Posted August 20 2014 - 09:38 PM
I would not recommend raider for someone just getting into the game, but, since you already have it, let me explain some key mechanics behind the game that are useful for raider.
First, I don't know what games you've played before, so forgive me if this is too basic-I'm assuming standard FPS w/ low TTKs, (military style shooters).
There is no set of weapons capable of killing even the weakest mech in one hit, but the raider does come close. When you first start, the game is really about getting used to the movement and how to use multiple weapons and manage their heat. The raider is a movement centered mech with a very close engagement range.
The weapon you start out with, the reflak, is an automatic shotgun capable of short-midrange combat. It is the least "bursty" of the raider's weapons. Burst is a very central concept to this game.
Burst is a mech's ability to do high damage while minimally exposing yourself, as opposed to flat out DPS, which requires consistent line of sight. Burst tactics are centered around using cover, and only becoming visible to the enemy at the exact moments that you attack. The reflak is forgiving in this sense, because even though it is a shotgun, it maintains a moderate level of DPS.
You want to be consistently manipulating any engagement to your advantage by stepping out of cover, shooting, and then immediately dodging back behind cover. It's a very basic principal within Hawken, but it truly never becomes outdated, regardless of skill.
The raider, even though it is a B class, is conditionally the fastest mech in the game. The condition is that its ability is on. Not only does it become the fastest, most agile mech in the game with the ability turned on, but you can shoot while boosting-a capability not possessed by any other mech. You can take advantage of this by surprising enemy mechs, or forcing an engagement with a mech that has low health.
However, I personally rarely use the ability for offense unless I know I have a very good chance of winning the engagement- or I use it without boosting for a very fast walk speed, effectively sneaking up on an opponent very quickly. If you boost into an engagement, ability or not, you will have less fuel to fight or retreat with, and that ability can be very useful for getting out of a sticky situation.
Also, a very general piece of advice. Boost only when necessary or when you are positive no one is around (surrounded by teammates, at spawn, etc.). Not only do you use fuel and appear on radar, but your weapons take time to raise. Engaging an enemy by boosting to them is a near guarantee that they will get the first shot on you.
Welcome, and good luck.