5 replies to this topic

[LoganMkv]

My first mech was a dragon. Really sucked before xl engine/upgrades/elite perks, ok after.

Then I got a phract. Same stock firepower as fully upgraded dragon for a little less speed. Fully upgraded one runs 15 slower but has much more damage output, and is better for me in any average stat.

Then I got an atlas. Same story, stock one has as much power as a polished phract, considerably slower, but since we have only one tactics "stick together" it's my team that has to wait for me and not me trying to catch up. Being slow stock atlas does get less kills than phract usually, but is same in any other stat.

Now moving to upgraded atlases.

DDC is just a stress-killer. You don't have to worry that your team has no ecm, or your ecm is lrm boat/capper/charger/doesn't know how to change mode. They are even likely to follow you and not disperse across the map. And you can now move 60kph, which is huge difference from a stock one.

Or 4xPPC+GAUSS RS boat. Nobrainer mech, pull the trigger — something falls off, and KDR goes up.

So is it just me, or really heavier = better with current game modes?

[Bhael Fire]

I run lights, mediums and heavies...haven't had much luck with assaults.

[Ravennus]

I see you started with Heavies... which is, honestly, good training for an Assault. Though IMHO, only an Assault can train you for driving an Assault.

I started with lights and fast mediums, and then recently bought my first Atlas. The huge downgrade in speed and maneuverability was staggering and highly painful.
I'm much better at using the Atlas now, but at first I was a huge liability to my team.

It's just a totally different mindset.

[GODzillaGSPB]

Heavies are best in brawling, while mediums usually harass, but if they don't (or can't) retreat in time they loose. They have to pick a good time when to engage and disengage.

The best assault though are lights, especially those with ECM. I mean...normally they shouldn't, but in reality they are.

[Ravennus]

That said, I enjoy going up against Atlas and especially Stalkers in my fast Hunchbacks.
There is a rare fully leveled and well built Atlas that might give me trouble, but otherwise I can stay in their blindspot indefinitely and tear them apart.

This is especially true if they are alone or focused on someone else.
The toughest Assaults are those who are actually backed up by their team.



I had to learn these lessons, but in reverse, in my Atlas.
Never go out alone.
You are not invincible.
Make sure your back is covered.
Use cover.
Study the battlefield.
Don't over commit, because you can't pull out like faster mechs.


My first builds were all close range brawling.... but I've been more successful since I added a couple longer ranged weapons.
Now I move up slowly with my team, and soften up targets at range.
Once I am confident that I won't run into the entire enemy force by myself, and they are a little softened up and scared, then I move forward and pick them apart one by one, ideally focus firing with the rest of my team.

[Ravennus]

GODzillaGSPB, on 27 January 2013 - 01:33 PM, said:

Heavies are best in brawling, while mediums usually harass, but if they don't (or can't) retreat in time they loose. They have to pick a good time when to engage and disengage.

The best assault though are lights, especially those with ECM. I mean...normally they shouldn't, but in reality they are.

This isn't really true, especially now since the lagshield has been improved for those who were really effected by it.

I'm not sure how much you've played since the last patch, but light mechs that try to brawl and "circle of death" now are almost easy pickings.

You can tell the really good light pilots because they hit-and-run, distract and harass.