61 replies to this topic

[Dr HaxZaw]

So I've been trying for a while now to come up with a build where the AC2 is a worthwhile weapon and so far I've some up with nothing. It runs far to hot for the amount of tonnage it weighs and its damage output.

It makes mechs like a twin ac2 kit fox completely pointless and is a big issue in the game. I would be happy to deal with the heat and tonnage if it did 2 damage out to about 1500m but currently it needs some work.

Anyone else feel the same?

[Tastian]

The AC2 is still viable under four conditions (just my opinion)
1 - A lighter mech with very few other heat sources
2 - in a mech that can house at least 3 of them in chain fire to keep the pounding going on the opponent for disorientation
3 - As a support sniper
4 - On a mech that can house 6 or more of them for the heck of it (Dire Wolf)

[Sephlock]

For the Kit fox just use it as a scattershot poptart weapon and/or try only to fire when enemies are otherwise occupied so they won't turn to face you.

It was still seriously nerfed but it isn't as bad as, say... the flamer .

[crossflip]

AC2s as a weapon are flawed altogether. They produce the same dps as other acs but require you to face the enemy for longer and require better tracking than their counterparts. Add in the ridiculous heat and you have a gimped weapon that really serves no purpose other than to turn armor yellow at range or to rattle cockpits for a few seconds before you shutdown due to ghost heat.

Aside from lowering heat or boosting damage drastically, there's almost nothing that makes this weapon worth using over other, better weapons that are also more efficient for their tonnage.

[Dr HaxZaw]

crossflip basically hit the nail on the head. The whole concept of the AC2 was a long range weapon but in this game it has a range maybe 100m longer than an AC5 but does less damage, is only 2 tonnes lighter and does a more heat.

[cSand]

Dr HaxZaw, on 28 June 2014 - 10:09 PM, said:

crossflip basically hit the nail on the head. The whole concept of the AC2 was a long range weapon but in this game it has a range maybe 100m longer than an AC5 but does less damage, is only 2 tonnes lighter and does a more heat.

270m longer range, and over double the projectile speed

I pair an AC2 and AC5 or 10 on my IV4 and it's awesome

Edited by cSand, 28 June 2014 - 10:13 PM.

[DAYLEET]

The clan ac2 is practicaly FLD, thats what it has going for it. I used 2 uac2 on my kitfox with good result so far.

Edited by DAYLEET, 28 June 2014 - 11:00 PM.

[Escef]

I still use a solo AC2 on my SHD-2H(P) and CN9-A, it works fine. It's a great long range harassment weapon, and even after the RoF nerf it is pure annoyance for the target in close. And on the CN9-A it makes up a fairly small amount of my firepower, so if I lose the ballistic arm I'm not exactly heart broken.

[El Bandito]

Bring back the Dakka Jager!

[Dr HaxZaw]

Quote

Bring back the Dakka Jager!

It's why I fell in love with the Jager..... then PGI nerfed ACs and buffed LRMs unecessarily

[A banana in the tailpipe]

The targeting modules will bring some much needed love to ballistic/energy weapons.

[TheMightyServo]

Tastian, on 28 June 2014 - 06:20 PM, said:

The AC2 is still viable under four conditions (just my opinion)
2 - in a mech that can house at least 3 of them in chain fire to keep the pounding going on the opponent for disorientation

That doesn't work so well.

And with the ROF cut, you have to stay on target to manage any amount of damage.

Disorientation isn't that effective.

Which would you rather have with the new rof - 3 AC2s and ammo, or two PPCs and HS?

[Equalizer]

Dr HaxZaw, on 28 June 2014 - 06:14 PM, said:

So I've been trying for a while now to come up with a build where the AC2 is a worthwhile weapon and so far I've some up with nothing. It runs far to hot for the amount of tonnage it weighs and its damage output.

It makes mechs like a twin ac2 kit fox completely pointless and is a big issue in the game. I would be happy to deal with the heat and tonnage if it did 2 damage out to about 1500m but currently it needs some work.

Anyone else feel the same?

I feel exactly the same way - the AC2 nerf basically obsoleted several of my favourite builds like 2x AC2 Blackjack, 2x UAC5/2x AC2 Banshee or the 3x AC2 Shadowhawk/Dragon and so on. These are hardly OP builds, but could still work if played smart... well, they don't anymore - took my old BJ-1 for a spin today and it's so impotent that I'd rather run 2x MGs instead of AC2s.

I also tried a pair of Clan UAC2s with the Kit Fox, and while they sound super cool, virtually every other setup works much better.

Currently I see no reason to use any kind of AC2s as you severely gimp yourself if you do. Actually the nerfs didn't change that last part, but the sole reason to choose gimping yourself willingly - the AC2 DPS - is now gone.

Edit: AC2s in their former glory (scroll to 1:25):

Edited by Equalizer, 29 June 2014 - 03:46 AM.

[Creovex]

cSand, on 28 June 2014 - 10:13 PM, said:

270m longer range, and over double the projectile speed

I pair an AC2 and AC5 or 10 on my IV4 and it's awesome

I pair the AC2 with an AC5 on my Thunderbolt 5s. Does rather well when paired to a higher level.... ballistics have a way of scaring some pilots.

[DeathlyEyes]

I understood reducing their max range but reducing their fire rate was totally uncalled for.

[Exilyth]

In TT, the major reason to use AC/2 was for plinking away at enemies from outside LRM range.

In MWO, there's almost no reason to choose an AC/2 over an AC/5.

tbh. I'd rather have slower AC/2s w/more range than what we have now.

Edited by Exilyth, 29 June 2014 - 04:37 AM.

[Khobai]

The biggest problem with the AC/2 is heat. It runs way too hot for a measly 2 damage.

Its heat should be reduced from 1 to 0.67

[Allen Ward]

Escef, on 29 June 2014 - 12:06 AM, said:

I still use a solo AC2 on my SHD-2H(P) and CN9-A, it works fine. It's a great long range harassment weapon, and even after the RoF nerf it is pure annoyance for the target in close. And on the CN9-A it makes up a fairly small amount of my firepower, so if I lose the ballistic arm I'm not exactly heart broken.

I like this approach...if I loosw it I don't cry as it was ****** all before... serious?

SLDF DeathlyEyes, on 29 June 2014 - 04:04 AM, said:

I understood reducing their max range but reducing their fire rate was totally uncalled for.

Because Clan UACs could become even BETTER this way.

[Undercover Brother]

I've run a 3 LBX-A/C2 Summoner... It's okay.

Heat was easily managed, even on Terra Therma, and even with popping 2 ERMLAS regularly as well.

As far as damage, my 2 ERMLS racked up much more tan the A/Cs, but the chat from the other team trying to come through a tiny gap to get into the crater was comical. When 2 Dire Wolves retreat over A/C2 cockpit rattle, its pretty damn funny.

[Dirus Nigh]

DAYLEET, on 28 June 2014 - 10:58 PM, said:

The clan ac2 is practicaly FLD, thats what it has going for it. I used 2 uac2 on my kitfox with good result so far.

I did the same last night. I put down a lot of supplemental fire that caused enemies to back off. It really helped that I dropped on alpine with it's vast sight lines.