Best 50 or less IS Medium?

Regretfully I haven't really piloted a medium mech since MWO officially launched and with the introduction of community warfare I'm looking for a chassis to fill out my drop roster. With that being said, my experience with medium mechs and all of their chassis's strengths, weaknesses, ect. is on the end of scrapping them. So for those of you that use IS mediums, tell me, what are you using? Thank you very much for your input!

 

Depends...

I'm reserving judgement for when the Enforcer comes out. I have done amazing things in a HBK-4G as well as a CN9-AH but then again the CN9-A is a Zombie Bad Ass Mofo. Lots of guys enjoy the BlackJack. I think it is SirHitman that runs around in one.

It really does depend; one man's turd is another mans treasure.

 

My dropdeck usually consists of at least a jump capable light and fast, jump capable mediums. Though, to balance out the light tonnage, I have to take 55 ton mediums and at least a heavy, so I run Shadow Hawks, Griffins or Wolverines. Usually skirmisher/brawler builds.

 

BJ-1X every day My build http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=79&l=bd4868d4c029ff8f1224b3fbbbcddd352d9ccd07
You got good damage output with 20+20 at ranges up to 330(something)m, you are fast at 114kmh and you really need that speed and keep moving or your will be cored out instantly. I never really had any success in any other BJ variants but did not really give them much thought.

CN9-A is a good contender, you got to remember to torso-twist and you are limited to dealing damage within at 300m with SRMs.
My build: http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=7&l=de56af8f37d819090db639a1b4889088802eaf1e
And yes i know you are not supposed to do XL but its so much faster.

 

For 50 or less? I would say the Centurions as a personal favorite. But I am predominantly a medium and light pilot so I love almost all of the various chasis. Almost any of the 55 ton meds are great if you're willing to go for something a little bigger. In my expierience mediums are kinda on their very own seperate level for playstyle and such so it does really come down to personal preference. But Cents and Hunchies are nice to start with as they don't need XL engines.

 

Cents: Durable pieces of mech that can also dish out punishment. They crumble if you isolate them, like any other mech, but they tend to go ignored in big brawls with meaner looking targets, and can get out a TON of damage when that happens. With a good pilot, they are very dangerous and capable. Even better, PGI seems to love giving them out for free (I've gotten 2 free ones).

Cicada: I will always love them, as this was my first chassis. The Cicada is more of an oversized light, but the CDA-3M is a great ECM mech that does well with either a dual-PPC build, or a triple ERLL/LLas build. It is particularly useful in CW for both its sniper and ECM abilities, and their speed is great for helping cover the team, just don't go off scouting alone.

Hunchback: Some of them got goofy quirks, but they remain a capable mech. Solid, easy to learn, and as always, powerful in the right hands.

Blackjack: I actually don't pilot these yet, but I will forever point an accusing finger at SirHitman for ANYONE who doubts how good they can be. Just look up his play videos and screenshots, and you will understand that these are not mechs that can be underestimated.

Those were my votes As for the last two...

Vindies: I've seen some good players make some powerful poptarting builds with them, but even with quirks, they've been the odd man out in MWO since arrival. Seems like they have some usefulness, but not as much compared to other mechs that people want to put their resources into them.

Trebs: Effective long range mechs, though the KTO seems to do it better a lot of the time, since it's heavier. Still, if you like that sort of thing...

 

Without the slightest hint of a doubt: the BJ-1X (8ML version). They're small, fast, pack an awesome punch and have been quirked into perfection. An "alpha" (delay left and right group for 0.5 secs plz) to the back blows up most mechs in one go. It runs a STD engine so you can still fight with 4ML with half your mech blown to pieces.

I can do very well in Hunchies and Centurions, but both have distinct weakpoints the Blackjack lacks and the question was to vote on the BEST one,...

Without further ado:
Killing 80 mechs and dying 39 times,
Winning 33 out of 61 matches (not "that" great, but hey, I'm honest)
Averaging 383,8 DMG and 1752 XP per match

I present to you:
The Consular (I just noticed this one doesn't have its own thread yet. Remediating that now,...

 

BlackJacks! BlackJacks! BlackJacks!!! Cutest mech on the block!

Lot's of building options too, as each variant is pretty different from the others and allows for multiple viable builds.
Last but not least: excellent hardpoint placement, allowing you too shoot without the need to expose yourself too much.

