Top 10 Meta Bots - June 2019 by SDFMacr0ss
Jun 26, 2019 9:30:32 GMT -5
Blurred Vision, Rollo Tomasi, and 10 more like this
Post by Ⓑⓞⓑ Ⓓⓨⓛⓐⓝ on Jun 26, 2019 9:30:32 GMT -5
https://www.reddit.com/r/walkingwarrobots/comments/c3g719/top_10_bots_june_2019_beacon_rush_part_1_of_2/
https://www.reddit.com/r/walkingwarrobots/comments/c5fli2/top_10_bots_june_2019_beacon_rush_part_2_of_2/
SDFMacr0ss:
I apologize for the super long time this took - you see, I normally write these at the beginning of the month. With the release of 5.1, I decided to wait it out a few weeks as the top clans try to figure things out with pilots and the ever changing meta landscape. Update 5.1 included pilots, as well as new passive and active modules. Pilots, I think, are a way for Pixo to bring balance without overly hurting existing bots out there. However, it is clear that pilots favour the tankier bots, such as Invaders and Falcons. The pilot skills for the offensive juggernauts like the Ares are 'meh' to decent at best.
We are officially entering the Age of Tanks!
Note that this list only considers the bot's overall performance when pitted against other top S rank clans. I also rank bots on a technical level (e.g. corner shooting) so that you have an overall view of how they function. That being said, I am excited to share with you this month's rankings with a bevy of explanations to go with it! It will be quite unique as it also goes through recommended pilot skills. Last month's list can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/walkingwarrobots/comments/bjyiez/top_10_meta_bots_may_2019_beacon_rush/
1) Ares.
Recommended loadout (in order): 2xHalo/2xCorona, 2xSpark/2xScourge, 2xHalo/2xStorm, 2xHalo/2xTaran, 2xShredder/2xTaran, 2xHalo/2xScourge
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Quantum Radar
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Armour Expert, Destroyer
The Ares has a plethora of skills to select from, but no matter which route you go with, I always recommend the above pilot skills. They serve the glass cannon well and allow you to stay longer in the battlefield. For shotgun type setups, I would usually recommend some type of Sharshooter skill - this allows you to become more accurate at longer ranges. For the Scourge/Spark setups, Guidance Operator definitely helps locking onto a target quicker. You could certainly go for more damaging skills, such as Gunsmith (2.5% increased weapon damage), but in my overall experience, these skills are lacklustre compared to what other bots have (e.g. Invader can have a 5% increased weapon damage), so I would avoid those.
So why is the Ares still so dominant? I know everyone will say the combination of firepower, speed, as well as the ability to cover a teammate with its Absorber shield. But for the more technically inclined folks like me, it is the perfect bot for corner shooting someone to death. Its torso turn speed is also top notch, in that a faster bot such as a Loki or Pursuer should not be able to dance around you. Moreover, the damage you can deal at longer ranges can make someone trigger an opposing red's ability while you retreat to safety. Just used your ability and defending a beacon on Moon map? Hide behind one of the pillars and use your speed to corner shoot and move around!
I also highly recommend the Anti-control module - your damage will suffer somewhat but the ability to move and shrug off lock-down and suppression is a wonderful trade-off. When working with Ares trains, being left behind and causing your team to backtrack is detrimental.
2) Ao Jun***
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xAvengers, 1xViper/1xAvenger, 2xRedeemers, 2xEmbers
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Lock-down Ammo
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Armour Expert, Road Hog
I contemplated about whether or not the Ao Jun really deserved the #2 spot (that is why I put the asterisks in there), but after further thought, it is still a very deadly and mobile bot. Its role is starting to become more defined these days: 1) It is used to capture or assist with a critical beacon early on, or 2) It is used to destroy a tank. The Ao Jun really excels at killing things with the most absolute impunity. The pilot skills of its legendary pilot, Alika Renner, not only assist with that but also help it survive longer and deals more damage in a given period of time. This beast is a certified tank killer and can make bombing runs like no other (hello Redeemers!).
The drawbacks in top clan S rank battles is that most pilots will be running Quantum Radar. Yes, it is incredibly fast in the air, and you can trick the reds into activating their Quantum Radar, but most pilots understand that that is the only time you are dangerous. Its long cooldown time ensures that you must hide until your flight is active - this is because on a technical scale, it is a poor corner shooter, and more nimble bots can hug or dance around you all day up close. This is why I recommend Anti-control - you do not want your fragile bot to be rooted in place waiting for your ability to come up!
