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Tarm Wallunga, on 24 November 2016 - 03:06 PM, said:
My thoughts on LRM builds - from some who has played this game off and on since open beta and loves a good LRM build.
1.) LRMS are an effective combat multiplier when used properly - the LRM boat pilot has to use them properly as well as the rest of the team in order to get the full (and literal) bang for the buck.
2.) Any self respecting LRM pilot will not only have plenty of LRM and rounds, but also a competent back up weapon(s). For instance, a few launchers and then as many lasers you can carry. Ideally, more than three, I think. On one of my accounts I have the loyalty Stalker. 4xlrm5 backed up by six med lasers. Nothing ruins the day of someone hunting the LRM boat down than receiving all six lasers to the face.
3.) one poster hit on another fact that I want to reiterate (and I think it was the OP). A constant barrage of LRMS - even lrm5 - can put you psychologically on the defensive. Walking through a hailstorm of missiles is no easy feat, especially if you want to keep your armor for the eventual brawl. On that note I would also strongly recommend that LRM pilots learn how to chain fire their missiles. This helps with heat management, as well as keeping the overall missile load in something closer to a constant stream. If nothing else, the continual volleys of missiles will slowly eat up the opponents AMS, which only makes further LRM volleys that much more efffective.
4.) Lastly, I wish people would pick up on a couple of very important points about LRM builds. First, they don't do jack beyond 1000m, and the less flight time they have the more likely they are to hit the target, even if target lock is dropped mid-flight (I don't have hard numbers on that so feel free to support or argue this point). Also, inner sphere missiles need 180m before they arm, which means they're useless at such short range. Thus, a good reason to load as many lasers as you can - and then chain fire those too to manage heat and have a chance to re-aim for each shot to be effective. After all, if you're gonna fire something, you might as well try to hit the soft spots. Finally, some maps are conducive to LRM use while others are not. So areas of many maps almost intrinsically forbid the use of missiles because there is so much overhead cover, or steep hills or other obstacles. If you're wasting missiles on the cliff face you're using for cover on Canyon, you're not doing a damn bit of good for your team.
If LRM pilots used these tips they will find a dramatic increase in their effectiveness. There is little better than a couple of good LRM Boat pilots providing excellent indirect fire support for the brawlers over the course of the game. It's a team effort, and regardless of your play style, you need to contribute. No contribution - effective contribution, that is - means your team fails and you lose, which means PSR drops, fewer C-Bills, and then people don't like the game AND you get to listen to people hate on and flame the LRM boat.
1.) LRMS are an effective combat multiplier when used properly - the LRM boat pilot has to use them properly as well as the rest of the team in order to get the full (and literal) bang for the buck.
2.) Any self respecting LRM pilot will not only have plenty of LRM and rounds, but also a competent back up weapon(s). For instance, a few launchers and then as many lasers you can carry. Ideally, more than three, I think. On one of my accounts I have the loyalty Stalker. 4xlrm5 backed up by six med lasers. Nothing ruins the day of someone hunting the LRM boat down than receiving all six lasers to the face.
3.) one poster hit on another fact that I want to reiterate (and I think it was the OP). A constant barrage of LRMS - even lrm5 - can put you psychologically on the defensive. Walking through a hailstorm of missiles is no easy feat, especially if you want to keep your armor for the eventual brawl. On that note I would also strongly recommend that LRM pilots learn how to chain fire their missiles. This helps with heat management, as well as keeping the overall missile load in something closer to a constant stream. If nothing else, the continual volleys of missiles will slowly eat up the opponents AMS, which only makes further LRM volleys that much more efffective.
4.) Lastly, I wish people would pick up on a couple of very important points about LRM builds. First, they don't do jack beyond 1000m, and the less flight time they have the more likely they are to hit the target, even if target lock is dropped mid-flight (I don't have hard numbers on that so feel free to support or argue this point). Also, inner sphere missiles need 180m before they arm, which means they're useless at such short range. Thus, a good reason to load as many lasers as you can - and then chain fire those too to manage heat and have a chance to re-aim for each shot to be effective. After all, if you're gonna fire something, you might as well try to hit the soft spots. Finally, some maps are conducive to LRM use while others are not. So areas of many maps almost intrinsically forbid the use of missiles because there is so much overhead cover, or steep hills or other obstacles. If you're wasting missiles on the cliff face you're using for cover on Canyon, you're not doing a damn bit of good for your team.
If LRM pilots used these tips they will find a dramatic increase in their effectiveness. There is little better than a couple of good LRM Boat pilots providing excellent indirect fire support for the brawlers over the course of the game. It's a team effort, and regardless of your play style, you need to contribute. No contribution - effective contribution, that is - means your team fails and you lose, which means PSR drops, fewer C-Bills, and then people don't like the game AND you get to listen to people hate on and flame the LRM boat.
That loyalty Stalker build is no longer valid.
