Greetings fellow Mechwarriors! I know this build is less than ideal, missing any kind of advance systems but there is a reason for that. I'm Broke or at least I would be if I tried to trick-out the shiny new mechs I got from the Phoenix project. The mech below is the result of trying to find a way to move the TDR-5S build toward a play style I can work with but not break my C-bills account. Behold my 759,000 C-bill Upgrade! Having to face such constraints made me recognize that the cost of upgrades of custom builds is not often touched on in the Mechlab boards. This is a unfortunate for Mech pilots like me who finds themselves loving Mechwarrior but don't have enough time to grind out C-bills and/or are terrible at PvP We have amazing Mech-smiths on these boards that I would love to hear their ideas on how to maximize a Mech's potential at bargain-basement prices. I present this Challenge if you wish to accept! Take a stock mech and modify it but the overall cost must be under 1,000,000 C-Bills. NOTE: Selling parts back to decrease the overall cost of modifications is not allowed, at least not for this challenge. Bragging rights are on the line Mechwarriors, who want's to be the first!
I'm gonna level with you, this would work better on the 9SE. That 'mech comes with DHS stock. Of course, I post this assuming you bought the Phoenix pack.
Dude he MUST have, this mech is only available via Phoenix Pack right now. Sorry for not joining the contest as I am nostly against non-DHS builds, with a few exceptions. But yes I would do it on a 9SE when it comes to an under 1 mil build (just swap out the LRM with some SRM, and maybe change the LPLas if you want), or even less if you swap in weapons from other variants, as I assume you having all variants of this mech since it comes from PP.
Ow dear, what a challenge. It's so aweful to work with Single Heatsinks, but if you really want to play with a super cheap build, simply use a very close one to the stock loadout. I would drop the SRM2, go Endosteel and put as much Heatsinks as possible and then roll out. Fire Missiles at Long Range, add some LLaserbeams and if someone comes too close Alpha all Lasers continuously while staying with your mates.
Yep I do have the Phoenix Pack so I would be able to swap weapons and other parts around as needed. Such things are necessary when making budget builds to keep costs down. The Scenario I really want to explore is if you don't have the weapons/parts available to trick out your new mech and all you have is 1 mil C-Bills, what is the optimum build you can make for any mech? I can imagine new players face this often before they work up enough funds for many of the killer builds they can find on these very boards. I see this as a fun challenge for Mech-Smiths and helping player's stick with the game longer since they are given a goal they can reach sooner. Thank you for your advise to use the 9SE instead! I'll have to look into-Holy Crap!! The 9SE has JumpJets!! I did not know this! With the potential mobility and angles you could get with JumpJets the 9SE does look like a better chassis for this particular budget build load out. Only downside I can see is having most of your damage potential, SRMs and MLs, all in your Left Torso. It makes it feel like the Heavy version of the Hunchback or Shadow Hawk.
The SE variant allows for THIS at only 460k. I get 2x LLas cause it is easier to control for n00bs, rather than the LPLas. More DHS so things are easier, and no SRM so it is easier with weapon groups. As usual I rip out LRM, they are not worth it for their weight if you bring only a couple tons of ammo. Your firepower is not concentrated in your LT anymore on the upside, so you don't have to worry about your eggs-in-a-basket problem. For a new player maybe a medium mech would be better, they are cheaper to start with. I would suggest a kintaro KTO-20, or a shadowhawk SHD-5M of the Phoenix Project. Both come in partially tooled out. The SHD-5M is ready to go with endo and DHS built in even, all you need to do is add weapons. only 628k! Oh it comes with XL275. Kintaro KTO-20, only 359k used, A zombie with good weapon choices. I would have swapped out the FF with Endo, but that would take lots of cbills relatively. I did not take the time to reorganize the armor, but that would be easy, and takes minimal cbills. Just modify the number of DHS, ammo and armor as you see fit.
Enileph, those builds are awesome! Thank you for posting them! :-D If you haven't posted the Shadowhawk and Kintaro builds to there respective forums yet mind if I do? I'll be sure to site you as the creator along with the whole story of them being Budget Builds/1-mil Builds.
Do as you wish, but I think there are similar builds aleady in their respective forum. Difference is that those builds are optomized, usually have Endo included and maybe a small bump of engine (XL280 for the shadowhawk, since you get it already from some of the mechs as default, and kintaro have FF removed and add endo) For a new player I strongly suggest starting with medium, then move to heavy/light depending on playstyle.
Sticking with the original question of how to get this variant battle-ready on the cheap: Rolling in at a SHINY $965,000, I give you, "THE no.27 SPECIAL" Decent firepower, stock speed, adequate armor, weapons give a good cover of ranges and fairly solid brawlage. 27 heat sinks keep you firing those lasers all day and an SRM 8-pack will give a solid punch. (tighter grouping than SRM6s) Moreover, you can sell the LRM20 and SRM2 if you really like. The LRM15 is much more efficient damage per ton once you do have some extra C-Bills. Armor is shifted forward and to the weapons side of the mech to keep your facing your opponent, able to dish out damage as long as possible. However, at this point, you're already spending almost 1m C-Bills, might as well take a mech you're proficient in and run a few wins - get the $500,000 and DHS.
No change except for Endo and swapping the LRMs for SRMs plus as many HSs as possible. (989,000CB) This one is cheaper and for the LRM lovers. (726,000CB) Cooling Eff. looks low, but you shouldn't really be firing the LRMs and your lasers at the same time. It's 40% with just lasers and 100% with just firing LRMs. In the rare instance where you are firing everything, you have 16s till overheat. I'd say you're safe to trade one HS for more ammo or take out the MGs. http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=114&l=eaffb3f87742d0e6dc3c3727a2dffa7c330f1b96 or If you feel like you need more LRMs (892,060CB) or Maxing out the 1mil CB limit, just for fun.
