MischiefSC, on 08 July 2014 - 08:05 PM, said:
Okay. So in more detail -
Ghost Heat happened in response to a bad time. 4,5,6 PPC stalkers, 5 and 6 LL builds were bad too (but not nearly so much so). Boomjags comprised about 60% of every match, because they were stupidly powerful compared to anything and everything else.
So we got Ghost Heat. It was far from anyones favorite mechanic because it felt contrived and arbitrary and unintuitive.
It did, however, work. Immediately and completely. This was the rise of the Gauss+2 or 3xPPC meta, because 35pts is enough to one-shot a cockpit. The gauss charge-up mechanic severed that connection, moving it to 2xUAC5s, because the DPS convergence with the PPCs.
Yes, we would all like a comprehensive fix to convergence - except all the casual players, who would likely hate it. Yes, we would all like a heat system overhaul with heat penalties - except the casuals, who would probably hate it. There are a lot of comprehensive rebuilds of the combat system that might do a world of good. We've got a glimpse of that with the Clan weapons, they are incredibly fun to use and far, far better balanced than the IS ones and seem to offer a wider range of options. LBX and UACs both useful in different roles, LRMs and SRMs. Still tweaks needed but they came out of the gate better than IS weapons were after years of balancing.
Ghost Heat however, works. It did the job it was intended to do - prevent the boating of specific weapon loadouts that were creating issues without having to fundamentally alter those weapons which would, in turn, impact every build using the weapon - good and bad.
So.... Ghost Heat. Put Gauss in with PPCs. Maybe put PPCs in with all ACs? I'm not sure on that one - the 30pts of 2xAC5+PPCs isn't that bad, especially given how off the convergence of the projectiles are. AC10+PPCs isn't a big deal, nor AC20.
A 50pt PPFLD hit though is exactly the sort of thing Ghost Heat was created to fix, because it sucks. I get that the Dire Wolf is a whale to pilot. The dakka and laser builds it carries though melt face very effectively. Maybe it needs some more maneuverability if you're not going to let it one-shot anything under a heavy and two or 3 shot everything from a heavy on up.
That needs addressed now though and not when it comprises 25-35% of every single match - which it will when it's out for cbills. Also the Annihilator and Mauler and several other mechs that would end up the same way if it's not addressed now.
Just pull the trigger. We've already got a working fix available. Not every solution needs to reinvent the wheel.
The issue is, you do not 1 shot anything under a heavy...
In fact most pilots (competence required), even if they are unaware of your presence, once fired upon will do everything to prevent exposing the section you just stripped of armor or turned to red. Which means you are now looking at another shot to a ST or even an arm. Then you have to fire another shot to finish off the armor and damage internals and/or destroy the component.
I would like to point out, I watched a JENNER take 4 volleys from a DW with said load out last night. (The guy in the DW was hitting, but the Jenner was moving and spreading damage remarkably well)...
Thus, I think this is being made into a greater issue than needs to be said. Predominantly because there is only 1 mech capable of fielding this load out, and that 1 mech might as well be renamed the Death Star. It takes YEARS for it to move into position, but once it does, if you are caught flat footed...well...you had to know what was coming...
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