57 replies to this topic

[Vulkanthrax]

Hello everyone,
I am currently new to Mechwarrior.(Playing a week or so).The game itself is awesome. It's like a Battlemech simulator, and I absolutely love that it makes use of tacticts and not just pointless shooting. I have played Mechwarrior in the past but I wasn't interested in the type of this game, until now
So as a newbie, I watched some videos and guides to get better aquainted with the game.
As I have much more to learn, I am asking the more expierienced players if you could give some tips for a fast moving long range battlemech.
I 've read some guides for "sniper" builds and used the mechlab to make some experimental builds. The Mechs that suit my tastes so far for this job are the Centurion and the Dragon( I am open to more proposals though) but I get very low Heat efficiency.
So I ask you.
Can there be a decent build for what I am looking for; or should I go for a more sturdier slow moving Heavy or Assault ?

[Hex Pallett]

If you ask me, there're a few differences between "sniper" and "long-range direct-fire support". The latter means dealing constant damage over range, which is best done by AC2 boats, LL boats or PPC chainfiring. "Sniper" means dealing huge burst damage instead of shoving off enemy armor little by little, which, if you ask me, could only be done either by twin-Gauss, Gauss+PPC hybrid, or multiple PPC Alphastriking.

Which one do you prefer? Cuz the best builds for different purposed could be, of course, very different.

[buymytoasters]

Dragon Options
- Triple AC/2 DRG-5N
- LL or PPC DRG-1C
- Cram w/e fits into a Flame

I love my dragons, and enjoy piloting them more than most of my other mechs. That said, if you really want to lay down heavy long range firepower, a Cataphract can hold some serious firepower. Quad AC/2, Triple UAC-5, LL, etc. The irony in long-range mechs is that the ones that do it the best tend to be slow and heavy..

[Vulkanthrax]

Helmstif, on 16 February 2013 - 07:52 PM, said:

If you ask me, there're a few differences between "sniper" and "long-range direct-fire support". The latter means dealing constant damage over range, which is best done by AC2 boats, LL boats or PPC chainfiring. "Sniper" means dealing huge burst damage instead of shoving off enemy armor little by little, which, if you ask me, could only be done either by twin-Gauss, Gauss+PPC hybrid, or multiple PPC Alphastriking.

Which one do you prefer? Cuz the best builds for different purposed could be, of course, very different.

I prefer the latter

[Vulkanthrax]

Vulkanthrax, on 16 February 2013 - 08:22 PM, said:

I prefer the latter

The direct fire support that is

[Hex Pallett]

Vulkanthrax, on 16 February 2013 - 08:22 PM, said:

I prefer the latter

Then, unfortunately, there are very, VERY few 'Mechs that can pack much burst damage while maintaining a high speed. The best I can think of is dual-Gauss Ilya Muromet which can go up to 75 km/h+ tweaked. Then there's Awesome 9M with triple PPC that can either be chainfired or Alpha-ed. Other than that, there're only quad-PPC or even hexa-PPC Assaults trollcannons that are slow as hell.

EDIT: wait...that's the former.

Direct fire support. Hehe there're tons of builds for that. Dragon 1N with twin-AC2 and LL, 5N with triple-AC2, Centurion 9D with twin-AC2 and all those so many quad-LL loadouts that you can do.

Although my favorite is Cataphract 4X with quad-AC2. Slow, but totally ridiculous.

Edited by Helmstif, 16 February 2013 - 08:53 PM.

[Flagrant]

Cicada 3M.

[Vulkanthrax]

Helmstif, on 16 February 2013 - 08:44 PM, said:

Then, unfortunately, there are very, VERY few 'Mechs that can pack much burst damage while maintaining a high speed. The best I can think of is dual-Gauss Ilya Muromet which can go up to 75 km/h+ tweaked. Then there's Awesome 9M with triple PPC that can either be chainfired or Alpha-ed. Other than that, there're only quad-PPC or even hexa-PPC Assaults trollcannons that are slow as hell.

Thx for the tips

[Hex Pallett]

Vulkanthrax, on 16 February 2013 - 08:53 PM, said:

Thx for the tips

No problem, although I think you may wanna check that post again

[Vulkanthrax]

buymytoasters, on 16 February 2013 - 08:08 PM, said:

Dragon Options
- Triple AC/2 DRG-5N
- LL or PPC DRG-1C
- Cram w/e fits into a Flame

I love my dragons, and enjoy piloting them more than most of my other mechs. That said, if you really want to lay down heavy long range firepower, a Cataphract can hold some serious firepower. Quad AC/2, Triple UAC-5, LL, etc. The irony in long-range mechs is that the ones that do it the best tend to be slow and heavy..

Thx for tips

[1453 R]

Dragons are very expensive to buy and upgrade into their highest potential - after buying the chassis itself, all necessary upgrades for it, and the 325+ XL engine you need to really make it dance, the 'Mech can easily run ye in excess of twelve or thirteen million C-Bills. Per Dragon. Compounding this is the fact that the chassis is very difficult to play properly and is terribly unforgiving of pilot error. I can't really recommend them for a new player, though if you want your early days in MechWarrior Online to be an adventure like mine were, go for it.

