So, I bought a dragon because I wanted a heavier mech, and I really wanted to try the 3xAC/2 build. It is fun under the right strategic circumstances, but when things went wrong it was all over all to fast. It's my fault (not the "Tenderizers"). I am too used to playing in lights, where I can run up behind someone, get a few alphas in, and run away. The only engine I have for my dragon is an XL300, so speed is not my strong suit (although it could be much worse, of course). Instead of selling my dragon, I decided to make some weird build following only one recommendation (use all three ballistic points), and this is what I came up with. It could be the worst mech ever, but it will probably cause some chaos or laughter, at least, before it falls down. I put the AC and Laser and SRM on firing group one, and the 2 mg and flamer on 2. Basically my strategy is to stay in cover and try and flank someone as chaotically as possible until I die. Best think I can do, probably, is drop some heatsinks and put in a better engine when I can afford it, or probably abandon this weapon set all together--not sure. Let me know what y'all think.
Dragon has very limited hard points, I would exploit them as much as possible with what you can. Instead of flamer and medium pulse I would run medium lasers, and in place of the machine guns grab a bigger engine. The Dragon is a flanker and harrasser, it is too big to expect to dart around people and get behind them hoping to drill them like a light.
Considering that in a few days MGs will be buffed, not a bad idea (LBX+2xMG). I'd be more likely to go more serious with the rest of my build. You probably don't need those heat sinks if you're only running a couple weapons besides the MGs and LBx. I'd be more apt to drop those and the energy weapons (giving you 6 tons) and doing LL/ML, or you could do MLs/MPLs and get a bigger engine and/or some MG ammo. Another option would be to drop the SRM in addition to the DHS and energy weapons and try to fit 2xLL on.
You're suggestions are all really good ones, as usual. I have kept this build to test it out a few times. It's actually working out better than I expected. It is especially good on hot maps with the flamer. The only problem is that every hot map is really huge, and so you have to spend early game hiding behind rocks. In my second game, I did 450 damage--which I think is respectable. In the one after that, I performed some crucial defense against a 3L at our almost capped base. There is no doubt that, as it stands, this build is only good for support and clean-up. One on one versus anything with more armor and fire power is a mistake. I wish there were a lighter and faster chassis this weapon set could fit on. It would be overpowered if it could go 120 kph-- I think so, anyway.
A cheaper and very slightly faster alternative could be found in the Hunchback: [SMURFY]HBK-4G[/SMURFY] (You can see I am now looking for a LB-10x build with a flamer)
