Dragon Slayer "King Gnar" (1xGauss, 2xSRM6+A, 3xML, 2xJJ, AMS, XL330)

Heres my favorite over-all build on this guy. With the new buff to SRMS and 12v12 coming out soon this mech should be able to withstand any long fight and have great firepower.

Like to snipe? got gauss. like to brawl? got Mlasers and SRMs...plus a gauss. 1 ton of gauss can easily taken out for another ton of AMS ammo once 12v12 comes out.

You'll also notice all slots are full but i still had .5 tons left over. Maybe something else is a hair more efficient but this is how i like him. You have to press yourself pretty hard to over-heat in this guy and you also have full armor.

theres only 2 JJ but its more than enough for this guy.

 

After playing around 5 matches last night, i had 1 game over 900 damage with 6 kills, 3 over 700 damage all of em 3+ kills, and 1 with 400 damage and 1 kill but 5 assists.

 

Wow, someone rated this a 1 star build but didn't have the guts to say why?!?!?

 

Hey Michael, is it possible to add "Comment to vote" function, so that everybody who wants to rate must write a comment. This can avoid Trollvoting.

Blagg

 

Not that I am aware of but this might be something you would want to suggest to the mod author. His name on this forum is SoLoGhost

 

Does the Dragon Slayer not have only 10 missile tubes? Which would mean that the SRM's would fire 10 missiles then 2 missiles?

Is that even an issue I am not sure.

The loadout overall is good with good use of Gauss ammo to crit pad and the all essential AMS and full armour for an assault mech operating with shorter range weaponry..

It is also nice an cool meaning that it is easy to use and friendly to new players.

The main problem I have is a Dragon Slayer with an XL engine operating in a closer range environment just doesn't seem to have the staying power in my experience though that is probably more a reflection on my ability than anything. I know the gauss has good range but 5 of the weapons are in the shorter range category and several mechs will do better in this range with less tonnage.

Overall for me and my style of game play I find this an average build and have rated it

3 out of 5 stars

 

Yes its only 10 tubes, and yes those last 2 come out kinda awkwardly but it hasnt been an issue for me so far.

[quote author=Athariel link=topic=2310.msg13677#msg13677 date=1374242227]

The main problem I have is a Dragon Slayer with an XL engine operating in a closer range environment just doesn't seem to have the staying power in my experience though that is probably more a reflection on my ability than anything. I know the gauss has good range but 5 of the weapons are in the shorter range category and several mechs will do better in this range with less tonnage.
[/quote]

This was an initial concern but in the current meta with everyone rockin PPCs and Gauss i find that people go for the CT way more than anything else, or rarely, try and leg me. Maybe 1/15 games ill lose a side torso. But i also believe thats because how i run this guy or they are just poorly aimed shots.

You dont want to be the first guy in the brawl. Soften people up with the gauss. Only when an opportunity arises is when it gets time to go face to face. Eventually, someone will think its best to try and close that range on the gauss and start trying to kill me with SRMS or some such thing. This is where i prove them wrong every time. 1v1 this mech is nigh unstoppable. only once has an atlas gone literally face to face with me and won from basically full health on both of us. And i could argue that i should have used JJ or torso twisted more and could have won.

The biggest thing is that people will assume that this guy is meant to just rush in the mix right off the bat and either get a kill or get killed. That's counterproductive imo. You cant kill or do damage when you are dead. That gauss has lots of ammo for a reason.

In no way is this the "end all be all" mech around, but of my 20 mechs, this guy just feels like "home." He's my personal best and favorite. I believe we all will build mechs forever, but eventually...you find that one. This is my pegasus. Perfect mix of all my play styles mixed into a chassis that can handle what i like to do.

edit: After thinking more on Atharial's comment i wanted to add that as much as i would love to have a STD engine, its just not possible and still keep all my firepower and speed. At that point im just an under armored Highlander.

 

5/5

The best build Ive used for this mech, the rest just seemed meh. On the other hand I didnt have an XL330 so I made the below.

 

I run pretty much the same on mine - no Artemis but with the SRM6/4 combo. Incredibly effective and about the most versatile assault mech around. 85kph on a mech that size with jets = chaos.

 

Better to put the SRM ammo in the body and the Gauss ammo in the legs. Gauss ammo do not explode.
Also, change the tubes to SRM6+SRM4 so they don't come out weird maybe?
I will have to test to see if +A make a difference here. But overall seems legit.

 

Ammo killing me is why the gauss is in the CT,RT and LT. Gauss ammo doesnt explode. Sure i may lose a leg by ammo explosion but that doesnt kill me, and is extremely rare. I also dont mind an extra volley of 2 missiles. No reason to not use max firepower just because the missiles come out a little wonkie but still hit.

