MechWarrior: Online - Beginner Mech Builds: Part 1, Medium BattleMechs

Image courtesy of mwomercs.com

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. Which means that the "Beginner Builds" I'll suggest are all within the budget of 9 mil CBills.

With the introduction taken care of; Welcome to Part 1 of Beginner Mech Builds, the Medium BattleMech!

MechWarrior: Online - Saber Reinforcement, More Unseen BattleMechs

Image courtesy of mwomercs.com/phoenix

The Unseen BattleMechs are really making a comeback!! I seriously can't believe it! We're still missing the Warhammer and Marauder; as well as the other Macross Unseen. But oh well.

Least we're getting the Wolverine and Griffin!!

Project Phoenix is a go! The Unseen are back! After all these years, they are back! Back with a vengeance! Welcome to the battlefield; Locust, Shadow Hawk, Thunderbolt and Battlemaster! Welcome, a further 2 additions; Wolverine and Griffin!!

MechWarrior: Online - Jagermech Firebrand Build

Image courtesy of the MechWarrior: Online Wiki

I've recently been playing around with "non-conventional" weapons. By "non-conventional" I mean weapons that people generally view as pretty terrible. Actually... they're known to be pretty crap weapons.

But didn't you know, "they're crap until you get killed by it!"

Jagermechs are known to have massive Side Torsos, meaning running a XL Engine is a hit and miss. But in order to fully utilise the Jagermechs, you have no choice but to go for an XL Engine. I took upon the challenge to come up with a Jagermech (hence Firebrand) build that utilises a Standard Engine, whilst still being effective.

I reject the current Meta and substitute... errr... something else!! Now check out this build!!

Zoids - Gojulas 1/72 RZ-001 (Limited Production) by Kotobukiya

Image courtesy of HobbyLink Japan (Facebook)

Have I ever told you how much I love Zoids? No? How rude of me. I absolutely love Zoids!! I've watched every single series of Zoids (Chaotic Century, New Century Zero, Fuzors and Genesis) and still begging for more!! I really wish they'd renew it or make a new Zoids anime!!

I even own several Zoids models kits. None by Kotobukiya however; they're just way too pricey. But maybe this will be my first one? The Konig Wolf has always been my personal number 1 favourite. But the Gojulas is easily a 2nd!! Just look at that image above. Isn't it just beautiful!!

If you thought Kotokukiya Zoids were expensive, this thing is doubly so! It goes for 198 USD which is about 220 AUD... I still want it.

Anyway, MOAR pictures!!

MechWarrior: Online - Cataphract Ilya Muromets Tri-BOOM Build, Confirmed!

Image courtesy of the MechWarrior: Online Wiki

So last week I posted a Theory Build for the Ilya Muromets, which featured Triple LBX-10s. It was a lovely idea that I haven't tried up until the recent patch (August 20th, 2013). This patch reduced the spread of the LBX-10s from 2.25 to 1.3.

That's all it took to make LBX-10s an AWESOME weapon! They're still not the most optimal weapon as damage is spread. But they can literally tear limb from limb and can shred almost any Mech. If I remember correctly, LBX-10s can also crit. Which would explain how the Internals and any Weapon the victim of my LBX-10s are almost always destroyed.

I'm reposting my Tri-BOOM build below with some slight modifications. Before explaining how I use it.

I reject the current Meta and substitute... errr... something else!! Now check out this build!!

MechWarrior: Online - Centurion Yen-Lo-Wang, Worth It?

Image courtesy of the MechWarrior: Online Wiki

The Centurion Yen-Lo-Wang is once again on sale! As of this post, there's only a few hours left of this sale. So the question on everyone's lips is; is the Yen-Lo-Wang worth the buy?

I shall be answering that very important question as well as showing off the build I use (which is basically the common build normally used).

I reject the current Meta and substitute... errr... something else!! Now check out this build!!

MechWarrior: Online - Centurion CN9-D Build (Venator Suppressor)

Image courtesy of the MechWarrior: Online Wiki

After all this time, I finally pilot Medium BattleMechs. Who would've guessed that I'd be a pretty decent Medium Mech pilot eh? Well I can pilot almost anything really, but I personally prefer Heavy Mechs... and now Medium Mechs.

Unfortunately in the current meta and the way things are, Medium Mechs are slightly useless in comparison to others. I also wish they'd resize all Medium Mechs; seriously, why the hell are they as big as an Atlas when most of them are half its tonnage!! But hey, they'll be getting a buff soon supposedly!!

Anyway; Centurions and Hunchbacks, in my opinion, are the BEST beginner Mechs!! They help teach beginners the fundamentals of Mech piloting and they're probably THE most forgiving when mistakes occur (such as overextending).

