I've tried the ER large laser and found it just meh, i really like this weapon but for the spider at long range sniping I found it just meh, using the ppc on my Cicada felt like it packed more punch and easier to aim over long distances. Thus my heart is set on having an er ppc for sniping, at least 3 jump jets but preferably 4 for positioning on buildings and rock formations (I've tried 2 and its good for maneuvering but you can only hop on short buildings really not a lot of places, more than 6 is overkill imo and I really need to squeeze every ton I can) WIth that said I'm really packed for weight to make this spotter sniper build. I'd like to use a medium laser as a back up for mid range distances but am concern about the heat usage while using only 10 heat sinks. The ECM is 100% essential. I've considered running a tag also but for pubs I think its better to focus on myself, also being at max sniper range is critical so I'd rather not risk being in range. I'm unsure how useful the BAP is so the last buidls use them but I'm hesitant especially with the 1.5 ton weight. Lastly the size of the sniper and it's ability to carry jump jets AND an ECM is the main reason I love this mech and why it's such a good long ranged poker. My planned modules are Adv targeting ( will probably replace when i get more GXP) and Sensor range. Would also consider target decay. Keeping the builds in mind, sniping is important but scouting is the other primary concern.
Here are the 7 following builds I'm considering and need some suggestions on which to pick (the first 3 are my strong picks atm, 4-6 use the Er larger laser which isn't optimal, I'm unsure about 7)
Build 1: Sluggish well rounded sniper
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...0b06990eec4fd5a
This build is the one I'm most considering as of yet but am Concern about the engine, an XL235 is better than some of the XL220, 225 and even 210 builds I've seen suggested but falls short of the common XL255. I'm concern if the 10kph drop will effect my scouting potential as well as the slightly decreased turn rate. Lastly the 49% cooling efficency concerns me, I hear people say they can sustain their er ppc sniping on 10 double heat sinks well enough but I'm unsure if the medium laser will add enough to be useful, I don't intend to use the er ppc at close range so I doubt heat will be a problem.
Build 2: Back up preped sniper
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...69aae0ab5d8754c
About the same as the previous build but I took a better engine, the XL 245 to make the kph drop to only 5, the problem here is the medium laser is subbed out for a small laser back up. Although I'd never intend to fight anything this close its pretty much nessescary to harass away the other light mechs that run up to you, Jenners seam to do this to me but I feel i'd beable to outrun them, even with the XL235.
Build 3: Full kite Sniper
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d0309459d9f71bf
This build is pretty all in sniping, Maxxed engine with build in 10 double heat sinks. However if your arm should get blown off at a range for some reason your essentially useless aside form cannon fodder and your ECM. Not a build I'm particularly looking for but it seams practical to just focus on never fighting head on ever and simple flea from close combat.
Build 4: Long ranged Support
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...7b4285847ec2e31
This one axes the er ppc all together, using a max engine and er large laser as well as a tag and a medium laser for close range this build focuses less on extreme far range and more on being in the far back of combat. You need to get close enough to tag which also happens to be about the range your er large laser is most efficient. However as I've said before while the utility is nice, I'd rather have the extreme range advantage as well as the damage boost of the er ppc, 1 second to hold the laser on is far to long to focus on a particular spot to disable. This is more of a support build than a sniper build. This build has many possible modifications such as using 2 medium lasers over a tag, using extra jump jets and many creative potential tweaks with the extra 2 tons you get. The Er large laser does generate a lot less heat than an Er ppc
Build 5: Pure ER laser long ranged Dps focus (Iffy on the idea)
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...b7f335afb230dbc
This build sacrifices a lot, Imo too much in order to maximize long range dps. Your dropping your engine to a XL225 for 121.5 kph max speed, 2 jump jets and while not significant, noticeably reduced armor on legs and torso. The trade off advantage 2 Er large lasers deal more damage than a single Er ppc but generate more heat when fired together (probably way to much to maintain on 10 heat sinks) and suffer the problem of the Er large laser twice over. Another liability is the odd angle both lasers fire from, mounting both on the arm bricks your mech easily as stated in build 3. This build just seams to sacrifice too much to be worth the trouble unless double er large laser rips armor in half. Other options include down grading the engine more so to an XL210 to keep the armor and 3-4 jump jets.
I must say that this build seams be more worth the double Er ppc build, while that also does a lot of extra damage (more than the double er large laser) you run around with 0 armor and a garbage engine as well as either a single or 2 jump jets.
Build 6: Bap Er Large Laser Pure Scout Build
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...2dd8cf255cb5b79
Build more for scouting and the option to drop the medium laser for a tag this is a pure scout build with an Er large laser just to poke at long range. Lacking sniper power for pure support this build seams like a team only option, I'm not familiar with how good the Bap is, also due to the lack of hard points only 3 jump jets are usable. The Bap uses 1.5 tons and the ECM covers you form being targeted so I'm unsure how important it is
Build 7: Bap Er ppc Pure Scout Build
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...3440ad4836dd174
Almost the same as build 6 but instead you drop the medium laser, er large laser and the engine (in this case, armor drop is also an option) slightly to fit an Er ppc with the same scout functioning. Perhaps its better at sniping a bit but your slower or more fragile.
Additional tips would be welcome too as long as you explain why please, these include placement of critical points (such as Jump Jets on the legs or double lasers on the arm or perhaps armor placement rearranged). Thanks in advanced for reading this, you have my gratitude.
Edited by Tycon, 21 August 2013 - 08:40 AM.