4 replies to this topic

[SL the Pyro]

Just something I've been curious about and not willing to blow MC on unless I knew it was viable.

I've been juggling the idea in my head for a while now to make a RVN-4X build with either a Gauss Rifle or an (pair of) AC(s). With Ferro Fibrous Armor and Endo Steel Structure it should have less tonnage (and be able to take more of a beating), and after all that it should have enough spare tonnage to fit the weapon of choice and a healthy supply of ammo while maintaining decent speed.

...Of course, the above is all theory. How realistic would it be for a build like this to be effective at all? The idea of one of the smallest 'Mechs in the game dashing around the map with a massive cannon with impunity amuses me, but would it actually work? Is it even possible to build without gimping the Raven too much? Give me your thoughts!

[Omnicidal Kitten]

I've been poked by a few Ravens packing a gauss rifle or ERPPC. The Gauss is fairly frightening - the little Raven is hard to spot at range, and all too often is overlooked by teammates even if it is spotted. "Oh, it's just a camping Raven," they'll say, as the wicked little thing pokes them to death with heavy ordinance from afar. I can't say anything from personal experience piloting one, but from being on the receiving end it seems that they'd make fairly sound little raiding mechs and snipers.

I know they can force my Catapult to grab cover within a shot or two - even if I go after them, they can poke shells into my front torso with impunity until I close to engage [K2 Laserboat here.] and by the time they're in my engagement envelop they just about-face and scamper off in the opposite direction to a new vantage point, well outside my reach. I tend to cross my fingers and hope my team's LRM boats or Scouts go after the Raven - or a twin Gauss cat or cataphract, if we have one.

So it seems like it could be highly effective in the right hands, if you're willing to put a little work in to get it to run smoothly. I'm really not sure, but it'd likely be fun to try.

[Heavy Metal Boar]

There IS a mech in tabletop devoted entirely to this idea. The Hollander didn't make it into this game, but has appeared in almost every other recent one. 35 ton mech with a 15 ton gun, reminds me of the A-10 warthog.

I have seen a ppc srm combo on a raven and it dealt some serious hurt as well as lasted longer than most of my team.

I had a 4x at one point but never did put a gauss on it. I'm mad now, if you use the gauss out of sensor range, you could throw icy snowballs across the map and surprise a LOT of pilots.

[Alphascrub]

Raven with Gauss seems a bit risky. Easy to destroy. But if you can hit and run with it, accurately and carry enough ammo to be effective I could really see it be a big problem for a damage mech, especially if they are missing armor on a body part.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

The gun you want is an AC20. It's not cheap to pull off though.

XL180
ES
FF (or DHS and less armor)

AC20+3tons of ammo
1 Medium Laser

and that's all you can fit with FF, with DHS you can fit 2 medium lasers if you lose a ton of armor.

It works ok I suppose but now with Ravens being a prime target due to ECM you don't get ignored long enough to get behind people to make it worth it IMO.

If you're a good shot run dual AC2 instead with DHS instead of FF since the damage is better.

Alternatively run the stock engine with an UAC5 for a cheap bit of fun.