29 replies to this topic

[Pr8Dator]

Just for definition sake:

Scout is when your main job is running around at more than 100kph armed with ECM and/or BAP spotting targets for the main team. Your defining trait is speed.

Harrasser is when your main job is rushing quickly into where a group of enemies are ahead of the main force in order to strafe through the enemies with all your weapons and then disappear only to reappear again after your main force hits or to distract the enemy by flanking them from behind and then disappearing. You also frequently act as a lure for the main force to attract enemies into your team's ambush. Your defining trait is building your mech around more speed than firepower.

Skirmisher is when you fight with the main force but fight consistently at a fast speed, being able to get in and out of a fight quickly, typically packing more firepower than a harrasser but never fully engaged with a single enemy in an all out brawl. Your defining trait is trying to get as much firepower as possible at a reasonably high speed. You also try to build around having higher alpha rather than higher DPS as you don't stick in a fight long enough for DPS to be meaningful and you have plenty of running around time to cool down before strafing back in for another alpha.

Brawler is when you stick into a fight and typically slug it out focusing on a single enemy. Your defining trait is lots of armor and firepower. You also focus on higher DPS rather than higher alpha when designing your build in order to maintain a high sustained damage on your engaged target.

Support is when you sit back behind friendly lines and rain tons of LRM or long range fire at the enemies that are engaged with your brawlers. Your defining trait is packing as much long range ammo or weapons with sacrifice on the part of speed.

Edited by Pr8Dator, 28 December 2012 - 07:22 AM.

[jshill78]

I'm sure most people have multiple roles based on the mech they are piloting. You said "most" though and I guess my Hunchback variants that I prefer the most (SP and P) put me somewhere between harasser and skirmisher. I try to roll with or slightly in front of the main group at 92.4 kph and get as much damage in as I can while trying to peel someone off their main force to chase me or target me. The irritating thing in the solo queue is when the main force splits up or changes direction and you end up with your arse in the wind.

In the best case scenario they ignore me and focus on larger threats. My meager 45 firepower adds up over time.

[Pr8Dator]

jshill78, on 28 December 2012 - 06:42 AM, said:

I'm sure most people have multiple roles based on the mech they are piloting. You said "most" though and I guess my Hunchback variants that I prefer the most (SP and P) put me somewhere between harasser and skirmisher. I try to roll with or slightly in front of the main group at 92.4 kph and get as much damage in as I can while trying to peel someone off their main force to chase me or target me. The irritating thing in the solo queue is when the main force splits up or changes direction and you end up with your arse in the wind.

In the best case scenario they ignore me and focus on larger threats. My meager 45 firepower adds up over time.

45 firepower really isn't meager.

[Zerethon]

I'm with Jshil here, i stick to superfast medium/heavy mechs (82-106kph) running 45-60 firepower total

I Like to move fast, hit hard, then disappear into obscurity behind cover, but i favor weapons with range

Gives people a nasty suprise when i smack them for a solid bit of damage from across the way, disappear, and what seems like a split-second later i'm right in their face and they're suddenly cored from an alpha. good fun.

[Pr8Dator]

Zerethon, on 28 December 2012 - 06:53 AM, said:

I'm with Jshil here, i stick to superfast medium/heavy mechs (82-106kph) running 45-60 firepower total

I Like to move fast, hit hard, then disappear into obscurity behind cover, but i favor weapons with range

Gives people a nasty suprise when i smack them for a solid bit of damage from across the way, disappear, and what seems like a split-second later i'm right in their face and they're suddenly cored from an alpha. good fun.

Exactly how I like to play with my Dragons and Phracts! In fact, the only mech I play as a brawler with is my Ilya Muromets, everything else are Skirmishers.

[Sears]

Slow Skirmisher, not sure what else you'd describe the Hunchback as, doesn't have the armour for a brawler. Good to go in and blow up shoulders and look out for weak armour points with the AC/20

[Pr8Dator]

Sears, on 28 December 2012 - 06:55 AM, said:

Slow Skirmisher, not sure what else you'd describe the Hunchback as, doesn't have the armour for a brawler. Good to go in and blow up shoulders and look out for weak armour points with the AC/20

Yup, medium mechs are pretty much all skirmishers.

