8 replies to this topic

[flying1ace]

Whats better? 2 small lasers or 1 medium laser?
Thanks.

(Please relpy!)

[Voridan Atreides]

I'd rather have one medium laser due to the low amount of energy hard points most mechs have.

[Lady Oscar Francois De Jarjayes]

There are still people who use small lasers? What mech are you using? What kind of gameplay will you be using(Brawler, sniper, LRM, scout, etc.)?

[FactorlanP]

Depends on many factors really... If you are in a really fast mech with many energy hardpoints, small lasers are ok since you are likely fast in enough to get within that 90m range,

Most of the time though, I prefer mediums personally.

[Vermaxx]

Small lasers stopped being popular when dual heatsinks came out, except for light mechs trying to fit in bigger missile launchers.

In a perfect world with no hardpoint limits, two small lasers would be better if you had the speed to get there. OR, if you are talking about your last ton of room and you have two hardpoints, then yeah two small lasers.

If you are talking on average in the setting of MWO HOW IT IS NOW, it is better to take mediums.

[Mazzyplz]

2 small laser is better than 1 med laser at 300 meters and below, but what are you gonna do at more range? and why spend 2 energy hardpoint with small when you can usually spend 2 hardpoint on 2 med for just 1 ton more.

that being said it sometimes pays more to put 1small laser + 1 med pulse instead of 2 plain med laser; despite of the range decrease for that 0.5 extra tons

Edited by Mazzyplz, 05 March 2013 - 05:36 PM.

[Valder]

Medium lasers.

Ton for ton, small lasers are better in that they require less weight and less cooling to do more damage. But they're uber limited on range, doing no damage after 180 meters. Medium lasers, on the other hand, are almost as effective ton for ton (including cooling) but can damage out to 540.

[flying1ace]

I forgot to add, i have 1 ton of room left on my cata, and i hav two energy hardpoints

[Vahnn]

Mediums, due to hardpoint restrictions. Although 2 SL will do slightly more damage for less heat than a single ML, and same for 2 ML vs a single LL, the number of equippable hardpoints quickly becomes a problem. Not to mention the range advantage a single laser has over the smaller lasers.

I've sometimes found it feasible on mechs like my Jenner F, and am going to be experimenting with my Cicada .... whichever variant has 6 energy hardpoints. The smaller mechs can get into close range and leave before being hit.