50 replies to this topic

[Kirika]

Is the 6 PPC Stalker of Doom actually a good first mech? Video looks good but didn't see many in games.

Here is the video.


From the video it looks really fun. Oneshotting some mechs. Is it actually viable or do you need really low ping to be able to snipe?

I thought if it was really that good I would see some in games but in the games I played so far I only saw one.

Just starting out and want to pick a good first mech. If the Stalker of doom isn't a good choice what is? Want something with good firepower. The 60 damage alpha of the 6 ppc stalker sounds awesome. Downsides are you overheat ALOT and Stalker is kinda slow.

Edited by Kirika, 30 December 2012 - 01:21 AM.

[NRP]

It's fun for goofing off, but you won't be very productive unless you have a really good team. You can only one-shot weakened enemies, and if they focus on you, you're done. But what the heck, if you've got a stalker and the necessary spare parts, give it a shot.

[Hex Pallett]

Played the Mechbay java a bit. A goof build - you'll need an XL for sure, and either will you carry too few DHS and burn like a hoe, or carry too few armor and run like a glass cannon.

[One Medic Army]

I've seen a few people using them in game.
They deal great concentrated damage on a hit, but you need a heck of a lot of situational awareness, plus good aim.

Most I see just lob a few shots every once and a while, blowing off arms or taking a section to red armor. Usually they just make me keep my head down.
Watch all of Vdek's videos, watch what tactics he uses, which targets he picks, how he fires (he doesn't just alpha everything).

Personally I'd suggest a Cataphract as a PPC trainer mech if you want to go that direction. You can easily mount 2-3 PPCs (incl maybe 1-2 ERPPCs) on a Cataphract, and they make a good sniping platform with the torso energy hardpoints.

Edited by One Medic Army, 30 December 2012 - 02:23 AM.

[Shootanoob]

As far as you are looking for an advice which should be your first Mech, I'll suggest you take a deeper look into the Catapult K2. You can carry PPCs or ERPPCs on it to get a basic understanding whether or not you like PPCs at all. And even if you do not like them, there are plenty of other options to run the K2: double AC10/20/UAC5, double Gauss, Large Lasers.... and all of it at significant lower costs than the Stalker.

[UloPe]

BigPuma, on 30 December 2012 - 04:08 AM, said:

As far as you are looking for an advice which should be your first Mech, I'll suggest you take a deeper look into the Catapult K2.

This.

I've recently "had to" pick up a 3rd catapult to get elite and ended up with a 4xLLas K2 (with 300 std. engine). It has become my favorite mech in no time.

[Shootanoob]

Yes, thats exactly what happened to me after runing my C1 and C4.

At first, it feels a bit odd to have a Catapult but no missiles, but man, that thing is so damned hot & also very versatile. You can simply dualfit any killer weapons available.

And 4xLLas - thats quite a killer if you can follow your target. If you rather like to fire and forget, take PPCs, ERPPCs or Gauss.

[Kmieciu]

Any Stalker with an XL engine is IMHO one of the easiest mech to destroy.
It`s slow, has enormous side torsos and low twist radius. With only 6 PPC you are defenseless against light mechs. And if someone sees you power down, you`re dead meat.

Edited by Kmieciu, 30 December 2012 - 04:43 AM.

[Hex Pallett]

BigPuma, on 30 December 2012 - 04:08 AM, said:

As far as you are looking for an advice which should be your first Mech, I'll suggest you take a deeper look into the Catapult K2. You can carry PPCs or ERPPCs on it to get a basic understanding whether or not you like PPCs at all. And even if you do not like them, there are plenty of other options to run the K2: double AC10/20/UAC5, double Gauss, Large Lasers.... and all of it at significant lower costs than the Stalker.

Yup. Dual PPC/ERPPC plus twin MLas. Runs hot, but you really gets the grip of how to run a PPC-centered build.

Also most Cataphracts (4X the exception) are also good for this loadout. I personally recommend 3D, for though I've never played one, 3D has JJ ability which is a great advantage.

[John MatriX82]

6 LLAS is more usable, probably.

[Fuggles]

Having 6 ppcs is kind of pointless as you'll shut down if you fire them all, and their low recharge time means if you chain fire them by the time you fire the third one, the first will be off cd again.

Better to run 3 and fill the rest of the mech with heatsinks.

[Stingz]

Fuggles, on 30 December 2012 - 07:49 AM, said:

Having 6 ppcs is kind of pointless as you'll shut down if you fire them all, and their low recharge time means if you chain fire them by the time you fire the third one, the first will be off cd again.

Better to run 3 and fill the rest of the mech with heatsinks.

One shot cored my Raven, CT only. 60 damage in one spot is devastating, like AC/20 before double armor.

Double Heat Sinks solve the cooling issues, nobody said you need to fire all 6 24/7.

Edited by Stingz, 30 December 2012 - 09:46 AM.

[Lefty Lucy]

Videos can be misleading because they'll either show only the good shots, or the player's best round of a night spent filming, etc.

[Felicitatem Parco]

With the Stalker's slow movement/maneuverability combined with 6PPCs and few heatsinks... you get an excellent training Mech. Few other builds have the potential to teach you such fire-control discipline and keen gunnery skills...

[TruePoindexter]

Prosperity Park, on 30 December 2012 - 11:13 AM, said:

With the Stalker's slow movement/maneuverability combined with 6PPCs and few heatsinks... you get an excellent training Mech. Few other builds have the potential to teach you such fire-control discipline and keen gunnery skills...

Also seeing someone lose an arm in a single shot never gets old. The mech is suspect in its practicality for competitive play but I agree it will definitely teach you to land your shots.

[Wrenchfarm]

Eek, definitely NOT a first mech!

[J0anna]

The answer to your question depends on you. But in general gimic mech's aren't a 'good first mech'. I have run into a couple of these in game, yes if you don't know what they are packing they can hurt you, but once you see the PPC's, you just use cover and get w/in 90m (where PPC's do no damage. At that point, they are an easy kill (bagged 2 so far).

[Kirika]

Thanks

Actually priced it out and the mech is 7.6 mil. Double Heatsinks are 1.5 mil. PPCs are 200k each so 1.2 mil for 6. The 280 xl engine is 5 mil so total its over 15 mil so I think that might be why there are not so many running around even if the video makes it look so ridiculously awesome.

How much does a comparable K2 PPC build or Cataphract PPC build cost? I can't actually see the weapons cost in game without buying a mech. I had to ask a friend for the costs. Is there an online mech configurator that shows cbill costs?

[Wrenchfarm]

If you're just starting out, I really recommend you stay away from crazy PPC boating mechs. They're tricky to use!

If you really can't be dissuaded, the AWE-9M makes a great 3x PPC platform while being fast enough to get itself out of trouble and crammed with enough DHS to keep is as cool as possible when firing lighting nipples. Bad news? The AWE-9M is the most expensive Awesome and it takes even more upgrades and a bigger engine to make it *pop*. So yeah, get a cheaper starter mech and make your money that way while learning the ropes.

It's a cliche, but can I recommend the HBK-4SP?

[neviu]

Edited by neviu, 30 December 2012 - 05:46 PM.