7 replies to this topic

[Todo ring]

I am new and I have saved up all of my cadet bonus and I can buy pretty much all of the mechs, which mech wheight would you guys suggest? And what mech and model No. thx.

[DegeneratePervert]

For a light mech, I'd have to suggest the Raven 3L.

For a medium mech, I'd say the Hunchback 4P.

For a heavy mech, I'd say either a Cataphract 1X OR a Catapult K2 OR a Catapult A1 depending on your playstyle.

For an assault mech, I'd say either a Stalker 5M or an Atlas D-DC.

[Pastor Priest]

It depends on what play style you like, really. Do you like getting in there face and blasting away, raining fire from afar, or dashing around at 100+ kph scouting for your teammates and providing fire support?

[CmdrPoopyPants]

My first purchase was a Raven 3L, and I think that was a good idea. Being fast lets you get out of some trouble that's quick death if you're in a big rig and aren't sure what you're doing. Still, it's a different style than, say, an Atlas or something. My second mech was the hunchback 4sp, does OK but I have the XL engine in there so I often go quick if I'm too impatient.

The other thing to keep in mind is, you aren't going to like stock mechs. Use http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab to make your builds so you don't waste tons of money experimenting, and note the "price" it reflects with your upgrades. Parts you can swap from other mechs you have, but things like double heatsinks and Endo will need to be bought per mech. Given the high cost of engines, I've been trying to make builds for similar models based around the same engine so I can just swap those from one mech to another.. for example, my Raven 4x and 2x share an engine as do my Hunchbacks (4SP, 4G, and 4J).. and I'm even reusing things like pulse lasers and AC/5s and LRM15s so I don't have to keep buying the same thing over and over.

As to which class to run, that's up to you. But I'd recommend either light or medium until you get more atuned to the game. Nothing worse than having your main tanks/firepower die early in the match or hiding behind buildings or running off the wrong way.

[Gigastrike]

Lights are fast movers and have a small silhouette, but lack firepower and armor. They stay alive by relying on their speed to make themselves hard to hit, rather than just taking shots. Typically they harass slower mechs that can't track them as well, or take on more of a support role by scouting or capping points. Lag used to make light's very hard to hit, but I wouldn't recommend relying on that since that issue is on the fast track to being fixed. Noteworthy light mechs are the Raven 3L, the Commando 2D, and the Jenner D.

Mediums keep a lot of the speed of light's but can hold a lot more weapons and armor. They're still not quite good enough to go head to head with heavier mechs, but they're still a nice asset since their speed makes them flexible. Typically they stay near their allies and support, but when opportunities appear, they can take advantage of them well. Noteworthy medium mechs are the Hunchback 4SP and the Centurion A (the Dragon 1C also fits pretty well into this category, even though it's a heavy).

Heavies are the typical front-liners. Their armor allows them to take a sudden surprise punch or even survive a brawl, their weapons are better than a medium's, and while they aren't usually fast enough to out maneuver other mechs the same way mediums can, they can still fall back if they need to. Noteworthy heavy mechs are the Catapults A1 and K2, and the Cataphracts 3D and 4X.

Assaults are often times more tower than mech. They move slowly, so if they move into a bad location they're pretty much stuck there, but they carry so much firepower and armor that they can fight their way out if they don't attract the attention of half the enemy team. An assault mech can power through nicely, but won't last long if you bite off more than you can chew, so know what you're doing when you move. Noteworthy assault mechs are the Stalker 3F and the Atlas D-DC.

[1453 R]

A Hunchback, 4SP variant, won't steer you wrong. It's both cheap to buy and cheap to upgrade since you're actually better off not using an XL engine in it. Rig it out with a 250 Standard, endo steel, double heatsinks and Artemis guidance for those SRMs and you'll have a 'Mech even assaults can't afford to ignore for less than 7k C-bills. You can even find room for an antimissile system if you like, though the utility of such is not what it was in previous games. Either way, you'll be sturdier than some heavy 'Mechs and have a close-range punch sufficient to worry anything straight on up to an Atlas.

Disclaimer: you're still no match for an Atlas in a standing duel. Punch him once, then get out of the way and let the friendly Atlas behind you finish the job.

