39 replies to this topic

[McDewbie]

I've been away for 3 years but since the game is on steam now I thought I'd add it to my steam library seeing I had so much fun Gauss sniping in the past. OMG what the heck did they do to that weapon? I mean it was strong and people cried bloody murder about how unfair it was but really this is the solution to it? Make it so you have to charge it up and release before it resets? I mean talk about a ham-fisted balance that makes no sense in a technological advanced era. I find it hard to believe in this fictional universe some gear head Mech bay rat couldn't come up with a more elegant solution than this. Oy vey!

[TercieI]

Old news. Good players have adapted and considering the effectively zero heat, ridiculous projectile speed and range, it's a very, very powerful gun. Spend a few days running it, you'll be fine.

[Bilbo]

I'm told it's easy enough to adapt to charge mechanic, but I haven't used them since the started exploding when destroyed so I have no recent personal experience with them.

[epikt]

Funny, reading the title I was expecting a rant about the cooldown increase. But no, the charge mechanics, what a pleasant surprise.
Anyway, it just requires a little practice. Of course it's not as reactive as it would be if the trigger was instant, but it's still a pretty nice weapon. I personally often drop in a double gauss Jagermech, or even a gauss+PPCs CTF-3D poptart, it works great.

[Boulangerie]

You can go based on the audible cues, or you can map it to all of your firing groups and have a circle of indicators around your reticle which will glow green when ready. This can help you to get a feel for the weapon, and after a bit you will be charging up like nobodies business!

Also, you don't have to fire the shot. There is no penalty for continuing to hold the button to abort the shot. It doesn't trigger the cooldown of the weapon either, so you can just charge up again afterwards. This is helpful for when you notice a friendly walking into your firing line, or the enemy ducks back into cover.

Feel free to start charging it when approaching the crest of a hill, that way it's ready to fire when you are exposed (or when nearing a corner for those side peekers).

It was recently nerfed a bit, with an increased cooldown between shots, but they walked it back a little bit.

[Rogue Jedi]

Bilbo, on 03 February 2016 - 11:41 AM, said:

I'm told it's easy enough to adapt to charge mechanic, but I haven't used them since the started exploding when destroyed so I have no recent personal experience with them.

I know off topic but I am pretty sure they exploded on destruction when I first started playing in July 2012 during closed Beta, yes until relatively recently it was incorrectly labeled as an ammo explosion but it always was the Rifle itself which exploded, and until the charge went in that was the only major disadvantage over the AC20. Did you stop using Gauss Rifles in closed beta?

[Bilbo]

Rogue Jedi, on 03 February 2016 - 02:21 PM, said:

I know off topic but I am pretty sure they exploded on destruction when I first started playing in July 2012 during closed Beta, yes until relatively recently it was incorrectly labeled as an ammo explosion but it always was the Rifle itself which exploded, and until the charge went in that was the only major disadvantage over the AC20. Did you stop using Gauss Rifles in closed beta?

Yes, I pretty much stopped using it in closed beta. I always preferred the AC/20 anyway and I just use a smaller AC if I want to go with more range on a ballistic.

[Koniving]

Rogue Jedi, on 03 February 2016 - 02:21 PM, said:

I know off topic but I am pretty sure they exploded on destruction when I first started playing in July 2012

It had some time without going boom in closed beta.

-------------
Even after the explosions,
It was Gauss Rifle ambushes that stopped the AC/40 Ambushes.

And in the head, Gauss Rifles were just....insane.

If this says anything: At 4:20, you'll see me instantly shoot a flying enemy Jenner out of the sky effortlessly...

Spoiler

(and a flash of a similar crack shot in another game where I shot a script-kiddy / cheater out of the air with a rapid switch from double barrel shotgun to a revolver.)

Edited by Koniving, 03 February 2016 - 02:57 PM.

[no one]

Koniving, on 03 February 2016 - 02:54 PM, said:

It was Gauss Rifle ambushes that stopped the AC/40 Ambushes.

And in the head, Gauss Rifles were just....insane.

They really never did anything to 'fix' Gauss, though. It still has all the same high convergence of damage and low heat. They only made the weapon frustratingly terrible enough that it's relegated to use as 'backup hole punch for my assault's laser vomit, because I've already clicked to fire my lasers and now the Gauss can charge while they twist off damage'.

They didn't put two minutes conscious thought into the current Gauss charge mechanic and it shows.

