Quickdraw Crobat, on 13 May 2014 - 08:25 AM, said:
Given that you're boating LRMs (a good longer-range weapon), this choice of secondary weapon seems a bit strange. Have you considered using a large pulse laser or pair of standard large lasers instead of the UAC5? Tonnage should be comparable with dual larges if UAC ammo is taken into account, and the damage output will be higher (especially in the close range bracket where LRMs don't work). The Large Pulse would be less damage but faster firing and better concentrated and then give you more tonnage for LRM ammo or increased engine rating. I ask because, having run LRM-heavy 'mechs before, on most of them I found myself more concerned with the potential threat of a faster 'mech closing in than someone standing outside of LRM range and shooting at me (which is where the UAC holds advantage over large lasers).
I have to say, while I haven't yet driven an Atlas, I can't currently imagine going over a 325-rating engine on anything but a 'for the lols' build. Higher rating engines increase in tonnage really quickly, and even a 325 is pushing the tonnage curve when you're talking about a standard engine. Kind of startled that you were using a Standard 340- 340 is my 'soft cap' engine rating for XL engines before the tonnage gets exorbitant.
To be honest, I haven't worried too much about the secondary weapons too much on it, and the engine rating in the MG version was just to use up weight and provide a little better heat distribution and agility. I may revisit the build and try some different things, but I do well enough with it currently that it's really not worth screwing with.
As a comparison, my Stalker, which is my top mech both in fun and success, has ALRM50 and four medium lasers (plus electronics/tag, of course), and it is tons of fun to soften all of the mechs up until I run out of ammo, and then mow through their internal structures with my "bloated Jenner" once the tide has been asserted. I will usually get roughly half of my kills from those lasers, actually. MGs work great on opened up mechs, too, though an LBX would probably be a better ballistic complement if there is enough tonnage.
Void Angel, on 13 May 2014 - 09:12 AM, said:
You're looking at it backwards: it's not the build that is viable - it's the tactics of the teams you've fought that make it viable. Just like that match we met up in; my team, despite the exhortations of four guys (one of whom was me) insisted on scattering out - and on cowering away from your teams' fire. Heck, if you step back, it's comical! Like a bunch of cartoon characters all trying to hide behind the same tree.
The Atlas did all right for himself, if I remember, but he could have done just as well with a Catapult, which is the crux of our objections.
Same thing, different viewpoint. The build isn't what matters - it's the pilot using it. If it works for a person, they should be complimented on it. If it doesn't, they should try something else.
In that match, we were crushing your team pretty quickly. I got overly confident and made the mistake of charging ahead to finish someone off, and you capitalized on that mistake. The DDC Atlas didn't make that mistake, and along with the rest of the team, finished your guys off. I am not trying to gloat (and refer back to my posts about your loud-mouthed buddy NoSkillz kicking my butt twice in a row if it seems like I am), but the issue is NOT the build. The issue is the tactics being used by inexperienced pilots, or experienced pilots that make a mistake and get caught.
For example, in the Banshee energy build you suggested, I have had really good matches where I have gotten several kills and tons of damage, along with a win. Then, I make a mistake in HPG and get caught by NoSkills meta-pack, resulting in a whopping 80-ish damage and probably not even double digit score for a loss.
If you didn't know me, or talked to NoSkills after that match, you would probably think I am a horrible player because you know the build is "optimal" (i.e. which is why you suggested it). If I had been in the DDC Atlas (also an assault), you would instead attribute that score to the build, since you don't like it. In the end, though, neither build is bad when played properly - it all depends on the pilot making the right educated decisions during the match.
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