out will fully supplement your team mate's to take targets down quickly (thus helping their survivability too).

It also goes without saying that a laser + lbx combination is very effective against lights and legging them thanks to the extra critical damage potential from the LBX.

Finally then this a multi-role, very capable mech for skirmishing, striking, solo damage dealing and team support damage at a reasonable mid-range with very manageable heat. It's currently my favourite build and my instant go to mech for QP matches.

Edited by lshtaria, 28 April 2025 - 05:05 PM.

[Void Angel]

Well, if you're at close range and at risk of overheating, you're going to want to focus on shooting them with the LB-10X every second or so. The reason is that while SRM/2s will certainly up your at close range, they're going to be problematic to use alongside the LB-X unless your target is standing still or running at you straight-on. The LB-X has a base projectile velocity of 1500, compared to 400 velocity for SRMs, so the fast cooldown of your LB-X will make it hard to place your shots when using both of them together (as you constantly switch leads between the SRMs and LB-X.)

I'd recommend just Slapping in Another Half-ton of LB-X Ammo and some extra heat sinks instead. Get used to how much of your heat scale an alpha of ERMLs uses, and you can use them to burn through to a close-range enemy's structure before finishing him off with the wild dps of your autocannon.

[lshtaria]

Void Angel, on 29 April 2025 - 08:04 AM, said:

Well, if you're at close range and at risk of overheating, you're going to want to focus on shooting them with the LB-10X every second or so. The reason is that while SRM/2s will certainly up your at close range, they're going to be problematic to use alongside the LB-X unless your target is standing still or running at you straight-on. The LB-X has a base projectile velocity of 1500, compared to 400 velocity for SRMs, so the fast cooldown of your LB-X will make it hard to place your shots when using both of them together (as you constantly switch leads between the SRMs and LB-X.)

I'd recommend just Slapping in Another Half-ton of LB-X Ammo and some extra heat sinks instead. Get used to how much of your heat scale an alpha of ERMLs uses, and you can use them to burn through to a close-range enemy's structure before finishing him off with the wild dps of your autocannon.

At the range I'll be using the SRMs at, the velocity difference doesn't matter too much and they would only be used on bigger and slower or stationary targets anyway as extra emergency DPS. They have come in handy for those oh s*** moments when turning a corner as well

It was also a case of how best to use 3 tons and 3 slots after cramming in the fastest engine I could. A single MRM10 is useless for the space and tonnage, I haven't had a need for extra ammo yet and I rarely run into heat management issues so it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I will try your suggestion but I just dug out my ancient 3xERML 2xAC10 Ilya and I'm having a riot with it. You can stick your new fangled RACs and LACs, Give me old school autocannons any day

Edited by lshtaria, 29 April 2025 - 01:06 PM.

[Void Angel]

LACs and PACs are easy to sleep on, but they're specifically designed to be competitive with existing tech, and not pure upgrades - which means that while you can use them for some really great synergistic builds, the old guns work just fine if you build the 'mech right.

For the SRMs, it's not that they don't give significantly more firepower (they literally add a third to your max dps,) it's that I think the lasers and LB-X will have better synergy and effective time to kill - but then your matches will have different people than mine, so your optimal mix may well be different. Just recall the principle if when you rank up and builds that were solid stop working. =D

[lshtaria]

Void Angel, on 30 April 2025 - 02:58 AM, said:

LACs and PACs are easy to sleep on, but they're specifically designed to be competitive with existing tech, and not pure upgrades - which means that while you can use them for some really great synergistic builds, the old guns work just fine if you build the 'mech right.

For the SRMs, it's not that they don't give significantly more firepower (they literally add a third to your max dps,) it's that I think the lasers and LB-X will have better synergy and effective time to kill - but then your matches will have different people than mine, so your optimal mix may well be different. Just recall the principle if when you rank up and builds that were solid stop working. =D

I used to be T2 with an occasional stay in T1 but I took a very long break and when I came back I was T4 I'm currently halfway into T3 but I have to say having a score 4x higher than every team mate then losing the match was not good fun. It took me longer to get 25% to the top of T4 than it's taken me to get 50% through T3

[Void Angel]

Elo hell is a thing, even if they call it PSR. It's not always told by the score (I've seen matches where the highest score was a damage farmer who didn't move to support the team at a critical juncture,) but with the lower tiers you can have matches where the winner is more determined by who won the idiot lottery than your individual performance.

