Six bots, five slots

I would get:
1 Plasma Galahad
Trident Carnage
Orkan Aphid Griffin
Pinata Orkan Griffin
If you don't have an Aphid Taran Griffin, I'd run a second galahad.

I currently run 2 Plasma Galahads, but one will be replaced with a Ancile Taran Lancelot or an Aphid Taran Griffin. Alhough a Galahad is invulnerable to Plasma and can backpedal Orkans, its weakness to midrange makes it difficult to use in longer ranged maps.

Agreed.  As much as I like the RH Smack, I've been itching for more plasma.  Yeah, that came out weird lol.

Funny how quickly things change in this game.  A month or so ago, I saw sooooo many shielded bots like Lances, Galas, Gareths, that splash seemed the way to go, hence my rocket-heavy lineup.  But lately I've seen a lot more Anciles, whether on Leos, Furies, or Ancilots.  Not to mention the Carnages and occasional Fujin.

Think I'll try the dual Plasmahads, dual Carnage, and either the PhOrk or RDB Griff.  I could run the Ambush Griff (Aphids + Tarans) too.  Choices, choices, choices...

Blurred Vision,
You are 1 step ahead of me on levels.  Doing my 1st level 10 upgrade with 5 level 9 bots.  My hanger:
Galahad - Plasma
Lancelot  - Thunder / Orkan
Griffin - Aphid / Orkan
Griffin - rotate Plasma & RDB
5th slot is a rotator - Rhino & Carnage & Leo
Saving Au for ? Fury or ??
Newest bot is Lancelot (really like), but convinced its to slow to have a 2nd.
Carnage - 2 squishy and best with Thunder, but brawling is short life
Fury - undertand damage potential, but I can not see myself pacing back and forth soooooooo slowly.
So keeping options open & have plenty of level 10 upgrades to go!

Let us know what you decide!

Did you hanger feel different when you finished weps upgrade to level 10??

In my case, all plasma weapons were 9s or 10s before the new MM dropped, when I started to build this hangar in earnest.  The rocket weapons are where I spent my time and Ag, and yeah, the difference is noticeable.  The RDB Griff became particularly potent when I got all weps to 10, same for the Pimp Smack Galahad.  My aphids were 10 before, but the Orks felt like they hurt more from the PhOrk/Stuka Griff even at 9.

I'm gonna do some basic analysis after 20-game sets with various hangars to see how it shakes out, tracking kills, damage, beacons, W/L.  I'm mostly interested to see how Plasmahad #2 vs Pimp Smack shakes out, Thunder Carn vs PImp Smack vs Stuka.  

I've played the Lance on the test server & while it's a tough mofo, it's almost too slow for me, the same for the Fury.  I could see getting one Lance at some point, but the slow trickle rate of my gold earnings makes that a long-term, last-thing purchase.  Hopefully Pixo will release the prototype dash bot by time I have another 5000 Au. 

The Stuka Griff started out as a DB, but even after the nerf, Aphids are still effective in gold, especially against slower-moving heavies.  In silver, Aphids were becoming less valuable as I had issues hitting Geps, Cossacks, any of the faster bots.  Pinatas are LOS only, whereas you can lob Aphids over obstacles, so I use them to soften up a target before getting into Orkan range.  The Griff is a great platform for rockets (RDB, PhOrk/Stuka, DB) to be sure.  

I haven't referred back to the old MM tier guide, but I suspect my current hangar is at least low gold if not mid-gold now that bots are 9s & all weapons (save for 2 Orkans) are 10s or 11s.  

I agree that petevb knows his isht, which is why my first round of testing includes two Plasmahads, no offense to anyone else.  Even though the arms on the second Plasmahad aren't leveled to 10, initial results are promising based on damage dealt.  

I don't have the gold for a Fury, and I've tried a Trident + CRV Pin Leo for mid-range, but it was too slow for my play style.  The two heavy hard points on the Carnage are why I'm using it for mid-range with the Tridents.  It's proven to be pretty effective, tho it does give up some firepower and is a squishier bot as petevb noted.  The mobility helps to compensate.  Given the right conditions and pilot skill, Thunder Carnage can be wicked.

