So, I just got my first real Dragon, a 1C. It seemed like a good idea at the time, there are a lot of good setups for it, it's relatively safe with an XL engine, it can have arm Gauss, etc. I've read skribs' Dragon Template, I've ran Pepperdoggy's build, Mythweaver's build, and a few of my own invention, and I think that I'm a fairly intelligent, careful, and skilled pilot. In my other Mechs, my W/L ratio is about 1.2, and my K/D ratio is about 2.25 For some reason though, I'm just not "getting it" in my 1C. My 1C W/L ratio is .64, and my K/D is .44, and my Xp per match and dmg per match have both gone down. In general, it seems like the Dragon is slow, ponderous, and fragile. I've died to a LOT of side torso destructions, which surprised me, because the shoulders are pretty small. Are people really aiming for the shoulders, or did something change with the hitboxes, or am I just getting unlucky? I try to stay back and snipe with Gauss, (I think I'm a pretty good shot.) and then when the dog fighting starts, I try to hit and run, but it seems like every time I poke my head into serious combat I get cored in no time. I seem to have MUCH less success at avoiding combat than in my K2, even though my Dragon is up to 9kph faster. Is the Dragon really slower at turning and rotating than the K2, or is it just my better efficiencies in the K2 making it seem better? I really WANT to like the Dragon, because it can mount arm Gauss, and still be relatively quick, but it's starting to bum me out. I'm hardly getting any kills, (I get a decent amount of assists) and I'm dying and losing a LOT. It seems like there shouldn't be much of a difference between a Dragon and a K2 on paper, they can carry similar loadouts, have similar speed and armor, but my K2 stats are blowing away my 1C stats. Sorry for the long rant, I'm basically looking or some general pointers for the Dragon, especially the 1C. Or maybe some videos of people who are good with the 1C. Pretty much anything to get me out of my slump.
I had problems like this when I first tried the Dragons. I have learned over time that these 'mechs should be played as Skirmishers. If you're moving under 90kph, you're not moving fast enough. The Dragon has a very large CT, and its arms seem to be fairly easy to hit. Even at higher speeds, I find my LT/RT getting shot. It may be a fluke as they may simply be aiming for your CT or Arms and you turn or move just right to get that dmg to the side instead. If you are interested in Dragons, I'd like to suggest running a quick moving Sniper/Skirmisher. Consider weapons that can plink a target down while you use speed to re-position and plink again. OR, use higher dmg weapons like Gauss to snipe and to solid dmg while, again, using speed to use cover and re-position. I have found MPLas to be pretty effective at doing quick dmg while you run behind cover, cooling off, only to circle and shoot your target again. (I am currently running an LB 10-X and 4x MPLas on my FLAME and loving every second of it)
I've heard many a person sing the praises of the XL325 in the Dragon. It's what I'm running in my flame now, and it's really quite the improvement over the XL300. And, as Marukeru pointed out, the Dragon doesn't do well in stand-up fights. It has to pick away at the edges as a sniper or a sheep-dog.
So you think it's okay to stick it out with an XL engine? I've been running it the last two days with a STD300, 3xLLas, 1xSRM6, and it's been a lot better, but I want the extra tonnage and speed of my XL340 engine, but I don't want to lose the inherent boldness of knowing they can't kill me with shoulder shots...
That's a hard one to answer. I know that with some builds in some scenarios, a Standard Engine can work in a 'mech that's "supposed" to take an XL. Also, 3xLLas and an SRM6 is a pretty solid build, and it works very well when you can use your entire right side as a shield. That said, once you get up to the speeds a 325, 340 or 360 rated engine provide, it's much easier to use terrain and other 'mechs as cover. I recommend keeping track of how (and if) you die and what components remain when you do. If you find that you really don't lose side torsos all that often and that you really want the extra speed, then go for the XL. - - - To answer an earlier question. They did change the side torso hitboxes to include some of the dragon's paunch. The Dragon's arms do cover that section pretty well, but it is still easier to hit the side torso laterally than it was in CB. (This is especially with scatter and DOT weapons).
Well I'm just glad that you agree, it means that at least my ideas aren't totally off-base. It seems like a pretty solid build to me, I'm doing a good amount of damage per match, even if I don't get a lot of kills. Good idea. I like spreadsheets anyway. Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
How much experience do you have in mechs like the hunchback, trebuchet, or centurion? The dragon is basically a bigger version of these, although it is quite often faster and stronger. While you can do some sniping with it, chances are you don't have the weight for a dedicated sniper build without going so slow a phract would be better. The way to play a Dragon isn't to use your speed like a lagshield (like in a light) with the circle of death or to use your armor (because you got a big bulbous nose for a CT that's waiting to be shot off). You want to play a lot with terrain and use cover to your advantage. Stay behind the enemy when you can and behind cover when you can't.
