10 replies to this topic

[thoughtdemon]

I think to improve the balance for large pulse laser that they should lower the damage back to 10 and increase the range to 350/700 or 400/800. Agree?

[Bendak]

thoughtdemon, on 31 July 2013 - 01:38 AM, said:

I think to improve the balance for large pulse laser that they should lower the damage back to 10 and increase the range to 350/700 or 400/800. Agree?

Nope.

[Typhoon Storm 2142]

I broke your poll, because I voted for all 5 options.

[Animus Corpus]

The LPL is something of a "red headed step-child" - everyone has one but no one knows what to do with it. I personally LOVE LPL and i always have at least one. The short range is due to the current technology level, Think of this like an energy sawed-off shotgun firing 000 buck. Short range - check. Powerful - check. Mildly accurate - check.

[Bhael Fire]

LPL Range and damage is fine.

I'd like to see the duration decreased to 0.5 seconds on ALL pulse lasers, though. Even if that means a slight decrease in range.

[Belorion]

I see no reason to do this.

Bhael Fire, on 31 July 2013 - 05:54 AM, said:

I'd like to see the duration decreased to 0.5 seconds on ALL pulse lasers, though. Even if that means a slight decrease in range.

I think they are decreasing LPL and MPL to more closely match the SPL.

[Bront]

Supposedly MPL and LPL shot durrations are being reduced in the next patch, and I think that will help the LPL get some loving.

Hell, drop all lasers shot durration down by .25 seconds, so current lasers shoot like pulses, and pulse damage is 33% faster DOT than regular lasers. It'll also make a dent in the currrent alpha meta.

[Tezcatli]

I'd rather they lower the heat so it's more heat efficient then the PPC. Maybe bump the range by 40.

[Lyoto Machida]

I think they should make the LPL range 810 and up the heat to 15. Also, lower damage to 10 and make it a projectile instead of hitscan.

These changes would make it on par with the ERPPCs out there.

[Bhael Fire]

Lyoto Machida, on 31 July 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

I think they should make the LPL range 810 and up the heat to 15. Also, lower damage to 10 and make it a projectile instead of hitscan.

These changes would make it on par with the ERPPCs out there.

No thanks! Pulse lasers are supposed to be the brawling specialists of the lasers. They are meant to excel at short to mid-range combat. Raising the heat to 15 would pretty much render them useless (10 was pushing it), even with increased range since they don't deliver all of their damage instantly like PPCs.

As mentioned, they are reducing the duration of large and medium pulse lasers. This will definitely give them the kick they need to compete with the heavy hitters on the field and reinforce their role as brawling weapons.

[Xenon Codex]

Pulse lasers bring a dichotomy of balance. They shoot instantly, hitting whatever is under the crosshair, a huge bonus over PPCs and ACs. They also deliver damage at a higher rate than regular lasers, increasing their overall usefulness. But they are handicapped by higher weight, shorter range, and higher heat than their standard counterparts. What's an excel-warrior to do? How can you calculate battle value when there's so many contradicting variables that factor into your equations?

It's an impossible mission. I feel because there's so much controversy that LPL's are pretty close to being optimal. Just because nobody runs them doesn't make them obsolete and in need of a buff. There is plenty of room in Battletech for some niche weapons. Perhaps this is one example. I don't want a weapon that compares equally to a PPC in all situations. I want a weapon that has unique advantages and disadvantages that I can respectively exploit and avoid at the same time. That's called tactics and makes gaming fun.

Disclaimer: Lately I've been having a good results with 2 LPL in my Victor over 2 ERPPCs. It's been a nice change up.