That being said, I would invest in a Sharpshooter skill if you are wanting to be even deadlier at longer ranges. When you are down on beacons, you could certainly take advantage of Adamant Road Hog for some serious speed. It will certainly help you dodge shots in the air while dealing insane amounts of damage. Even when you fly erratically, a lot of top pilots know how to predict your flight - and they also know that you are going to attempt to land in safety after.
3) Invader.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 1xCorona/2xHalos, 1xStorm/2xHalos, 1xScourge/2xSparks, 1xStorm/2xGusts
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, 2xHeavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Wonderworker, Armour Expert, Tough Guy
Despite a prior nerf in its cooldown and HP, the release of pilots have seen this bot on the rise once again. Some may argue that using its legendary pilot, Stanislav Chen, is not needed. I do believe that it is necessary, even with Anti-control being around. The suppression effect essentially nullifies what pitiful damage the reds may have without it, and it is great for dispersing crowds. You may certainly experiment with other traits, such as Adamant Mechanic in that you repair more when down on beacons, but for me, having constant repair is plenty good enough.
The Invader is best used for attacking a beacon in conjunction with a team - going solo is certainly a death knell despite its bevy of hit points. The more HP it has, the stronger the Mechanic skill is at repairing this bot. With boosters and modules in top clan battles, this thing can reach nearly 600,000 of pure HP! That and coupled with the ability to leapfrog a ridiculous distance is why this bot is ranked so highly. Up close and personal, it is very deadly with either Corona/Halos or Storm/Gusts. Your trump card is that you can instantly repair 40% of your HP with the Advanced Repair Kit. Long enough to kill a stray or have your team assist in the mop-up efforts.
The other technical characteristics of this bot that make it so amazing are threefold: corner shooting, a flow profile that enables you to shoot at anything in stealth, and the ability to go in any direction without rotating your legs is huge. It does have big drawbacks even with a speed boost, though: walking up steps/hill, legs can easily be easily stuck resulting in a disastrous jump, and finally, a mediocre torso turn speed. Luckily, it is low and tanky enough that it does not matter if someone can run circles around you.
4) Falcon.
Recommended loadouts (in order): Glory, Avenger, Ember, Calamity
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Heavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Traditionalist, Mechanic, Armour Expert, Road Hog
First of all, wow. This bot is utterly insane and a literal damage sponge. You may notice that I did not include the side weapons; and to be frank, you can put whatever you want in there. I do recommend putting something in those slots. Otherwise, you easily telegraph to the reds that you are a Traditionalist build and can plan for the engagement accordingly. Truth be told, the main weapon is not really necessary, either, but you want something to shoot at! Jokes aside, on a technical level, it will never lose its main heavy hardpoint no matter the damage taken. (You can see the Mercury crying in the corner right about now.)
That being said, the Falcon literally has at least 1-2 million HP taking into account its native 66% resistance, as well as Advanced Repair Kit usage. It is meant to absorb all the damage while your team goes about its business in securing beacons. You can also experiment with the pilot skills - for instance, Adamant Guardian would require 2-3 decked out Ares' to shoot at it when you are down on beacons. Add in Dodger to recharge active modules faster for some extra spice!
So with all this HP, you may certainly ask why I do not have it ranked at #3. While there is an argument about it for #3, but at the end of the day, I personally value the ability to jump with the added bonus of suppression higher than walking to my destination. Its lone heavy hardpoint means your damage is negligible. Further, even with all the HP in the world, a bot running lock-down ammo can easily make this bot look foolish at taking unnecessary damage. Lastly, losing the ability to jump takes away its strongest asset with three heavy hardpoints.
5) Fenrir.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 1xGlory/2xCorona, 1xCalamity/2xScourges, 1xRedeemer/2xTarans, 1xAvenger/2xPunisher Ts
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, 2xHeavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Tough Guy, Energy Shield Expert
The Fenrir is an absolute unit. Its incredible firepower with resistances makes the Lancelot look like a baby tank in comparison. It lives in the brawling range or 300m or less, and is best used at defending beacons. This thing is more than capable of ending an Invader faster than you can say 'Hello, my name is...' with the right setups. I recommend the Glory/Corona setup with the Sharshooter skill just so you can piss the reds off at longer ranges while you close in for the kill. And with Energy Shield Expert, its Aegis shield becomes even stronger at range. You do not want to mess with this bad boy!
