Hi all! I just got this mech and I am messing around with builds. I usually play light-medium mechs, and I will play this Orion more like a medium than a true heavy. This build is close to what I want, but something is missing -- your feedback would be appreciated My main requirements for this build are: * I want to run 70kph+ (hence big engine) * Have AMS because Orions need all the survivability they can grab with that giant torso. * Have something long range to poke at people while closing (I really wanted a gaus, but couldn't fit. Dual AC2s are surprisingly powerful, but definitely not enough ammo on this build). * Be able to handle lights that constantly circle of death bigger mechs(reason for SSRMs) * Large Pulse Lasers are by far my favorite weapon, as I generally am a mid range harasser and sometimes brawler. I love these in the arms for great angle shots. * Be able to operate in hot environments without overheating every 10 seconds in constant battle. http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=97&l=ef35b738baa65980f751b2900af3f4e75cf2aefc
Greetings Mechwarrior, As you ask for help, I try to optimize your build, which seems to be joat build, but looks fun to me. Some tips: 1. Don't combine two types of very hot weapons, here LPLas and AC2s. This would significantly drop down your sDPS, which is very important for sustained Engagements. Try to keep it above 4 2. Avoid using SLas, you could use a much better MLas instead 3. Load BAP for Streaks 4. Try to push the Cool Efficiency above 30% if using hot builds, that means have more Heatsinks 5. Set Front-/Rear Armor Ratio to 4:1 for Brawlers Ok now my thoughts on your build: I would replace the two AC2s by a single UAC5 with same Ammo count. It's almost the same from the DPS, but it's a cool weapon so synergizes well with your ddouble LPLas. I'd drop the engine a bit and unload FF just to have some free tonnage+crits for some more Heatsinks and BAP. Relocate ammo to head and legs, to prevent xplosion in the ST and so instant death! Since most enemies will try to core you and rarely leg you, leg-Armor can be sacrificed. I die of Torso destruction in almost 90% in my Orions. Here my suggestion: http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=97&l=147bb6a82f618e944e39f499312e19c8e0c98da5 Weapon Groups: 1. UAC5 (tabbed firing for doubleshots) 2. LPLas+MLas 3. Streaks+Mlas Tell me what you think. BTW - This sentence made me laugh a lot. Actually the Orion feels more like an Assault than a true Heavy. So you mean, you want to build it more like a true Heavy than an Assault, right?
Thanks for the tips! After running with the AC2s and the LPL I definitely overheated way too fast/often. Based on your suggestions, I'm going to try this next. I just couldn't bring myself to lower the speed, and I have been bouncing between the XL 360 and 340 http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=97&l=f3f40e0893884cb77d74834839438bbf76b00e78 Hehe, nope! I mean more like a medium :-D I love to be faster than the enemy so you can maneuver around and avoid damage, so more speed = more better for me. I have to say, I feel like I am dying a lot in an Orion and very quickly compared to other mechs.
Remember, this Mech was the Precursor to the Atlas. It's possible to load the same firepower as an Assault mech in this thing. I want to know HOW you die. Is it from Side torso explosions, or what? You may want more armor on the front center torso, because 30 on the rear is a bit overkill. While it would take 3 AC20 shots to kill you from the rear, it only takes 4 AC20 shots from the front to kill you as well. So you might want a 72/20 split to take more damage from the front, where your weapons are facing.
Great advice from Vergere and Blagg In trying to keep the same flavour as the OP (Fast, Dakka, Streaks and Lazors) but with better heat management, speed and ammo. http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=97&l=29da4a8f8bfd72928d7d5d5a2d83748c7c17f278 You can remove the left torso laser for full arm armour if you wish. Personally, the Orion is best as a Standard engined brawler or missle support. If you want a heavy that handles like a medium then the Dragon or Quickdraw or even a Victor is a better choice. Alternately, buy the Shadowhawks
It is almost always center torso death. Surprisingly, nobody tries to leg me (that is normally how I die in my raven) [quote author=Vergere link=topic=5431.msg35132#msg35132 date=1390452298] You may want more armor on the front center torso, because 30 on the rear is a bit overkill. While it would take 3 AC20 shots to kill you from the rear, it only takes 4 AC20 shots from the front to kill you as well. So you might want a 72/20 split to take more damage from the front, where your weapons are facing. [/quote] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EXPLAINING THIS. It wasn't until i played around on smurfy just now with the armor points that I realized the center and center-rear torsos are combined for the max points. I had always thought they had separate and totally unrelated max points so I was totally confused b/c it sounded to me like you were asking me to drop most of my back armor for an extra heat sink or something and keep my front armor at 62. I feel kind of dumb, but so glad I know this now, lol. I've only played a few matches with it, but redistributing the armor to this makes me feel as sturdy as I feel like I should be. http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=97&l=1a649000766c4b4534dcac2049d57f2c7ad1934e
Haha, actually the Quickdraw is next on my bucket list. I don't like the shadowhawk for shallow cosmetic reasons (I think it looks super dumb), and if I'm going lighter than 75 tons I need ecm or JJ (does any mech variant have both? I know in Battletech there is a royal Griffin variant with ECM and JJ) or I die too fast because I play way more aggressive than I should I'm waiting for the wolverine and griffin to come out for C-Bills before I buy a 55 tonner. Specifically that one Griffin variant with 4 missile slots - yum! It is just begging for quad SRM6. *Edit PS Just looked it up on Smurfy and it seems the only mech with JJ and ECM is the SDR-5D, blegh. I also hate the Spider for shallow reasons (there are so many of them in my matches and they are SO ANNOYING). I also feel like it doesn't pack quite enough punch compared to my RVN-3L with 3xML and SRM6+A that runs almost as fast.
So I just had a 700+ damage game in this build and I survived I am definitely liking the Orion more the more I play it.