14 replies to this topic

[Orzorn]

I've wanted to, but the fact they're an entire one ton for only 0.09 more damage per second and slightly less burn time just kills it for me. For that weight, I could use two small lasers and get way more damage out of it.

I usually see people using them now and again, and I've talked to some people that swear by them, but the thing is, numerically, I just can't justify it.

Any opinions? I think the small pulse laser could use 1 additional damage to its beam.

Edited by Orzorn, 30 November 2012 - 03:17 PM.

[Monky]

Not really, currently. They aren't terrible weapons, but the small laser is just plain better due to being half the weight for roughly the same performance.

[De La Fresniere]

If they really did one more damage they might very well have been worth it for any mech with tonnage to spare (we'd be talking 33% more damage, which would have been huge), but I think they don't do any more damage than regular ones.

The shorter beam duration can be an advantage but also a drawback, so yeah, overall it's just more weight and heat for very little gain.

[buckX]

The reason they were being used was basically the "swearing by them" that you referred to. People didn't know why, but SPLs just really worked for them. It then came out that the heat values put in place were messed up, and were actually the heat/second of burn time, meaning all lasers with a burn time of under 1s were generating less heat than thy should have, (75% for SL, MPL, and LPL. 50% for SPL). That has since been corrected, so now they generate twice as much heat, and are exactly as bad as they appear to be. I don't even compare them to a small laser. I compare them to a medium laser, since that is the same weight and size (2SL isn't really fair, since that uses 2 hardpoints). Medium lasers are 25% more heat efficient, do 15% more dps, and have 200% more range. The only advantage SPLs can claim at all is the shorter burn time, and even that is a mixed blessing. I often find that first quarter second of burn to be useful for getting my shot synced up with where I actually want to hit, when convergence is being wonky. When that is happening, you lose less of your damage while zeroing in.

If they dropped their heat to the TT value of 2, then you'd basically have a small laser that pays .5 tons to get a shorter burn. At that point, you might be able to make the argument for them, but I still feel like you're paying a lot of tonnage to not have to learn how to aim.

In short, no. Don't use them...ever.

Edited by buckX, 30 November 2012 - 03:29 PM.

[topgun505]

The shorter beam duration can be good as you don't need to keep the crosshairs on the target as long ... which can be a good thing when you are in a fast turning knife fight with another light and you are taking frequent snapshots.

But the real reason is the recycle time. Typically when you get behind a fatty and light him up it usually takes him 4-6 seconds to realize it and start turning into you. The difference in cooldown between a small or small pulse vs a medium or medium pulse usually means you can get off 1 more salvo on him than if you were using the heavier weapons. So ... an an example ... a Jenner 7F with 6 small or small pulse ... the question is, in 6.75 seconds would you want to get in 54 damage (6 lasers x3 damage x3 salvos) or would you rather have the 40 damage (4 mediums x 5 damage x 2 salvos). (Note: I picked 4 mediums because it is about the same tonnage and heat ... adding more would have made it a bit of an off kilter comparison).

The point is ... the small lasers (regular and pulse) are better at fast slashing attacks where you know you only have around 6 seconds or so to do your damage and get out. For prolonged engagements (or ones needing more range) you're better off with the mediums if you can afford the tonnage.

[Orzorn]

buckX, on 30 November 2012 - 03:28 PM, said:

The reason they were being used was basically the "swearing by them" that you referred to. People didn't know why, but SPLs just really worked for them. It then came out that the heat values put in place were messed up, and were actually the heat/second of burn time, meaning all lasers with a burn time of under 1s were generating less heat than thy should have, (75% for SL, MPL, and LPL. 50% for SPL). That has since been corrected, so now they generate twice as much heat, and are exactly as bad as they appear to be. I don't even compare them to a small laser. I compare them to a medium laser, since that is the same weight and size (2SL isn't really fair, since that uses 2 hardpoints). Medium lasers are 25% more heat efficient, do 15% more dps, and have 200% more range. The only advantage SPLs can claim at all is the shorter burn time, and even that is a mixed blessing. I often find that first quarter second of burn to be useful for getting my shot synced up with where I actually want to hit, when convergence is being wonky. When that is happening, you lose less of your damage while zeroing in.

If they dropped their heat to the TT value of 2, then you'd basically have a small laser that pays .5 tons to get a shorter burn. At that point, you might be able to make the argument for them, but I still feel like you're paying a lot of tonnage to not have to learn how to aim.

In short, no. Don't use them...ever.

The only way I could ever justify them (assuming they got the 1 point damage buff I mentioned) is if you already had a good selection of weapons and just needed a single last closer range weapon that was useful against fast mechs. The faster burn time combined with 4 damage could come in handy.

Even still, they could probably (in addition to the damage buff), use an additional burn time buff.

[Kraven Kor]

Dubstep?

[Orzorn]

Kraven Kor, on 30 November 2012 - 03:41 PM, said:

Dubstep?

[WUBWUBWUBWUB][wubwubwub][wubwubwub]

[AvatarofWhat]

I need to mix a dubstep track made entirely on variations on the pulse laser noise.

[Screech]

If you would be able to know your drop prior to launch they would be more viable. Perhaps later down road in community warfare see people outfitting more pulse if they know dropping to cold climates. Because they do help on in close knife-fights with other lights its just not enough to justify dropping into Caustic with them.

[Orkhepaj]

yes
well only if that has the same reload sound as the medium one
yeah that strange alien something^^

dubstep is crap

Edited by Orkhepaj, 30 November 2012 - 04:03 PM.

[Sepertar]

I'd rather just get mediums.

[WaddeHaddeDudeda]

Quote

Any Real Reason To Use Small Pulse Lasers?

Yeah, the "sell" button!

[Syllogy]

Pulse Laser Overhaul: Turn them into a Staple Brawling Weapon

[Kyzar Kon]

Infantry.