131 replies to this topic

[Tremendous Upside]

NRP, on 07 February 2013 - 04:07 PM, said:

@Cryos
I'm not sure if MWO told us before how we actually died, but I think whenever you eventually die, it is always due to the engine getting destroyed regardless if it's an XL or standard. I believe once your armor is gone, all damage (and crit damage) is eventually transferred to the engine. I know that all my deaths are due to engine destruction, even when I'm running mechs with STD engines.

@Grimlox
I usually don't like to run leg armor that low because everyone tries to leg an Awesome. I've finally convinced myself to sacrifice a bit if speed for better cooling. Since I've already got all the components, I'm gonna try this build. Pretty sure heat won't be an issue.

XL385 (85.8 kph w/speed tweak)
1 LPL
2 MPL
3 SRM6 (3T ammo)
19 DHS
Endo
480 armor

I really wish I could do this with the XL400 though.

You could just drop the MPLs to MLs and carry an XL395... The normal MLs would fit the range of the LPL better anyways.

[Skadi]

Pr8Dator, on 05 February 2013 - 05:12 PM, said:

Its not a mech with exciting loadout like Flame and Ilya has and I actually find it tricky to load it out in a competitive way... here's my loadout which I find just okish..

XL395
1 x ERPPC
1 x Large Laser
1 x Medium Laser
3 x SRM6
Endo steel, max armor

How about you guys?

IMO you should drop the ER... just too much heat imo :x

NRP, on 07 February 2013 - 04:45 PM, said:

LOL, well it seems everyone tries to leg me then.

Man, I can't wait to get home and test all these freakin builds!

Max out that leg armor or my Quad PPC flame will eat you alive

Edited by Skadi, 07 February 2013 - 05:18 PM.

[Havics Child]

xl360
1ml
2lrg
2srm6
1srm4
ams 1ton ammo
double heat sinks

has great heat and all but 14 points of armor
20 dbhs overall, 14 in engine 6 spread through the rest of the mech

Edited by Havics Child, 07 February 2013 - 05:21 PM.

[NRP]

Build test update:

@Grimlox
XL400
2 LL
1 ML
3 SRM6 (3T)
Endo FF
16 DHS (HE = 1.28)

I ran this build a couple of times on Caustic, and it heatstroked fairly regularly. It's too bad because 2 LLs are excellent, damage-wise. Just needs more heat dissipation capacity.

I like the following three builds:

XL400
1 LL
2 ML
3 SRM6 (3T)
Endo
19 DHS (HE = 1.44)

Great range, and you can fire all day long. The "beam on" time is a bit long for close range brawling, but otherwise this is a soild build.

XL400
3 MPL
3 SRM6 (3T)
Endo (464 armor)
20 DHS (HE = 1.45)

I think someone else already posted this build, but it's a good one - really good. Fire all day long. The MPLs just wreck up close. But that's also the downside - you can't do anything until you get close. If you are a sneaky little SOB, this is a great brawler build. Lot's of "in your face" punch, and the short beam time is ideal for close encounters where fast torso twisting is a must.

And now we come to my favorite build so far. Props to Banky for suggesting it (that guy knows his stuff).

XL395 (88 kph w/speed tweak, only 1.1 kph slower than the XL400)
1 LPL
2 ML
3 SRM6 (3T)
19 DHS (HE = 1.43)
Endo (464 armor)

The slight extra range of this build makes it superior imo to the 3 MPL build. You can do some damage as you approach, which can make all the difference in a 1v1. Heat is a non-issue, fire it all day long. The difference in speed versus the XL400 is not noticeable. The turning speed feels the same, unlike the XL385 I tried where I could feel it was a bit more sluggish. This is my PB build until further notice.

On another note, I won most of my matches tonight. This has never happened before, especially at the time I was playing. Either I got teammed up with premades all night, or the devs have implemented ELO. Defintiely no PUG stomping tonight.

I've now elited the PB and I can honestly say it's legit. I was very skeptical about this mech from looking at the paper specs, but I couldn't have been more wrong. This really is the best of all the Awesomes.

Edited by NRP, 07 February 2013 - 09:23 PM.

[darkkterror]

I've been thinking about getting into the Awesome chassis for a bit and I'm thinking about getting the Pretty Baby to springboard me into that, but I'm looking at the costs of something like an XL 395 or 400 engine and...WOW, for a few hundred thousand more than those engines alone I could buy a complete Awesome 8 variant. Those engines are crazy expensive!