Its strengths also include great corner shooting and is so gosh darn pretty to look at with its cool effects. Armour Expert takes it over the top in terms of sheer surviving multiple engagements. You can also experiment with Adamant Road Hog when you are down on beacons to make the reds think that you are a Blitz! However, despite its firepower, it still has to walk dangerous paths to go anywhere and will not make crowds of Ares disperse as easily as an Invader!
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Part 2:
Hola and welcome to part deux of the Top 10 list! A week ago, we went through ranks #1 through #5, with explanations on the preferred loadouts for weapons, skills, and modules. We continue our journey through the top 10 with this. If you have not caught up, part one can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/walkingwarrobots/comments/c3g719/top_10_bots_june_2019_beacon_rush_part_1_of_2/
6) Mercury.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xHalos/Glory, Halo/Ecu/Glory, 2xHalos/Avenger, 2xHalos/Ember, 2xShredders/Ember, 2xGust/Exodus
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Road Hog, Armour Expert
The Mercury is one helluva tough cookie to crack with the right pilot skills. The shotgun loadout of Glory and Halos is the preferred method of destruction. You want to be up close and personal after a Helldive, and this is the best way to deal with the surviving leftovers. Too bad this bad boy cannot learn Destroyer like the Hellburner can, but this is plenty amazing! With the abundance of Quantum Radars and Ares' out in the battlefield, a lot of folks actually end up equipping an Ecu to shield them from Retribution damage. When going against top clans myself, I end up going with this loadout to protect myself. However, at times, I forego that extra layer of protection and fully trust that my team will shield me and surprise the reds with a nasty Helldive. Let me tell you: landing it is always satisfying! Just do not forget that the Anti-control module is very much a necessity as you are fragile and do not want to be exposed for too long.
For some extra nastiness, you could combine Road Hog with Survivor for more damage so as to reduce the hit you take on your bot's speed. For pulling out an extraordinary stunt and surprise the reds, you can go with Adamant Road Hog. When pulled off correctly, not even a backpedaling Ares can be left unscathed. I also usually recommend Sharpshooter if you are going with my preferred loadout of shotguns - you are going to be more accurate at longer distances, and hopefully be able to lock a red down before you rain down some pain.
7) Hades.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xHalos/Glory, 2xHalos/Avenger, 2xHalos/Ember, 2xShredders/Ember, 2xSparks/Calamity
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Quantum Radar, Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Destroyer
The recent buff to the Hades was a welcome addition. Its kinetic weapon from Retribution received an improvement on speed, as well as damage, making it even deadlier from afar (even without a unique pilot like Minji-Novak). It is also a very fun bot to play despite having a shorter period with its Absorber Shield, although it does benefit from a shorter cooldown for its ability. This can be somewhat advantageous when you are shorthanded on an Ares train. In the right hands, this thing is tough to kill and is speedy enough to make it back to cover!
8) Hellburner.
Recommended loadouts (in order): Ecu/Avenger, Ecu/Glory, Ember/Halo, Avenger/Halo, Ecu/Ancile
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control
Recommended active module: Lock-down Ammo, Death Mark
Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Invulnerable Raider, Scout, Destroyer, Armour Expert, Knight Errant
Hellburner is back with a vengeance! Not that it left the meta for too long, anyway. I love this bot when used at the start of the match. I use it to capture a quick beacon to gain resistance from the Invulnerable Raider skill, then it is off to the races. On the trek to a critical beacon, I activate the Lock-down Ammo and go to town with the Avengers. At times, I switch it up and prefer the Death Mark when fighting against another Hellburner or a beefier target. The Hellburner lasts long enough for help to arrive, and when that happens, my mission is pretty much accomplished. This bot is freaking fast with Scout and Road Hog, and is able to clear those pesky Lokis easily. To reach your destination unimpeded, I recommend an Anti-control module.
Note that this one of two bots I do not have a minimum recommendation for pilot skills - I am pretty much outlining my build. I love it that much! I have also experimented with using it on a mid-game push using Adamant Road Hog and Adamant Guardian. Boy, I tell you, that thing is absolute bonkers and really fun bombing a beacon solo or with the help of your teammates. If you are not using it as a kamikaze unit, I recommend Deft Survivor to recharge your ability upon reaching the 50% threshhold. Having that extra blast before your Last Stand hits helps quite a bit! However, it is useless when you know are going to be smashed to pieces (it does not activate while you are using your ability).
