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[xe N on]

Background:
After the recent buff to LRMs, a part of the playerbase feels that LRMs have become too strong. They argue that the weapon itself need less skill to use then direct fire weapons like lasers or autocannons. In addition, LRMs can be quite effective without any risk of exposure to enemy fire because they can be fired indirectly on any target in range locked by a team mate.

While I support weapon diversity and therefore any buff to LRMs I can follow the arguments of the complainers.

Suggestion:
Currently, the difference between indirect LRM fire and direct LRM fire is too less pronounced. Indirect fire should be much less effective than now while having LoS to a target should result in a slightly better result e.g. by buffing the bonus of Artemis provide.

In theory there are following situations:

1. Indirect fire without LoS and TAG/NARC support:
As claimed above, this should be much less effective than currently resulting in a higher miss chance and consequently a low hit rate. There should be the chance that the missile swarm miss entirely. Missle lock should be real slow and Artemis or BAP should not provide any bonus. (Hitrate ~ 10%, spread: full body)

2. Indirect fire without LoS but with team mate using TAG/NARC
This should be more effective since there is some sort of coordination and teamwork involved. But since there is no exposure risk for the LRM user it still should be not the optimal situation. Artemis and BAP should not provide any bonus. Compared to the current state, this situation of indirect fire would be nerfed too. (Hitrate ~ 30%, spread: full body)

3. Direct fire with LoS but without using TAG/NARC
If no Artemis is installed, the missle behavior is compareable with situation 2, maybe slightly better. However, if the Artemis upgrade is installed, the hit rate and missile density should become clearly better. The LRM user exposed himself to enemy fire and therefore should be rewarded. (Hitrate 60%, spread: 3 body parts)

4. Direct fire with LoS and with using TAG/NARC
Not counting Artemis in, TAG and NARC should result in a similar situation as Artemis with LoS as described in situation 3. However, if the LRM user have artemis installed and use a TAG to permanently aim at the target, LRMs should be a real threat. Hit rate goes up next to 80% if the target is taged before the missiles are launched. In addition, the missiles follow the TAG pointer and concentrate the damage to bodypart the TAG is pointing to with minimal spread.

NARC on the other side should be reduced in weight (1 ton) and provide more shots per ton (30 per ton). It would provide the same bonus as TAG. If Artemis, TAG and NARC is combined, hitrate goes up to 100% and spread to zero.

Above described would result in LRMs to be a weapon that can be used without any great skill but stays quite ineffective. With increasing skill and risk of the LRM use, the weapon would be become much more powerfull then even now. In my opionion, that should be the balance goal.