21 replies to this topic

[Arkion29]

I recently purchased a Cataphract IM and was thinking of doing the 3 x Ultra AC 5 build.

Is it still a viable build?

Also, how do you fire the Ultra AC 5 to get the fastest fire rate out of them?

[5LeafClover]

Yes. 30% more dps on average than ac5 (15% more on a tonne for tonne basis). Don't chain fire though, or you lose some of the advantage. Counter intuitive but true.

[DivineEvil]

Arkion29, on 13 October 2014 - 09:36 PM, said:

I recently purchased a Cataphract IM and was thinking of doing the 3 x Ultra AC 5 build.

Is it still a viable build?

Also, how do you fire the Ultra AC 5 to get the fastest fire rate out of them?

Yes.

For Ilya with 3xUAC/5 I'd recommend to separate torso one and two arm-mounted into 1 and 2nd weapon groups, though you can use left/right bias instead. UAC/5 has nominally equal reload to UAC/5 but allows to shoot a second shot during reload. If you hold the fire key, then bonus is significantly reduced. Because of that, train yourself to line-up each barrage and lauch them with individual clicks. It will take a couple of matches to get used to reloading times, but you'll be able to shoot them uniformly with no problem afterwards.

[Elizander]

The UAC/5 now has the same rate of fire as the AC/5 except that you can double tap it (two clicks) to fire the extra shot. Of course it can still jam. Chain fire is fun, but you want to deal pinpoint damage so firing them all at once after you line up your shots is good.

Separating the arms from the torso is a good idea if you want to aim where your torso cannot reach (and not waste ammo) and left/right is also good if you like peeking around corners.

ILYA MUROMETS UAC/5(x3) + ML(x3)

Here' s an Ilya with 3xUAC/5 and 3xML with 9 tons UAC/5 ammo. Another options is to have 2 arm-mounted UAC/5s and 2 torso mounted ER LLs so you can effectively peek over hills to shoot.

ILYA MUROMETS UAC/5(x2) + ER LL(x2)

[Satan n stuff]

Arkion29, on 13 October 2014 - 09:36 PM, said:

I recently purchased a Cataphract IM and was thinking of doing the 3 x Ultra AC 5 build.

Is it still a viable build?
Yes, but usually not as viable as builds that deal high pinpoint frontloaded damage, such as the double Gauss and single ER PPC build I have on my IM.

Also, how do you fire the Ultra AC 5 to get the fastest fire rate out of them?
There are no tricks to increase the rate of fire, but you can set up a macro to give you a steady stream of shells for maximum screen shake, or you could simply fire them all at once and double tap if you prefer more frontloaded damage, either way the maximum rate of fire and the jamming rate stays the same.

Here is a link to a macro tool in case you want to use it.

Edited by Satan n stuff, 15 October 2014 - 10:50 AM.

[Nightmare1]

Arkion29, on 13 October 2014 - 09:36 PM, said:

I recently purchased a Cataphract IM and was thinking of doing the 3 x Ultra AC 5 build.

Is it still a viable build?

Also, how do you fire the Ultra AC 5 to get the fastest fire rate out of them?

Personally, I stopped using UACs a while back and sold all the ones I owned. They jam way too often for my liking; I'd rather have a weapon on which I can depend rather than one that may or may not give me higher DPS.

What I really hate, is how they jam on the first shot. I know PGI fixed the bug where they would jam without sending anything downrange, but, still, jamming after only sending one or two rounds out the bore is really frustrating. That's why I avoid all UACs now.

That being said, I won't say that they are completely useless. I do know some pilots that are able to use them effectively without many jams. I wish some of their luck would rub off on me.

Satan n stuff, on 15 October 2014 - 10:49 AM, said:

Here is a link to a macro tool in case you want to use it.

Macros? Really? Now that's just sad.

I'm a purist; no macros for me! When my shots strike you, you can receive them full knowing that they come courtesy of me and not some third-party software.

[Mogney]

I run my 3xUAC5 Ilya with a standard engine and no energy weapons. Its sturdy and delivers quite a punch.