9) Loki.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 3xHalos, 3xShredders, 3xSparks
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Heavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Invulnerable Raider
The Loki is something in a bit of a conundrum right now. It is meta but we are still trying to figure out how to best utilize this speed demon. It can be somewhat overpowering at first if a clan uses an army of them at the start, but they are not really all that special once you know that they cannot kill you unless they come out of stealth. When it is used in the mid-game, it is a bit more effective, especially when you are at a beacon disadvantage. However, top clans almost always have 1-2 Quantum Radars available at any given time. So deploying it is a strategy in and of itself.
When it is deployed, the Loki has such an overbearing gravity that it cannot be ignored. It is fast enough that your Quantum Radar must be timed well in advance (due to the two second delay) in order to take it down. Even then, it requires two volleys and it cannot be locked down with the Anti-control module equipped. This is the only bot in the game that everyone has to pay attention to. If you have ever watched the NBA, elite players like Stephen Curry similarly draw this kind of gravity. That is the Loki's advantage.
10) Nemesis.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xCoronas, 2xStorms, 2xScourges, 2xPulsars
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Destroyer, Master Gunsmith, Cautious Pilot, Sharpshooter
The Nemesis is a very fun bot. It is also the second bot that I do not have a minimum recommended pilot skills - as this is my build, and really enjoying it. Its short ability cooldown is its bread and butter. It has decent enough firepower and can be buffed even more with the above pilot skills. This is a bot that I use to cover and support when we lack an extra Ares until help can arrive. Usually, though, I just go to town and unleash hell whenever possible and duck back into cover. The pilot skills give it such an edge in firepower that I am surprised top clans are not using this beast more (combining Cautious Pilot with Road Hog essentially negates the decrease in speed, and plus it gains +5% damage with Master Gunsmith). Well, I know why, but I feel like the Nemesis is more futureproof to nerfs than the Ares.
Honourable mentions:
Mender
Strider
I think the Mender has a strong case for a meta slot. It is quite excellent at supporting teammates and is a very tough ?illegitimate child? to kill. It is a mini Invader on steroids with the right pilot skills. The Strider is also an honourable mention as it gains much of the same skills as the Hellburner. It does require skill to use. With the Anti-control module, it can easily go inside an Ares' bubble and let loose the destruction. Maybe next time!
https://www.reddit.com/r/walkingwarrobots/comments/c5fli2/top_10_bots_june_2019_beacon_rush_part_2_of_2/
SDFMacr0ss:
I apologize for the super long time this took - you see, I normally write these at the beginning of the month. With the release of 5.1, I decided to wait it out a few weeks as the top clans try to figure things out with pilots and the ever changing meta landscape. Update 5.1 included pilots, as well as new passive and active modules. Pilots, I think, are a way for Pixo to bring balance without overly hurting existing bots out there. However, it is clear that pilots favour the tankier bots, such as Invaders and Falcons. The pilot skills for the offensive juggernauts like the Ares are 'meh' to decent at best.
We are officially entering the Age of Tanks!
Note that this list only considers the bot's overall performance when pitted against other top S rank clans. I also rank bots on a technical level (e.g. corner shooting) so that you have an overall view of how they function. That being said, I am excited to share with you this month's rankings with a bevy of explanations to go with it! It will be quite unique as it also goes through recommended pilot skills. Last month's list can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/walkingwarrobots/comments/bjyiez/top_10_meta_bots_may_2019_beacon_rush/
1) Ares.
Recommended loadout (in order): 2xHalo/2xCorona, 2xSpark/2xScourge, 2xHalo/2xStorm, 2xHalo/2xTaran, 2xShredder/2xTaran, 2xHalo/2xScourge
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Quantum Radar
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Armour Expert, Destroyer
The Ares has a plethora of skills to select from, but no matter which route you go with, I always recommend the above pilot skills. They serve the glass cannon well and allow you to stay longer in the battlefield. For shotgun type setups, I would usually recommend some type of Sharshooter skill - this allows you to become more accurate at longer ranges. For the Scourge/Spark setups, Guidance Operator definitely helps locking onto a target quicker. You could certainly go for more damaging skills, such as Gunsmith (2.5% increased weapon damage), but in my overall experience, these skills are lacklustre compared to what other bots have (e.g. Invader can have a 5% increased weapon damage), so I would avoid those.
