61 replies to this topic

[FRAGTAST1C]

I was trying some build dakka builds and I found LBX 2 and AC2 weapons almost the same. So, what are they good at individually? Should I ditch both and go with UAC2s instead?

[justcallme A S H]

LBX2 is cooler - but spreads

AC2 is hotter - does not spread.


What do you use? AC2.

UAC2 - Hotter again, better burst DPS.

Edited by justcallme A S H, 28 December 2018 - 05:13 AM.

[FRAGTAST1C]

Yes, I know what they're like from the tool tips. What I'm really asking is while using them, how do they compare? Do you feel like you get better results in terms of damage when shooting AC2 as opposed to LBX 2? Also, what about the talk of critical hits being more often attainable with LBX weapons? Is there any truth to that? Those are the things I'm interested in.

[Daurock]

FRAGTAST1C, on 28 December 2018 - 05:20 AM, said:

Yes, I know what they're like from the tool tips. What I'm really asking is while using them, how do they compare? Do you feel like you get better results in terms of damage when shooting AC2 as opposed to LBX 2? Also, what about the talk of critical hits being more often attainable with LBX weapons? Is there any truth to that? Those are the things I'm interested in.

To me, the answer to that depends heavily on the mech I'm driving. If i'm driving an assault, for example, i am probably running 5 or 6 cannons. that many ultras will heat you up VERY quickly, even if you load up a couple of extra sinks, while regular ACs will not. So on an assault, i am probably going to take the standards. by contrast, a heavy mech rocking 3 or 4 UAC2s still has a pretty manageable heat level. That means that for something like a rifleman, or jagermech, i'm most likely running with a set of UACs. I can't say i really run with LBs - I just can't justify that much spread on the things.

Bottom line - For mediums and heavies, I almost always go ultra. For assaults, I often switch to Regular ACs, or run a combination of UACs and regulars.

Edited by Daurock, 28 December 2018 - 05:55 AM.

[justcallme A S H]

FRAGTAST1C, on 28 December 2018 - 05:20 AM, said:

how do they compare?

Exactly what I said.

Not even joking.

Spread = bad. Despite what the people around here say (that also photoshop their stats)

Edited by justcallme A S H, 28 December 2018 - 05:55 AM.

[VonBruinwald]

I run a quad LBX-2 Jager and a Quad AC2 Rifleman.

I prefer the Jager, at the distances where spread matters the hitboxes are too small to reliably make out. It works great for surpressing the enemy at +1000m and it's a rare day heat matters. Did I mention it's running SHS, not dubs...

The Riflenan can strip armour faster when I focus a single component but they're rapid fire bullds and keeping my DPS up takes precedent over pausing fire to accurately target individual components.

It doesn't matter which you take but be prepared to give the enemy face time. You need to sustain fire to be effective. From a good posistion you can surpress an assault and still deal more damage than them given your optimal range. A few days ago I had a Supernova, Nightstar and Fafnir cowering in a corner together for fear of me peppering them...

[FRAGTAST1C]

Ah, I gotcha. Also, the ammo is also a concern, isn't it? You'd need lots of ammo, especially if you're running 6 AC2s. I mean, you'd need a minimum of 700 to make sure that you crack 1k damage unless of course, you're a crackshot and you have 100% accuracy. So, you might need a CASE or two.

If I pick the Mauler champion, I probably should try 6 AC2s instead of UAC2 to keep the heat down since I want to be constantly firing like as if I have Rotary ACs while dealing enough DPS to the enemies without having to worry about spread-damage. I'm talking about constant fire from the moment I see the enemies at ~ 700m range and keeping it up while I take up position with my team mates and also suppress the enemies if they try something disgusting like flanking. Just have to make sure to remember that this build isn't about quick kills like my Kraken with AC20 and MRM 60.

Also, is it true what's said about LBX crit chances?

[El Bandito]

justcallme A S H, on 28 December 2018 - 05:08 AM, said:

LBX2 is cooler - but spreads

AC2 is hotter - does not spread.


What do you use? AC2.

UAC2 - Hotter again, better burst DPS.

LBX2 has 2.3 times better crit chance that AC2. I'd still use AC2 though.

[FRAGTAST1C]

But the criticals work on the structure and not on armour, right?

