13 replies to this topic

[TheAquired]

Hi all,
Like the question asks, I want to try one out, but accumulating money is pretty darn hard. which is the best one to buy, not to waste my money?

Thanks!

[IceSerpent]

The best Centurion is called Hunchback 4SP
I guess you could try CN9-A, if you are really dead set on getting a Cent.

[Redshift2k5]

What do you want to do with it?
Speed, loadout, role. For example, the AL is nice but a disastrous choice if you want to play with a ballistic weapon.

[TheAquired]

thanks for the replies so far, sorry, I should have been more clear. First of all, I already have an SP. I actually have 8 mechs, but I have never tried any of the centurions, and thought that instead of trying to master the hunchbacks, rather spend my hard earned money on a new mech, to experience something different.

Well, I'm hopefully looking for something I can get moving at least 70 - 80 and if its energy orientated, it should be able to have a decent DPS without overheating. I dont mind ballistics, if it is a good mech to use them on. but for example, ballistics on a dragon just does not make sense to me.

most likely role is a brawler I suppose

thanks!

Edited by TheAquired, 03 February 2013 - 10:10 AM.

[Flying Blind]

Start with the CN9-A. Run it with a standard engine 3 srm6 2 medium lasers. The arm ballistic can be fun on a slower build but I like to go with 260 std engine which gone you good speed and keeps you real tough. Some people like to replace the 2 med lasers with 1 large for the better range. This chassis can brawl as a tough zombie, shoot long range with LRMs and automation or mix it for an all grounder. No matter what you do remember to twist your torso a lot to force them to shoot through your arms and best armored sides. Do that and you will be amazed how tough you are.

The 9D is my favorite mech in the whole game and I own (and have unlocked basics at least) every mech in the game. The thing is though that the D is expensive. I run mine with 2 srm6 2 medium lasers and an xl 370 engine so with speed tweek I get 132 kph. I think it cost me about 19 million cbills.

Edited by Flying Blind, 03 February 2013 - 10:16 AM.

[Koniving]

Centurions are generally fun and forgiving 'Mechs so long as you remember one cardinal rule: Never get an XL engine unless you know how to block shots with your arms. If you don't know how to use the shield, forget the XL.

For a starter Centurion the choices are pretty clear: CN9-A or CN9-AL.

Personally my starter was the CN-9AL. With 4 energy hardpoints you don't have to worry about weight issues and can load as you want. Some suggest 2 LRM 5's with a tag if you're sporting at least one large laser. Others suggest SRM-6's with 4 medium lasers. To do you one better, mix medium and medium pulse lasers with 2 SRM-4's. Sounds weird, I know, but the SRM-4's are much tighter in their groupings making it more like a shotgun rather than some wackjob randomly spraying missiles. It'll also be easier on the weight and forgiving if you miss. The combo of medium and medium pulse will give you both steady and rapid shooting weapons that combined will give you 22 firepower (beats 20 and doesn't have the heat of 4 medium pulse -- PLUS! No boating damage penalty which applies to alpha-striking 4 or more of the same type of weapon.).

General forums have named my Centurion 9-A the Donkey Wang. Typically it has an AC-5 which is no better than a medium laser, but the focus is often on the missiles. Occasionally when I get bored I swap the loadout for a sniper's rig.

But yeah, unlike the others I suggest the 9-AL to get used to the Centurion and how it works, then the 9-A and the other one when you're ready to try arm-mounted ballistics.


Four man trial team using the Centurion 9-Ds (all 4 trials) led by me (unlisted on youtube because my voice wasn't recorded; waiting for 7 Nation's footage to splice the audios and split-screen the footage). After saving base, I give the order to rush and save a lone Stalker (he dies as we get there), and from there we skirmish until all enemies are destroyed.


The first trial Centurion 9-D video, also wasn't recording my mic sadly. This time just three of them.