So why is the Ares still so dominant? I know everyone will say the combination of firepower, speed, as well as the ability to cover a teammate with its Absorber shield. But for the more technically inclined folks like me, it is the perfect bot for corner shooting someone to death. Its torso turn speed is also top notch, in that a faster bot such as a Loki or Pursuer should not be able to dance around you. Moreover, the damage you can deal at longer ranges can make someone trigger an opposing red's ability while you retreat to safety. Just used your ability and defending a beacon on Moon map? Hide behind one of the pillars and use your speed to corner shoot and move around!
I also highly recommend the Anti-control module - your damage will suffer somewhat but the ability to move and shrug off lock-down and suppression is a wonderful trade-off. When working with Ares trains, being left behind and causing your team to backtrack is detrimental.
2) Ao Jun***
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xAvengers, 1xViper/1xAvenger, 2xRedeemers, 2xEmbers
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Lock-down Ammo
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Armour Expert, Road Hog
I contemplated about whether or not the Ao Jun really deserved the #2 spot (that is why I put the asterisks in there), but after further thought, it is still a very deadly and mobile bot. Its role is starting to become more defined these days: 1) It is used to capture or assist with a critical beacon early on, or 2) It is used to destroy a tank. The Ao Jun really excels at killing things with the most absolute impunity. The pilot skills of its legendary pilot, Alika Renner, not only assist with that but also help it survive longer and deals more damage in a given period of time. This beast is a certified tank killer and can make bombing runs like no other (hello Redeemers!).
The drawbacks in top clan S rank battles is that most pilots will be running Quantum Radar. Yes, it is incredibly fast in the air, and you can trick the reds into activating their Quantum Radar, but most pilots understand that that is the only time you are dangerous. Its long cooldown time ensures that you must hide until your flight is active - this is because on a technical scale, it is a poor corner shooter, and more nimble bots can hug or dance around you all day up close. This is why I recommend Anti-control - you do not want your fragile bot to be rooted in place waiting for your ability to come up!
That being said, I would invest in a Sharpshooter skill if you are wanting to be even deadlier at longer ranges. When you are down on beacons, you could certainly take advantage of Adamant Road Hog for some serious speed. It will certainly help you dodge shots in the air while dealing insane amounts of damage. Even when you fly erratically, a lot of top pilots know how to predict your flight - and they also know that you are going to attempt to land in safety after.
3) Invader.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 1xCorona/2xHalos, 1xStorm/2xHalos, 1xScourge/2xSparks, 1xStorm/2xGusts
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, 2xHeavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Wonderworker, Armour Expert, Tough Guy
Despite a prior nerf in its cooldown and HP, the release of pilots have seen this bot on the rise once again. Some may argue that using its legendary pilot, Stanislav Chen, is not needed. I do believe that it is necessary, even with Anti-control being around. The suppression effect essentially nullifies what pitiful damage the reds may have without it, and it is great for dispersing crowds. You may certainly experiment with other traits, such as Adamant Mechanic in that you repair more when down on beacons, but for me, having constant repair is plenty good enough.
The Invader is best used for attacking a beacon in conjunction with a team - going solo is certainly a death knell despite its bevy of hit points. The more HP it has, the stronger the Mechanic skill is at repairing this bot. With boosters and modules in top clan battles, this thing can reach nearly 600,000 of pure HP! That and coupled with the ability to leapfrog a ridiculous distance is why this bot is ranked so highly. Up close and personal, it is very deadly with either Corona/Halos or Storm/Gusts. Your trump card is that you can instantly repair 40% of your HP with the Advanced Repair Kit. Long enough to kill a stray or have your team assist in the mop-up efforts.
The other technical characteristics of this bot that make it so amazing are threefold: corner shooting, a flow profile that enables you to shoot at anything in stealth, and the ability to go in any direction without rotating your legs is huge. It does have big drawbacks even with a speed boost, though: walking up steps/hill, legs can easily be easily stuck resulting in a disastrous jump, and finally, a mediocre torso turn speed. Luckily, it is low and tanky enough that it does not matter if someone can run circles around you.
4) Falcon.
Recommended loadouts (in order): Glory, Avenger, Ember, Calamity
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Heavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Traditionalist, Mechanic, Armour Expert, Road Hog
First of all, wow. This bot is utterly insane and a literal damage sponge. You may notice that I did not include the side weapons; and to be frank, you can put whatever you want in there. I do recommend putting something in those slots. Otherwise, you easily telegraph to the reds that you are a Traditionalist build and can plan for the engagement accordingly. Truth be told, the main weapon is not really necessary, either, but you want something to shoot at! Jokes aside, on a technical level, it will never lose its main heavy hardpoint no matter the damage taken. (You can see the Mercury crying in the corner right about now.)
