25 replies to this topic

[Meraple]

Brawler Basics:

Basics only:

As the title says, this is only a small, basic guide about the Brawler.

Experienced pilots probably won't benefit much from reading this.

 

Basic Format: 
Example Text = Basic explanation
(Example Text = Small elaboration

Example Text = Bullet point

Example Text = Sub-category

Example Text = Main-category

 

 

Hawkins/FLAK/Vulcan: 
Hawkins is generally best on most maps; FLAK's good as well, just not as flexible.
- FLAK Brawler is usually a bit beefier due to Deflector synergy, but mostly restricted to close-range burst
- Hawkins Brawler has more range and is sustained, but lacks the capability to fully use the damage reduction from Deflectors
- Both of them must stick with their team, as they can't run away when caught out

- Vulcan Brawler isn't really optimal, so I haven't written a section on it

 
Hawkins Brawler Basics: 
Basic requirements for Hawkins Brawler:
- Good aim (Hawkins is very accurate, so unless your reticule is on the enemy you miss
- Decent positioning (If you're caught out you're dead due to very little mobility

As a Hawkins Brawler you should be at the team's frontline, constantly poking.
Due to your range you shouldn't fear for enemies running out of your optimal distance.

The Hawkins Brawler is capable of fighting at almost any range - from point-blank to long-range.
A common misconception seems to be that it can't fight at closer ranges, which is plain false.
Basic situational maneuvers at point-blank:
- If you've the HP-advantage, side-dodge to maintain distance instead of dodging a Secondary (Dodge in the opposite direction
- If you've the HP-advantage, side-dodge to body-block a squishy opponent from circling you (Usually doesn't work against high-DPS C's
- If you've the HP-disadvantage, only side-dodge to dodge an enemy Secondary or burst weapon (Usually works against high-DPS C's
- Drop an Orb and sit on it (If you sit on the back end of it, your opponent will have to get infront of you to leach HP from it
- If the enemy drops an orb, rush towards it and sit on the back end to employ the above tactic (People usually dodge away from a rushing Brawler
Basic cornerplay tips:
- If the enemy misses a slow-reload weapon, immediately dodge out of cover and shoot (Gained advantage is enough to win some DPS-races
- Listen for enemy footsteps, and prefire your TOW accordingly (If you miss the enemy can do the above tactic to you, so be careful

 

Reccomended build - Semi-Orblord Hawkins Brawler:

Spoiler

Items: 3x Orb, 1x EMP (EMP's more useful than Shield for sustain mechs if you can land it
Internals: Advanced Armor Fusor (3s), Extractor (2s), Basic Deflectors (1s)
About Advanced Armor Fusor:
- Kills reward 8HP per second for a total of 160HP, Assists reward 5HP per second for a total of 100HP
- The 20s aren't really that long in combat
- It generally does more for a sustained mech than Deflectors, which only reduces damage when boosting or dodging
- Only useful if you're capable of getting alot of kills, as Assists heal for less
About Extractor:
- Turns the already mighty Orbs into almighty Orbs
About Basic Deflectors:
- Hawkins Brawler usually only dodges and doesn't boost in combat, but there's not really anything more useful 1-slotted
About Advanced Repair Kit:
- It's not as versatile as the Advanced Armor Fusor, as the only forms of in-combat healing with it are Orbs and Techs
- If you're pushing, there's usually less chance to use Orbs
- Better than the Advanced Armor Fusor if you continuously sit on Orbs
Variant Builds:

- Advanced Armor Fusor (3s), Deflectors/Evasive Device (2s), Basic Fuel Converter (1s) (My build when Extractor is banned
- Armor Fusor (2s), Extractor (2s), Repair Kit (2s) (Trades kill-reward effectivity for higher Orb heal amount
- Advanced Repair Kit (3s), Extractor (2s), Basic Deflectors (1s) (Removes kill-rewards to allow for maximum Orb effectivity
- Armor Fusor (2s), Extractor (2s), Deflectors (2s) (Trades kill-reward effectivity for higher damage reduction


FLAK Brawler Basics:
Basic requirements for FLAK Brawler:
- Knowledge of basic dance moves, as you'll be doing those most of the time
- Deflectors for a 20% damage reduction while dodging/boosting

Unlike the versatile Hawkins variant, the FLAK Brawler's mostly restricted to close-range burst.
Because of that it can be pretty ineffective in some maps, like Bunker.
In Uptown or Wreckage however, it can be absolutely devastating.
As a FLAK Brawler you should be at the team's frontline, waiting in cover and punishing enemies that come too close.

