Casual Question -- Custom Mech

Even before I got into Megamek proper, I had downloaded the megameklab
Naturally, I had some fun times fiddling around with some mech building
(Finally getting into Megamek helped me understand everything better, though )

So here are my questions:
Would you use a customized mech?
If so, how would you customize it and why?

As an example, let me re-introduce my favorite 'mech, the Grand Dragon.
I use the DRG-5K model, created in 3040 (supposedly), as my base. (This will be feasible, if maybe hard to come by, by 3049)

OUT:
1x LRM 10 and its ammo
3x Medium Laser
1x CASE

IN:
2x Medium Pulse Laser
1x Hatchet
1x Guardian ECM Suite
1 extra ton of armor

This variant is more in line with the Svinfylking (and my) policy of getting in close and kicking some serious butt.
As such, the LRM 10 is removed in exchange for my primary short-range weapon: a Hatchet.
The torso-mounted Medium Lasers are upgraded to Pulse Lasers (and pointed FORWARDS)
Since all of the weapons are energy (or axe-to-the-face) -based, CASE is no longer necessary.
Guardian ECM Suite does helpful things (i think?), and more armor is always appreciated in close quarters.
BONUS: If resources permit, the armor will be upgraded to Ferro-Fibrous to allow for... well, yet another ton of armor!

Whew! Sorry about that wall of text.
So... what customized mechs would you guys run?
If you like, feel free to make comments/criticisms on my custom variant as well

 

There's a megameklab? O.O -grabs- And now I spend the next couple hours building variants.

Does your variant still have the PPC? The wiki doesn't have any info on the 5k so I was wondering if that was already gone in the variant.

 

I'm finding that my favorite combos include ppc's, pulse lasers and srms. As long as I can run double heat sinks I like those setups on about anything.

 

I've always been a fan of autocannons, particularly the RACs and LB-X versions. That's usually the first thing I drop into whatever I'm building then I build up around that. Energy weapons for sustainability, missiles for either extra long or short range punch (depending on whether or not I'm going for close in brawler), etc

 

The 5K is actually Sarna's "default" configuration for the Grand Dragon
So, yes, it does still have the ER PPC.
I would've switched it out for this, but it won't exist until 3067... :grumpy:

I love using the RACs and LB-X autocannons in MW4
In keeping with the 3049 timeframe, however, neither was available for my custom build
I did try mounting an AC/20 in the megameklab
But its size made fitting on anything else a pain in the rear

 

Fafnir with 4 ltGausses, scrapping every other weapon in favor of ammo or just some long range fire platform like catapult or yeoman

 

I do like autocannons in MW games, I was thinking tabletop with the ppc/pulse/srms. RACs are very fun in MWLL.

 

RACs are fun up until the point when you run out of ammo which happens after a minute max.

 

I'm using one of those as the primary weapon on a 3070 Bushie variant I fiddled around with last night.

My roommate used to love to do that, too. Though he would drop the speed down and all the rear armor to maximize forward armor and ammo then just camp in one spot. He finally stopped doing that when I started stomping his cockpit in.

 

Contrary to popular belief, mobility is quite important for snipers.

 

Exactly, fafnir is epithome of mobility

 

Created and test-drove this variant in megamek (I hope you don't mind!)
I started with the PXH-3S, available in 3042
In addition to the medium lasers and machine guns, I also had to remove the MASC to allow for the extra tonnage

 

Working off the 3M, removing the ER Large Lasers and Machine guns for the new toys...
I actually have one ton left over :uncomfortableness:

My test drive wasn't very comprehensive (a 0/0 pilot vs. an 8/8 bot in a PXH-1)
However, the heat seems manageable (except after jumping 6 hexes )
Not sure if the Flamer did anything, however