However I don't recommend this particular build nor the CN9-D as a beginner Centurion.

I reject the current Meta and substitute... errr... something else!! Now check out this build!!

MechWarrior: Online - Cataphract Ilya Muromets Theory Build (Tri-BOOM)

Image courtesy of the MechWarrior: Online Wiki

Right now, I have a very unhealthy obsession with Shotguns... Seriously, what's not to love about things going BOOM!! My favourite Elemental Shotgun in Borderlands 2 is Explosives! Admittedly I half hate that element cause of what Handsome Jack did... But Shotguns that shoot fricken rockets man!!

Actually we get Shotguns that do shoot rockets, in the form of SRMs. But forget SRMs, what about the unloved LB 10-X Autocannon? This is a new theory build that I've been meaning to try (still haven't got round to it).

I reject the current Meta and substitute... errr... something else!! Now check out this build!!

MechWarrior: Online - Highlander HGN-733 Build

Image courtesy of the MechWarrior: Online Wiki

I might suck at piloting Assault Mechs, but that doesn't mean my builds for them are completely useless!! Hell these builds do work and can rake you up to 800 damage. Least this one did for me. I lost the match though... heh.

Anyway in the hands of a competent Assault Mech Pilot this thing can be deadly. Yes you suffer the Heat Penalty, but it's bearable and not much of a problem.

I reject the current Meta and substitute... errr... something else!! Now check out this build!!

MechWarrior: Online - Kintaro Reveal & Thoughts

Image courtesy of mwomercs.com

Check out the release story [Here].

Our next Medium BattleMech, Kintaro, has just been announced. I'm about a few days late with this news... but oh well. Better late than never ay?

This reveal actually came as a complete surprise to me. I knew August's BattleMech was going to be a Medium BattleMech, but I was expecting the Wolverine or the Dervish. There were a multitude of hints leading to those 2 Mechs. But alas we get the Kintaro.

Truth be told, I'm not as disappointed as many people are. On paper the Kintaro isn't that bad a Mech. I mean it doesn't compare to the awesomeness of a Wolverine or Dervish. But it's not bad. In addition Alex has done a fantastic job of turning a really, really horrendously ugly Mech into a pretty sweet fantastic looking one.

Oh right, I don't even have to speculate on what variants we'll be getting. People have already searched the latest files and found the in-game models and their Hardpoints. As an I.T. student our motto is:

"I.T. students/people are the most dangerous people. We don't hack things out of malice or spite, we hack things out of curiosity. We just don't always know how to put it back together again."

Anyway thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I know what variants we're getting and the hardpoints!

100th Post Special!!

"Celebrate good times, come on!"

Well no parties but hey, internetz party!! There's only 1 way we can party and that's with a good ol' game of MechWarrior: Online!! Grab your friends and blow 'em up!

As you can clearly see by the title, my blog has reached its 100th Post. Admittedly some of the posts early last year are practically pointless; but they still count as a post.

Over this year and a half there have been massive changes and overhauls of my Blog here and there; and finally my Blog has reached a point where I am satisfied with how it is. I have a wonderful audience who show there support! What more could I ask for eh?

So as my gift, I've decided to join the YouTube community. I'll be recording "Let's Plays" of any awesome game I feel like recording - specifically MechWarrior: Online. After all, I can Talk the Talk; but can I Walk the Walk? Aren't you interested in seeing how I play my non-meta compliant builds?

Least this is the way I've decided to demonstrate how powerful my builds can be. I can write about how they can be used, but as with every writing, sometimes it can be hard to portray actions in words!

Just so you know; my YouTube channel will not impact my Blog whatsoever. It is merely a complement to my Blog.

Now we're down to my one issue. I don't have a name for my YouTube channel. This is where you come in. I'd like you to name it!

I've thought of names like "The Sgt-Thaddeus Show" but that doesn't seem to roll off the tongue well. Maybe "Sgt-Thaddeus' TV Show"?

Anyway, if you have a good name for my YouTube channel, leave it in the comments below! I'll select my favourites and depending on how many, will have you vote on your favourite! I only have one requirement: my name must be somewhere in it (i.e. Sgt-Thaddeus).

Queue the names... NOW!

Artists 'of the Month'

'of the Month' is a new segment where I basically spotlight 'Something Awesome'. This will happen on the 1st of each month.

So what is 'Something Awesome'? Well 'Something Awesome' can range from Artists, Music, Movies, Games and anything else that is worth mentioning! If you know 'Something Awesome' that should be mentioned on my Blog, then just share it in the comments!

'Something Awesome' this month is: