GRF-2N the "Dark Knight" (4x SRM4, 2x MPL, 1x JJ, ECM, STD280)
5/5,

3 ratings

Thread in 'GRF-2N' started by StalaggtIKE, Apr 22, 2015.

  1. StalaggtIKE

    StalaggtIKE New Member

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    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. :)
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2015
    Alik Kerensky likes this.
  2. CaptRosha

    CaptRosha New Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2015
  3. SuperPignouf

    SuperPignouf Junior Member

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    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).

     
  4. The Verge

    The Verge Moderator Staff Member

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    Duplicate Builds Merged.
     
  5. Croaker

    Croaker New Member

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    5/5,
    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
     
  6. Aylek

    Aylek Administrator Staff Member

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    Please always test the builds you are rating. This one occasion is OKish for me because the loadout in question is kind of obvious for the 2N, but this one still is far from being the best choice here.

    Why? Well...
    1) With 4 SRM4s already triggering ghost heat the cooling efficiency is probably not good enough here to keep you in a prolonged battle.

    2) In addition to this the current game play highly favours high alpha striking capabilities as staying in the open will result in quick deaths nowadays. 4SRM4s are certainly viable, but not optimal as soon we're in the business of peeking & striking - which is were this thing excels at!

    3) The speed gain of the STD280 in comparison to the stock STD275 is very small, but as we're talking mediun mechs here, the additional weight is not negligible. Even one more JJ would help tremendously for the best way of playing this variant.
     
  7. StalaggtIKE

    StalaggtIKE New Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2015
  8. Aylek

    Aylek Administrator Staff Member

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    I still disagree with some arguments, especially when mentioning the SRM6 here (higher alpha, less heat per second, but increased spread). But as long as your build is working for you everything's ok.

    Tbh my post is mainly aimed at @Croaker because a rating was given with neither testing nor comprehensible discussion of the choices made in the OP. It doesn't matter for me if it's a 1 / 3 / 5 star rating, but my post was meant to show how one could have discussed (and displayed some line of thoughts) the build. But in the end it's also just one click in on of several millions of internet forums...
     
  9. Durandal

    Durandal Min-Max Maniac

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

    Sir Tiddles Active Member

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    @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.
     
  11. Aylek

    Aylek Administrator Staff Member

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    Yeah, they do. Like - a lot. Best is to bring a mech with both launchers to the testing grounds and see yourself. You will note two things:

    - different spread for SRM4s and SRM6s
    - different spread for both of them depending on the distance to the target (this means in a light or medium you can actually work with your speed to fight the spread in theory, but oftentimes that not possible in a fight)

    There are also testing videos around, but I don't have a link at hand right now. Google is your friend here. :)

    The quirks on the 2N actually do help a little bit here, but +A still makes a lot of difference.
     
  12. Sir Tiddles

    Sir Tiddles Active Member

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    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.
     
  13. Durandal

    Durandal Min-Max Maniac

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    5/5,
    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.
     
    Sir Tiddles likes this.
  14. Durandal

    Durandal Min-Max Maniac

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    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.
     
  15. epikt

    epikt Benefactor

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    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.
     
  16. Arkangel

    Arkangel Junior Member

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    My version with 4xSRM6 and 2xMPlas

     
    Last edited: May 4, 2015
  17. Arkangel

    Arkangel Junior Member

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    5/5,
    Very good build!
     
  18. Durandal

    Durandal Min-Max Maniac

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    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...
     
  19. CaptRosha

    CaptRosha New Member

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    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
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2015
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