I'm a new to battletech universe, I did try mechwarrior2 years ago but I think it's fair to say MechWarrior Online is my only touch on these awesome war machines.
When I first started to play MWO Catapult was one of trial mechs and it fit in my playstyle pretty well. When I finally acumulated enough c-bills I bought my first very own battlemech.
a dragon
Model DRG-5N (named it: Shield of T.)
Boy, I was in for suprise. As Carapult doesn't have arms as such (arm twist) it took me quite awhile to get the hang of double crosshair mechanic. Although Shield of T. was a kind mentor since most of it's firepower is housed in it's arms. So the torso crosshair got neglegted most of the time.
By the time I had enough c-bills for second mech I had learned that ballistic weapons are hard to use for me. I'm incapable to hit a moving target with ac/2, ac/5 or uac/5. So with my new found love of lasers I bought
The dragon
Model DRG-1C (Dream)
Later this became my favorite mech with 4 large lasers, but I'll get to that later. And if memory serves me properly cataphract was released this time. And man was I upset. There it was perfect thing with mutible large lasers on each and I was stuck with this hideous monster that had laser in torso and arm. But then I did realize that I had superior maneuverability, ofcourse this took week or two of exacting revenge on every enemy cataphract. And the I bought the last dragon (at this time Flame and Fang weren't out yet)
a dragon
Model DRG-N1 (Hope)
...I hate this configuration. It is because I don't like multible weapon systems. I like my playthings simple with either severals weapons of same type or a single big cannon. But I can tell you if you are the kind of person who wants little bit of everything this is the dragon of your choice. I bought it mainly for the reason to unlock Elite and Master tiers of the mech Trees for the dragons. I have unlocked Master slot for this mech also but I haven't found a pleasing configuration to use with this mech.
But let's get to the interesting part after my growth story among dragons. Which is the armament configurations.
By far the best and most efficient configuration I have figured out for myself is
Model DRG-1C (Dream)
Upgrades: Ferro-Fibrous Armor, Endo-steel Structure and Double heat sink.
Engine: XL 350 (houses 4 heatsinks and gives whoping max speed 94,5kph (with elite tier unlock speed tweak 103,9 kph)
Armament: 4x Large Laser
It gives you alpha strike of 36 dmg, or you can keep continous large laser fire up since the recycle on large laser is less then 4 second and it takes 4 second to fire every one of them with chainfire mode. (holdin the fire button down and not tapping it) Although You need keep an eye of your heat level since 3 successive alpha strike causes a shutdown.
Second configuration I use for fun is
Model DRG-5N (Shield of T.)
Upgrades: Ferro-Fibrous Armor, Endo-Steel Structure and Double heat sink.
Engine: XL 300 (2x heat sink, speed 81kph (89,1kph))
Armaments: 1 LB 10-X AC, 2x Large pulse laser.
I just love the sounds the LB 10-X AC makes. Among friends I call it a shotgun. This isn't as effective as my Dream's build but I enjoy playing this build now and then. The shotgun has the benefit partial hitting of the target thus making it easier to deal with light mechs but the damage spreads so penetrating enemy armor harder, but as mentioned earlier I just can't hit moving battelmechs with regular autocannon weaponry.
For Hope...
The closest I've got to enjoyable build was with armament of 2x er ppc and 2x streak srm. But this mech just isn't for me.
As for artemis upgrade, it is my opinion that it isn't for Dragon models as their missile hardpoint is in the center torso you lose options since artemis takes extra critical slot per launcher and dragon has only 2 slots to use for missile launchers. With artemis you can't have SRM 6 or LRM 10.
What the dragon lacks in firepower it gives in mobility even with the stock engine of STD 300 it gives you superior flanking capablility over most mechs. Just by moving and keeping situational awereness that you don't hit the walls while circling your enemy you'll get far with the dragon family.
Sadly I haven't got fang or flame yet so my view of dragons is some what limited but I like to think I have all but mastered the dragons
I'd like to hear what loadout other dragon players have found superior to their liking, since dragons seem to be one of the less used mechs if you don't count for the trial mechs.
Also I'm looking forward seeing you in the battlefield, if you spot a orange Dragon it could be me piloting it. (:
Happy hunting!
Edited by Tapni, 12 January 2013 - 07:35 AM.