4 replies to this topic

[Archangel27]

I've been using the Metamechs LPL vomit build for a while and have had a lot of success. I wanted to try and make a build that fit more into the lore, so I put together this "Clanbuster" build based off of the 9K on the Sarna Website.

BL-6-KNT

However, I had a small question reguarding the PPC. Would it be better to go standard or ER?

[Black Lanner]

standard PPC has 1/3 less heat, and, of course, the ER has range... so can you ride the heat well enough to include the ER? Also you could sub with another LPL...

[Void Angel]

Archangel27, on 07 September 2016 - 07:38 AM, said:

I've been using the Metamechs LPL vomit build for a while and have had a lot of success. I wanted to try and make a build that fit more into the lore, so I put together this "Clanbuster" build based off of the 9K on the Sarna Website.

BL-6-KNT

However, I had a small question reguarding the PPC. Would it be better to go standard or ER?

Standard, if at all. Builds in MWO benefit from being focused, for a variety of reasons. It's generally not a good idea to have a single, inefficient weapon system with less firepower than a lot of Light pilots will carry - just to have something to shoot at that range. You're already pretty scattered with Large Lasers mixed in with Medium Pulses; you don't want to trash your heat efficiency (or just not use the weapon for close combat) for an even more mismatched arsenal.

I don't really know how well the Black Knight supports an XL, but consider that you're running about half of your non-PPC dps in the form of close-range guns, then backed up by the more all-purpose Large Lasers. If your enemies target you aggressively (and the Black Knight is a priority target for a lot of people,) you can get center- or side-cored pretty fast - particularly at close range. If you engage at middle or long range, a moderate or large (respectively) amount of your firepower is going to be unusable; if you engage at short range, you're more vulnerable to damage and are paying Heat for range you're not using. Having such an eclectic array of weapon ranges and characteristics makes you more likely to come out on the short end when exchanging fire - at any range.

Edited by Void Angel, 07 September 2016 - 11:19 PM.

[Colonel Clunge]

Totall

Void Angel, on 07 September 2016 - 11:18 PM, said:

Standard, if at all. Builds in MWO benefit from being focused, for a variety of reasons. It's generally not a good idea to have a single, inefficient weapon system with less firepower than a lot of Light pilots will carry - just to have something to shoot at that range. You're already pretty scattered with Large Lasers mixed in with Medium Pulses; you don't want to trash your heat efficiency (or just not use the weapon for close combat) for an even more mismatched arsenal.

I don't really know how well the Black Knight supports an XL, but consider that you're running about half of your non-PPC dps in the form of close-range guns, then backed up by the more all-purpose Large Lasers. If your enemies target you aggressively (and the Black Knight is a priority target for a lot of people,) you can get center- or side-cored pretty fast - particularly at close range. If you engage at middle or long range, a moderate or large (respectively) amount of your firepower is going to be unusable; if you engage at short range, you're more vulnerable to damage and are paying Heat for range you're not using. Having such an eclectic array of weapon ranges and characteristics makes you more likely to come out on the short end when exchanging fire - at any range.

Totally agree with Void Angel here. Essentially this build means you are spreading your effectiveness across 3 different ranges - long, medium and short - which is never a good thing. Since the re-scale BLKs are much more prominent targets. If you combine that with the structure nerfs that it received, close range combat is not recommended. I play my BLKs as skirmishers. Yes I have the meta builds with LPLs, but I also have had a lot of success with running dual PPCs and ERPPCs. I've found that you can't sustain the heat from more than 2 PPCs so I use the PPCs as the main armament and back them up with shorter range MLs/MPLs to keep lights at bay if they come nipping at your heels. Use your PPCs as your main weapon and only revert to the close range stuff when needed. The trick is to keep circling the main fight and use buildings for cover and keep your distance. If the main fight starts to move too near, back off and re-position.

Try swapping out the LLs on your BLK 6 for another ERPPC - I have both in the arm and peek round corners with them. Use the remaining tonnage on MLs/MPLs. NEVER use both weapon sets at the same time.

Have fun

[Kimberm1911]

The Black Knight has been a pretty solid "clanbusting" chassis for a while. The re-size and energy nerfs hit it pretty hard however, and due to 3lpl 4 mediums not being the "IS laser meta" anymore (5LLs seem to be the new thing.) the Grasshopper has become a bit more popular. However, the 75 ton Black knight is still tankier, and it will always outlast a Grasshopper. The black knight is super XL friendly, so you have that right, but the PPCs just aren't mounted high enough to warrant use. The black knight plays best as a mid-close range fighter. Plug on a whole bunch of pulse lasers and wreck face. Save the ppc's for mechs with more heat efficiency, and higher mounts for sniping. The Black Knight needs a level playing field, which does not lend to sniping. Also, a single PPC is always inefficient. It's just not really that great of a weapon system right now. MPL+LL is not a good combo either. The range/different beam durations just don't match well. Stick with the LPL/ML builds and you'll be fine.