26 replies to this topic

[Karl Streiger]

*bump

well as you wished the heat for the large energy weapons will be reduced.
However is this really the best solution?
We already have Dragons running 2 PPCs and Gauss, or Hunchbacks with multiple large laser... yeah they have a overheating problem...but their alpha is incredible - and as long as override shut down save them beeing self destruct they will have more or less impact on the battle.
The same thing was in TT once.... Mechs having 10 or more PPCs. Firing all their weapons and shutting down. They were imobile for a single round...but mostly removed a target from the game.

So are the large energy weapons to weak? No they are not... i used them since August...and i had never the feeling of using power less weapons (well PPCs were problematic- but not because of heat)
the fact is simple...medium laser or SRM are in comparison to powerful.

Its a pitty that i don't have a solution...best idea i have would be to have a crosshair like in wot...when you have a target lock the crosshair diameter will be reduced for every split second you have a lock and the crosshair is over the target - or you are leading the aim.

Means the weapons are no pinpoint weapons when using snap fire.
Means with the medium laser shotgun of the hunchback you may be able to hit a light mech more often - but at reduced damage.
Means the first that shoot don't have to be the first that hit.
When you have focused on a target for 1.5sec eg. you have again weapons that will hit the same point

Edited by Karl Streiger, 30 January 2013 - 11:37 PM.

[Kmieciu]

People boat some weapons because are simply better than others. We see a lot of Jenners and Cicadas with 5+ Medium Lasers, because it`s a better combination than 1 Large Laser. If one Large Laser was equal to 5 medium lasers, SDR-5V and CDA-3C would be an interesting choice. Right now those variants can`t compete with mechs armed with medium lasers.

If I had the option to put 10 ML instead 2 LL on an Atlas brawler, I would. For the same weight I would have much more close range burst firepower.

When I see an Awesome with only 3 PPCs, I know I can close in inmy Awesome armed with medium lasers, and have a high chance of taking him down in a brawl.

If we want more weapons to be used, there need to be some adjustments to their effectiveness. I eagerly await February the 5th - can`t wait to see if PPC becomes equally effective compared with Large Laser...

Edited by Kmieciu, 31 January 2013 - 03:14 AM.

[Karl Streiger]

Kmieciu, on 31 January 2013 - 03:10 AM, said:

If I had the option to put 10 ML instead 2 LL on an Atlas brawler, I would. For the same weight I would have much more close range burst firepower.

And that is the real problem. MustrumRidcully have said is dozen of times before.

if you target a foe with for example 10 armor points in each location - you need in worst case 8 hits to remove a single locations armor. when you use a single ppc instead you need just a single hit.
But because 8ML in MWO hit the same location they will always be better

The best option without changing game mechanics to much would be to introduce a kind of BAR-rating.
For example when remaining armor in a location is more than 200% of the dmg rating of a weapon the dmg of that weapon is reduced. Even when it means that a medium laser causes hardly any dmg when hitting the front plate of a Atlas

[Roadbuster]

The OP idea is good and I really like that more people try to get more variety in the game lately.
It's true that boating some specific weapons is just too effective compared to using a mix of weapons as the hardpoints allow it.
Reducing damage would also slow down gameplay a bit. Less assault mech shredding in 5 seconds and more chances to use the terrain and piloting skills to survive.
The heat reduction for some energy weapons is already close to implementation.

[focuspark]

A hard point system would help prevent abuse of the game's mechanics... oh wait.

Seriously, "boating" isn't a problem. If a Jenner wants 4x ML let him have it. Otherwise he's screwed. A Jenner doesn't need the reach of a LL or its heat problems.

[Matchstick]

there's nothing wrong with boating. It's been around for a long time and hell some battletech mechs variance boat as well. If you want to fit one roll then fine. it's not like there's no downside to it. If someone takes a LRM boat there doomed if anything gets close, if you do srm's you need to work your way to get in close. I ran a 5x LL stalker for some time and the thing was great at range but outperformed my SRM, AC20, AC10, and ML if i got into a close range fight.

[Karl Streiger]

The main problem is that short range boats are more powerful. Simple because of those short ranges.
The difference between the optimal range of a large laser and a SRM volley are hardly 200m. 200m is a distance even the slowest mech can close in some seconds.

Next problem is that those maps are in general mechantrop. To much confined spaces, to much cover... tanks or infantry will outperform mechs in such terrain.

So with mechs more open, and a general increased range of 50% to 100% - short range boats will have indeed a real drawback.

A Splashpult with a 300 XL is able to move 20m/s without speed tweak. Actual it can close the gap between the large laser and his SRMs in 10secs...in open run without cover. gives you 2 salvos.
with a range increase - it need 20secs to close that gap. gives you 5 salvos