Death's Knell "Moonsword Variant" (1xLL, 3xML, XL210)

5/5,

1 rating

This is the Knell build that I use, it only runs 10 double heatsinks, max armour, along with Endo and FF, and I am quite effective with it, the large laser gives me some hitting power as I close into range of my medium lasers.

 

Compared with the standard loadout, you have much greater range on the large laser and your 270m alpha strike is 24 instead of 20 (burst DPS 5.87 instead of 5). On the downside, heat efficiency drops from 58% to 40%, lowering your sustaind DPS from 2.9 to 2.35.

If you can manage your heat, this is a very good build. More suited to jousting than a prolonged circle-of-death IMO. I think I will still run 4xML, but I can't really find fault with this build.

 

Similar thoughts than skribs, it looks like a nicely optimized build.
I'm a little worried about heat management, but I think I'll try it someday.

 

My issue with trying it (not an issue with the build, just going back and forth) is that switching back and forth between FF and STD armor would mean incurring an additional cost each time.

 

I run the same weapons loadout on my DK. Back when I was leveling my Commandos I fit a LL on the 1D and enjoyed it, so I copied that over to the DK when it came out.

Heat efficiency for three engines I had on hand:
XL 170: 43%
XL 195: 42%
XL 210: 40%

I split the difference and use the 195. A little slower than yours but a little better on heat.

On a random note, your name is fitting for this mech: the silver & blue armor and the single blue laser. I think I'll just call it the Moonsword from now on!

 

I tested this build tonight and it's great!
I was worried about the heat but it doesn't run as hot as I thought, it's perfectly manageable even on hot maps.

 

I had this on the hard drive and finally got around to finishing it. An additional video of this build in action!

Also my first one, so *hopefully* it is of good use!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsZ92jfYIoc#ws

 

My name is Moonsword, and I approve of this video.

 

This is the build I settled with on my Death's Kneel. I highly recommend it. With the Large Laser I make sure to tap every enemy I spot, even if I don't engage them. Really helped on the Assist bonuses. And the heat efficiency is not a big concern for me, since in any of my Commandos I make it a point to hit and run.

My only suggestion is to keep the heat sinks in your arms as critical hit buffers. On rare occasion I lose a DHS instead of a laser, every little bit helps.

Great build, great post.

 

Just for information, I tried to trade the MLs for SPLs and didn't liked it.
I felt the LL's range made me waste the pulse's firepower, and/or the pulses made me get too close. I'm not sure exactly, but bad mojo. I find the LL+ML combination much more balanced.

 

I took off the right arm ML and put a DHS on somewhere (cant remember location) and it is perfect for me. Nice work.

 

From before the overhaul of this site, have used a minor variant like Tasen mentions, then with enough practice after masteries got good enough with heat to swap to the 1/3 configuration in the OP. It was my first hero, and Commando was my first chassis to master. In the time since, this became and has remained my most consistent performer for events when I need an IS light, and playing with this has influenced my build philosophy and play-style a lot. Broke me of my diehard symmetry habit and helped me get into the groove of mixed range load-outs from the start. It's a rockstar!

 

Might try this one. I have Blaggs 2xMLas, 2xMPLas build going on, but this looks interesting.