28 replies to this topic

[BlackSquirrel]

Recently I keep reading this in various forums on mech building/load outs. However I've yet to see proof on if this is true or not...or even pseudo math.

So is this in fact true, and what is the math behind it? Seem dubious reasoning from the answers I've gotten so far.

Thanks.

[Sears]

Well if you put ammo in to absorb crits, when it does get critted you're going to explode anyway, unless it's gauss ammo. Generally use the tonnage for something more useful.

[Spawnsalot]

Erm... wouldn't ammo that "absorbed" these crits explode anyway? And potentially damage your mech more than just the loss of a weapon?

[TruePoindexter]

BlackSquirrel, on 04 April 2013 - 10:46 AM, said:

Recently I keep reading this in various forums on mech building/load outs. However I've yet to see proof on if this is true or not...or even pseudo math.

So is this in fact true, and what is the math behind it? Seem dubious reasoning from the answers I've gotten so far.

Thanks.

Wait... what? Can you link this?

Ammo needs to be put where it is safe not just with the weapon. Ammo should go in places where an ammo explosion is not likely to be lethal or where if you do take an ammo explosion it is likely you were going to die anyway. Generally coupling the ammo with the weapon is ill advised.

[ItsAPotato]

I'm almost certain that the people you mention are talking about Gauss rounds specifically. Gauss ammo does not explode, and as such makes a good buffer for crits if you place it in the same location as the Gauss or other weapons/equipment.

Generally, you should place gauss ammo in the same location as your gauss rifle.

[Phoenix Gray]

Ammo does a GREAT job of absorbing critical hits... VERY BRIEFLY.

[DrSecretStache]

The way I've seen it, there's an equal chance for each crit slot to be crited. Thus, if you have other things in a slot, and a crit is made, there is a chance that the other thing will recieve a crit instead of the weapon. I am unsure, however, if empty crit slots take crits, but I think the answer is a no.

You could put in, like, 2 or 3 BAP systems if you're particularly worried about it.

Edited by Zoughtbaj, 04 April 2013 - 11:02 AM.

[MaddMaxx]

I can only advise C.A.S.E. as a preventative measure against ammo explosions. Without it, an explosion in a Torso, you lose it and that sides arm as well.

With XL, you lose it, the arm and your life.

In the arms, well, use it up quickly or lose the arm quickly.

In the legs, lose the leg and be gimped. Never, ever good for a Mechs life expectancy.

So in retrospect. You cannot actually hide your ammo, you can only protect it or disperse it as you see fit and hope the enemy doesn't find any that is not protected.

Best bet is to place a lot of little things that all have a "few crits" slots to fill in those gaps.

Ammo is not considered a little thing btw.

Edited by MaddMaxx, 04 April 2013 - 11:04 AM.

[That Guy]

ammo that takes a hit does not explode. it simply becomes unusable. ammo will only explode when that section is destroyed

[Viper69]

He is talking guass ammo, its the only non volatile ammo we have .

[TruePoindexter]

ItsAPotato, on 04 April 2013 - 10:56 AM, said:

I'm almost certain that the people you mention are talking about Gauss rounds specifically. Gauss ammo does not explode, and as such makes a good buffer for crits if you place it in the same location as the Gauss or other weapons/equipment.

Generally, you should place gauss ammo in the same location as your gauss rifle.

Definitely the exception as the rifle itself is what can explode and not the ammo. Personally I don't find worrying about crits on items a big deal. Put gear where it makes sense and focus on improving play.

[jay35]

Spawnsalot, on 04 April 2013 - 10:48 AM, said:

Erm... wouldn't ammo that "absorbed" these crits explode anyway? And potentially damage your mech more than just the loss of a weapon?

Yep, would think it's better to leave the slots open than put ammo in a place likely to get hit by incoming fire.

[Royalewithcheese]

People do that with Gauss. Otherwise, you aren't stacking your ammo, you're Stackpoling your weapon.

[BlackSquirrel]

So it essentially boils down to gauss adding a chance that said crit/hit will impact its slot instead of a weapons slot?

in which case gauss is what 7 slots and the most ammo you could fit in a given arm is 2 or 3? Assuming of course this is on par for fact.

[TruePoindexter]

MaddMaxx, on 04 April 2013 - 11:02 AM, said:

I can only advise C.A.S.E. as a preventative measure against ammo explosions. Without it, an explosion in a Torso, you lose it and that sides arm as well.

With XL, you lose it, the arm and your life.

In the arms, well, use it up quickly or lose the arm quickly.

In the legs, lose the leg and be gimped. Never, ever good for a Mechs life expectancy.

So in retrospect. You cannot actually hide your ammo, you can only protect it or disperse it as you see fit and hope the enemy doesn't find any that is not protected.

Best bet is to place a lot of little things that all have a "few crits" slots to fill in those gaps.

Ammo is not considered a little thing btw.

CASE only prevents the explosion from spreading - not from damaging you. An ammo explosion in LT or RT still will almost certainly destroy the torso and everything in it. I view CASE as a stop gap measure only necessary when you must put ammo in LT or RT and are not running an XL engine. If you're running an XL engine don't bother with CASE because an explosion will kill you regardless.

Personally I think following the ammo consumption order guide in conjunction with making decisions about what is safest for survivability is the best bet:

http://mwomercs.com/...mmo-being-used/

[Vassago Rain]

You only do this with gauss ammo. If you need to pad another weapon, use heatsinks.

[Redshift2k5]

Vassago Rain, on 04 April 2013 - 11:10 AM, said:

You only do this with gauss ammo. If you need to pad another weapon, use heatsinks.

Quoted for truth. Note that empty slots, CASE, Endo&Ferro count as empty slots and are re-rolled. In theory you could put a BAP in there too to critpad if you're already running with a BAP.

[BlackSquirrel]

So adds an estimated 10% chance ? To a already low % chance of crits? Is this actually confirmed or hearsay?

[Davers]

Use machine guns to pad against crits. Just don't take any ammo!

[ItsAPotato]

BlackSquirrel, on 04 April 2013 - 11:10 AM, said:

So it essentially boils down to gauss adding a chance that said crit/hit will impact its slot instead of a weapons slot?

in which case gauss is what 7 slots and the most ammo you could fit in a given arm is 2 or 3? Assuming of course this is on par for fact.

This is correct. So in the case of a crit being applied, you have a 100% chance of the Gauss taking the crit with just the gauss in the section, or a 70% chance of the (explosive) gauss being crit with the gauss + 3 tons of gauss ammo in the section. Not a huge improvement, but every little bit counts

Edited by ItsAPotato, 04 April 2013 - 11:25 AM.