36 replies to this topic

[Sabazial]

Hi guys new player to MWO here, i'd just like to ask some of you for some advice on a good starter mech to save toward in game. I have some experience in other MW titles prefering medium / assault mechs.

I'd just like to make an informed buy rather than wasting my initial cbills so any suggestions from experienced players would be much appreciated, thanks.

[DeadlyDave083]

I would recommend the Hunchback 4SP variant. Its a medium mech with a nice balance of missiles and lasers.

Edited by DeadlyDave083, 01 November 2012 - 10:55 AM.

[Gorith]

Depends on what you like. that being said the hunchback 4p or 4sp are good also catapult K2 is a solid choice,

[Johnny Reb]

Hunchback is a good starter. However, I am loving the Cicada right now. If you can stand the grind I recommend the Cicada 3-M. Pricey at 7.1 million but in that it includes a 5.2 mill xl 320 engine and comes with a 1.5 mill double heat sink upgrade.

[Kriegs]

http://mwomercs.com/...-mech-question/

Kriegs, on 01 November 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

start in this forum, several Hunchback threads rolling atm.
--->http://mwomercs.com/...96-battlemechs/<---

and some specific thread links---

http://mwomercs.com/...chback-hbk-4sp/

http://mwomercs.com/...ion-for-newbie/

http://mwomercs.com/...good-firepower/

[TheFuzzyBunny]

The Hunchback has some good chassis, also the Cicada isn't bad either. You'll get a lot of people swearing both for and against the Centurian due to its large size.

As for Heavies most people will tell you the Cat chassis are where its at. They allow you to build two of the most unloved, feared, builds out there. The 2 gauss cat, and the 2 SSRM boat builds. Both are really dangerous builds and almost universally see regular play from competitive players.

I personally run Atlas chassis as my mechs of choice. If you have any questions on them feel free to ask.

[Lucky 7]

Hunchback 4SP is a great machine (strangely I also start to like the 4J with an LRM20, SSRM2, 4SL and 2ML and a lot of hightech stuff in it).. Jenner is also very good if you like to go fast (Just the Jenner K is not so good due to lack of hardpoints imo).

I also really have some love for the Cicada tbh.

Edited by Lucky 7, 01 November 2012 - 11:11 AM.

[Protection]

If you are in a hurry for a mech, a Jenner isn't a bad choice. The learning curve is a little steeper on light mechs, and you want to have a good framerate, but with knockdowns temporarily out of the game, being a light mech has never been easier. Just remember - small lasers, biggest possible XL engine (when you have the money) and Endo Steel.

If lights are not for you (they are not for everyone), the Hunchback is the most flexible and versatile medium, and the 4SP has more build options than any of the others. (4H and 4P are both viable, but not much customization, 4J and 4G are not terrible either)

If you can really save, there is no bad Catapult variant - there's a selection of decent to great builds for each variant. And if you can really save, there is no bad Atlas either (the stock K is pretty bad). Just remember, Atlai are slow and ponderous, usually the centre of battle, and any decision you make is fairly absolute, so caution is advised.

[Tarman]

Hunchie 4SP is a nice one, it avoids the I HAVE A GIANT SHOULDER PLS SHOOT IT issue of the rest of the series and the loadout is nicely spread both typewise and hardpoint spreadwise; it's not as easily neutered in a heavy combat. Though the Cicada is a really fun ride, it's faaast and fairly configurable. You can tool them up with a pretty wide range of setups depending on what you want and the variant you pick. Makes a great light-killer though I've also tricked them out for LR sniping and brawl support.

If you go assault, you may favour the Atlas over this game's version of the Awesome. The poor Awesome is a big water-head boy, got a head hitbox the size of the sun. Soooooo easy to alpha their faces off. It's best played as the LR support truck it is than something more scrappy. Atlas is Atlas, it's 100 tons of death as always. The variants provide whatever mix of death you prefer. Watch if you pick up the AS7-K though, it's got an XL engine making it more crit-death vulnerable. It's the Awesome of the Atlas line afaic. Course, with twin ERLL, LRM20, and a Gauss, it's not like it needs to get too close in the first place.

[Tickdoff Tank]

As the above posters have said, the hunch is a good mech. So is a Jenner, but it does take some time to get used to the playstyle. Personally, I love the Centurion. I like the mobility of the arms, I like the "useless" left arm to use as a shield, and the mix of hardpoints suits my playstyle.

Just play around a bit, use the trial mechs but focus more on the "feel" of the different chasis than their effectiveness.

[Kraven Kor]

The Commando 2D is great if you like running a light mech. 3x Streak SRM 2 and a Medium Laser, 100+ KPH, lots of fun, and deadlier than it sounds.

Jenner F is the go-to scout.

Hunchback 4SP is probably the best of the hunchies, for me, but the 4P and 4G are both good as well. I've been having a blast with AC/20 on the 4G.

Centurion -A and -AL are a lot of fun too.

Basically, depends on what you want to do and have the most fun with - scout, "striker" (hit and run mech), brawler, fire support, cavalry, etc.

[John MatriX82]

Everyone has likes and dislikes. My advice is to play a little with the heat hungry trial mechs (so far the awesome is the most "usable" one i think) and understand what you like to do.

You like LRMs/sniping/support/long range? then evaluate a catapult, an awesome
You like to move fast and harass the enemy? Jenner
You like brawling? Cent/Hunch/Dragon

The atlas is a moving apartment block and it costs a lot to grind but rewards with sluggish but unstoppable firepower.

