Virlutris, on 26 January 2016 - 10:17 PM, said:
GMan's post with the 5ML version of the LCT-1E makes a world of sense for a trial mech. It's a nice, steady and sufficiently-optimized 1E build for poke-and-run. Folks can try it this way, fall in love with the chassis, then buy one and try more exotic builds.
I hate to say it, but the maths for 5ML 1E works very, very heavily against such a build. Even with 25% reduction in heat, 5ML generates (20 * 0.75 = 15.00 heat) per alpha. With elite skills unlocked, a 5ML 1E has 60 heat capacity with 2.25heat/sec dissipation, which is a full 30 seconds to discharge all heat on an average-heat map, or ~7.5 seconds cooldown between alphas for a sustained engagement. You only get to blow out 4 x 25 damage alphas (100 damage total) before running away in abject terror for the next 7.5-10 seconds, and even as a veteran Locust pilot I don't particularly like being unable to fire back due to overheat. And Locusts can't exactly override without blowing up.
I still think the 6SPL 1E is a much friendlier, and true to flavour build of the Locust. It's a knife fighter, not a hill-humping machine like the JR7-F. (12 * 0.75 = 9) heat per alpha (24 damage), for up to 7 alphas before nearly touching overheat. That's 168 damage for 6SPL vs 100 damage for 5ML, which is a big difference in engagements where you can't burst down your opponent very easily, like in 1v1 fights vs ACHs or a SCR.