40 replies to this topic

[Ex Atlas Overlord]

B/c you're lucky if SRMS even do half their damage most of the time.

[Ivan Tsarevich]

627, on 25 February 2016 - 02:40 PM, said:

I'm not even sure that there is a mech where you have to answer that question. maybe the shadowhawk but most mech can only run of of these anyway...

Atlas says hi. So does my Stormcrow.

[CreativeAnarchy]

I like the sound of the AC20s.

I don't like the heat they generate so I go through phases to try and really get over my issue with that. I can manage heat, I just don't like the heat they generate so I end up downgrading to a pair of 10s on my King Crab, but that isn't a pair of 20s so I end up going back to a pair of 20s

I have considered 1 AC20 and a pair of 5s, but that isn't the same and the sound of a pair of 20s going off is just so satisfying. I really like their boom. I do wish they fired a bit quicker.

SRMs, for me, would have to just be hands down better than an AC20. SRMs just don't sound good enough for me and are not as satisfying to fire as a pair of 20s or any other ballistic for that matter. I've given them enough of a try to know that I'd much prefer to load in ballistics. Same goes for lasers, I like to carry a few beams as a back up, but I really prefer ballistics over other weapon systems.

Edited by CreativeAnarchy, 25 February 2016 - 03:16 PM.

[jss78]

My hunch (no pun intended) is that if you're really good at putting those AC20 shells into specific locations (and consult the paper doll beforehand), then AC20. Otherwise SRM's.

[oldradagast]

It depends heavily upon quirks and hit registration, which can vary and are unpredictable.

If I HAD to pick one, I'd go with the AC20, but 3 SRM 4 or 6's can makes a mess of things, too. It's just that missiles, in general, have a longer history of not being viable in the game thanks to hit-reg issues and that period of time for a year or so when all missile damage was horribly nerfed.

[Steve Pryde]

ac20 is one of the strongest thing IS autocannons have: pinpoint dmg there u need it.

[Lightfoot]

SRMs are good back-up weapons so you can use another main weapon array with them. AC20 becomes your main weapon.

[Y E O N N E]

mogs01gt, on 25 February 2016 - 01:56 PM, said:

Also, SRMS suck against lights due to spread damage! Large the target, larger the hitbox!

They absolutely do not suck against lights.

[Fox With A Shotgun]

Yeonne Greene, on 25 February 2016 - 09:03 PM, said:

They absolutely do not suck against lights.

This. Partial hit is better than no hit at all. And unlike lasers, a SRM 'sweep' still deals its damage in rather large discrete packets. It's very easy to rip a limb or two off with a couple of well placed volleys.

[627]

Ivan Tsarevich, on 25 February 2016 - 03:01 PM, said:

Atlas says hi. So does my Stormcrow.

Atlas don't really have an issue mounting both and the Stormcrow is Clan-tech so no IS AC20 at all.

And on IS side only the Shadowhawk (?) can mount either of it but not both. But a Hawk with an STD engine is slow so that's not really an alternative to a fast srm bomber. And the Cent AH can mount both, too.

[Kaeb Odellas]

When piloting lights, I find AC20s far scarier than SRMs of any size (excluding streaks, of course). 4 SRM4s will do at most 34.4 damage spread out throughout various components, with at least a couple of missiles missing the target completely. One AC20 shell is a 20 point hole in any component it connects with, and is far easier to hit with.

As a heavier mech fighting a light, I'd rather have an AC20 over 4 SRM4s.

Edited by Kaeb Odellas, 25 February 2016 - 11:46 PM.

[Pjwned]

If it's one or the other then definitely go with SRMs, but it's even better when you have both. For that matter, I can't really think of a good mech doesn't fit a couple lasers and/or SRMs along with the AC20, so unless your build is 2x AC20 then you better have some additional lightweight firepower along with your 1 AC20 or else your build is almost certainly bad.

[Coralld]

AC20 or SRMs? Why not both? I know I run an AC20 and 3x SRM4s on my Victors with a massive enough STD Engine to get it going nearly 80kph and it does rather well.

Super Centurion away!

[TexAce]

AC20 all day. But when possible I use both, like in my victors.

Thing is, the AC20 kills way better than any SRMs.

If you dont understand the concept of PPFLD in this game, there is no hope for you anyway.

Edited by TexAce, 26 February 2016 - 08:01 AM.

[Metus regem]

TexAce, on 26 February 2016 - 08:01 AM, said:

AC20 all day. But when possible I use both, like in my victors.

Thing is, the AC20 kills way better than any SRMs.

If you dont understand the concept of PPFLD in this game, there is no hope for you anyway.

Now Tex, remember the current meta teaches and supports non PPFLD, and with good twisting skills, there is little difference between spreading the damage of laser vomit and the shot gun effects of SRM's, LB-X AC's and LRM's....

This is a shame, as when the meta shifts to non laser vomit, a lot of the players that have only used laser vomit will find that they lack the skills to use the other weapon systems effectively. This in turns leads to them coming to the boards and crying foul that the meta shifted, and blaming PGI for nerfing the only combat system they have bothered to learn how to use, leaving those of us, that have taken the time to learn how to use them, in a position to tell them to suck it up.

[Robot Kenshiro]

I find ac20s better. I like srms too but the ac20 can travel past 270m and still do significant dmg at around 350m without mods. Srms are purely in ya face weapons. Anything over 270m using srms is wasted ammo.
Face hugging with ac20 and srms with certain mechs is deadly.
Medium mechs who cant pack both have to have a certain play style i guess. Srms for fast mobile brawlers. Anything that goes 90kph works well with srms. You have the speed to get in and move out after unloading your salvos.
Ac20 for mediums would be for support brawlers. Mechs that go roughly 70kph. Good for moving with most of the team. This weapon plus added team fire backs off any enemy on the push.
Thats my findings anyways o7

[Clownwarlord]

While the Ac20 does do a lot of damage pin point on one location it has so many negatives for it. Heat penalty, low ammo, long reload, and so on. The original poster is correct when the choice comes between triple SRm4s vs AC20.

Now as for other ACs they win because of range and they are not half bad.

[LordNothing]

both! the complement eachother greatly. use the srms to punch holes, and the ac20 as the finisher.

[Ivan Tsarevich]

627, on 25 February 2016 - 11:14 PM, said:

Atlas don't really have an issue mounting both and the Stormcrow is Clan-tech so no IS AC20 at all.

And on IS side only the Shadowhawk (?) can mount either of it but not both. But a Hawk with an STD engine is slow so that's not really an alternative to a fast srm bomber. And the Cent AH can mount both, too.

Ah, I misunderstood. You were referring specifically to mechs that had to choose due to tonnage/crit restrictions.

That said, AC20 SHD can be quite a decent mech. It's about Hunchie speed, but with some jj and more armor. Played right, it's a helluva back stabber. The Clan UAC20 may have the burst fire going against it, but I find that negligible unless the target is way out there, in the middle of twisting, or a fast light.

[GrimRiver]

Depends on your mechs hardpoints, type of build you're making(brawler, sniper, midrange)
and if you prefer to have a heavy high damage accurate shot over a lightweight shotgun like blast with better ROF.

Note: The AC20 shot can go further then 270m but the damage drops off fast
and SRM's will not go any further then then it's stated range (default 270m).

I found combos like: AC2/5 + SRM4/6 go good together, the AC2/5 high ROF with the SRM4/6 high damage and slow ROF make up for each other.

AC20 high damage and slow ROF + SRM2/4 high ROF.

Of course you can have AC20 + SRM6 that still works well.

To me it depends on play style, mech hardpoints and it's hitboxes.