That being said, the Falcon literally has at least 1-2 million HP taking into account its native 66% resistance, as well as Advanced Repair Kit usage. It is meant to absorb all the damage while your team goes about its business in securing beacons. You can also experiment with the pilot skills - for instance, Adamant Guardian would require 2-3 decked out Ares' to shoot at it when you are down on beacons. Add in Dodger to recharge active modules faster for some extra spice!
So with all this HP, you may certainly ask why I do not have it ranked at #3. While there is an argument about it for #3, but at the end of the day, I personally value the ability to jump with the added bonus of suppression higher than walking to my destination. Its lone heavy hardpoint means your damage is negligible. Further, even with all the HP in the world, a bot running lock-down ammo can easily make this bot look foolish at taking unnecessary damage. Lastly, losing the ability to jump takes away its strongest asset with three heavy hardpoints.
5) Fenrir.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 1xGlory/2xCorona, 1xCalamity/2xScourges, 1xRedeemer/2xTarans, 1xAvenger/2xPunisher Ts
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, 2xHeavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Tough Guy, Energy Shield Expert
The Fenrir is an absolute unit. Its incredible firepower with resistances makes the Lancelot look like a baby tank in comparison. It lives in the brawling range or 300m or less, and is best used at defending beacons. This thing is more than capable of ending an Invader faster than you can say 'Hello, my name is...' with the right setups. I recommend the Glory/Corona setup with the Sharshooter skill just so you can piss the reds off at longer ranges while you close in for the kill. And with Energy Shield Expert, its Aegis shield becomes even stronger at range. You do not want to mess with this bad boy!
Its strengths also include great corner shooting and is so gosh darn pretty to look at with its cool effects. Armour Expert takes it over the top in terms of sheer surviving multiple engagements. You can also experiment with Adamant Road Hog when you are down on beacons to make the reds think that you are a Blitz! However, despite its firepower, it still has to walk dangerous paths to go anywhere and will not make crowds of Ares disperse as easily as an Invader!
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Part 2:
Hola and welcome to part deux of the Top 10 list! A week ago, we went through ranks #1 through #5, with explanations on the preferred loadouts for weapons, skills, and modules. We continue our journey through the top 10 with this. If you have not caught up, part one can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/walkingwarrobots/comments/c3g719/top_10_bots_june_2019_beacon_rush_part_1_of_2/
6) Mercury.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xHalos/Glory, Halo/Ecu/Glory, 2xHalos/Avenger, 2xHalos/Ember, 2xShredders/Ember, 2xGust/Exodus
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Road Hog, Armour Expert
The Mercury is one helluva tough cookie to crack with the right pilot skills. The shotgun loadout of Glory and Halos is the preferred method of destruction. You want to be up close and personal after a Helldive, and this is the best way to deal with the surviving leftovers. Too bad this bad boy cannot learn Destroyer like the Hellburner can, but this is plenty amazing! With the abundance of Quantum Radars and Ares' out in the battlefield, a lot of folks actually end up equipping an Ecu to shield them from Retribution damage. When going against top clans myself, I end up going with this loadout to protect myself. However, at times, I forego that extra layer of protection and fully trust that my team will shield me and surprise the reds with a nasty Helldive. Let me tell you: landing it is always satisfying! Just do not forget that the Anti-control module is very much a necessity as you are fragile and do not want to be exposed for too long.
For some extra nastiness, you could combine Road Hog with Survivor for more damage so as to reduce the hit you take on your bot's speed. For pulling out an extraordinary stunt and surprise the reds, you can go with Adamant Road Hog. When pulled off correctly, not even a backpedaling Ares can be left unscathed. I also usually recommend Sharpshooter if you are going with my preferred loadout of shotguns - you are going to be more accurate at longer distances, and hopefully be able to lock a red down before you rain down some pain.
7) Hades.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xHalos/Glory, 2xHalos/Avenger, 2xHalos/Ember, 2xShredders/Ember, 2xSparks/Calamity
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Quantum Radar, Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Wonderworker, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Destroyer
The recent buff to the Hades was a welcome addition. Its kinetic weapon from Retribution received an improvement on speed, as well as damage, making it even deadlier from afar (even without a unique pilot like Minji-Novak). It is also a very fun bot to play despite having a shorter period with its Absorber Shield, although it does benefit from a shorter cooldown for its ability. This can be somewhat advantageous when you are shorthanded on an Ares train. In the right hands, this thing is tough to kill and is speedy enough to make it back to cover!
