Hey guys, I've recently returned to MWO after a bit of a work/study-related absence, and now i'm looking for my next mech to buy. I've currently got a DRG-1C with AC/10, 4x MLas, SRM6, DHS, Endo-Steel and XL300. Requirements for new mech: - should run a STD engine, I die too quickly as it is - not a light - decent heat efficiency Thanks guys!
I am enjoying the Centurion 9A "zombie build" (2 ML, 3 SRM6, STD 275, DHS, FF, ES). Costs about ~8.5 M C-Bills. Pretty decent heat efficiency, speed and great survivability (especially if you use your empty arms (weapon-wise) as a damage shield). BTW, if you mention how you like to play MWO (brawler, sniper, etc) it might help people come up with suggestions that will better serve you.
Since you already own an XL300, I would strongly suggest getting into the Catapult line (specifically the K2). They have a huge CT and tiny sides, so running an XL is generally not an issue, and there are some great builds you can base around that engine. As much as I love the Phracts, the K2 will always be my goto mech for direct fire support.
Yeah that seems like a nice brawling build. Might give this a try, tho 8.5m is going to take me some time to acquire. As for my playstyle.. I think I'm pretty terrible at brawling, so fire support might be more for me. [quote author=Sassafras link=topic=3689.msg22483#msg22483 date=1379602231] Since you already own an XL300, I would strongly suggest getting into the Catapult line (specifically the K2). They have a huge CT and tiny sides, so running an XL is generally not an issue, and there are some great builds you can base around that engine. As much as I love the Phracts, the K2 will always be my goto mech for direct fire support. [/quote] Catapults, eh? Interesting idea. Hadn't considered them at all yet because they just seemed so... I don't know.. limited in options, I guess? Also, because i'm not a massive fan of missiles. Might have to try them!
The Dragon's learning curve is not gentle, and it always feels a bit too slow with a 300-rating engine installed. I feel for you there. Now, as far as future 'mechs, go Centurion. It's inexpensive, it has a small CT (which makes it crazy-durable with a STD engine), and it can play a wide variety of roles. The only thing it's missing are Jump Jets. Well, the other downside is that you can't install that XL300 into any of them (except YLW and the Cent that comes with one). If you want to go heavier, I'd go for the Cataphract. They're all good... even the 4X. In the end, it all depends on your playstyle. What sort of things do you, as a pilot, like to do? If we know that, we can guide to you a 'mech that works well for you. One of the reasons I recommend Cents is that they can do almost anything well, and--in that respect--they can help you refine your playstyle.
Just read your last post. If you can get past the lack of elbows, the Jagermech may be up your alley. It's all direct-fire support, all the time. They're even more expensive to kit out than a Cent, though.
The K2 is the direct fire version (4 Energy, 2 Ballistic), and it is an excellent energy sniper platform. Since the two arm mounted slots are above your head, you could conceivably shoot enemies you don't even have a direct line of sight on. It's main drawback is that it doesn't have jumps like the rest of the Catapults. The rest of the line are pretty much designed to be LRM boats, but you can do some interesting things with them (though the C4 is probably the most limited).
Yeah, if you're looking for direct fire support, the Cataphracts or Jagermechs are both great options. I personally prefer the Phracts since you can do a lot with those 5 extra tons, though the wide, low slung arms make it really annoying to get used to.
It's a pick your poison sort of thing. The Jager has low-slung energy hardpoints and high-mounted ballistics. The 'fract has high-mounted energy and low-slung ballistics (or energy, or missile). 5 more tons, elbows and one model with Jump Jets make the 'fract a winner in my book. Either is a good option over the Dragon, tough. In most Dragon builds you have to expose far too much of your 'mech in order to be effective.
You need to give us more Input please. Which Tonnage Class do you prefer? Some Mediums & Heavies suit the Role of a Firesupporter. Do you have time to grind much for an expensive but powerful build, or do you want a "cheap" but good Mech(Build)? Do you want to spend real money for more Mechbays+Mechs in the near future, or do you want to just play4free? Do you want to go Elite with one Mech-Chassis? Or not important for ya? You like to use Standard Engine & Survivability plus you like versatile (build?)Options, but you don't like Missiles. OK, Cicadas, Blackjacks, Trebs, Kintaros, Dragons and Cats can be excluded for ya. Mediums that are left for choice: Hunchback (pros: better with standard engine, cheap builds, excellent Firesupporter) RECOMMENDED! Centurions (pros: high survivability, excellent Brawl.Ability but also good as Firesupporter) Heavies that are left for choice: Quickdraw (pros: Jumpjets, good as Firesupporter but also as Brawler, but excels as Jumpsniper) Jagermech (pros: better with standard engine, cheap builds, high Ballistic Firepower, versatile Variants, excellent Firesupporter, also good as Brawler) RECOMMENDED Cataphracts (pros: very high Ballistic Firepower, versatile Variants - excellent Firesupporter & Brawler & Jumpsniper) RECOMMENDED Orions (pros: recently no real ones due to its Hitbox, but suited to play Firesupport better than any other role for now) If you give us a bit more Input and maybe which Mech you prefer, we can maybe give you some build-suggestions. Blagg p.s. since you are relatively new to the game, i recommend you to read this http://www.mechspecs.com/forum/index.php?topic=3691.msg22542#new
Blagg Zear, thank you very much for your detailed reply! I've tried to give as much information as i'm confident giving.. as I said, I haven't played for a while and haven't really figured it out what my preferences are. Here's my best guesses tho: I probably prefer Heavies. I probably do have the time to grind for something expensive, but possibly not the patience. About the versatility and missiles thing: I haven't been doing too hot with missiles in the past, especially not LRMs, but hey, might give them a shot again. With versatility, I mean having at least the option to try something new every now and then to prevent things from going too stale. I'm not sure I have any real preferences at the moment other than what I see people run, and what the mechs look like. Centurion or Hunchback do indeed seem like a good place to start. Orion looks pretty cool as well in my opinion (what exactly is the hitbox issue you mentioned?), and the Cataphract seems like a very solid choice. P.S.: Thank you for the link to that guide, seems very useful P.P.S.: In fact, I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to just sell my current mech and follow that guide to a T.
AFAIK the Orion still has the CT-Bug, meaning all incoming Damage is scored at the CT, no matter from what direction the damage comes and where they actually hit. I'm not sure, if the developer included a Fix for that issue in the recent Patch already. Still i don't recommend it as a Beginners-friendly Mech. It plays more like an Assault, and for that you would soak a lot of bothering incoming Fire if you don't play very tactically. If you don't have the time/patience to grind a lot for expensive (XL-Engine) builds, it maybe is a good idea to start from new. If you don't want to play the Dragon anymore respectively intend to go Elite with this Chassis, then sell the Chassis only, but keeping all the Weapons+Extras for other future Mechs. The Hunchback is a real good start into cheap, versatile and fun-builds. GL & HF!
Alright, thank you very much for your input! And everyone else for theirs too, of course! Unfortunately, now my game crashes every match, a minute or two into the match. It worked just fine this morning I read about the Alt-tabbing trick too, but it doesn't seem to work for me. Anyone got some advice?
Your best bet is to uninstall, then reinstall the MWO client. You could also try updating your graphics drivers.
I ran the MWO repair tool, that didnt fix it unfortunately. I've found a reasonable workaround tho: pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del, then Esc seems to fix it. Funny stuff.