As for other weight classes:

-the Raven 3L is generally the go-to light 'Mech. With a high-end loadout it's something of a nightmare to deal with - fast, mostly invisible and with a wicked set of teeth that'll go right through their rear armor. It's expensive, however - you're paying for an XL engine in the price of the 'Mech, and you'll be buying another one before you're done. Fortunately the 210XL you'll be pulling out of the 3L is the perfect engine for Commandos, so it's not a total waste. Pros are excellent hardpoints and ECM capability. Cons are the fact that ECM is eventually going to be shat upon and that you'll need a lot more maneuvering skill and precision in your aiming to make the most out of it. Also, the rest of the forum will call you very bad names if you start showing up in matches with a 3L.

-Catapults or Cataphracts are both solid choices for newer players. Catapults, again, will generally get folks mad at you (the A1 and K2 variants, specifically), but if they're dead and you're making money, who cares. The A1 can be configured as a very flexible missile boat with both LRM and SRM launchers - one particularly interesting variant I've seen used two LRM10 launchers for ranged attacks, a pair of SRM6 launchers for brawling, and a pair of Streak 2s for dealing with any lights it could lock on to, with Artemis for the four main launchers. I have less experience with/around Cataphracts, but they tend to be big-time ballistics platforms. if you like autocannons, or want to like autocannons, go see about one. Just...not the 3D variant that's currently on sale. XL engines are a worse idea in Cataphracts than they are in Hunchbacks.

-Assault 'Mech? D-DC. It's the sad truth. Stalkers, of any variant, are great, but the D-DC has such a massive impact on the battle it's unreal. You'll draw a ton of fire, but most of it will be in close range since your ECM will abort LRM fire. Also, you're an Atlas. Anything that gets in front of you that's much smaller than a Stalker tends to just sorta stop living. The good Commander makes an excellent point, though - you taking an Atlas into the field means the enemy team gets an assault 'Mech in their roster as well. If you don't feel up to slugging it out in the middle of the scrum, trading blows with the big boys, then it'd behoove you to stick to lower, less stressful weight classes for a while.

[Koniving]

My first 'Mech was a Jenner. It's been a long time since then. My tale was written within the past month or so, so it'll be linked below.

That said, I quickly came to favor the Catapult K2, C1, and C4 (Mad Cat was my first 'Mech ever, so naturally it made sense). Great as they were, they were not the most ideal 'Mechs to start with. Especially now with ECM, various mechanics, XL engines, double heat sinks, heat generation fixes, etc.

Almost everyone suggests a hunchback as your first build, due to the narrow frame, good weapons and great factory default equipment. Having tested every hunchback in its default config, the only one that isn't ready to go the moment you buy it would be the Hunchback 4J. Poor thing's an overheating disaster. The most balanced build from the start is the Hunchback 4SP. Suitable for any play style at the beginning and with slight tweaks can do just about anything. Even seen them turned to sniper rigs.

Lights such as the Raven 3-L can be nice to have but there's a bit of a learning curve tied to them. Mediums are much more forgiving.

For hit and run, I recommend

the Hunchback 4P (high attack power, with my current rig allows for two full alpha strikes which can strip the armor on any heavy and weaken it on any assault in their strongest spots before skirting away to cool off and coming in for another assault).

Cicada would be good for this role, but they are difficult to build for. Better to stay away until you're more experienced.

Hunchback 4G (AC-20, couple of medium lasers? It's ready to rock from the box. Swap the small laser for a C.A.S.E. in the left shoulder or get the ammo out of the torso so it doesn't kill you and you're good to go. You can upgrade the heat sinks later when you're comfy. This is a perfect hit and run weapon. Wait for enemies to have dark orange torsos, aim center mass, and reap rewards. Also great for disabling enemy weapons. Aim for a Catapult's open missile launcher and fire straight into the holes -- BOOM! Just be careful. Lose that shoulder and you may as well be dead.)

Centurion ANY model (great hit and run assault 'Mechs capable of going faster than even hunchbacks with identical armor. Their wide frames and fewer hard points to mount weapons make them burdens in exchange, however.)

