4 replies to this topic

[ExAstra]

Well, the Nova Prime on Live server can efficiently fire one arm of weaponry quite well. On the hottest end that's 6 ERML. I have mine Mastered so with the Elite efficiency bonus, I can fire about 3 or 4 hands worth before reaching critical heat and needing to back off, depending on spacing.

Under PTS1, the Nova took a hit to the 6 ERML stock build - but still functioned in a way that felt pretty good.

Now, on PTS2, it is abysmal. (My build is 12 ERML/3 DHS/1 TC1 for reference). Firing one arm of weaponry skyrockets you to 59% heat capacity on Tourmaline Desert due to the 1:1 energy overdraw. I chose Tourmaline as it's best to test on the hot maps, instead of cold, and you rarely see Terra Therma ever being picked.

So at 59%, it takes about 4-5 full seconds before you can fire the second arm's worth. Firing before you reduce to under 40% heat capacity is pretty much an instant-shutdown, even if you don't go over 100 or take damage.

The solution appears to be adjusting weapon groupings to (1) 4 LA, (2) 4 RA, (3) 2LA/2RA. This makes heat much more manageable, but significantly reduces your immediate offensive power. Or just rapidly clicking through chainfire for a set of them, as the energy pool regenerates more than adequately to do it, and the .5s ghost heat rule no longer applies.

I guess that's mission accomplished, and the heat will be quite a bit more manageable for those that run the Small or Small Pulse builds. It will take some getting used to, but running the 3 weapon groups in sets of 4s definitely feels manageable. Though a bit disappointing.

Edited by ExAstra, 23 August 2016 - 06:53 PM.

[Digital_Angel]

If they made laser draw energy over their duration (the same way they do for heat), would give some energy recharge while the lasers are firing and lessen the problem. Of course that also counteracts part of what they are trying to do with the system too, so don't know if they will make the change.

The other option is just give the Nova a larger energy pool. Russ already said initially that he was considering different pool max values for different mechs, but wanted to test with 30 across the board first.

[Mystere]

Well, it looks like my "6-barrelled Gatling Gun" macro will not be a waste after all.

Now if only I get more time to practice aiming using the joystick.

[ExAstra]

Digital_Angel, on 23 August 2016 - 08:12 PM, said:

If they made laser draw energy over their duration (the same way they do for heat), would give some energy recharge while the lasers are firing and lessen the problem. Of course that also counteracts part of what they are trying to do with the system too, so don't know if they will make the change.

The other option is just give the Nova a larger energy pool. Russ already said initially that he was considering different pool max values for different mechs, but wanted to test with 30 across the board first.

Yeah, I'm not banking on them changing the energy pool of mechs. At least not yet - we'll have to see where it goes. So for the moment I'm just trying to find the most comfortable firing patterns. I'm not worried about 90% of the mechs I run, but ones like my 4 PPC Warhawk Prime and 12 ML Nova Prime I want to test so I can adjust my playstyle with them.

Mystere, on 23 August 2016 - 08:47 PM, said:

Well, it looks like my "6-barrelled Gatling Gun" macro will not be a waste after all.

Now if only I get more time to practice aiming using the joystick.

What kind of joystick setup do you have?

[Mystere]

ExAstra, on 23 August 2016 - 08:56 PM, said:

What kind of joystick setup do you have?

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog and new T.Flight Rudder Pedals.

The problem, though, is that I spend more time setting up and tuning the analog axes than using the setup to play. MWO not having the correct joystick support is really frustrating.