Optimum Heat Neutral Weapon Firing Pattern:
Optimum Heat Neutral DPS (We have 3.26 DIssipation to work with):
ML DPS/HPS Efficiency is 1.25
PPC DPS/HPS Efficiency is 1.11
We can spend 2 HPS dissipation on sinking the 2 MLs firing at their Full ROF, the remaining 1.26 can be spend on the PPCs (since a single PPC can produce up to 3 HPS, that means basically firing once something like very 7 seconds)
Medium Laser: 2 HPS * 1.25 DPS/HPS = 2.5 DPS
PPC: 1.26 HPS * 1.11 HPS/DPS = 1.4 DPS
Weight Efficiency TET 20 (how much damage can I put out in 20 seconds, and what weight did I spend for that):
2 PPCs: 20 * 6.66 / 33: 4.03
2 PPCs + 2 ML: (13 * 9.16 + 7 * 1.4 DPS) / 35: (119 + 10 ) / 35 = 3.69
(Since the 2 PPCs + 2 MLs overheat after 13 seconds, we need to fire a "heat neutral" config for the remaining 7 seonds to avoid overheating.
Caveeat
I am using damage and heat per second value - this is not 100 % precise! It should give a decent benchmark, but don't be surprised if you overheat on second 12 when firing the PPCs and MLs constantly (and don't be surprised if the damage output is a bit higher than I calculated - 12 seconds means up to 4 PPC salvos and up to 3 ML salvos, that's 80 damage from the PPCs and 30 from the MLs, a total of 120 DMG... But to compensate - you also made more heat then just using the HPS values gave you. Which means you stay "over heat"/shutdown longer. On average, it compensates, but it will matter a lot to you if you're just barely overheating at 12 seconds or already shutdown...)
Short Form:
PPC fire can be maintained without interruption for a bit over 20 seconds.
PPC + ML fire can be maintained for about 13 seconds.
If you're planning to get in and get out within 10 seconds or less, use all weapons, if you're expecting a prolonged engagement, switching to PPC only fire until you overheat or the enemy is too close and then switching to medium lasers is the better choice.
Why should I use the Ghetto K2?
You probably should not, the PPC is still a weak weapon due to its extreme heat requirements. The Gauss Cat remains the superior choice if you want a direct fire Catapult.
So, why did you do it?
1) Because I could.
2) I wanted to see how much of an improvement DHS PPCs would do.
3) I wanted to see how much of an advantage the torso mounts are for PPCs compared to arm mounted weapons.
4) It's almost a K2 - but with Jump Jets! Great for snipers!
What did you find out?
I am not really good with it. But I noticed that putting the PPC in the torso really makes aiming with them easier than putting in the arms. The Catapult's torso can reach very extreme angles (a benefit that the Gauss Kitty also exploits), so you're not really losing much of an advatnage compared to arm mounted weapons. Even tough I know from the K2 that Arm mounted weapons still have their perks, I think I'll stay with non-ballistic weapons in the arms for now.
The side torsos also seem to protect the PPCs well - you likely won't get them knocked out without dying yourself. I had little use for more weight - I really needed more Heat Sinks... Maye Endo Steel is unnecessary?
Edited by MustrumRidcully, 11 November 2012 - 02:00 AM.
Also since this is clearly a mid-range support/brawler build, why not go with LPL instead of PPC? I hate weapons that have min-range, and if you're planning a sniper build you could have simple go with, well, the Gausspult.
Here's what I got with the Mechbay Java, which I think makes a lot more sense than your's:
Chassis Name: Catapult
Model Name: CPLT-K2
Variant Name: Pulsecat
Head: 18/18
Right Torso: 40/60
Right Rear Torso: 20/60
Center Torso: 54/84
Center Rear Torso: 30/84
Left Torso: 40/60
Left Rear Torso: 20/60
Right Arm: 40/40
Left Arm: 40/40
Right Leg: 49/60
Left Leg: 49/60
Right Arm:
Large Pulse Laser
Double Heat Sink
Endo Steel
Endo Steel
Endo Steel
Left Arm:
Large Pulse Laser
Double Heat Sink
Endo Steel
Endo Steel
Endo Steel
Right Torso:
Medium Laser
AMS
AMS Ammo
Double Heat Sink
Double Heat Sink
Double Heat Sink
Left Torso:
Medium Laser
Double Heat Sink
Double Heat Sink
Double Heat Sink
Endo Steel
Endo Steel
A reasonable use for any Founder Catapults, since LRMs seem a little lackluster now.
I did something similar with:
3 Large Lasers and 2 SSRM2s.
17 DHS, 275 Standard engine.
1 Jump jet
1 AMS
I noticed you did not have a good experience with yours. I find this build quite workable. Actually much more fun than the 2XLRM 15 plus 4 Medium Laser standard build.
A reasonable use for any Founder Catapults, since LRMs seem a little lackluster now.
I did something similar with:
3 Large Lasers and 2 SSRM2s.
17 DHS, 275 Standard engine.
1 Jump jet
1 AMS
I noticed you did not have a good experience with yours. I find this build quite workable. Actually much more fun than the 2XLRM 15 plus 4 Medium Laser standard build.
Large Lasers did actually work better for me, though I went with ER LLs to snipe enemy mechs.
I also forget to realize something - even if only the DHS in the engine work as x2 Single Heat Sinks, this alone already improves a lot of things now. (In fact, Gauss and PPC become almost equal with DHS... They'd be almsot identical if all DHS worked like the Engine HS, at least for engagement times below 20 seconds). I think my remaining problems are more related to the convergence/ballistic issues and the general unfamiliry witht he build. The ERLLs worked well for me.
Edited by MustrumRidcully, 17 November 2012 - 05:44 AM.
I'm trying to emulate my DualAC20/QuadMediumLaser K2 with my Founder's Cat. I'm saving for an A1 right now so I can't toss the c-bills to my C1 to try it out, but here's what I have in mind.
My K2 has a 60 point Alpha which makes it fun to play. I'm thinking if I go Artemis/DHS/XL (or ES) on my C1, I can get the following:
Large Pulse Laser (x2) - 18 damage
Medium Pulse Laser (x2) - 12 damage
SRM6+Artemis (x2) - 30 damage
This loadout at close range will be able to deal out the damage. I am just worried about the heat management. I'll give it a go once I'm done getting my A1 LRM/Streak Cat.
The sad part is the default Catapult can use energy weapons better that the K2.
Same hard-points, but packed into the side torsos and not the arms, with Jump Jets on top.
The sad part is the default Catapult can use energy weapons better that the K2. Same hard-points, but packed into the side torsos and not the arms, with Jump Jets on top.
The Jump Jets are great, but if convergence wasn't such a big problem with ballistics in arms, the arms wouldn't be bad as weapon placement. Catapult Arms can only go up and down ,basically, but this alone allows you to take shots you can't take with your torso.
But torso mounted PPCs seem as good as an idea as torso mounted Gauss Rifles with the current convergence issues. For (ER) LLs putting them in the arms may be more interesting.