Centurion 9-A. (As you can see its weapons are center and left-torso as well as right-arm mounted. The left arm is 'gimp' and may be used to store things or as a sacrificial limb. Personally I'll use it to stop AC-20 or Gauss rounds. It can save your life.)

I might also suggest a Dragon, but never to a new player. Dragons require a significant margin of both skill and game mechanic knowledge to be enjoyable.

For brawling:

Assault class: I would never suggest an assault as a first 'Mech. Enemy lights can be too frustrating.

Heavy class:

Catapult K-2 (focus either in large or medium lasers, or if you're feeling daring try your hand at AC-20 or AC-10. The larger the engine the happier you will be. Just don't try to fight with PPCs, the minimum range is 90 meters and they are not good for brawls. Just remember to never get closer than 30 meters; that cockpit is easy to hit. If someone's aiming for it, aim straight up to raise it out of their reach and turn away. Every Catapult's torso-twist is incredible. Nearly 160 degrees!)

Catapult A1 (Equipped with SRMs and an XL 315 engine -- very expensive. Nothing is more terrifying to any build than a Catapult A1 loaded to the teeth with missiles. With 6 missile hardpoints, each missile being fired doing 2.5 damage, a Cat loaded with 6 SRM-6's has a maximum potential of 90 damage per squeeze of the trigger. Upgrade with Artemis for better accuracy, and consider smaller launchers for superior accuracy.)

Cataphract 1x -- With its high focus on energy hardpoints it is great for brawling (as it doesn't need as much weight for ballistics and can support a larger engine). Focus armor toward the front as side torsos are always shot at with the assumption you're using an XL engine. Protect those shoulders!

Cataphract 2x -- its assortment of hardpoints make this rather viable for those experimenting with weapons. Keep it fast, keep it simple. You don't need to use every hard point. This one has a potential of getting complicated if you use them all.

On either build, Gauss Rifles have been known to be devastating. But soon a minimum range limit of 60 meters will be applied for full damage. It's supposed to be here but in the bug reports it's a known issue that it's not working.

Mediums:

Centurion 9-AL: This 'Mech's non-existent dependency on ballistics allows it to tangle at any range. The use of laser beams can make it easy to get the hang of having TWO targeting reticles (+ is torso, O is arm). Since the left arm does not move, it is easy to use as a shield and does not require advanced controls. The missile rack allow for SRMs, Streaks, or LRMs. Really from the box all you need to do is max the armor, raise the engine, and give it double heat sinks and it's ready to rock.

Hunchback 4H -- With many laser hard-points and a cannon, this Hunchy can manage its own weight on the front line so long as it stays close to the team. From the box it does fine but it could use help with the heat. Good trainer for ballistics, as the shoulder mounted cannon is easier to aim than an arm-mounted one. Like the 4G, if you lose that right shoulder, you better resort to hit and runs or curl up in a corner.

Hunchback 4SP -- Unlike the other hunchbacks, the 4SP can really fill any role. Its weapons are evenly distributed. It can fight at any range with any loadout that doesn't use ballistics. There's no better balance. From the box, swap the head laser with another medium and give it double heat sinks. Flesh out armor as you prefer. Party.

The Hunchback 4SP.

If you prefer to hang back as fire support or artillery, consider these:

Catapult C1 / C4

Hunchback 4G / 4H

Cataphract 4x, 1x, 2x, 3D.

If you absolutely must use a light, avoid Commandos and Spiders -- they are not new player friendly. If you must use an assault then Atlas and Stalker for brawlers, Awesome 9M for hit and run (excellent light killer with maximum engine), for support any of them will do.

Below is the tale of my first match in the days of Closed Beta.


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Koniving said:

Having played several Mechwarrior games and been a fan since 1993, I have always had a special place for the big mechanized walking tanks known as Battlemechs and the game series known as Mechwarrior. As such I had very high expectations as I entered. Although there was a forum with threads of information, there was no real "introduction" or how to play. At the time there were no splash screens, no real title screen. Instead I was presented with a login screen, followed by a "Mechlab." On the first attempt I encountered a bug, unable to do anything. I submitted a report and received an email suggesting how to proceed. I tried again prior to receiving that email and was able to get in just fine.

