Tesunie, on 23 March 2017 - 10:09 AM, said:
In your math (which is highly interesting, even if I am not currently fully grasping how you did it, and/or what it's saying, though I think I know...) you forgot other affects beyond damage. There is screen shake as well as blinding affects from LRMs. As the LRM5 can still continue to chain fire a near continuous stream of missiles at a target, it can keep a target disoriented and hindered. Where as, compared to even an LRM10, the other launchers really can't pull this tactic/effect off.
Overall, I think LRM5s probably should be doing a little less on the damage front, considering the other effects and advantages it can bring over it's large launcher brethren. Just, something else to consider.
The math is doable, but takes a bit of head scratching. But if like me, you have an unhealthy obsession for finding the optimal lrm package, it's worth doing.
Essentially, I realised the only true metric for an area effect weapon, that centres on the CT, for the purposes of coring said CT is dps/m2.
All fair points about lrm 5 extra effects. I will say though, that in terms of matching cooldowns to a full chainfire cycle, most decent lrm 10 builds can manage that too. With lrm 5's, and the amount you need to carry, the cumulative cooldowns often exceed the chainfire cycle, so to get the full dps you will need to volley fire or at least fire in two groups.
For example, it only takes 5 lrm 5's on a CPLT-A1 to make the full chainfire cycle. If you are chain firing a 6 x lrm 5 CPLT-A1, you will always have one launcher idle, and only get the dps of five. To get the full deeps you need to volley or split between two or three groups.
Certainly chain firing the ARC-5W with 9 x lrm 5's seriously reduces your dps. With a cooldown with module of 2.7s, and a chainfire rate of 0.5 s, by the time you've fire your fifth , you're almost ready for your first again.
There are also the increased ghost heat costs of volley-ing lrm 5's, as you are way past the GH limit on the common builds. That can bring another balancing factor to them.
Personally, while the suppression effects are good, I'd still like to be getting the full deeps. Because Yarrr!!!
ed. Apologies if that sounds patronising, I'm sure you're aware of all that.
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Edited by The Lobsters, 23 March 2017 - 10:38 AM.