I find comfortable with the Dragon and Hunchs 4P/4H, although most of my builds are quite costly, employing XL engines and double heatsinks; the Dragon to become more user friendly needs Endo as well, so the latter is quite a money eater (imho).

My choice is the 4P, you won't waste Cbills in ammunitions and you'll only have to spend for eventual repair costs if you get cored, but plan to invest in DHS asap and then an XL 240 to 260 because if you rely on Smlaser boating like I do you need mobility above all.

[Valder]

I also think the Hunchback 4SP is an excellent choice. The 5 laser and 2 missile slots let you load it out for fighting at whatever range you're comfortable with, and all your weapons are spread all over the chassis, making it hard for enemies to blow them all off.

You don't need to put an XL engine in a 4SP it to make it shine, which will save you 4mil cbills or more. Scout mechs like the jenner and raven need XL300's to be optimized and running at their full speed (the XL weighs less than a standard 300; you can still have tonnage to put weapons in), which is a 4.9mil engine on top of the cost of the mech. I personally love brawling in my dragon, but it's a 12mil cbill build for it to be what I like to play because it needs an XL engine and double heatsinks. Hunchbacks are a good all around mech that can be very good with or without expensive upgrades.

Commandos are the cheapest mech to get in to, but most people hate them after not very long. They are the slowest of all the scout mechs, and tend to melt very quickly under enemy fire. Some people love putting 3 srm racks in them and use them for harassing back armor, but it takes a particular play style to do that well.

Edited by Valder, 01 November 2012 - 11:34 AM.

[Synra]

As an experienced player, I think I too will recommend a hunchback over anything else. There are a few reasons for this.

1. Most if not all of the hunchbacks are a decent build right from the start. I feel a lot less need to customize hunchbacks than I do with mos other mechs. The 4G and 4SP are both nicely effective with their default weaponry.

2. They should be reasonably affordable. So not too hard to get into if you are just grinding with trial mechs.

3. This mech will teach you to use your arms. This is extremely important for a new player to learn. I see some people here recommending a catapult or a cicada, but I highly recommend against starting with one of these. The reason is because these (along with the Jenner and Raven) are what I call "torso aiming" mechs. The arms don't have lower arm actuators. This means the arms can only aim up and down, and for the most part they are 'locked' to the torso.

It is very important for you to learn the difference between the two seperate aiming reticles and how to play with that mechanic. The hunchback is great for that. The short explanation is that the free floating o is your arm reticle for aiming your arm mounted weapons. The + is for your torso weapons. Most new players don't seem to understand this concept. Take the time to get used to aiming with these, and you will become a much better pilot.

[Dagnome]

I would reccomend come on teamspeak and ask questions and get answers in real time about mechs, builds, etc.

[Dagger906]

Jenner is better than Cicida for beginner scout. It's cheaper, smaller target profile, just as survivable, and has jumpjet.

For beginner brawler, Hunchback is good. Part of the reason is versaitility, other part is repair/rearm bill. Target profile is small and repair cheap for something that packs as much punch as Hunchback. And the other varients are just as good, btw, that sholder don't stick out that much...

Catapult isn't for the beginner, or outside premade. For the standard LRM fit, ammo is expensive, and it's not effective without a good scout. The gauss sniper varient is rather gimpy, and SRM brawler takes skill and luck. The head is way too big. It gets shot.

A common urge is saving up for the Atlas. Don't. Repair bills will put you in the red every time, unless you hide in said Atlas. Apparently, it's meant to make free players pay subscription for the additional earning. Instead, it's driving some people away and others to suicide farming.

Lastly, don't fit FF, the 12% weight reduction is a joke compared to the repair bill.

[Surtr]

Quote

The 2 gauss cat, and the 2 SSRM boat builds. Both are really dangerous builds and almost universally see regular play from competitive players.

Terrible advice. You will never get good if you run these builds, plus they are both incredibly easy to counter.

I recommend a hunchback or centurion to start, then if you get really good at piloting try a scout. THEN if you are a good scout, get a dragon. Only the truly great pilot dragons and do well.

[Denin]

Its been said a lot already, but i'm going to add my voice to the 4sp hunchback if you like missile play. Its a great brawler support mech in its stock config. You won't be charging into the fray, but the dual srm6 config lets you get lots of kills through the weakened armor that your Atlas buddy already shredded.

The 4sp (or the 4j) can also be reconfigured for 2 LRM 15 racks. If you drop the engine down to like a 150 (approximate) and add endosteel you can fit 2 lrm 15 racks and turn it into a missile boat. You will not need an xl engine for either of these builds which helps with the initially cost to field the mech.

If you prefer lasers then the 4p is the way to go to start. Though even it suffers from the most of my equipment is in my side torso problem that all hunchbacks but the 4sp have. Also I find I do better with this variant (whether using small or medium lasers) when it can move faster due to having an xl engine.

[Sabazial]

Thank you all for the links and the information guys, looks like there's more than enough to give me a solid start there

[Ghosth]

There are trial mech's for a reason. Seriously try them all, costs you nothing, makes you some cbills.

Also they do rotate different bunch's of trial mechs in regularly. The Catapult K2 for example plays quite differently than the Dragon even though they are both heavy mechs.

Personally I'm a heavy fan, and a Catapult fan. With a good build, some common sense, and a dash of teamwork you can take down an Awesome toe to toe (shoot it in the head)

Ohhh and what DaGnome said about getting on TS was right on the money also.
He may smell funny, but he isn't a bad guy to run with.