19 replies to this topic

[PhantomVector]

So after a day of play, I find myself playing the Stalker trial mech much more then the hunchback I bought. I'm not going to switch so quickly and I will keep trying both mechs. So my question is, out of the 5 variants, which is the most versatile? I'm liking the 5S over the others, but its almost the most expensive. But the layout looks great for either a close range brawler, or an LRM focused Mech. Also which upgrades should I get, or modifications I should make to the mech?

[Stingz]

Not much difference in hard-points, there are only 3 really worth using though. -3F for the extra torso twist range, -5M for the CT L.Las, -5S for the x2 AMS systems.

[Ewigan]

Though i do own all of the variants that Stingz mentioned there is a 4th variant that has one cool thing:
the 4H can mount LRM20s and has the rocket slots for it!
so instead of going pew-pew-pew-pew-.... with your rockets they would fire all at once.


So:

- 3F for the torso twist
- 5S for the 2x AMS
- 5M for the center torso laser AND one more rocket hardpoint then any other variant
- 4H for being able to "naturally" mount 2 LRM20.

The last variant, can't really remember it, is somewhat lacking in comparison.

Btw, if you get a 5M, rip out the XL!!!!!
You will loose one of your side torsos during a game, so running an XL is a death sentence!

[Chuff]

I bought the 5S first - The extra money you're paying is for the XL engine that will be the first thing you remove anyway...

I usually play a brawler so I now have the 3F - The extra torso twist is a massive boon especially if you want to brawl and this variant is the only real option

Dont make the same mistake that I did and waste money on endo steel, that I had to pay to change back - With the weapon loadout I had chosen I ended up with lots of spare tonnage but no space to put anything

I run it with 4 x Medium Lasers(2 arm, 2 torso) and 4 x SRM6 with Artemis.

Plenty of SRM ammo and enough DHS's to get me to 1.22HE

You could run this build with 6MLas but you will be shutting down all the time, 4 is much more practical.

Almost forgot to mention - I replaced the engine with a faster(std) model. Cant remember which one exactly but it does 57.1kp/h which isnt too shoddy for something this size

This mech is a monster - Once you're within 270 metres range there is nothing that can go toe to toe with you. I find the artemis essential for getting the SRM's where they should be, especially when you are at the limit of range - These are great for softening the enemy up, and then just keep a steady hand and carve him up with the lasers.

[John MatriX82]

Stingz, on 10 January 2013 - 05:00 AM, said:

Not much difference in hard-points, there are only 3 really worth using though. -3F for the extra torso twist range, -5M for the CT L.Las, -5S for the x2 AMS systems.

I quote you I chose exactly those. However I got rid of the 5S after exping it for the other two, since besides the dual AMS, the 3F is exactly the same but with far better torso twist.. and to be honest most of my builds near full slotness, so I don't even employ a single AMS, making the 5S worthless.. for me of course.

And as others said, get rid of XLs for brawling and mid-range. You can try to use them only if you snipe or lrmboat from distance, but then be prepared to die in no time if something get closer.

[Ewigan]

when you LRM-Boat you need the slots in the sidetorsos for different things then engines, and you will loose a side torso anyway ^^

i really do not see XL's in stalkers.
the only assault so far where i would say that an XL would make sense is one of the awesome variants, where you go for your all speed laserboat.

[Grissnap]

I hate XLs in Stalkers. I tried it with some of my LRM boat builds (where all you do is hang in the back) but still very susceptible to sniper fire. It's just any easy target, and so easy to hit. Your side torsos will guaranteed go before your center torso.

I do like the double AMS of the 5S for the added survivability, I use it for my balanced build. (LRMS / SRMS / Lasers).

I use my 5M for a direct fire support mech with large lasers and plenty of DHS. Despite the really similar layouts I find that because of the various quirks listed above each variant does do something better than the other.

Except for the 4N, which really, I have no idea why anyone would choose it.

[NRP]

The 3F is probably the most versatile, but the 5S and 5M have interesting aspects too. The 3H has 20 tubes in each arm, so your LRM20s will launch as a single salvo. It looks cool, but I have found single salvos to be of marginal utility.

[Eisenhorne]

NRP, on 10 January 2013 - 07:43 AM, said:

The 3F is probably the most versatile, but the 5S and 5M have interesting aspects too. The 3H has 20 tubes in each arm, so your LRM20s will launch as a single salvo. It looks cool, but I have found single salvos to be of marginal utility.

Single Salvo weapons have a faster cooldown time than weapons that take longer to fire, since the cooldown only starts after it has finished firing. So 2x LRM 20's on a 3H have a faster rate of fire than 2x LRM 20's on any other stalker.

For my missile stalker, I run a 3H with 2x LRM20's, 2x LRM 5's, 3 ML, and TAG. Gives me 50 missiles in a single salvo, which is cool.

[PhantomVector]

So instead of the extra money I may as well go with a 3F?

Also as a follow up question, what about the Catapult? It looks pretty awesome in game, and I've seen more then a few.

[NRP]

Catapults are great too. You'll eventually end up all of these mechs anyway.

