Mechwarrior 3 is a fun game, but it is a lot more fun when you win more than you lose. Here are some strategies for Mech configurations that I think are good for the Instant Action mode.
Clan weaponry and mechs are better than Inner Sphere weaponry and mechs. In the real game, use salvaged Clan weapons in your mechs. I will get in depth on weapons and mech designs later on the page.
I personally think that a Dashi is the best mech for Instant Action.A Dashi has many tons of armor, many criticals, and many ton's for weapons. My favorite configuration for the Dashi is first, going to equipment and upgrading the engine to the highest rating (400). Even though the Dashi is heavily armored, it is very slow. Upgrading its engine makes the Dashi almost twice as fast. the Then, I go to armor, bring the tonnage down to 16 tons, and change the armor to Ferro Fiberous (Clan). I strip the Dashi of every weapon, but keep all the double heat sinks. Then, I load medium pulse lazers into the torso's. The torsos are the best place to store critical weapons. You can still live when one of your arms are blown off, but you can't when your torso is blown off. I usually add a targeting computer even though I don't really need it. Never use more than 11 medium pulse lazers because you will always overheat. If avalible, drive your mech into water and shoot from the water. Your mech then won't heat up as much. I always have heat problems, so I have to override the shutdown sequence and use coolent a lot. When you have a lot of pulse lazers, you usually want to have at least 23 double heat sinks. Another tactic with medium pulse lazers is to aim at the opposing mech's legs and the back of it's torso. Also, if it has it's weapons in its arms, shoot off the arms first. Don't use your targeting computer to aim at the cockpit of another mech, because it almost never hits the cockpit. What happens in the opening movie rarely happens. Also, if you are a Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries expert (which i am not), circle fighting will not be as effective in Mechwarrior 3.
Another configuration for the Dashi is loading it up with 4 ER PPCs. This is a devastating weapon configuration, but it makes a lot of heat. A PPC has a range of 800 meters, and has a damage rating of extreme. The problem is the heat. I have not mastered this design, but I have used it. You upgrade the same things as I did in the Pulse Lazer configuration. and put 4 ER PPCs in the torso. Then put as many double heat sinks where ever you can. As I mentioned before, try and stand in the water to lower your heat level. Only fire all four in a group when you have to. If you have the chance, attack at the back of the torso, which is the less armored part of a mech. Try and get every shot a hit. You probably will be able to take out your enemies from long range. I have played in a Mechwarrior 3 tournament before, and the winner proved to me that the biggest mech isn't the best. A person who tied for first (I got third)used a Puma with 7-10 (or more!) flamers. he also had jump jets and and upgraded engine. He just ran right under my Dashi's sight and overheated me (blew me up). It is a great idea for a stratigic mechwarrior. A hit and run at close range teqnique. (coutesy of Sam) The LBX-hell config is a powerhouse, but you are burdened with the ammo. problem. Take an Annihilator, but 4-6 lbx-10's, and you have a config. that can take out a Dashi lef in one hit! Come back soon for more Mech 3 stuff Back to the Mech Bay (homepage)