If I got the Pretty Baby now I could at least drop in the XL 360 that I have in my Flame but...man, seeing 6.5 million just for an engine kinda makes my Cbill wallet cry

[Tremendous Upside]

NRP, on 07 February 2013 - 09:21 PM, said:

Build test update:

@Grimlox
XL400
2 LL
1 ML
3 SRM6 (3T)
Endo FF
16 DHS (HE = 1.28)

I ran this build a couple of times on Caustic, and it heatstroked fairly regularly. It's too bad because 2 LLs are excellent, damage-wise. Just needs more heat dissipation capacity.

I like the following three builds:

XL400
1 LL
2 ML
3 SRM6 (3T)
Endo
19 DHS (HE = 1.44)

Great range, and you can fire all day long. The "beam on" time is a bit long for close range brawling, but otherwise this is a soild build.

XL400
3 MPL
3 SRM6 (3T)
Endo (464 armor)
20 DHS (HE = 1.45)

I think someone else already posted this build, but it's a good one - really good. Fire all day long. The MPLs just wreck up close. But that's also the downside - you can't do anything until you get close. If you are a sneaky little SOB, this is a great brawler build. Lot's of "in your face" punch, and the short beam time is ideal for close encounters where fast torso twisting is a must.

And now we come to my favorite build so far. Props to Banky for suggesting it (that guy knows his stuff).

XL395 (88 kph w/speed tweak, only 1.1 kph slower than the XL400)
1 LPL
2 ML
3 SRM6 (3T)
19 DHS (HE = 1.43)
Endo (464 armor)

The slight extra range of this build makes it superior imo to the 3 MPL build. You can do some damage as you approach, which can make all the difference in a 1v1. Heat is a non-issue, fire it all day long. The difference in speed versus the XL400 is not noticeable. The turning speed feels the same, unlike the XL385 I tried where I could feel it was a bit more sluggish. This is my PB build until further notice.

On another note, I won most of my matches tonight. This has never happened before, especially at the time I was playing. Either I got teammed up with premades all night, or the devs have implemented ELO. Defintiely no PUG stomping tonight.

I've now elited the PB and I can honestly say it's legit. I was very skeptical about this mech from looking at the paper specs, but I couldn't have been more wrong. This really is the best of all the Awesomes.

Well if you've already got an XL380 floating around from your 9M -- you should try experimenting with artemis. I'd never used it till PB - and now I'm scrambling to fit it into everything else I have that uses SRMs heavily... It tightens the spread on the SRMs considerably. It's only 3 critical spaces and 3 tons to spend, and it makes a noticeable difference.

[Chaotic Knight]

So, tried alot of builds. Didnt like the ER anythings on it, large was crappy, LRMs.....no. So i went tried and true.

Mech Tree is maxed

3xMed Pulse
3xSRM 6
XL400
17 Dbl HS
Endo Steel
Max armor except legs
And 7..yes 7 tons of SRM ammo

Why so much ammo, well ill let the pictures do the talking





Its all about dmg controll
all three matches i ran out of srm ammo with almost no core dmg
suggest this build for any who like to get close and personal.

Edited by Chaotic Knight, 07 February 2013 - 11:54 PM.

[NRP]

Yeah, when I get on a roll I tend to run out of SRM ammo too. I would think 4T would be more than enough, but holy hell, you're running out of 7T of ammo? LOL!

[Grimlox]

"Awesome" testing NRP and Chaotic (excellent numbers, my 9M hasn't broken 1200 yet but plenty of 1000-1100+). I'm still a bit torn between an XL400 or 395 at this point.

NRP wouldn't the beam on time necessary for the 2nd build you posted be the same as the on beam time for your favoured build? Only difference being if you pulled out a 1/4 second early the LPL would still do max I suppose. Otherwise you get the extra range and only lose 1 dmg but retain the speed of the 400 and can still fire all day long. I imagine they were very similar anyways. A decent alternative for those stuck with a XL400 already.

NRP another slight variant of my top build from your list is to drop in the XL395 with 2LL, 1ML, 3SRM6 (3t) and 18DHS. Requires you to shave leg armour to 37 which I know you generally don't prefer to run with, but I think the 18DHS instead of 16 would make it work and give it the highest firepower at 68 with the longest ranged capability too.