Here, let me put two minutes thought into a Gauss balancing mechanic that actually does anything. Hm. . .

Okay, give all Gauss weapons on a 'Mech a shared 'capacitor'. The capacitor is drained each time a Gauss rifle is fired, and requires one second to fully recharge before another Gauss rifle can be fired. There, Gauss can be balanced as an individual weapon and we don't have to deal with a mechanic that screws you if you don't time your mouse release right while trying to hit a 'Mech. Or they could impliment delayed extreme range convergence. Or you could just say **** it and use ac/10s or ac/5s. All the fun with 0 ******** half *** band-aid mechanics.

Edited by no one, 04 February 2016 - 12:06 AM.

[Prof RJ Gumby]

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 12:04 AM, said:

They really never did anything to 'fix' Gauss, though. It still has all the same high convergence of damage and low heat. They only made the weapon frustratingly terrible enough that it's relegated to use as 'backup hole punch for my assault's laser vomit, because I've already clicked to fire my lasers and now the Gauss can charge while they twist off damage'.

They didn't put two minutes conscious thought into the current Gauss charge mechanic and it shows.

Here, let me put two minutes thought into a Gauss balancing mechanic that actually does anything. Hm. . .

Okay, give all Gauss weapons on a 'Mech a shared 'capacitor'. The capacitor is drained each time a Gauss rifle is fired, and requires one second to fully recharge before another Gauss rifle can be fired. There, Gauss can be balanced as an individual weapon and we don't have to deal with a mechanic that screws you if you don't time your mouse release right while trying to hit a 'Mech. Or they could impliment delayed extreme range convergence. Or you could just say **** it and use ac/10s or ac/5s. All the fun with 0 ******** half *** band-aid mechanics.

Frustrated much?

#holding1buttonfor0,5secondstoodifficultIhateyouPGI

Shared capacitor? You mean some weightless invisible device NOT being in a gauss rifle for some strange reason? How's that not a band aid?

Delayed extreme range convergence? So that gauss rifle would be great in everything EXCEPT sniping?

I can understand somebody who never tried the gauss with delay can be unpleasantly suprised. Right until that person adapts and finds that gauss is still a very good sniping weapon, just requiring more thought and trigger discipline. I run a 2xgauss Jager with no backup weapons regularly and it works great. Bah, even when the delay was 5,5 seconds, it still worked fine. Best gun for hunting lights IMO*. Cutting off cheetahs' legs mid flight FTW!

*although I never get to survive an oxide jumping me


EDIT: McDewbie -> One thing I agree with is that it could be some better explanation for gauss charge. Like gauss NOT exploding when not charged (what would explain why you can't just have it charged all the time by default).

Edited by Prof RJ Gumby, 04 February 2016 - 01:01 AM.

[no one]

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 12:54 AM, said:

Frustrated much?
#holding1buttonfor0,5secondstoodifficultIhateyouPGI
I run a 2xgauss Jager with no backup weapons regularly and it works great.

#Insultingsmughashtagjokesaredumb
#Immediatelyprovesmypoint

I'm talking about it's function as an individual weapon. Yes, I too can do well in the Gauss Jagger with it's tailor made for hill-sniping profile and ability to carry two Gauss rifles. Which, by the way means you're no longer talking about the individual weapon, but the effect of stacking similar single point weapons in a pinpoint convergence system.

It's especially not a good solo weapon for 15 + tons. It is super extra special not a good sniping weapon when you're trying to hit something that is side-stepping cover to plaster you with lasers at range. Why? because you have to time your weapon's charge-up cycle so that when they're just about to move out of cover you can release a round towards them.

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 12:54 AM, said:

Shared capacitor? You mean some weightless invisible device NOT being in a gauss rifle for some strange reason? How's that not a band aid?

Yes, it's a two minute band aid solution. Like I said, not the best solution but better, because it actually effects the weapon's convergence factor. And yes, assume that your 'Mech has some limit to the maximum instantaneous power draw it can handle. I don't care what you call it. Or come up with something better, you've got time.

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 12:54 AM, said:

Delayed extreme range convergence? So that gauss rifle would be great in everything EXCEPT sniping?

Extreme range as in weapons normally converge at a point extremely far away, and thus effectively fire in parallel. Convergence as in once you designate a target or hold your reticule on a target your weapons converge on a point at range to target. Delayed as in it takes time for this process to happen, as opposed to what we have now where there is no delay.