Centurions, on the other hand, are both cheap and good. They don't need XL engines (though they will often need higher-rated standards, so still money), and they tend to have good hardpoints for what you're going for. The CN9-AL is often derided on the forums for being all manner of terribad, but really it's not. The arm-mounted energy hardpoints are nimble and reasonably good for large laser direct-fire supporting, the torso-mounted missile hardpoints are flexible (two LRM-5 set to chain fire is a great way to make Betty drive your target batty with "INCOMING MISSILE" warnings while peppering them with constant damage), and the 'Mech can be used for a variety of roles as your tastes and skills evolve over time.

The other Centurions are also perfectly viable, with the CN9-D being able to attain light 'Mech-level speed ratings - if not with a lot of armament left after it does. They're good, solid 'Mechs that won't let you down nearly as hard as Dragons will.

[Eisenhorne]

Posted this in your other thread... my long ranged speedy DRG-1C with dual ER-PPC's

DRG-1C

Often do 500-700 dmg per game with it, its very powerful if your good with the PPC.

[Antony Weiner]

Vulcan, you need to be building off the weapon systems, not mech chassis. It is the weapons that primarily identify your battlefield role. For long range, a Gauss rifle and PPC is obvious choice, with ERLLas also being considered (however, beware of heat issues with ERs). If you feel comfortable staying at 400-500m, then you might want to look into using ac10 and reg LLas. Combining long and mid range weapons can give your build great flexibility at cost of some heat or weight.

For chassis, Catapult K2 is a beauty and packs a lot of punching power while still going pretty fast, at an expense of being a bit fragile.

[Topsytervy]

the sniper with out a zoom feature does not seem feasable to me. Lt mechs ussally dont carry long rang weapons, as these are carried by Md mechs and higher...there are exceptions to the rule. the Lt mechs that would fill this role would be the Valkyrie, Urban Mech, and Panther. Md mechs would be vulcan, Dervish, Withworth, Blackjack. Hvy mechs Rifleman, Catapult, Jagermech, Crusader, and Archer. Alt Long Bow. Look up this mechs too get ideas in the mech lab. snipers dont really need to be fast as much as need to be distant and accurate.

[Vulkanthrax]

Antony Weiner, on 16 February 2013 - 09:17 PM, said:

Vulcan, you need to be building off the weapon systems, not mech chassis. It is the weapons that primarily identify your battlefield role. For long range, a Gauss rifle and PPC is obvious choice, with ERLLas also being considered (however, beware of heat issues with ERs). If you feel comfortable staying at 400-500m, then you might want to look into using ac10 and reg LLas. Combining long and mid range weapons can give your build great flexibility at cost of some heat or weight.

For chassis, Catapult K2 is a beauty and packs a lot of punching power while still going pretty fast, at an expense of being a bit fragile.

You have a point, but the chassis is what identifies speed and tankiness

Edited by Vulkanthrax, 16 February 2013 - 09:32 PM.

[Skadi]

Trenchbucket is what your looking for in terms of LRM's, as long as you dont mind a medium...
other than that you can get some fast heavys that are direct fire support

buymytoasters, on 16 February 2013 - 08:08 PM, said:

Dragon Options
- Triple AC/2 DRG-5N
- LL or PPC DRG-1C
- Cram w/e fits into a Flame

I love my dragons, and enjoy piloting them more than most of my other mechs. That said, if you really want to lay down heavy long range firepower, a Cataphract can hold some serious firepower. Quad AC/2, Triple UAC-5, LL, etc. The irony in long-range mechs is that the ones that do it the best tend to be slow and heavy..

The 4PPC Flame is one of the best mechs ive ever created, Simply because it is the most fun thing to pilot in pug matches.

Edited by Skadi, 16 February 2013 - 09:38 PM.

[Vulkanthrax]

I experimented with a build on mechlab

Centurion - CN9 - AL
Engine XL260
2 LL
2 ML
2 LRM 5
Armor: Standard
Structure: Endo-Steel
Heat sinks: Double
Artemis VI

I think it might do the trick

[Mavairo]

5N Dragon with a Gauss Rifle, and 2 ER Larges would do the trick.

The 60,000 dollar question is, do you want to just vomit at the general area of your enemy. And willing to take a speed hit? If yes, the Vomitt Guass Kitty is for you.

If you want speed and precision however, go Dragon. Once you learn how to work the arms, you'll be removing the legs off of light mechs with contemptuous ease at distances of 500 meters + regularly as they move full bore even.

You will need a ton of Cbills though. And I do mean a ton. You need the $ for the XL engine, DHS, and Endo Steel + the mech and the wargear.

Remember to stay moving. No matter what dragon you are in terms of setup, you are calvary. Either you are long range calvary, short range raiding calvary, or medium range hit and fade calvary. There is quite literally no other way to work a dragon and get consistent good results.

Edited by Mavairo, 16 February 2013 - 11:03 PM.

[Ravennus]

I want to take a crack at a 2 ERPPC Cicada 3M someday.

Speed + ECM + 800m 20 damage Alpha...... it might be fun.

Streakmandos and 3Ls would still eat you alive though, if they found you.... unless you are lucky/skilled enough to land a couple PPC shots.

[Antony Weiner]

Vulkanthrax, on 16 February 2013 - 09:32 PM, said:

You have a point, but the chassis is what identifies speed and tankiness

I think, I wasn't clear in my post. Pick your weapons first, then pick chassis that are capable of carrying your chosen weapons.

Experiment in mwo.smurfy-net.de