5 replies to this topic

[hubingkun]

After searching some websites, there is no introduction about the function of the HAND ACTUATOR device on the mecha arm. Is it just for decoration? Is there any experienced person who can answer this question？Thank you for your answer！

[martian]

hubingkun, on 01 November 2024 - 07:34 PM, said:

Ask An Experienced Expert A Question That Cannot Be Found

After searching some websites, there is no introduction about the function of the HAND ACTUATOR device on the mecha arm. Is it just for decoration? Is there any experienced person who can answer this question？Thank you for your answer！

Hand Actuator is not a purely cosmetic item:

Shielding
It has 7.5 hit points, so it helps very slightly with shielding your 'Mech's side torso, in case you are hit from that side.

Critical hit protection
It provides protection in case your 'Mech's arm suffers a critical hit. If you are lucky, Hand actuator can "soak" that critical hit, so some other arm-mounted equipment survives.

'Mech design
Hand Actuator takes up one equipment slot that could be used for other equipment:

• BattleMechs have their Hand Actuators fixed. Such Hand Actuators cannot be removed.
  
• Some OmniMechs can equip and unequip Hand Actuators in some cases (all kinds of Autocannons and Gauss Rifles, all kinds of PPCs preclude Lower Arm Actuator and thus Hand Actuator placement; also such Hand Actuator must actually exist on the 'Mech model as created by PGI).

So this is what Hand Actuator does in MechWarrior Online.

[hubingkun]

martian, on 02 November 2024 - 12:54 AM, said:

Hand Actuator is not a purely cosmetic item:

Shielding
It has 7.5 hit points, so it helps very slightly with shielding your 'Mech's side torso, in case you are hit from that side.

Critical hit protection
It provides protection in case your 'Mech's arm suffers a critical hit. If you are lucky, Hand actuator can "soak" that critical hit, so some other arm-mounted equipment survives.

'Mech design
Hand Actuator takes up one equipment slot that could be used for other equipment:

• BattleMechs have their Hand Actuators fixed. Such Hand Actuators cannot be removed.
  
• Some OmniMechs can equip and unequip Hand Actuators in some cases (all kinds of Autocannons and Gauss Rifles, all kinds of PPCs preclude Lower Arm Actuator and thus Hand Actuator placement; also such Hand Actuator must actually exist on the 'Mech model as created by PGI).

So this is what Hand Actuator does in MechWarrior Online.

This answered my question. Thank you very much

[Void Angel]

Minor correction, Martian: item hit points only apply to critical hit padding, including actuators. Every item has "hit points," which must not be confused with structure or armor points. =] When a critical hit is applied to an item, such as a hand actuator, the damage of the critical hit (even just one tick from a laser burn) is subtracted from that item's hp, and the item is destroyed after its hp are depleted. Thus, items like heat sinks, ammunition, or hand actuators can potentially protect from mulitple critical hits, depending on the weapon.

Edited by Void Angel, 02 November 2024 - 10:37 AM.

[TheCaptainJZ]

If you're talking about an omnimech that has the option of turning it on or off, iirc, having it on is supposed to increase the angle or speed at which your arm-mounted weapons can move from your torso facing. In effect, the arm crosshair can move more quickly from the torso crosshair, improving your ability to aim.

It also is counted in critical hit calculations, though if it's critted out, it has no effect. Which is true of other equipment as well.

On an Inner Sphere mech, or just a non-omnimech, it has no aiming effect. It's mandatory equipment and the movement stats are all baked into the chassis.

[Void Angel]

I don't recall any difference between hand actuators being on or off in my Omnimechs. Don't see anything in the testing grounds, either. 'Course I tested it on a firestarter (the Clans do not like hands,) so it might have been a small difference that's not really noticeable in such a small 'mech.