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 12:54 AM, said:

EDIT: McDewbie -> One thing I agree with is that it could be some better explanation for gauss charge. Like gauss NOT exploding when not charged (what would explain why you can't just have it charged all the time by default).

Yes, that's sensible.

Edited by no one, 04 February 2016 - 01:46 AM.

[Prof RJ Gumby]

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 01:43 AM, said:

#Insultingsmughashtagjokesaredumb
#Immediatelyprovesmypoint

#thisisgettingoutofhand
#thisissostupidImkindaashameditentertainsme

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 01:43 AM, said:

I'm talking about it's function as an individual weapon. Yes, I too can do well in the Gauss Jagger with it's tailor made for hill-sniping profile and ability to carry two Gauss rifles. Which, by the way means you're no longer talking about the individual weapon, but the effect of stacking similar single point weapons in a pinpoint convergence system.

It's especially not a good solo weapon for 15 + tons.

OK, but how exactly it is different from inefficiency of all other weapons when used individually? Is a single laser an effective weapon? A single PPC? A singe LRM/SRM Rack? AC20 is the only weapon that's kinda effective individually (still much better in 2s or with a bunch of srms. This is why there are weapon groups and everybody shoots weapons in groups. The whole game plays this way. I won't blame you for not liking it, but don't pretend that gauss is anyway different.

Also, gauss crabs and gauss dires are both alive and well, despite them not being tailored for that weapon (low-slung hardpoints).

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 01:43 AM, said:

It is super extra special not a good sniping weapon when you're trying to hit something that is side-stepping cover to plaster you with lasers at range. Why? because you have to time your weapon's charge-up cycle so that when they're just about to move out of cover you can release a round towards them.

...and if you do it well you deal him pinpoint 15/30 dmg and immediately proceed to twist and spread his laser dmg. High risk, high rewards. I don't have much problem with that. It's all about timing.

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 01:43 AM, said:

Yes, it's a two minute band aid solution. Like I said, not the best solution but better, because it actually effects the weapon's convergence factor. And yes, assume that your 'Mech has some limit to the maximum instantaneous power draw it can handle. I don't care what you call it. Or come up with something better, you've got time.

I'm fine with the current solution.

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 01:43 AM, said:

Yes, that's sensible.

Yup. I'm not the one who came up with this idea though. Just like it. Makes a solution that works balance-wise to also make sense when you think of it.

[Koniving]

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 12:04 AM, said:

Okay, give all Gauss weapons on a 'Mech a shared 'capacitor'. The capacitor is drained each time a Gauss rifle is fired, and requires one second to fully recharge before another Gauss rifle can be fired. There, Gauss can be balanced as an individual weapon and we don't have to deal with a mechanic that screws you if you don't time your mouse release right while trying to hit a 'Mech. Or they could impliment delayed extreme range convergence. Or you could just say **** it and use ac/10s or ac/5s. All the fun with 0 ******** half *** band-aid mechanics.

If this were Battletech (1x armor, 1x structure, 1x damage) this would be perfectly acceptable.
But it isn't. Even if you give it a 4 second recycle time and add the 1 second charge or even brought it down to a 3 second recycle time plus the charge so it's 4 seconds flat, you now have it that you have to either chain fire individual gauss rifles or never use more than one, relegating it to a backup hole punch to your laser vomit.

You have 15 damage, or 6 ML doing 30 damage, or twin AC/10s doing 20 damage, or 3 AC/5s doing 15 damage 3x faster than the faster Gauss option with less of a gimmick. Even twin PPCs would be superior at that point.

In Battletech standards, you have a Gauss Rifle doing 7.5 damage while everything else does normal damage.

Did you balance it, or break it further?

Change that to "2" and you'd have something that could compete in the current MWO.

OR -- Undo MWO's bandaids altogether, fix the heat system, then fix all other weapons and THEN fix Gauss.
Remove quirks, remove 2x armor/structure, remove charge mechanics and goofy damages, etc. 100% back to source material. Then...

Spoiler

Example heat fix: Reduce and lock Mech Threshold to 30 units of heat. SEPARATE Heatsink threshold. Use either classic Mechwarrior continuous cooldown rate with obligatory split (heatsink threshold absorbs 25%, mech threshold aborbs 75%, steadily cool at 75% cooling rate). OR try the proposition of a Decaying Cooldown rate based on thermal laws (some heat from weapons is immediately absorbed into the heatsink threshold, where the rest goes to Mech heat. Gradually heatsinks suck up this heat, removing it from the Mech. This rate decays with more and more heat at once, and picks up momentum as it vents heat into the air. In theory by locking this heat into the heatsink coolant you can keep from being so 'bright' on thermals but this isn't the brightest idea.)

