Builds

This is not my post  I came around this post while searching to increase my knowledge. This was written by Johnny G  on a neoseker forum post. This is a very good post.

I'm starting this thread in part because of the number of PMs I get from other forum members asking for help or advice with the game. It's not generally an issue or someone being "stuck" somewhere, but rather people asking me for my opinion on designing or recreating cores. And I'm happy to do it - AC construction is my favourite part of the game. Even so, I figured the forum could use a thread like this, a place for veterans to share their advice with newer players. Just the same, newer players can ask questions or share their own personal experiences... basically anything goes. Discuss your personal principles of AC design or your combat tactics; some people win through superior designs, others through superior piloting skills. The true masters with through both.

I'll start this off with some core principles behind AC design which I have learned through many hours of hard work creating new setups. 

Versatility is critical to any AC setup. Now sometimes we'll go out and make cores that are specifically designed for a single purpose or theme, but any real "signature" design is going to have to be versatile. Signature design referring to a core that a person would use often. In order for a signature core to function properly in that role of being used alot it must be able to handle just about any situation. If the core is not balanced it will struggle in certain situations and glaring weaknesses will emerge. As far as I'm concerned, versatility = victory for any really well designed core. How do you make a core versatile? Well, there are several ways.

Balance is critical to versatility. Your design must have a proper balance between weaponry, speed and defense. However, this does not mean that these three factors must be equal; they merely need to be balanced. Take for example my Phaedo core, a heavily armed heavy biped. It can bring a lot of firepower and defense to the table but as is to be expected it isn't the fastest design on the planet. However, I designed it to have enough mobility to suit my purposes and my combat style. For that reason the speed is in balance with the rest of the core, even though the speed is not directly equal to the attack or defense ratings. Variety in your weapon selection is also going to be a key factor when constructing an AC. Now that the left arm slot can be equipped with "standard" weapons there is a lot more freedom in what you can do. Generall however, there are certain elements in weapon choice that a versatile AC will need.
Long Range Weapon: You're going to need a long range weapon for your core. This can come in the form of a sniper rifle, a missile setup or perhaps a large cannon that has a fast shot speed (ie. MWC-LQ/15). This gives your AC some teeth at range and gives you an advantage early on in matches, as well as providing support in the event that you need to back off. Mid Range Weapon: You'll be spending most of your time in your opponents mid range so having a good weapon for use here is going to be important. It can be an automatic (Chain/Machine gun), a big gun or cannon... anything with a high offensive edge basically. Close Range Weapon: This doesn't necessarily mean a blade, though it very well can. Other great close range weapons include shotguns, EO cannons and fast energy pulse cannons. These weapons will come in handy when you find yourself in close and can bail you out of tight situations.

Set your primaries - know which of your weapons you are going to use most often and make sure you are good with them. Even though most ACs have four or more different guns on them that doesn't mean that you will use all of them equally. Make sure you know which guns to use when and how best to operate them when in battle.

Know your strengths... and your weaknesses. We've all got them so try to work around these factors when building a core. Ideally you'll want a design that enhances your strengths while diminishing your weaknesses. For example, if you can't dodge worth shit why bother fronting anything? Build a massive AC that survives based on its defense over its speed. There's no sense in committing yourself to a core that is going to force you to use a specific tactic that you struggle with. The whole purpose of being able to build your own core is that you create something which works for you.

Are you feelin' it? In my personal experience the one factor above all others than gives a core lasting value is whether or not you enjoy using it. You could go and create an awesome design that looks great on paper and in battle... but if you aren't having fun with it you aren't going to want to use it. When you come across that perfect configuration you'll know, trust me. You'll become hooked on the design and you'll never really want to use anything else in battle. Why do you think I never shut up about Phaedo? That core breathed new life into my waning love for the series.

This may be about older games but the concept still applies to the new ones too, and will continue to apply to future games.