201 replies to this topic

[Vellron2005]

So guys.. what do you think of the ATMs?

Personally, I'm kinda disappointed.. I thought they would kinda replace LRMs as the go-to long range missile.. but as they are now.. they are basically MRMs with lock-on.. but less damage than the big MRM launchers..

You can't bend them, they are not indirect fire, they have absurd range but also damage dropoff.. I only find them useful in the direct LOS mid-range brawls..

You can't really use them at their max range at all.. since no map in the game allows you to shoot a mech that far out and hit it with spread, to any favorable effect.. And only few maps (Alpine, Polar) ever allow you to shoot something that far out with LOS..

I mean ok.. I've been missing a medium-range missile,since I hate SRMs cose' their range is too short for me.. but if I'm gonna use a missile boat, I might as well use LRMs in medium range?

They also do good damage, but have alot more missiles per ton?

So to all the LRM users out there... are you gonna switch to ATMs?

(LRM haters please don't spew your bile, this is meant for people who actually like and use LRMs)

[9thDeathscream]

I gave them a run. Basically useless. Not worth the tonnage. If you want long range missiles use LRMS.

[Monkey Lover]

I think they need to go down to 90min or ramp down like lrms. Other than this they're in a good place.

[Vanguard319]

Actually, they work pretty well for me. the minimum range sucks, but I've had some really good luck with a pair of ATM 9s on my Mad Dog, plus 2 ER med. laser and 2 hvy lg lasers. I can hit you at range, and anyone dumb enough to close with me is going to die very quickly.

[Takashi Uchida]

I had some success using them on a Stormcrow. Pretty good damage, works decent on a fast mech that can reposition. But a lot of time I was thinking "man I wish these were LRMs so I could hit that guy behind the hill" or "man I wish these were streaks so I can bug outta here and not have to hold this lock longer."

[StormWarden0]

ATMs are currently completely useless due to the massive amount of laser and standard ams ingame right now. Even if ams usage dies down they are still countered by ECM, cover and their own minimum range. I really can't see them being a viable weapon unless buffed considerably.

[Monkey Lover]

Takashi Uchida, on 18 July 2017 - 11:11 PM, said:

I had some success using them on a Stormcrow. Pretty good damage, works decent on a fast mech that can reposition. But a lot of time I was thinking "man I wish these were LRMs so I could hit that guy behind the hill" or "man I wish these were streaks so I can bug outta here and not have to hold this lock longer."

"Jack of all trades, master of none." I believe this is what Chris said he was going for.

[Vellron2005]

In my opinion, they need to make them more versatile.. if you have LOS and LOCK, they should be direct fire, and if you have LOCK but no LOS, they should be indirect fire..

If you have only LOS, but no LOCK, they should be direct fire..

[kapusta11]

LRMs are better. And LRMs suck.

[Kanil]

I'd like to see their minimum range toned down. Or ammo switching, but that's probably not happening. Annoying to have to close within 270 meters to deal 3 damage, but then have to contend with minimum range...

[Savage Wolf]

Works amazingly on a Shadowcat with 2xATM6. You need the speed to avoid the minimum range yet get within 400m and with jump jets you can even use it at long range because you just jump above the cover.

[Wrathful Scythe]

They can work but they are very situational. Way to situational as if I would use them seriously. Getting a target on the optimal range happens rarely and firing it on long range is a waste of heat and ammo. I'll stick with SRM or streaks if I want some missile action.

[Savage Wolf]

Vellron2005, on 18 July 2017 - 11:00 PM, said:

Personally, I'm kinda disappointed.. I thought they would kinda replace LRMs as the go-to long range missile.. but as they are now.. they are basically MRMs with lock-on.. but less damage than the big MRM launchers..

Why would ATMs replace any type of missiles? LRMs will still be better at long range / medium range especially with indirect fire and SRMs will still be better at short range. ATMs are better at being flexible.

[Brain Cancer]

They don't replace anything, but they're remarkably complimentary.

I'm running an Orion IIC with two A-LRM 15's, an ATM 9 and ATM 6.

The mix of velocity, arcs, and damage basically lets you put some missiles down on the way in depending on cover and terrain, then get into the 500m range and you really can mix it up, while ATMs also mean fewer "wasted" hits due to the smaller clustering.

At 500m (which is about where LRMs stop being decently accurate), my 15 ATMs are 8.5 tons for 30 damage that cluster better and hit faster (hence more accurately) than my 30 LRMs, which are 9 tons for 2xALRM 15. The LRMs do fire a bit faster, but to avoid ghost heat I'll usually fire them a half-second apart.

[The Mysterious Fox]

Vellron2005, on 18 July 2017 - 11:00 PM, said:

I only find them useful in the direct LOS mid-range brawls..

you answered your own question. Look at the stats and use it for its purpose

[Joshua Obrien]

Monkey Lover, on 18 July 2017 - 11:15 PM, said:

"Jack of all trades, master of none." I believe this is what Chris said he was going for.

Well as they stand they're a jack of no trades and unemployable due to medical issues. AKA DOA. Atms are complete shite and I've not found a use for them what so ever that justifies the tonnage.

[Zergling]

Running a pair of ATM9s on my Cougar right now... it is working surprisingly well. I'm not being bothered by the minimum range much unless someone rushes me.

The pair of Heavy Medium Lasers I have secondary weapons work surprisingly good too

Edited by Zergling, 19 July 2017 - 12:06 AM.

[Hit the Deck]

Monkey Lover, on 18 July 2017 - 11:15 PM, said:

"Jack of all trades, master of none." I believe this is what Chris said he was going for.

I think he also intends on making these the "Clan MRMs" to fill the gap between (S)SRMs and LRMs. Hence the balancing around the 2 pts of damage/missile part.

[Brizna]

Strange, me being a lurm hater I still decided to give ATMs a go if only to know how much I hate them. Instead I was left with bitter sweet taste in my mouth.

They use the same boring mechanic of lurms: "lock"
They can't be used indirectly which is bad but it forces ATM user to not just hang back using friendlies' locks and this is GREAT.
They also promote the "lurmer" to stay close to the enemy for maximum damage and this is also GREAT.
They provide very respectable (albeit unfocused) DPS in short range.

All in all I find them to be the gentlemen's lurm, of course they are still lurms ad you can do better with real weapons.

[davoodoo]

they havent fixed targeting, it still hits legs...