[Zerethon]

Pr8Dator, on 28 December 2012 - 06:55 AM, said:

Exactly how I like to play with my Dragons and Phracts! In fact, the only mech I play as a brawler with is my Ilya Muromets, everything else are Skirmishers.

My muromets is running 2AC's, 2Ml's and a large laser on top of the fastest engine, 90-odd KPH with tweak, 40-ish damage

It's amusing

Sears, on 28 December 2012 - 06:55 AM, said:

Slow Skirmisher, not sure what else you'd describe the Hunchback as, doesn't have the armour for a brawler. Good to go in and blow up shoulders and look out for weak armour points with the AC/20

I wouldn't call 84kph "Slow" but then again, my hunchies all have 260XL's and speed tweak (92kph or so)

not overly tough, but fast enough to get away with having an XL since i can make it an absolute -pain- to try focusing my torso's

[Pr8Dator]

Zerethon, on 28 December 2012 - 06:59 AM, said:

My muromets is running 2AC's, 2Ml's and a large laser on top of the fastest engine, 90-odd KPH with tweak, 40-ish damage

It's amusing



I wouldn't call 84kph "Slow" but then again, my hunchies all have 260XL's and speed tweak (92kph or so)

not overly tough, but fast enough to get away with having an XL since i can make it an absolute -pain- to try focusing my torso's

Yup, speed definitely have more value than armor values in this game. Not getting hit once is better than being able to soak up that alpha once.

WOW... brawlers just exceeded skirmishers. I always thought that theres more skirmishers than brawlers in the field.

[jshill78]

I find the XL a waste in a hunchback. It doesn't conceal the torso enough and the increased firepower doesn't make up for it. I run 260 standards on all three variants. They run 92.4 (tweaked). The 250 runs 89.1. XL with high speed and lack of back armor is just to weak in a hunch.

I also run a few Catapault builds. I feel the XL 315 is perfect for that chassis since the torso's are concealed. Those feel more brawler/support though.

[Barghest Whelp]

I'm a blend of skirmisher and harrasser. I like my mechs fast, and I usually die quickly if my mech is slower than 80 kph.

[Sears]

Zerethon, on 28 December 2012 - 06:59 AM, said:

My muromets is running 2AC's, 2Ml's and a large laser on top of the fastest engine, 90-odd KPH with tweak, 40-ish damage

It's amusing



I wouldn't call 84kph "Slow" but then again, my hunchies all have 260XL's and speed tweak (92kph or so)

not overly tough, but fast enough to get away with having an XL since i can make it an absolute -pain- to try focusing my torso's

I kept the standard 200 and added more ammo and med pulse lasers, I personally wouldn't put an XL in a Hunchy because of it's Hunch. Plus, I like the AC/20

[Pr8Dator]

For those who voted brawler, what mech do you brawl in most?

[ReissTC]

I mostly run a Centurion, 2x large laser, 2x medium laser, lrm-10, standard 255 engine (82km/h). Skirmisher.

Alternative mech is a Stalker, primarily uses 2x LRM-10 and dual PPCs, 4 medium lasers as backup. Support mostly, but has decent heat efficiency so can keep firing in a fight.

[General Taskeen]

What Mech Role Do You Play Most? Raid Boss.

[Adridos]

During the closed beta and before the collision removal, I loved pilotting a striker (Both Commando and Jenner clasify as one), but nowdays, I returned to my original love for skirmishing.

Also, you could've separated the snipers from supports, as both of those play really differently.

Edited by Adridos, 28 December 2012 - 07:50 AM.

[Windsaw]

I used to drive Commandos with scout, scout-hunter, harrasser and skirmischer roles. (with occasional support)

With ECM I am pretty much reduced to ECM-support (I call it protector) and scout-hunter.

So, no vote for me now.

Edited by Windsaw, 28 December 2012 - 07:39 AM.

[Program 024]

I mainly run the faster 120 - 150 Kph guys doing recon and quick response. Once the battle starts, I start harassing the fire support to help those on the front lines slugging it out.

[Stardancer01]

What category would aggressive forward be?

[Bobby Bolivia]

I enjoy playing the support/LRM role with my Atlas DCD the most, but have recently taken up brawling with an Atlas D Build.