Dulahan, on 01 April 2013 - 02:09 PM, said:
Honestly, I think my biggest problem is mostly I'm still pretty new at the game (started a couple months ago) so I am more interested in new mechs than getting engines that didn't come with the stock builds.
Hmm, okay, let me list a few of my standard configs and then comment on which might be interesting to you:
Atlas D-DC Loadouts:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...05c2be06adff28f - 3xLRM15 + Gauss + MLaser + TAG (My standard missile boat; you can also do 2xLRM20 which allows the config to be used on an Atlas D frame as well)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1aa707a98f7112c - 2xLLaser + Gauss + 3xSSRM2 (My only 'close range' build, but still packs a punch at long and mid ranges as well)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b846c818961bbb1 - 2xERPPC + Gauss
Atlas D Loadout:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3fbb0902d3e2aac - 2xERPPC + Gauss + 2MLaser (My founders mech, and the weapon layout I played since I started during closed beta)
Atlas K Loadout:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...974099a47e23ed9 - 2xERPPC + Gauss + 2MLaser + 2xAMS (nice against missiles, optionally drop a ton of ammo and half ton of armor to add BAP)
Atlas RS Loadouts:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...30713d718bc0f49 - 4xLLaser (I dub it "Fastlas" - fast, but relatively weak damage output)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3850ee6c1713529 - 4xLLaser + Gauss (Runs a little hotter, but the Gauss gives it long-range kick and more firepower overall; my slowest design)
Now the second D-DC design is similar to what you said you run, but with a Gauss instead of AC20 for longer-range, and with Streaks instead of standard SRMs (to help deal with light, fast mechs). It is pretty much my most successful build at the moment, since the missile re-balancing. You can swap the AC20 <-> Gauss without changing your missile setup, though, if you like the normal SRMs... but the lighter weight and smaller size of the streaks can give you more room for double heatsinks.
If you like beam weapons, though, it sounds like the RS is more up your alley... though you have to move away from the stock 300 engine to optimize it. You can get it going faster with a bigger standard engine if you want just the four large lasers, or even four large pulses if you really want (though I've tried that and it is quite hot). I prefer to drop a little speed, though, and go with four larges and a Gauss rifle. That gives you something to use as backup when you are hot (since it makes almost no heat). You could also opt for a couple of streak missile launchers for fast mechs, but the instant nature of lasers means those four larges should handle smaller mechs pretty well.
Now if you like four large lasers by themselves, an Atlas is a bit overkill size-wise. If you want to try and branch out with that, consider getting a Dragon (the Flame variant is great, if you want to spend some MCs and get more CBills in the long run). I have one of those with a big XL320 engine and four large lasers, and it is great for flanking / harassing thanks to its speed... but you definitely have to watch the heat, especially in the desert.