Protector Patron (1x LRM15+A, 1x PPC, 2x AC5, 2x MLas, XL300)

Old version including AMS: Patron (old)

This is my final build for the Protector, which went through several alterations before including my 'Border Guard' build. In it's original state the Orion sadly only fit in a role of some kind of fire support unit. I hoped for a nice heavy work horse, but was very disappointed about the chassis' vulnerable CT.

UPDATE Nov. 20th - With the Orion's hitboxes reworked I don't think that AMS is mandatory for this chassis anymore. The latest version of this build are skipping it in favor of Artemis IV and additional ammunition.

This build can be played in different ways, and especially ammunition should be adjusted accordingly. 4tons for the AC5s and 2 3 tons (new!) for the LRM15 works for me, though.


How do I play this thing?
I usually hang back with other heavies or assaults, softening targets with the LRMs and trying to sneak shots with the ACs and the PPC. When the battle is heating up I usually stop firing the LRMs at all and concentrate on the ACs combined with the MLs, sometimes mixing in the PPC as well. The LRMs can be mixed in for finishing enemies in range or trying to flee.

When used in such a flexible way, the mech's nominal low heat efficiency becomes much better. You'll always need a careful eye on the mech's heat, though.


Weapon groups
1: AC5s
2: MLs
3: PPC
4: LRM15


Possible variants

AC10 instead of 2x AC5, upgrade to LRM20
Mounting an AC10 instead of the double AC5s allows to play even more of the 'fire and turn away' game one has to do sometimes with this chassis.

When the PPC and AC10 are fired together this equals a mid-range AC20 strike. This change also allows to upgrade the LRM launcher and to add one more DHS.



Old version including AMS: Patron variant (old)


ERLL instead of PPC



Old version including AMS: Patron variant 2 (old)



Results

 

Build proves to be worthwhile everytime I take the mech out for a ride. This is one of the few Orion builds I really like.

Added an additional variant which replaces the dual AC5s with a single AC10 and upgrades the LRM to a 20-size launcher in the process. This is pretty far off from the original build, though, so that variant might deserve an own thread?

 

Time for Updates! With the Orion's hitboxes reworked I don't think that AMS is a must-have for this chassis anymore. Therefore I removed the AMS + Ammo from the mech and updated the loadout to use Artemis now and add another ton of LRM ammo. Same was done for the version containing the AC10 + PPC + LRM20 combo.

Thank you!

While reworking the two slightly differing loadouts I still kept the engine size the same as theese loadouts are ment for providing both direct and indirect fire support. Speed isn't that important when playing that way and is only needed for (re-)positioning the mech. 71kp/h should be sufficient for that purpose.