3 replies to this topic

[Chill Bill]

Reading comments on the supposed advantage of IS clustered missiles vs. staggered Clan missiles. Anyone actually check it out?

I'm usually in an Atlas, but when I'm playing in my LRM boat, the WHK B with 55 tubes, Tag & 4 MPL's (great for the lights & other surprises) always outscores the Mauler with 60 tubes and a measly 2 ML's (even with the armor advantage).

Anyone with some info? Thanks.

[Wintersdark]

IS launchers, per size, cycle faster. Thus, higher DPS output. Staggered missiles have very minor advantage(prolonged if minor cockpit shake) but substantial disadvantages: extreme vulnerability to AMS, more exposure time required to fire, duration of impact means targets can twist while being hit to spread damage significantly.

Clan launchers are substantially smaller, however, so while they are objectively worse in terms of performance per tube, Clan mechs can mount either more tubes or more alternative weapons. IMHO, Clan's are, overall, way better with LRM's than IS simply because of this. IS mechs have to dedicate themselves to being LRM boats, while a clan mech can pack on a couple LRM15's or some such with minimal opportunity cost.

The warhawk is outscoring the Mauler, because quite simply LRM's are kind of bad, and 4 MPL's are presenting a 32 point laser alpha. I run a similar build on my WHK, but mount 5 MPL for a 40pt laser alpha, because tag is unimportant when you're not relying on LRM's. If you can't get a lock initially, don't worry, just chop up the ECM mech, then you can lurm away after.

40pt's from the MPL is the same damage a dual-AC20 Jag is putting out. It's a heavy hit, and if you put it in one place, you can open a mech up fast.

[Chill Bill]

Appreciate the insight. thanks, Wintersdark.

[Dee Eight]

Also while IS have a minimum range where they aren't armed yet so do zero damage, and clan mechs leave the tubes armed, but they do progressively less damage the closer they are to the target than 180 meters and also they do not track very well either really close, so they've basically not worth firing at all around 50 meters say.