22 replies to this topic

[Reod Daie]

Does the AMS even work? I know it fires at incoming missiles, what I don't know is if it is actually hitting anything, Is it worth the two tons?

[CyclonerM]

1.5 tons actually and yes,it is worth.

[Sheraf]

AMS is great to have, especially in a group where most people have it. It will get better when we can turn it on and off at will

[Dawnstealer]

Practically a requirement.

[Darwins Dog]

I never take an atlas without one. Most of my other mechs are fast enough to get to cover before getting hit.

My rough criteria is that of you are 60 kph or slower then take it for certain, 60-100 kph it will depend on your playstyle, and 100+ you should be fast enough not to need it.

[Hauser]

Depends a bit on how many LRM boats you encounter. I general bring one, if not for myself, then to cover my team mates. Granted I need them to be alive and drawing fire so that is purely self interest.

[xDeityx]

Going to go against the grain here and recommend not taking it. It is entirely unnecessary once your awareness levels rise.

Any time you see LRMs on the enemy team you just need to note where they are coming from and note where your cover is.

[Lugh]

Darwins Dog, on 18 July 2013 - 12:08 PM, said:

I never take an atlas without one. Most of my other mechs are fast enough to get to cover before getting hit.

My rough criteria is that of you are 60 kph or slower then take it for certain, 60-100 kph it will depend on your playstyle, and 100+ you should be fast enough not to need it.

xBut should have it to help your teammates anyway

Less damage done to your team is less damage done to your team.

[Ronan]

Hard to tell ahead of time... if you have LRM 5 or 10 inbound, AMS is tremendous. If you have LRM 40 or 50 inbound, not so much.

I take AMS pretty often, if only to cover my a@# while I dodge from cover to cover.

As mentioned, two or three AMS mechs on your team can create an "umbrella" that can keep your team safe from even 50 inbound missles.

[Koniving]

To answer the OP's question... The AMS is worth while. By yourself you will not notice much as it can only shoot down 3 and a half missiles every second. In a group however, 3 mechs with twin AMS are practically invincible to incoming LRM fire. 6 mechs with 1 AMS each can do the same thing.

As a note: 6 AMS can shoot down 21 missiles per second. Aside from the Awesomes and the Catapults C4, A1, and finally the Stalker 3H, most LRM-using mechs cannot fire more than 30 LRMs in a single volley.

AMS also shoots down streaks with limited efficiency.

Edited by Koniving, 18 July 2013 - 01:44 PM.

[Reod Daie]

Koniving, on 18 July 2013 - 12:31 PM, said:

To answer the OP's question... The AMS is worth while. By yourself you will not notice much as it can only shoot down 3 and a half missiles every second. In a group however, 3 mechs with twin AMS are practically invincible to incoming LRM fire. 6 mechs with single AMS can do the same thing.

As a note: 6 AMS can shoot down 21 missiles per second. Aside from the Awesomes and the Catapults C4, A1, and finally the Stalker 3H, most LRM-using mechs cannot fire more than 30 LRMs in a single volley.

AMS also shoots down streaks with limited efficiency.

That was a lovely breakdown and I thank you kindly for it. Glad you're not from the Combine...
because then I'd have to kill you.

[Doctor Proctor]

Darwins Dog, on 18 July 2013 - 12:08 PM, said:

I never take an atlas without one. Most of my other mechs are fast enough to get to cover before getting hit.

My rough criteria is that of you are 60 kph or slower then take it for certain, 60-100 kph it will depend on your playstyle, and 100+ you should be fast enough not to need it.

This is a pretty good rule of thumb I've found. Slow Heavies and Assaults need it because if the LRM gets an angle on them they often can't make it to cover in time.

Mediums will usually fall into the 60-100 kph range and can therefore duck into cover if need be, but if they tend towards brawling builds (like my 4G) they might not be able to break away from a fight easily and could use the extra protection. Plus, since a lot of Medium pilots stick to Assaults as escorts, and they usually carry AMS, this can create a better protective bubble.

Lights, and some of the fast Mediums, will fall into that 100kph+ category and can usually literally outrun the missiles with either zero or very minimal damage. So for them, they have much better uses for the tonnage such as BAP to break ECM, TAG, extra heatsink, etc.

[FrDrake]

AMS is something I'd recommend you take at a lower level, and then as you get higher level you can base the decision on your playstyle whether or not you want to keep it.

I'll be honest that right now NONE of my mechs have an AMS equipped, I have considered putting one on recently but the only mechs I fight either shoot really small packs infrequently, or they shoot like LRM 60 at you which AMS would only be minimally effective defending from.

[MrMasakari]

I always try and take one where I can on larger mechs, as they lack the mobility to get out of site or get behind cover before the LRMs hit. Some people don't use one, and some even use them on lights, its all down to personal preference, but tbh I think it would be a safe idea to put one on anything bigger than a medium mech, unless your running around in a 'slow' medium mech.

[POOTYTANGASAUR]

I have 24 mechs all of which carry ams, ecm(if possible), and if i can fit it BAP. Ams has saved my *** when i can't outrun the lrms and need some defense but im not close to cover. It can take out an lrm 10 before it hits. Thats why i like mr stalker 5s and atlas k both have dual ams so i can nulify a lrm20. ****** lrm boats off whe they do zero damage when they fire 4 lrm15s hahaha.

[ohtochooseaname]

From personal experience, if you throw AMS on a Jenner, it'll keep Ravens from streaking you once you are 90m+ away fairly effectively because it can keep up with the stagger-fired shots.

[Edson Drake]

AMS is very good independent of chassis, but much more useful if you use it in a heavier class. Fast mechs won't need as much if they're smart.

As a heavy or assault you can evade most missiles by taking cover, but they're still very useful, I'd recommend taking it as it's low tonnage anyway, and will help your mates tremendously especially as said by the above posters, in groups.

Edited by Edson Drake, 18 July 2013 - 01:24 PM.

[Nryrony]

First of all, ams won't save you from a missle boat, its not a 100% defense, it can only shot down a very limited amout of missiles.

However, if you group up with ams, it will become more effective.

[DEMAX51]

Personally, I run an AMS on almost all of my 'Mechs - even the Lights. While Lights themselves are not especially prone to LRM damage, it can be a tremendous help to the team.

Edited by DEMAX51, 19 July 2013 - 10:07 AM.

[Tor Gungnir]

AMS is next to useless solo; becomes almost unbalanced when you group a few together.