I prefer a run-n-gun playing style; CQB is my thing.  Prior to the new MM, I ran 2 Geps, 2 Rogs, and a rocket Golem for MR in silver.  That's why I'm leaning towards medium bots like Galahad & Carnage (and still learning how to best pilot the latter) for higher-level/TT play.  The faster medium bots also allow me the chance to cap more beacons (so sayeth Capt. Obvious lol).  I'm getting better with the Griffs but often muttering "get the lead out you fat fvck" as I try to get from A to B  

It's an evolving thing.  As much as I hate(d) the new MM, it has forced me to improve my skills as a pilot, learning new tactics and how to shoot better, or for more effect.  Popping out from cover in the now means you damn well better hit what you're shooting at cuz the exposure could cost you.  Much less room for error.  The days of spray-n-pray are long gone.  Plasma is still an effective suppressive weapon, but even with that you have to be more accurate and strategic about when/where/at whom you shoot.  The change I've seen in efficacy between weapons types (shifting from splash & rockets mere weeks ago towards plasma now) has also forced adaptation.  Darwin would love this corner of the gaming world...

The new MM has certainly changed my play style as well.  It is constantly evolving which I like. I purchased my Lancelot shortly after the new MM, and it has become a great corner shooter!!  Had alot of practice.  

I am highly anticipating how battle strategy will change as my levels increase over next few weeks.  I used to play all the maps, right now I skip Canyon 9/10 times.  That strategy could change as I level my Tridents above 9, but they are last on my upgrade list.

You mentioned not having the Au for a Fury, planning one for the future?

 Swapping around my 5th slot, I put in my level 6 Natasha with Tri/Pins Lol.....  with the new level 10 Pins (thanks Pix) it can do some damage if I dont have worry about being exposed... usually last 2-3 hits and its done.
HaHa, I just remembered I was able to take center beacon Yamatau,  It was the typical meat grinder and suddenly the smoke cleared and 5-6 bots went down in like 2 secs.  I was covering the bridges and took my shot to take back the beacon, I was laughing all the way up..... felt like I was crawling....  & got the beacon!!

It will be interesting if we are able to qualify again in 3 days.... hopefully we will have the league screen up by then.    Right now I would not mind dropping down to Gold II or III, so I could consistently  earn some Au in battles.

Tridents (and RDB) are the biggest threat to Galahad. When they are on the field smart use of cover is required, and it's one of the main reasons I recommend running Galahad on the flanks rather than straight up the middle. From the flank you can more easily skirt Trident range and keep the threat angle narrow, which makes cover easier to find. You can then wait for/ goad the Fury into firing before dashing for the next cover. Used this way the Galahad is survivable, and you'll see a number of Top players running 2+ (or even Gareth, which are even more fragile). 

What you should avoid is running these bots up the middle early to mid game- a smart Fury pilot will pick out Galahad and other light bots specifically, even if they are further back, to quickly take them off the map. In that role Griffin in particular are much more survivable vs Tridents, but they're generally in trouble if they meet a Plasma Galahad in the open field without support. 

To use two effectively on open maps (ie Canyons) you might try running a PDB Galahad first (flanking, side beacon push and threatening enemy long range) and last (cleanup, beacon grabbing).

I'd easily save up 15000 or something for a 6th slot.  (enough that it's a real grind and tempting to get a fury or two on the way).

petevb   I could see running a 2x Stuka Griff 2x PDB Galahad hangar too, quite easily....Just have to acquire one more Aphid and Orkan to make that happen.  It's ironic that you mentioned the Zeus, as I have two 7s that I just started leveling after speeding up the Carnage upgrade yesterday.  I'm anxious to get both Zeus up to 9 or so before testing that (Zeus Carnage) as a MR option.  Thanks for the ongoing input & advice.