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Wednesday, 4 September 2013

MechWarrior: Online - Orion HeroMech Released, Variants Revealed and Thoughts!!

Image courtesy of mwomercs.com

The long awaited Orion BattleMech has finally been released!! This BattleMech was supposed to have been released about 2 or so months ago. But instead we got one of the worst Mechs the Quickdraw (aka Quickderp as many players call it).

But wait no more! We finally can get our hands on the first of the 75 Ton Heavy BattleMechs!! Well, if you buy the HeroMech, you no longer have to wait. The rest of us may have to wait 2 weeks before we can pilot the Orion.

The Orion HeroMech is called Protector (ON1-P). We know nothing about the story of this Mech (PGI should really release some cool short stories to go with each HeroMech). However, if one is observant enough, one would realise that the ON1-P is actually in fact the ON1-K (aka Kerensky); the very same Orion piloted by the famous Aleksandr Kerensky. The Protector shares the exact same weaponry, armour and stats as the Kerensky.
"ON1-K Kerensky - The personal BattleMech of SLDF commanding general Aleksandr Kerensky during the against the Usurper. Designers removed the LRM-20 and LB-X Autocannon/10 to make for other equipment. The other equipment is a snub-nose PPC in the left torso and an Artemis IV Fire Control System for SRMs. The right torso has a Gauss Rifle in the former location of the LB-X Autocannon/10. The medium lasers from the original model are retained. Finally, ferro-fibrous armor is used for added protection. BV (2.0) = 1,821"

- Orion Custom Variants from www.sarna.net/wiki/Orion
 Anyway, lets take a look at the Orions shall we?

Protector (ON1-P)
Image courtesy of mwomercs.com

Stock Loadout
Engine: 300 Standard (Max Engine: 360)
RT: 1x Gauss Rifle, 2x Gauss Ammo and 1x SRM Ammo
LT: 1x PPC and 1x SRM 4
RA: 1x Medium Laser
LA: 1x Medium Laser
Upgrades: Ferro-Fibrous, Double Heat Sinks and Artemis IV

Hardpoints
RT: 2 Ballistic
LT: 1 AMS, 1 Energy and 2 Missile
RA: 1 Energy
LA: 1 Energy

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

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ON1-K
[No Image]

Stock Loadout
Engine: 300 Standard (Max Engine: 360)
RT: 1x AC/10 and 2x AC/10 Ammo
LT: 1x LRM 15, 1x SRM 4, 2x LRM Ammo and 1x SRM Ammo
RA: 1x Medium Laser
LA: 1x Medium Laser
Upgrades: None

Hardpoints
RT: 1 Ballistic
LT: 1 AMS and 2 Missile
RA: 2 Energy
LA: 2 Energy

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

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ON1-M
[No Image]

Stock Loadout
Engine: 300 XL (Max Engine: 360)
CT: 1x NARC
RT: 1x LBX-10, 2x LBX-10 Ammo and CASE
LT: 1x SRM 4, 2x SRM Ammo, 2x LRM Ammo, 2x NARC Ammo and CASE
RA: 1x Medium Laser
LA: 1x Medium Laser and 1x LRM 20
Upgrades: Double Heat Sinks

Hardpoints
CT: 1 Missile
RT: 1 Ballistic
LT: 1 AMS and 1 Missile
RA: 2 Energy
LA: 1 Energy and 1 Missile

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

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ON1-V
[No Image]

Stock Loadout
Engine: 300 Standard (Max Engine: 360)
RT: 1x AC/10 and 2x AC/10 Ammo
LT: 1x LRM 15, 2x LRM Ammo and 2x SRM Ammo
RA: 1x Medium Laser and 1x SRM 4
LA: 1x Medium Laser and 1x SRM 4
Upgrades: None

Hardpoints
RT: 2 Ballistic
LT: 1 AMS and 1 Missile
RA: 1 Energy and 1 Missile
LA: 1 Energy and 1 Missile

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]

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ON1-VA
[No Image]

Stock Loadout
Engine: 300 Standard (Max Engine: 360)
RT: 1x AC/10 and 2x AC/10 Ammo
LT: 2x SRM Ammo
RA: 1x Medium Laser and 1x SRM 4
LA: 1x Medium Laser and 1x SRM 4
Upgrades: None

Hardpoints
RT: 1 Ballistic
LT: 1 AMS
RA: 1 Energy and 2 Missile
LA: 1 Energy and 2 Missile

Smurfy MechLab: [Link]


Thoughts:
Appearance-wise; when you look at the Orion, there is a squat like feeling. Least to me, I feel that this Mech has some Dwarf like reminiscence. I don't really like playing Dwarf like characters, but I don't mind having them as companions. Dwarves make the best companions, they're tough, sturdy, stubborn and reliable. They also piss ale...

Anyway, the Orion in-game model feels very Dwarf like; by Dwarf like I mean, tough, sturdy and reliable. The Hardpoints of the Orion are very, very good IMHO. They're practically an "All-Rounder" and can do everything, from AC/20s to Large Lasers with SRMs for Brawling. I feel that this Mech can achieve great things if the Hitbox isn't terrible.

There have been claims of the Hitbox on this thing being absolutely terrible. Some say XL Engine only, as the CT is just as easily hit like the Kintaro (pre-patch). Others say Side Torsos are very easily hit. Others say the Head Hitbox is bigger than the Catapult's too! The people who say all this, ignore them. They've given no hard evidence to support what they say. Best to actually wait, think and observe.

Truly, the Hitbox on this thing will determine whether this Mech is fantastic, or utterly crap.

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