Need to know some mech locations

[Bust-E-Pona]

Where do I go to get a crab? Buy a crab or salvage?

How do I get my salvage up enough to actually salvage one?

Where are catapults located?

I'm doing the main campaign atm, on the refugees mission.

[Bovril Brigadier]

You will find them both in Mech markets or in salvage scattered randomly across the map. While not consistent you can typically find a Crab on Terra, in particular the 27 models which are Star League models which are worth getting.

[Bust-E-Pona]

Originally posted by Strayed:

You will find them both in Mech markets or in salvage scattered randomly across the map. While not consistent you can typically find a Crab on Terra, in particular the 27 models which are Star League models which are worth getting.

Yeah but those are really difficult zones right?

[Spiderbite]

Not really, you can just fly in and shop around in Terra. Catapults and Crabs are common enough that you can run into them in mech shops in most areas (with some luck).

[Bust-E-Pona]

Originally posted by Spiderbite:

Not really, you can just fly in and shop around in Terra. Catapults and Crabs are common enough that you can run into them in mech shops in most areas (with some luck).

So, how long does it take for stores to rotate what's in them?

[owen8964]

In my experience as a pretty average player and shot, you'll find it impossible to salvage anything decent from your after battle list of salvage until you get your rep with someone (probably Davion) to at least 3 and can stick at least 6 points into salvage. People can quibble with my numbers but it's tough to achieve good salvage, early game.

Best to save money and go shopping imo. I'm assuming you know the difference between Combat zones and Industrial zones but you may not have realised that the best shopping zones are the Industrial zones where each Great House has its capital? (plus the Terran region mentioned above). These can be identified by the fact they are all some form of coil shape, in contrast with the zigzag of "normal" shopping areas.

Edit: Shops seem to have a set stock of basic Mechs but can change special ones if you go one system, as far as I've been able to tell. I might be confusing myself on this because I shop (and recce) by saving a lot and reloading if I don't like what I find.

[Bust-E-Pona]

Originally posted by owen8964:

In my experience as a pretty average player and shot, you'll find it impossible to salvage anything decent from your after battle list of salvage until you get your rep with someone (probably Davion) to at least 3 and can stick at least 6 points into salvage. People can quibble with my numbers but it's tough to achieve good salvage, early game.

Best to save money and go shopping imo. I'm assuming you know the difference between Combat zones and Industrial zones but you may not have realised that the best shopping zones are the Industrial zones where each Great House has its capital? (plus the Terran region mentioned above). These can be identified by the fact they are all some form of coil shape, in contrast with the zigzag of "normal" shopping areas.

Edit: Shops seem to have a set stock of basic Mechs but can change special ones if you go one system, as far as I've been able to tell. I might be confusing myself on this because I shop (and recce) by saving a lot and reloading if I don't like what I find.

Wait, can you shoot a mech in a way that produces an easier (lower) salvage number?

[Bovril Brigadier]

Originally posted by Beholder:

Wait, can you shoot a mech in a way that produces an easier (lower) salvage number?

Make sure you destroy the Weapons and it'll be cheaper to salvage.
Pretty ass backwards way to do salvage and punishes you for headshots.

[owen8964]

Originally posted by Beholder:

Originally posted by owen8964:

In my experience as a pretty average player and shot, you'll find it impossible to salvage anything decent from your after battle list of salvage until you get your rep with someone (probably Davion) to at least 3 and can stick at least 6 points into salvage. People can quibble with my numbers but it's tough to achieve good salvage, early game.

Best to save money and go shopping imo. I'm assuming you know the difference between Combat zones and Industrial zones but you may not have realised that the best shopping zones are the Industrial zones where each Great House has its capital? (plus the Terran region mentioned above). These can be identified by the fact they are all some form of coil shape, in contrast with the zigzag of "normal" shopping areas.

Edit: Shops seem to have a set stock of basic Mechs but can change special ones if you go one system, as far as I've been able to tell. I might be confusing myself on this because I shop (and recce) by saving a lot and reloading if I don't like what I find.

Wait, can you shoot a mech in a way that produces an easier (lower) salvage number?

Up to a point. If you headshot a Mech but it's otherwise undamaged it will cost a fortune in salvage points but be cheap for you to repair. Trash it completely and it will be a bit cheaper in salvage points and cost a lot to repair in your Mech Bay - about what it would cost to buy on the market :)

[Bust-E-Pona]

Originally posted by Strayed:

Originally posted by Beholder:

Wait, can you shoot a mech in a way that produces an easier (lower) salvage number?

Make sure you destroy the Weapons and it'll be cheaper to salvage.
Pretty ass backwards way to do salvage and punishes you for headshots.

I figured shooting the legs, keeping the mech mostly intact, would make it easier to salvage..?

[Bovril Brigadier]

Increases salvage chances but you may find it too expensive without salvage mods.