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MechAssault: Prometheus Strategy Guide
Version: 1.0
Author: Vlad Danilchuk "AllYourBaseBelong2Us"
Date: September 07, 2003
Game: MechAssault
Contact Info: [email protected] or 'PerfectSim' (no quotes) at Xbox
Live.

Table of Contents -
1.) Introduction
2.) The 'Prome 411
3.) The Hardware
4.) Map Tactics
5.) FAQs
6.) Guide Versions
7.) Acknowledgments

***********************************************************************
1. Introduction
***********************************************************************
First things are first. No portion of this guide may not be duplicated,
redistributed, or manipulated in any shape, way, or form - basically it
means don't try and pass my guide in your name and take credit for it.
You can however print it, show it to your friends, and obviously read
it. If you have any questions, email me at my address and simply ask.
There will be no harm done. Now then, this guide is a detailed guide
that will help you become an 'elite' in the Prometheus - one of the
best heavymechs in MechAssault (my personal favorite). Though, if you
are still having trouble with him, I can only show you the way - you
have to walk there or simply practice makes perfect. It took me a while
to become perfect with the Prome, and its bound to take you a while,
however with my knowledge and hints we can make it simpler and quicker.
Are you ready? Let's begin.

**********************************************************************
2. The 'Prome 411
**********************************************************************
The Prome is a brother of the Atlas. A version that looks almost
identical however includes different firepower. The Prome is a Heavy
(Assault) BattleMech. With its armor, and firepower it will take down
almost any other Mech in a one on one match, or in a CTF match. Its
main purpose though is to defend its home base from runners. Its will
fair pretty well in a Team Destruction match, but since of its weight
it won't get very far and survive for pretty long. The best thing about
the Prome though is that it can survive any Mech explosion (at full or
3/4 health) and live it. My recommend - grab it and guard.

Official Name: Prometheus (nicknamed Prome)
Class: Assault BattleMech
Tonnage: 100
Armor: 5500
Speed: 20 mph
Offensive Weapons: Pulse Laser x3, Gauss Rifle x2, Warhammer Missile
x2.
Defensive Weapons: Chaff (super hot flare that attracts missiles
launched at your Mech for a limited period of time - around 3 seconds).

**********************************************************************
3. The Hardware
**********************************************************************
Warhammer Missile x2
Damage at level 1: 857
Damage at level 2: 1200
Damage at level 3: 1500

The warhammer missiles are the strongest weapons in the game if you
know how to use them properly. Think of them as a 'mini' explosion a
Mech creates when it runs out of energy because of the amount of damage
they do. Unlike the PPCs whereas you charge them up; the warhammers are
a very different case. Instead you hold the fire button for as long as
you want the timer to be. So, if enemy is right in front of you, you
would hold it for a good two seconds and release. If the enemy is a
good 10-15 feet (Mech feet that is) away from you, you should hold the
trigger down for a good five seconds. Think of it as holding the
trigger - guessing the distance your enemy is at and holding it for
that amount of time you think it would take the warhammers to hit him.
So in other words, don't hold the warhammer fire button until that
little circle (the timer) fills up all the way green - yes, its as
powerful as one second or ten. The golden thing about warhammers is
that they don't have to 'home' in on your enemy. Yes they can home in
(very little) if you want them too, but the amount of damage they make
is unbelievable, even if it's a clear miss. You see Warhammers can miss
by a mile and still cause great amounts of damage (this is why I
encourage you to be lethal, and aggressive with them). They can kill
any runner in two kills, and any other heavy Mech in a good 5-6. This
is why if you become good with the warhammers, you'll get a large
amount of kills. My last note is that you never use your warhammers for
long distance. You'll be lucky if they hit the enemy, plus you would be
wasting them if you're powered up to level 3. You can use them to take
out buildings, but my recommend - only close-medium range will do.

Gauss Rifle x2
Damage at level 1: 430
Damage at level 2: 600
Damage at level 3: 750

The Gauss Rifle is another great weapon that Prome contains. It is
basically like a sniper rifle, only long bursts of energy. They are
mainly used for medium-long distance to cause great amounts of damage
and strike fear into the opponents' heart. Gauss Rifle are so powerful,
they can knock over any light-medium Mech if fired from the right angle
into the feet. Though I'm not 100% positive that firing the Gauss Rifle
into the opponents' feet will knock them over, I am positive that
you'll have a much better chance of knocking them over from the side or
angle. If you happen to knock them over, use your warhammers to finish
the job. In all, I don't think that it'll take you more a couple of
games to become a master at them. If your playing CTF defending as a
Prome, Crovuses will totally shut you down with its Target-Jamming.
Wait for them to grab the flag (or if they run in a nice and straight
line, shoot them before) and fire a warhammer into them. A second one
should kill the opponent. Don't let him get away as it's almost
impossible to hit him with the Gauss Rifle.

