John Norad, on 02 June 2014 - 04:22 PM, said:
And/or make all autocannons continuous fire, thus making them useless for sniping.
PPC -> slight splash
Gauss -> chargeup
AC -> autofire, not single shot
That and maybe a bit more wobbly controls while jumping should give them all a distinct feel and take care of pinpoint alphas, jumpsniping etc.
Russ said that they are actively working on fixes to falling damage (poptart nerf) and JJ heat (also poptart nerf), which should help. Clan ACs should be a great example of how they are supposed to work, and once they get balanced with IS ones (by the range nerf and such), I am very hopeful that they will start putting out manufacturer variants and we will start getting some great variety.
I think Gauss, on the other hand, are in a great place right now. They are effective, very unique feel, and you trade off very good long range damage for a slow dps with the charge.
Here are some of my ideas for PPCs:
* Man-made Lightning (random arc spread): The PPC shoots a lightning bolt that hits the target point for {6} damage, then arcs to two random spots anywhere on the mech for an additional {2} points each. For example, if the PPC hits the front RT, it does {6} points of damage, then arcs to the rear LT for {2} points of damage and the RL for another {2} points of damage, for a total of {10} points of damage. (OPTIONAL: the lightning can hit internal structure even if their is armor remaining on that section)
* Plasma Blob (energy LBX): The PPC functions like a small-radius LBX, with 10 plasma blobs that fire in a cone from the barrel, spreading to a {20m} cone at max range and dealing {1} point of damage per blob that hits.
* Electrolaser(charge): The PPC charges up for {0.5} seconds. During this time, a tag-like laser shows where the beam will shoot. After {0.5} seconds, the PPC discharges, shooting a beam of ionized particles along the laser to instantly do {10} points of damage. (NOTE: This may function like the Gauss charge, or possibly fire automatically after the charge up)
* Electropulse (duration): This functions like the Electrolaser, charging for {0.5} seconds, but then delivers {3} points of damage every {0.5} seconds after that for as long as the trigger is held. (Optional: Heat grows exponentially as the beam is held (so {1} heat the first tick, {2} the second, {4} the third, etc.))