12 replies to this topic

[Fudowara Hakeido]

Hi, I've been experimenting with using AC's. I'm trying to figure out what combinations of AC's are effective and worth taking so I'd be interested in hearing what you guys have been using. I've mostly been using Dragons and similar mechs with 1 or 2 ballistic slots(cent for example). For each variant, I'm trying to utilize as many slots as are available and still be effective.

DRG-5N: With it's 3 ballistic slots, I found that 2 AC/5s and an AC/2(with 2 ML's for backup) to be highly effective and is really the only reason to take the 5N since the other variants can do anything else the 5N can. Spaming ac/2 seems to generate way too much heat, even if you replace one of the ac/2's with an ac/5. UAC/5 in the mix also seems ineffective.

DRG-1N: 2 slots with this guy. I've been trying dual ac/2's and dual ac/5's. I like them both, but the 2's seem to add a lot more heat and if I want to fire anything else, I usually have to choose. This variant is troublesome for me, not sure which ac's to give him.

DRG-1C: only 1 slot, so I generally give him something big. I love the gauss on this guy, works wonderfully. Really haven't tried anything else with this one other than single AC's while I was saving for an XL engine.

Yen-lo-wang: I really don't like the ac20 on him, but being the only CN variant that can take one makes it seem a waste to replace. Nevertheless, I give him a gauss which removes any heat troubles. I like using twin ac/2's or twin ac/5's but not sure which is more effective. Often I find that they both perform really well.

CN9-A: For this variant, because I like to load him up with missiles and lasers, the ballistic slot is usually an afterthought. I'm still new with this variant, but I like the UAC/5 on him since he has only one slot and the uac is super efficient.

HBK-4G: I struggled a lot with this variant. In the end, I used a single gauss and filled everything else up with lasers. I found it hard to use all ballistic slots, with triple ac/2's being the only variant that I found that efficiently uses all Ballistic hard points.

So far, this is my experience, what's yours? Feel free to add any variants that you have used.

[John MatriX82]

Fudowara Hakeido, on 09 December 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

DRG-5N: With it's 3 ballistic slots, I found that 2 AC/5s and an AC/2(with 2 ML's for backup) to be highly effective and is really the only reason to take the 5N since the other variants can do anything else the 5N can. Spaming ac/2 seems to generate way too much heat, even if you replace one of the ac/2's with an ac/5. UAC/5 in the mix also seems ineffective.

5N: worst dragon for me, I soon sold it out. If i remember correctly I was using 2xMplas, + gauss + srm4/srm6. 1C and 1N do things much better. I've tried UAC5+AC5, single AC10, LBX, 3AC2s.. sorry but for me it's not meant to be a dakka dakka mech, it's a "go around as fast as a medium but do it with more armor and firepower".

Fudowara Hakeido, on 09 December 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

DRG-1N: 2 slots with this guy. I've been trying dual ac/2's and dual ac/5's. I like them both, but the 2's seem to add a lot more heat and if I want to fire anything else, I usually have to choose. This variant is troublesome for me, not sure which ac's to give him.

I love it, try to dual SRM4 it (at least 2 tons of ammo), slap a fast engine in (xl 325), then fit the remaining with what you like (LBX, AC10 or gauss) and fill the energy with mlasers or mplasers. Great brawler, up close and personal the dual SRM4 melts. Let the ramming be reintroduced and this is going to be a lightmech killer.

Fudowara Hakeido, on 09 December 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

DRG-1C: only 1 slot, so I generally give him something big. I love the gauss on this guy, works wonderfully. Really haven't tried anything else with this one other than single AC's while I was saving for an XL engine.

Yup, gauss, 4mlasers srm6/srm4. Another fine brawler, at the moment it's better than the above against lights because with so many energy you can try to fight out lagshield. Most of my builds rely on Xl (300 or 325) + ENDO and DHS.. they cost a bit.

Fudowara Hakeido, on 09 December 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

Yen-lo-wang: I really don't like the ac20 on him, but being the only CN variant that can take one makes it seem a waste to replace. Nevertheless, I give him a gauss which removes any heat troubles. I like using twin ac/2's or twin ac/5's but not sure which is more effective. Often I find that they both perform really well

I don't own it and never will.. too limited hardpoint configuration and crippled arm movement for the AC20.

Fudowara Hakeido, on 09 December 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

CN9-A: For this variant, because I like to load him up with missiles and lasers, the ballistic slot is usually an afterthought. I'm still new with this variant, but I like the UAC/5 on him since he has only one slot and the uac is super efficient.

I've tried many builds before selling it out (I seem not to be able to run Cents at all when I compare them to how effectively I use HBKs).. the best ones where to totally skip the ballistic gun and rely on SRM or SSRM boating + 1LPLas or dual MPlas, fast standard engine + endo and DHS, it's a medium-mech hunter and quite resilient against bigger targets.

Fudowara Hakeido, on 09 December 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

HBK-4G: I struggled a lot with this variant. In the end, I used a single gauss and filled everything else up with lasers. I found it hard to use all ballistic slots, with triple ac/2's being the only variant that I found that efficiently uses all Ballistic hard points.

