think the cheapest are around 1.2 mil, which means 20 games if you lose every one of them. Bit less when you do better, obv.
Protip, start with the trial Atlas.
Assign the large lasers to group 1 (the left mouse button) as they are your arm weapons, you can get really controlled long range shooty done with them, or reflex shots at anything close. These will fire under the circle part of your hud which moves faster and has a greater range of move than the chest guns.
Assign the twin chest mounted pules lasers to group 2 (right mouse button) These will fire at the crosshairs. They are for mid-close range (only 180 metres for optimum damage) controlled combat- firing shots of opportunity or wearing down other atlases.
The gauss should be group 3- hopefully mouse button 3. Its a long range low heat sniper shot but you'll need to lead your targets. I find its great at close range on big targets.
The LRM's should be group 4. Since you need to lock these on- you get some leeway about aiming so its easy to slam the 4 button on your keyboard when you think its a good time to fire.
Remember that under 200m, they do no damage and they explode at 1 km, so fire at 900m- 200m.
Now, let the other mechs find the bad guys and start contributing with the lrms until they lose the lock or the guy gets into line of sight. If you see some one, target them and shoot the weakened points with the large lasers. You can do all of this from far away- hopefully where no-one is targeting you.
try hang back with other assault mechs or mediums, where they can support you if lights attack.
Don't try tank all the damage.
If someone is focusing on you, reverse and get out of LOS, preferably where your buddies can cover you, or where they will start being attacked instead.
Ideally, the enemy will fire at every mech on your tam, at once or in a rota, so that no-one is killed.
By contrast, you want to be firing at someone you buddies are concentrating on, to kill him faster so you can focus on someone new.
On the other hand, dont doggedly pursue someone into the full view of the other teams guns.
If he is limping away, let LRM's take care of him, or lights