MechWarrior: Online - Beginner Mech Builds: Part 2, Heavy BattleMechs

Image courtesy of Shimmering Sword

What I've decided to do, is to help new players get acquainted with MWO. I won't be providing a Mentoring service in game; however I am willing to answer questions and explain things to a new/beginner player. I am by no means a "pro" however I'm pretty decent if I do say so myself. I know my way around a MechLab and generally build pretty decent/effective Mechs.

On average, a new player who recently finished their Cadet Bonus will have approximately 8 mil CBills to 10 mil CBills. Unfortunately, to have a decent/powerful Heavy Mech Build, one must be willing to spend more than what they could earn with the Cadet Bonus. Which means that the "Beginner Builds" I'll suggest are all within the budget of 13 mil CBills.

With the introduction taken care of; Welcome to Part 2 of Beginner Mech Builds, the Heavy BattleMech!

Many people love Heavy BattleMechs. Hell, they are the most common Mechs you'll see in MechWarrior: Online. Which according to lore, is false. But hey, lore only affects those hardcore Roleplayers or BattleTech fans, right?

Anyway, Heavy BattleMechs are the next most beginner friendly Mechs. They still retain decent speed and maneuverability for when mistakes are made, but they also have a fair bit of armour; making them quite forgiving for new players.

If you're not going to pilot a Medium Mech, I suggest you pilot a Heavy Mech.

When it comes to Heavy Mech choices, there are plenty to choose from. You have the Dragon, Quickdraw, Catapult, Jagermech, Cataphract and Orion (more to come as more Mechs are yet to be released). Out of these, the only Mechs I reckon are super beginner friendly, are the Jagermech and Cataphract.

The reason behind these specific 3, is that there are more pros than cons with these Mechs. The Dragon suffers majorly without a large XL Engine (making it super expensive which few beginners have the funds for) and they have a huge CT.

The Quickdraw has large legs, allowing them to be legged easily. They also require super speed, and so XL Engines are generally mounted on them. In addition, everything they can do, the Catapult can probably do better.

I personally dislike the Catapult, mainly due to how easily they can be Headshotted, which can make them frustrating for beginners. However, many people swear by them and practically live in them. In addition, the Catapult has a large CT, hence XL Engines are normally used/required.

The Orion is the newest Heavy Mech on the block; which would mean, it isn't included because of how new it is. But that would be incorrect. The Orion suffers dramatically from a CT Magnetism Issue. Meaning most damage somehow manages to hit the CT, regardless of where you aim. Ironically, the Orion's CT fragility makes the Jagermech Side Torsos seem super strong.

Reminder: All these builds are designed to be easily acquired for any new player's first BattleMech (in which there is a budget limitation). Hence not all Heavy BattleMechs are featured here.

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Jagermech

Image courtesy of mwomercs.com

Jagermechs are one of the best Heavy Mechs IMHO. They can practically do anything, from Missile Boating, to Ballistic Boating, and even Energy Boating (assuming the HeroMech Firebrand). Yes, in order to utilise super Ballistic Boating, you have to use an XL Engine in which the Jagermech's Side Torsos are easily hit and destroyed. But there are some builds that are effective without XL Engines. In addition, there is one Jagermech that comes with an XL Engine.

Beginner Jagermech JM6-S Build: 1

Mechromancer MechLab: [Link]

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

Role: Brawler

Speed: 64.8 kph

Firepower: 30

Armour: 384

Cost: 8.2 mil (Approximately)

Weapon Groups

Primary Weapon Group: Both AC/10s

Secondary Weapon Group: Both Medium Lasers

Unfortunately for the JM6-S, the Firebrand makes better use of this build than any other Jagermech. All Jagermechs can in fact use this build; but I honestly believe the Firebrand is better suited to this build, mainly due the the Medium Lasers being mounted on the Arms. Regardless, this Jagermech build can brawl, and brawl quite nicely. It runs a Standard Engine, which will surprise many players (they always target your Side Torsos).

