20 replies to this topic

[Hit the Deck]

A lot of people opt to not bringing AMS because firstly, they feel that they don't need a hard counter for missiles and secondly, AMS may do nothing the majority of the time and thus becomes more like a waste/burden.

In light of this, there have to be some builds which have enough leftover space which can be used for AMS (dedicated AMS support builds is a different matter). Either one more DHS doesn't really make much difference or the leftover space can only be used for AMS and its ammo (on IS 'Mechs with their 3 crit slots DHS).

I seem to have a couple in the past but not anymore now so I couldn't post any. Post yours if you have some!

BTW, future LAMS, the new missile tech (ATMs with their low number of missiles are more easily shot down), and perhaps some future game balancing/adjustment may change this.

[Hit the Deck]

Ok, I'll just try to make one:

Dakka KGC-000

That can still be viewed as a compromise but I think 11 tons of ammo is enough and a couple of Medium Lasers aren't needed most of the time anyway. Lower the engine by one level if you want to put CASE on the ST.

[El Bandito]

Something like this? BLR-1G AMS

Or this. BNC-3M AMS

Or this. WHM-6D AMS

And this. MDD-PRIME AMS

And this. AS7-D-DC AMS

Aaand this. STK-5S AMS

Edited by El Bandito, 09 April 2017 - 04:11 AM.

[Mcgral18]

Ehrm...
Nova?
6 ERML
6 ERuL
19 DHS
3 LAMS?


I'd honestly prefer 23 DHS...but the Micro ERs should be moderately cool.
Or 5 HML, 3 uPL (because 6 ERuL have Crit issues)
Splitting the lasers is a tonnage reason...you really do not want to strip leg armor off a Nova, but you could for 20 DHS 6 HMLs



Cute Fox
HLL
5 uPL
14 DHS
ECM

No JJs, unless you drop a ST (and 1 hardpoint, AKA 0.5 tons of uPL) for the one JJ, or a heatsink for 2 in the leg
But I'm not sure I'd do that...



Both should be kinda effective, while being massive AMS boats.


But, any Gauss mech could probably drop a DHS for a LAMS
And Clam mech, that is.
The LAMS is the same tonnage cost as a half ton of ammo+AMS system, and 1 Crit for Clams, 2 for Sphere
So, removing a DHS fits in both cases (assuming external, non engine mounted), but I still wouldn't recommend it for most chassis.
Maybe ATMs will make me reconsider.




No sacrifice options: un-used Head mount
Loki likely need not apply (he needs that)

Gyr 2Gauss+PPC Poptart
Drop a ton of something, use the Head mount for LAMS
No real sacrifice, assuming it had an extra DHS or larger TC.

Edited by Mcgral18, 08 April 2017 - 06:21 PM.

[Champion of Khorne Lord of Blood]

Marauder IIC laser vomit build:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...9471a7c87a3ff29

Not taking the AMS and bringing an extra DHS leaves you with no slots but a half ton left over.

[N0ni]

Challenge Accepted.

PRETTY BABY AMS

[Insanity09]

See, here's the thing, if you are being shot by missiles, then even by a conservative estimate an AMS with even 1/2 ton of ammo (total 1 ton) is worth far more defense than an equivalent weight of armor. IF.
That said, on any mech heavier than a light, I sincerely doubt using up one single ton on contingent defense will break the build.
Weight wise, it is fairly worth it. (I've even been seeing missiles, SRMs and LRMs in faction warfare of late, and since AMS shoots them both...)
Space wise, that's a different question. I have a few mechs that are so severely short of space that I cannot spare 2 slots.

Almost by definition, all defense, armor or AMS is contingent, you have to be shot for it to do anything, after all. So, what's the guff?

[Shifty McSwift]

It's seriously 1-1.5 tons and 2 critical slots, any and every mech with an AMS hardpoint can and should take one without ruining a build.

Even .5 ammo is like 10 or 15 seconds worth of lrm defense, which for an SRM boat for example, might make all the difference in closing to your optimal range.

Remember it isn't just for you, all you radar dep lovers, it is a team component, alone they are pretty average even with AMS overload, but combined they are amazing (especially with overload), so for the sake of the flying spaghetti monster just put one in with 1 ton of ammo.

1.5 tons 2 crit slots, just do it

[Lorcryst NySell]

Disclaimer : I'm new, potato-esque, a bit OCD, and quite mad.

I ALWAYS put an AMS and at least a half-ton of ammo on every mech that has an AMS hardpoint.

[Templar Dane]

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...c9e1b63d2d2dbf1

A while back I downgraded the engine from a 290 to a 280 and fit an ams.

http://mwo.smurfy-ne...33f795b2abd5e37

My partyback also has ams since SPL don't run very hot.

[Bud Crue]

Jester. XL325, 2JJ, 2JJ, 2LPL, 4ML, 2AMS.
Not gimped and those AMS make it look like it has a pair of bug antennae on its head, giving it an even more alien-like aesthetic. I used to run it with a 350 but I HAD to have the AMS for the look.