I used to play a Cet-AL in CB, but I haven't bought a medium Mech since then. I have only Cats and Cicadas, plus my new Dragon, so it's a totally new experience, which I thought I was prepared for. I agree about sniping though, I haven't had much luck with it. The PPC boats make my single Gauss look pitiful, and I have to expose too much of my Mech to make the shots land. I have been trying to do like you say, and stay more near cover. I always thought I did that well to begin with, but clearly I needed more practice. I need to drop with a group again, that might help too.
It's kinda funny, because the CN9-D, YLW, and TBTs are the only 50-ton mechs I feel try to play like a medium. Most HBK builds and C9-AL builds try to play like a heavy, and the CN9-A zombie build I feel plays more like an Assault (just without the firepower). Dragons tip the scale the other way, just like Cicadas play like lights and (non-LRM/8Q) Awesomes play like heavies (well...my 9M can outpace most HBKs, but that's besides the point).
I actually like mediums, and I'm definitely getting a Cent (Probably -A this time) again eventually. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. But you're right, the Dragon definitely plays like a Medium. Not necessarily a bad thing. I just saw a Dragon in a match today trying to circle-strafe a Cat, and I thought of you. He wasn't making much headway to begin with, and then I went over and helped finish him off. It was pretty clear that he shouldn't have been out in the open that long.
Not to worry about that too much. I totally get what you are saying. The mech is very flexible and is a role friendly mech. One has to adapt a certain play style for it to really excel. It is by no means a brawler but can hold its own on certain occassions. Keep the speed up. Nuisance capping, support, hide and seek is what it do best. If you are caught off guard you may run into trouble with mechs who pack a big punch. Keep distance and outflank and outmaneuver your opponent. That is what this mech does best against heavies and assaults. Expect that your gauss will get hit off first. It prepairs you and reminds you to always protect that gun in the right arm. The laser will not be a primary concern for most to knock off. This is where the hit hide and run tactics come into play. Play with the lance... Keep to similar fast mediums or heavies, or play escort to assaults. Most people will try to take out the assaults so you can focus on keeping their backs clean and defending their lack of maneuverability. Learn patience when and not to engage. Sometimes the battles I have had with very high damage for a dragon happens when you pick your engagements... Engaging and disengaging so you can stay alive longer to add more damage to more opponents. The reason why I have gotten so used to it is because I don't run anything else anymore. I am likely one of the few who have no more than 10 mech bays. It is just my preference and the reason why I have become good at it. Don't get me wrong, I still do get stomped from time to time as opponents who know will exploit its weaknesses. Working with a team is where you make the most of the mech anyway. Keep it up, try other variants and fine tune your load out for the role you like playing with. Hope this helps and gives you some encouragement.
The 1C is one of my favorites in the game. For a long time I went back and forth between 4 LL or the Gauss + 4ML combo. Both have served me well and are the only loadouts to get me above 1000 damage. For what it is worth, I've never used anything other than an XL300 with any Dragon. More speed would be great but then I have to sacrifice armor, heat dissipation or weapons. The XL300 seems to strike the right balance of all of them. The best thing I can suggest is to never get caught where you can't run at full speed. Stick around the outside of the fight then choose a target, joust, and run the hell off. It works extremely well with Centurions, too
Skribs has an interesting point which he mentioned by using the terrain to your advantage when engaging and disengaging. In fact everyone who posted replies have very good valid points. The dragon is like a beefy medium which can be quite advantageous. It sounds like a lot to absorb Vorus but as I was saying in my earlier post, you will find your preference and style with this mech. Let me know how it plays out.
I run either the XL295 or the XL360 in my Dragon pack. Speed is important in a dragon, what you do wth that speed doubly so. The 360 on a 1N with UAC5, ML and SRM8 is a fast hit and run mech. I can get to the LRM boats, mess them up and get out before their support shows-up. The goal is not always a kill, but, disruption, and a component or two. 2 volleys of SRMS, a few Lasers and as many UAC5 before the thing jams XL295 is of the 1/2 ton. 5N and 1C with speed tweak keeps you close to 90KPH. My load outs are based on poke-poke rather than "smack". Move quickly to a sniping position, Fire a few times, move before they surround you. 1c is the easiest build to run: 2ERPPCs, 2ML, UAC5. Also works will with Gauss, PPC and 3ML. Two things to keep in mind always (1) Where are you friends - get separated, get dead. (2) Where are the LRM boats - they are your best victims.
BTW, easiest mech to learn the game - Spider 5D. Lots of speed, ECM and 3 MPLs... run around, have fun, see what works.
Btw, there is a really fast build which someone posted on the "pepperdoggy Special" thread I created a while back. Maybe this will give you another dimension on the original build. Same weapons load out but can top speeds at 97 kph without speed tweak. I have already tried this and has already enhanced on the strengths of the Dragon as a fast interceptor and support capper. Ok, an XL 360 is not cheap by any means but if you have one laying around, try it out. You can also check the other replies as they have just about every speed variant up from my 81 kph build to the 97 kph variant. Enjoy! Here is the link: http://www.mechspecs.com/forum/index.php?topic=1123.msg14166#msg14166
