Optimal Loadout for a Dragon?

[ChristianEcoterrorst]

Whats the best loadout for a Dragon and a Griffin?

[Rabidnid]

No idea with a griffin, I just use shadow hawks.

My dragon is 2xSRM6, 2 tons ammo, then fill all the energy slots with ML and SL, max armour and the balance heat sinks. I use it as my scout mech to the end of the game. Realistically though it's only 1 ton better than the shadowhawk so if you want jump jects use that instead.

[ChristianEcoterrorst]

well that kind of poops my pooper. its not much better than the shadowhawk.

[Big mean bunny]

You can make a fast hunchback out of it or give it a lrm 20 and medium lasers if you need indirect breaching shots

[Gonzo]

Doing well with my Griffin with 1 LRM15, 1 LRM5, LL and either a SL or ML (can't remember which). No JJs and high armour. I use it to hunt Lights and Mediums (With +Stab). It's crazy the weight advantage for an LRM15 and 5 vs 2XLRM10s or a LRM20. Dragon I've gone with AC5, 2X Flamers (well it IS called a Dragon) 2X SRM 4s, 1 LL and a ML (again no JJs and high armour). I use it as an "infighter" going for flank shots.

Probably not the best builds, but they seem to be working fairly well

[Rabidnid]

Originally posted by Patriotic Yehudah:

well that kind of poops my pooper. its not much better than the shadowhawk.

Yeah, the max weight mechs in each class usually do as well as the next class of the same speed. You don't really need any of the speed 4 assaults if you have enough Orions. This is all left over from the original game design.

[danko9696]

Originally posted by Patriotic Yehudah:

well that kind of poops my pooper. its not much better than the shadowhawk.

Is worse than the SH: worse initiative, evasion and free space with JJs. And if you're not into mobility then the 50 tonners are better.

Originally posted by Gonzo:

It's crazy the weight advantage for an LRM15 and 5 vs 2XLRM10s or a LRM20.

Yep, but damage from LRM20 is (or can be) more focused.

[MortVent]

Thought about doing a grand dragon build on it, but I usually just keep one in storage (ocd to have them all) and use other mechs.

The transition mechs (aka the ones within 10 tons of the cut off point for weight classes) tend to be the worst for their weight class (40-45, 60-65, 80-85) due to not really being better than the top tier of the last weight class and worse initiative.

[ChristianEcoterrorst]

is the number next to each mech their tier?

[MortVent]

Originally posted by Patriotic Yehudah:

is the number next to each mech their tier?

weight class.

Light = up to 35 tons
medium = up to 55 tons
heavy = up to 75 tons
assaults = the rest

[ChristianEcoterrorst]

i see numbers next to the mechs. 2,3,4, i haven't seen 1.

[MortVent]

1 is for lights with master tacticians as the 2nd tier ability gives them better initiative

[Fendelphi]

Originally posted by MortVent:

Thought about doing a grand dragon build on it, but I usually just keep one in storage (ocd to have them all) and use other mechs.

The transition mechs (aka the ones within 10 tons of the cut off point for weight classes) tend to be the worst for their weight class (40-45, 60-65, 80-85) due to not really being better than the top tier of the last weight class and worse initiative.

While I agree with the mediums, there are some good heavies and assaults in that range(Jaeger, Stalker etc).

Also, assaults up to 85 tons can still use the Heavy JJs(instead of the Assault version) saving them some tonnage for mobility.

And in Skirmish it is a total different matter(as you have to consider the price), making some mechs much more desirable.

[Mistfox]

Originally posted by Patriotic Yehudah:

i see numbers next to the mechs. 2,3,4, i haven't seen 1.

It's actually their initiative phase, which is why the number goes up by 1 when you got a master tactician pilot.

1 is for assault mechs. The higher the number, the better since you get more initiative control.

[Roc]

A Shadowhawk :D

[Mordegar]

Dragon's Stock Loadout is kinda optimized for this Mechs usable Tonnage sadly. It doesnt have enough Laser or Missile Hardpoints to make a worthwhile Brawler.
Try to fit a Large Laser, Med Laser and as many Srm's as you can with maxed Armor and maybe 2 small lasers for brawling.

If you want to keep your Jumpjets in a 1N Griffin, fit it with 1 PPC and 2 Med Las + Srm's and heatsinks to your liking. 1 Large Laser instead of a PPC will make it a better Skirmisher however. A Griffin will loose most of its weapons once it's Arm gets torn off, thats why i wouldnt built any pure Brawlers out of it.