Hopper 5J. XL325, 2JJ, 3LPL, 2ML, 2AMS.
A meh build on a meh mech, but it uses the 2AMS

Black Knight 6...this one is certainly an argument for a better player to say it is gimped, but as I tend to overheat 2 much in the pure laser vomit build, this one is just right for me:
XL350, 3LPL, 3ML, 2AMS.

Crab 27® std280, 5MPL, 2AMS. Actually does pretty well in scouting.

[Hit the Deck]

El Bandito, on 08 April 2017 - 06:06 PM, said:

Something like this? BLR-1G AMS

Or this. BNC-3M AMS

Or this. WHM-6D AMS

And this. MDD-PRIME AMS

And this. AS7-D-DC AMS

I think I'd personally swap the AMS with something else on those 'Mechs except the Atlas (don't know what to say about the LRM-20 MDD...).

Mcgral18, on 08 April 2017 - 06:20 PM, said:

...
But, any Gauss mech could probably drop a DHS for a LAMS
....

I'm not sure of those 'Mechs with future tech you posted but I might start to put AMS on my Gauss 'Mechs because of their fragile nature and LRMs can touch them at inappropriate times.

Dakota1000, on 08 April 2017 - 06:34 PM, said:

Marauder IIC laser vomit build:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...9471a7c87a3ff29

Not taking the AMS and bringing an extra DHS leaves you with no slots but a half ton left over.

This looks pretty good. Too bad I don't have any MAD-IIC.

N0ni, on 08 April 2017 - 06:45 PM, said:

Challenge Accepted.

PRETTY BABY AMS

I guess that could work. I'm just not sure about the LPL+SRM combo (it does have bad hardpoints though).

Shifty McSwift, on 09 April 2017 - 01:00 AM, said:

...
Remember it isn't just for you, all you radar dep lovers, it is a team component, alone they are pretty average even with AMS overload, but combined they are amazing (especially with overload), so for the sake of the flying spaghetti monster just put one in with 1 ton of ammo.

1.5 tons 2 crit slots, just do it

Insanity09, on 08 April 2017 - 07:10 PM, said:

...
Almost by definition, all defense, armor or AMS is contingent, you have to be shot for it to do anything, after all. So, what's the guff?

You two might be onto something.

Regarding the last comment, AMS only functions when you are shot by missiles but armor protects you against all kinds of damage taken. ATMs might change how people feel regarding (being shot by) missiles.

[RoadblockXL]

If you're going to bring an AMS mech, you may as well bring the best AMS mech.

NVA-S (AMS-Boat Nova)

Why is it the best? The NVA-S CT and NVA-A side torsos together give +30% AMS rate of fire. Combine this with AMS Range and AMS overload modules and you can enjoy pegging LRM-boats with the ERMLs while all their missiles explode harmlessly in the air.

[Hit the Deck]

RoadblockXL, on 09 April 2017 - 04:28 AM, said:

If you're going to bring an AMS mech, you may as well bring the best AMS mech.

NVA-S (AMS-Boat Nova)

Why is it the best? The NVA-S CT and NVA-A side torsos together give +30% AMS rate of fire. Combine this with AMS Range and AMS overload modules and you can enjoy pegging LRM-boats with the ERMLs while all their missiles explode harmlessly in the air.

But I use my Nova for surgical operation (12x cERSL).

The Trial Nova does take good use of its AMS quirk.

[Clownwarlord]

KFX-PRIME

Why is this mech not compromised by carrying ams? Simple because the way I pilot it is to follow assaults and heavies. By doing so I scare off many light mechs because they are more worried about the assault or heavy I am with. My 3 ams and ECM are mainly there to provide cover or in this case "iron dome" against lrms.

I usually also put in overload and range module for ams as well.

[Pyed]

Only two mechs I run AMS on (besides Kitfox escort) are these:

Brawler Cyclops A-DC
Could spend the 3 tons on more HS or ammo or arm armor but I just decided to make this the mech I use when I feel like having AMS. Doesn't have heat issues really.
There isn't really much else you can do with the leftover weight--engine upgrade would be tiny and pointless.

Locust 3M
The AMS here is situational and limited but sometimes very valuable. I keep it off until needed; it can really help when running away from lurms or streaks.

[Acehilator]

I don't understand this thread... you don't "compromise" your build by taking AMS. Out of the ~40 mechs I have builds for at the moment, there are only two without AMS (no crit slots and no tonnage on my Awesome-8R LRM boat, no crit slots on my Shadowhawk-2H 3x AC/2).

And half a ton of ammo is enough, 80% of the time it will run out by the time the game is either won or lost anyways, no matter what you do or no matter which build you brought.

[Hit the Deck]

Acehilator, on 09 April 2017 - 07:44 AM, said:

I don't understand this thread... you don't "compromise" your build by taking AMS....

Well, I put the thought process in the first lines of the OP. Perhaps this will change in summer.

BTW, what do people think of hard counters in a multiplayer game? AMS being one (though it can be overwhelmed).

[Elizander]

The key problem with AMS is mostly it sucks balls without AMS Overload module.

[Skanderborg]

Typical Battle master-2C build with tonnage given to double ams. It only takes 2 tons minimum and 3 crit slots.