Viability of Enforcer and AC10?

[Grabthar's Hammer]

Brand new player here; still just trying out different trial mechs to get the hang of things.

Recently tried out the ENF-4R and saw my average damage per game significantly increase. In particular I found the AC/10 + Med Laser combo really fit my playstyle well. I also just plain have a lot of fun in the mech and was considering making this my first purchase.

I have gathered from various guides that what works in the lower tiers (ie LRMs) does not necessarily stay effective as one moves up the food chain.

My question is: does the 4R stay viable as one improves in skill level? If it does, anyone have any builds to share?

Also does the AC/10 stay relevant? (I noticed it is not terribly efficient tonnage wise.)

Thanks for any thoughts or help!

[Xilo The Odd]

yeah its a solid build i use something similar on another model with an LB10 instead. the AC10 just gives you that pinpoint damage factor where the LB would give you more chances to score a critical hit on your target. either is a solid build.

[The Fifth Horseman]

AC10 is viable... if you want more burst damage then UAC10 is an option.

[Xilo The Odd]

i mean you can, but theres a variant with reduced jam chance on it. the downside is it only has 1 energy hardpoint. AC 10 might not have the damage output of the uac, but its reliable.

beyond that could mount a RAC 5 or so.

[Ishan451]

AC10 on its own, without necessary Quirks is underwhelming. That 20% innate Ballistic Cooldown does help a lot to keep the AC10 viable along side your lasers, but i personally would consider an uAC10 instead.

Its just better in terms of bursting damage and as Medium mech you usually engage in bursts.

[83athom]

Love my 4R with a RAC/5 and 5MLs while max JJs. https://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=249&l=57afe8688df8200fc0dd00ac27292dea2e28c852

[Xilo The Odd]

Originally posted by 83athom:

Love my 4R with a RAC/5 and 5MLs while max JJs. https://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=249&l=57afe8688df8200fc0dd00ac27292dea2e28c852

if i was a high alpha assault, THAT is the kind of medium i'd want backing me on a push, something with some precision and good crit seeking.

[Grabthar's Hammer]

Thanks for the feedback guys/gals. So it seems like there is some consesus that the enforcer is viable (woo!), but maybe there is a difference of opinion on which ballistic option to use.

As I understand it weighing the rotary ac5 vs uac10 is weighing: higher sustained damage and crit seek but longer face time vs alpha and pinpoint but heavier and less sustained ... This about right?

[Ishan451]

In terms of DPS a uAC5 beats a rAC5. So, in theory the uAC10 is superior to the rAC5 in every possible way...

That said.. the choice of your ballistic option is what you enjoy using. Knowing that uAC5 is flat out better, on average, than rAC5 doesn't mean that it's terribly unrewarding to use and rAC5 feels so much better.

Ultimately i am surprised nobody suggested a Gauss rifle. In the end your choice for ballistic on the mech depends largely on what fits your playstyle.

[tutzdes]

Originally posted by FSK|GrabtharsHammer:

Thanks for the feedback guys/gals. So it seems like there is some consesus that the enforcer is viable (woo!), but maybe there is a difference of opinion on which ballistic option to use.

As I understand it weighing the rotary ac5 vs uac10 is weighing: higher sustained damage and crit seek but longer face time vs alpha and pinpoint but heavier and less sustained ... This about right?

Enforcer is a very nice mech. I only played the trial variant during the event and did well with unskilled mech I had no experience piloting (I'm at Tier 1). The weapon mounts are meh, compared to some other mediums, also it is a bit sluggish, but the mech has decent hitboxes and really nice quirks.

As for RAC/5 vs AC/10-variants. I'd take any of 10's over RAC/5. Rotary requires a lot of facetime to be effective and Enforcer is not the best mech for staring at the enemy for a prolonged durations.

Honestly, the only mech that comes to mind, which can be effective with single RAC/5 is Urbanmech. This pest is small enough to spread the damage like a boss by just moving and often enough is not a priority target, unlike the Enforcer.

