Having trouble with Chapter 3's Shield MTs

[Blunette]

Specifically the ones that fly around with the missiles. It feels like they're able to quick-boost out of whatever slower projectile I throw out that's energy based, and constantly hovering right overtop of my head whenever I try to go for something like one of the shotguns. Melee attacks didn't seem to work all that well either since it felt like I was always coming up short on range before they just backdash out.

Honestly, that twin-boss with the laser lance didn't give me anywhere near as much trouble compared to these things and I'm a little worried more of them are gonna start showing up. Any particular advice or weapon I'm overlooking that can shut these annoyances down quickly? I feel like I'm bleeding too much AP for S-ranking just off these.

[REBirthTheEdge]

Maybe try faster weapons and missiles.
I overwhelm these guys with the usual starter linear rifles and 8x missiles.

[Blunette]

Originally posted by REBirthTheEdge:

Maybe try faster weapons and missiles.
I overwhelm these guys with the usual starter linear rifles and 8x missiles.

I actually did try the Linear Rifle against them, but that 'quick dash out of whatever' meant any charge shots were nil due to the firing animation, and there's too much vertical surfaces for me to want to use the tank wheels to offset that on the missions they've shown up in already. Though maybe going double 8x might work on missiles... Bit worried on ammo cost.

[Belkinhert]

Assault boost and kick can do well, if even just baiting a dodge out of them so you can fire off another weapon. Rapid fire weapons will make them dodge more, which is more EN consumed for them (they have limited EN just like the player and can run out and need to recover) For the most part I just charge at them shooting and kick if I get close enough. If I can land one kick I can often land a few more and stagger. If you're about to stagger, you can launch all missiles and just tap them into a stagger and watch all of the missiles hit and destroy the health.

It mostly depends on your mech and build but make sure you're using a good FCS for your weapons and range. Make sure your arms are also good for your weapons (kinetic and melee if you use those) and if you're using energy weapons check on the generator for the energy weapon bonuses. Boosters can also help keep your melee in range, they can effect your melee charge distant and speed.

[REBirthTheEdge]

Originally posted by Blunette:

Originally posted by REBirthTheEdge:

Maybe try faster weapons and missiles.
I overwhelm these guys with the usual starter linear rifles and 8x missiles.

I actually did try the Linear Rifle against them, but that 'quick dash out of whatever' meant any charge shots were nil due to the firing animation, and there's too much vertical surfaces for me to want to use the tank wheels to offset that on the missions they've shown up in already. Though maybe going double 8x might work on missiles... Bit worried on ammo cost.

No need to charge shot them.

[Blunette]

Originally posted by Belkinhert:

Assault boost and kick can do well, if even just baiting a dodge out of them so you can fire off another weapon. Rapid fire weapons will make them doge more, which is more EN consumed for them (they have limited EN just like the player and can run out and need to recover)

Huh, I knew AI AC's had an actual energy gauge going on under the hood but didn't think the game did the same thing for MTs. Guess I need to practice keeping myself oriented during Assault Boost, usually wind up with the enemy directly behind and above me and not quite able to realign myself quickly enough with the camera. Might give that mission a few more goes with this advice, maybe switching to one of the sub-machines in a right hand and a melee in back pocket on left shoulder.

[Aldain]

I forget, do the Chainguns unlock in chapter 3?

Because those can comically overwhelm enemies that rely on shields and quick dodges, you'll miss some shots but keeping a focus on them and just hosing them till they stagger is a very viable way of dealing with them.

[REBirthTheEdge]

Originally posted by Aldain:

I forget, do the Chainguns unlock in chapter 3?

Because those can comically overwhelm enemies that rely on shields and quick dodges, you'll miss some shots but keeping a focus on them and just hosing them till they stagger is a very viable way of dealing with them.

Chaingun is unlock in beginning of Ch2, I think.

[Belkinhert]

Gatling guns are pretty strong for overwhelming xD

Melee attacks and boost kick are great for knocking a shield away or killing little guys. Or even to get a stagger off at the least. The heavier you are, the more dmg you do with the boost kick too. Melee attacks have a nice auto lock on it but can get wonky with some of the vertical if you're not careful. Boosters can make you jump a few hundred meters easy though, in the blink of an eye even.

Each part of your mech matters in a build so looking at advanced stats is always a big welcome.(combine that with reading item descriptions and you'll figure out what kind of builds can go well with some of the items)

[Blunette]

Originally posted by Aldain:

I forget, do the Chainguns unlock in chapter 3?

Oh, chainguns work, just I have to kiss the S-rank goodbye for ammunition costs alone. Goodness knows they work wonders in the regular missions and arena though.

[Aldain]

Originally posted by Blunette:

Originally posted by Aldain:

I forget, do the Chainguns unlock in chapter 3?

Oh, chainguns work, just I have to kiss the S-rank goodbye for ammunition costs alone. Goodness knows they work wonders in the regular missions and arena though.

Oops, sorry I didn't notice the bit about S-ranking (currently lacking sleep), but yeah I'd imagine anything that can achieve a similar level of hose but cheaper could open them up to damage pretty reliably.

There's also the crazy strategy of just getting in their face and Assault Armoring at them, but that can also be risky for your rank if you take a beating while trying to do it.

Not sure if anyone mentioned it yet or not, but I think Vertical missiles also are a good pick since it'll hit them from above, but I could be wrong about that.

[Belkinhert]

Originally posted by Blunette:

Originally posted by Aldain:

I forget, do the Chainguns unlock in chapter 3?

Oh, chainguns work, just I have to kiss the S-rank goodbye for ammunition costs alone. Goodness knows they work wonders in the regular missions and arena though.

Almost too good for some of that stuff xD

[Belkinhert]

Originally posted by Aldain:

Originally posted by Blunette:

Oh, chainguns work, just I have to kiss the S-rank goodbye for ammunition costs alone. Goodness knows they work wonders in the regular missions and arena though.

Oops, didn't notice the bit about S-ranking (currently lacking sleep), but yeah I'd imagine anything that can achieve a similar level of hose but cheaper could open them up to damage pretty reliably.

There's also the crazy strategy of Just getting in their face and Assault Armoring at them, but that can also be risky for your rank if you take a beating while trying to do it.

Not sure if anyone mentioned it yet or not, but I think Vertical missiles also are a good pick since it'll hit them from above, but I could be wrong about that.

Vertical are great for getting around shields and hitting anything on or near the ground. I know I liked them for some of the shield guys earlier on. I know I like Javelins a lot too, the explosion can both kill and knock shields back into a stagger if it isn't the right angle. Sword or melee weapon with a javelin and some vertical missiles is pretty good combo.

[HypetheKomodo]

I will mention do NOT melee the Shield LTs. Do not.

They are input read masters and they will spam boost away from you and blast you with a bazooka as soon as you miss.

Really the best strat is just spamming them with high stagger weapons and then wailing on them after the stagger is full.