25 replies to this topic

[krevLL]

In conjunction with SRMs I find SPLs to be my preference, so that's one build there. I spent the last half-year boating LRMs and now I'm trying to get away from those and figure out how to brawl properly.

Yeah, focusing is a better way to design a loadout, I can attest to that now. On paper multiple engagement ranges look acceptable or even preferable but it doesn't pan out in reality.

In addition to the SRM/SPL loadout I'm trying to decide between 2 LPLs or multiple MPLs to accompany a LBX20AC.

[DonGardenio]

Just stick to the UAC20. Aiming the 4 shot bursts does suck, but the option of double firing is too damned good even with the jam chance.

While the LBX20 does look awesome with its huge barrel instead of the pair of skinny appendages that the UAC20 gets, and sounds like Mjolnir smacking something upside the head.... the spread of projectiles is akin to some half baked ******* scene from a Japanese porno.

The only thing it has going for it is front loaded damage, of which the only benefit you get is less facetime. The only way you are going to land more than half your pellets on a component is via a bearhug you can't get out of. Definitely not worth it vs the ability to drop 40 damage on a dime.

By all means try it out, I really wanted to like the LBX20. But nope. It goes BANG! and you think you are hot ****. Then you die in a ball of fire and you target walks out of the fight with polished armour.

I would go with MPLs. Both the LBX20 and UAC20 require buttloads of ammo if you're going to last more than 5 minutes. 7 shots a ton, 140 damage a ton. Quite poor. It is also fairly hot, especially the UAC20 with double firing and you need your DHS.

Having 12 tons of laser is going to leave things rather tight, and you have the whole range disparity between the LPL and the cannon.

A quad of MPLs will get you better damage and give you more tonnage for ammo and DHS. Also very similar range bracket with the cannon.

[krevLL]

I played about 6 rounds each with both LBX and a UAC (both 20's) and came to this conclusion, for myself, anyways;

UAC20 does its thing best with MPLs or ERMLs, the 4shot (8shot) burst does a way better job of melting armor off, and coupled with medium lasers it makes for a fast way to open up whatever you're aiming it.

I had much better luck with the LBX paired with two ERLLs, because I kept distance until they were opened up from the lasers and only then moved in. I don't know if I'm lucky, but I feel like the LBX kills cored mech's faster than the UAC (crit buffs?).

I should mention that these comparisons were made in a MDD-C because I'm still saving for my second TBR variant.

Used to hate ballistics. Now I love them so. Except for the weight.

And yes. The LBX looks and sounds legitimately bad-***. The UAC makes me feel like I brought a burst-fire AR-15 taped to my right arm. But aesthetics don't kill enemies, crit chances and double-tap kill enemies.

*EDIT* Let me clarify, I tried both different ballistics with both laser classes, those above were the better results.

In the end, it still remains true that unless you have a ridiculous number of ballistic slots at your disposal, LBXAC's are not brawling weapons, they're finishing weapons. UAC's are the better option if you want to get in some hairballs and deal out punishment. Use either or as per how you are going to be playing the mech.

Edited by krevLL, 18 August 2016 - 07:38 PM.

[Mad Dog Morgan]

The advantage that the LBX has is the ludicrous crit chance. If you can open components, it's a done deal. I used to operate a bunch of SPL's coupled with the LBX, and that worked pretty favorably if your team was right there with you.

[Aidan Kerensky]

I have four TBR builds I really, really like
The easiest to play is definitely the 4x ERLL (TC1 + a lot of DHS's): You can win trades with anything but a gauss over 1200 or a UAC2 boat over 1200... anything else will be good usually to about 800 or so. You CAN fire all four but really shouldn't. Concentrate on getting good steady burn on targets and you'll do fine.

Build 2 is 2x UAC5 + 4x ERML (TC1 + DHS for the rest... I run this on the 5JJ variant). You're super nimble and can get a lot of places easily. You have to work on your positioning like an Assault but you're so much more nimble that mistakes won't be punished as much. Very solid.

Build 3 is 2x ERPPC, LRM15s: This is simply a fire support mech. Some people will hate you for it but the twin ER PPCs packs enough of a punch by itself to be a legit threat.

Build 4 is 2x LPL, 4/5x ERM + DHS and TC1: Pretty standard laser vomit (though it runs VERY hot if you're not careful). Your alpha strike is insane IF you can get a full burn. You can do this on the S and have arm ERMs (so good convergence) but only 4 lasers or you can do this on the A/C/D and have 3 in the torse and 2 in an arm (but with all the convergence problems that entails. I'm not sure which is better but my gut says the A/C/D options have a slight edge.

It's a great mech. You'll definitely get better the more you play with it but it's very, very strong.

[krevLL]

So close to obtaining my next TBR variant. Will be an S for the CT mounted JJ, but I'm definitely thinking that I will use the S as my SRMA6 +SPL build and change the C to something more laser-based. Maybe 3x ERLL 4x MPL.

I like the UAC5 build, as well. I just can't wait to get this thing elited! Many thanks to all for the help, it really has worked to make me better at not only using my Timber, but at designing loadouts in general.