Pulse Laser x3
Damage at level 1: 194
Damage at level 2: 273
Damage at level 3: 333

Rapid firing lasers (every two seconds for a reload) are your best bet
to lighting up a cloaked mech. Its main job is to do just that. Pulse
lasers can also be combined with the Gauss Rifle (switching buttons
really quick and firing) to give you a Gauss-Laser combo for Mechs that
are far away. This is the least used, and least powerful weapon to the
Prome, however it is useful at times to destroy worthless items such as
buildings or walls the get in your way. My recommendation is to forgot
this weapon and only use it as a Gauss-Laser combo or light the enemy
Mech however. However, if you and another guy is defending, it is best
that the other guy pick a medium Mech and light the cloaked runners up,
as you can quickly overheat and stall like a pig.

Chaff x1
A Chaff can either help you or not. It is designed to attract javelin
missiles or crossbows. However, it will not attract a Warhammer, and it
also can overheat you if you are very close to. Chaffs can also be used
as a counter-distraction against an enemy. If your doing a great job at
defending and the other team can't get one score in, they will
sometimes assault your base, or simply fire at you and go back into
hiding. Ignore them even if they are doing good damage. It means their
runner is close, so be on your best defensive, and throw a chaff to
attract its missiles. A Chaff can also MAYBE help you see the enemy. It
never worked for me, but it might work for you.

**********************************************************************
4. Map Tactics
**********************************************************************
There are several different maps in MechAssault. Since CTF is the most
played game type, I will describe that first followed by the Team
Destruction maps. I cannot give you any other tips for the other game
types since the Team Destruction maps will tell you everything you need
to know. Just follow my tips, you should be fine.

**************
Desert Storm -
**************
Another great map. A game of desert storm could go on for minutes
without a single flag capture if you're a decent defender and have
decent back-up. Start by blowing up the bridge to your right, down the
middle, and the nasty boulders down the back trail. Grab the power-ups
as they spawn really quickly and there are three of them each time
(unlike Midtown with two, and Jotenheim with only one). Next tell your
medium defender to position himself just before the blown-up bridge
(down the center) so he can see enemies before they go cloaked and off
your radar. Use team chat, and never leave your post unless you have to
chase an enemy down (which shouldn't be your job). If we look at the
facts, Desert Storm will just about end up counting the kills. If the
teams are both evenly good - the kills will be the only thing that
matters. So if you see a minute left on the clock (with no flag
captures but your team is winning by one kill), tell everyone to defend
and stay back. Use your private chat as well (black button) and inform
everyone of your situation. Good Luck.

***********
Jotenheim -
***********
The Prome should never be used in the Map because there are no
Warhammers at the base. There are Warhammers but I suggest that you
don't go out looking for them because by the time you get back, the
enemy will already have scored on you twice, maybe even three times. In
all, just forget the Prome here. Your best bet would be a Rag/Belial
combo. If you do happen to pick the Prome - watch out for the water
trails cloaked enemy Runners make. Light them up, and take care of
them. Use your Gauss Rifle, and help the runners assault the other
teams base (which you shouldn't do unless you're a pro).

****************
Midtown Mayhem -
****************
The first thing you have to do as soon as the game starts is blow up
the walls. From the flag's left and right. This is good as if a flying
Mech gets the flag; you can chase him out and not be stuck in the
walls. Also, try blowing up the front walls so that you will be able to
spot enemy runners more quickly. Look at the autocannons as well - they
spot runners pretty easy (the direction they are pointed at, is most
likely where the enemy is). If you have time, tell a runner to blow up
a couple of buildings nearest you because enemy runners love to take
cover behind them. Now your set. If you're guarding the red base - they
will most likely come down the middle, or on the left/right ridges.
Look for their footsteps 'stomp' or a dust trail you can spot. If your
guarding the blue base, you can almost be 90% sure that the runners
will come in from the left ridge (or left side) where that pile of
trees are. Don't try and destroy them because the trees will take any
weapons' damage (except warhammers) sent at them. After a while they do
explode, but they have enough armor to last the game. The runners main
goal here is to fly over you, grab the flag, and flag back. Learn to
wallwalk (left right really quick), shoot at them in mid air (which is
harder to do with warhammers), and follow them. But that shouldn't be
your job - it should be the medium Mech's job to follow. The Warhammers
are the 2nd spawn in the game, so chances are you'll not be able to stop
the enemy runners first time.


***********
Coliseum  -
***********
Gladitor-Sytled battlefield. This map is a round one with a platform
and bridges leading to it in the center where Gauss power-up are king.
Doors surround it where enemy Mechs and you spawn. It has several large
rocks perfect for cover. Though, this isn't the ideal map for a Prome
either since it's so big, and you are a huge target wanting to get hit;
it's still pretty fun to play. Hide in the ravines in the middle
ambushing another Mech and destroying them with warhammers. Be on the
guard for level 3 PPCs because they will destroy you, and it's a long
journey to get to the middle (not really).

