13 replies to this topic

[5LeafClover]

I've always loved twin linked UAC5s. When luck is with you, they output a phenomenal rate of fire. The jams are bad, usually occuring at the worst possible moment, but for me it adds a fair bit of character and excitement.

Today, I've been benchmarking twin UAC5s versus AC5s. In each test, I timed how long it took to dump 120 shells:

2xUAC5: (74s, 71s, 81s) Avg = 75.3s
2xUAC5 chain fired: (83s, 96s, 93s) Avg = 90.7s
2xAC5: 97.5s

So, overall damage per second (for the pair):
2xUAC5: 7.97
2xUAC5 Chain fired: 6.62
2xAC5: 6.15

And specific DPS (per tonne):
2xUAC5: 0.443
2xUAC5 Chain fired: 0.368
2xAC5: 0.385

Conclusions
1. If you're willing to take the risk, there's around a 30% increase in DPS for swapping AC5s for UAC5s. Or around a 15% increase if you account for tonnage.
2. Don't chain fire. I'd thought this might overcome one gun jamming, but they don't double jam in any case*. All you do is remove the moments when you can lob 2 shells at once.
3. You'll never overheat simply for sustained fire of either AC5 or UAC5

So, I'll be keeping my favourite weapon combo. It may cause me to suck occaisionally, but when it works, I'll be heroic!


*EDIT: of course they can and do double jam, but a single jam does not stop the other AC firing

Edited by 5LeafClover, 13 January 2015 - 12:37 PM.

[Hospy]

I love how UAC/5s perform, but twin AC/5s looks pretty cool on the mechs that can take it.

And coolness is pretty important.

But yeah, if you've got the tonnage UAC/5s are pretty much always better.

[Spheroid]

Its not so clear cut. Remember there is also the cooldown module for he AC-5. Is two tons and a little more DPS worth it?

The choice is highly situational and dependent on the build.

(on Edit) Are you chain firing the UAC-5s with double tap? Regular chainfire should result in identical DPS as that of a AC-5.

Edited by Spheroid, 25 September 2014 - 11:21 AM.

[Flagrant]

Most fights will be aim tap aim tap and the ac have a quick enough reload to accommodate that. When there are times that the target is sitting still, the constant tapping to get the most out of the uac is too much effort for the small gain. They royally screwed the uac5.

[Voivode]

I use both in different situations. When using double of something, I'll tend towards the 2xAC5. I much prefer pairing a UAC5 with an AC2 for that constant stream of lead and psychologically powerful screen shake that comes with it.

[5LeafClover]

Spheroid, on 25 September 2014 - 10:30 AM, said:

(on Edit) Are you chain firing the UAC-5s with double tap? Regular chainfire should result in identical DPS as that of a AC-5.

Double tap being the rapid fire?

I initially thought this, but the difference is that with chain fire you will only ever launch 1 shell per click. With grouped firing, you occasionally fire 2.

You make a good point on the cooldown module. I'm going to take a look

[draiocht]

5LeafClover, on 25 September 2014 - 02:20 PM, said:

You make a good point on the cooldown module. I'm going to take a look

It's best to observe testing in-game, but you could look at the raw math if you don't have the mod:
120 shots from 2xAC/5 + AC/5 cooldown 5:
((120 / 2) - 1) * (1.66 - 0.2) = 86.14 seconds
120 * 5 / 86.14 = 6.97 dps

AC/5 also has the range mod, depending on the ranges usually fired at (with accuracy).

[FoxTrot05]

Sorry, it's not clear to me. Are the AC5's being fired both at the same time or chained?

[pulupulu]

The test should be 15 seconds of firing instead of 120 shells.

I haven't had a face to face engagement pass even 10 seconds for basically forever.

Though I will be using ultra any time regardless of test. Flexibility of burst mode is something I treasure greatly.

Edited by pulupulu, 26 September 2014 - 12:59 PM.

[Appogee]

Thanks for posting. I felt UAC5s were the better option, but I had wondered what the differential was.

[RapidFire7]

If you want to do a lot of damage in a small time-frame, then go for UAC5. More reliable rate-of-fire, AC5.

The reason why UAC5's are so effective on the Ilya Muromets is because the 3 UAC5's can pump out around 40 damage in a couple of seconds (one usually jams by then) and three extra medium lasers add another 15 damage.

[bar10jim]

Chain firing AC5s has its uses. When pushing with other mechs or sometimes just while closing the distance, I like to chain fire my 3 AC5 Catphract to generate a constant cabin shake in the target. It makes it harder for the target to damage me or my allies.

[Brizna]

Thanks OP, I was wondering exactly this and behold you worked an answer for me .

Hospy, on 25 September 2014 - 09:54 AM, said:

I love how UAC/5s perform, but twin AC/5s looks pretty cool on the mechs that can take it.

And coolness is pretty important.

But yeah, if you've got the tonnage UAC/5s are pretty much always better.

In a good yet mischievous spirit: Do you also like how your AC5 mech looks when it becomes a pile of smoking rubble?

[Phlyer42]

Hospy, on 25 September 2014 - 09:54 AM, said:

I love how UAC/5s perform, but twin AC/5s looks pretty cool on the mechs that can take it.

And coolness is pretty important.

But yeah, if you've got the tonnage UAC/5s are pretty much always better.

Yeah they look BA on my K2.