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Beginner Jagermech JM6-S Build: 2

Mechromancer MechLab: [Link]

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

Role: Sniper/Support

Speed: 64.8 kph

Firepower: 15

Armour: 384

Cost: 7.6 mil (Approximately)

Weapon Groups

Primary Weapon Group: All 3 AC/5s (Chain Fire)

Secondary Weapon Group: All 3 AC/5s

This build can be replicated on the JM6-D, but then, most Jagermech builds can be switched over to any other Jagermech. Unfortunately for this build, ammunition is a major issue. However, with careful, precision aiming; by the time you expend all your ammunition, you would've either won or lost.

Word of advice for this build, stay near the back. You're a Sniper/Support Mech. Don't run in close thinking you can brawl  super well. You can brawl yes, but not as good as dedicated brawler Mechs. Utilise your range.

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Beginner Jagermech JM6-D Build

Mechromancer MechLab: [Link]

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

Role: Sniper/Support

Speed: 64.8 kph

Firepower: 14

Armour: 400

Cost: 11.4 mil (Approximately)

Weapon Groups

Primary Weapon Group: Both AC/2s and Both AC/5s

Secondary Weapon Group: Both AC/5s

Most people don't realise it, but the Stock loadout for a Jagermech is actually pretty powerful. We're talking specifically the AC/5 and AC/2 combination. You can spray a huge amount of DAKKA whilst remaining relatively cool (cooler than quad AC/2s at least).

This build can easily shred armour and most Mechs apart. You'll have major trouble with Light Mechs however.

Again, utilise your range. This is a Sniper/Support Mech. You're now super fragile thanks to that XL Engine.

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Cataphract

Image courtesy of mwomercs.com

The next best Heavy Mech is the Cataphract. They're practically the Hunchback of the Heavy BattleMechs, just without the Hunch. What I mean by this, they can do practically everything. They can brawl quite well and snipe decently. XL Engines are usually used, as the CT is usually hit more than the Side Torsos. However, some builds don't require XL Engines whatsoever. In addition there is one Cataphract that comes with an XL Engine.

Beginner Cataphract CTF-1X Build

Mechromancer MechLab: [Link]

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

Role: Brawler

Speed: 69.2 kph

Firepower: 45

Armour: 416

Cost: 11 mil (Approximately)

Weapon Groups

Primary Weapon Group: AC/20

Secondary Weapon Group: All 5 Medium Lasers

This is probably one of my favourite CTF-1X builds. It's practically like a Hunchback, but slower and more powerful. For a dedicated brawler Mech, this speed is fine. It's actually pretty fast, whilst still retaining deadly Firepower.

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Beginner Cataphract CTF-4X Build

Mechromancer MechLab: [Link]

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

Role: Sniper/Support

Speed: 59 kph

Firepower: 30

Armour: 400

Cost: 12.4 mil (Approximately)

Weapon Groups

Primary Weapon Group: All 4 AC/5s

Secondary Weapon Group: Both Medium Lasers

Unfortunately the CTF-4X is the weakest Cataphract, but hey, if you can't afford the Ilya Muromets, but what a Ballistic Cataphract, this is probably the next best thing.

Quad AC/5s have always been, and will be super deadly. Their downside; they're super heavy and have ammunition difficulties. However, with these weapons, most Mechs will easily fall.

The CTF-4X has a major issue with speed. It runs just about as fast as an Assault Mech, but lacks the Armour than Assault Mechs have. You have to think carefully about your position, as you cannot reposition well with this Mech.

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Beginner Cataphract CTF-3D Build

Mechromancer MechLab: [Link]

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

Role: Brawler

Speed: 69.4 kph

Firepower: 40

Armour: 416

Cost: 14.7 mil (Approximately)

Weapon Groups

Primary Weapon Group: AC/20

Secondary Weapon Group: All 4 Medium Lasers

This build is pretty much exactly the same as the CTF-1X build above, except that it lacks the 5th Medium Laser. Instead, it has Jump Jets. This build is also a personaly favourite of mine. Unfortunately it breaks the rules that I set myself above, however it needs to be mentioned.

Arguably the CTF-3D is probably the best Cataphract around. It's super versatile and can be armed in many different ways, whilst fulfilling different roles.

Note that most new players find it difficult to control many Weapon Groups, hence most, if not all these builds will contain primarily 2 Weapon Groups. As you gain more experience and begin to get better, you'll start to have more Weapon Groups (such as a Weapon Group for Chain Firing). By this stage, you'll start to experiment and create new Builds for yourself.