6 replies to this topic

[Failbringer]

I have 2 questions-

First, how do I go about choosing a faction? I can't seem to find anything that leads me in that direction. The factions tab in the main menu is always greyed out for me, along with the store tab.

And second, I would like to try out an assault mech, but I'm torn about which. I see that the Atlas D-DC is highly regarded , but could someone give me a breakdown on the benefits/drawbacks vs a Stalker (and variants)?

Thanks in advance.

[shadevarr]

faction selection currently has no in game effect but its in the profile section.

I usually run assaults, the big bonus to the atlas DDC is the guardian ECM which protects you and your teammates from several things including lrm fire. PUGs tend to also hang around a DDC so you get a side benefit of not being stuck alone (unless you stupidly charge the enemy). Stalkers are very vicious but require a lot more finesse to pilot due to the low torso twist. www.mechspecs.com has several good build for any mech or you can send me a PM.

[RagingOyster]

Factions have not been implemented yet, they will come when Community Warfare comes around in the future.

The Atlas will give you a good deal more tonnage to play with, and will also be significantly more durable. On the other hand, it is a tall, imposing target that most players will choose to focus on at the expense of all else. Thus, you are a great "tank" and a nasty brawler but you are also a target and quite slow. I like to give myself options, so my current Atlas D-DC build has 2x ERLLs, 3x SSRM/2s and a Gauss Rifle. I sometimes trade out the Gauss for dual UAC/5s
Stalkers are a bit faster, much less menacing and do not have any ballistic hardpoints. What they do have is a great combination of missile and energy hardpoints that give you some nice flexibility when equipping your mech. Personally, I build my Stalkers as either LRM-heavy support mechs or SSRM/MPL equipped mech killers.

It really comes down to preference, though. The D-DC is supposed to be more "competitive" just because it has ECM but do not let all the whining kids fool you: ECM is nowhere near as strong as they make it out to be. Try everything out, experiment and find out what works for you.

[Ceesa]

If you're dead-set on going for an assault mech, the atlas DDC or the stalker 3F is probably a good starting point. I chose the 3F because it has an extended torso twist range, which makes it easier to aim.

However, if you're new to the game and want to play around with a very versatile chasis, get a catapult K2. 4 energy and 2 ballistic allow you to try out a lot of weaponry in a lot of solid configurations. Right now I have mine with 4 med las and 2 AC/10 and it's a beast. But I've also gone the sniper route with PPCs or dual gauss. You can do a lot with it and it's fast with a huge torso twist. If you're ok with a heavy mech instead of assault, do a catapult.

[Failbringer]

Thanks for the info folks. I will get around to trying them all out, I just wish I had tried the cat or one of those 2 assaults before the hunchback. I'm really not a fan but I invested too much time into it already...

[shadevarr]

The lessons your learning about movement in the hunchback will make you a better assault pilot.

[Tenam]

shadevarr, on 27 January 2013 - 05:29 PM, said:

faction selection currently has no in game effect but its in the profile section.

As the other fellows have said faction isn't truly implemented yet, however to clarify what Shade mentioned, he refers to the profile section here on the forums. If you select your icon / allegiance here on the forum it is reflected in game. I have played some games where the forum account is necessarly tied to the game account quite as tightly as they are here.