But whenever you've taken a break, the meta will likely have shifted, which can impact how you're cooperating with your team, and that can have an effect too - if you're fighting your 'mech well, but not supporting your teammates like you intend, because they keep haring off somewhere, or are less aggressive than you remember.

[lshtaria]

Void Angel, on 01 May 2025 - 11:54 PM, said:

Elo hell is a thing, even if they call it PSR. It's not always told by the score (I've seen matches where the highest score was a damage farmer who didn't move to support the team at a critical juncture,) but with the lower tiers you can have matches where the winner is more determined by who won the idiot lottery than your individual performance.

But whenever you've taken a break, the meta will likely have shifted, which can impact how you're cooperating with your team, and that can have an effect too - if you're fighting your 'mech well, but not supporting your teammates like you intend, because they keep haring off somewhere, or are less aggressive than you remember.

I've always tried to just "do the right thing" or do something to make a positive impact in pugs. For example I'm quite reasonable at combating lights with ballistics so if a team mate is nearby and looks in trouble or calls for help I'll often break off and assist. Just last night in Mining I had a medium team mate in trouble with 2 lights so I went over to help in my MAD-3R 4xLPPC 1xSBGauss, we took them out but then were ambushed by 2 more heavies. We backed up around the corner and I popped a UAV so we could co-ordinate our attacks and we took them both out, just, but were pretty crippled and both died soon after.

However my take of that is it was a net gain k/d for the team at 4:2, 2 harassing lights were removed as well as 2 big mechs from the opponent's main force. We won the match 12:8 and despite only getting a reasonable end of match reward and score, I felt much better knowing I'd made a contribution that helped us win the match.

[w0qj]

Many thanks for everyone's CHP-1N2 referral!
Having great fun with it; it's one of the few mechs that I'm confortable to use XL engine in...

Also saw a slower CHP-1N2 with LBX20 + 5xML with Standard 280 Engine ... more punch, but slower...

[Void Angel]

lshtaria, on 02 May 2025 - 11:58 AM, said:

I've always tried to just "do the right thing" or do something to make a positive impact in pugs. For example I'm quite reasonable at combating lights with ballistics so if a team mate is nearby and looks in trouble or calls for help I'll often break off and assist. Just last night in Mining I had a medium team mate in trouble with 2 lights so I went over to help in my MAD-3R 4xLPPC 1xSBGauss, we took them out but then were ambushed by 2 more heavies. We backed up around the corner and I popped a UAV so we could co-ordinate our attacks and we took them both out, just, but were pretty crippled and both died soon after.

However my take of that is it was a net gain k/d for the team at 4:2, 2 harassing lights were removed as well as 2 big mechs from the opponent's main force. We won the match 12:8 and despite only getting a reasonable end of match reward and score, I felt much better knowing I'd made a contribution that helped us win the match.

That is exactly the right approach. It's a team game, and you should always approach your tactics in that manner. Note that this concept can be misapplied, though. If a Dire Wolf with a long-range loadout camps in the back the entire match... he may still be helping the team. It's about combat presence, so if he's positioned to take shots and support the team, it doesn't matter how far away he is.

[lshtaria]

w0qj, on 02 May 2025 - 09:10 PM, said:

Many thanks for everyone's CHP-1N2 referral!
Having great fun with it; it's one of the few mechs that I'm confortable to use XL engine in...

Also saw a slower CHP-1N2 with LBX20 + 5xML with Standard 280 Engine ... more punch, but slower...

Another good option that. Plenty of ammo too and losing either ST still leaves you with some useful firepower. I might try this

[CFC Conky]

TTB made a YT video where he runs the 1N2 with 3xLXPL. Pretty handy with it too.



Good hunting,
CFC Conky

Edited by CFC Conky, 03 May 2025 - 09:17 AM.

[lshtaria]

I am SERIOUSLY loving the LBX-20 build right now!

Edited by lshtaria, 03 May 2025 - 10:39 AM.