[Xilo The Odd]

Originally posted by Ishan451:

In terms of DPS a uAC5 beats a rAC5. So, in theory the uAC10 is superior to the rAC5 in every possible way...

That said.. the choice of your ballistic option is what you enjoy using. Knowing that uAC5 is flat out better, on average, than rAC5 doesn't mean that it's terribly unrewarding to use and rAC5 feels so much better.

Ultimately i am surprised nobody suggested a Gauss rifle. In the end your choice for ballistic on the mech depends largely on what fits your playstyle.

i mean, a guass is an option but his engine would have to go XL and it'd get costly. might lose some of the energy backup. light gauss is fun but unrewarding compared to a straight AC 10.

i'd say for the more solo work a UAC 5 or a 10 of either (pending on if you like to gamble on jams) or a rac 5 where you know when it'll jam atleast for some of your better choices.

another possibility could be a UAC 2 with bigger energy and being long range support. the UAC 2 has the shortest jam duration so its a lot more forgiving in that department, coupled with maybe a heavy PPC or a pair of ER large and some meds in the torso and its a good mech from any position.

[Dracul]

One of my favorite mechs is a ENF-4R. I typically have a LBX10, 1 large laser, 1 medium laser, 3 jump jets and a 250 light engine (Not extra light) with the cooldown quirk + weapon skills that puppy cranks out shots like crazy.

[A Velociraptor]

on the 4R i personally ignore the ballistic entirely and focus on that left side with 3x LL and 2xML they have nice short duration and is super cold for an all energy build.

[Nero]

I'd really like to know what it is with new players often going for medium mechs. At least thats an impression I got, seems to be a common occurance. They're the most difficult to do well with.

I can see it with cars that you'll first want a hothatch, something tidy and compact. But in a game about Battlemechs?

Do you like being the small guy? To have less guns and armor and ammo than the others?

[tutzdes]

Originally posted by WitchingSnake:

I'd really like to know what it is with new players often going for medium mechs. At least thats an impression I got, seems to be a common occurance. They're the most difficult to do well with.

The medium mechs (and some heavies) are the best for learning the ropes. The medium mechs are the easiest to do well with.

Slow mechs punish for positioning mistakes much harder, light mechs are made of glass, mediums can survive a couple of derp moments, absorb some hits and still let you to catch up with your team/run away from enemy force. Piloting medium mech doesn't force you to lead the charge, so you can just support your team mates and still be useful enough.

So, versatile medium chassis is easiest to get used to, is relevant at any tier and is fun to play.

Originally posted by WitchingSnake:

Do you like being the small guy? To have less guns and armor and ammo than the others?

If the person likes to have his guns on target where it it wants and when it wants, while packing considerable punch, the medium mech is the way to go.

If you like to walk doing nothing useful for the most of the fight duration and then die to ganking pack in seconds, you may start learning the game by playing assaults, it is up to you.

[Xilo The Odd]

Originally posted by WitchingSnake:

I'd really like to know what it is with new players often going for medium mechs. At least thats an impression I got, seems to be a common occurance. They're the most difficult to do well with.

I can see it with cars that you'll first want a hothatch, something tidy and compact. But in a game about Battlemechs?

Do you like being the small guy? To have less guns and armor and ammo than the others?

i kinda get it, i started out on this game with heavy mechs and immediately branched out to medium mechs afterward for the bonus of being smaller and more maneuverable. this was back before clans.

nowadays i find myself enjoying using my medium mech as a 1 man super hero for lots of modes, including scouting. mediums for the most part jsut seem to have a good variety of hardpoint locations and arm styles to support all kinds of crazyness, like my BJ-2(L), i used to run it with twin heavy PPC and some SRM 2 launchers, later 4 RLs. nothing like 40 damage + lots of crit seaking damage to follow up with on a big guy.