32 replies to this topic

[Acersecomic]

So, I'm always avoiding using PPCs because I'm really doing bad with them, but every time I do I don't feel like it's all completely my fault.
I'm very good with ballistics both slow and fast at any range but PPCs just kind of... they feel like they suffer from latency more than any other weapon system. It feels like whenever I shoot PCCs I have to take way more lead than mechanicaly you should because PPCs are fired on a delay or have some really wonky hitboxes.
I've had shots fired at center torso at large distances and yet the shot would fly over the enemy numerous times (worth noting, I was poptarting with JJs turned off so no screenshake).

They're just... not very comfortable to use because of immense heat they generate on top of being... a laggy? weapon?

So... explain to me, is there something I'm doing wrong with PPCs or?

[Kotzi]

PPC are weapons for long range and long campaigns. 15 Minutes and 1 Mech is not enough to accentuate the pros and cons between PPC and AC. This shortage of combat time rends all the benefits of PPC useless. Neither time nor map size let you play anything else than deathmatch.

Most times ppc worked for me was in an adder or summoner. In any other mech they feel meh.

Edited by Kotzi, 29 March 2019 - 06:44 AM.

[FRAGTAST1C]

Does it boil down to some kind of a number? By that, I mean how much heat dissipation is good for how many PPCs? I used ERPPC on the Bounty Hunter and a Snub Nose on the Ares. Both were nice to use but at the same time I kept thinking to myself that there's a better option somewhere.

[Karl Streiger]

PPCs have the huge drawback that their "bullet" is to big. You can test it by mounting a PPC next to a large laser. (for example Warhammer arms) go out into training ground and shoot at a target that is partly covered... there are situations were your laser will hit and your PPC will be stopped at an obstacle.
(Don't know if this is a feature)

Another issue (but can't put my fingers on) is the mounting of the PPC... its usually better in the torso (at least you have less clipping issues)

On the other hand that HSR works strange with PPCs can be seen when you shoot them at extreme ranges - at max range with skill and TC (almost 2km) I was able to hit a moving evading target with 5 out of 6 shots. (no real damage but considering the flight time....)

Another thing - don't use the advanced zoom. Can't be said enough advanced zoom has extreme issues with leading the target (the speed doesn't scale correct) - also I don't know how the HSR is based on in determining if iIwould hit or miss a target. (Especially at those extreme ranges without zoom the target is only some pixels in height and would move only some pixels on my screen during the flight of the ppc.... mabye that's the reason for the above-mentioned dream like accuracy (same goes for snap fire or days when my shot hit visible an obstacle but was registered anyhow)

Edited by Karl Streiger, 29 March 2019 - 06:52 AM.

[VonBruinwald]

Acersecomic, on 29 March 2019 - 06:03 AM, said:

So, I'm always avoiding using PPCs because I'm really doing bad with them, but every time I do I don't feel like it's all completely my fault.
I'm very good with ballistics both slow and fast at any range but PPCs just kind of... they feel like they suffer from latency more than any other weapon system. It feels like whenever I shoot PCCs I have to take way more lead than mechanicaly you should because PPCs are fired on a delay or have some really wonky hitboxes.

PPCs feel slower than equivalent AC's because they have larger projectiles. They also have larger hitboxes which is a pain on low mounts.

[Hellbringer]

Seems to me the PPC is a very situational weapon. Good for quick peeks and then immediately hide behind cover. But at extreme ranges er large is better due to accuracy and at mid to short range they don't have the dps. In most cases lasers, ballastics and missiles do better (especially given the heat requirements).

I've only been successful with a 2x PPC hunchback and that's only because nobody gives a hoot and shot the rest of my team while I take pokes. Considering pulse lasers do better damage for less heat and less recycle time, it's really kind of pointless.

[thievingCLAGpie]

ppc nerfs means that dominant erppc mechs of the past like Linebackers, Summoners etc are no longer top tier. They can still do work but they lack the DPS needed.

Triple and Quad erppcs are pretty decent.


If you're going to ppc poptart you just have to be extremely aggressive. Always Be Shooting. There should never be a time where you're not maxing out your heat bar. Shoot and scoot. Hit everything.

[TheCaptainJZ]

I do better with ACs than PPCs too. This gives me some background that might explain why. I always thought it was because it was easier to see PPC shots than AC slugs so it drew too much attention to me. That said, something like an Adder seems to work well.

[Anjian]

I am the opposite. Clan ER PPCs are my bread and butter. I like it for snap shooting, and yeah like another poster said, don't use advance zoom with it. I can't get magic going with other weapons other than ballistics. I keep experimenting with different configurations and weapons, but other than LBX, my other main weapon, I keep going back to ER PPCs. Note I said Clan ER PPCs. Generic PPCs are kind of slow. I have not tried the other PPCs yet.