Brawler has the highest HP pool in the game, and Deflectors give it a 20% damage reduction which equals 160HP from 800HP.
Basic gap-closing movement patterns that maximize Deflector effectivity:
- Boost forwards, hop and fire weapons, side-dodge when you land and refire your FLAK, repeat
- Boost forwards, hop and fire weapons, turn 90 degrees and side-dodge towards the enemy, turn back and refire your FLAK, repeat
Basic point-blank dance maneuver:
- Fire your weapons, boost to one side of the enemy and then immediately dodge to the other, repeat
Basic cornerplay tips:
- If the enemy misses a slow-reload weapon, dodge out of cover and shoot
- Listen for enemy footsteps, and prefire your TOW accordingly (If you miss the enemy can do the above tactic to you, so be careful
Basic FLAK aiming:
- If you've troubles hitting it, practice only firing it when your cursor is over the enemy

 

Reccomended Build - Semi-Orblord FLAK Brawler:

Spoiler

Items: 3x Orb, 1x Blockade/EMP (The fourth Item really depends on your personal taste
Internals: Extractor (2s), Deflectors (2s), Basic Failsafe (1s), Basic Fuel Converter (1s)
About Extractor:
- Turns the already mighty Orbs into almighty Orbs
About Deflectors:
- Essential for FLAK Brawler, as the 20% damage reduction is amazing
About Basic Failsafe:
- Since you'll mostly be fighting in close-range or point-blank, this is to take less damage from your own TOWs
About Basic Fuel Converter:
- You'll mostly be boosting, hopping and dodging in combat; this helps with the former two

Variant Builds:

- Advanced Armor Fusor (3s), Deflectors/Evasive Device (2s), Basic Fuel Converter (1s) (My build when Extractor is banned
- Armor Fusor (2s), Extractor (2s), Repair Kit (2s) (Trades kill-reward effectivity for higher Orb heal amount
- Advanced Repair Kit (3s), Extractor (2s), Basic Deflectors (1s) (Removes kill-rewards to allow for maximum Orb effectivity
- Armor Fusor (2s), Extractor (2s), Deflectors (2s) (Trades kill-reward effectivity for higher damage reduction

 

 

Turret Mode Basics:

It's honestly not worth using in most situations, as it's plainly underwhelming.

However, there's a few situations where it's possibly decent:

- Using it to slowly repair while being able to fire your weapons, incase an enemy comes (Very slow, normal repairs with an Orb is usually better

- Using it at longer ranges with Hawkins Brawler can be a viable option (Emphasis on can, as it turns you into a derpy turtle

- #ChangeBrawlerAbility

Edited by (KDR) Meraple, 11 January 2016 - 09:05 AM.

[Hyginos]

Hawkins/FLAK/Vulcan:

Hawkins is generally best; FLAK's good as well, just not as flexible.

 

I distinctly remember a time somewhere around the beginning of TPG S2/end of S1 during which the consensus was that flak brawler was explicitly superior to Hawkins. It's interesting how meta evolves.

[Guns_N_Rozer]

i got an idia , whenever i see ORB i will sit on it , no metter is there any chair or not

 

thanks for tips and info  and share with us ?

Edited by (KDR) RozerMahbub, 30 July 2015 - 11:09 AM.

[DerMax]

I distinctly remember a time somewhere around the beginning of TPG S2/end of S1 during which the consensus was that flak brawler was explicitly superior to Hawkins. It's interesting how meta evolves.

It depends on the map. For Uptown/Wreckage Flak is a good choice; on other maps SA is strictly better due to the insane falloff.

[Elite_is_salty]

It depends on the map. For Uptown/Wreckage Flak is a good choice; on other maps SA is strictly better due to the insane falloff.

 

No uptown in TPG.

Flak brawler is best on Origin.

[Sp3ctrr]

Of course Meraple makes a brawler guide, It wouldn't be anyone else.

[kaiserschmarrn_]

Of course Meraple makes a brawler guide, It wouldn't be anyone else.

oh rly

[crockrocket]

I distinctly remember a time somewhere around the beginning of TPG S2/end of S1 during which the consensus was that flak brawler was explicitly superior to Hawkins. It's interesting how meta evolves.

Around when I started playing, Hawkins was basically never used by anyone, no one said sustained was OP, and some people even said that Flak was the most OP weapon in Hawken

[nepacaka]

Not yet finished:

- Turret Mode section

 

lol :D

 

Hawkins was basically never used by anyone

 

i used it since beta, and remember time when SA has only a 40 dps but other pew-pew weapons has a 120 dps

it was funny time :D

 

 

- If you've the HP-advantage, side-dodge to body-block your opponent from circling you (Your opponent will usually be a sitting duck

 

and other C-class with vulcan destroy you even with lower amount of HP... :)

Edited by nepacaka, 30 July 2015 - 10:25 PM.

