15 replies to this topic

[Kserin]

Trying to decide on my next mech. I'm looking for a behind-the-lines style brawler to hit and run.

CN9 has the advantage of coming with an XL300 which I can transfer to my Catapult as needed. The Dragon comes with the STD 300, which I would probably be keeping until I can get some more cbills for the upgrade, so while I am interested in "ideal" builds, if anyone has some in-between recommendations I'd love to hear them. As of now here is what I'm considering...

CN9-D

DRG-1C

DRG-1N


Thanks for any build critique/play experience anyone can share!

[Ursh]

I've mastered both Centurions and Dragons, so I can share my personal experience.

The CN-9D has the advantage of being a Centurion, and having other worthwhile variants that don't need an xl engine to be good. The CN-9A is a vicious mech, and the AL can also be fitted out nicely.

I bought the Flame when it came out, because it has really nice hardpoints, and I truly enjoy piloting that mech. The other dragons were frustrating for me. The CT is incredibly easy to hit, and it's only a 60 ton mech so you don't have enough armor to weather any kind of fire from people who have good aim.

[Versailles]

I like the look of the CN9-D. If you could free up an extra ton, you could put Artemis upgrades on for your SRM6s, which really tightens their shot groups.

[Johnny Reb]

I have both mastered the Cents and the Dragons. The thing you want to decide is do you want a fast harasser or fast harasser/heavy scout. If the former, the Dragon excels, max 106.9 (speed tweek) with hard hitting weps(LL, mL and srm). The latter, can do both, with a xl390 and speed tweek goes 139 k/h. I currently run a Cent-D with xl340, 2 srm6+atramis (came standard) with a lrg laser. Its a hard hitting fast mech at 126k/h?(with speed tweek) Also with full armor it can take some damage!

[ragbasti]

Versailles, on 26 January 2013 - 11:26 PM, said:

I like the look of the CN9-D. If you could free up an extra ton, you could put Artemis upgrades on for your SRM6s, which really tightens their shot groups.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3bda313a24add2a - My loadout, working very well for me.

The 9-D can really be an absolute killer if you find the balance between firepower and speed.
If you go too fast with it you won't be able to deal enough damage and if you pack too much in it it will be too easy to shoot down (especially due to the XL engine)
As for your suggested loadout:
I'd wouldn't recommend taking an AC with you because you have to make too many sacrifices.
The extra damage is not worth the tonnage and you need alot(!) of ammo for your SRMs, I easily go through my 400 shots every match and then it's pulser time.
Since there are no more repair costs feel free to get artemis and ferro and everything you can that was unaffordable before that

[Ursh]

The CN-9D comes stock with artemis, by the way. You can also use it in dragons if you do decide you want to try them out. Putting a 300xl rather than 360xl into a dragon means you can carry a heavier weapon loadout, but are still running pretty fast. Like 89kph with speed tweak or something.

[Stingz]

Ursh, on 27 January 2013 - 05:31 AM, said:

The CN-9D comes stock with artemis, by the way. You can also use it in dragons if you do decide you want to try them out.

You probably mean the XL engine, since Artemis FCS is a per-mech upgrade. The Dragon only has 2 slots for the missile hardpoint anyways.

[Kserin]

Thanks for the input!

Sounds like a general consensus is the Centurion can fulfill the role of heavy harasser, but also is more versatile & comes with a useful stock engine. I will probably grab a dragon if I like the setup, and then maybe a Flame if i like said dragon.

@ragbasti: Thanks for the setup. I filed it away in my smurfy list, when I get the capital for the 340XL I will put it together.

@Johnny, I like the LL idea, I'll give it a try when I get the 340 .

[Ursh]

Stingz, on 27 January 2013 - 05:56 AM, said:

You probably mean the XL engine, since Artemis FCS is a per-mech upgrade. The Dragon only has 2 slots for the missile hardpoint anyways.

Ah yep, I accidentally reversed the order of what I was discussing.

Sad how bad I am at communicating, considering I teach English for a living.

[CobraHUN]

I use a 325XL for my Dragons, with Elite skills speed is 96.5Kmh. I would't go higher with the engine, because you lose quite much firepower. And you can hunt lights too, especialy with the 1N with 2 streaks.

[Stingz]

CobraHUN, on 27 January 2013 - 09:43 AM, said:

And you can hunt lights too, especialy with the 1N with 2 streaks.

It would be easier to pilot a Raven, since it has ECM to make use of those x2 Streak-2s.

[Lindonius]

Been thinking about a stupidly fast viable CN9 build:

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3ba8bdd9d5d3ae9

It costs 17 mill to make so I want some opinions before I build it.

I want the Ferrarri of Cents the fastest viable Cent build.

Edited by Lindonius, 18 February 2013 - 12:00 AM.

[Ewigan]

Looks.... hilariuos.
I do not know if it is really viable though. the 2 SRM6 do make decent damage, and the 2 med lasers are a nice addition.
but overall? any cent who actually uses his ballistics arm can beat the crap out of ya, no matter that you run 50 kp/h faster.

my 9D runs with a 250 standard (or is it 255?), with a AC/5, 2 SRM6+Artemis and 2 med lasers.
only runs like 75 kp/h, but its punch is all so yummy.
weaken up the armor with your AC, then finish him with lazors and your really precise SRMs.

[Ravennus]

Ewigan, on 18 February 2013 - 03:10 AM, said:

Looks.... hilariuos.
I do not know if it is really viable though. the 2 SRM6 do make decent damage, and the 2 med lasers are a nice addition.
but overall? any cent who actually uses his ballistics arm can beat the crap out of ya, no matter that you run 50 kp/h faster.

my 9D runs with a 250 standard (or is it 255?), with a AC/5, 2 SRM6+Artemis and 2 med lasers.
only runs like 75 kp/h, but its punch is all so yummy.
weaken up the armor with your AC, then finish him with lazors and your really precise SRMs.

All that.... and what, 1 ton of ammo each for your AC5 and SRM6s?
Or do you strip all your armor to nothing?

Sorry, just trying to figure out your build....

[Ewigan]

I will quickly set it up for ya.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...9ffd1c4e9c31912

Info: it runs with a standard 230 instead of a 250. if you can adjust to only having 1 ton of AC/5 ammo a 250 is doable though.

2nd Edit: my 9A runs a near identical build, with a AC/10 and a combination of SRM4+SRM6 and med lasers as armament though.

Edited by Ewigan, 18 February 2013 - 05:48 AM.

[Stingz]

[Dragon.RF for CN9-D] Both builds need an XL to hit those speeds anyways, the -D come with the XL 300 stock.

Most ballistic weapons don't need past 10 engine-DHS (Except AC/2). 54% efficiency means heat shouldn't bee an issue.

Edited by Stingz, 18 February 2013 - 06:01 AM.