It seems no matter what mech I use or weapons I choose I end up selecting an energy alpha strike of exactly 42 damage on my best performing energy mechs. Whether I throw on 7MPL, 6 ML and 2 MPL, 2LPL and 4ML, or 3LL and 3ML, the alpha strike seems to remain the same and the mechs seem to perform well. Maybe PGI just likes Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Either way, I set out to compare the mechs that can bring these loadouts into battle to see who can do it better. Some important acronyms are "HPA" which stands for the amount of heat generated per alpha, "HT" which refers to the maximum heat capacity or "heat threshold" of the mech. All of these stats are calculated after quirks and range modules. Here is the raw data: Thunderbolt 5SS (7mpl) = 42 alpha, 23.8 HPA, HT 76.8, 20DHS, 82.2 KPH, 352m Ranged weapons, Mediocre Hardpoints, STD Engine. Firestarter S (7mpl) 42 Alpha, 22.4 HPA, HT 60, 10 DHS, 136KPH, 250m Ranged weapons, Mediocre Hardpoints, XL Engine. Blackjack 1X (6Ml 2MPL) 42 Alpha, 26.4HPA, HT 73.44, 18DHS, 116.8KPH, 351m ranged ML and 264m ranged MPL , Excellent Hardpoints, XL Engine. Quickdraw 5k (3LL 3ML) 42 Alpha, 27.375HPA, HT 75.12, 19DHS, 96KPH, 364m ranged ML and 506m ranged LL, Mediocre Hardpoints, XL Engine. Quickdraw 5k (2LPL 4ML) 42 Alpha, 24.25HPA, HT 75.12, 19DHS, 96KPH, , 364m ranged ML and 506m ranged LL, Mediocre Hardpoints, XL Engine. Hunchie 4P (2LPL 4ML) 42 Alpha, 27HPA, HT 70.3, 17DHS, 98KPH, 270m ranged ML and 365m ranged LPL, Great Hardpoints, XL Engine. Jester/Firebrand (2LPL 4ML) 42 Alpha, 27 HPA, HT 76.8, 20DHS, 93.2 KPH, 317m ranged ML and 428m ranged LPL, Decent Hardpoints, XL Engine. The builds being compared: Thunderbolt http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=115&l=0adce6f806ace164b7150f48c4867be48226267b Firestarter https://www.mechspecs.com/threads/fs9-s-epys-pocket-thunderbolt-7x-mpl-xl265.8877/ Blackjack https://www.mechspecs.com/threads/bj-1x-death-star-2x-mplas-6x-mlas-xl295.2108/ Quickdraw LL http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=84&l=43f28268175790f16f5078e3a74f1418531cd599 Quickdraw LPL http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=84&l=5a2f9a9d1c1cd3e0ca15a2086349b68456623863 Hunchie https://www.mechspecs.com/threads/hbk-4p-the-peeker-2xlpl-5xml-xl275-16dhs.9413/#post-74951 Jagermech https://www.mechspecs.com/threads/firebrand-really-different-2x-lplas-4x-mlas-xl340.8876/ Jester http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab#i=121&l=ed5a6eef8cac961762239048aea06214be208afd