8) Hellburner.
Recommended loadouts (in order): Ecu/Avenger, Ecu/Glory, Ember/Halo, Avenger/Halo, Ecu/Ancile
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control
Recommended active module: Lock-down Ammo, Death Mark
Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Invulnerable Raider, Scout, Destroyer, Armour Expert, Knight Errant
Hellburner is back with a vengeance! Not that it left the meta for too long, anyway. I love this bot when used at the start of the match. I use it to capture a quick beacon to gain resistance from the Invulnerable Raider skill, then it is off to the races. On the trek to a critical beacon, I activate the Lock-down Ammo and go to town with the Avengers. At times, I switch it up and prefer the Death Mark when fighting against another Hellburner or a beefier target. The Hellburner lasts long enough for help to arrive, and when that happens, my mission is pretty much accomplished. This bot is freaking fast with Scout and Road Hog, and is able to clear those pesky Lokis easily. To reach your destination unimpeded, I recommend an Anti-control module.
Note that this one of two bots I do not have a minimum recommendation for pilot skills - I am pretty much outlining my build. I love it that much! I have also experimented with using it on a mid-game push using Adamant Road Hog and Adamant Guardian. Boy, I tell you, that thing is absolute bonkers and really fun bombing a beacon solo or with the help of your teammates. If you are not using it as a kamikaze unit, I recommend Deft Survivor to recharge your ability upon reaching the 50% threshhold. Having that extra blast before your Last Stand hits helps quite a bit! However, it is useless when you know are going to be smashed to pieces (it does not activate while you are using your ability).
9) Loki.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 3xHalos, 3xShredders, 3xSparks
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Heavy Armour Kit
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Minimum Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Invulnerable Raider
The Loki is something in a bit of a conundrum right now. It is meta but we are still trying to figure out how to best utilize this speed demon. It can be somewhat overpowering at first if a clan uses an army of them at the start, but they are not really all that special once you know that they cannot kill you unless they come out of stealth. When it is used in the mid-game, it is a bit more effective, especially when you are at a beacon disadvantage. However, top clans almost always have 1-2 Quantum Radars available at any given time. So deploying it is a strategy in and of itself.
When it is deployed, the Loki has such an overbearing gravity that it cannot be ignored. It is fast enough that your Quantum Radar must be timed well in advance (due to the two second delay) in order to take it down. Even then, it requires two volleys and it cannot be locked down with the Anti-control module equipped. This is the only bot in the game that everyone has to pay attention to. If you have ever watched the NBA, elite players like Stephen Curry similarly draw this kind of gravity. That is the Loki's advantage.
10) Nemesis.
Recommended loadouts (in order): 2xCoronas, 2xStorms, 2xScourges, 2xPulsars
Recommended passive modules: Last Stand, Anti-control, Thermonuclear Reactor
Recommended active module: Advanced Repair Kit
Recommended pilot skills: Mechanic, Road Hog, Armour Expert, Destroyer, Master Gunsmith, Cautious Pilot, Sharpshooter
The Nemesis is a very fun bot. It is also the second bot that I do not have a minimum recommended pilot skills - as this is my build, and really enjoying it. Its short ability cooldown is its bread and butter. It has decent enough firepower and can be buffed even more with the above pilot skills. This is a bot that I use to cover and support when we lack an extra Ares until help can arrive. Usually, though, I just go to town and unleash hell whenever possible and duck back into cover. The pilot skills give it such an edge in firepower that I am surprised top clans are not using this beast more (combining Cautious Pilot with Road Hog essentially negates the decrease in speed, and plus it gains +5% damage with Master Gunsmith). Well, I know why, but I feel like the Nemesis is more futureproof to nerfs than the Ares.
Honourable mentions:
Mender
Strider
I think the Mender has a strong case for a meta slot. It is quite excellent at supporting teammates and is a very tough ?illegitimate child? to kill. It is a mini Invader on steroids with the right pilot skills. The Strider is also an honourable mention as it gains much of the same skills as the Hellburner. It does require skill to use. With the Anti-control module, it can easily go inside an Ares' bubble and let loose the destruction. Maybe next time!
