[size=14pt]MASTERED META MECH ON A BUDGET, BABY! The Commando is one of the cheapest and easiest mechs to grind through. In fact you can do 3 of them for under 9,000,000 CBills! If you are a newer player, or still in your Cadet Bonus period, you can easily get a top tier competitive Commando build and still have a fair bit of money left over. Now these figures are approximate as I can't remember the exact number I received when I sold the mech chassis after using them (the 1B and the 1D I sold after getting them through BASIC). I believe it is like 300-350k for the mech, stripped. Remember that after you are done grinding the chassis you can sell the weapons, that came with the variant, that you aren't using as well as the STD engines that come with each variant; you will be putting an XL into each one and since you are only working one at a time you can share the XL195 between all three. Also, I have no included the price of modules in this. Most advaned players already have several sets of modules and will equipment them to their mechs accordingly. Newer players will find modules to double the price of this guide, depending on which ones you want (some run the cost of 6,000,000cbills per one) [size=14pt]COM-2D (TROLLMANDO) http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=5&l=a52db957a09511c6ba6bc8c6a4d91a941661b578 Since this mech is going to be one you want to keep (Trollmando builds) then you want to put the money into the Double Heat Sinks and the Endo Steel. You also want to snag a nice XL engine. Some guys use the XL200 and I've even seen an XL210 but I put in an XL195 and near max armor. Don't forget to sell the STD150 engine to offset the cost and you can sell the stock weapons that come with this mech. Purchase XL195 Engine Upgrade to Double Heat Sinks Upgrade to Endo Steel Internal Structure Purchase 3x Double Heat Sinks Purchase 3x SSRM2 (2 tons ammo) Purchase 1x MLas COST: 7,370,324 CBills (for everything) - 459,993 Cbills (for selling the STD150) TOTAL COST: 6,910,391 CBills [size=14pt]COM-1B (SECOND MECH) http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=26&l=b18e65a06cb267d9c025b36c22d6aaa1b11c03dc Now this is one of the Commando chassis that you are just going to power grind through the basics so you want to spend as little money as possible. Sell the STD150 engine and the stock weapons that come with the mech to offset the cost. Borrow the XL195 from your COM-2D Purchase 2x MPLas (you can sell these after) Make sure to put your SHS in the legs for water walking COST: 1,954,574 CBills (Mech and 2x MPLas) -459,993 CBills (for selling the STD150) -350,000ish CBills (for selling the COM-1B Chassis at the end) TOTAL COST: 1,144,581 [size=14pt]COM-1D (THIRD MECH) http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=27&l=27b4f31822be68c0a80e9ea18c323b876f6f887e This one you wanna make a bit different since you have hardpoint options. Borrow the XL195 from your COM-1B Borrow 2x SSRM2 from the COM-2D Borrow 1x MLas from the COM-2D COST: 1,828,574 CBills (Mech) -459,993 CBills (for selling the STD150) -350,000ish CBills (for selling the COM-1B Chassis at the end) TOTAL COST: 1,018,581 CBills There you have it! You have now completed the Commando Chassis and, assuming you have 3 other light mechs in the class mastered, you only need to take each mech to basic before moving on. The system requires that you have 3 other light mechs Mastered in order to unlock Elite easily. The order I did it is as follows (keep in mind I already haev Jenner, Raven, Spider mastered). COM-2D (took thru BASIC then stripped it to use the parts) COM-1B (took thru BASIC then stripped it and sold the chassis) COM-1D (took thru BASIC then stripped it and sold the chassis) COM-2D (took through ELITE and then to MASTER with final build parts) [size=14pt]TOTAL COST FOR EVERYTHING: 9,018,581* *It is actually less than this if you factor in having sold all the stock weapons that come with the mechs that you purchased.
COM-2D is a given, and it probably something you want to keep if you like it. I suggest COM-3A instead of a 1D (or 1B). IF you are not selling it you can turn it into somehing firing multiple SRM.
I hate piloting the commandos so much. They all feel like they're lacking something crucial in order to survive. This is a good guide, though. I have DK, the 2D and an XL210 (which doesn't leave near enough armor). Between the 1B and 1D, which is the better commando to grind so that I can make DK and the 2D less useless?
I suggest COM-3A http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=6&l=de11de80ec97d3df17dba51e7d254be07a3b1596 You can use a XL180 if you want more tonnage, but XL195 is good.
Or if like me you enjoy the lasers (TDK style), I suggest the COM-1B with 1xLL+2xML or 3xMPL. It's important to say that a commando, except for the ECM+streaks variant, should not be played like a scout, because it just can't go toe-to-toe with another light mech. If there are another lights you can fit in the light squad, but most of the time (like RVN-2X and 4X) it's better to stay close to the pack and move with flanker squads. Also, the best thing about the commando are its arms, very mobile. It takes time to use them at their best potential.
I feel like I'm mining for crits with TDK, this is the case for most light 'mechs, but he's the worst offender in my mechbay. (On a related note, I'm not looking forward to grinding the Spider 5K for that very reason.) I'm leery of purchasing an XL engine that I'll only use on one 'mech. For now, I'll play the waiting game and see what the max engine on the Locust is. I'd hate to have an XL engine collect dust.
