55 replies to this topic

[p4g3m4s7r]

Now that some of the fervor of ECM has died off, can anyone suggest how to go about trying to build an LRM-heavy support mech (a.k.a. a missile boat or something similar). I'm looking for builds and tactics and any other helpful hints.

I think discussion that is not focused on the balance of ECM but instead on how to cope with the current balance of things and tactical realities might be helpful to anyone (*edit everyone). Especially those thinking LRM boats are dead or looking into a new awesome or catapult but are worried they might be limited in what builds they can make.

Also, thoughts on how to use the current incarnation of artemis would be appreciated.

Edited by p4g3m4s7r, 04 January 2013 - 10:24 AM.

[Budor]

D-DC, ECM, 3x LRM15, 1x TAG, 1x LL, tons of ammo.

[Vassago Rain]

1) take whatever mech you want.
2) put missiles on it.
3 put ammo in it.
4) put a TAG somewhere on it.
5) PROFIT!

[AlexWildeagle]

LRM boats dead? Only in my dreams.

[FrDrake]

Here's my current LRM boat build that at a minimum does 600 damage per match

Stalker 5S
3 LRMx20
4 MLAS
1 TAG
1440 LRM ammo
XL 300
BAP

Sensor range module

Not maxed armor, but I don't remember the exact total
DHS but once again I don't remember the exact total


LRM boating is alive and well even with ECM.

[Wun]

LRM boats are not a great solo random drop mech right now. Half the fights you will be worthless.

You need teammates with ECM counters so you can target and hit enemies. You also need light/medium mechs that will come back and protect you.when those fast ECM mech flank and jump all over you. If you can get those two things happening, LRM boats can do a devastating amount of damage.

Edited by Wun, 04 January 2013 - 10:32 AM.

[Joseph Mallan]

Budor, on 04 January 2013 - 10:27 AM, said:

D-DC, ECM, 3x LRM15, 1x TAG, 1x LL, tons of ammo.

Vassago Rain, on 04 January 2013 - 10:27 AM, said:

1) take whatever mech you want.
2) put missiles on it.
3 put ammo in it.
4) put a TAG somewhere on it.
5) PROFIT!

Either of these will do just fine. As to Artemis, You will need to have LoS for the best results but it does help my SRMs get tighter grouping.

Ran into a LRM heavy team yesterday. Couldn't get em to say how many LRMs they had But the missile rain was most impressive. I miss that kind of hel being throw at our opponents!

[FrDrake]

I would say if you want to increase your LRMing skill then knowing when not to shoot is the place to start. You'll get a feel for when a target pops up which targets will maintain a lock and which ones are just a fleeting glimpse and don't waste your ammo.

[PiemasterXL]

LRM boats are still around. Not a fortnight ago I encountered a Catapult with nothing but LRM launchers.

Spoiler

Then I ripped off his arms and asked him what he learned from the demonstration.

"Grumble grumble light mech with ecm grumble grumble I hate this game"
TL:DR Boats need to be smarter with ecm now, it no longer hang-back and fire away. Bring TAG, bring two medium lasers, bring your brain.

Edited by PiemasterXL, 04 January 2013 - 10:35 AM.

[Pando]

PiemasterXL, on 04 January 2013 - 10:34 AM, said:

LRM boats are still around. Not a fortnight ago I encountered a Catapult with nothing but LRM launchers.

I danced before him like this:

Spoiler

Then I ripped off his arms and asked him what he learned from the demonstration.

"Grumble grumble light mech with ecm grumble grumble I hate this game"
TL:DR Boats need to be smarter with ecm now, it no longer hang-back and fire away. Bring TAG, bring two medium lasers, bring your brain.

STK-5S

4x LRM15
2x ML
2x SL
1x TAG

11x LRM ammo

DHS

XL280, 16 DHS ( i think )

>---Run it in 8's and in pug-stomping. Always a blast.
1k+ damage is the norm ( well for 7 games last night I ran it ).

Edited by Pando, 04 January 2013 - 10:37 AM.

[FrDrake]

These builds without BAP, they're doing it wrong.

[Roughneck45]

Persoanlly, I think you need a bit of speed to use LRMs effectivley if you are pugging, just because positioning is important. Being able to defend yourself to a decent degree is important as well. This is what I run, and think it works awesomely well.

Founders CPLT-C1(F)
Endo Steel, Double Heatsinks, Artemis
XL280 engine
2x LRM20+Artemis
3x Medium Laser
1x TAG
6 tons of LRM ammo
Max armor, 49 on legs

I use sensor range, 360, targeting, and target info gathering.