Edited by Koniving, 03 February 2013 - 10:40 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

TheAquired, on 03 February 2013 - 10:09 AM, said:

thanks for the replies so far, sorry, I should have been more clear. First of all, I already have an SP. I actually have 8 mechs, but I have never tried any of the centurions, and thought that instead of trying to master the hunchbacks, rather spend my hard earned money on a new mech, to experience something different.

Well, I'm hopefully looking for something I can get moving at least 70 - 80 and if its energy orientated, it should be able to have a decent DPS without overheating. I dont mind ballistics, if it is a good mech to use them on. but for example, ballistics on a dragon just does not make sense to me.

most likely role is a brawler I suppose

thanks!

There is only one Centurion that doesn't use Ballistics.

Cents have the same tonnage as Hunchbacks, so you'll go the same speed with the same engine. Two Centurions though have a much higher max engine rating (one is a Hero mech) so they can have a higher top speed than a HBK and the other Centurions. Overall they have fewer hardpoints so you will have to load up heavier weapons instead of many small weapons.


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

Have a look at the weapon hardpoints.

The 9-A is the basic model,and it can run with up to three missiles in the left torso (three SRM6s will uin anyone's day). Supplement with some CT medium lasers or a light ballistic.

The 9-AL is the odd man out, no ballistic at all, can mount 2 energy in the arm

The CN9-D is expensive but can reach much higher top speeds.

[FrozenAnt]

I've got all 4 Cent varients mastered with +10,000 points sitting there waiting for GXP conversion on each one, so the one peice of advice I'll give you if you are looking to start the chassis, Be prepared.

The chassis have a a very balanced loud out which roughly translates to "No boating" "Skill is required"
To start off, there no question to it CNT-AL is the only option.
The stock configuration is really not too bad. You have to get away from that 64.8 KPH speed ASAP though, anywhere between 80-89 KPH, before spead tweak will serve you well. Dual Heat Sinks (DHS) are of course standard on any mech, and you can get away with only using Endo-Steel upgrades.

If you like brawling (which you will find out the Cent is not best suited for that) Then
4x MLS's
2XSRM 4's (Or 6's, I just prefer 4's)
This should serve you well, you will find that it is very similar to the Hunchback 4SP config except it uses SRM 6's and has more ML's.

If you like Meduim range then...
1LL
2ML's
SRM 4 (or 6)
LRMS 10
This mech is pretty flexible but once the brawl starts things go south...

Long range..
1PPC
2ML's
LRM 10/15

Most of these builds will run you a max price tag of 7M Cbills. That is after DHS, Endo, Engine upgrade, weapons, ammo, etc. That is a pretty small price for a fully customized mech.

Now onto my rant...
You are too slow , your hitboxes are too wide, your Raw power is inferior to most things, your right arm screams "Shoot me!"... BUT you have a cool Mohawk.

What you need to do in order to be succesful with a Cent

-You are going to have to shake your mouse like it stole somthing (Torso Twist)
-You need to be able to say "This piliot is to good for me I need to bug out"
-Look to your left. Look to your right, if there is no friendly mech you are DOING IT WRONG
-DO NOT brawl with Hunchbacks.
-Don't soak up LRMs for the hell of it
-Learn how to put yourself between Enemies and Friendlies.

You are not the weapon, You ARE the shield.

You ONLY need your CT, 1Leg and Head

Your most powerful weapon, are those other mechs that are still alive,

because you died.

Good luck!

[Koniving]

FrozenAnt, I would love to have a recording of you saying the tidbits about being a successful centurion; I think it'll compliment the Centurion Chassis series I'll have after the Hunchbacks.

Edit: Evidently FrozenAnt agrees with me on the Centurion 9-AL's build idea of 4 mediums and 2 SRM-4's. You'd be amazed at the accuracy difference and the cash and tons you save from not having to buy artemis.

Edited by Koniving, 03 February 2013 - 10:49 AM.