[PhantomVector]

Lol I wanna stick to a couple at first, maybe one from each, and get really good with them.

Edit: If I get the Catapult, I'm thinking the K2, so what should I modify to it? A bigger engine? Or the Ferrous armor? OR something lol.

Edited by PhantomVector, 10 January 2013 - 02:04 PM.

[Flapdrol]

I'd go for the 5M, it's the best large laser boat in the game, also has one more missile slot.

it's also the cheapest because it comes with double heatsinks.

[NRP]

My first (and only so far) Cat is a K2. I run it totally stock with 2 ERPPCs and 2 MLs. I love sniping with it. The Cats seem pretty solid out of the gate, so you don't have to upgrade imo. Cats are fast, have ridiculous torso twist, and can take tons of damage. They really are fantastic mechs, just like stalkers.

[Wrenchfarm]

PhantomVector, on 10 January 2013 - 02:02 PM, said:

Lol I wanna stick to a couple at first, maybe one from each, and get really good with them.

Edit: If I get the Catapult, I'm thinking the K2, so what should I modify to it? A bigger engine? Or the Ferrous armor? OR something lol.

It's advantageous to stick with one kind of mech for a little while so you can max out the elite pilots skills on them. So you may want to make a solid choice between getting a Stalker or a Cat.

K2 Cats are very popular boating mechs. While they can't use jumpjets like the other models, they aren't missile centric either. Popular builds include the twin-guass rifle and the twin-AC20 set ups. Both trade all other armaments, lower armour, and a smaller engine for the benefit of smacking whatever wanders in front of their cross-hairs with a truckload of damage. PPCs and LLAS are also fine choices. Or you could mix, pair up 2 PPCs with an AC2 for backup.

The main upgrade in just about any mech is DHS. Almost always worthwhile on everything but the most obscure Assault builds (where you end up with less critical slots than tonnage to use them). After that Endo is ALWAYS better than Fero. Almost NO builds need Fero except some light mechs and very specific mediums. You should never take it on a heavy.

Hope that helps!

[Loc Nar]

The 3F for the torso twist is obvious, but the 5M for the harpoint layout is not as glaring an advantage until you start really playing with loadout configurations. The CT laser arrangement on the 5M doesn't seem like much at first, but it allows much better integration of DHS without wasting slots, allowing you to squeeze those much needed 1-2 extra heatsinks that make all the difference on these fire breathing beasts. Example: my 5M brawler (MLas/SRM combos) has 90dmg alpha@1.2 heat efficiency. The closest I can get the 3F in the same Brawler config is 85dmg@1.17 efficiency. Both are based around 300std guidelines below.

Key points in building *useful STKs: (also keep in mind that torso twist speed is related to engine size, so it's not just your raw speed you're trading for tonnage when you skimp on engines)

(Brawlers)
DHS
Std structure
Std armor, full except what comes off the legs to round out tonnage
275 or 300std engine (nothing in between -slots and tons are precious, 275 holds 11DHS, 300 holds 12 and this is key)
AMS 1-2t

(*Missileboats/Long range)
DHS
Std structure
Std armor, full except what comes off the legs to round out tonnage
280 or 300xl (280xl weighs same as 275, same as above applies though)
AMS 2t
*TAG
*2MLas minimum for when you get closed on

[PhantomVector]

I'm kinda liking the heavy mechs, since my only problem with assaults is their slow speed, but mediums are way too light on the armor for me. So can I put like, 2MLAs, 2LLAs on a Cat K2? And make a brawler mech? Money is tight, so trading down engines would kind of be a final thing.

Edit: Or 4MLAs with nothing else? Or maybe Pulse Lasers.

Edited by PhantomVector, 10 January 2013 - 02:47 PM.

[Stingz]

PhantomVector, on 10 January 2013 - 02:43 PM, said:

I'm kinda liking the heavy mechs, since my only problem with assaults is their slow speed, but mediums are way too light on the armor for me. So can I put like, 2MLAs, 2LLAs on a Cat K2? And make a brawler mech? Money is tight, so trading down engines would kind of be a final thing.

Edit: Or 4MLAs with nothing else? Or maybe Pulse Lasers.

4 M.Las on Catapult is disgraceful, you're outgunned by a stock Jenner. K2 only has 4 energy, 2 ballistic, no room for more.

x2 L.Las, x2 M.Las is reasonable for a SHS Cat-K2, you don't need to rush in since L.Las has 450m optimal range.

[General Cartman Lee]

What you say about my STK-5S.

2PPC
4Mls
2SRM 6 +ARTEMIS
2SRM 4 +ARTEMIS
DBL H 16
XL 255
http://utforum.ru/ep...b42e3d338f.png]

Edited by Dr Cartman, 11 January 2013 - 01:07 AM.

[Ewigan]

I run something similar on my 3F:

2ERPPC
2MLAS
2 SRM6 + Artemis
1AMS

And ehm... 2 Tons SRM and 1 ton AMS ammo i guess.

Edit:

My 5S runs with 5 LL ^^

Edited by Ewigan, 11 January 2013 - 01:23 AM.