Posted 26 July 2014 - 12:48 PM
Alas, at this time all I'm able to afford from the Clan side is a simple Kit Fox. But at least that's enough for me to do some experimenting.
As a test, I loaded on of my Kit Fox Mechs with an LRM 20, TAG, and NARC. With this configuration, I went into the testing grounds and did some firing at the front of an Atlas target at about 270m away and counted the number of missiles it took to kill that Atlas. I did each test 3 times in order to minimize any user error.
Missiles from a single LRM 20 needed to kill that Atlas:
Try 1: 440,
Try 2: 440,
Try 3: 460.
Same LRM 20 with TAG support:
Try 1: 380,
Try 2: 380,
Try 3: 380.
Same LRM 20 with NARC support (no TAG):
Try 1: 340,
Try 2: 340,
Try 3: 340.
Same LRM 20 with both NARC and TAG support:
Try 1: 300,
Try 2: 320,
Try 3: 300.
In each case, the Atlas was killed by a destroyed center torso. I also needed to use exactly 3 NARC pods each time I used the NARC for assistance.
Judging by the ammo used, The LRM with TAG support allowed 14% more of the missiles to strike the center torso, allowing the system to kill faster. With the NARC, about 23% more of the missiles fired struck the center torso. Combining both together, the kill was 32% faster.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to test the Artemis system, as I'm still building up my C-bills after outfitting 3 kit foxes and purchasing a radar deprivation module. But at least from this I can make an educated guess. The TAG-Artemis LRM 50 should be about as deadly in direct combat as an unassisted LRM 65, or possibly even an LRM 70 considering the smaller launchers are also faster. However indirectly, it's still just an LRM 50. So perhaps on average a 58? But that's just math.
To be honest, if you are in an LRM boat without a TAG, an enemy ECM mech like an Atlas-D-DDC can easily turn you into a 70 ton punching bag, since you can't lock your missiles on to something your radar can't detect. The LRM 50 with TAG and Artemis will have a decent chance to fight back if you're unlucky enough not to have allies with beagle probes or TAGs of their own. But if it's the pure LRM 60 without assistance, that Atlas-DDC is going to see you as an easy target with no defense. Personally, I have gotten into the habit of carrying active probes and TAG on every mech I can fit it on so allied LRM mechs don't become helpless. But frankly I don't see a lot other people willing to do that.
But, on the flipside, if you are lucky enough to find one of those really generous light pilots willing to carry a TAG and NARC for pure spotting purposes, your LRM 60 will be able see the performance of an LRM 80 until the spotter dies. NARCs don't help Artemis equipped mechs (beyond spotting) so the LRM 50 would only get the benefit of the spotter's TAG.
Does this make sense?
Regarding the lasers, 3 medium lasers is typically enough for self defense in a missile boat with the default 10 double heat sinks, but with the 5 extra permanently installed heat-sinks in the Timberwolf's engine, using 4 ER medium lasers is probably best for close-in self-defense. But from what I can see, even with 4 missile launchers in the torsos, it's still possible to have 5 energy points between the arms and the TBR-S's right side torso. Just swap the left arm for a Prime or C if you are building off of the S.