*****************
Demolition City -
*****************
A huge city where everything you see is 100% destructible. Though I've
never seen the entire city be destroyed in a regular game, I have seen
about a good 60-70% of it down. Unless you try to destroy everything,
it isn't going to happen. Here the city is surrounded by a coliseum.
You are standing on a ridge just in front of the other team's spawn and
next to the city. Whenever you see a heavy Mech crossing the bridge,
destroy the bridge to destroy the Mech. The buildings themselves
provide a LOT of cover, and are also helpful in taking down the enemy.
There may be some tricky characters that go onto of the Coliseum (easy
thing to do with a light jump jet Mech), and snipe from above. But they
are sitting ducks, and will be destroyed easy. Power-ups occur mostly
everything in here - so grab those level 3s. There are also nuclear
factories as well that will damage you or the enemy by a lot. My tip:
Stay back and slowly move your way forward with your allies. Charging
is a dumb thing to do unless you're a fast Mech.

********
Frosty -
********
This map is snowing all over the place. Not that much of visibility and
several huge hills where jump jets really are the king, the Prome is a
pretty fair Mech in this map. Since the bridges can be destroyed, don't
walk on them since it takes a good 10 seconds to cross them. Also take
note of them while down in the ravines as they may fall and kill you as
well. Instead head down into the lower parts of the level (the ravine),
while taking cover against the walls. There's a great deal of space in
the area below ideal for sniping mainly. Your armor will also come into
effect here as well. Power-ups spawn next to your spawn point, and
enemies sometimes across from you. As they cross the bridge, destroy it
for an easy kill. If you want, stay up and snipe from above as its hard
to get a shoot in from below, enemies will be upset at you, and jump
jet up to you. Warhammer them back down, and continue the sniping.

****************
Hell's Kitchen -
****************
Not really a kitchen, this map is perfect for a Prome. Lots of cover,
great sniping room, and very easy to camp the other team's spawn point.
As soon as you exit your base, take cover as the enemy is bound to be
close. Stay away from the lava because it will overheat you like a pig,
and damage you as well. Also take note of the fuel pumps, which damage
you when destroyed (if your close). Be on the lookout for small Mechs
that love to cloak and ambush you. Don't worry about focusing your
attention to the Gauss Rifle; use your warhammers a lot here. Don't be
afraid to go on offensive as well. Look for the power-ups that are
scattered around this level. The stiff terrain here is perfect. Jump
Jets aren't a requirement or recommended but used very little. Remember
to stick with your team, and don't wonder off by yourself.

*********
Icepack -
*********
The Prome's home. Another snowing level with lots of hills (very hard
to jump jet onto since they are very high) surrounded by hills in the
outer parts as well. Characters in this level love to take the Belial
and snipe just about from anywhere. They jump jet over a mountain,
snipe you, and go back into hiding. Don't let this be the case and
stick close next to a hill. Also, don't get caught walking on the ice
because a couple of hits will destroy it, and damage your Mech a great
deal. The bad thing about this level is the fact that there are no
power-ups. The Prome is the second strongest at level 1 (next to the
Rag), and the strongest at level 3. So if you're stuck battling the Rag
1 on 1, try to destroy the ice it's standing on, and dodge its lava
canons as well. Don't let the little Mechs grab your hard-earned
salvage as they can run circles around you damaging you slow, but
eventually killing you as you can get barely a shoot in. Instead keep
your distance to them as they barely have any decent long-range
missions. Keep in pairs on this level as well.

**********
Junkyard -
**********
A dark and cold level, the Junkyard has a center plateau leveled above
everything else in the level. Jump Jets are effective here; as walking
Mechs will have to take the two paths upon to it. Power-ups are
scattered and spawn points occur in the four corners were middle Mechs
love to camp spawn points. The main battles take place in the center
plateau where anything goes. Cloaked Mechs are almost impossible to see
as well because of the darkness. Very little cover support, I suggest
you either stay back and snipe or proceed forward and take your
offensive to a whole new level. I strongly recommend you stick with a
buddy in this level as enemies always come in pairs. Control the center
plateau to control the level, as it's impossible to hit from below, and
very easy to snipe from above. Charging Mechs will sometimes run in
three or fours in an attempt to grab the field from you. Don't let this
happen and direct your support to the two walkways that lead up to it.
Only after you defeat the heavy Mechs, go after the light Mechs that
love to draw your attention.