Note that in either case, with a separate heatsink threshold the Mech itself won't heat up as quickly. To compare in Battletech Tabletop broken down to real time it takes 3 seconds for an ML (if all at once) to cool off with 10 SHS and it registers as 10% of mech threshold. In MWO without quirks it took (before heatsink changes) 4 seconds to do the same, as it still came out to 10% despite 1 heat extra due to a threshold of 40 instead of 30.
Now compare to proposed system. 3 heat on 30 threshold should bring you to 30%, but 25% or 0.75 units of heat are sucked up by the heatsink threshold instantly, leaving you only 2.25 units on the mech threshold, so 7.5% is what you'd see. It would still take 3 seconds for 10 SHS to deal with it.

Thus, heatsinks would become more viable than MWO's before and after applying MWO's pilot skills to them.
However: Mass alphas wouldn't be possible for light-weight heat based weapons to even a fraction of the degree they can be done in MWO. Furthermore, without a goofy mechanic like ghost heat, you're now not likely to use more than 3 PPCS or 2 ER PPCs at once, and may have to wait about 10 seconds for even your fastest cooling mechs to try that bull again!!

Whether using continuous or decaying rates, implement the ability to melt heatsinks as a final safety measure against heat-based high vomit potential. Implement heat penalties from Mech threshold being 16 units or above. Implement lore friendly weapon safety lockout at 60% Mech heat (the real reason ANY Battletech pilot presses the override button is the Weapon Lockout! Under Zero circumstances has a Battletech pilot EVER overridden the shutdown or prevented the shutdown. It is not possible! BLAM! MWO bullcrap of mass back to back alphas with 13 ER PPCS removed completely! The 30 PPCs in 18 seconds shown here... not possible. (As you can imagine, this implies that we implement a "once you shutdown, you can't start until 46.667% heat or 14/30 units.)

Thermal based Alpha issues gone. No more vomit.

Example weapon fix: In 5 seconds, 1 IS ML does 5 damage with 3 heat. Depending on ML variant, it could achieve this in several different patterns, such as the Rassal Blue Beam, a high-powered medium laser that channels all of its damage in a single blow with a number of negative effects that stack, to the Kajuka Bright Blossom with its wider, Star Trek first episode phaser-like beam (constant for 4 seconds with a one second cool off time, makes 'twisting' and shooting a nearly impossible endeavor), or the Victory 23R with its 2 second beam and 3 second recharge (hence 23R), the Defiance 3M with its 3 shots per cycle. No matter what, 1 IS ML does 5 damage and 3 heat in 5 seconds.

Now spread this mentality against all weapon systems.

• Standard lasers are more direct with fewer shots, each shot doing more damage than their pulse laser cousins.
  
• Pulse lasers are more rapid fire almost like laser machine guns, but successive hits can outperform their standard counterparts with only slightly higher increases to heat.
  
• Autocannons use either burst or continuous fire methods with their own lore based variants. The more DPS-oriented, the more likely variants may be able to surpass their damage rating over time. Less DPS oriented are less likely to continue meeting their damage rating over time. Caveat for future "Light" AC/2 and AC/5, more shots for damage rating due to lower caliber firepower, cannot surpass their rated damage over time. Ammunition counter displays "Rounds", but noted in Battletech Tech Manual and in Battletechnology Autocannons explanation: The computer incorrectly displays Rounds to save space, this count is the number of cassettes (magazines) the 'Mech has. (Each cassette contains "1 rating" for simplicity. Should be noted sometimes cassettes contained half a rating or in the case of the Enforcer, twice the rating.)
  
• LBX have toggle ammunition between standard and clustershot. Standard mirrors similar autocannons. Clustershot, though spread, is likely to do more pinpoint damage than standard autocannon bullets.
  
