6 replies to this topic

[RaptorZefier]

So, I'm new to this, I earned up the creds and bought myself the RVN-4X model. That being said, I'm quickly learning it's, probably not the strongest of the light mechs. Jenners seem to devour (Working around filter here) me alive, and Commandos I can't really catch. Probably my own fault for picking the model with dual machine guns instead of the Large Laser.

That being said I'm kind of at a loss for what my role is in a team, I move slower then the Commandos so I'm a mediocre scout not to mention a poor scout hunter, I don't got the speed or firepower of the Jenner's, and I'm still pretty dang easy to take down.

That being said, I obviously picked the Raven for purely thematic reasons, wanted to know if there was any advice for the best way to use a Raven mech.

Any advice on how I should build it up? Or, how I should play it? I really want to make the Raven work for me, thanks ahead of time.

Edited by RaptorZefier, 19 November 2012 - 08:42 PM.

[ICEFANG13]

First things first, you need to get a much larger engine, speed is life for scouts, so I would suggest the XL 245 (the largest possible for that Raven), also, Endo and Double Heatsinks are easily possible. Generally, I would get Endo first, but you need the speed increase. Go for that large engine, then you can change it up, until then, the Raven is very weak, and truthfully, pretty useless. Try staying close to a teammate and being a guardian and add some DPS to their firepower.

[D3lness]

So, the Raven is a good Mech (my favorite in fact). The real problem lies with the Raven being an E-War Mech while the game lacks all the E-War gear (e.g. BAP, Guardian ECM).

Sadly, any way you build a Raven right now won't be true to its purpose or theme. Although, I have seen "Hobo with a Shotgun" and it looks like a hilarious build to try.

[Archphor]

In my 4x model i droped the 2x MG for a AC 5. till have one JJ and the bigest XL engin it can carry. If i remember right it had 2 ML and a SSRM 2.
I also find it harder to kill jenners in my raves (the 4x is the hardest for sure). Commandos are easy once you get a better engin. I tend to gauge my light oponents piloting skills and if i can take them or not, if not i go find a bigger mech to help me, I tend to use my ravens to pick on larger mechs. there versitile loadouts make them great for all kinds of hit and run tactics, if the enemys looking for who is shooting them in the back there not shooting your team mates.

[Axen Marik]

I've been running Raven's since early MW4 and love it. Without the Ewar here on MWO, I currently run a mean 3L with an XL 235 Endo Steel, Double Heatsinks and 3 Large Lasers. with my pilot trees done on all three variants it runs a nice 116 kph. As long as you don't run in predictable patterns the raven is the hardest mech to hit due to its size and thin profile. It can dominate at medium ranges and even hold its own up close with this loadout. Beware of heat management though, I run the two arm mounted lasers on my trigger 1 and the solo one on 2 so I can fire both a couple times, then go to group 2 for a couple fires then back to 1. You can effectively headshot kill catapults with two alphas, but tearing off side torso's is where I have the most fun, especially on those unsuspecting stock atlas K's and hunchy's with all their weapons in the big torso slot.

Edited by Axen Marik, 19 November 2012 - 09:14 PM.

[RaptorZefier]

Thanks for all the advice, I'll be saving up for the improved engine first thing. Good to see so many people with the raven as their favorite, fell in love with the mech at the MechCommander opening cinematic as a kid.

I'll take everyone's advice and build up it's engine first thing, then I'll worry about weapon systems and heat sinks.

[Sound19]

Well, the problem with upgrading your engine is cash... Not just the starting investment, but the immediate hike in repair bills when you get eaten.
I've been playing the commando for the past few days, and then moved up to the Raven. I immediately noticed the hit to my income.

If this is your first mech, and you haven't saved up much yet, then I have a different suggestion. Instead of buying a new big engine, adjust your role. Your chassis is capable of pretty significant armor, and enough hardpoints to get solid hits in, but not as good at speed. Dump the scout role for now. Leave that to Jenners and Cicadas. Instead, focus on staying with the pack. Stay beside your heavies and assaults. Hide behind them until the real fighting starts, don't go active until the big guys get into it. This opens up options for you, and allows you avoid the deathtrap that is the first few minutes of the round.

You have 5 notable role options. The first is scout. That's not you. It's expensive, due to the need for huge engines, highly risky, and your chassis wont excel at it. You'll get eaten by jenners and cicadas.

Then there's Light Hunter. It helps to have good-ish speed for that role(97 kph), but its not necessary. All you need are pulse lasers, and Streak SRM's. I'm not sure what ballistics are good against lights, though.

Next is the Striker. I would favor this role for your chassis and situation. Load up SRM's, and normal medium or small lasers, and any cheap ballistics. The bonus for this role is that repair and rearm is much cheaper than with the Light Hunter. This is a good role to save money on. You spend your time focusing on Medium's and up, and you RUN AWAY from light mechs.

You could argue the Harrasser is a distinct role. You want cheap weapons, and you don't want close range weapons. Go for 270m and up. Your focus is pretty much anything you can accurately hit without drawing too much attention. This could be a good option, because it also could allow you to save money, but it requires patience and discipline to avoid getting tangled into drawn fights. That's not what a harasser does, and it's role is more about disruption than kills.

Then there's the long range support. Similar to a harrasser, but at long range. I probably don't need to explain that one. The upside is that your chassis is good for it, but the downside is that it's not a cheap role.

In the end, I think you'll benefit most by having a clear idea of what you need to be good at, and then consequently which situations you're not good at, the ones you should actively avoid. Additionally, you want to get some income, since you'll eventually be buying two more Raven variants, and might upgrade one of them, so you'll want one variant thats reliably cheap when it blows up or goes out of ammo.
Good luck.