GRF-2N the "Dark Knight" (4x SRM4, 2x MPL, 1x JJ, ECM, STD280)

5/5,

3 ratings

XL version:


Like others, I was hopping for an ECM Heavy. Instead we got a real ECM Medium (no offense to lovers of the Cicada ). This is our Dark Knight; the ECM we deserved, but not the ECM we needed right now. The obvious choice was to go brawler, which with the aid of ECM allows one to close in fairly well.

This build takes advantage of the following quirks:

• Missile Velocity +10%
• SRM 2/4/6 Spread -5%

I was happy to find that the small buff to missile velocity, produces a noticeable increase in hit reg.

Modules: I suggest the MPL cooldown and SRM4 range.

Weapon groups:

• 1,4,5 - SRM4 (chain fire)
• 2 - MPL (group fire)
• 3 - MPL (chain fire)

This grouping should keep you cool and DPS up. My 4 and 5 keys are my side thumb mouse buttons, making it easy to press in combination with my LMB (group 1) and RMB (group 2) for a swift 37 pts of damage. I have fairly large hands, so results may vary. If conserving ammo and you find you're approaching the heat curve, chain fire your MPL with MMB (group 3).

Your role is that of a support brawler. You should stick with your Assaults and Heavies, providing ECM cover while closing in for the kill. Once there, serve the enemy a side of justice. Use your left side to absorb damage, and your single JJ for speed turning and cruising over bumpy terrain.

Feedback and suggestions are welcomed.

 

I was looking at something similar ... I like have as close to Max Armor as possible, so this build gives me that and looks like a ton more of SRM Ammo, and 1 more JJ for less speed...and a tad better cooling.

 

I do not own the mech, this is only me theorycrafting. Most SRM brawlers are a pain to play since they are way hotter and harder to aim than ballistic brawlers. This build comprises 4 SRM4 racks, which shoot fast without too much ghostheat and don't require Artemis since SRM4 don't spread too much. There are 2 MPLa's as backup and enough heatsinks to hopefully survive in a brawl.



Edited with possible alternative: less ammo more jumpjets to close range SRM poptart (I don't even know if that's a thing but it's usually fun).

 

Have not tested but looks like a usefull build.
Fokus on Brawl, with SRM 4 which gives a high rate of fire. Good Cooling Efficiency which keeps you in combat and big STD Engine which gives you Survivability.
Should be the best fit for the 2N

 

Hmm, I believe our disagreement on what's optimal stems from our differences in how it should be played. With the inclusion of ECM, I see the 2N excelling in a support role within a group, escorting the "big guys" to the battle. Played in this fashion, it felt optimized for the job (just right amount of speed, ammo and armor).

I tired running an additional JJ and felt the benefit was negligible. I'd say it was even detrimental as it readily put you in "hover mode" and thus eliminates any forward momentum. Until JJs are made to function less like hover jets, they don't feel a worthy investment for anything larger than 50 tons. In this case the single JJ is only tapped for faster turning and getting over debris.

The SRM6 is too wasteful for my taste; just faster ammo depletion, extra spread and heat. So I stuck with the 4xSRM4.

I agree that the STD 280 is an unnecessary upgrade, but had 1/2 ton to fill and happened to have a few spare 280s. Instead of an additional JJ, I would recommend going with full armor on the left arm or additional ammo.

 

Giving that build a shot by adding it to my CW deck. I'll tell ya how it works out and rate later.

 

@Aylek, is SRM4 spread really tighter packed than SRM6? I have heard this before, but I thought the missiles spread the same, but was just less noticeable with SRM4 because there are fewer missiles -- but in reality the missiles have the same average distance apart for all SRMs.

 

If you only had tonnage for an SRM4+A or SRM6, which would be better? I previously thought more damage more better, but now I'm noticing that unless I'm humping the leg of the person I'm shooting the damage is spread over the entire mech basically.

 

I ran the 450 ammo, XL300 version above in CW...and man is it a great little mech. Amazing brawler, and that's with just all basics. The extra JJs are nice if you want to poptart it, and 450 was even enough for CW (I tended to play this very aggressive, so I'd die fast, but still net about 700+ damage in short order). Just be careful with that ghost heat if you alpha the SRMs, it adds up.

 

IMO, you don't need Artemis as much for 4-packs, whereas I generally consider them must haves for SRM6's on most mechs. I'd stick with the 4s and go sans Artemis, the spread on them is fine.

 

12.9 instead of 12, who cares really?

About this build, ECM aside, if I had to make a 4 SRM4 Griffin with STD engine I'd use the -3M so everything is on the same side and I can tank with the other. In my opinion the strength of this chassis (again, ECM aside) is to be able to mount 4 SRM6+A with a fast XL engine.

 

My version with 4xSRM6 and 2xMPlas

 

Very good build!

 

I considered something like that...but without Artemis, IMO you just get too much spread on the 6 packs. 4's tend to cluster well enough that they still work nicely, but 6's they will hit all over the place :/ Still, it can work if you facehug...

 

That is what I have been running ... I didn't have a 310 to put in it as my original posted spec ... so been running with a bigger engine. Loving it thus far