Another option for those comfortable shaving down to 37 leg armour is you can run something very close to your preferred build of 1Lpl, 2ml, SRM6(3t), but keep the XL400 if you drop to 18DHS which I think might still be viable. Might be worth testing to see if those that already sprung for an XL400 can make that favoured loadout function without having to scrap it and buy a XL395.

[Sedant]

Awesomes are only made more awesome with a flamer in the head! Great for distracting and enemy whist brawling with them, helps keep you alive longer if they cant see what to shoot, aim for their cockpit.

Edited by Sedant, 08 February 2013 - 08:41 AM.

[NRP]

@Grimlox
Yeah, the "beam on time" might just be my perception. I play my PB as an "in your face" brawler, so that definitely colors my opinion. I can tell you a few things though:

2 LLs work great (good stand off range, good damage, reasonable heat). I'll try your 2 LL suggestion with my XL395. Extra range is nice at the start of a match where everyone is feeling each other out.

You can make viable builds with an XL400, it just forces you to make choices between weapons and heat sinks. I'm firing like a mad man so I am more comfortable with more heat sinks. If your heat management is more disciplined, you could absolutely run with fewer HS. I still think 18 is practical minimum though.

I'm currently in a torrid love affair with LPLs, so that affects the tradeoffs I'm willing to make (this might change in the future). I might even try lowering the leg armor like you suggest, because I'm always close to enemies so they have to focus on my CT instead of my legs. This is different than my 9M, where I get shot in the legs a lot more because I tend to fight from range more often.

If you're wondering whether you should spend the $$$ for an XL400, I would say "Yes, go for it". You can definitely make an XL400 work, and you'll be gaining C-Bills like crazy with the PB's hero mech bonus. I make 100k-150k C-Bills just about every match. In no time at all you'll recoup the cost of the engine. I own just about all of the big XLs (320, 340, 350, 360, 380, 385, 395, 400).

By the way, the PB is the most effective light killer I've ever piloted. The huge torso twist range, turning rate, and overall speed allows me to keep lasers on them almost constantly. And if I land an alpha, they are finished. I have never before been able to handle jenners, ravens, or commando 2Ds. Now I chase them instead of them chasing me. Dawn of a new day.

[Grimlox]

@NRP: Sounds good,

How do you find the SRM ammo at 3 tons? You running out in long fights? If so then shaving the leg armour for the extra 1 ton SRM ammo alone might be a viable choice for you on your favourite build. I know I run 4 tons on my Atlas with 3 SRM6's and that seems to work well for me.

[NRP]

Most of the the time 3T is enough. Sometimes I run dry though. I'll keep playing with 3T and see if a consistent pattern emerges and make changes as necessary. If I do need more ammo, I'd probably go back to the XL400, 3 MPL build and drop a DHS (19 is viable) and add an extra ton of ammo. 3 MPLs is a nasty close range build. They just cause components to explode all over the place, which results in mucho C-Bills and XP.

[NRP]

Nevermind.  Tried to upload a match summary screen but the image is too small.  Anyway, it was a nice 1179 damage game.

Edit:
How do you guys upload those large images? I used photobucket as an image host, but image size is too small.

Edited by NRP, 09 February 2013 - 04:22 AM.

[NRP]

New build update:

XL400
1 LL
2 ML
3 SRM6 + Artemis (3T)
17 DHS
432 armor (took Grimlox's advice and set legs to 37)

The LL seems just as effective as the LPL, is a bit more heat efficient, and the extra range is useful. I played many games today with an XL385, XL395, and XL400. The bigger the engine, the better the PB performs. Do whatever you can to fit the biggest engine possible. Artemis is also worth the sacrifice (Banky was right on the money again). The SRMs fly with a very straight and tight trajectory, which is both easier to aim and allows you to shoot from farther out.

Seriously, the PB with an XL400 is one of the most maneuverable mechs I've ever piloted. It can run circles around a medium. Now if only it would stop quicker. It's hard for me to stay behind enemies because I tend to ******** them or run right through them. Need more practice at the back door game.

Ok, I'll stop spamming this thread for a while. I'm just super satisfied with the PB. This mech has been a very pleasant surprise, and has really exceeded my expectations.

[Pkunk]

I'm doing ok with my PB. I'm stil not sure about the loadout though.. 1Llas 3Mlas leaves only 3 tons of ammo which I always run out off. 3MPlas Is nice, but I really feel the Llas in the arm is a lot more usefull. Especially once you run out of ammo.

