Builds Section

Build posting

All questions and rules related to posting your build on MechSpecs.
Sticky

How do I post a build on MechSpecs?


Your post should contain:

  • (Optional): Add a skill tree build
    • Kitlaan Skill Lab
    • PGI Skill Code: Please post your import/export code in code brackets
IMPORTANT:
Please avoid to creating new threads for builds that already exist AKA 'duplicates', in order to avoid having too many different threads about the same thing. For ease of definition, a build classifies as duplicate when the weapon loadout in the original post is identical to another thread, even if other factors like the engine and additional equipment are different. Look for and create your post in the already existing thread for that build.
When you create a duplicate build, it will be merged with the older thread i
f it has had new comments within 1 year and can be found on the first page. Only under rare exception moderators may deviate from this guideline.

Please try to have only one build per post, so each can be rated/evaluated separately. Alternate builds are allowed by shortly abbreviating the differences with the original build.
#5

I made a mistake! How can I edit/delete my thread?

On the top-right, click 'Thread Tools'. Select the option you need there.
#22

Which pre-fix do I use for my build?

- Casual: This descriptor is probably going to be most common. Workable builds which are not necessarily top-tier for the chassis, but not a mess either. Examples of these builds are ATM Stormcrows, Medium Pulse Laser Hunchback 4Ps, et cetera.

- Budget: A descriptor for builds that are not expensive to build for a new player. Use this for builds which use a stock/common engine and don't get many upgrades for example, or omnimechs that do not change their omnipods too much. I expect this to be used relatively niche, but it could be good to have more of this type of builds on MechSpecs.

- Meme: The 'Meme' descriptor is for all zany, wonky, mad scientist builds, that aren't so much effective as they make for a good laugh. Examples of these are: 6HPPC banshee, 8 Flamer Firestarter, or basically anything TheB33f thinks of.

The other two prefixes can have overlap with the previous ones, but are still useful to have seperately:

- Scouting: Specifically for builds to be used most effectively in the Faction Play scouting mode. These builds usually run less ammo due to less targets, and put it into the engine or weapon loadout.

- Invasion: Specifically for builds that are used most effectively in Faction Play invasion mode. These builds are usually meant for more sustained fights at longer ranges.

- Solaris: Only for builds to be used in Solaris gameplay, these will not rely on consumables and generally pack little ammo.
#16

How do I make a correct title for my build?

Make sure to include the Variant, an abbreviation of equipment on your build, and a unique name for your build in the title. There are many examples to use on the site!
We suggest that in order to get the best feedback on your build, you adhere to the standard format described below.


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The standard format differs depending on the type of mech: Battlemech or Omnimech.
Battlemechs are the mechs where you can swap engines and change upgrades, such as the Battlemaster and Mad Cat MKII. They're organised into their own variants on this site.
Omnimechs are the mechs where you swap out entire components of different mech variants, such as the Sun Spider and the Stormcrow. They're organised into a single forum of 'builds' on this site, with an exception for builds that use hero omnipods, which cannot be obtained without owning the hero.

Battlemechs: VARIANT > "NAME" > ( > WEAPONS > EQUIPMENT > ENGINE > ) +Alt*

Omnimechs**: CT VARIANT > "NAME" > ( > WEAPONS > EQUIPMENT > ) +Alt* +Set***

Examples:
JR7-D "Grimm Variant" (4xMLas, 2xSSRM2, AMS, XL300) +Alt(LE280, STD250)
TBR-C "Burninator5000" (2xcLPL, 2xcSRM6A, 3xcERML, TC3, cAP) +Set

While summarizing the weapons and equipment we advise to use these standard abbreviations;

# = Applicable number for rating.

STD# - Standard
LE# - Light Engine (IS only)
XL# - eXtra-Light Engine

JJ - Jump Jets *
MASC - MASC *
* Classes for these items are determined by mech weight and therefore not necessary to mention.

Ballistic
AC# - AutoCannon (2, 5, 10, 20)
UAC# - Ultra AutoCannon (2, 5, 10, 20)
RAC# - Rotary AutoCannon (2, 5)
LBX# or LB#X - LB-X AutoCannon (2, 5, 10, 20)
(L/H)GR - (Light/Heavy/original) Gauss Rifle
(L/H)MG - (Light/Heavy/original) Machine Gun

Energy
(S/M/L)L - (Small/Medium/Large) Laser
(S/M/L)PL - (Small/Medium/Large) Pulse Laser
ER(S/M/L)L - Extended Range (Small/Medium/Large) Laser
(L/H)PPC - (Light/Heavy/original) PPC
SNPPC - Snub-Nose PPC
ERPPC - Extended Range PPC
FL - Flamer