I was presented with an empty bay, an amount of MC -- a kind of currency -- and a list of starting machines to pick from. At the time there was one of each Chassis. Knowing this was a beta and very early in development, I foresaw I would be rather limited in what I could choose to play in at this stage. There were only four 'Mechs available. I chose the smallest machine, a "Jenner." At 35 tons, this was a small recon 'Mech. It honestly looked like a saucer connected to a starship placed on stilts. That was alright, however, because that was how the Jenner always looked. I was actually impressed by the little details, such as ladder rungs for a tiny person that run up its calves, or the various maintenance hatches found throughout its frame.

Although I could customize the machine, I was eager to get into the game. As a last second thought, I checked the options, made sure the graphics were set as high as possible and at a comfortable in-game resolution. I did a once-over on the game controls. Everything looked good. Changed maybe one or two things. With that, I launched. The lag was awful the first time. Fine up until I torso twisted where the strong motion blur bogged down a computer that easily played Bf3 on max settings. I quit the match, went into my options, lowered them and went right back in. This time it was fine. That motion blur still dragged my frame rate but it was mild now.

I found myself inside the most detailed Mechwarrior cockpit I have ever seen. Buttons, switches, overhead lights, various screens. Of the screens, one of them worked showing me the status of my heat sinks, which I know from previous games that they are important in allowing me to freely use my energy weapons. The players populated the game. I had a 10 second wait, presumably to allow everyone to finish loading in. I was a little disappointed that my 'Mech wasn't dropped in from a dropship or at least getting to 'power up' before the match started. I wanted to see my hands move. From the controls I knew that left CTRL would allow me to move my head inside of the cockpit. In doing so I discovered I had two legs, an ugly pilot suit, and two hands. I was surprised that my hands were resting in a pose that is identical to the F-35 pilot hand positions on Battlefield 3. Ideas rolled in my head about how -- if there wasn't an NDA -- I could have a Battlefield 3 pilot 'daydream' of being in a Mechwarrior battlemech.

I engaged the throttle. There were no hand movements. It's still early. Moving forward I began to march slowly with the group. I was in a forest of sorts with a few sandy out of place beaches. Deliberately I throttle up a bit as I start moving toward a tree. A malicious sneer creased my face as I came close to colliding with it. Disappointment swept over me when I phased through it. That faded quickly as I heard the first weapon fire. It was some sort of cannon. The sound of the impact stole my attention! I maneuvered behind a very large machine I knew from previous games to be a Catapult, using that player as a shield as we continued to advance. I follow the group for a moment more, then rush off into the battle as we got closer. Immediately I ran behind one of the biggest enemy machines I found, whirled around and stopped. I fired my weapons. Big green lasers went into his back as did a salvo of missiles. Immediately I noticed I'm going to have a problem if lasers and missiles fire on the same button. The huge humanoid machine started turning. His glowing red eyes told me it was time to run!

So then I'm off into the wind! But then I saw an opportunity to really try this machine out. Ahead of me, there's an enemy Jenner that's running away from the groups. Being isolated from the others means I could concentrate entirely on him. The anticipation and excitement rise up. Without another thought I push the throttle to its maximum. My Jenner is faster than I anticipated I found myself barreling over a sudden drop! It handles the fall with stride and I climb out with ease, barreling after the enemy machine as it begins to run through a series of very deep crevices and ditches, running through a huge man-made tunnel and coming out the other side to scale a few large hills and run into some fields where cannons and lasers fire overhead.

We've taken shots at each other and based on our weapons fire and speed I can surmise that this player also has the exact same default build. This meant I knew his weapons, and that he is having the same issues I am having as a buzzer sounds while the "heat" gauge is flashing red. A safety mechanism is designed to prevent us from exploding by shutting the machine down in the event of catastrophic levels of heat. We both fire again and suffer a second shut down.

It becomes immediately clear to me that this will get us nowhere fast. I start looking around from my cockpit and see out the portside window that there's a huge body of water. From Mechwarrior 3, I know that deep bodies of water can help cool a 'Mech. It was worth a try. I start rushing for the water. My enemy is in pursuit. I suddenly find the view taken from my pilot to outside of my machine. At first I'm confused, but seeing two Jenners having fallen down and then try to get up I am able to take it all in and draw a conclusion -- the other player just tackled me! He rammed me!

