First post here. I love the Centurion chassis, but I've struggled to come up with a good build for the AL variant. Everything I've tried has felt some combination of too slow, too fragile, too prone to overheating, or too lightly-armed. Finally, this weekend, I seem to have trialed-end-errored my way into a solid build that performed quite well, and at times spectacularly. The XL255 isn't the biggest engine in the world, but it lets the mech move at a pretty good clip; usually I'm the fastest mech on the battlefield besides lights and Cicadas, and while I could rip out the BAP and upgrade the engine to an XL275, I'd only be adding about 8kph of speed. Armor is maxed everywhere but on the legs, which is fine since I'm rarely taking sustained fire there anyway. I'm carrying 3 tons of SRM ammo because the paired SRM6s do chew through it quickly. Even with three tons, you have just 25 linked salvos, so you have to pick your spots. Someone expecting a long, sustained fight might swap out the BAP in favor of another ton of SRM ammo and an extra half-ton of leg armor. The mech isn't immune to overheating, so it's wise to be judicious in your weapon use. The ER-PPC is mostly for engagements at range. Under 270m, you can mix in occasional PPC shots, but your main weapons are your lasers and missiles. The one heat sink outside the torso is in the same arm as the ER-PPC; my thinking is that if I lose the arm, I'm also losing one of my big sources of heat, so better the gun and the sink go together than separately. Module-wise, I like to keep a cool shot in my pocket for emergencies. Seismic sensors help keep you from accidentally stumbling into a furball (you're a medium; you will die quickly if you're focus-fired) and improve battlefield awareness. Beyond that you might go with advanced zoom (to help you snipe with the PPC at range) or advanced sensor range, or take artillery or air strikes.
First off, welcome to MechSpecs! I like your build. Good combo of range, solid armor and decent speed. I always ran my AL with an XL260 so that 255 is right in my comfort zone. Looks like a great loadout. My only suggestion to any possible change would be to swap the ERPPC and one heat sink for Artemis, ERLL an an additional MLas. Gives you a little more close range firepower with 2xSRM6 and 3xMLas (still 52% cooling efficiency sans LL with only basic skills unlocked) and most importantly, the Artemis. With SRM6, the spread is pretty rough. Art is a great improvement. With static targets, you can easily land 10 out of 12 rockets at 150-200m. Close-range, you're looking at a lot more damage to a single torso section. Personally, I always recommend Artemis with SRM6. The ERLL is a little harder to focus your damage while sniping, but, still gives you great range, more cooling and only drops one point of damage against a PPC. I have adjusted my mouse sensitivity specifically for sniping with LL. Obviously, you have to like the feel of a mech and if PPCs are in your pocket, do what is best. I just offer some alternatives. Good build. Good on ya, Grey! (CN9-AL as I mentioned) Chatt.
Chatt: I'll have to give the build a try with the ER-LLas. I'm dubious about adding another MLas, though - definitely hear what you're saying about adding a little more short-range punch, but I worry about the heat. I guess I have more experimentation to do. Vergere: Thanks! As I said, I don't think the XL275 really buys you that much over the XL255. Also, I'd sooner drop the BAP than a heat sink. But that looks like a very solid variant, for sure.
You are a medium mech, the most under used, and least threatening mech chassis in the game. 8+kph and BAP make you more dangerous to ECM mechs, the most dangerous and effective.
I know it's an opinion and it can't be wrong, but, it is and you are!!! (all in fun, my friend) I know mediums have it rough. Light armor without a light's speed, decent firepower but not a heavy. They end up being slow scouts or fast, but weak, firepower. Personally, I really enjoy mediums. They fill most of my bays. They provide me enough speed to support lights or help cap, but, enough firepower to kick out some serious hurt while running as support with bigger friends. It's definitely a niche class. It requires the right team composition to pull off and in a lot of pugs, you'll find yourself on the short end of the stick. But my jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none can be fun. Plus, my CN-9A has my highest kill/death ratio behind only my Jenner. I have a higher ratio on my Victors, but, those are only after 18 and 19 drops.