• Missiles 1 missile = full damage, making them devastating versus their laser and autocannon counter parts. Undecided whether to do 5 second cycles or 10 second cycles. To make Clan and IS missiles more unique, IS long range missiles can fire up and over targets (thus minimum 180 meter ACCURACY range is still a thing while allowing craftier pilots to still use them at point blank if they are that insane) and Clan LRMs fire directly at the target, not permitting 'cowardly behind cover' support missile fire. For streaks: Change mechanic to "Toggle"on or off. Give fire control to the computer so streaks will fire when the computer decides they can hit. Remove physics defying properties, give them the turn functions of normal SRMs. Implement actual Bt SRMs -- poor guidance, no lock necessary, will home in on targets. Expand missile ammo types.
  
• PPCs. In lore, PPCs are single shot, infrequently fired weapons. Depending on the version of lore they were too heavy to quickly manuever resulting in 90 minimum ACCURACY range (but this got dumped in favor that standard PPCs 'charged' up so that ER PPCs didn't have the issue). Have charge mechanic on a click delay rather than a 'hold and release'. These mass pinpoint, devastating things can cripple things easily, but would be almost impossible to use as more than 2. Even so much as moving when firing 3 would shut ANY 'Mech down for however long it takes to cool down to 46.67% heat. 2 ER PPCs would be much the same way, basically requiring chain fire. This said it would not break Awesomes, Warhawks, etc., as I have tested this method many times, so long as you space your shots out you can handle chain firing 4 ER PPCS with a Warhawk across 10 seconds, but your shots have to be perfectly spaced or you'll shut down. Even perfectly timed though your ammo is very likely to explode. PPCs will do full damage at pinpoint.
  
• Finally, Gauss Rifles. Implement your capacitor idea or simply state that the engine can only maintain one Gauss Rifle at a time. A single shot from a Gauss Rifle can cripple the legs of some lights, provided you can hit.
  
• Can even make it so that the PPCs and Gauss Rifles can't mingle at the same time, preventing the exploit of that kind of pinpoint damage altogether.

There. Got rid of ghost heat, balanced the main chunk of the game, etc. Rather than goofy quirks, 'Mechs would be privelidged to different weapon variants. Ideally, different mech sizes can make up for 'bulk' differences between them (this 0 ton mech is bulky as heck, but it's got a smaller stature than that skinny 60 ton mech), but if more is needed, we could go as far as armor variants, such as the Atlas uses Duralex Heavy Special and the King Crab uses Aldis X armor.

There's a lot more I would do as well, which would go a long way to making the 'Mechs more unique... but I believe you got the point with Gauss Rifles.
-------
The charge up mechanic in MW is intended to simulate the 60 meter minimum accuracy range so that the weapon isn't used so frequently at point blank which was a huge problem back in the day.

[MadCat02]

Gauss is OK now . You just need Cooldown Module and the right mech to use it on

Edited by MadCat02, 04 February 2016 - 10:44 AM.

[Vlad Striker]

25% quirk, 12% module 5% mastering = 42% faster reload

[no one]

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 04:00 AM, said:

OK, but how exactly it is different from inefficiency of all other weapons when used individually? Is a single laser an effective weapon? A single PPC? A singe LRM/SRM Rack? AC20 is the only weapon that's kinda effective individually (still much better in 2s or with a bunch of srms. This is why there are weapon groups and everybody shoots weapons in groups. The whole game plays this way. I won't blame you for not liking it, but don't pretend that gauss is anyway different.

Also, gauss crabs and gauss dires are both alive and well, despite them not being tailored for that weapon (low-slung hardpoints).

It's not different in that it gets better when grouped. It's different in that it's completely reliant on being grouped to be reasonably effective. That's kind of my point too, stacking similar weapons to push damage into one torso section with the game's pinpoint convergence is SO important that everything has to be balanced around it.

"Is a single large laser an effective weapon? A single PPC? A single ac/N?"
Compared to a single Gauss? Yes, actually. Once you've removed massed hole punch from the equation all those weapons do damage more quickly and reliably while being many tons lighter. That's why ghost heat came down so hard on those weapons.

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 04:00 AM, said:

Also, gauss crabs and gauss dires are both alive and well, despite them not being tailored for that weapon (low-slung hardpoints).

no one, on 04 February 2016 - 12:04 AM, said:

They really never did anything to 'fix' Gauss, though. It still has all the same high convergence of damage and low heat. They only made the weapon frustratingly terrible enough that it's relegated to use as 'backup hole punch for my assault's laser vomit, because I've already clicked to fire my lasers and now the Gauss can charge while they twist off damage'.

So. . . still not disagreeing with you. In that role yes, it's a good weapon.

