40 replies to this topic

[Garfuncle]

Looking to purchase my first awesome and since I'm a big fan of PPCs I'm looking at the 8Q or 9M to buy.

The 8Q looks alright, but the 9M looks like a direct upgrade. Is there any reason to go for the 8Q at all, or is the 9M the go-to Awesome chasis for PPC carnage?

[Lord Ikka]

Either work decent, though Stalkers are the current kings of PPC due to the amount of weapons/heatsinks they can cram in.

[Hex Pallett]

If PPC is your thing then DEFINITELY 9M. 8Q can boat quite a few PPCs but is neither as good as Atlas RS or Stalkers for Trollcannon (4x or in the case of some Stalkers 6xPPCs) due to lower armor, nor as good as 9M who can carry a massive XL engine and rapidly redeploy. You can easily let a 9M carry 3xPPC, and either could you chainfire them from afar or just Alpha strike.

You can also make a brawler out of 9M too. 8Q is so far only good for LL boat.

[Jaded Jasper]

They're different. The M is faster, and can mount Streaks or Srms for extra punch up close. It can also only mount 3 PPC, and one is in the arm for awkward convergence.

The Q can readily mount 4 PPCs all in the torso and so are much more likely to all hit the same spot. I prefer it to Stalker and Atlas PPC platforms because it's more mobile, which can often let you get the first strike off, get volleys two to one, or often break free to 90m when brawling.

Basically I like them both. I run a Q with 4xPPC and a faster M with 3xPPC, 3xStreak, ML.

[Tahribator]

8Q's can be great PPC boats, but if you compare 8Q hardpoints with 9M; you'll see 9M is actually a beefed up 8Q. If you're short on C-Bills and don't want to elite Awesomes, then definitely go for the 9M. You can replace the XL engine with an STD and you have yourself an 8Q with extra SRM hardpoints for defence.

That said, I love my 8Q. I use it as a maneuverable PPC supporter(never exceed 3 PPCs). Yes you do not have the same amount of PPC's as Stalker, but you have the heat efficiency and manueverability. My 9M is a viscious fast brawler with 3LLs and a few SRMs.

[Kiiyor]

9M. 9M. 9M times eleventy billion.

The 8q lived up to it's namesake when engine restrictions weren't even a twinkle in PGI's eye. Now the 9M outshines it in almost every possible way.

If you want to boat more than 3 PPCs, then the 8q is for you, but be aware that you're almost always an easier target for return fire, being that your mech is on the 'Oprah' side of the body size chart.

The 9m has flexibility. Speed, missiles, wierd but workable hard points. Also, 3 module slots, and there are some awesome looking modules in the works.

I -loved- my 8q, but the 9m is a far more lithe and adventurous creature. I have over 200k experience sitting fallow in it.

[Jaded Jasper]

Some further comments:

- 4 PPCs is significantly more deadly than 3 PPCs -- 2 volleys can kill most mechs, and one head shot will do it which does happen from time to time. 6 PPCs I think is overkill, but 4 PPCs is definitely punchier than 3.

- Awesomes are a wide target when you're facing people, but they have a relatively fast twist for their size and present a narrow profile which is almost entirely covered by their arms.

- The Q is short one module slot, which is lame!

- I found my M considerably more effective before ECM because Streaks would keep light mechs at bay, but now that streaks are often useless it's a toss up. I find the M more fun, but they're roughly equally effective.

- The play style is surprisngly different, despite both being primarily PPC equipped. The M is more mobile and great when the Streaks work, the Q is more deadly. The Q likes a longer range, hunting for two consecutive shots on a slow target. The M likes to work in a bit closer, preferably near an ECM Atlas.

Edited by Jaded Jasper, 24 February 2013 - 03:32 AM.

[Pkunk]

8Q. The 8Q is a very competent ppc boat and in some respects better than a stalker or atlas because of the faster torso twist. Easier to hit light mechs and all. Also in my experience 4 ppc in the torso are more accurate then the loadout of the 9M. And the damage feels like more of a difference than the numbers might imply.
The 9M is an awesome mech and it handles three pcc arguably the best in the game. Hower the 9M is far better as a brawler (the best in the game imho) so it's really a shame not to use it as one. Depending on your playstyle the mobility of the 9M might work better for you but I would really recommend building it as a brawler.

