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The TC is a bulky, space-intensive system which offers offensive sensor and targeting bonuses to applicable direct-fire weapons – in this case, non-scattershot ballistics and non-Flamer energy weapons. It reduces (sharply, at higher levels) enemy paperdoll delay (Target Info Gathering), it offers modest boosts to sensor and zoom range, it improves projectile speed for projectile weapons and both nominal and maximum ranges for beam weapons, and most critically (tee hee), it offers a significant boost to the chance for critical hits against enemies with these weapons.
The Clan ER PPC is a compact, space-saving weapon which benefits from everything the TC has to offer – its expansive range enjoys the sensor buffs the TC offers, everybody likes getting enemy paperdolls faster, it shores up the PPC’s moderate projectile speed, and most critically (Yep, gonna keep happening), the C-ERPPC does precisely ten damage in its main bolt – enough to crit out ninety-five percent of components in this game.
Come tomorrow, I have a few experimental chassis already set up and ready to drive, testing to see where substituting a large targeting computer (typically mated to an Active Probe to further improve sensor range and reduce paperdoll time. Stacking benefits ho!) for what would usually be another primary weapon system can improve an OmniMech’s performance enough to make up for the opportunity cost of the TC. Each and every one of them centers on the beautiful interactions between the TC and the C-ERPPC.
Note: each ‘Mech is assumed to be using Radar Derp, TIG, and Adv. Sensor Range modules, if/when they can unlock their master module slot. This is the one and only time I have ever felt my module selections to be pertinent to a design, so hey. Keep this in mind.
Scout-Sniper SCR-P(I): http://mwo.smurfy-ne...174ab3c0cc5a256
The least firepower with the greatest heat efficiency of my three initial concepts, this ‘Mech is the only one of my three experimental TC chassis to feature only a single C-ERPPC, backed up in this case by four C-ERSL and one C-ERML as well as a pile of heat sinks. The TC’s range extension helps the knife-fighting small lasers out a good bit – I retain my damage out to just about 200/400m, which are nice, easy brackets to remember, while the C-ERML can gain hitscan “WTF?!” tics just outside LRM maximum lock range, if I have my calculations right. This is a mobile, flexible recon unit designed as much to fix enemy positions and call in the big gunz as much as it is a fighter in its own right – it can certainly lay down the pain, but it’s as valuable to my team as a heavy scout unit doing legwork as much as gunwork. All of my scout-sniper series are, but the Stormcrow’s mobility really helps it in this regard.
Scout-Sniper SMN-D: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...307545ec70ad3d5
The Summoner is the only one of my three initial concepts to go all the way up to the full Mk. VII TC, as well as retaining the Active Probe to further boost sensor range and TIG speeds. Its armament is fairly light, with two C-ERPPCs over two C-ERSLs offering levels of firepower not much greater than the scout-sniper SCR, andwith significantly poorer heat dissipation. It is also, however, the only one of my three TC concepts to include jump jets. I feel that this particular ‘Mech is one of the best uses someone can put a Summoner to, and am hoping that the rather ludicrous sensor range of the ‘Mech, combined with its powerful energy cannons, gives both itself and its team a decisive edge in the early peeksnipey phase of a drop.
EWAR Marauder TBR-P(I): http://mwo.smurfy-ne...e770fb262e005ae
More of a ‘for the lulz’ design, as well as a test of the lower-end targeting computers, the EWAR Marauder mates the energy armament of the scout-sniper Summoner with a C-UAC/5 and a Mk. IV TC/Active Probe combination. The TBR sacrifices the SMN’s jump jets and massive weight of TC in order to add a third primary weapon, closely mimicking the original Marauder’s armament while bolstering accuracy and crit rates with all weaponry. Like the Summoner, this design runs hotter than most pilots like, and it loses jumping mobility. It does, however, have a low-heat option for sustaining fire when the PPCs have managed to eat up one’s heat bar, though the Clan UACs aren’t really much good for crit-seeking.
So! Anyone else have any interesting notions for tomorrow’s TC patch? Ready to bust those C-ERPPCs wide open? Let’s see what you’ve got, folks!
Edited by 1453 R, 01 July 2014 - 11:56 AM.
