Gauss DPS isn't too terrible when you consider that it generates 0 heat and has good range.
Heres some DPS examples per smurfy:
Any Dual Gauss mech (IS or clan): 6.32 sustained DPS.
2 CERPPC, 33 heatsinks: 5.18 DPS
(Stupid dire wolf build to prove a point - note that a 3rd ppc wont fit because of heat sinks taking all the crits, but even if the ppc was a 1 slot weapon and you put 4 on in place of the 2, the sustained DPS would not increase because it is heat limited and not weapon DPS limited, even with only 2 PPCs)
2 ERPPCs + gauss rifle warhawk: 5.76 DPS less DPS than a dual gauss mech:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...9d6d2dc603234a9
The gauss rifle is actually not too bad for DPS as far as sniper weapons go... however, the PPC by comparison allows you to enter the battle cold, and then covert your heat capacity into front loaded damage. (this is true of energy weapons in general)
Who cares if your mech is now hot, as long as the enemy is dead.
In reality, front loaded damage matters, as well as sustained DPS.
Anyways, the Gauss rifle implementation is great.
-It pops easily, which incentivizes you to not brawl with it as a first choice.
-The charge mechanic makes it more difficult to snapshot a good light pilot at close range... The gauss has a min range in TT, which is clearly meant to reflect aiming difficulty - the projectile can't plausibly do 0 damage at point blank - its not a missile that needs to arm, its a solid piece of metal weighing 1/10th of a ton that is moving at 7200kph (using MWO numbers)
-The charge mechaninc is really fun, balance aside.
-The projectile moves fast enough to snipe with.
The PPC however is in a somewhat sad state, though not as terrible as some say. In most cases I would prefer an LPL over a PPC for the same weight.
Problem with the PPC is that is actually has awful DPS because the heat is so high. Add the fact that the slow projectile causes missed shots...
The heat needs to be lowered to account for the lower projectile speed, so its ACTUAL dps, including missed shots, can be where it was when it was moving at 1300m/s. Then it would be a DESYNC from the gauss, rather than a straight up PPC nerf.