60 replies to this topic

[AntiCitizenJuan]

So I've been stomping about in my AWS-9M with 1LL 3ML 2PPCs and I have to say, I really like where PPCs are at right now.

I can reliably fire them at mid range for about 18-25% of my total heat gauge, also with the LL if my heat isnt too high and I need to let loose some extra firepower.

It still reliably hits targets, and still does good damage at mid range, and still perform consistently with the build.
And when enemies get too close to me, I am forced to stop firing them and switch to my LL and 3MLs, which I think is really Awesome. You cant maintain that kind of heat in CQC.

PPCs are operating very good at a mid range level, which is what standard PPCs are supposed to be used for. And the majority of cheesing PPC bandwagoners have essentially moved on to different things, changing the dynamic of the metagame in a very positive way, in my opinion.

Me likey, PGI.

Edited by AntiCitizenJuan, 04 September 2013 - 05:09 PM.

[Monky]

PPC's are definitely still kicking, and require actual decision making on exactly when to use them or you will overtax yourself. Additionally, after some testing, I feel that the PPC not doing damage under 90 meters works well - but like so many other things desperately needs to be explained in the UI.

The higher heat on the ER PPC keeps you from saying 'Hmm I should always use ER PPC', being unable to damage point blank opponents (particularly troublesome in a slow moving assault) keeps you from saying 'Hmm I should always use a PPC'.

[Angel of Annihilation]

Totally removed them from all my mechs and I ONLY ran mixed use builds, not sniper cheese. The heat totally ruined them in my opinion. I much perfer being able to switch out LL and PPC and have them do the same overall job just with different mechanics than to be forced to use LLs for every mixed build that needs a heavy energy weapon. Now instead of a few mechs with PPCs, a Few with ER PPCs and a few with LLs, all I got is the same old boring build on every mech. YeeHaw thank you PGI.

[Ridersofdoom]

removed, sry im sick with mwo.

[OmniJackal]

I gotta get in game and test them but have been distracted with X3 Albion Prelude and Rome 2 this week. All I'm gonna say is that if they had done this in the first place, ghost heat would have never been needed.

[Cabusha]

Been rockin 2xppc, 1xERppc, 2xML in the old 8Q and been doing just fine. A lot of chain fire rather than alpha, and pleased with the results. I expect that's what was intended.

Edited by Cabusha, 04 September 2013 - 05:55 PM.

[Royalewithcheese]

The vanilla PPCs are gonna revolutionize spawntrolling

[Sybreed]

Viktor Drake, on 04 September 2013 - 05:29 PM, said:

Totally removed them from all my mechs and I ONLY ran mixed use builds, not sniper cheese. The heat totally ruined them in my opinion. I much perfer being able to switch out LL and PPC and have them do the same overall job just with different mechanics than to be forced to use LLs for every mixed build that needs a heavy energy weapon. Now instead of a few mechs with PPCs, a Few with ER PPCs and a few with LLs, all I got is the same old boring build on every mech. YeeHaw thank you PGI.

wow, seriously, I've been reading a lot of your posts and I don't think I ever agreed with one. PPCs are fine, I've used them on my AWS-9M and they are still totally viable especially with advanced zoom. They are an unlimited ammo, long range, fast travel 10 dmg projectile shooter and you expect them to have 0 drawbacks? Get real.

[SilentWolff]

PPC's may be viable, but ER PPC's certainly arent.

[SteelPaladin]

Cabusha, on 04 September 2013 - 05:54 PM, said:

Been rockin 2xppc, 1xERppc, 2xML in the old 8Q and been doing just fine. A lot of chain fire rather than alpha, and pleased with the results. I expect that's what was intended.

Are you chain firing fast enough where having all 3 of them actually has a point? Standard PPCs are 50% cooler, so maybe that works out. I know w/2 ER PPCs, I'd never see a reason to tack on one more. By the time I've cooled enough to seriously consider firing a third shot, the first gun is recharged.