I try to play an aggressive LRM support with the speed, so fight around the 400m mark a lot, keeping lock and using tag, and knowing when to run away.

Edited by Roughneck45, 04 January 2013 - 10:46 AM.

[Barnaby Jones]

Dont boat lrms. You are gimping yourself. And bigger (20s) is not always better (15s).

C1 cat. 2 15s, 3 meds, 1 tag, 1080 ammo, xl300
Any stalker. 2 15s(torso), 2 srm6 (arms), 4 meds (arms), one tag (torso), 900-1080 lrm ammo, 200-600 srm ammo, std300

[Frans83]

I run a Stalker with 3 LRM 10s and 6 medium lasers. Its been fairly effective so far.

[8CH Trooper]

I run the Atlas RS variant, 2 LRM 15's, Artemis, 1 AC/10, 3 Med Lasers, tag, DHS and AMS. I will follow along behind the main group(500 to 800 meters) and give support. With the ML's and AC/10 it gives good defense against lites if you are not swarmed, the only time I run into real trouble is if I am on a weak team and run up against a good group of pugs or premade(yes, I have noticed more and more of them). I pug exclusively so I have found that this gives me the best chance for survivability in the support role.

[p4g3m4s7r]

Barnaby Jones, on 04 January 2013 - 10:46 AM, said:

Dont boat lrms. You are gimping yourself. And bigger (20s) is not always better (15s).

C1 cat. 2 15s, 3 meds, 1 tag, 1080 ammo, xl300
Any stalker. 2 15s(torso), 2 srm6 (arms), 4 meds (arms), one tag (torso), 900-1080 lrm ammo, 200-600 srm ammo, std300

I don't like responses like this, because it's like telling someone to just not play the game. I think this game should have a place for support builds, and missile-boats are a valid support build in modern warfare and in all other mechwarrior games. I still appreciate your response, and everyone elses responses.

I guess I made this topic because I built an LRM boat catapult just before ECM was released, and right when ECM came out I had multiple games (while in a 4-person premade) where I couldn't fire a single round (enemies fell off of radar faster than it was possible to get a lock). Right after the Fang-Flame update I played 8 games straight without seeing a single LRM fired (which was odd to me because of the TAG buff). I figured peoples tactics needed to change to adapt to ECM before LRMs would come back into prominence. I was just wondering if that had happened and what people were doing to change that.

For my own adjustment, I plan on putting TAG on any mech with an energy slot and ballistic slot in the same hard-point and using a macro-program to make TAG a toggled weapon. This way I know where the shot is going and am tagging without even thinking about it.

Also, I'm going to try using BAP like FrDrake suggested.

[Agent of Change]

pretty much any stalker w at least 2x20's and a tag... flavor to taste

it works.

[Shae Starfyre]

I run that awesome with 4 missiles bays. I put two LRM 15's in or is it 20's and two srm 6 and two large lasers, and a tag.

This way, I can be supportive when the targets are viable, and crack some brawler support when needed, and have a decent mid range attack as they come in.

[AlexWildeagle]

p4g3m4s7r, on 04 January 2013 - 11:09 AM, said:

I don't like responses like this, because it's like telling someone to just not play the game. I think this game should have a place for support builds, and missile-boats are a valid support build in modern warfare and in all other mechwarrior games. I still appreciate your response, and everyone elses responses.

I guess I made this topic because I built an LRM boat catapult just before ECM was released, and right when ECM came out I had multiple games (while in a 4-person premade) where I couldn't fire a single round (enemies fell off of radar faster than it was possible to get a lock). Right after the Fang-Flame update I played 8 games straight without seeing a single LRM fired (which was odd to me because of the TAG buff). I figured peoples tactics needed to change to adapt to ECM before LRMs would come back into prominence. I was just wondering if that had happened and what people were doing to change that.

For my own adjustment, I plan on putting TAG on any mech with an energy slot and ballistic slot in the same hard-point and using a macro-program to make TAG a toggled weapon. This way I know where the shot is going and am tagging without even thinking about it.

Also, I'm going to try using BAP like FrDrake suggested.

I'm assuming you never played anything but MWO, the person was suggesting a balanced build and thats what has always been present in BT/MW. It's only MWO where unbalanced builds like you're use to pop-up constantly. Any support mech always has a few direct fire weps just in case they need to defend themselves.

[Taizan]

Imo "Pure" LRM boats are weaker than LRM support mechs that have other weapons for some basic defense, and additional tools like TAG and BAP.

Encountered a 4XLRM15 who was dishing out lots of damage (our team had no ECM) but still didn't get one kill and had very little experience, it was like a blast from the past, he was completely defenseless and the had no support.