18 replies to this topic

[Goregrimm]

I need something new to level. Can someone give me a breakdown or compelling reasons to pick one over the other?

[The Unknown Pilot]

JUMP JETS, A DOZEN OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mankor]

The Unknown Pilot, on 10 January 2014 - 07:20 PM, said:

JUMP JETS, A DOZEN OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I have a "V" - not the damage hog, but with 12 jj you can fall off a hill and then jump back up without touching the ground. Pretty sweet. Since the locust was added you can put bigger engines in the K and V spiders.

Only down side to the spiders is no missile hard points. You get an ECM in the D.

[Xiang]

Both are fun, so i guess it boils down to whether you like jumping around or not. I personally enjoy the spider ever so slightly over the commando, but each has their place, and as mentioned, the spider cannot carry any missles.

Think about your play style, long range/short range, sneaky or circle of death etc and that will help you make a decision. Spiders play better to the long range sneaky attacks and commandos are more in your face circle of death types (but you can do either build on either mech....its just how they are perceived).

Either way, have fun and Happy Hunting!

Xiang

[The Unknown Pilot]

Have you considered a Cicada 3M?

[Sen]

The spider is a fairly straight forward 'mech. Lots of speed and maneuverability in exchange for relatively limited firepower. Yes, you can run an ERPPC or ER LLAS, and I've seen both used to great effect. The champion spider build [with ErLlas and 4 MG] is NASTY when you run em' in packs...

The commando is more of a "sleeper" 'mech. You can load it with SRMs and get a halfway decent punch out of it, perfect for those unsuspecting heavier mechs. For the light hunter in you, you can pack streaks! It's got a fair amount of maneuverability to it, but it's biggest strength is it's ability to adapt for a wider range of roles. Couple that with people's tendency to write them off as "just an underpowered light" and you can REALLY work it to your advantage.

[Goregrimm]

I did the Cicada and I liked them. Thanks for the suggestion.

I went with the Commando. Spiders look like a blast with the jump jets but the load outs look more fun with the Commando.

[TercieI]

Goregrimm, on 11 January 2014 - 08:26 AM, said:

I did the Cicada and I liked them. Thanks for the suggestion.

I went with the Commando. Spiders look like a blast with the jump jets but the load outs look more fun with the Commando.

Woohoo! Welcome to the Commando Brotherhood!

IMO, the three to get are the TDK, 2D and...well, pick really (I had a 1B, would got with one of the others now). Even if you don't normally buy heroes, I strongly suggest getting a TDK. It's cheap and the max engine goes 170, add four ML, pack it full of heat sinks and go-go-go.

Edited by Terciel1976, 11 January 2014 - 08:29 AM.

[LiGhtningFF13]

What the hell?! Easy answer, Atlas ehhm Spider!

[Goregrimm]

I started with the 2D and dumped almost 6 million in it before I even took it out. After a couple matchs I went ahead and picked up Death Knell. I am a darn sucker for micro-transactions! I don't know which will be my third but it looks like it hardly matters. Basics and done, third Commando.

[TercieI]

Goregrimm, on 11 January 2014 - 04:07 PM, said:

I started with the 2D and dumped almost 6 million in it before I even took it out. After a couple matchs I went ahead and picked up Death Knell. I am a darn sucker for micro-transactions! I don't know which will be my third but it looks like it hardly matters. Basics and done, third Commando.

As much as I think owning a 2D and Knell is the proper "end state" of Commando ownership, there are some decent builds on the others. The 1B is basically a gimped Knell, skip it for sure. Most prefer the 3A over the 1D because the 1D is easier to disarm, but on the flip side, the 3A lets you zombie an arm and not have to sacrifice armor elsewhere.

[Ertur]

I liked the 3A. A little more flexible configuration than the 1D, and you can lose either arm and still have an energy or missile point left. Lose the right arm on the 1D and you are down to just 2 SRM2's (streak or plain).

I prefer the Commando to Spiders, too, by the way; though I've got both. Jumping is useful for manuever, but in a fight it can be as much a problem as not. I know when I fight spiders I like it when they jump, since I can track them more easily than when they run on the ground. Commandos can also do more damage than any spider.

[Bhelogan]

I like both, but my spider (specifically the K, which I ran for months before the champion version came out) gets much more play time.

[AaronWolf]

Commando...all the way! They are by far more dangerous then a Spider, in the right hands. Not saying the Spider is bad, just saying that the Commando can be really dangerous-and has been more effective in more games then I have seen Spiders.