Edited by SteelPaladin, 04 September 2013 - 06:45 PM.

[AntiCitizenJuan]

SilentWolff, on 04 September 2013 - 06:41 PM, said:

PPC's may be viable, but ER PPC's certainly arent.

They cant afford to reduce the heat by much without making it a total upgrade from the now seemingly balanced PPC.

Maybe reduce heat to 14 and give it some other quirk, like a 2200m/s round

[Monky]

SilentWolff, on 04 September 2013 - 06:41 PM, said:

PPC's may be viable, but ER PPC's certainly arent.

If you're using one of them, it works fine. Stacking ERPPC's should pretty much always be a bad idea anyhow.... long ranged AC20 for the same tonnage + no ammo.... needs to have its down sides.

[Livewyr]

This is where PPC's should've remained all along.

Frontloaded insta-damage with low weight, small size, and unlimited ammo... for high heat.

(I would like them to bring the CD back down to 3 though)

[Cabusha]

I have the 2-ppcs chained and the ER in a separate group. I'll often open with the first ppc and the ER, then just chain the 2 as I go. Mix in the ER as heat and good shots allow.

On my 9M I run 2xER PPC, 1xLPL, 3xSSRM. Works a treat.

[Billygoat]

IMO, the heat and projectile speed nerfs are fine and were needed.

Making them do 0 damage under 90m was probably too much. Though that is typical of PGI "balance" patching; leave something broken for months and then make a bunch of untested changes all at once instead of being sensible and making smaller, more frequent incremental changes to achieve balance step by step with proper analysis.

Then again, if, say, a fast light mech gets within 90m, the PPC hits wouldn't register damage anyway. So I guess it doesn't make much difference in the end.

[TripleEhBeef]

Well, both PPCs are in line with their TT versions now, for whatever that's worth. One extra point of heat on a regular PPC is hardly a gamebreaker. If you're running more than one, just cycle between regular fire and chain fire to manage heat.

The "massive heat for massive range" was pretty much the whole tradeoff with the er, lorewise. But since we all can pack our mechs full of DHSs, that wasn't really materializing with the old heat values. So I'm fine with the change, but I agree with Juan that the er should get something else to make it a bit more interesting. They could buff the ECM disabling time too on the er, along with a velocity boost.

[Drasari]

All gone. Gave it a go but its just to punishing with no benefit. Remember how they were pre buff? Never played? That is what it's like again. All UAC-5 and SRM boating.

[XSerjo]

I keep using 2xERPPC on my assaults and heavies. With 5 additional DHS I can fire 2 full alpha on all maps, one by one, at all ranges.

It's still perfect weapon for it's weight, size, range and projectile speed.

[D1al T0ne]

I love seeing people run with PPC's too. On my medium mechs I know that I can get right on top of people who are still bad enough to use them, and then there's a lot of damage I won't be taking. If they're using ERPPC's I won't have to worry about those players either cause they're going to overheat long before I do.

All the smart players have sold their PPC's and swapped to LPL's or LL's by now. At least if someone is hugging your *** with an LPL, you're still hurting them.

[AntiCitizenJuan]

D1al T0ne, on 04 September 2013 - 08:39 PM, said:

I love seeing people run with PPC's too. On my medium mechs I know that I can get right on top of people who are still bad enough to use them, and then there's a lot of damage I won't be taking. If they're using ERPPC's I won't have to worry about those players either cause they're going to overheat long before I do.

All the smart players have sold their PPC's and swapped to LPL's or LL's by now. At least if someone is hugging your *** with an LPL, you're still hurting them.

That's why if you're using PPCs you can just use a mixed loadout that has some close range weaponry so you can shoot at little hip hugging Medium brawlers at close range.

Whoa, look at that, mixed loadouts. Who'd a thunk it.

Edited by AntiCitizenJuan, 04 September 2013 - 08:41 PM.