 

Hey guys,

Ive received several messages about getting some variants on this guy so this is what i came up with but still in keeping his essence as the King of the battlefield.



Want more energy power? how about that arm laser becoming a PPC? one less ton of SRM and Gauss ammo and no artemis but for some people the PPC is worth it. One of the SRM 6s is now an SRM 4 as well just because the extra 2 shots seem to mess with people and frees up an extra ton. The PPC is also freely available to become an ERPPC but given the new heat addition to em i wouldnt do it. This guy is gonna eventually get close and as such you want to limit your ability to overheat as much as possible.



Also, if you are more into the straight brawling the PPC can be removed due to the min range and replaced with a LPL. Better heat, decent range, more damage and sounds cooler. LPL being buffed recently makes using the LPL even more viable.




Heres another variation that increases range and power with the LL on the arm and you can still keep all that ammo for the 12v12s these days. Although you do lose the Artemis to make it happen. Still kept the SRM6/4 for the people that prefer that. If you dont mind the extra 2 oddball missiles and prefer the 6/6 like me just remove a ton of gauss ammo. Its rare to use all your gauss ammo even in 12v12 and tagging the hell out of everyone.

 

The only negatives I can really see on any of these builds comes down to the choice of engines (a little on the slow side) and being a little "too hot" for straight brawling builds. I'd suggest at least experimenting with a variation similar to what Goooooller put up with the XL380. The extra speed and maneuverability (85kph) puts the DS at a whole new level. This is the build I run on mine. It's probably my favorite mech out of all of the ones I own. It can flank well. Takes a solid amount of punishment, and it hits hard enough to drop anything you run into in just a few cycles through the offensive loadout. Just a fantastic all around mech... and the really nice thing with DS is that there are a number of "viable" loadouts you can run on it if you ever get bored with the setup you're running.

 

Not a bad build but you dont have artemis or the all important AMS. I would rather have both of those much more than a few extra kmh. You are also less well armored. Really just comes down to preference. At 73.5 kmh im still moving at a damn respectable speed for an assault mech.

The main thing to remember with any of these builds as that this style is meant to be flexible for whatever is needed. Hes not a pure brawler or sniper, or anything in between. He just fills whichever role is needed. As a utility support you want things like AMS at least.

 

I just used the first build without the JJ and a few things, replaced the XL330 with a XL365. And wow, very solid build. Taking potshots at enemies that are distracted and performed a clean sweep with the last two enemies. Had 7-8 assists, 3 kills, and 500 damage. 5 out of 5.

 

AMS and Artemis are both luxury items. They're like putting a second, third, etc jump jet in. If you can spare the tonnage, then great. Typically missiles are a non-issue for me, but I'm sure there are some that find this useful. Theyre build inhibitors if you squeeze them in where the slack isn't there. What I don't think you realize about King Gnar is that it's not unique. It's not new. It's essentially an 80-ton upgrade to Fang with jets. It's literally the standard Gauss Dragon build... Only much slower. It really "is" a brawling/skirmishing type loadout. Best inside 270m with good heat profile (thanks to the GR), with at least some capability at very LR (again because of the GR).

At 85kph, you can literally run this mech like a giant DRG. Flanking, skirmishing - even brawling when necessary. It's outstanding in this regard. Just "punchy" enough to seriously challenge other assaults. Just fast enough to run with mediums. That's where the utility comes in. You'd be very hard pressed to ever find a DRG pilot that would sacrifice 12kph of speed for AMS and Artemis. Why would that be any different here? You're virtually running the same loadout .

 

No, no im not running anything close to a dragon.Why? Im not trying to be a crap heavy mech that has a GIANT CT that wont allow for anything that this mech is capable of. If anything this guy is a smaller, faster Highlander. Yes, many other mechs use these same weapons. Does it make mine the same? no because theres a very limited pool of weapon selections so unless you're something like a chainsaw ilya, other mechs are going to be very similar, it cant be helped.

As for AMS being luxury? i Think you are high to say that on anything under 100 kmh especially in the current meta of 12v12 and mass LRMs right now. Just use the AMS in a big LRM game and tell me it didnt help you.

Artemis is a luxury yes, but with SRMs i very much prefer the higher pinpoint damage to any given area. Ive played this game quite awhile now and can aim SRMs with deadly precision. But to do that i need Artemis to maximize how much damage is put into any given area and to not spread damage all over the arms and torsos.