[Void Angel]

I have a t-shirt that a friend got me for my birthday - it says, "what part of 'MOOOOHAHAHA' didn't you understand?"

On a side note, did you know that you do not have to redact player names when you post match scores? The only time naming players is prohibited is when you are complaining about in-match behaviors.

[lshtaria]

Void Angel, on 04 May 2025 - 02:06 AM, said:

I have a t-shirt that a friend got me for my birthday - it says, "what part of 'MOOOOHAHAHA' didn't you understand?"

On a side note, did you know that you do not have to redact player names when you post match scores? The only time naming players is prohibited is when you are complaining about in-match behaviors.

It's just an old habit, in case some pilots might be a bit embarrassed about their performance

CFC Conky, on 03 May 2025 - 09:17 AM, said:

TTB made a YT video where he runs the 1N2 with 3xLXPL. Pretty handy with it too.

Good hunting,
CFC Conky

That's some excellent control to keep those lasers on point, something which I'm nowhere near as good at. Mouse acceleration feels weird to me and my mouse sensitivity is always that little bit too high for very fine adjustments. I can't play any other way though, however what I am good at is leading ballistics at moving or distant mechs and firing off accurate snap shots when twisting. I've got the trigger finger but not the steady hand

Edited by lshtaria, 04 May 2025 - 05:58 AM.

[CFC Conky]

lshtaria, on 04 May 2025 - 03:18 AM, said:

...


That's some excellent control to keep those lasers on point, something which I'm nowhere near as good at. Mouse acceleration feels weird to me and my mouse sensitivity is always that little bit too high for very fine adjustments. I can't play any other way though, however what I am good at is leading ballistics at moving or distant mechs and firing off accurate snap shots when twisting. I've got the trigger finger but not the steady hand

I use a trackball so I impart minimal, if any, movement to the aiming reticle when firing. i also find it more precise for fine movement but then again, I've been using a trackball for years now.

Good hunting,
CFC Conky

[w0qj]

Kicks himself and mutters..."What have I done? I've created a MONSTER..."

lshtaria, on 03 May 2025 - 10:36 AM, said:

I am SERIOUSLY loving the LBX-20 build right now!

lshtaria, on 03 May 2025 - 05:07 AM, said:

Another good option that. Plenty of ammo too and losing either ST still leaves you with some useful firepower. I might try this

Edited by w0qj, 05 May 2025 - 02:13 AM.

[Void Angel]

lshtaria, on 04 May 2025 - 03:18 AM, said:

That's some excellent control to keep those lasers on point, something which I'm nowhere near as good at. Mouse acceleration feels weird to me and my mouse sensitivity is always that little bit too high for very fine adjustments. I can't play any other way though, however what I am good at is leading ballistics at moving or distant mechs and firing off accurate snap shots when twisting. I've got the trigger finger but not the steady hand

NEVER use mouse acceleration, or "enhance pointer precision," as Windows likes to call it now (this was actually turned on by default on my new laptop!) It screws with your proprioception and confuses your brain; it moves the mouse a different distance based on how fast you move it - and since you're not consistently moving the mouse a set distance at a set speed while gaming, your body never dials in how much hand movement equates to how much reticle shift.

As for lowering mouse sensitivity, it is an adjustment - but your brain will make the adjustment if you give it the time it needs. Similarly, you can learn to be more precise at any reasonable sensitivity, too - so it's a matter of balancing lower reaction speed (from lower sensitivity) against aiming overshoot (when your mouse speed exceeds your fine motor control.) In essence, if you are having trouble with precision aiming, lower your sensitivity a bit and try again - slow is smooth, and smooth is fast, but if you're overcorrecting all the time, you'll never hit "smooth."

[Tesunie]

lshtaria, on 01 May 2025 - 12:57 PM, said:

I used to be T2 with an occasional stay in T1 but I took a very long break and when I came back I was T4 I'm currently halfway into T3 but I have to say having a score 4x higher than every team mate then losing the match was not good fun. It took me longer to get 25% to the top of T4 than it's taken me to get 50% through T3

Same. I haven't been able to play enough since the PSR reset to actually get higher in the tiers again. I was T1. Reset back to T5. I am upper T3 now but haven't played enough to break through...