14 replies to this topic

[Phoenix 72]

I am currently playing around with the loadout of my Assault Mech. I have the option to field 4 Ballistic weapons, which are my main source of damage.

I originally built the Mech around using 3 AC 10. Then I wondered whether I could fit in 4 UAC 5 instead. I can, but the ammo is a bit tight and it produces quite some more heat. Then I wondered whether the 3 LBX 10 would be a better choice, seeing as they are producing less heat and I can carry a lot more ammo.

So essentially I keep going in circles. I just have no idea whether the additional damage spread of the LBX offsets the lesser heat production and additional ammo.

So I am looking for advice. Can anybody help a confused newbie out?

[WrathOfDeadguy]

Which 'Mech and variant, specifically?

[Phoenix 72]

Nightstar 9P. This is the exact build.

https://mwo.smurfy-n...d4e46c11c444873

Edited by Darakor Stormwind, 20 May 2018 - 10:34 AM.

[VXJaeger]

Try this:
https://mwo.smurfy-n...68669b85eaaf4f7

ST:
https://kitlaan.gitl...b1d33#s=Weapons

Edited by VXJaeger, 20 May 2018 - 10:46 AM.

[Phoenix 72]

I considered something fairly close to that, but I was worried that the ammunition would not last throughout the fight.

Then I wondered whether putting 2 RAC5's into the mix would be fun, but I think it will just confuse things even more. ;-)

[BTGbullseye]

Give this a try then... More ammo, no AMS, added RL10 for a 20 damage point-blank blast.

NSR-9P

If this ammo doesn't last you through an entire round, you're wasting it.

Edited by BTGbullseye, 20 May 2018 - 10:12 PM.

[VXJaeger]

Darakor Stormwind, on 20 May 2018 - 09:03 PM, said:

I considered something fairly close to that, but I was worried that the ammunition would not last throughout the fight.

Then I wondered whether putting 2 RAC5's into the mix would be fun, but I think it will just confuse things even more. ;-)

210 has dmg potential of 1050, and with ST addentum 252 ammo is quite enough for match. If that ain't enough, you should learn how to shoot.
And it's pretty much always bad idea to mix different ACs together. In some mechs 2*RAC5 + 2*LBX2 is manageable, but that's very rare.

Edited by VXJaeger, 21 May 2018 - 04:16 AM.

[justcallme A S H]

3 x AC10 is actually quite strong, only issue is the refire rate on AC10 isn't great and requires a lot of face time.

That said it is solid, so if you can make it work do it. Just take off the 3ERML lasers. They are simply not needed and get more ammo.

You can also try other options

ONE - Slight change

Or...

TWO - The big boss. This is how you DPS. Decent speed and you can lay out 70-80pts in a fairly short space (no jams).

[Phoenix 72]

Tried out the 4 UAC 5 build with no lasers. I am 0:4 with it. Not sure whether I push too much, but I invariably end up being the focus of attention as soon as I open up. Feels like everybody stops what they are doing and starts to shoot at me. ;-) But I am really annoyed right now, so I am going to take a bit of a break.

[BTGbullseye]

Don't be the only one pushing, and let another assault lead the push. You're in a "second in line" mech.

[Phoenix 72]

Well, in about half of the games I play, nobody pushes. It is a static peeking game forever. Only when there have been enough casualties on one side that a push is guaranteed, it begins.

In another quarter of the matches I play, the other Assaults do weird stuff, like the lone Assault gone flanking. Or a single Assault staying at the very very back of the line and sniping. It often is the last Assault to die, but I have never seen that strategy work, yet. The pilot usually has the highest damage out of the Charlie lance, but we still lose.

I have found that I can lead pushes in the midgame. The ACs are usually good in getting people to head back into cover, so we can advance quite nicely. Works great when attacking the flanks. And is a very embarrassing way to die when the flank turns out to be the main force. ;-)

[Averen]

UAC5 are generally the superior weapon; it's one of the best damage dealers in the entire game.

AC10 style guns aren't necessarily terrible, but they're generally weight inefficient.

Edited by Averen, 21 May 2018 - 04:36 AM.

[Phoenix 72]

It is kinda funny, I tried out Ash's number two build and felt that it was very satisfying.