[quote author=Banky link=topic=2310.msg16864#msg16864 date=1376315471]
What I don't think you realize about King Gnar is that it's not unique. It's not new.
[/quote]

This is just wow, why the hell would i ever even act like this is some end-all be-all mech? i never did. Hes not super powered on any level and ive said this. Hes just good at all levels. the WHOLE POINT you are not catching of this mech is NOT to be super min/max on all levels. Hes meant to be strong on all fronts in any given meta situation but not so super expensive with bigger engines that people cant afford him. This build will always be useful, will always be relevant and not outdated. O and BTW, when this mech was posted originally, it WAS new! Why must people always try and push mechs into a different class? an Assault mech is an Assault mech and a light is a light. As an assault mech i dont NEED to be running 3254723085 Kmh. You sacrifice SO much for something that is meant to be in a different weight class. Hes already damn fast for an assault. If i want super speed ill play my X-5 or jenners.

Also, i have posted 4 different versions of this mech with/without artemis and other like things to fit subtle different tastes for multiple styles of play. Changing this mech any further would constitute starting a whole different thread as they start to lose the essence of what this guy is.

P.s. I fucking hate dragons and am offended that you would even compare this mech to one. They operate nothing the same. Their hit boxes and pitch/twist are nothing alike. Again, if anything, this guy is a mini Highlander. Compare their builds to victors and its clear to see for anyone.

p.s.s. I challenge ANY dragon user to take me down when im using this mech. Its not gonna happen 1v1. I guarantee it.

 

Reading this, I have to be honest. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or to take it seriously... but seeings how I've apparently offended your inner manhood, I'll take the later route and try to clarify what you're "missing". First off, I called the build a "dragon" build. It is. You have precisely 1 SRM6 more than what I run on my Fang, and the rest is identical. Same range capabilities. Slightly more firepower inside 270m. If that offends you, so be it. It doesn't offend me. I run almost the same offensive loadout on DS and it works great. Only difference is that I wouldn't fritter away the weight savings for running that loadout with AMS and Artemis instead of a much faster engine. You've already made the tradeoffs in weight savings to do that. You've already gone the XL route and reduced the mech's durability. Why you wouldn't recognize the benefit in running MUCH faster with the same loadout? I've no idea... but if AMS and Artemis are worth that to you - run with it.

As for AMS in general? I see a lot of builds around this site that call it important or even essential. Maybe it's the elo bracket I typically play in, but for me, LRMs are pretty much a non-issue. The dominant weapons in the game are still PPCs and ballistics. High-alpha direct fire poptarts and brawlers all the way. It's all you'll ever see in competitive 12's as well (along with tons of lights and fast mediums). With changes to the game a couple patches back, all missiles are back to pre-2.0 damage status and hit like marshmellows. If the game is "LRM city" for you though? And they're somehow difficult to avoid or deal with? I guess that's the right call for you. Again, run with it.

 

LOL, im not truly offended man. Go ahead and laugh. But i really do hate dragons. It seems you missed out on my smaller points though. Theres MANY mechs that all use very similar weapon loadouts. Like i said, it cant be helped. Not enough weapons to diversify.

The main thing you aren't understanding about this: This mech is SUPPOSED to not be a super fast assault. So i dont use a huge XL engine. Because i use a smaller engine im allowed to use more ammo, armor, AMS, Artemis. Or not, and upgrade the weaponry. BUT, if i put in an STD engine, i lose the vast majority of what it is to be a DS. High speed AND high weaponry. I'd have to lose one or both with an STD engine.

I understand your point completely, and because you're faster LRMs will not be as big an issue as they will to slower mechs. When i first played i NEVER ran AMS and thought it was a waste of space. But its not many months ago either. And standing behind cover means im not shooting at people. Also, either you dont play much or for some reason you dont go against missiles users...but they got buffed, and do quite a bit more damage now. "Marshmallow" is hardly how they hit now. Go find a CN9-A zombie hugger and tangle with him a bit and see if his missiles hit like marshmallows. And yes, AMS also works with SRMs, one of the kings of the current meta.

Ultimately my point is thus: What you are running in your DS is not really that similar to mine (weapons, but thats about it). You shifted to requiring speed, where mine doesnt, and in doing so you lost multiple core equipment pieces and in all honesty, changed the essence of what the "King Gnar" is. What you are suggesting actually requires an entirely different thread piece i would think. If all our posts were based completely off weapons then we would have to lump Dragons, Victors, Highlanders and others all in the same posts. But it doesnt work like that.

Dont get me wrong, what you use is a good build, but it just strays too far from what my variation is trying to do.

 

Still rate this base build 5/5. This is by far my favorite mech.

This is what I've been running after the Gauss changes.

XL:


STD: