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Current situation:
- PGI are currently against implementing hardpoint size limits as a mechlab restriction, and rightly so, as it completely restricts loadout options.
- On the other hand, a total lack of hardpoint restrictions leads only to FoTM builds and alpha boating in a few mechs with particularly survivable geometry.
- Ghost heat hurts the effectiveness of many already unpopular chassis as much (if not more) than it impacts FoTM mechs.
Suggestion
- Rather than limit hard-point load-outs based on weapon "size", give large weapons mounted in smaller hard-points a heat penalty, to represent that fact that the heatsink feeds to such weapon mounts are not designed for larger weapons.
- Permits consistent differentiation of mechs, and provides another dial to make less popular chassis more desirable (less hardpoints than another similiar tonnage mech or varient, but they might be bigger).
- Does not stop anyone building any mech varient they want, simply levels the playing field and encourages appropriate builds.
E.g.
Currently
Awesome-8Q, comes stock with 3 PPC's - 5 hardpoints (1RA, 2RT, 2LT). Alpha's its stock loadout and currently melts due to ghost heat.
Proposed
PGI Designate 3 hardpoints on the 8Q as "large" (1RA, 1RT, 1LT) and 2 as medium (1RT, 1LT). As large weapons mounted in large hardpoint locations do not count towards the ghost heat system when alpha'd or rapid chain fired. Awesome-8Q becomes somewhat viable in its role as a heavy energy boat.
Stalker trying to do the same thing will melt due to not having enough large size energy hardpoints on the chassis, they won't be prevented from mounting 4 PPC's if desired - they'll just suffer if they do... mounting a more interesting mixed loadout with appropriate weapon sizes = no problem though.
--> Discuss
#Wonderdog