Missile
LRM#(A) - Long Range Missiles (5, 10, 15, 20) (with Artemis)
MRM# - Medium Range Missiles (10, 20, 30, 40)
SRM#(A) - Short Range Missiles (2, 4, 6) (with Artemis)
SSRM# - Streak Short Range Missiles (2, 4, 6)
RL# - Rocket Launcher (10, 15, 20)
Hardpoint
(L)AMS - (Laser) Anti-Missile System
TAG - TAG Laser
NARC - NARC Beacon
ECM - Guardian ECM

No hardpoint
BAP - Beagle Active Probe
CASE - C.A.S.E.
CC - Command Console
SA - Stealth Armor
TC# - Targeting Computer Mk. # (1-8)

Ballistic
cAC# - Clan AutoCannon (2, 5, 10, 20)
cUAC# - Clan Ultra AutoCannon (2, 5, 10, 20)
cLBX# or cLB#X - Clan LB #-X AutoCannon (2, 5, 10, 20)
c(L/H)GR - Clan (Light/Heavy/original) Gauss Rifle
c(L/H)MG - Clan (Light/Heavy/original) Machine Gun

Energy
c(u/S/M/L)PL - Clan (Micro/Small/Medium/Large) Pulse Laser
cER(u/S/M/L)L - Clan Extended Range (Micro/Small/Medium/Large) Laser
cH(S/M/L)L - Clan Heavy (Small/Medium/Large) Laser
cERPPC - Clan Extended Range PPC
cFL - Clan Flamer

Missile
cATM# - Clan Advanced Tactical Missile (3, 6, 9, 12)
cLRM#(A) - Clan Long Range Missiles (5, 10, 15, 20) (with Artemis)
cSRM#(A) - Clan Short Range Missiles (2, 4, 6) (with Artemis)
cSSRM# - Clan Streak Short Range Missiles (2, 4, 6)
Hardpoint
c(L)AMS - Clan (Laser) Anti-Missile System
c(L)TAG - Clan (Light) TAG Laser
cNARC - Clan NARC Beacon
cECM - Clan ECM

No hardpoint
cAP - Clan Active Probe
cTC# - Clan Targeting Computer mk. # (1-7)

It's important to list how many of a certain weapon are equipped on a mech. This is done by putting a '#x' in front - where # is the quantity of that weapon - without a space.

Examples:
CN9-YLW YaoYao's Wang (1xAC20, 2xML, STD275)
CPLT-C1 Grimm Variant (2xLRM15A, 3xML, TAG, BAP, AMS, XL300)
* Instead of abbreviating the alternate build(s), you can simply put "+Alt" in the title if you have alternative variations on your build. 'Alternatives' are defined as mechs with the same weapon loadout, but different equipment or engine. If your variation has different weapon loadout, consider if it warrants another thread.
Optional: add the defining alternative engine/equipment in brackets such as "+Alt(STD300, LE325)"


** Because Omnimechs have a fixed engine, They're not necessary in the abbreviation.

*** If you're using a build with only components of the same variant, indicate this by writing "+Set" behind your entire build title. This is handy if you make a build centered around set-of-8 quirks. Builds that do not have the 'set' suffix may require additional omnipods to be bought.
#8

My Smurfy link doesn't work! Help!

In order for smurfy links to work correctly, follow these steps:

  1. Copy the 'Plain Link' after saving your build
    1. DON'T copy the 'Forum' or 'HTML' links. We have an API installed that automatically changes the plain link into an embed. If you copy this other link, you'll end up with a lot of broken code in your post.
  2. Make sure the link has 'https://' in front, as shown in the image below.
    1. A link with just 'http://' will NOT work.
  3. Done.

[​IMG]

PLEASE NOTE: You MUST do this right the first time otherwise XenForo will assume it is a regular link and parse it as a clickable line. If this happens to you, remove the link and start over. Alternatively,

1. Select the link XenForo has made.
2. Click the 'broken chain' symbol in the bar on top.
3. Insert the "s" into the link, as shown in the image and guide above.
4. Save changes.
#13

Why is a correct title important?

Our search engine can only find specific words. If you use a non-standard abbreviation for your title, it will be unlikely that people can find your build through the search engine if they look for specific equipment. If you want people to comment and rate your build, make sure to use the standard abbreviations.
#14

What happens to my build if my title is incorrect?


It will sit there looking silly!

Generally, having a wrongly structured title only means your build doesn't get the traffic it could get.
However, if it has been reported, chances are a Moderator will come and re-title the build the way it is supposed to be done.
#10

Can I use my export code to post a build?

Currently, PGI export codes are not yet supported by the site as the main way of sharing builds.

Many people will be able to evaluate your build without piloting it and the export code does not display the build layout until it's loaded in-game. Therefore it's much preferred to have an out-of-game image/link that displays the build for easy feedback.
They can however, be added in addition to a link from Smurfy, MechDB or an in-game screenshot of the build, as described in another FAQ.
#21
FAQ Manager ©2015 Iversia from RPGfix.
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