12 replies to this topic

[Zaydin]

Hey there. At the moment, I'm saving up for an assault mech, so I was figuring I'd ask what the overall easiest assault mech to pilot was. Was debating going for either an Atlas or a Stalker, leaning towards an Atlas.

Part of me was considering the Atlas DC-D, but I'm not sure.

Edited by Zaydin, 18 February 2013 - 08:17 PM.

[Spheroid]

Atlas-DC is very usable right out of the box. The only change you need to make is to install ECM.

I elited three Stalkers and while they are fun they do not handle well at all.

Edited by Spheroid, 18 February 2013 - 08:49 PM.

[roastpuff]

Atlas - my 3 recommendations are the -D, -RS, and -D-DC (obviously)

[Skribs]

Thing is, while the atlas is nice and all, the stalker is a lot cheaper and you can put a LOT of firepower on it. I think the best wrecking ball build I've seen is a stalker with 6 MLs and 4 SRM6s.

[Edustaja]

The D-DC is the best mech for pugging.
Throw in the largest engine you can comfortably fit.
Take out command console from head. Insert ECM into center torso.
3xSRM6
2xUAC/5 or AC20 or Gauss
2 ML or MPL

Endo and double heatsinks. Call it good.

[4P011Y0N]

I think the Stalker is a bit easier to use than the Atlas. With the Stalker I support the team from behind the frontline by cutting off enemy components and stripping away armor with quad lasers. I fire my lasers one at a time in about 2 second intervals allowing me to fire continuously without overheating or wasting too many shots. I've tried SRM6 build on a 5S with 4-6 medium lasers but it is not greatest role for the Stalker in my opinion. If you want a brawler then the Stalker probably would not be for you.

[Statixstorm]

I would say Atlas (D, D-DC, RS) would be best if you are new to the class, the builds are fairly simple, and the chassis is sturdy.

Once you get comfortable I would say try the stalkers, they have much more powerful builds, some of my favourites are 6PPC, 6LL+SSRM, 6ML+4SRM6, 4LRM20+2ML+tag but they are very unforgiving, you need to be 100% sure of where you are, and where you are going or you'll get blind sided and wrecked, they are slow and have terrible twist but can put the most damage down range.

Think long and hard, do some research, because to get that first assault purring you'll need ~15mil cbills easy.

Cheers,

Statix

[John MatriX82]

Atlas is the top, get a Stalker if you want something cheaper (adding just DHS is enough). Awesomes can do good but they're easily outclassed by the former two, so I'd suggest to start them up only when you have done Atlases and Stalkers.

[Icepick]

Atlas D-DC. Accept no substitutes. It is the king of the battlefield.

I've mastered Stalkers too, and they are fun to trick out and experiment with gimmicky builds - But I always come back to the King when it matters.

[Palutena]

Atlas D-DC for the ECM.

[Wildstreak]

If you want speed and know how to use it, you go Awesome.

If you want pondering slow with a lot of firepower, you become a Stalker.

If you want to get everyone's attention and maybe a big ECM Mech, you go Atlas.

[OneEyed Jack]

I'd stay away from Stalker as a first assault. All assaults besides the AWS-9M and Pretty Baby are ponderous beasts, but the Stalkers add the worst turn speeds, twist ranges and no lateral movement on the arms. The hardest part about playing assaults is getting used to not being able to react well to changing circumstances. You can't run from anything and sometimes it's hard to keep a target on front of you even when they're not intentionally trying to get behind you. You have to make a plan, find your opening and commit. The Stalker is the worst in this regard. It's the best at offense, but the worst at self-defense. I'd go with something else to get used to the play style and save on frustration.

[Kassatsu]

Gotta go with the Atlas D-DC as your first. It's probably the easiest to learn and the most forgiving.

Awesomes are good only if the pilot is well above average, otherwise they're little more than a big moving target.

Stalkers are good in very specific builds such as LRM boats, you can do PPCs, large lasers or a short-range brawler decently as well, and the pilot has to know how to use it. Variant hardly matters on stalkers as they're all quite similar, though some are slightly more suited to certain builds than others.

Edited by Kassatsu, 20 February 2013 - 11:21 PM.