I'm also curious obout another thing. I haven't heard anyone "complain" about the missle tube loadout compared to the 9M. The tubing of the 9M makes for incredibly precise missle strikes. The PB lacks this. You might say it makes up for it in firepower because of the 6srm you can put in but I feel that just makes it overheat too fast. With my 9M I can alpha all day. And because of the more precise targeting I can take mechs out faster.

I dunno.. maybe I just need to get used to it a bit more or something..

[Orionche]

I've been tweaking it for the last couple of days, trying to see what sticks and what not. This mech is obviously a brawler, whether it wants to be it or not. I tried a LRM+PPC/LL builds for some sniping action, didn't turn out so well. So I went back to shortrange builds, and after reading this thread and other people's builds, I've settled for this:

Sparky

ERPPC is there since I already had a couple in the depot and I wanted something for medium/long range engagements before moving into their faces. With basics doubled, spamming it isn't an issue. However, I plan on dropping it for a third MPL once I have enough cash to afford a XL400 and experiment with it. Will see how it goes.

BAP since I'm usually first on the lines and I hate being blind.
AMS for some survivability.

The hardpoint loadout is cringe worthy at first look (and second and third!), but I'm in love with this thing. Had some very fun matches in it once I dropped the "But it doesn't make ANY sense!!!" attitude.

[NRP]

@Pkunk
Regarding the missile tubes, I agree with you about the spread relative to the 9M.  The PB definitely has a "looser" missile spread, which means you need to be pretty close for all the missiles to hit and it also means the damage is spread out over a larger area.  This is why Artemis is helpful - it tightens the missile spread so you can put all of the missiles in a specific area.  The 9M seems to have a naturally tighter missile spread, sort of like a built in Artemis.

So far, I've able to get by with 3T of ammo.  4T would be nice though.  I find if I get into a lot of 1v1s with no help I tend to run out of ammo, so I try to stick with teammates and focus fire.

Edited by NRP, 09 February 2013 - 04:09 AM.

[darkkterror]

I just picked up the Pretty Baby today and was able to afford that ludicrous XL 400 (I'm still a new enough player that 6.5 million Cbills seems like a ton ). I'm pretty much using NRP's build but I sacrificed Artemis in order to replace the Large Laser with an ER PPC and stuff in another heat sink. This is primarily because I have a soft spot for PPCs. I love the way they sound and look when fired. I also like having a weapon that can deliver a pretty good amount of pinpoint damage to a target clear across the map, just in case I need to reach out and touch some body when I'm trying to close in.

So far, I'd say the PB is treating me pretty well. I know I only pug, but even still I've had some great matches. I can easily top the scoreboard in kills, assists, and damage done. The SRMs really hurt and the 2 MLs and PPC is like icing on the cake. Three tons of ammo, so far, has gotten me through every match.

Before moving on to the Awesome chassis, I was working on the Atlas. I had just finished getting 2 of the variants 4/4 elite skills. Getting into the PB was like a whole new world. I really think I enjoy the fast, maneuverable Mechs much more than the big slow ones. I can circles around Atlai, pumping SRMs and PPC shots into their rear armor. I also really enjoy nailing a light with either the PPC or the SRMs. At the end of my last match, it was me and another team mate (can't remember his Mech) against a Raven and a Jenner. I killed the Raven with a PPC shot and then gave the Jenner a face full of SRM to score the win. Really made me feel good. I hate those pesky lights!

I can't wait to open up the elite skills for the Awesomes. I want that speed tweak and the 2x basics! I managed to pick up an 8Q and a 9M already. The 8Q is already 8/8 because I used some MC to transfer XP from one of my other chassis. I only just purchased the 9M, so I'm grinding Cbills on my PB to outfit it. I have to buy another big XL engine

I really enjoy the PB so far and if anyone likes a fast, maneuverable Mech that can pack some firepower, I'd say don't listen to the haters that are calling the PB the worst Mech in the game. I really think the PB is going to replace my Ilya as my Cbill farming Mech (although I do love me some 3 UAC5 or double Gauss from time to time).

Edited by darkkterror, 09 February 2013 - 09:31 PM.

[Orybazy07]

Long range support with:
XL340
FF Armour
DBL HS
Artemis
Tag
AMS
Adv. sensors module

1 x ER PPC
1 x ER LL
2 x LRM 15 + Artemis + 3 tons of ammo

430 armour