The usefulness of light 'Mechs

[8-The-General-8]

Gosh, the Firestarter must be the most useful mech in the game, surely.

I use it to run rings around heavier enemy and swoop in for attacks when the all in brawling starts.

Saves using Sensor Lock to target enemies too, well at least reveal them in undulating terrain.

Also, finishing off vehicles is an important role.

They seem to be able to draw firepower away from your more vital areas of the lance, when close enough to the enemy. Risky but with 7 evasion and no AoE weapons for the enemy you are in business.

Last night after damaging a Marauder II as much as I could with the other mechs (All in brawl on top of a hill 900 tonnage vs my 400 tonnage ) and running in behind it and destroying it with my little firestarter was a pretty epic gaming moment for me.

I am trying to reload a previous save and see if I can get that same mission again to record a video of it. I have never seen a battle like it online so far.

The problem with Light Mechs is balance, if you have two out of say 6 'Mechs your firepower potential drops off drastically. The AI always seem to field heavier mechs yet have a Light in the mix at times.

Anyway, wanted to share this and wondering what players favourite strategies with Light Mechs are.

Thanks!

[Zero Honour]

It's worth noting that lights are harder to hit and have significantly higher sight/sensor range than other mechs. Having at least one in your lance is not a terrible idea as long as you know how to keep it safe.

Jenner and Flea are pretty respectable too but the Firestarter is certainly a lot more effective than a lot of heavier mechs,

[8-The-General-8]

Absolutely.

I suppose Firestarters are my choice of lighter Mech now that vehicles seem to have consistently heavier tonnage. I am sure that's a factor in melee.


Here's some screenshots I managed to take at the time but the battle was so intense I couldn't focus well on taking many:

steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2077892566
Surrounded and damaged Dervish still pulls off a last kill against a Crab

steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2077893580
MarauderII in the mix, supported by an Enforcer at the back. 'Mech parts were flying everywhere!

steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2077893369
After dispatching a vehicle nearby the Firestarter gets into it!

steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2077919535
They should have brought a light mech to be the last man (*cough* 'Mech) standing.

The Griffin did carry the day in the end, but I don't like using it melee as it has no follow up support weapons. This particular battle though he was running back and forward soaking up fire etc..

steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2077925413
Flanking and looking for enemies in terrain early engagement.


I dedicate this song to the good 'ole Firestarter Battlemech:
youtube.com/watch?v=X4bgXH3sJ2Q


Anyway, back to light 'mechs... haha.

[=CJ=]

Nice! What mods are you using?

[8-The-General-8]

BTA 3062 mod.

[Harukage]

BTA have permanent evasion that makes lights a viable option through the whole game. Plus mech quirks. Also completely reworked heat system that makes flamers, and things like inferno ammo and plasma rifles, super effective.
Firestarter in BTA is the beast if you are going for mass overheating tactics. More advanced versions of firestarter with AMS and ECM for additional protection are even better at surviving while doing their work.
I am personaly using Raven 4L as a spotter/tank in my game. The combo of Narrow profile quirk, Scout mechwarrior, Stealth armor and Guradian ECM makes it almost untouchable. I also had every part replaced with lighter clans versions and maxed out armor. As a bonus it comes with TAG, NARC launcher and Active probe, making it it ideal for designating targets and improving chances for my other mechs.

[Crim]

That awkward moment when you send 3 Heavies and a Firestarter, and your Firestarter gets the most kills with the least damage.

I'm starting to wonder if I should just go all Lights

It's often pointless for me to have the Firestarter help combo kill a mech, when it can solo a mech much faster by hopping behind it and gunning its butt

It's basically immune to getting hit considering you have the +3 Evasion for being Light, +3 Evasion for the Gyro, +2 Evasion from your stats, and +1~6 Evasion for hopping around.

[t4chy]

Priceless: Your face when you discover that the opposition has an assassin on the field.

[Crim]

Escrito originalmente por t4chy:

Priceless: Your face when you discover that the opposition has an assassin on the field.

That's when you call in your LRM boat

[8-The-General-8]

Escrito originalmente por Harukage:

BTA have permanent evasion that makes lights a viable option through the whole game. Plus mech quirks. Also completely reworked heat system that makes flamers, and things like inferno ammo and plasma rifles, super effective.
Firestarter in BTA is the beast if you are going for mass overheating tactics. More advanced versions of firestarter with AMS and ECM for additional protection are even better at surviving while doing their work.
I am personaly using Raven 4L as a spotter/tank in my game. The combo of Narrow profile quirk, Scout mechwarrior, Stealth armor and Guradian ECM makes it almost untouchable. I also had every part replaced with lighter clans versions and maxed out armor. As a bonus it comes with TAG, NARC launcher and Active probe, making it it ideal for designating targets and improving chances for my other mechs.

These are some excellent points and I must admit I am guilty of not getting into using ECM and stacking systems builds too much.

I do like using AMS systems though. At least one every second 'Mech. If convenient such as an AMS laser system I will put it on a Light 'Mech as I described above in role.

The Flamer 'exploit' I am gonna call it makes for extremely boring videos and boring play, so I don't do that too much...haha. Well, the AI doesn't so I don't to be fair. Maybe if in a real pinch like the battle above but as I don't equip them that way anymore I don't have that option.

Yes, sorry folks, forgot to mention I am using the BTA 3062 mod in original post. It's a great mod and be sure to try it out.

I also just realised the Omni version of the Firestarter is 45 tonnes lol... So not exactly a light 'Mech but still...

Have fun!

[8-The-General-8]

Actually, when I unlock 7 slots for Drops I am going to try out your Raven build. It is annoying to go up against with Sensor locks across the board so going to have to check that out.

Personally though, I find the actual 'Mech hella ugly and never remember it from the original TT game, heh..

[Taonath]

Hmmm... can't agree here, but then again I never use any mods in offline games (UI improvements in MMORPGs are the only exception, devs tend to never get them right).

I simply blow away anything that comes along with 4 Atlas II from high distance.

[WC?]

Escrito originalmente por Taonath:

Hmmm... can't agree here, but then again I never use any mods in offline games (UI improvements in MMORPGs are the only exception, devs tend to never get them right).

I simply blow away anything that comes along with 4 Atlas II from high distance.

I found the Steiner.

[8-The-General-8]

Escrito originalmente por Taonath:

Hmmm... can't agree here, but then again I never use any mods in offline games (UI improvements in MMORPGs are the only exception, devs tend to never get them right).

I simply blow away anything that comes along with 4 Atlas II from high distance.

You are missing out on a massive amount of enjoyment, friend.

[Taonath]

Escrito originalmente por 8-The-General-8:

You are missing out on a massive amount of enjoyment, friend.

That depends on which philosophical school you follow. ;) I prefer games pure, as they are meant to be. I will not deny the possibility that there could be vast improvements made by mods, but in the end that would not be the game I bought... kinda would feel like buying Bitcoins while hoping for Ripple to go up.

[8-The-General-8]

Fair enough but these days, mods make games happen.

Look at Total War series 'from' RomeII.

I could not imagine a reasonable humanbeing playing that title with a straight face over two hours before refunding without mods to enhance the game...