7 replies to this topic

[Koujo]

Been having fun with my CN9-A but the UAC5 in my right arm is so undependable. Seems like it stays jammed half of the battle. So I got to theory crafting and decided to buy a CN9-D and mount two AC2s in the arm instead. Only after I bought it did I realize it comes with a XL engine. So now I have two choices, switch to a standard engine for zombie mode or downgrade to a XL 245 and play more of a support mode. Here's the build I worked up for it. What changes would you make?

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b4ba85f07a86725

[Hammerfinn]

Just this: smaller engine to allow for LRM, since you wanna play LR support.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...870705bf528a75c

Slightly slower, slightly less shots, but fits the AC-2 range better than ssrms.

But your build does look pretty good; I personally would find the SSRM range difference annoying, but if it's your playstyle, go for it!

[Koujo]

Hammerfinn, on 31 December 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

Just this: smaller engine to allow for LRM, since you wanna play LR support.

Actually I was going for a brawling type build but with the ability to reach out when my team decides it doesn't want to close with the enemy and leaves me standing there useless. However I took a similar build for a test run and although the dual AC2s look good on paper I'm finding the DPS just doesn't apply well. Kinda sorry I bought it now. I guess the only real thing it has to offer over the CN9-A is two ballistic hardpoints? Unless I could mount dual UAC5s or something I don't see the point really.

[Krazy Kat]

I tried 2 AC/2's myself. Then I tried being a brawler. Now I am using an LBX-10X in the arm and 2xSRM4's and 2 MLAS. Gotta be really close to hit well. But with the speed of the big XL engine I can close in fast, hit, and run if I have to.

[Wrenchfarm]

Hum. It seems like the whole advantage of the CN9-D is its ability to mount a GIANT XL engine. I don't think twin AC2s is worth giving that up. Try running it with a huge engine and using a more hit-&-run playstyle instead of slugging away with a high DPS/low burst cannon. SRMs are a great choice for sudden catastrophic one-hit damage.

[Koujo]

I might try dual AC5s when I get the money for another engine. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a944d69291cb64a
It should be more DPS than a AC10 or like a UAC5 that doesn't jam.

Wrenchfarm, on 31 December 2012 - 03:36 PM, said:

Hum. It seems like the whole advantage of the CN9-D is its ability to mount a GIANT XL engine. I don't think twin AC2s is worth giving that up. Try running it with a huge engine and using a more hit-&-run playstyle instead of slugging away with a high DPS/low burst cannon. SRMs are a great choice for sudden catastrophic one-hit damage.

You can't put a XL engine on a CN9-A?

[Krazy Kat]

Koujo, on 31 December 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

I might try dual AC5s when I get the money for another engine. http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a944d69291cb64a
It should be more DPS than a AC10 or like a UAC5 that doesn't jam.



You can't put a XL engine on a CN9-A?

The -D variant comes equipped with a much larger XL engine. The max engine size is based on the starting engine size.

The max engine size for the -D is the XL390. With the speed tweek it can go 139 KPH. Wow.

[Jeviati]

CN9-D

Is the build I just ran. Ran a match with it, I got two kills and three assists. Aside from the DHS (two up from base 10) and switching to SSRM2 and full armor everywhere, my CN9-D "Northlander" is stock. Well... okay, I did take two points of armor off the head, but most head shorts are merely a lucky shot anyways, and an AC20 in the face will kill you as surely as being cored no matter what you are piloting.

Now, I could remove the C.A.S.E. and move my ammo into the legs, dump a DHS to pick up an AMS and a ton of AMS ammo. The problem with that in a PUG is that you are playing this build incorrectly if you need an AMS to divert some incoming damage. This is a flanker/harasser build. As such you stay near something that is going to be attacked, be it a point (conquest), the ranged support, or hiding behind terrain as you follow an Atlas or other larger mech. In the above mentioned match I chased an Atlas K long enough to get multiple Spotter bonuses. My LB 10-X AC cycling shots into his rear armor as well as MLAS fire slagging it more and more. He could not shake me, and the constant LRM barrage on him from my indirect fire support friends ensured his destruction. Next I paired off with a Stalker (I did not note the variant as I wanted out of there fast), and after sending a bit of munitions his way I split for a Hunchback. That Hunchback was more than a little surprised that I not only kept up with him, but also kept pumping shots into him with great accuracy (kept him within 150m +/- 40 meters). I know I rake fired a group of opponents at one point as the only other targets I actively engaged was a Raven 3-L who swiftly came to regret engaging me. When he tried to get away and target the LRM boat Catapult on my team, I then chased him off only to turn into another Centurion CN9-D from the opposing team. The Raven fled, knowing his chances with me were limited at best, even with support. The other Centurion was not aware of this and engaged only to be whittled, circled and chased into the MLAS fire of the Catapult. When he over heated I stood above him putting buck shot into his shoulders and cockpit. Turned out that Raven had not gone too far as I found him again, this time dancing with my teammates. As I joined the fray, thumping pellets and SSRMs, he got plucked in short order.

Can this mech solo another mech? Yes, if you are a shotgun surgeon and your target panics. Is this build a game changer? Not by any means. You have weapons of extreme range, you have little defense from those that do. This is a support build. Use it as such.

Edited by Jeviati, 02 January 2013 - 08:54 PM.