18 replies to this topic

[Snowcrow]

Hi guys. I'm having some trouble figuring out what I want to do with the 1N.
On my 1C I have 4 medium pulse lasers and 1 UAC/5.
And on my 5N I have 2 large lasers and a gauss.
I want my 1N to be different from my other two dragons, so tell me, oh great mwo community, what builds do you use for the 1N?

Thanks.

[Drehl]

What about this?

DRG-1N

2 LPL
2 SRM4 (2t Ammo)

haven't tried it yet.. but looks fun..
i would group the weapons like this:

1 LPL in arm
2 LPL in Torso
3 Both SRM4
4 Both LPL

[ICEFANG13]

I like the 3 A/C-2 Dragon-5N, if you want something different than what you said, try 2 with a STD 300 or XL~360. Although to technically make full use of the chassis among its brothers, you'd need to use 2 missiles, I don't like missiles, so whateves.

This is kinda what I like to use (give or take armor as you like of course)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3bada286ef731c0

[Drakenn]

Drehl, on 09 February 2013 - 06:59 AM, said:

What about this?

DRG-1N

2 LPL
2 SRM4 (2t Ammo)

haven't tried it yet.. but looks fun..
i would group the weapons like this:

1 LPL in arm
2 LPL in Torso
3 Both SRM4
4 Both LPL

Just made me want to buy a dragon, which I haven't wanted to do until now That looks like a fun build.

[1453 R]

It depends in part on what you're willing to put into it. Are you willing to grind out the billz needed to upgrade its engine? If not, then your options are somewhat limited. The stock engine on any Dragon isn't enough to really take advantage of the chassis' heightened mobility potential and make a striker out of it, but it is enough to keep you relatively mobile in the heat of combat for a more mid/long-range game. The 1N also doesn't have enough energy hardpoints to fill out a typical striker loadout and tends to center more around either a pair of large energy weapons (large pulse lasers or PPCs) and its launchers or a big ballistic gun and its launchers. Either way, utilizing the doubled launcher hardpoints is typically a requirement for getting the most out of the 1N.

For newer players who are having trouble handling the Dragon (don't blame yourselves, everybody sucks with that thing until they get a great deal of practice in it), and who don't necessarily have the patience or masochistic tendencies needed to save for a giant XL engine...I'd recommend a somewhat more measured approach. Like so. More of a mobile distance fighter, using the stock Dragon's engine to let you reposition for more sniping attacks rather than as a close-range striker. Chain-firing the paired LRM-5s will get Betty to go absolutely bonkers in the other guy's cockpit, which can distract and/or panic some pilots, and the ERPPC gives you a long-distance weapon that'll also hold up in a close fight if you need it to. The large pulse laser is the biggest available weapon for that last energy hardpoint that isn't another PPC; use it to discourage close combat attackers while you try and get to help or get away from whatever's chasing you.

It's not something most would consider an ideal use for a Dragon, but it also takes into account budgetary limitations and the fact that new pilots trying to strike tend to get killed a lot. As I well know . This is actually the configuration I'm using on my own 1N right now since I'm currently unable to put a bigger engine in it. It doesn't score phenomenally, and I don't tend to win a lot of duels with it, but it does keep me alive and let me help more dangerous allies deal with the baddies.

[Abulafia]

Drehl, on 09 February 2013 - 06:59 AM, said:

What about this?

DRG-1N

2 LPL
2 SRM4 (2t Ammo)

haven't tried it yet.. but looks fun..
i would group the weapons like this:

1 LPL in arm
2 LPL in Torso
3 Both SRM4
4 Both LPL

I run a close variation on this with an ER PPC in the torso instead of another LPL. It's a ton of fun.

[Zaptruder]

The build I've found great success with is

350XL
1 AC10
2 ML
2 SSRM2s

Highly mobile, 3 hit puncher, each hit doing about 10 damage.

You can actually squeeze 2 AC10 rounds per rotation; AC10, MLs , AC10, SSRMs... and if you do that, you'll keep heat down allowing you to keep the DPS and mobility up.

[CJDodo]

The most recent and most successful 1C builds I've tried are; http://mwo.smurfy-ne...77d6ee90c727938 which when played well (which I admit I'm pretty hit and miss when it comes to having good games) can pump out a surprising amount of damage, and still has enough speed to escape the average heavy or medium in its 'heavy cavalry' role.

Use a STD engine mainly for not currently having enough c-bills, but have found that I often lose side torsos (usually the ballistics one as that's what people aim for. Dropped the SRM ammo in the leg as I've never lost a leg piloting a Dragon, but really I was 0.5 tons short for CASE and didn't want to lose armour.

Plenty of room for tweaking, e.g. replace the BAP with AMS, or CASE up the SRM ammo and add another heat sink, etc.

Recently changed it up to this; http://mwo.smurfy-ne...a770f4f1f589f66

Despite doing 12 damage per pair the MPLs sometimes felt lacking in punch, but the ERPPC also gives some decent long range damage plus ECM disruption. Runs hotter but it practice it feels pretty similar. Again can tweak by removing BAP for CASE and a heatsink etc.

