6 replies to this topic

[NecessaryWeevil]

So I find that my arm-mounted AC-10 often does not hit the arm crosshair at close range. I guess this makes sense - it's coming in from the side - but are there some tactics to deal with this problem? Should I aim to the right of the crosshair? To the left? Will locking my arms help?

Thanks!

[Wintersdark]

Yeah, it's always a bit of a problem. It's worse on mechs with wider slung arms - my Dragon's arms always had this up close with ballistic weapons (and PPC's, which are effectively ballistic weapons).

Solution? Get some distance with your target. That's about it, really. If you lead the target, you won't have wierd convergence issues but you'll likely miss as he's too close to require leading.

[Redshift2k5]

This is why none of the mechs I own have lower arm actuators.

[Khanahar]

NecessaryWeevil, on 26 May 2013 - 06:09 PM, said:

So I find that my arm-mounted AC-10 often does not hit the arm crosshair at close range. I guess this makes sense - it's coming in from the side - but are there some tactics to deal with this problem? Should I aim to the right of the crosshair? To the left? Will locking my arms help?

Thanks!

Arm mounted ACs are, in my experience, the most difficult and rewarding weapon class in the game. DRGs and CN9s are particularly reliant on them, making them tricky 'mechs to first pick up, but lots of fun for practicing and getting better.

And the real thing is that there is no one "trick." You really have to just practice, and understand that you'll wiff a lot of shots to begin with. Kick yourself every time as you try to get better, but understand it's part of the process.

That said, what I've really found to help is to understand that the arm reticle will always try to converge at the range it's pointing at, but will take a moment to get there. This is why we wiff close range shots. However, you can trick it by aiming at a terrain object (or just the ground) to keep it converging at the range of your target. Keep an eye on your target's range, and keep the range indicator on the arm reticle at the same number. This helps a ton in cover-heavy battles (which is where the heavier ACs shine).

[Kenyon Burguess]

with the slow arm cannons, you just have to compensate and aim ahead of the target with your chest reticule, to give the arm time to line up, following slightly behind. plus you have to aim ahead with the arm reticule to give the shell time to get there. it takes some practice. with the blackjack 1, I cleaned off the ac/2s and loaded on an ac20. instead of loading the gun on the typical right arm, I put it on the left as most all combat situations become a turning knife fight where left side cannons have the advantage in aiming.

[Roughneck45]

Locking your arms will help, but it will also take away the obvious advantage of the arm.

Targets on the same side of your arm you should not have to compensate much for, if you are aiming on the opposite side lead the target just in front of the mech.

Practice makes perfect. Try going into training grounds and circling some of the targets, firing across your body.

[Mycrus]

Try practicing in the testing ground..

Depending on your motion and direction relative to the target you may need to lead ahead or behind it.