Spiders though I must say are very versatile in match's, especially the JJ capable ones.

[IraqiWalker]

Glad to see you joined the Commando brotherhood, I personally run a 2D myself and love these things. When you are done with Commandos I do recommend giving the Spiders a go. I think the 5D would be a great one to try out.

I agree that the Commandos are more adaptable, I use my 2D mostly as a light hunter, but every once in a while I go crazy and strap 3 SRM6s (that's right) to it and go blast some big mechs to smoldering ashes. I have also used it as a sniper (ECM with ERPPC is a real pain to deal with)

However I prefer it with 3SSRMs and 1ML plus ECM with max armor (minus 2 points off the head) and 2 tons of ammo.
500 to 600 damage average.

Lovely mech.

[DONTOR]

Goregrimm, on 11 January 2014 - 08:26 AM, said:

I did the Cicada and I liked them. Thanks for the suggestion.

I went with the Commando. Spiders look like a blast with the jump jets but the load outs look more fun with the Commando.

Congatulations you chose correctly! The loadouts are more fun, and if you liked the Cicada then you can handle a fast ground pounder (mech without JJs). I suggest the hill climb module for out running other mechs as you can scale just about any wall at 171 kph. I do however wish there was a commando with MGs so Ill probably get the spider K eventually, it also can go 170kph.

[Katus]

Sen, on 11 January 2014 - 06:06 AM, said:

The spider is a fairly straight forward 'mech. Lots of speed and maneuverability in exchange for relatively limited firepower. Yes, you can run an ERPPC or ER LLAS, and I've seen both used to great effect. The champion spider build [with ErLlas and 4 MG] is NASTY when you run em' in packs...

The commando is more of a "sleeper" 'mech. You can load it with SRMs and get a halfway decent punch out of it, perfect for those unsuspecting heavier mechs. For the light hunter in you, you can pack streaks! It's got a fair amount of maneuverability to it, but it's biggest strength is it's ability to adapt for a wider range of roles. Couple that with people's tendency to write them off as "just an underpowered light" and you can REALLY work it to your advantage.

Personally, I prefer the Spider over the Commando. Although my view might be a bit off since the Commando was the first Mech I bought after I was done with the Trial Mechs. I had much learning/dying to do and that poor Commando took it like a trooper. Then I sold it off to get into the heavier Mechs and never looked back. Later I tried out the Spider and had much more success with it than I did with the Commando. Although that might have been just more personal experience driving Mechs rather than some flaw with the Commando.

[stjobe]

Goregrimm, on 11 January 2014 - 08:26 AM, said:

I went with the Commando. Spiders look like a blast with the jump jets but the load outs look more fun with the Commando.

I have five mastered Commandos and well over 1,000 drops in them. I play them regularly.

I have one mastered Spider (5D), and two non-mastered (5V and 5K) and rarely play either.

I think you chose wisely

Don't forget to try a dual-LL 1B or 3A - great fun

In fact, that's what I think is most appealing with the 'mandos - you can vary the load-out quite significantly, from all-missile to all-laser, from ERPPC to dual LLs to 4xML to 3xSSRM+ECM to SRM-12 or SRM-16 to... There's always something new to try, and there's a good chance you'll find a favourite load-out somewhere in there - I ran a 3xMPL 1B for the longest time, before the dual-LL 3A took its place - and before ECM hit I ran the 3xSSRM 2D quite extensively (but it got boring when ECM made it such a cake-walk).

Anyway, congratulations on your 'mech choice; don't be surprised if you find yourself playing them long after you've mastered them

[AaronWolf]

stjobe, on 16 January 2014 - 08:14 AM, said:

I have five mastered Commandos and well over 1,000 drops in them. I play them regularly.

I have one mastered Spider (5D), and two non-mastered (5V and 5K) and rarely play either.

I think you chose wisely

Don't forget to try a dual-LL 1B or 3A - great fun

In fact, that's what I think is most appealing with the 'mandos - you can vary the load-out quite significantly, from all-missile to all-laser, from ERPPC to dual LLs to 4xML to 3xSSRM+ECM to SRM-12 or SRM-16 to... There's always something new to try, and there's a good chance you'll find a favourite load-out somewhere in there - I ran a 3xMPL 1B for the longest time, before the dual-LL 3A took its place - and before ECM hit I ran the 3xSSRM 2D quite extensively (but it got boring when ECM made it such a cake-walk).

Anyway, congratulations on your 'mech choice; don't be surprised if you find yourself playing them long after you've mastered them

Which is why I love my mando's right alongside my Ravens.