21 replies to this topic

[zraven7]

Between the two (and just these two), which one would you choose? Why? Biased opinions welcome!

[WaddeHaddeDudeda]

1C!

[zraven7]

WaddeHaddeDudeda, on 26 January 2013 - 02:28 PM, said:

1C!

Just had to say it, didn't ya? :-p

[Gevurah]

I like em both, being a ballistics hound. The 1N (named Trogdor) is a pretty solid variant if you put an AC/10 on it and some large lasers in it. I think I usually run an XL280, 2xLL, 1xSRM6, 1xAC10 in it. I had excellent performance out if it at pretty much any engagement range, though heat was a factor.

However...

The 5N (named Smaug) is a beast. Absolute beast. I put a UAC5, AC5, SRM6 and two medium lasers in it. You can pepper at range, then when they get close start chain firing the lasers, add in an SRM6 punch and adding in the absolutely withering fire from the UAC5/AC5 combo is unreal. I like to save the SRM6 as a final "Juggle" for when they finally get their bearings straight (From all the cockpit bouncing around from the cannons). There are many fights I'll practically core someone before they even get a chance to return fire simply because of all the juggling.

[WaddeHaddeDudeda]

zraven7, on 26 January 2013 - 02:31 PM, said:

Just had to say it, didn't ya? :-p

You were screaming for it!

To answer your question: I guess it really depends on what you want to do with it.
I'd probably opt for the 1N since the 5N has pretty much ALL of his firepower in the arms. Unless you're planning to bring triple AC 2, go for the 1N (hardpoint layout is better imho)!

Of course you can do the very best (and only) Dragon config on all of them: ~XL 265 + 2 ppc, 1 gauss! ^^

[Koniving]

A very simple way of looking at it... 1N is balanced; 2 of everything. 5N is right-side heavy, so if you lose that right side you're not far from neutered. Prefer more firepower 5N, or a balance 1N?

[Gevurah]

Honestly while the criticism of losing your right arm is valid for the 5N, I can't say that it happens that often. In about a hundred games, probably only once has it actually occurred. The reason seems that people tend to aim for the overwhelmingly large center torso.

So I'd recommend the 5N still; I've played all the non hero variants for a pretty significant run and found this to be far and away my favorite. Though again, I'm a ballistics hound. I pretty much ONLY use ballistic capable mechs if I can.

That said, the 1N is tremendous at mid range with an AC10/2xLL+whatever. Then they get close and you can keep up the damage. It's really a great mech as well.

I might have to try that 2xPPC/gauss build though - that sounds very very nasty.

[Watchit]

The 1N is actually my least favorite, mostly because I don't really ever use the missile slots on a dragon anymore and because I like to have two energy hardpoints in my arm.

[John MatriX82]

It depends on how you want to run them.. I run mine as strikers/brawlers and 1N's ability to bring in dual SRM4s renders it far superior than the 5N; 1C is another fine skirmisher with 4 Mlas and 1 SRM6/SRM4 depending from the engine.

5N should be used as a ballistic suppressor (as suggested AC5+UAC5 is a nice combo) but there are many more mechs with better hardpoint layout to do this job (k2, Cataphracts).. it's the only variant I've sold, while I gladly kept 1N and 1C.

[zraven7]

I'm really leaning to the 1n at this point. The 5n has a ballistic slot that will go to waste for me, since I'd like to run a UAC5/AC5 combo on that arm. I simply run outta slots, so the 2 ballistic slots the 1 n has are enough. Also, 1 of my energy slots, and both my missile slots are torso. So, I can lose both arms, and still have a medium laser and 2 SRM4s. That, and I think that the ACs along with the dual SRMs should be enough to make a dent in most things.

Everyone's insights and opinions here have been really helpful Thanks a lot!

[Kargarok]

Yep! 1C is the best of the three non-heroes.

Buuuut if you force me to choose, 5N. I really thought the 1N was going to be my goto dragon, but the 2,2,2 set up was just not in the correct places to make it work well for my tastes. I ran 5N with three AC2's, an SRM4, and a couple SLs. It was challenging and fun. Plus the sustained snipeyness of the AC2s was surprising to me and the folks that stood there and let me kill them.