[Meraple]

and other C-class with vulcan destroy you even with lower amount of HP... :)

Facehugging a Vulgren is pretty much death, that specific line was mostly pointed towards classes that typically tend to circle you as they don't have the HP for a frontal engagement, or are squishier burst classes.

 

If you do happen to face a Vulgren you'll have to apply this one regardless of HP ratios:

- If you've the HP-disadvantage, only side-dodge to dodge an enemy Secondary or burst weapon

Dodge the Vulgren's Nades and you stand a chance at close-range.

I suppose I'll edit it to make that more clear - thanks for pointing that out.

 

 

Didn't mention Vulvan as MF-Van is better anyway.

Edited by (KDR) Meraple, 30 July 2015 - 10:49 PM.

[nepacaka]

If you've the HP-disadvantage

 

Dodge the Vulgren's Nades and you stand a chance at close-range.

 

what if you opponent not nub and have a nice aim?

this is not working if vulcan-C not miss and you not miss in him. you just lose =)

 

anyway, blocking C-class is actually not good idea with SA. blocking A or B, yes... but not C with sustain in general.

 

 

also i notice that VulVan in turret-mode is a very scary mech for SA brawler (mostly, if he catch you in 1vs1, or if he attack will be unexpectedly).

 

wait a 5 min, i explanation what i mean with a picture :D

Edited by nepacaka, 30 July 2015 - 11:27 PM.

[Meraple]

what if you opponent not nub and have a nice aim?

this is not working if vulcan-C not miss and you not miss in him. you just lose =)

GL travels so slowly it's pretty easy to dodge most of the damage outside of very close ranges.

Most people make the mistake of dodging before the GL gets fired.

If you're too close to dodge it however, then yes, you'll die fast.

 

anyway, blocking C-class is actually not good idea with SA. blocking A or B, yes... but not C with sustain in general.

C classes don't tend to have the mobility to effectively abuse your turn-cap by circling you.

The blocking I mentioned is meant against those who do have enough mobility; they're usually too squishy to DPS-race you.

 

lso i notice that VulVan in turret-mode is a very scary mech for SA brawler (mostly, if he catch you in 1vs1, or if he attack will be unexpectedly).

 

wait a 5 min, i explanation what i mean with a picture :D

Turret Van generally just demolishes most C-classes in close-combat.

I honestly think MF is better than Vulcan for it though.

 

 

EDIT:

- If you've the HP-advantage, side-dodge to body-block a squishy opponent from circling you (Don't try this against high-DPS C's, regardless of HP ratios
- If you've the HP-disadvantage, only side-dodge to dodge an enemy Secondary or burst weapon (This should usually be done against high-DPS C's

I think this should be a bit more clear.

Edited by (KDR) Meraple, 30 July 2015 - 11:42 PM.

[nepacaka]

here what happen if you block C, even if you have a HP advantage. (Of course, if you do not mean a fight where brawler have 800 HP, and the enemy only 200)

 

I honestly think MF is better than Vulcan for it though.

 

i think so, i just talk about VulVan for example, obviously it is even more dangerous with MF

Edited by nepacaka, 30 July 2015 - 11:43 PM.

[Meraple]

here what happen if you block C, even if you have a HP advantage. (Of course, if you do not mean a fight where brawler have 800 HP, and the enemy only 200)

The blocking is meant against the classes that have enough mobility to abuse your turn-cap, whom are usually pretty squishy.

C-classes generally don't have that amount of mobility but make up for it in raw power, so it's a bad idea as you explained there.

[nepacaka]

add this into Flak-brawler section.

the "shift + S" key combination - is your second life

 

xD

anyway, i always love guides about brawler. good job Meraple!

Edited by nepacaka, 31 July 2015 - 12:00 AM.

[Shoutaxeror]

- Vulcan Brawler isn't really optimal, so I haven't written a section on it

 

I am very disappointed :'(

[LarryLaffer]

Hey Meraple! Nice guide! What do you think about Armor Reconstructor? Is it a viable choice on Brawler?

[Bergwein]

I am very disappointed :'(

 

I've always meant to tell you, but... I just never had the heart to do it. ^^

 

@Apples:

A few fancy screenshots would be nice.

[Meraple]

Hey Meraple! Nice guide! What do you think about Armor Reconstructor? Is it a viable choice on Brawler?

It honestly doesn't really fit frontline mechs, but it can be useful if:

- You're running and have no time to stop for traditional repairs

- You need to regain HP without alerting nearby enemies to your presence

- You're defending a chokepoint and don't want to pop your pants down, nor the limitations of turret mode

- Your C key is broken and you can't rebind it lol

Usually you can press C to repair and already be done by the time the Advanced Reconstructor has barely kicked in.