Few examples of builds you can do on this nice little machine:


(also doable on the BJ-1)









For second and third place, I vote Centurion and Hunchback.
(the three 55 toners are also very strong choices among the mediums, but you want under 50, so...)

 

Hunchbacks can be brutal, but I think the CN9-A and the Yen Lo are 2 of the best mechs in the game.

 

We can probably offer better suggestions if you tell us your current drop deck choices?

 

I wouldn't say there is any single Best out of the bunch. The Blackjack has the advantage of having some of the best placed hardpoints which makes the AC20 build and laser vomit builds so dangerous. Hunchies pack a big punch, though if you lose the hunch you're useless. Cents are the best Medium tanks around, and can still dish out decent damage.

If I had to choose one, it would be the HBK-4P, though that is just based on personal preference. I've probably had more good games in the CN9-A zombie build (2x MLas + 3x SRM6+A).

 

I actually prefer my ac20 blackjack, there are a lot of good blackjack builds out there. I also like running my 4sp laser srm build,

 

Blackjacks all damn day!!!

 

Let me reiterate now that I have some time...

First off, OP specified under 50T. So get outta here with your SHDs, GRFs, and WVRs!

For sub-50T, Hunch and Cent have some great builds, but, neither have JJs and their hardpoints have never really struck my fancy. Aside from a laser vomit Hunchie or the traditional Zombie Cent, I've never found much other variation that attracted me.

With the Blackjacks, you have a great ballistics tower in the BJ-1 with the extreme high mounts, able to ridge hump like a super quick mini Jager. You have a quirked out PPC sniper with JJ in the BJ-3 that is able to position quickly, fire from cover and have a 20% boost to range, projectile speed and 12.5% to cooldown.

However, my flavor of the week is definitely the BJ-1X. With it's INCREDIBLE quirks, you are able to carry 2x LPL and 4x MLas moving well over 100kph with good cooling, fast recycle rate, shortened beam duration, and a lengthened reach. This mech has made me GIDDY to play again when I've been able to get online. Simply a phenomenal mech.



Blackjack BJ-1X Torso Yaw Speed 25%
Blackjack BJ-1X Large Pulse Laser Heat Gen -10%
Blackjack BJ-1X Energy Heat Gen -10%
Blackjack BJ-1X Large Pulse Laser Range 10%
Blackjack BJ-1X Energy Range 10%
Blackjack BJ-1X Medium Laser Duration -10%
Blackjack BJ-1X Laser Duration -10%
Blackjack BJ-1X Energy Cooldown 12.5%

So, 20% less heat from LPLs, 20% longer range on LPLs, 10% quicker beam time on LPLs and 12.5% faster recycle. PLUS the backup MLas are longer, cooler, and quicker. Epic.

Not only does it hold builds that I love, the hardpoints are supremely placed, it's movement allows for GREAT damage distribution and the Jump Jets give further agility that make this mech feel much quicker than most 93kph builds. In my mind, the agility of this mech is really where the strength lies.

The BJ-1 ridge humper (1x PPC, 1x AC/5, 3x MLas) has long been one of my favorites, along with the 1x Guass, 3x MLas, however, the BJ-1X has been awakened by the quirkening like no other mech in my stalls.

I simply love it.

 

I wish the 1X had JJs though

 

CN9: For CN9-A Zombie Hugger and the current LL build for the AL, though YLW is kinda useable now.
BJ: Really good Bang for Bucks. High mount weapons.
Hunchback: For all 9 lasers, or the Gauss/AC20 platform. Also 4J LRM boat. Basically huge quirk bonus.


As for others:
CDA: only good for 3M mostly, for PPC build or similar snipery things.
TBT: per tonnage taken into account, nice LRM boat with quirks.

 

In the 50 and under category AC20 Centurions and Hunchbacks or laser Hunchbacks get me a lot of kills and can survive ridiculous damage if shielding and staying mobile. Quirks really helped them out.

Blackjacks are great for inflicting damage due to their hardpoints but I find them very easy to kill personally with a decent ballistic heavy as they have that gaping open CT’s. They work well where you snap fire and shield rather than continuous fire in my opinion.

 

I've been enjoying the Grid Iron.

The ridiculously short cooldown on the Gauss is quite nice. Not just damage wise, but as a psychological weapon. Hit someone with a Gauss again and again and if they can't see you they panic. The trick is staying hidden.