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 04:00 AM, said:

...and if you do it well you deal him pinpoint 15/30 dmg and immediately proceed to twist and spread his laser dmg. High risk, high rewards. I don't have much problem with that. It's all about timing.

But what's the reward in the case of one Gauss rifle? 15 damage on a point? A single LPL will do 11 damage to one section of a 'Mech in less time than it takes a gauss to charge.

Prof RJ Gumby, on 04 February 2016 - 04:00 AM, said:

I'm fine with the current solution.

But what does it solve?

Koniving, on 04 February 2016 - 06:13 AM, said:

If this were Battletech (1x armor, 1x structure, 1x damage) this would be perfectly acceptable.
But it isn't. Even if you give it a 4 second recycle time and add the 1 second charge or even brought it down to a 3 second recycle time plus the charge so it's 4 seconds flat, you now have it that you have to either chain fire individual gauss rifles or never use more than one, relegating it to a backup hole punch to your laser vomit.

Hm, good point. I guess you could lower the global cool down of Gauss by 1 second for each additional Gauss affixed to the 'Mech. That way the forced chain-fire wouldn't diminish the DPS.
1 gauss
*bang*-1-2-3-4-5-*bang*

2 gauss
*bang*-1-2-3-4-*bang*
0-*bang*-2-3-4-5-*bang*

But yeah it's still a clunky solution and we'd do better with a heat system and convergence rework. A proper low cap heat system would help break up fire a lot, no argument there. Doubled armor and durability's probably a necessary evil in a 12 man game, though ammo counts should still be raised more to compensate.

Koniving, on 04 February 2016 - 06:13 AM, said:

You have 15 damage, or 6 ML doing 30 damage, or twin AC/10s doing 20 damage, or 3 AC/5s doing 15 damage 3x faster than the faster Gauss option with less of a gimmick. Even twin PPCs would be superior at that point.

If you're saying that all those things are better than Gauss rifles being chain or single fired then that's rather my point.

Koniving, on 04 February 2016 - 06:13 AM, said:

The charge up mechanic in MW is intended to simulate the 60 meter minimum accuracy range so that the weapon isn't used so frequently at point blank which was a huge problem back in the day.

Then it does it badly, since the mechanic effecting the accuracy penalty is just as bad at range. Gauss weapons could simply not converge to a point closer than 90 meters to fix that issue.

[Void Angel]

Boulangerie, on 03 February 2016 - 12:52 PM, said:

You can go based on the audible cues, or you can map it to all of your firing groups and have a circle of indicators around your reticle which will glow green when ready. This can help you to get a feel for the weapon, and after a bit you will be charging up like nobodies business!

Your cockpit lights also dim.

[Koniving]

Void Angel, on 04 February 2016 - 11:54 AM, said:

Your cockpit lights also dim.

Period is the default key.

[Koniving]

Side note:


Not so bad, is it?


So as part of the point earlier...
3 Gauss for 45 tons has the same effectiveness of 1.5 Gauss Rifles in BT. And it's pretty nasty.
But to get the effectiveness of one BT Gauss Rifle in MWO, you must have 2 in use, with perfect pinpoint convergence.
Breaking that just can't be done any practical or fair way without rebuilding MWO from the ground up.

[Void Angel]

As for the "Gauss is fine - No, Gauss needs fixed - NO, I want to ride my hobby horse about balance - hashtagsarcasticinsults" stuff, it's important to note that while the charge-up mechanic the OP complained of was added to make it harder to plant those "wonderful" 45-point poptart alphas on the same enemy component, the most recent nerf was designed to limit a more recent behavior. Koniving criticized one proposition, saying that it would cause Gauss Rifles to become

Koniving, on 04 February 2016 - 06:13 AM, said:

a backup hole punch to your laser vomit.

However, this was EXACTLY how Clan players in particular were using the weapon, barring 'mechs like the Gauss/PPC Dire Wolf. This wasn't an artifact of the Gauss charge, but of the fact that laser vomit was so effective for the Clans. And since laser builds are heat limited, and since loading lasers up to that heat limit into a 55 or 75-ton battlemech doesn't cost a lot of tonnage, the logical choice to round out those builds was the near-heatless Gauss Rifle. So in order to reduce the dps of Gauss/vomit builds without making the Gauss Rifle still more inconvenient to use, PGI increased the cooldown.

None of this makes the current state of Gauss Rifles good or bad - but it's important to remember all the facts when talking (and hopefully first thinking) about Gauss Rifle mechanics.