You're missing a big difference betwen them: the duration you're measuring DPS over is constant for the first shot (you're measuring for a small fraction of a second) and the AC/20 deals double DPS during that firing phase.
If you shoot once and then move on, then the AC/20 has double DPS.
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Why Take The Ac20, When The Ac10 Is Actually Better?
Started by Radiohazard, Nov 19 2012 07:43 PM
22 replies to this topic
#21
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- Legendary Founder
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Professor of Memetics
- LocationIs Being Obscured By ECM
Posted 21 November 2012 - 02:11 PM
#22
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- Bridesmaid
- 101 posts
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- LocationTexas
Posted 21 November 2012 - 02:55 PM
You get 140 damage per ton with AC/20 ammo and 150 damage per ton with AC/10 ammo, so not much different. Can't just look at # of shots fired per ton.
Also, you need 2 ballistic hardpoints in different locations to fit 2 AC/10's, because they take up 7 slots each. Many times your choice is 1 AC/10 v. 1 AC/20 in a particular mech. Which one is better really depends on the rest of your loadout and your play style.
it's also interesting to note that an AC/2 can keep up with an AC/10 on DPS, but you have 5 projectiles that have to hit the target instead of 1, and it generates almost twice as much heat -- but saves a lot on tonnage and critical slots, and creates quite a knock on the enemy cockpit.
Also, you need 2 ballistic hardpoints in different locations to fit 2 AC/10's, because they take up 7 slots each. Many times your choice is 1 AC/10 v. 1 AC/20 in a particular mech. Which one is better really depends on the rest of your loadout and your play style.
it's also interesting to note that an AC/2 can keep up with an AC/10 on DPS, but you have 5 projectiles that have to hit the target instead of 1, and it generates almost twice as much heat -- but saves a lot on tonnage and critical slots, and creates quite a knock on the enemy cockpit.
#23
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Posted 21 November 2012 - 11:26 PM
Prosperity Park, on 21 November 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:
You're missing a big difference betwen them: the duration you're measuring DPS over is constant for the first shot (you're measuring for a small fraction of a second) and the AC/20 deals double DPS during that firing phase.
If you shoot once and then move on, then the AC/20 has double DPS.
If you shoot once and then move on, then the AC/20 has double DPS.
For one of my heat efficiency charts, I tried to model this effect, by giving the "alpha" value or single shot damage value of the weapon more weight in the calculation. It doesn't necessarily change things significantly, but if you compare similar weapons, it can make be notable.
If you really only ever fire one shot and then take 4 or more seconds between shot, the AC20 is definitely superior to the AC/10. I don't think it's quite like the typical brawling situations you are faced with when you use the AC20, but it might matter if you're trying to deal with a light mech, for example, that you don't have much opportunity to get in your sights.
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