I never considered the 4G. The 4H can do the same things much better (smlas boat + gauss or AC20 + several energy as backup); having more than 1 ballistic on a 50 ton mech isn't like having it on a heavy such as a dragon or a Cataphract, I've ended up always to preferer a single AC10/AC20 or Gauss on it.. so the 4H is better almost everytime.

Edited by John MatriX82, 10 December 2012 - 07:38 AM.

[Khobai]

two UAC/5s is the most effective combination there is for any mech that has two or more ballistic slots in the same location.

[Ryebear]

I'm finding the 1N to be the worst dragon. Two missile hard points in the CT aren't worth having 1 energy hard point in the arm which no matter what ballistics you use automatically makes for a worse mech. The 1C I have great times with 4 LL at range.

Back on topic, the 5N for me is doing great with 3 AC/2s in linked fire mode with 2 MLs in the other arm. I do very well against all heavier mechs, get great damage per game. It's very very weak against lights though, even with the fast bullet speed, it's very hard to hit lights without running into convergence issues.

I've had great success with the stock Ilya Muromet and with triple UAC/5s. The Cataphract 4X does quite well with 3 AC/5s, I but I haven't had much luck with other combos as its frighteningly slow speed makes it very hard to position well enough to use other ACs.

When mixing ACs it's also very important to consider when you will be firing them as each AC has a different projectile speed. A hit with an AC/5 is often a miss with an AC/10 etc.

[Hammerfinn]

I love my Yen-lo-Wang. I bit the bullet and loaded in an XL-280. Hear me out.

Everyone knows the Zombie Wang, so nobody targets my side torsos anyways. Not to mention the fact that it lets me TOTE AN AC/20 AT 100KPH. Super fun. The speed helps make up for the crippled arm movement. And nobody expects the puch coming at them that fast.

Also tried 2 AC/2, 2 UAC/5, MGs..... Definitely the fast AC/20 rocked the others.

[Aesaar]

2XAC5 2XUAC5 on a CTF-4X. Have a nice laugh at the sheer amount of damage you can throw out.

Then feel sad about the fact that you're carrying 34 tons of weapons and still have to allocate everything else, including ammo. Effective, but you won't find the CTF-4X's engine limitations very limiting anymore.

When the Jagermech shows up, I'm so going to try 4xUAC5.

Edited by Aesaar, 12 December 2012 - 07:18 AM.

[Gigastrike]

I've been running a DRG-5N with the 3 AC/2s (and the 2 med lasers) and the heat build up hasn't been that much. Sure I'm not heat neutral, but I still don't have to worry about it. How many heat sinks are you fitting to it? What engine do you use?

[Raso]

When I ran a Hunchback I combined 2 AC5s in place of the AC20 for sustained damage and for greater reach.

On my Cataphract I run dual AC5s along side dual AC2s. This gives me a constant stream of damage but the AC5s allow for a greater punch along side it. It's a very ammo dependent build, however, and I run no weapons along side the ACs.

I've also faced a few dual LBX Cataphracts and they are nothing to be trifled with. If they know how to use that weapon they can cause some serious hurt.

[Krazy Kat]

Hammerfinn, on 11 December 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

I love my Yen-lo-Wang. I bit the bullet and loaded in an XL-280. Hear me out.

Everyone knows the Zombie Wang, so nobody targets my side torsos anyways. Not to mention the fact that it lets me TOTE AN AC/20 AT 100KPH. Super fun. The speed helps make up for the crippled arm movement. And nobody expects the puch coming at them that fast.

Also tried 2 AC/2, 2 UAC/5, MGs..... Definitely the fast AC/20 rocked the others.

After reading this post, I traded my AC/20 in for two AC/5's just to try it out. In theory, the higher firing rate should make the two AC/5's do more damage per second. In reality that only happens if you're holding down the fire key and hitting every time. I'll probably swap the AC/20 back in tonight. Good post.

[MagicHamsta]

Most effective AC combination:
3 UAC5s.

[New Day]

Aesaar, on 12 December 2012 - 07:17 AM, said:

When the Jagermech shows up, I'm so going to try 4xUAC5.

No room for ammo.

[Mavairo]

5N: 1 AC10, 2 LLs, 1 Srm6. is a really good time. It frags people Hard, rips through components like crazy due to the AC10s ludicrous component destruction, and good lasers.

I did 2 AC5s for a while with 2 LLs and while it did good solid damage, frankly it wasn't as reliable as a surgeon I found.

1N: I run with a single AC5, 2 SRM4s, and 2 LLs. This one is also really good at doing the dirty jobs. the LLS are great lead in lasers, as they share optimum range with the bigger bore ACs I've found. the Crotch Rockets just make it a fun time for everyone... well everyone on my team anyway.

[Budor]

YLW is probably the best single ac20 platform there is.

- has torso twist equivalent to the other centurions max arm movement which helps immensly with the 2 laser hardpoints on the CT and makes it the best zombie
- can elevate the ac20 allowing for kills from up above or much lower ground than your target is on
- can go 87.x with a standard engine and still have the original weapon loadout
- can do 97.x with a xl engine, swap the mlas for mplas and add some DHS

AC20 will get buffed on tuesday, time to break my 850dmg victory with the wang

Edited by Budor, 15 December 2012 - 07:19 PM.