33 replies to this topic

[Ultimax]

A very short survey to see how people feel about Clan Ultra ACs now that we've had some time to experiment with them.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3W33RY8

I was going to inject some attempts at humor into the questions but I'm out of coffee, and I also didn't want to unintentionally bias the responses.

All results should be instantly viewable.


Feel free to leave comments and discuss here.

[Angel of Annihilation]

They are fun to use but generally much less effective than IS versions due to the burst effect spreading damage.

[FupDup]

I've tried a single Ultra build on a few mechs but so far they seem like crap. The exception is when they're boated, which makes them actually somewhat effective (like when I used 2 UAC/10 on a Dire Whale build of mine). Individually though, they're not impressive and are probably inferior to lazors.

[Voidcrafter]

I think that CUACs, at least those that are above the 2s, are quite good weapons.
Though not in cases you don't boat them and expect them to be your prime source of damage - I mean - you can't bring two of them without defensive weapons and expect wonders...

CUAC5s are really good for mid-close range battles, as are the 10s.
The CUAC2 and the CUAC20s seems kinda without straight purpose - yea when boated they perform really well, but the burst pretty much kills the long range efficiency of the CUAC2 where it also kills the pinpoint burst damage of the CUAC20.
Well... actually it's still there but it spreads all around the target's components
With that in mind those weapons are not really quite good for hitting a fast target where you intend to - but in terms with the balance I'm fine with that.

I think that the not-so popular, and thus undiscovered jewel, between the Clans arsenal is LBX20 - I'll pick that (almost)anytime over any CUAC20, cause it IS a monster weapon and it's the closest thing to the AC20 the clans have.

As an overall observance - the clan UACs are really good for one thing though - suppressive fire. When the common foe starts getting hit over and over again by the bursts it's really hard to not panic.

So all and all - my favorite UAC is CUAC5 - I think it's the one that performs the best - really good range, good damage, the burst fire is somewhat easier to aim, the shake it causes is not bad too.
I like them, cause they somehow require more skill to use(in the cases you're trying to hit the spot you aim at and you're not DAKKADAKKA-ing your target with 4+ CUACs you're boating, cause of ridiculously split hardpoints) and that constant flame coming from your gunpoints feels really satisfying

[TercieI]

FupDup, on 25 July 2014 - 09:00 AM, said:

I've tried a single Ultra build on a few mechs but so far they seem like crap. The exception is when they're boated, which makes them actually somewhat effective (like when I used 2 UAC/10 on a Dire Whale build of mine). Individually though, they're not impressive and are probably inferior to lazors.

This is my impression too: solid when massed, lousy singly.

[Xeno Phalcon]

When its a weapon you can focus on its pretty mean, iv used a pair on my warhawks for one of my favorite builds (Vizzini; 2xUAC10 and 1 ERML with a tacomp) though for whatever reason I feel more comfortably with the inferior lbx10 on my srm heavy builds. (I suppose it has to do with the damage being front loaded even if its spread out)

[SaltBeef]

They are very affective on targets that do not move when being targeted by them. They are funner to play. They are not pinpoint on moving targets. Is should have burst ones for purchase as well. Imho. Clan lbx should be able to fire single rounds like the inner sphere and also switch to cannister.

[C E Dwyer]

I think they make nice noises, and look good, and the lasers are of longer range that is really the only positive I can give.

IS weapons are on the whole better, as they're not burst fire

Most people complaining about P2W are OP etc etc, are going to come from those that can't/won't own them and liked to hide at the back in atlases, highlanders, guass cats etc and snipe, and don't like their safe game made dangerous.

Those that mix it up should all ready know short range Is weapons are a lot better.

Clearly don't own them,

[Lord Perversor]

FupDup, on 25 July 2014 - 09:00 AM, said:

I've tried a single Ultra build on a few mechs but so far they seem like crap. The exception is when they're boated, which makes them actually somewhat effective (like when I used 2 UAC/10 on a Dire Whale build of mine). Individually though, they're not impressive and are probably inferior to lazors.

I also have the Odd impression not all bullets hits register properly .

[Ultimax]

Lord Perversor, on 25 July 2014 - 09:36 AM, said:

I also have the Odd impression not all bullets hits register properly .

I've had some reg issues, but not as bad as cER PPCs so far.

[Mystere]

At long range, their burst nature is great for suppressing the enemy.

At close range, they can kill just like their IS equivalents.

Edited by Mystere, 25 July 2014 - 09:50 AM.

[SeanM]

clan ac's, meh.

[Malleus011]

From being shot at by them a lot, they seem largely ineffective.

[Crotch RockIt]

I much prefer the Clan LBX's to the U-AC's, especially the LB5-X, which has a relatively small spread. I run a Direwolf build that uses 5x LB5-X and 3x ERML, and it just tears through opposing Assault mechs. 6x LB5-X is great, too, until you inevitably run out of ammo halfway through the match.

I will say that the U-AC's are great for suppression, though. The constant stream of dakka is really annoying.

[Zypher]

In group drops against players who know what they are doing, Clan UACs are much harder to use than LBXs effectively. In pubs, where you tend to get people just stopping in all sorts of positions, UACs rips things to shreds. In the long run you are better off learning to use LBXs as they will keep you less exposed, not to mention you will get tons of component destruction mid way through a match.

[Ngamok]

UAC2 weak
UAC5 and UAC10 is fine
UAC20 a little much especially on a good roll with no jam.

[DONTOR]

Quad UAC10s on a DW works devastatingly well, other than that I will not use them. The UAC10-20 looks way better on the warhawk I will say. (tripple barrelled)

I personally like the CLBXs way better.

[Khobai]

UACs are crap. For the same reason lasers are crap. DoT is awful.

If you want to use autocannons, the CLB5Xs are the way to go.

[Mcgral18]

Khobai, on 25 July 2014 - 11:16 AM, said:

UACs are crap. For the same reason lasers are crap. DoT is awful.

If you want to use autocannons, the CLB5Xs are the way to go.

With Clan ACs, you have the choice of DoT pinpoint, or FLD spread.

Both are inferior, but both will kill.

Edited by Mcgral18, 25 July 2014 - 11:34 AM.

[MischiefSC]

FupDup, on 25 July 2014 - 09:00 AM, said:

I've tried a single Ultra build on a few mechs but so far they seem like crap. The exception is when they're boated, which makes them actually somewhat effective (like when I used 2 UAC/10 on a Dire Whale build of mine). Individually though, they're not impressive and are probably inferior to lazors.

Disagree. UAC20 is god-tier destruction for the tonnage, especially on builds with minimal ballistic hardpoints.

UAC5s and 10s do an awesome job of mid-range headache for people. ESPECIALLY with TCs you can start to get some real performance.

My best performing build at this point for the Timber Wolf is 2xUAC5s and 4xCERMLs. Can solo most mechs pretty easily if only because I can keep them in near perpetual screen-shake, all while doing 12DPS from the ACs alone. The 28 pt quad-laser burn is where I pinpoint off the armor and with the TCs significant crit bonus and each AC shot consisting of 3 projectiles it starts to make bonus crit damage significant - 6 projectiles per burst, each with its own crit probability check with associated bonus....

You treat the UACs much like a laser with screenshake. The difference is that lasers don't cause screenshake so you win the staredown on accuracy alone. Well managed UACs synergize very well with Clan lasers in the staredown and make it survivable.

Try it. Clan laser build vs Clan UAC+laser build in the staredown. Also helps with the brushback quite a bit.