Still 1C is best w/ 4 MLs, SRM6 and AC10.

[zraven7]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f6d576f33f4b904

Possible build. Criticism? Critique?

And yes, I know, no CASE, but I didn't have to room, darnit!

[John MatriX82]

zraven7, on 28 January 2013 - 12:11 PM, said:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...f6d576f33f4b904

Possible build. Criticism? Critique?

And yes, I know, no CASE, but I didn't have to room, darnit!

Don't worry that much about the lack of case, that ton of ammo in the arm is the one that's going away first, so you should have used it all by the time something is close to blow that arm off. But 28 points of armor in your right arm are too low since you've got most of the firepower in there. I'd ditch 1 DHS and add armor in there and the rest in the other arm + legs.

I usually run mine like this
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...5588b4a57694559

Or with a xl 310 (bad investment that came from a stalker, I soon understood that an XL in that thing wasn't safe )
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...26e628f9bebb601

If you ditch the mplas in favor of another mlas it's possible to slap in also an XL 320 from a Cicada, should you have one spare like I do.

I know many will say "but gauss there is dangerous".

It is, but once you learn to harass from the distance with it and you properly cover it with torso twist, there's no other ballistic weapon better than that to be placed in a Dragon. Plus, by being in the arm, it won't core you by blowing off the side torso like in many other mechs (cataphracts, atlases..) whenever you run it paired with XLs.

[zraven7]

The gauss build is one I haven't thought of before. I'll have to consider it.

[John MatriX82]

Yep. And consider that when they see that weapon in there everybody will try to go for it, if you torso twist you'll both increase its lifespan AND your whole lifespan.

By the way, if you find that it runs too hot, you want to use mplasers instead of mlasers or else, you can easily use only 3 tons for the GR. I put 4 because I found myself to end up short with 3 tons.

[malibu43]

I have all 3 non hero Dragons (just about to unlock Elite by completing basic in the 5N). I have bee spending a TON of time in the Excel Mechlab and in the game playing with loadouts for the 1N and 5N lately, so hopefully my input will be helpful. The 1C is the best of the 3 (IMHO), but you wanted to know about the 1N vs 5N...

The only ways to make use of all 3 ballistics hardpoints in the right arm is to use 1) 3 x AC2's, or 2) utilize machine guns. Otherwise you will only use 2 of the 3 ballistics hardpoints, and if you're going to do that, you may as well be in a 1N and get an extra missile hardpoint. 3 x AC2's doesn't allow much tonnage/heat for any other weapons (maybe 2 SLAS or 2 MLAS if you want to run hot) and I don't think 3 x AC2's fires much faster than 2 x AC2's. And MG's... well... they're useless at the moment. So, bottom line is that any effective 5N loadout hasn't made use of (or needed) all three ballistics points. Therefore, I think the 1N is a better choice.

BTW, as others have mentioned 2 x AC5 or AC5 + UAC5 seem to be the best way to utilize more than 1 of the ballistics hardpoints.

[Kargarok]

Yeah, torso twist and shift armor from your laser arm to your gun arm with that build.

[zraven7]

Ok, so, after 2 days oof playing, finally found a build that works for me, though it's a lil weird.

Ended Using a Gauss in the right arm, an ER PPC in the left, and 2 SRM4s in the chest. It's mainly a sniper, but at close range, I can just go missles, gauss, ppc in sequence, and never let up on damage. It's really fun, and I actually survive more than half my battles after 2 days of playing it.

[John MatriX82]

yep it's somewhat strange but workable, the good thing is that you've found what suited your style

[zraven7]

John MatriX82, on 30 January 2013 - 09:09 AM, said:

yep it's somewhat strange but workable, the good thing is that you've found what suited your style

It's fun. I can maneuver better than a lot of snipers, and when things get close, everything but the heavier mechs tend to get dissuaded by the alpha. Great, instant damage, and a lot of cockpit jerking. It's great for screwing with morale, or messing with the aim of someone targeting a team mate.

Edited by zraven7, 30 January 2013 - 09:22 AM.