***********
Number 51 -
***********
My favorite level where Promes are king. This level has a small city to
the side where volcanoes explode around it, a large airstrip towards
the center with lots of large mountains next to it, and lots of lava
ravens to the other side that overheat and damage your Mech. Jump jets
don't do much here, and wallwalking will help though. Most of the
fights will take place in the airstrip where two spawn points are
across from each other. Very easy to camp, and lots of fun for double
kills. Try and draw the enemy to close space next to the city, where
warhammers should finish them off. There's also a power planet that
explodes when you hit it causing great damage to the Mechs near it.
Most power-ups spawn either in the city or in the airstrip. Try to find
a fight around in progress to end with your warhammers - don't go
looking for one. Also try and steal other people's kills with your
Gauss Rifle.

************
River City -
************
The best spawn point is the green one. You will start to the right of
Red team's spawn point (very close to yours), and across from the Blue
and Yellow's spawn. You will also get a hill that will provide cover
and a great angle for spawning. This map is basically a river next to a
city with lots of buildings. When you get down to the five-minute mark,
the buildings will most likely be destroyed and all hell will break
loose. Power-ups appear almost everywhere, and it is very easy to
damage or be damaged. Also take note of that bridge next to Yellow's
spawn. It provides some cover, and rarely does a Mech cross it. Also,
fighting Mechs like to spawn from only of buildings - Send them a nice
warhammer. This level is the ideal level for Promes.

************
Rock Solid -
************
Another Prome heaven Map. Rock Solid is a huge asteroid that falls
apart easy. The center rises up and above to about 50 feet high with
geysers, and huge rocks on top of everything. Use this to your
advantage, and fire at the Rock, which has been proven to kill your
enemy much quicker. Yes there are a couple of power-ups scattered
around but most of them are on the top of the rocks which you cannot
wallwalk up to but some are around the plateau that you can get. Only
fighting Mechs can get up there (such as the Belial and Kit Fox) and
snipe which is a pretty dumb thing seeing as the Rocks take 2-3 hits to
be destroy. Be aggressive here seeing as camping spawn points determine
the winner.

************
Stone Cold -
************
Not the wrestler, but a nice little compacted snowing level. Think of
this as a research station with large icebergs in the middle that you
can destroy. There's barely any cover, but several power-ups that spawn
near your spawn point. There's also a ridge that surrounds the entire
level perfect for Sniping. However, due to the fact that you're a
Prome, it will be hard to find an entrance up onto it, and stay there,
as you will be pretty hard to miss. The only thing that I do here is
run out and get as many kills as possible. And its possible to get
around 30 (which I've done in a 15 minute game) kills or more. No real
tips here folks, just a map of craziness.

**********************************************************************
5. FAQs
**********************************************************************
Q: Which is the best Mech?
A: There is no 'best' Mech but there is the best Heavy Mech, which is
the Prometheus.

Q: What do you mean by damage '1500'?
A: Its just how much armor the Mech damages. Standard light mechs have
around 3000 armor, which is equal to 2 hits with level 3 warhammers
that kill them.

Q: Why no tips for Grinder?
A: In Grinder, the Prome is an overheating pig. The only weapons it
will use are its Warhammers and it will overheat like a pig. Don't
choose the Prome for Grinder unless you're an elite player. You will be
better of with a medium Mech like the Thor or MadCat.

Q: How many kills maximum did you get in Grinder?
A: About 50 my second attempt to where I just got bored. People over
Xbox Live said they've reached 200, which is possible.

Q: Any tips to not be such a newbie?
A: Work with Warhammers. Be a team player. Practice, practice, and more
practice. I can't stress this enough - it took me a while to master the
Prome but believe me when I say he is the strongest Mech in the game.

Q: How do people get that many kills?
A: They steal kills. That's the truth. If you see a guy with 50 kills,
there's no way he played 'fair'. You know it - they go after Mechs that
are damaged.

Q: Why is the Prome not good for Campaign?
A: There are too many enemies, and it's a walking giant target wanting
to get hit. That doesn't mean its bad. It's great for one-on-one with
larger Mechs.

Q: What's a great map?
A: For CTF - Midtown Mayhem. For Team Destruction - Number 51,
Demolition City, or River City. My personal favorites.

Q: Will there be more content for Live?
A: Hopefully...

**********************************************************************
6. Guide Versions
**********************************************************************

Version 1.00 - I'm done everything from start to finish. The Prome, the
hardware, the tactics, and everything else. Enjoy! It's 100% complete.

**********************************************************************
7. Acknowledgments
**********************************************************************
Without these people the guide wouldn't be possible:
CJayC - Thanks man, GameFAQs rocks!
Shadow Panther - For his Mech and Weapon Stats
(http://members.aol.com/shdwpnthr/stats.htm)
AllYourBase - Myself for making another guide to help you!
Microsoft Gaming Studious - Great game guys. Keep it up.
You - For reading this.

A guide by Vlad Danilchuk - AllYourBaseBelong2Us.
                 Copyright (c) 2003. All Rights Reserved.

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