That being said; just buy the 9M. It one of the most fun mechs in the game either way. You can always buy an 8Q or a stalker if three ppc is not enough for you.

Edited by Pkunk, 24 February 2013 - 07:34 AM.

[Mazzyplz]

8Q!

9m is undergunned but makes it up with speed.

8Q is a proper weapons platform

[NRP]

9M and don't look back.

I found the 8Q underwhelming despite its impressive hard point layout.

[80Bit]

It's pretty simple. Do you want more than 3 PPCs? In that case the 8Q is your only option for an Awesome. For just 3 PPCs the 9M wins easly.

If you want to run just 3 PPCs and be mobile, you can do it better with a Cataphract or Flame. If you just want to boat a bunch of PPCs for huge Alpha strikes, the Atlas-RS is the best in the game since you can fire 5.5 PPCs of damage for the heat of 4 by using a Gauss Rifle.

When I do get around to buying more Awesomes, my PPC boat will be this and it will be hilarious.


Sidenote: PPC boats are a lot better once you have unlocked the fast startup efficiency.

[Garfuncle]

Well, for 9M, this is my decided build so far as per messing about in the Mech-Lab. (Ignore wonky armor values, besides taking a small amount from the legs for an extra ton, they will be in stock configuration.)


http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e5bec60c91f2f01

A balanced PPC marksman that can defend itself adequetly in close quarters. I like building PPC in a non-gimmicky way that won't have my mech shut down after a few volleys.

Edited by Garfuncle, 24 February 2013 - 10:30 AM.

[Jaded Jasper]

You have Ferro Fibrous Armor, but not Endo Steel. This is always a mistake. Instead try:

AWS-9M

[Hex Pallett]

Jaded Jasper, on 24 February 2013 - 11:15 AM, said:

You have Ferro Fibrous Armor, but not Endo Steel. This is always a mistake. Instead try:

AWS-9M

If this is your designing philosophy - asa wasting all the larger engines - then I' say you're better off with 8Q. Plus a slow PPC boat is a dead PPC boat, unless you carry at least 4 PPCs.

Garfuncle, on 24 February 2013 - 10:30 AM, said:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e5bec60c91f2f01

If you think 15 DHS is gonna cool you down...you're making a big mistake.

Here's another two cents: XL380, 19DHS, Endo, 3xPPC, 3xML

Edited by Helmstif, 24 February 2013 - 12:02 PM.

[Garfuncle]

XL engines are total ***, though. Why waste perfect zombie power with the Awesome's hardpoints for an XL engine that does little more than a ST300 besides making you far, far less tanky?

[Tahribator]

Garfuncle, on 24 February 2013 - 12:12 PM, said:

XL engines are total ***, though. Why waste perfect zombie power with the Awesome's hardpoints for an XL engine that does little more than a ST300 besides making you far, far less tanky?

Speed makes you harder to hit and leads to enemy damage spreading all over your body. Whereas an STD Awesome is slow, has slower traverse speed which makes focusing damage easier. There's good trade-off between STD and XL.

Edited by Tahribator, 24 February 2013 - 12:58 PM.

[Hex Pallett]

Garfuncle, on 24 February 2013 - 12:12 PM, said:

XL engines are total ***, though. Why waste perfect zombie power with the Awesome's hardpoints for an XL engine that does little more than a ST300 besides making you far, far less tanky?

Why would you zombie when you're trying to build a PPC platform? You can't get EVERYTHING DUH.

[Reported for Inappropriate Name]

Garfuncle, on 23 February 2013 - 11:07 PM, said:

Looking to purchase my first awesome and since I'm a big fan of PPCs I'm looking at the 8Q or 9M to buy.

The 8Q looks alright, but the 9M looks like a direct upgrade. Is there any reason to go for the 8Q at all, or is the 9M the go-to Awesome chasis for PPC carnage?

this is what i had in mind for a 9m
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0dbb189c88b677e

[Eximar]

Max leg armor, but you can be one shot through the back? And a flamer?

[Lynx7725]

Ok, so I have a 8Q, built it to be Zombie (Std 300 IIRC), with 4 ER PPC. Yes I like having 4 lightning bolts. My question is.. 4 ER PPC or 4 PPC? I personally prefer the longer range of the ER PPC and no minimum range, just want to hear some opinions.