Once I get up, I pot-shot him and dash for the water again. Though I go deep, he remains shallow; likely afraid of being slower. It's instantly clear that I had the right idea, however, as I'm firing without much trouble while he's shutting down. Soon he starts realizing what is going on and comes deep in the water with me. Exchanging fire with fewer shut-downs, we're both still pushing the extent of our heat generation. I start aiming for his leg and as the armor is rubbed raw with laser radiation, his Jenner begins to retreat.

Having survived, I remain in place. I just had an exhilarating experience. My Jenner has come out damaged, but nothing is too bad. It seems I melted some of my heat sinks according to the one screen. I decide now is a good moment to power my 'Mech down to let it cool off completely. A moment or two later I turn it back on. Everything is quiet. No gunfire. No lasers. No explosions. No foot stomps. Something is pretty wrong. Either the fight left me, or one side has won.

I start moving cautiously and I see something in the distance. Immediately I stop. No IFF triangles are showing. What is it? I zoom in. It's... a Jenner. Wait, that's the Jenner I was bullying earlier, it's even limping! That Jenner limps out of sight behind a very large humanoid figure. It has a skull for a head. It's HUGE! All around it are several mechanized friends. All of them are coming for me. Must be at least 7 there. A cannon is fired.

BAM! "Critical hit" flashes on my hud. According to my damage display, my right leg is gone. Not there anymore. This is definitely not good. I fire back, but they are beyond my range. Another cannon fires at me. BAM! The screen and the cockpit shakes. I've lost an arm. I'm delightfully terrified. I press the chat key, and start giving my coordinates on the conveniently grid-coordinated map. "I'm at B14. Need help. There's a lot of them." No response. "Guys? Is anyone out there?" Another cannon is fired at my remaining arm. With that, I have no weapons at all. With nothing else I can do, I try reverse throttle. I'm moving, but very slowly. By the camera movement I could only assume I'm limping. At a measly 13 kph, that is a drastic drop from my previous maximum speed of 97.

With no response as these players continue to march closer, I wondered about how to check the score. For previous games it's always been tab. I try it. There's a list of two sides. I'm on the left. Every name besides mine shows "Dead" in bold red text. The enemy players marched to a very close range and fanned out around me. Through the control of the mouse I'm able to twist my torso left and right to look at them. They all stop. This can't be good. Worse, I've stopped moving backwards. Torso-twisting left, I turn my pilot's head to look out the far left window and see I'm against a mountainside that is too steep to climb even if I had two legs. I look back, and I get a response from one of machines staring me down.

o/ (A head with an arm. Like drawing "hi").

I gulped as the Jenner I was picking on limps out from behind the large skull-headed Atlas. The thought of apologizing to survive this moment came to my mind as he fired his green lasers at me. Immediately a barrage of deadly firepower came from every direction. The cockpit rocked back and forth. Many explosions could be seen outside. In an instant it was over. An exterior view shows my machine as it falls over, a final explosion announcing the finality of my defeat. "gg" appears in the chat window. The score screen came, showing the damage and kills by each player, the run-down of how the in-game currency was earned and what actions paid what amounts.

Then I found myself in the lobby. Immediately I wrote an email to PGI. A response was given to me within an hour signed Rob.

Sadly the beta test had some bugs to work out and that the ones I mentioned were known. On the topic of environment destruction, he told me they are focusing on the core mechanics right now. (The game had been in development for less than 6 months and from what I had seen, it was pretty good progress.) "There are a few stability issue we have to work out. We promise you there will be environment destruction by the time the game launches mid 2013. Thank you for helping us make MechWarrior® Online™ a great experience!"

Edited by Koniving, 02 February 2013 - 04:04 PM.

[Bobzilla]

I hated assults at first cause they were too slow, now the atlas's are my favorite. I died way to fast in lights at first, but now i can keep alive. That being said i bought and sold and bought again assults and lights. What ever you get, stick with it a bit as your playstyle changes as your skill increases. I wasted a lot of money beacuse I didn't immediately like the choice I made only later to realize it was a good fit.