DRG-1C Pepperdoggy Special (1x Gauss, 4x MLas, AMS, XL300)

Because Mythweaver asked me to share my favorite mech, here's my build for the 1C. This may not be as exciting to many and there may already be other builds posted here like it, so please excuse me for that... but here it goes.

The 1C is my favorite variant of all. I use this for many roles. From capping to flanking and ambush tactics all the way to overwatch and support. It is heavy enough with decent armor protection and speedy enough for most duties. Armed with a Gauss Rifle and 40 rounds, it will get you through most of the fight if not all the way (use rounds wisely). It carries an AMS with a ton of ammo so it can close on lone LRM boats quickly without getting torn apart in the process. With DBL heat sinks, there is almost no heat issue at all except when having prolonged skirmishes directly in the caldera of Caustic Valley which will most certainly overheat anyone. Dipping in and out of the caldera should make sure you don't overheat. For closer range bite, 4 medium lasers pack a good 20-damage sting. If your Gauss Rife blows out, well, you have the entire left portion of the mech still unaffected.

You can also swap out the AMS with another ton or so of Gauss ammo or put in an SRM 4 pack with a ton of ammo. However you modify this build, it will surely serve one well. This isn't a brawler, but as long as you keep that in mind, you stay deadly at distance and annoying to slower heaver mechs when out maneuvering them.

* This is my point of view on this build and how I use it. This suits me the best out of all the other variations with the Dragon for my playing style. This mech alone has earned just over a million XP since I bought it... :wink:

 

Have you ever considered using this build on the flame? You'd get more c-bills, and having arm movement on the lasers would be nice

Nice build though, I see why you use it.

 

I think having arm movement for the Gauss is crucial as having it in the body reduces your ability for precision. It's a lot more difficult and jerky to lead a target. Plus, at close quarters, the opponent knows when you're lining up another gauss shot and can have enough time to torso twist.

 

CASE isn't needed with an XL engine, as all it will do is prevent explosions that destroy that side torso from moving into CT. With an XL, if your ST goes, your engine goes, and it doesn't matter at that point.

 

Thanks for the reply and the tip. I will surely change up my stock flame and give it a run.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have actually thought of it on the flame and have used it from time to time. This build keeps me stuck on this mech for so many roles. How have you liked playing with the setup? At times I swap out the AMS and slot in a Streak SRM 2 for added punch against lights as the Gauss rifle in the arm can be tough to use close-up with the little buggers.

 

Thanks for the tip Aylek. This is a great tweak and I fully agree. The cooling efficiency is already very good as is and losing a heat sink or two will just force me to manage heat a bit better. Or the removal of the CASE for that matter too. Cheers for the help.

 

Thanks clearing that up for me Skribs. Much appreciated. I can finally tweak this mech optimally.

 

I can also attest to the value of this mech design. My only difference is I use XL320 (0.5 tons less) and substitute one DHS for BAP. I just gotta have the better sensors for great SA.

 

After unlocking the third module slot, it really turned this mech into a very potent platform. I use sensor range, cap accelerator for most things and the third module is really up to the player and his or her play style. I say this because any any moment roles can switch and nuisance capping sometimes becomes a requirement due to the speed the dragon possesses. Although it doesn't keep up with lights, it can do support for them just as well as it does for heavies and assaults. On certain maps it can accompany lights and mediums in the capping race or resource acquisition in conquest mode. I have come to learn more and more about this build and it seems to suit just about most roles these days...some better than others.

 

I need it even faster:



Blagg

 

Fast, faster, fastest:

 

Ok this is really really fast. I did get to try this and man, this thing hauls and is superb at capping support and breaking away from engagements quickly to reflank and reengage. I thought my build speed was fine but this is something else! One conquest, I end up forcing the lights to push on further past the nearest cap point because I can almost trail them. Great effort guys and thanks for all the healthy discussions here.

 

Yeah, I love this thing. It must just about be the fastest (viable) thing mounting a Gauss rifle. I hadn't considered trying to fit it all in on a 360XL until I saw Blagg's 340 version. It's a tight squeeze, but it works.

Yesterday, I was the only one left from our team in one match. Someone on the team says "Holy s@#$, 106 kph AND a Gauss rifle". Someone else says "he must have no armour". Didn't have time to respond, but the armour is pretty solid all things considered. I guess you could lose a ton of Gauss ammo to max it if you really wanted, but I think your original 40 rounds is the perfect amount, pepperdoggy.

 

I can totally relate DarkLobster.

Before this, i was running an XL 330 (suggested by others) and had speed tweak unlocked. It was fast enough for what I needed to do. After reading your suggestion, i did some playing around with an XL 360 I had taken from my Victor and had a run. This is totally suited for fast intercepting. On a XL330, most people I battle (skirmishing) with tend to forget about you as the slower mechs just don't bother chasing you. I feel that this is the biggest advantage of the Dragon as you can disengage and reengage almost at will while taking cover in between other mechs or structures. Now, add your XL 360, and you start filling in roles for capping on more than just a part-time basis. Imagine for a moment when a light mech pilot goes solo capping and runs into a Dragon that is already there... I leave the rest to people's imaginations...

So to further prove the effectiveness of fast Dragons, our lance ran almost entirely with the Dragons last night (with the exception of the 4th player using a speedy Dragon Slayer). 4 our of 6 matches ended up in brutal and swift devastation of the opposing team. On one occasion, it happened twice as we faced off against the same opposing team on the next drop. Now, I don't attribute this just to the mech build alone but to the skill of the team players who know how to use the mech's potential at this level.

DarkLobster, you got something going here!!! Great stuff mate!

 

HHHRMMMM... Now THIS looks tempting! I might have to try this out after work today! I'll rate after I give her a shot.

 

Thanks, but I'm just building on the work of others.

Pretty much since the second I saw the Dragon I was fascinated by the idea of going 107 kph in a heavy. The 1C was the first Dragon I bought; I promptly slapped a 360XL in it, and it has barely come out since. I've tried a couple of other builds with it, but I think this one is the 'perfect storm' of speed and firepower. It really doesn't seem to lose much over variants with smaller engines - weapons are all there, ammo is the same, heat efficiency is good, and armour is only lightly shaved. The only thing is that you can't fit AMS, but at 107 kph, that's not such an issue

I would love to see a lance of these in action as you talk about, pepperdoggy. Sounds like a sight to behold

 

Nope. Sorry. I still just can't get into this class. Tried it. Had some great rounds, had some difficult rounds. Overall, I want to like Dragons, I just can't bring myself on-board. :\

Still a great build, just not my cup 'o tea.

 

No worries about that mate. At least you got to try it out. I myself have also had difficult rounds in the past and it also depended on many other factors.