[HammerMaster]

Due to BS removal of repair and rearm, and no long running engagements. Benefits of non ammo weapons is pointless.

[thievingCLAGpie]

as an addition to the earlier post, if you have trouble leading targets with peeps, get the velocity nodes for sure. they definitely help.

I find my skill tree changes a bit when I'm first learning to use a mech/weapon, compared to when I've become comfortable with it. Usually I'll focus mostly on weapon buffs- heat, cooldown, velocity etc over other stats, before slowly rolling them back in favour of better survivability etc

Not sure what builds you're talking about in particular, but it may help a bit to throw on a TCOMP to get a bit of extra velocity.

I'm only talking about Clan- ERPPCs though, I don't play much else.

Another tip that might help is take low percentage shots. As long as you have the heat to do it, take those plinking shots, take those chip damage shots, take those weird angle snipes. It'll help you practice. Just saving your fire for "perfect moments" is a sure way to keep your damage low. Shoot everything always. If you get better and being able to pop off risky shots from weird angles, your damage will go up and your contribution to the team will increase.

What peep builds are you usually playing?

Edited by thievingCLAGpie, 29 March 2019 - 09:16 AM.

[Lotspeech]

if you shoot while jump jets are on that screws with your aim. similarly you have to aim slightly below your target to hit while falling in the air

[JediPanther]

My two problems with any ppc is the huge heat to damage ratio and the slow speed of the thing. for a sniper centered weapon at mid and long range even an atlas can waddle along and be missed by the ppc. On mechs for ppc use I always look to ppc heat reduction or ppc velocity skills always hoping to find that holy grail of a mech that not only has both but has it in the 15-20% range.

Even the panther's super quirk of 30-40% velocity doesn't really help it any since it can only move with a 250 engine cap. 115 is very slow for a mech with the vast majority of its weapon damage in an easily shot off arm.http://<a href="https://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=246&l=1bd03735b5240f80d96f1bb35ba3f70bd97f86b4">PNT-9R PPC</a>

For the skill tree I'd go along the line of this to get 10% cool run,heat containment 15% 8% heat gen, and 12velocity%:https://kitlaan.gitl...1aa11#s=Weapons

[Grus]

Balls of highly energized particles flung out from a F*** you dispenser at high rates of speed...

[LordNothing]

the best ppc mech is the warhawk. it can manage a sustained barrage provided you have enough fire discipline not to trip ghost heat. but really its one of the few viable ppc mechs out there.

one of the coolest things about ppcs is that they may very well be real. look up project marauder.

Edited by LordNothing, 29 March 2019 - 05:27 PM.

[GuardDogg]

Yeah, agree. PPCs of any kind is like shooting water. Damage says 15 for heavy PPCs, and you only see about 4-5 damage on its (just an example of my experience) The only benefit PPCs is they disable stealth mechs.

[FupDup]

Using ERPPCs and/or mechs with velocity quirks will make the leading easier, but not entirely eliminate the ability to miss.

I recommend using a Clan mech with dual ERPPCs and a crapton of DHS as your "trainer" mech for PPCs since the CERPPC is the most versatile PPC type and Clans can boat DHS up the wazoo (also they have several well-quirked chassis for this role).

[General Solo]

Shoot PPC's like ballistics, cause they act more like a ballistic weapon than energy weapon.

If you goood at leading with ballistics, PPC's are not much different in my view except that they have worse hit reg and the size of the projectile is pretty freeken huge

With a big enough Targeting Computer they shoot like gauss rifles without the charge

Edited by OZHomerOZ, 29 March 2019 - 07:24 PM.

[5th Fedcom Rat]

My experience echoes Karl's above. PPCs are feast or famine with the hit reg... along with SRMs they're the weapons which most often completely fail to register damage when they should, but they're also one of my favourite weapons for nailing satisfying distant shots with. In terms of "lag" or "not feeling right", they are improved in that regard compared to this game's early days. Try sticking a Clan ERPPC in an ECM arctic cheetah for fun practice.

[Steel Raven]

The Hit Reg on the PPC hurts the most, chalk it up to the coding for the particle effect.

Clan PPCs play the best thanks to the splash damage, you just got to remember the projectile travels only a little faster than a AC/5 shell and without the cool down.

UAC+PPC combo works well on my Sun Spider. The UACs give me DPS and a cooler weapon group while the PPC gives me extra punch for Alphas and/or range fighting.