[CmdrPoopyPants]

Hmm.. I was expecting I'd not run a cent for quite a while (thought the trial I ran was way too shoddy), but now I'm not sure. Sounds a lot like my 4SP build, but with a standard engine and the ability to not asplode right off the bat.. though, there's always something disturbing about watching an armless zombie stroll across the battlefield. Is this MechWarriorZ?

Edited by CmdrPoopyPants, 03 February 2013 - 11:25 AM.

[DocBach]

The Centurion A can be a competent brawler with very slight modifications. Trading the LRM-10 for two SRM-6, endo steel, double heat sinks, and an armor buff makes it pretty deadly.

Centurion D is absolutely superior to all the other Centurions as it can carry a much larger engine; don't start with it or you'll be spoiled.

[Koniving]

Exactly the reason I didn't suggest it as the starting Centurion.

[FrozenAnt]

Koniving, on 03 February 2013 - 10:46 AM, said:

FrozenAnt, I would love to have a recording of you saying the tidbits about being a successful centurion; I think it'll compliment the Centurion Chassis series I'll have after the Hunchbacks.

Edit: Evidently FrozenAnt agrees with me on the Centurion 9-AL's build idea of 4 mediums and 2 SRM-4's. You'd be amazed at the accuracy difference and the cash and tons you save from not having to buy artemis.

I would love to assit with anything Centurion related! Just let me know when the party gets started!

@ComdrPoopyPants-You are absolutly correct. Due to the HP restrictions on the Cent A it tends to be very heat effecient so you can get off more Alpha's with out overheating. Your burst will be lower, but you wont over heat.

DocBach, on 03 February 2013 - 11:32 AM, said:

The Centurion A can be a competent brawler with very slight modifications. Trading the LRM-10 for two SRM-6, endo steel, double heat sinks, and an armor buff makes it pretty deadly.

Centurion D is absolutely superior to all the other Centurions as it can carry a much larger engine; don't start with it or you'll be spoiled.

The Cent A can be a good brawler, but you need to know how to Torso twist in order to make it really shine, and line up your AC-10 SRM-6 cycle times so you can turn, ALPHA, then go back to exposing your sheild arm, not an easy feat for someone just starting out. I go bloodlust mode a lot and forget to do it often . If you stay facing your target you expose a lot of surface area, especially your side torso, and give a good chance to loose your main brawling weapons, the 2SRM6's in an alpha or two

The cent-D is actually my least favorite, order being A-AL-YLW-D. I have an XL 365 i think, and it goes 130 KPH, using 2ML and 2X4 SRM+Art. It feels more like a jenner than a cent, but hey DAT SPEED!

[Triordinant]

The Centurion CN-9A is a pretty versatile mech. It's like 3 mechs in one. A "standard" build would have 336 armor (2 short of max), standard 200 engine, endo-steel, 11 double heat sinks, an Autocannon 10 with 2 tons of ammo (in legs), 2 medium lasers and 3 Streak SRMs with 2 tons of ammo (in legs).

A "support" version would have 320 armor, standard 200 engine, endo-steel, 10 double heat sinks, 3 LRM 10s with 5 tons of ammo (4 in legs, 1 in head) and 2 medium pulse lasers (whose optimum range is the minimum range of the LRMs). You get firepower comparable to an LRM Catapult while using up only a medium mech slot on your team.

The "speedy" version has 336 armor, standard 250 engine (best speed/weapon balance for a 50 ton mech), endo-steel, 11 double heat sinks, an Autocannon 2 with 1 ton of ammo (in head), 2 medium pulse lasers and 3 Streak SRMs with 2 tons of ammo (in legs).

Centurions are very survivable because it's hard to hit the center torso, so do NOT use an XL engine. Torso twist to the right whenever LRMs are incoming to use the arm shield. At the end of a hard-fought battle you might have only your center torso and 2 medium lasers (or medium pulse lasers) left, compared to 1 such laser on a Hunchback.