A new close range nightmare appears. Spoiler: Reccomended ERML version (STD275, +1 DHS) _ EDIT1: after some games (even in Faction Play) I've picked up the most successfull build so far. Enjoy this beast. (STD280 ERML version) EDIT2: after some tweaking, I've found out that this build works even better with non-ER ML: better cooldown, better heatgeneration, better DPS, more brawlish. Since I've spent skill nodes in both operations and mostly in firepower (so I do have some bonuses on heatgen), I'm cool enough to swap the coolshots for UAVs, which will help greatly when you have multiple enemies around the corner and you need to know how to take them down or cripple them the fastest way possibile. You are slow, but you have a 80 damage pinpoint alfa (or 60-70 damage at 450 meters with ERML) and, unluckily, no additional DHS. Despite this, you are quite cool: with operation skills and heatgen skills you can alfa strike from 2 to 4 times depending on the map (even 6-7 with ML), but you will still slowly dissipate the heat (around 10 seconds for a single alfa)... The 10% laser heat generation quirk really helps a lot. Despite the fact that ERML will pair up very will thanks to both range and cooldown+duration (at 400-450 meter you can deal a wopping 60 damage pinpoint alfastrike), they will leave you more open to pure brawlers compared to non-ER ML, so pick your poison. Skill mostly in firepower (get every laser duration node, plus you should get nearly every cooldown, heatgen and range nodes), but do not forget survivability and mobility: if you can't afford a speed tweak, you could consider the torso speed/yaw/pitch nodes. At the moment I haven't skilled or tried mobility over survivability, mainly because it's easy to crit HGausses, so you need more armor and the nodes to reduce the crit chance. About consumables, skill and go for coolshots and airstrikes if you have ERML, otherwise use UAVs and airstrike if you are using standard ML. Tips and tricks: This mech is a nightmare come true for any light and medium. You can one-shot or pop a component easily, so if you are not enganged and you have the chance to ruin the day to a scout, do it. He MUST understand that you are the totem of incoming death, so he must backstab you or face his death (man, one-shotting an XL powered assassin in a side torso feels so great). This mech is excelent if played defensively to set ambushes: since you are slow but you have extreme nearly-instant damage up close, if the enemy team is pushing you can (and you definitely should) wait for the targets to appear in front of you: no need to poke or expose yourselves to multiple fire. If they are spreaded out or in a long column, you can easily pick them one at a time, especially if they have been softened by your team mates (and you will still get the KMD). If your team is pushing, try to be on the 2nd line or right after another assault: if you get cored, you are basically out of the game. Heavy Gausses are extremely easy to crit and blow up, so try to take less fire as you can if you are running out of armor. If you are heavily focused, hide and wait for the change of their focus (it's a lame tactic for your team, but works since you have 4-5 seconds to fire another shot and are kinda fragile). For a better efficiency, you can use a single firegroup: hold the click to fire your MLs and when they are finished, release to fire the HGausses. Remember that you can (and you'd better do some) torso twist or shield with your arms between the shots: you are probably too slow to poke with this mech, but you definitely have very good arms to shield your torsoes, so use them to soak as much damage as you can. ERML ML non-ER Spoiler: Other games worth of notice Other older alts Spoiler Alt: You can shave your legs and remove some ammo for a better engine. (5 rounds per ton of ammo without skills, 7 rounds per ton with maxed ammo skills). Spoiler Or you can have nearly maxed out armor, but your speed and maneuverability will suffer. This build was also the original concept, but IMHO it's too slow to be worth it Spoiler
I've tried out a non-ER ML version and falled in love with it, so I've added it to the OP. This is probably one of the best IS's heavy-hitting mechs. If you never tried out Heavy Gausses, this is the build for you. Seriously: you should not miss this one.
Some people says that MAL-2P is the worst as ballistic boat. With this build, better they run away if this real Heavy Cruiser of the Mech will be next to them... _ Code: Build Code: A8582:Z1|dbp71|Q@|>Pq71|Q@|>Prl0|Y?|Y?|Y?sl0|Y?|Y?|Y?t<1|=P|=Pu<1|=P|=PvB0|>Pw:05050 Skill Code: af7c307df60fffa11b56b3ebe838f010000000000e8670070e59a10000000 Spoiler: About "Graf Spree"...
Duplicate of MAL-2P "King Tonberry" (2xHGauss, 6xML, STD280) + alt The main issue about this mech are hardpoints and quirks: ANH-1X "Young Chuck Norris" (2xHGauss, 6xML, TC1, STD300) + alt is better in multiple aspects (better profile and hitboxes, armor quirk instead of structure, same / similar laser quirks, same / similar speed, same / similar laser hardpoints). Those are the main reasons I'm using this mech anymore: it is too huge and squishy compared to other mechs with similar or identical builds. It can work, but is nowhere close of being as powerful as it was back when I created this build.
Added new STD275 ERML version: better cooling, slightly slower, less armor but it can alpha strike thrice without overheating (so, theoretically, it can win most 1vs1 provided you manage to not waste any damage) _