Planned this for a 1N; http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e69850d82e21161

Essentially a mini Awesome 9M, no idea how it'd run, but could be fun to pilot.

Also planned a 5N; http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3b6de98c8429201

Made up to be as fast as possible, with good damage and heat management. May drop the machine guns for BAP and a ton of armour. I am concerned over having 2 heavy weapons in the same arm, so may try adding a larger ballistic to it instead.

Both of those using XL for weight more than speed, as couldn't figure out any good looking setups with STD engines.

Edited by CJDodo, 09 February 2013 - 10:44 AM.

[Oni Ralas]

ECM disruption hasn't been implimented yet...don't think anyway.

[CJDodo]

Oni Ralas, on 09 February 2013 - 10:40 AM, said:

ECM disruption hasn't been implimented yet...don't think anyway.

Ah well that explains why it didn't do anything when I hit a D-DC, oh well, knew it was coming soon at least. Still the ERPPC is still good without it.

Edited by CJDodo, 09 February 2013 - 10:42 AM.

[Spectre999]

The key to the 1N is the dual missile slot. While dual SSRM2 is not bad, it really shines with the dual SRM4 launcher. It's conveniently positioned in the middle for easy aiming. The punch is comparable to an AC20, so apply it liberally to the enemy's backside. Rest of the configuration is up to you, depending on what engine you'd prefer and what sort of ballistics you're comfortable with. The LBX 10 has a nice shotgun spread that goes pretty well with the SRMs, though I ultimately settled for the AC10 for more range and tighter damage. UAC5 sounds good as well, for nice dps pounding at point blank.

Other options for the dual missile slot are the SSRM2 and LRM5. Dual SSRM2 is good for conserving ammo and weight, as you only need one ton, but the damage output is not spectacular. Finally, LRM5s may be good for assists, but I was dissapointed with the damage.

I admit, the most infuriating thing is the laser slot layout. The mech would have been stellar if they were both in the arm, but alas it won't be so. Packing two medium lasers seems like a good call, but you're in for a rough time keeping them aligned.
Shame, cause the shoulder mount is great for peeking from behind rocks.

Single large pulse laser would be great, but this entirely depends on your choice of ballistics because 7 tons may be hard to come by. A large laser may be a good middle ground here.

The dual ballistic slot is a trap here. While you can theoretically squeeze in an AC5 and an UAC 5 there, that severely limits your other loadout options and speed. to put it bluntly, you won't beat the cataphract at it's own game, so don't try. Dual machine guns are good for laughs, so are dual AC2s, but I'd recommend going with either AC10, LBX10 or UAC5. Gauss if fine too, but the low arm mount requires a bit of getting used to.

The big thing is choosing the XL engine. While I don't recommend 300XL, because it limits your speed somewhat (and you'll want speed to use the dual SRM4 where it hurts), on the other hand, with some fiddling and ferro fibrous armor, it's possible to fit in a UAC5, Large Laser, Large Pulse Laser and dual SRM4s for a nice multi range combat ability, but the ammo will still be tight.
Personally, 325 is as low as I would ever go, 340 being my personal favourite.

[Skadi]

2 PPC Gauss rifle obv!

[Xenon Codex]

w

Drehl, on 09 February 2013 - 06:59 AM, said:

What about this?

DRG-1N

2 LPL
2 SRM4 (2t Ammo)

haven't tried it yet.. but looks fun..
i would group the weapons like this:

1 LPL in arm
2 LPL in Torso
3 Both SRM4
4 Both LPL

This. I run lpl, mpl, and srm in my Flame with excellent results.

[Kageru Ikazuchi]

I'm considering a 350XL, LB 10X, 2x SRM-4, 2x ML build ...

While I know mixing weapon types in the same group is heresy to some, on the DRGs it might actually make sense, if they have the same effective range (SRMs and ML, for example).

[1453 R]

I've been mixing my LBX and SRMs for a while now. They have similar shot patterns and ranges, and they complement each other well. I see no reason NOT to group them together, actually. I just also keep a group open for solo cannon shots if I need them. I rarely do.

[Kageru Ikazuchi]

The only reasons not group the LB 10-X and SRMs together in a 1N is to keep arm and torso weapons separate, assuming your not trying long range shots with the LB 10-X ... grouping the torso laser with the SRMs and the arm laser with the LB 10-X, however, just makes sense to me (can't wait to try it out).

[One Medic Army]

Kageru Ikazuchi, on 11 February 2013 - 07:31 AM, said:

I'm considering a 350XL, LB 10X, 2x SRM-4, 2x ML build ...

While I know mixing weapon types in the same group is heresy to some, on the DRGs it might actually make sense, if they have the same effective range (SRMs and ML, for example).

This is the one I use in my Dragon 1N, only build I managed to do well with.
The SRM4s and LB10X work well as a shotgun together, and the ML are just extra firepower. I run it mainly as a striker: run up, hit someone in the face, and run away to shoot someone else. Do not get fixated on a single target if you can avoid it.

[Jaded Jasper]

My favorite is UAC5, AC2, 2xML, 2xSRM4:

DRG-1N

[Grisnir]

i'm running a 1N with this config DRG-1N