Need advice on being a good lance mate

Hey guys,

I usually run in a group with 3 other friends. I've been playing for about 6 months now but I still feel pretty green in the game.

I haven't found a mech that I can call my favorite yet so I pretty much switch from mech to mech. I've mastered the Highlanders so far, but after playing for a while they feel too slow for me. My friends want to create a lance around mobility and hit and run tactics, with enough support to stand on our own if we are the only lance still standing.

The other 3 already have their chosen mechs. One uses a commando or jenner, one uses a scouting raven, and one uses a pretty baby as a LRM boat. I'm the only one that cannot choose a mech.

Does anyone have any advice about which mech would be a good compliment to those other mechs. Right now, with my limited knowledge of the game, I'm looking at maybe something with good mobility and packs a good punch. I odnt have any particular weight class in mind and I dont mind spending real money on a mech that will compliment the lance. This doesn't matter really at the moment I dont think, but one of my lancemates is really into RP and battletech and he is into FRR, So I wouldn't mind a FRR mech if possible also.

Thanks in advance!

 

Thanks for the reply Vergere!

I'll take a look at those and see what I think. I haven't really developed a playstyle that I stick with regularly yet. When I first started I was an LRM boat because they were easy. Now I'm looking into doing more direct fire and getting my aiming down.

 

Let's break your wishes down;

Mobility
You will need 80+ kps and jumpjets, otherwise it just isn't a mobile mech. Specially in Canyon.

Hit and run
Something that allows you the option to strike or sustain you in a fight, if it comes down to it you will be the backstop for the lance to take a bit of damage. The LRM boat will be too specialized and you will have to keep the enemy at bay for a few seconds.

I'd say a Quickdraw (QKD-4H)

http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=83&l=ae30d2781b8dcdd81cd914d597b48ad2c32d3f8d

There are plenty of other chassis but this is highly configurable and probably the best of the QKD's. Want more range? Swap for ERPPC's. Want a tag or BAP? Swap out the AMS or a cpl of jets. Swap for a STD engine to get zomebie mode. Want a NARC? Etc. In the current config it is a nightmare to lights, so you can help your scouts or your LRM boat when the opposition closes in. The PPC's will give most mechs a headache.

As for other choices, Dragons are a FFR mech but to be honest any of the current mechs can exist in FRR even if some are more unlikely. You would do well in a Ilya Muromets too mind you and it's a great chassi for the chainsaw build.

 

I have all three quick draws, I thought that would be the next chassis to master. I tried doing your loadout on my 4H but I ran into tonnage problems. I have to drop an XL 300 from one of my other mechs and try again.


I also have an Ilya Muromets, but haven't played it much. Maybe it would worth going back to, at least for a c-bill grind.

 

So I take it that the Ilya is the way to go then?

 

I think I have a build sketch for that in the mechbay, yepp, here it is. It is just an example, I don't think I have played much with a dual gauss on the Ilya. The Chainsaw build is soo good.

http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=54&l=2834cf3632f4d5d895ea92b4040180c8ccb69546

The Ilya is not a bad choice but it does have a few limitations. It is not as quick, it has no jumpjets and it has low slung weapons but if you can live with that (under your requirements, it kinda fails on mobility IMHO), it's a really good mech.

 

i'm trying the chainsaw build first, but i have two guass rifles in the waiting just in case

 

First TK was kinda funny, then I guess it happens once in a while. I do not know the details since things are so far away. basically I locked on some atlas (or stalker) far away and started raining out LRMs left and right, then I got a TK, some jenner if I remember right. My guess is that he runs right in front of the missiles.
Moral of the story, if you see your teammates raining LRM on something, don't get too close if you are in a light that is critically damaged.

On the side note, I caused the other team a couple TKs too, hiding behind enemy mechs while getting locked and targeted by a horde of LRMs (I am in a cicada). That poor Jager did not see it coming.

 

The only issue with the Gaussmets is that it kills to quickly and cleanly to make many cbills per match. (Such a burden, I know.)

 

Oh, as far as 'mech suggestions go. The Centurion has a lot of variation between chassis and is, imho, the most flexible of the mediums. For instance, anything that a Hunchback can do, the Cent can usually do better, faster and with more style.

If you want to run around with your fast friends the Blackjack might be--I shudder to suggest it--a viable option.

 

Personally, for the support role, I love Blackjacks. I used to run Jagers fairly exclusively, but, they are slooooow. I wanted something with some punch and speed.

After mastering the mechtree, I kept two builds;

BJ-1 - "Top Shelf" Decent speed, good maneuverability with some Jets, great sniping with it's maneuverability and the range of AC/2s. Also, helps to bring the fights vertical with good arm articulation. 4xSML to back up close range support. I really enjoy this build. Gets in and out almost as well as most lights, but, has some additional firepower, a bit more armor, and my beloved ballistics.
http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=77&l=9710bdd9e6b329b00e475ada2752e779250f2bdf

BJ-1X - "Greased Lightning" This build can keep up with a lot of lights but can throw out some pretty epic damage. 117kps, however, no Jump Jets. You can do a lot with that speed if you can use the terrain without the need for elevators.

I ran her two ways, the build posted below, with a good amount of range, decent armor and a good punch. You can swap out the ERLLs for LLs if you don't need the extra yardage. (Also gives MUCH better heat efficiency)

The other way I ran her was with 2xPPCs, 4xSML and only 13 heat sinks. It's a little hotter, but, can punch a direct shot of 20 to a single CT instead of laser spread. Also, with the 117kph, you can break away and keep out of the 90m minimum distance easily so you don't need ERPPCs to ward off close attacks.
http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=79&l=2345bdca6c4afaea6bd0e25c8c94a3a4f236bb89

That's my take on the support role. Hope you find something you like that can help out your buddies! Slay on!

Edit: In addition, the Blackjacks are my favorite mediums for their high weapon mounts. Nothing worse than spotting a target and firing into the ground. With main weapons at cockpit level, she's a great peeker.

 

The 1X is the BJ that I fear the most. Its pilots are ruthless, and it only takes one misstep before one of those guts you, especially if you're a medium or lighter.

 

Yeah. It's a mighty alpha for a VERY fast mech. You have to be smart on heat, but you can rack up some dollah dollah bills, ya'll!

 

Can only agree on the BJ-1X, I got a lancemate that runs one of those and he's racking kills like nothing I've seen. Everyone seems to disregard him and wham - in comes those 40 Alphas! It really does feel like a fast mini-jaeger (evil pygme twin maybe...).

 

well, if you like the quickdraws i might suggest a dragon slayer. i havnt played the other variants but the DS is way more than the quickdraw could ever hope to be imo. Hes slower but he more than makes up for it on most every level. And being an assault he will be pretty capable of filling whatever weapon niche u may be needing.

 

I was thinking of the Dragon Slayer. It tempted me since it came out. If I did get it though I would want to save up to get an XL 390 so I can push the speed as much as possible. I played for like 6 hours last night trying a few different variants and classes. I did make a nice chunk of change using my Ilya though even though I was still getting the hang of it.

I don't think I found my comfort zone yet. I still have trouble breaking the 200 damage mark. In good matches, I push like 180-190. Bad matches, well you know how that goes. Even if I survive the full match my damage still seems pitiful

 

ok, well what mech and what weapons are you rockin? and how well do you use cover?