[Gtbuck]

In short, yeah, triple UAC build is still awesomeness, I run an XL with 3 MLs. Now that they have the same cooldown at the standard ac-5s I don't see how the macro helps. If you're going to slow them down then just use the standard 5s.

Has anyone else noticed hit detection issues with the UACs? It's not enough to keep me from using them, but I've noticed on my Ilya 10-20% of the time when I fire all 3 my hits don't register. I'm still getting decent damage so I don't know if it's a problem with the reticule not turning red or if it's really not being registered.

Edited by Gtbuck, 15 October 2014 - 12:53 PM.

[STEF_]

Just today I changed the classic 3ultra5+3ml, and made a 3ac5+2erLL.
First run: 3 kill and 918 dmg.

[_____]

Good topic. I always thought AC5 would do more overall DPS but I was wrong. Tested 2xAC5 vs 2xUAC5 in training grounds yesterday and 2xUAC5 kills faster despite the jams.

[Sandtiger]

I named My Cat after my daughter. It runs three uac5 x 3ml slower stock engine, but allows you to hang in the fight longer, and not worry about your mech dying if it looses a torso. When you run out of ammo, you have your ML's for back up. Remember to target your opponents and hit them where it hurts too. Good Luck! =]

[Davegt27]

Are Ultra Ac 5 Still Effective?

IS No

Clan yes

[LT. HARDCASE]

Davegt27, on 15 October 2014 - 03:13 PM, said:

Are Ultra Ac 5 Still Effective?

IS No

Clan yes

You want to make an argument for your opinion?

[ShadowbaneX]

as others have said, yes 3x uAC/5 is still effective. I personally recommend 3x uAC/5, & 2 MLs with 10 tons of ammo. Never chain fire, never macro, just keep on firing until you've got a couple of jams, then retreat back in to some cover. You're much better off putting 15 points of damage into one spot, than to have 5 points rounds hitting different locations in rapid succession.

[Hospy]

They're great; just don't go brawling with them.

Pop out of cover, unload as much as you can until they jam, then step back in cover.

[Davegt27]

You want to make an argument for your opinion?

you can drop with me and I can show you

if I Knew how to post videos I could probably show you also

Edited by Davegt27, 16 October 2014 - 03:52 AM.

[Satan n stuff]

Nightmare1, on 15 October 2014 - 12:31 PM, said:

Macros? Really? Now that's just sad.

I'm a purist; no macros for me! When my shots strike you, you can receive them full knowing that they come courtesy of me and not some third-party software.

I don't use them myself and probably never will, but I am here to help so I should at least mention that the option exists.
In MWO there's little to no real advantage to using them aside from personal preference, all they do is time your shots for you and there is no rule against that.

[Bront]

My 2 favorite Ilya builds:

280XL, 3 UAC5, 2ML (Torso Mounted), and about 8 tons of ammo. It'll tear though ammo, but is a great DPS mech.

280XL, 3 AC5, ERPPC, and 5-6 tons of ammo. With the AC5 cool down, it does solid DPS, with a nice pinpoint alpha. Better for kill shots, but does a bit less damage, and runs cooler (If you don't ride the ERPPC too much).

The biggest problem with the UAC5 build is the face time it requires.

[Nightmare1]

Satan n stuff, on 16 October 2014 - 04:54 AM, said:

I don't use them myself and probably never will, but I am here to help so I should at least mention that the option exists.
In MWO there's little to no real advantage to using them aside from personal preference, all they do is time your shots for you and there is no rule against that.

Yeah, I gotcha. Just so you know, I'm not ragging on you personally; I'm just cutting up about Macros in general.

[ShadowbaneX]

Bront, on 16 October 2014 - 06:33 AM, said:

280XL, 3 UAC5, 2ML (Torso Mounted), and about 8 tons of ammo. It'll tear though ammo, but is a great DPS mech.

What are you using the extra 2 tons on? I run the same build, but with 10 tons of ammo. AMS?