9 replies to this topic

[Silvermistshadow]

I read a while ago that shooting the ammo compartments can make ammo explode. I would like to think that this doesn't apply to gauss ammo, since most applications of such weaponry leave explosives out of the equation, but I just wanted to confirm whether or not this is true before I try equpping anything with it. The wiki I was able to find had no information about gauss equipment itself, just talking about it for specific mechs, and since I have yet to play any MechWarrior games, I figured I'd ask people who have some idea of what they're talking about.

PS. Was a kid, perhaps even a toddler when MW was coming out. Still want to play the 'old' ones, heat system sounds interesting though from what I hear it'll be cooler (excuse the terrible pun) in MWO.

[whiteknight]

In Battletech terms, Gauss ammo is non explosive (just nickel/iron projecties) but the Gauss rifle is (highly charged capacitors that don't react well to bullets/missiles/lasers)

I can't speak to how MWO would handle that though

[Weatherman]

Gauss ammo doesn't explode, but if you critical the Gauss rifle itself that does explode (the energy stored in the capacitors goes BOOM).

[Thor77]

whiteknight, on 04 June 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

In Battletech terms, Gauss ammo is non explosive (just nickel/iron projecties) but the Gauss rifle is (highly charged capacitors that don't react well to bullets/missiles/lasers)

I can't speak to how MWO would handle that though

Yes, if they go by the table top rules the gun itself can explode but not the ammo. For the gun, I forget how big the boom is, and whether they decide it's worth including that attribute is a question mark.

[CaptianViolence]

guass hit pilot response "OMFG NOOOOOOOOOOOO" kaboom
guass ammo hit pilot response "aww danm i didnt get to shoot it" day goes on

[PirateLincoln]

whiteknight, on 04 June 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

that don't react well to bullets

[Connery] Be careful, Ryan... [/Connery]

[Lugin]

From http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Gauss_Rifle, second paragraph.

Quote

Since the Gauss Rifle fires solid metal slugs, with neither propellant nor explosive, Gauss Rifle magazines are not susceptible to ammunition explosions. However, if the weapon itself is struck by enemy fire, the capacitors that power the electromagnets will release their stored energy, with an effect similar to an ammo explosion. (In game terms, a critical hit on a Gauss Rifle is equivalent to a 20-point ammo explosion.) Some 'Mechs employ CASE in the section containing the Gauss Rifle to protect internal components in the event the weapon explodes.

[Silvermistshadow]

Good to know all of this. Thanks guys.

[MagnusEffect]

typically, a gauss rifle exploding is less severe than most ammo explosions:

Gauss Rifle explosion = 20 pts of damage *i think* (equal to one hit from an AC/20)
Ammo exlosion = total rounds of ammo in that location x damage output. if you have 200 rounds of MG ammo, that equals FOUR HUNDRED DAMAGE!!! (200 x 2)

...

yeah... Gauss Rifles are waaayyy safer in comparison to other ballistic weapons. The trade off is that Guass Rifles are far more likely to blow if someone gets a critical on you in that location; gauss rifles take up 6-7 slots whereas ammo takes up 1 slot. Pretty balanced either way when you consider all their traits.

Edited by MagnusEffect, 04 June 2012 - 04:38 PM.

[wanderer]

Mind you, a Gauss Rifle also only explodes ONCE when hit, even if critted multiple times.

It's one reason many designs pack them in arm mounts. It usually means the torso on the same side survives the detonation, albeit likely with serious damage.