For chokepoints you can drop an Orb and repair on it for only ~3s, you'll have regained plenty of HP.

 

I'd say Internals like Advanced Armor Fusor are much better for frontlining mechs, as it helps with pushing.

 

 

@Apples:

A few fancy screenshots would be nice.

EDIT: Screenshots have been added.

 

 

I am very disappointed :'(

I've always meant to tell you, but... I just never had the heart to do it. ^^

Good thing I don't have a heart. I mean I'm totally cold and uncaring, right?

Edited by (KDR) Meraple, 31 July 2015 - 03:58 AM.

[Shoutaxeror]

Come on guys ! I know vulcan brawler is not optimal, but it's quite ok. When your aim suck or your ping is bad you can do decent stuff. Of course it has terrible downsides but his DPS at close range + 800 armor makes it easy to play and quite useful for defending your mates.

 

I dedicate all my brawlvulcaner kills to Vdagon who is the guy that made me buy vulcan on Brawler.

[n3onfx]

 

 

 

(Example Text = Small elaboration

 

 

Maybe I'm going blind but that "small elaboration" font is REALLY small. Like, really small and hard to read without squinting or getting real close to the monitor...

 

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Edited by neon, 31 July 2015 - 06:29 AM.

[Meraple]

Maybe I'm going blind but that "small elaboration" font is REALLY small. Like, really small and hard to read without squinting or getting real close to the monitor...

First off you need to switch those glasses from your avatar to your face - secondly the small elaborations have been enlarged.

[n3onfx]

First off you need to switch those glasses from your avatar to your face - secondly the small elaborations have been enlarged.

 

 

thank you!

[HorseHeadProphet]

Good guide. As a Brawlist I need to weigh in...

Vulbrawler (Brawlcan?)...

Yes, the Brawlcan may not be "optimal" when you have no backup, but have even one good teammate with you, or a sexy tech, and watch an enemy scatter when you 'oh hai' them at close to medium range. If you can't control the heat buildup, the heat buildup will control you! The spread is bad, but not that bad. Keep your eye on the reticle dot, run the heat right into the red, and watch 'em drop from across the map. At close range well, higher HP pool + decent aim wins it.

Turret mode: can occasionally be good because it lets you heal, move (slowly) and shoot at the same time. But if there are enemies close by it's basically a death sentence. Still waiting on that turret mode buff, Josh.

 

I run Armor Fusor, it rewards you for kills and assists. Again, heals while moving/shooting. The high base health pool makes it a good choice, if you can get kills of course. The effect does need to be tweaked so that double kills etc compound the effect. Orbs too. The player who reaches 0 HP first loses. Use the items and tactics that prevent that. Real simple. Set up a turrel and make yourself a kill-zone, lure a tough enemy in there and cross fire them.

 

I love this mech but you have to know when to choose another. Getting swarmed by enemy A classes? Zero team backup? Switch up, or you're now a feeder.

Edited by HorseHeadProphet, 18 October 2015 - 09:50 AM.

[devotion]

Good guide. As a Brawlist I need to weigh in...

Vulbrawler (Brawlcan?)...

Yes, the Brawlcan may not be "optimal" when you have no backup, but have even one good teammate with you, or a sexy tech, and watch an enemy scatter when you 'oh hai' them at close to medium range. If you can't control the heat buildup, the heat buildup will control you! The spread is bad, but not that bad. Keep your eye on the reticle dot, run the heat right into the red, and watch 'em drop from across the map. At close range well, higher HP pool + decent aim wins it.

Turret mode: can occasionally be good because it lets you heal, move (slowly) and shoot at the same time. But if there are enemies close by it's basically a death sentence. Still waiting on that turret mode buff, Josh.

 

I run Armor Fusor, it rewards you for kills and assists. Again, heals while moving/shooting. The high base health pool makes it a good choice, if you can get kills of course. The effect does need to be tweaked so that double kills etc compound the effect. Orbs too. The player who reaches 0 HP first loses. Use the items and tactics that prevent that. Real simple. Set up a turrel and make yourself a kill-zone, lure a tough enemy in there and cross fire them.

 

I love this mech but you have to know when to choose another. Getting swarmed by enemy A classes? Zero team backup? Switch up, or you're now a feeder.

if you're going to vulcan, might as well pick something else. incin has higher dps, gren has a better ability for vulcan, assault shoots longer/better mobility.

[Rainbow_Sheep]

Good thing I don't have a heart. I mean I'm totally cold and uncaring, right?

Tsundere apples?

B-b-baka