I see a lot of Builds here with multiple SRM Launchers (especially with the biggest 6'version), but often without Artemis. So I want to ask you if you usually add the Artemis Upgrade to tighten the Spread or save the weight for other goodies? Afaik Clan SRM6 have a wider spread than IS SRM6, making them only effective in a very close range (let's say <90m). So usually i try to get Artemis if i want to load the biggest Launcher and having them effective at range beyond 90m. Although, if having 4 SRM6 Launchers, that would use up 4 tons, which could be used on bigger engine, more Ammo, Armor or maybe Heatsinks.. What is your experience so far? Artemis necessary on SRMs or save the cash/weight?
it all like you said, come down to play style practically with the mech provided and have a style you already have in mind even before you build it say a certain chassis, i had already have in mind that i want to face plant folks and fight within 100 meters, ill place artemis but if other weapons are to be considered such as ac20 and in order to save weight and space, knowing that im gonna be fighting all within less than 100 meter, ill prolly not gonna use the artemis its comes down to your play style are you a ninja? if you're a ninja and able to creep up to the point its point blank, artemis isnt all that. but if you are going to be in the front line knowing that focusing is important in certain engagement, Artemis will be a game changer with higher chance on focus. say im an slowass Atlas S, my main loadout will be ac20+srm24, i will bring my Artemis with me knowing that i want to focus on certain part of the enemy mechs before it can bring me down during a prolonged brawling engagement. i want my damage to be able to focus on the enemy mechs right torso. say im a bushwacker, due to my weight, i would prolly go without artemis and then rely my speed to save my life. and then just throw whatever, as long as it hits something. now say im a timblewolf, due to the pod space that i have, knowing that i will tend to flank alone or with the lance , knowingly that i will gonna go ninja mode to the point where i can literally stand behind a mech without him knowing it, i would prolly not going to bring artemis. but if im a timblewolf knowing that i will be in a front line duel or a zellbringer knowing that i dont have the advantage of the element of surprise, i will have my artemis. yes i did ninja mode taking down a full lance while they are distracted using srms with no artemis. i need the speed and the ammo and the armor to stay alive knowingly that i am going to be alone or with a partner.
In an SRM mech, I like a tight spread. I will gladly forego secondary weapons in order to allow better single pannel damage. I will lower SRM-launcher size in order to be able to fit Artemis. That is how much I depend on the system. I will only forego installing it in cases where SRMs are not my primary weapon or in cases where its use results in a detrimental ammo, heat or engine choice. Even if you only fight CQC, your first volley will be at range. And you will want as much focused damage done at that point to facilitate the brawl. My 2xC-bills.
If I am in a light or medium, I usually like non-artemis 6s. I'll use my speed to get close and then blast them. Or if I'm boating, I'll go for 4s, because they're more efficient and about as tight a pack as 6+A. In a heavy or assault, I'll either go for 4s or 6+As, with a few exceptions.
It's not really necessary for SRM2s or SRM4s. It's mostly useful on 6s. I mainly base it on available tonnage and number of slots. For example, my Hunchback 4SP I use 6s on, because it only has 2 hardpoints. I'd want Artemis, but I'd either need to slow down, drop ammo, or drop energy slots for it. On the other hand I have 2 Atlas 7-S, one with 4xSRM4, 4xML, and an AC20, and the other with 4xSRM6+A and an AC20. The second one has no energy weapons, but it has a higher missile yield. I've found most builds that I have SRM6+A I can drop to SRM4s and kill just as fast, with more salvos per ton of ammo, and either more support weapons, better heat efficiency, more speed, etc.
It usually comes down to (1.) if I got the internal space to fit in the artemis. (2.) do I have enough ammo?
I want to come back to this thread to update everyone on my field testing. Apparently I am a noob. Wow, I had no idea. I was always getting killed by srm+artemis players, and I figured I'd try running srm+artemis and do some testing. srm(6) without artemis is like a shotgun spray, which doesn't hit what you're aiming at yet adds heat. srm+artemis, regardless of whether it's 2,4, or 6 have much much less spread, and also sort of home in on targets, kinda. (this means better pinpoint alpha strikes) Conclusion: srm+artemis is really good, a lot better than regular srm, and you should use it. Don't be fooled like I was into using srm6 without artemis for the extra tonnage.
To an extent it depends on the mech and its hard point locations. I have some with very tightly packed launchers where I don't bother and some lights where you just can't - e.g. the JVN is an incredibly effective mech without Artemis. The rest are usually Artemis for me.
I generally only use Artemis on SRM6 launchers. Mechs that are dedicated SRM boats are brawlers, and need all the advantages they can get. However, I think the velocity and spread nodes on the firearms skill tree just may be good enough that you can forego Artemis. Needs more experimentation.
SRM6 always artemis, and recently the spread nodes as well. SRM4s only the spread nodes because the Artemis is less necessary and adds 100% slots and 50% tonnage vs 50% slots and 33% tonnage. I don't play with SRM2s unless in a trolly locust There are only 2 mechs with SRM6 without artemis in my garage. The CDA-X5, just so it isn't doing the same as a JR7-D, and the HBK-4SP which has innate SRM spread quirks and a 100% slot-efficient build with them.
6x SRM2 Javelin probably is the best of the bunch. But that's a special case. Other than that: what @Excalibaard said.