We kinda rolled over the enemy really quickly, though, and in the end I was a bit surprised that I had only gotten around 250-300 damage every time. It felt like more and I do not think I would have gotten that kind of damage with the old build. (EDIT: I think it would have been lower) I am going to stick with that build for a bit longer. Worked much better for me than the 4 UAC5 build, for some reason....

I did, however do a slight change. As I do not have another engine and cannot really afford one, I stuck with mine, kept the heatsinks in and just put in more ammo. ;-) Even on a fairly hot map it felt fine.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

Edited by Darakor Stormwind, 21 May 2018 - 06:16 AM.

[justcallme A S H]

UACs are better for YoloQ than ACs.

ACs in GroupQ where yoir team is presenting lots if targets and players than can aim, will absolutely shred enemies.

So yeah, you'll find UACs generally will work better and IS UAC10s, despite being too hot, will smash through targets better than UAC5s

[BTGbullseye]

Darakor Stormwind, on 21 May 2018 - 04:17 AM, said:

In another quarter of the matches I play, the other Assaults do weird stuff, like the lone Assault gone flanking.

Strangely enough, when that's me, I always win... Then again, I'm 1-shoting them with dual HGauss and 3x-5x ERML from an ECM Fafnir.

I literally only do this for two reasons:
1. My team is nascaring, and I have no hope of ever keeping up.
2. There are no responses whatsoever to my "hello" on voice comms.

If the team is intent on not communicating or doing stupid stuff, I'll go looking to keep my score out of the gutter.
[/end rant about bad teammates in QP]

Here is the list of ballistics DP10s (damage dealt over a 10 second period) if the weapon doesn't jam. (and the weapon's slots/tonnage, and DP10s/ton, and DP10s/heat)

30.00 DP10s C-Gauss    6s/12t  2.500/t 15.00/h
55.56 DP10s C-UAC2     2s/5t   11.11/t 2.500/h
60.00 DP10s C-UAC5     3s/7t   8.571/t 3.000/h
80.00 DP10s C-UAC10    4s/10t  8.000/t 2.857/h
100.0 DP10s C-UAC20    8s/12t  8.333/t 2.857/h
27.78 DP10s C-AC2      3s/5t   5.556/t 4.000/h
30.00 DP10s C-AC5      4s/7t   4.286/t 3.557/h
44.44 DP10s C-AC10     5s/10t  4.444/t 5.000/h
50.00 DP10s C-AC20     9s/12t  4.167/t 3.333/h
27.78 DP10s C-LBX2     3s/5t   5.556/t 5.000/h
30.00 DP10s C-LBX5     4s/7t   4.286/t 4.980/h
44.44 DP10s C-LBX10    5s/10t  4.444/t 5.000/h
50.00 DP10s C-LBX20    9s/12t  4.167/t 3.333/h
----------------------------------------------
30.77 DP10s LGauss     5s/12t  2.565/t 14.55/h
30.00 DP10s Gauss      7s/15t  2.000/t 15.00/h
50.00 DP10s HGauss     11s/18t 2.778/t 12.50/h
55.56 DP10s UAC2       3s/7t   7.936/t 2.500/h
60.00 DP10s UAC5       5s/9t   5.557/t 3.000/h
80.00 DP10s UAC10      7s/13t  6.154/t 2.857/h
100.0 DP10s UAC20      10s/15t 6.667/t 2.857/h
27.78 DP10s AC2        1s/6t   4.630/t 4.000/h
30.00 DP10s AC5        4s/8t   3.750/t 3.557/h
44.44 DP10s AC10       7s/12t  3.704/t 3.636/h
50.00 DP10s AC20       10s/14t 3.571/t 3.333/h
27.78 DP10s LBX2       4s/6t   4.630/t 5.000/h
30.00 DP10s LBX5       5s/8t   3.750/t 4.980/h
44.44 DP10s LBX10      6s/11t  3.704/t 5.000/h
50.00 DP10s LBX20      11s/14t 3.571/t 4.000/h

I use DP10s instead of DPS because it's easier to represent in a useful manner. (especially if you want to start including jam times and chances into calculations, or firing delays to prevent Ghost Heat)

I'll let you decide which is best for you yourself, but the most efficient ballistic weapon in the game is the Clan UAC line, (topped by the cUAC2) followed by the IS UAC2.

Edited by BTGbullseye, 22 May 2018 - 02:21 AM.