Hi All I've just discovered MWO after being a massive MW4 fan, and I'm loving it so far and appreciate the fact it's still beta (ie, the polish hasn't been applied yet). For the last week I've been lurking around here looking through some builds for my first mech to master, so my question, which energy weapon for the longer ranges? Each weapon has very similar weights, so that really isnt a factor. ERPPC - No minimum range, extra heat generation, instant damage PPC - Minimum range?! instant damage LLas - Cheaper, lower range, 1 second duration, lower heat than the PPC ERLLas - More range for same damage above, at the cost of more heat I'm looking to complement Ultra AC5s, etc. PS: Victor or Cata for UAC5s + PPCs?
Welcome to the forums... You've already sort of answered your first question... ERPPC for maximum range if you are a super sniper or only running one of them PPC if you are running 2 (or more?!?!) than one PPC based weapon to keep the heat down ERLLas if you can maintain pinpoint accuracy at long ranges LLas if you just wanna medium / long range beam based weapon but remember Time on Target with these I didn't like the Victors but I only scratched the surface on one of them so may revisit them another time. I am LOVING my Cataphract 3D right now but I'm silly like that.
http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/ just as evidence. oh, and Welcome to Mechspecs, I hope you enjoy your stay.
Sorry, I guess I should have elaborated... How limiting do you find the minimum range of the PPC? How effective do you find keeping the ERLLas on target for a full second at range? I also struggled early in my first few matches vs the lights circling me at close range, would either of these energy weapons help more? Great site!
90m can be a bit of a PITA when you are engaged in a brawl. I use the PPC on Snipers only as the minimum range can sometimes cause problems; especially in PUG matches where every n00b and his brother wanna face hug you. ERLLas are fine weapons but you really have to have a steady hand and utilize your zoom or just have preternatural aiming ability. Energy weapons help but pinpoint high alpha with a steady hand help more cause you can blow their legs off. Slow them down and they become less of a threat while you deal with them.
ER PPC great weapons but very hotmore than one becomes very difficult on Terra Therma Map. However on builds that have high cooling efficiency I prefer ER PPC's for pug matches. I also prefer ER PPC's for very dedicated snipers but wouldn't use more than 2. PPC's are an excellent weapon and a staple of many of my assault builds. The minimum range is no problem when dropping with a group and therefore all our merc unit official builds for 8 man drop decks use PPC's primarily as you will be supported and it is the DC's job to get you into range. Currently best bang for buck on energy weapons imo as the damage is all pinpoint allowing easy targeting of specific locations. Any more than 3 though with the new heat stacking is not really viable. LLas another excellent weapon and frequently found in many of the assault builds I use. Any more than 3 becomes hot with the new heat stacking unless you stagger your weapons but I think there would be better choices at that point. 2 x LLas is great 3 will start to really hurt at greater ranges. Doesn't have the pinpoint damage though and is not great on jump snipers. ER LLas at the moment because it is a DoT weapon the damage is too spread out at the greater ranges and with the increased heat I don't find them worth it. Currently none of my builds use an ER LLas. Cataphract is currently the better chassis of the two it is more flexible I think and if you like UAC's consider getting an Ilya Muromets which can run 3 of them see Michaels ride along video in the video's section under chainsaw build. There are many great Cataphract builds in this forum. The Victor is a good mech however, because there are no weight limits in game it is out classed by the Highlander in my opinion and will struggle to go toe to toe with a Stalker and a good Atlas pilot will rip it apart. All my Victor builds use a combination of PPC's Gauss LLas and SRM's. XL engines are recommended as is AMS and I prefer to operate from the second line providing mid range direct fire.
ER PPCs: Sniper weapon and also doable in brawls for snapshots, if HSR allows your hit to register. Heat can be an issue. PPCs: Still a sniper weapon but more economical, with the lower heat buildup you may be able to squeeze another MLas or so in to use during those
Personally, I run LLas over PPCs on every mech I own with one exception - the Awesome. I do not find the 1 second duration to be nearly as limiting as a 4 second cool-down or minimum range. The heat on ERPPCs really limit them to be used as sniper weapons and build heat much too quickly in a close brawl for my personal preference in play-style. They are great to use for a pilot who loves the sniper/counter-sniper style and can be a devastating weapon. Just not my bag. I prefer the cooler weapons that can be used more easily against fast, close opponents. I run my Victors with 2xAC/5, 2xLLas & SRMs. Incredibly deadly weapon combo. Just got my first 1000+ damage round. I was very excite.
Most people forget one thing, hit rate. If everyone has perfect aim ER-PPCs are most definitely the best, but there hit rate compared to ERLL and LL means on average they do less damage. Yes thats because you fire them at a further range, but most matches are not sniper matches and assuming you want two that means a heavy mech. Check your stats and see how good your strike rate is, For me Gauss, ERPPC and PPC were c 50% maybe 60% now, ERLL at 75% and LL at 85%. Think about that and how you play the game not the base weapon stats. If your a good sniper ER-PPCs and Gauss are great, else i thikn Lasers are better for you.
Grimarch, I think you are too focussed on the Accuracy itself. There are a lot of variables that make a weapon better or worse, not just the aim stat. Heat buildup, hardpoint usage, burst damage, range, synergy with other weapons as well as hardpoint positioning.
Those numbers more reflect the current state of HSR then actual skill (granted, some are pure misses). Ballistics (which PPC is counted as) suffer a lot from that. So does SRM. Lasers are more consistent due to their damage over time. Edit: There are, like Tsume says, more factors but HSR is the big one.
I start with the Large Laser because it's light and fairly heat efficient. If I need a dedicated sniper weapon, I look to the PPC. If I have the spare heat, I go for the ER PPC (no min-range). If I need a swatter weapon, I go for the Large Pulse Laser. Once again, I'll upgrade to the ER PPC if I can spare the heat. If I'm pairing with other lasers, I'll pretty much always go for the Large Laser. If I'm pairing with ballistics, I go with the PPC. If I'm not going to be firing any weapons with it, I'll go with the ER PPC. I stay away from the ER Large. The beam duration is just too long for it to be effective at its max range.
Sorry but in a way accuracy and the damage you do with a weapon in any given game is a core stat. Having an uberweapon which causes huge damage is useless if it only gets used every other game. Looking at your damage per match and thus its accuracy is key to understanding a good build. True game play and tactics heavily influence those stats, so some people get much more from SRM's than others, some people like LRM's etc. But when it comes down to it (and actually i care little and rather just have a fun game even if i die) its down to how useful your weapons are. How useful a weapon is thankfully very complicated and thus its not as simple as WoT mechanics, the main reason for playing this game! the spread of weapons varies per map, spread of tonnage in mechs, but probably most importantly on tactics. Acuuarcy is important but i think other posts its the ability and spread over the whole match, have an AC 20 is great, having only 7 shots is silly! Its all about balance and playing to your weapon strengths.
