Rampage, on 18 August 2016 - 07:07 PM, said:
First impressions only at this point:
I have used my two 'go to" Hellbringers so far. One is UAC20/4 ERML. The other is 2 x UAC5/4 ERML. Both of them performed much the same as they do on the live server. I did notice the increased cooldown for the weapons. That was especially noticeable when I forgot to equip cooldown modules on the UAC5 build. I only over heated the UAC20 build when I was involved in a close proximity brawl with a Timber Wolf. I fired an Alpha, then fired my 4 ERML followed by a second Alpha. That shut me down but it also killed the TW. Based on this, if anything I think that the penalties might be a bit lenient but I need to do a lot more testing and I need to run some builds that actually boat weapons for big Alpha strikes to see how they perform now.
My first impression is this is better than what we currently have. The additional UI elements help you manage your weapons. It is hard to say how it will affect TTK because you cannot compare 4 v 4 to 12 v 12. The only thing that may contribute to increased TTK is a few less full on Alphas during a given time period because of longer cool down.
More later after more time with the new system and more builds.
ADDED: Tried my Laser vomit Hellbringer 2 x cLPL/4 x cERML. I can Alpha with it once and hit 78% heat on Terra Therma then fire the 4 ERML when they come off cooldown without shutting down. That actually seems about the same as when I tested it after building it on the live client. It may even be slightly better. The biggest concern is the new, slower rate of cooldown which means I have to be more careful and take a bit more time to cooldown once I have pushed the heat scale too high.
Another UPDATE: Today I stayed out of matches and used Testing Grounds to test some builds. I am now of the opinion that both SRMs and LRMs need a lower Energy modifier number. Even at .75 it is too high for the weapons to be effective IMO. I believe that a modifier of .50 or .66 should be tested. Missiles normally have to be fired in mass to be effective and (overcome AMS ) do significant damage. Presently they run into excessive heat when trying to put enough of them in the air. This is coming from someone that does not normally use missiles.
The Energy Draw bar is replenished too fast. (EDIT: After reading other comments on this subject, I am not as sure about my position on this as I was.) The penalty for exceeding the energy limit is not punitive enough. 1 point of heat for each point of draw over the maximum should be tested. (I am still sure about this!)
A proper heat scale with impacts on movement speed, agility, rate of fire and sensors degradation should be added. These things would effect the Mech during high heat prior to shutdown or suicide. (I am still sure this is needed also)
Tomorrow, I will do my own testing of Gauss, ballistics and PPCs on some Kodiaks to see if my impression of them matches what I have been reading in this forum.
Tested an 4x UAC5/ 2 cERML Kodiak and a 2 x Gauss/ ERPPC/ 3 x ERML Kodiak on Testing grounds today.
I do run the 4 x UAC5 Kodiak on the live server. Not much because I do not really like Assaults but I do have it basiced out. I found the PTS version to feel really clunky in comparison. I tried both double tapping and firing the weapons in pairs. When double tapping I seemed to experience more jams than I ever remember on live. Heat was not a big problem but due to the jams and the longer cooldown it seemed to take a long time to kill anything.
The Gauss/PPC Kodiak was just the opposite. That thing is deadly. Of course, I was shooting at stationary dummy Mechs but firing both Gauss together followed by the ERPPC dropped almost all the Mech in 1-3 shoots. The Lights all died in one. I was surprised how heat was a non factor for that much damage. At this point, the test reinforced by belief that the Gauss needs a higher energy draw factor. If it had an energy draw of 20 and the penalty for exceeding the threshold was 1 for each excess energy then it might be more balanced.
I also tested a single Gauss on my Hellbringer with 4 ERML. It was an effective build with a Mark IV targeting computer and BAP on board. I was never a fan of the Gauss charge up so I usually equipped UACs. I like the weapon as it is now. I just feel it needs to use more energy.