256 replies to this topic

[Bogus]

Commando is actually pretty good as a striker due to its speed, low profile, and generally unobtrusive battlefield presence. Just don't go circle-strafing with it.

[Voyager I]

Orzorn, on 12 November 2012 - 06:03 PM, said:

3 missile hardpoint Commando is pretty much the only one that does something a Jenner doesn't.

And it does it very well.

Still, the arms of the Commando, no matter which variant, make it an absolute annoying pest (or in the case of the missile variant, a very dangerous opponent). It can run circles around even other light mechs and still get its shots to land because of its arms, whereas a Jenner has to rely on its torso twist alone.

Except the Jenner has an excellent torso twist range and can mount two Streaks with a pile of lasers to follow up. It's more dangerous to big mechs and has enough of a raw brawn advantage over the Commando to punch its face in even with the extra Streak launcher.

You can assume that punching your face will go straight to the top of any Jenner pilot's to-do list the moment they recognize your loadout.

Edited by Voyager I, 12 November 2012 - 06:13 PM.

[Clay Pigeon]

With the way matchmaking is set up, theres zero reason to bring a commando. People gravitate toward the heaviest mechs in the weight class.

[Sprouticus]

Bogus, on 12 November 2012 - 06:09 PM, said:

Commando is actually pretty good as a striker due to its speed, low profile, and generally unobtrusive battlefield presence. Just don't go circle-strafing with it.

This. A commandos best bet is multiple SRM's (streaks were good until this last patch) running around as a striker/force multiplier.

Stay with the main group, preferably near the rear. Maybe scout a tiny bit (as a true scout, no harrassing). When battle starts, act as an assist on fights

You have to follow some rules though

1) never go into a battle where you are out numbered. It gives the enemy a chance to hit you. You want to be even at worst and preferably have a numeric advantage so the enemy is focues on the bigger mechs
2) dont circle strafe unless the enemy is ignoring you
3) dont be afraid to disengage if other mechs show up. You are there to add DPS on target. You cant do that if your dead.
4) try to stay at the edge of combat, less chance of getting hit from a flank.


Once the enemy is killed, you can get to the next target VERY quickly, which is great. That Catapult you just helped down an enemy will take 20-30 seconds to be able to fire on the next target. You can get to the next guy in 1/2 that time or less.

[IceWendigo]

Right now, indeed its not as useful, but it has the potential to be improved, specially in other game modes with more mission oriented objectives:

In the TT Technical readout, the Commando is said to;

• be Stealthy, which could eventually be translated in game terms into less chances of being picked up by the R key Radar from a certain distance.
  
• Also its Hands are pointed to as advantageous to picking up Salvage (or special objects/mission critical items etc), so eventually Mechs with Hands could be granted more Salvage.
  
• In certain mission maps, its small size could allow it to reach zones that would be hard to reach (or hard to reach without being detected) for other Mechs.
  
• Also its hands allow it to punch in TT/Roleplay situations, and to grab and throw away BattleArmor
  
• In TT its lower tonnage is considered, but this would not translate into MWO since unlike TT the mechs are more balanced, and as a fan of TT I actually prefer MWO's balancing than TT (you cant take a ton approach because lights are better than their tonnage, you would have to make a formula like [tons+50 / 2] )

So it has potential to be more useful, but for now, you have mostly low cost and personal preference (or for pilots that like a real challenge and slightly different gameplay/thrill of danger)

[Irreverence]

The commando is a fantastic mech. The arm actuators alone make it worth it.

Edited by Irreverence, 12 November 2012 - 06:30 PM.

[Scratx]

As long as it isn't the stock commando, that one is sadly too slow. I eat those for breakfast with my catapult.

Edited by Scratx, 12 November 2012 - 06:37 PM.

[Walter Soebchak]

Greyfyl, on 12 November 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

With 3xSSRM-2's and a mlas it can be a decent scout killer. But a good jenner with 2xssrms and alot more beam weapons and armor will kill you first everytime.

nah, not really true at all. If the person piloting the jenner is as good or better of a pilot then sure, but jenner pilots too often get used to circling down big slow mechs and not mechs with equal or greater speed.

[Xorak]

I've almost gained mastry in the Commando.. I like it because everyone thinks it sucks. They see me coming, take a few pot shots, miss, and move on. For that reason, I can actually do proper scouting. My main variant now is the 3A. With the nerf to SSRMs, the extra medium laser is nice, and it has weight left for an AMS. Add full armor, and 136 kph, and it's got pretty surprising survivability.

Actually, what am I saying? The Commando sucks, everyone ignore them when you see them!

[hanitora]

Commando sounds like boss **** for coring people from behind.

[MWHawke]

The CMD needs to be compared to Wasps and Stingers to show it's true potential. You can't compare it with a JNR.

[Adeptus Odren]

Greyfyl, on 12 November 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

With 3xSSRM-2's and a mlas it can be a decent scout killer. But a good jenner with 2xssrms and alot more beam weapons and armor will kill you first everytime.

I don't go for jenners. I go for the assaults and the heavies.

[Sephlock]

Aedensin, on 12 November 2012 - 06:03 PM, said:

How the what? I tried launching with a PPC commando and it said invalid loadout.. then removed the mech from my mechlab and eventually crashed.

That's the game trying to protect you from yourself.

[Blaank]

I think it should have ECM? Raven would be BAP/ECM, Commando ECM, Jenner nothing. Arm makes it better for brawling with lights.

With introduction of ECM and BAP, the Raven and Commando will have a place on the battlefield.

[De La Fresniere]

I'll admit the Commando is worse than the Jenner in practically every aspect, and that's a big issue.

You could bring up the cost; the mech and its best engine (an XL 210) will get you close to a Jenner's speed for a lot less cash and the maintenance costs will be similarly reduced. Of course, balancing the game around cost is a terrible idea, so let's not take this into account.

I think if matches or "team worth" start being balanced around tonnage though, the Commando might suddenly be worth taking. Two Commandos should be worth a Centurion, if not more.

For now, stick to Jenners.

[BlackSquirrel]

I've gotten 300+ on one game...3 kills on another. Arms come quite useful for other mechs. So far only sonic fast uber jenner who can dictate speed are annoying... occasional cada if they're all lasered out with sinks...

[White Panther]

somethings gotta be the worst right?

[RiceyFighter]

When the meta game comes out and they balance the game by weight freeing up 10Tons could make or break a drop.

[MWHawke]

White Panther, on 12 November 2012 - 07:01 PM, said:

somethings gotta be the worst right?

A 20-ton mech..

[Kaspirikay]

i like commandos they die fast to my streaks