[The pessimistic optimist]

LBX 2 kind of makes the AC 2 obsolete that is if you have crit space to fit them. The spread on LBX 2 is so little that its not worth worrying about. Only saving grace for AC 2 is the LBX2 takes 3 times the crit space.

[HenryFA]

FRAGTAST1C, on 28 December 2018 - 06:08 AM, said:

But the criticals work on the structure and not on armour, right?

Yep

[justcallme A S H]

El Bandito, on 28 December 2018 - 06:04 AM, said:

LBX2 has 2.3 times better crit chance that AC2. I'd still use AC2 though.

Crit means nothing against armour.

[El Bandito]

justcallme A S H, on 28 December 2018 - 07:27 AM, said:

Crit means nothing against armour.

Which is why I use LBX mechs against exposed targets, usually on the second wave.

[Ilfi]

LBX2 is pretty much a meme weapon / beginner's trap. Either you go UAC2s for the burst damage, or you go AC2s for the single-slug accuracy. Having the guarantee of hitting your shots is much more valuable than minuscule heat and critical benefits.

If you want to fool around with an 8x LBX2 Ultraviolet, I guess that's cool though. But that's mostly because Clan ACs are a travesty.

[Battlemaster56]

Ilfi, on 28 December 2018 - 07:34 AM, said:

LBX2 is pretty much a meme weapon / beginner's trap. Either you go UAC2s for the burst damage, or you go AC2s for the single-slug accuracy. Having the guarantee of hitting your shots is much more valuable than minuscule heat and critical benefits.

If you want to fool around with an 8x LBX2 Ultraviolet, I guess that's cool though. But that's mostly because Clan ACs are a travesty.

I don't even bother uac2's on either side, the frequent jams from them just trying get some extra dps in, just destroys any that I had over a short window frame I have, and the heat the follows up is murders the mood using them on a regular basis.

I rather take a lbx2 over a uac2 anytime I still keep good dps and the spread not even horrible.

Edited by Battlemaster56, 28 December 2018 - 11:05 AM.

[Mister Maf]

There's nothing stopping you from mixing the two together. That's what I do. They have the same cooldown.

[Kubernetes]

FRAGTAST1C, on 28 December 2018 - 06:02 AM, said:

Ah, I gotcha. Also, the ammo is also a concern, isn't it? You'd need lots of ammo, especially if you're running 6 AC2s. I mean, you'd need a minimum of 700 to make sure that you crack 1k damage unless of course, you're a crackshot and you have 100% accuracy. So, you might need a CASE or two.

If I pick the Mauler champion, I probably should try 6 AC2s instead of UAC2 to keep the heat down since I want to be constantly firing like as if I have Rotary ACs while dealing enough DPS to the enemies without having to worry about spread-damage. I'm talking about constant fire from the moment I see the enemies at ~ 700m range and keeping it up while I take up position with my team mates and also suppress the enemies if they try something disgusting like flanking. Just have to make sure to remember that this build isn't about quick kills like my Kraken with AC20 and MRM 60.

You should experiment to see what's best for you. I used to run the MX-90 with 3AC2/3UAC2, hedging on that jam chance, but I eventually switched out to 6 UAC2. Jam duration on the Uac2 is fairly short, and you're boating six of them, so jams aren't nearly as detrimental as they are on builds with fewer, bigger guns. And yeah it can get hot, but just be mindful and you'll be okay.

[Prototelis]

justcallme A S H, on 28 December 2018 - 05:54 AM, said:

Exactly what I said.

Not even joking.

Spread = bad. Despite what the people around here say (that also photoshop their stats)

Well some people really like strokin' it. If you catch my meaning.

LB2s also have longer optimal range, which is handy if your main goal is to suppress people on trades. The spread at those ranges is some serious poop though.

Edited by Prototelis, 28 December 2018 - 10:01 AM.

[Abaddun]

I run quad LBX2s on my Jade kite along with dual ERLLs. Generally tends to outperform the same build with AC2s. The crit bonus is noticeable, and when firing at long ranges, the spread helps offset convergence issues when firing at strafing targets.

[VonBruinwald]

Last gameI played in my Jager:

Lbx-2's suck...