Hornsby, on 09 May 2015 - 04:04 PM, said:
I've edited this post a few times before coming up with my final thoughts.
You aren't really describing a mixed role, but you are describing a tactical conflict of interest at least in terms of game mechanics. I think it comes more from the tactics that you're trying to employ defensively. You say that you want to use your arms and side torsos to keep yourself alive at close range, but by going the ERLL route, you don't have the firepower and heat efficiency in order to actually kill something up close like that. Also, if you're going to be swinging your mouse around, you won't be able to track a target to make use of the long burn time of large lasers anyway, which further hurts your damage output and makes you a lot less scary. That's why others have started suggesting large pulse lasers instead, if you're going to expect to brawl.
It doesn't matter if you're using a STD or XL engine, you can always roll damage. Taking a STD engine allows you to do it longer and after you've lost weapons, but if you can't force your enemy to also break their gaze on you once in a while, they'll just stare you down while you do all the damage rolling. If you took an XL instead, you can still roll damage, but you can also hit a lot harder - something which STD brawlers eventually lose over the course of their brawling lives as components get blown up.
Going ERLL puts you into the glass cannon camp due to heat problems you'll inevitably have when trying to put out enough damage to scare something off. Going XL makes you more effective at the long range laser vomit in the first place.
If you're looking for a legitimate midpoint where you have an easier time fighting things off at most ranges, I would recommend staying with LL.
All food for thought.
I've not seen the 2 extra DHS make that much of a difference, heat wise. And when it comes to brawling, again, that's for when the proverbial manure hits the fan. I don't brawl in this build if I can avoid it but when I do I'm thankful that the Battlemaster's arms have extra armor. Maybe if I described how I'v been using this build so far.
I try to keep combat at around that range but on levels like Canyon Network, Alpine Peaks, ect, I use the LLas in groups of 2 if I think I can get away with some sustained fire or I take the ghost heat and fire all 4 if I'm doing a quick peak. The MLas or MPL are for when I'm engaging in more flat terrain and can return fire at a more steady pace or when I'm on a smaller map and pushed into a closer range scenario. As a mid range unit I prepare for the often inevitable occurrence of he fight getting close.
So what I'm looking for is help adding damage past the LLas's effective range, that is beyond 450m. What I'm hoping is that swapping out 2 LLas for 2 ERLLas will give me a little more damage past 450m with out changing the mech's heat or characteristics very much. I'm also hoping to avoid PPCs for the time being.
People keep suggesting the LPL. Does it actually out damage the LLas past 450m or are people convinced I secretly want to brawl?
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