48 replies to this topic

[parman01]

I don't think anyone but yourself can answer this. Sadly that means you'd have to try every mech and choose what fits you best. Everyone will recommend mech they pilot most. For me it would be Atlas. You can fight heads on pretty much everything (well Stalker is a tought one).

But I've also seen Cataphract pilots do wonders with their mechs. There is no real "this is better then this" thing.

[verybad]

It's always about what you feel most comfortable in. I enjoy the Catap the most. For outright firepower the Stalker, for shear toughness, the Atlas.

[Scryed]

Pr8Dator, on 03 January 2013 - 07:50 AM, said:

Yeah, the best brawler is an ECM Raven...

Right now? THIS

[GioAvanti]

ShadowThunder77, on 03 January 2013 - 10:18 AM, said:

since it all comes down to skill and preference then it dosent matter what mech i choose does it??

Pretty much....a faster brawling mech has its advantages also.... a really fast centurion can cut down an atlas easily enough.

Also - if this game really does become a major game....you'll see like 20+ assaults to choose from and it really will become a player to player thing.

Battletech has over 500 mechs easily...everything from shape to placement comes into play.

Edited by GioAvanti, 03 January 2013 - 10:27 AM.

[Red squirrel]

Pr8Dator, on 03 January 2013 - 07:45 AM, said:

Atlas is still the go-to brawler.

I'd call the Atlas an Assaulter or Juggernaut.

Brawlers.
These ’Mechs lack the mobility of skirmishers but make up
for their lesser speed with longer range weapons and/or heavier
armor. These ’Mechs often form the backbone of an assault
force or act as mobile escorts for the painfully slow juggernauts
that often comprise the main punch of an assault.
Although these ’Mechs cannot fight effective running battles,
they are well suited to a variety of other tasks. They shine
in defensive battles or in attacks against stationary targets, and
can use their slight advantage in maneuverability to take out
enemy assault ’Mechs. Two or three of these ’Mechs should be
able to outflank and eliminate any one slow enemy ’Mech. Use
them to flush snipers and missile boats from their positions.


Juggernaut.
Juggernauts are slow-moving ’Mechs with excellent shortrange
firepower. Lacking long-range weapons or speed, juggernauts
must rely on brute force to maneuver their way to within
attack distance of the enemy. These ’Mechs are usually very well
armored so that they can withstand heavy fire as they slowly
advance toward the enemy. In theory, this armor is sufficient to
allow them to get in a few successful shots—which is all they
need to take out their opponents. Team up juggernauts with skirmishers
or strikers as escorts, assigning the smaller ’Mechs to flank
the enemy ’Mechs and threaten them with attacks against their
backs, essentially shepherding them toward your juggernauts!

[Xiro17]

Like others have said, it's purely based on what you're comfortable with.

Saying that, I'll throw in my thoughts.

Stalker: Has the feel of a larger Catapult, not as maneuverable. Torso twist is stunted, so be ready for anchor turn when necessary. Excellent support mech from all variants. Alpha strikes are stupid deadly if built correctly (for long or short range). Im currently running a 5M (oh the cheese, I know) and it mops up the battlefield easily against damaged enemy mechs. Can hold its own for the most part, unless focused on by 4+ enemies at once. Watch your back armor. Fit the largest engine you can. A standard 300-310 engine gives you 2 engine heat sinks and a 57-59kph. Ill buy an XL at some point for further testing. Biggest annoyance? Cataphracts that get behind you. Lights are not a problem unless you're ganged up on, in which case, get your butt back to the team, you have no business being alone, unless you're last on the field.

Atlas: DDC variant specifically, ECM - Plays a major difference in tactics. Very well rounded hardpoints on all variants. If built correctly, can walk into battle and slaughter several enemy mechs in minutes. Don't be afraid to take large lasers out for a spin, as you can leg lights from a good distance if leading appropriately. Excellent for all ranges. It is a bit slow, but that's a trade-off you make for the armor/firepower. Can take quite a beating. Piloting is difficult at first because of where the cockpit is in relation to weapons, especially the 'right-sided torso/arm' hardpoints. *This has been the hardest mech for me to pilot, personally, because I end up hitting teammates, buildings and mountains with the 'right-sided' weaponry. Yes, this is a pilot issue, and I am working on it. Until I feel more comfortable with my own skill, I dont want to put my teammates in bad situations. Biggest annoyance? Not using an upgraded engine. It isnt a requirement, but recommended to fit the biggest you can for your loadout preference. You need to be able to reverse speed twist effectively because ecm lights will get behind you and take out your rear side torsos.

Cataphract: Not as "glassy" as people make it out to be, unless you are purposely min/maxing armor/firepower. It's a very well rounded mech. One variant has jump jets. Can be run 'hot' and be effective. Centralized cockpit makes for easy aim with arm mounted weaponry (just watch for lights) and each variant is also good for just about any range. For its class, it is fast. Has excellent torso rotation speed and twist radius. This makes it GREAT againts lights if you can aim. It is also a very capable sniper mech, and due to it's speed, can ridge-hump very well. If you're thinking of piloting an Atlas, and are concerned about the cockpit placement, the Cataphract is an excellent starting point to understanding the arm mechanics. (Same idea behind Hunchback too). Biggest annoyance? Needs careful consideration on center/side/rear torso armor numbers. Too heavy in the front and you'll be cored from behind; too heavy in the back and you wont survive a head-on fight very long. Otherwise, I see many Cataphracts decimate enemy mechs.

It took me a long time to decide what to get as my first big mech, and after watching a match end in hilarity between 3 stalkers (2 on enemy team, one had NO weapons and played meat shield for the other) I decided to go with a cheesy Stalker. I rarely go for the cheese, but I figured I would try it, since the people I play with, for the most part, run snipers and brawlers.

hth

[TruePoindexter]

Do you prefer mobility or armor?

Mobility: Cataphract/Catapult

Armor: Stalker/Atlas

Do you prefer Ballistics or Missiles?

Ballistics: Cataphract/Atlas (and the Catapult K2)

Missiles: Catapult/Stalker (except the Catapult K2)

Do you like looking like a phallus?

Phallus: Catapult/Stalker

Androgynous: Cataphract/Atlas

Match your answers up and you have your decision. May the best phallus win.

Edited by TruePoindexter, 03 January 2013 - 12:35 PM.

[Gallowglas]

verybad, on 03 January 2013 - 09:57 AM, said:

Sorry to all who might want to claim their Stalker can Brawl.

No. They can't Brawl.

For a Stalker, you have to aim the whole whale at something and press fire. Against even a single decent light, medium, or heavy in close, you're dead. Stalkers are support mechs. They can be built for in close support, or long range support, but they can't brawl. Just because you're in close doesn't mean you're brawling. Brawling means you gotta maneuver. Beached whales can't maneuver.

My 300 standard engine Stalker would beg to differ with you.

[willkillforfood]

I like my atlas d- dc . have 3 srm6 with artemis, 1 ac20, and 2 medium lasers . I think I've been killed by a stalker head to head twice . I normally kill 2 stalkers a game since they became so popular . granted most of them are not equipped with 5 srm6.