Rhino: how do u use what kind, for beacon rush games?

Man, you missed out on a lot my friend!

Started playing after the introduction of the brits, when Rhinos were slowly on the verge of extinction. Still kept at least 1 in hangar because of its feasibility (oft been underestimated).

1) Stuka (sry, of no help to your topic)
2) Ambusher/Lance hunter
3) Stuka plays more conservatively (like the Griff - but you're able to cover ground much faster); Aphids to crack anciles/misguide Reds into thinking you're a stalker before you unleash your salvo and wreck face; Orkans are good for tight corners aka FIBUA; Charge into ancilots!; Power running of course and to hold critical points (2nd lvl of Moon's CB for instance)

Yes, more recommendations include RDB or the like (Tulu/molot or puns) - check out ShaolinRogue's YT channel. Leadhose (Punishers)/Gunship (Molots) rhinos too but the latter mostly for Beacon Rush mode, all of the latter are support of course.

I only very recently purchased myself my first rhino and began levelling and running it, so keep that in mind throughout my reply... Actually, until the recent buff I had totally ruled out getting the rhino at all until such time as it was purely for collection / completion purposes! See I tend to focus more on tactical gameplay - beacon running and defense, ambushes, distraction and so-on; and while I do feel the need for one serious hammer in my hangar, I already had that role filled and speed and maneuverability are generally far more important to me and my mech choices than any other single consideration.
With the recent buff, however, it became time to have a look.

Until a day or so ago I was running tulumbus-magnum combination. IMNSHO the medium-slot weapon almost HAS to be an auto-loading rocket-type weapon, because in the heat of battle one may have to switch modes at any moment, and with any other weapon type after switching back you're left exactly where you were before with regards ammunition. With a rocket weapon type on medium that worry and consideration goes away - it reloads no matter the state of things when engaging the special ability.
And my only orkans are on another mech. Hence tulumbus. The extra range is quite useful actually.
Then the magnums never require reloading, and hit through energy shields.
But as well as that was working I had issue with one set lf weapons being useless at what was effective range for the other.
So I've just started testing with punishers instead of the magnums - meaning I'm actually running the rhino's default loudout. And believe it or not it actually seems to work pretty damn well!!! The punishers shred anciles, allowing the tulumbus to really hit home on mechs protected by energy; and both weapons work well against physically shielded or non-shielded bots. Seems to be a winning combination.

The rhino I find is generally versatile enough to fit several roles... Fast enough to be a good beacon runner, and hard enough to defend beacons. It's speed also allows one to use it for my other favourite roles of ambush and distraction. And if you really need it, the mech is hard enough to make a really good brawler too. It really is a very well-balanced bot after the recent buff.
And honestly it is also incredibly fun to play! It just takes a while to learn how to pilot it - the rhino is UNIQUE in how it operates and as such has it's own learning curve that requires some real practice with it.

An important thing to realise and remember is that the rhino's general maneuverability and dexterity is quite significantly improved as it levels and gains speed increases. This makes a HUGE difference in how it handles, and as such the mech's level is far more important than it is for many other bots.
While there are exceptions, on the field one should generally treat it like a shark - if it isn't moving it's probably dying! Keep it moving always.
The real trick becomes knowing when to engage and disengage the special ability - which is essentially always on tap. And learn how to take corners and turns - both sharp and gradual.
And as with any bot with a physical shield: Keep your enemies in front of you. Reds on your flank or rear are your death!

Good luck and let us know how your experience goes!

Menageryl thanks for great post!  

yes, I am right now using Pun Rhinos in both accounts.  copying my post on the other forum:

in diamond2, I am satisfied. it is now my opening bot in many maps. I don't make a suicidal run for the initial beacon capping. I just cap uncontested remote beacons. then stop at 350+m from enemies and start shooting. I try to collaborate as much as possible with allies. it feels like a PDB with longer range. it's fun,

in master3, the punisher levels are certainly not enough for that level, and I think it is currently a liability :/ I was hesitating whether to upgrade another pair of Orkans or the punisher set, and ended up doing both, very slowly ...

(both hangers shown in my signature)

Read more: war-robots-forum.freeforums.net/thread/13269/rhino-kind-beacon-rush-games#ixzz4r0T56VbM

...

plus, imho, a Rhino is a very fragile bot.

I try as much as possible to flank and work together with teammates.  there are other bots who I can play solo guerrilla tactics (e.g. Orkan Rog), but a Rhino is not that kind of robot.  getting close to a DB bot alone means a certain death.  basically, I drive it as if it's a PDB Griff, with faster speed to get relevant places and flanking positions, 

the shield is very situational, and in this rocket world it's more of a sail (to raise the speed) than a shield (as once someone pointed out).  but certainly there are situations that the shield works (e.g. an encounter with a sole plasma bot).  but standing too long with shield up is not advisable, as you have very well worded - a standing-still Rhino is a dying Rhino, 

Yes, Menageryl you should reformat and start a Rhino Thread. inspirace and yourself have great ideas on the Rhino.