LO-ng R-ange M-issiles A-tlas!!! Again a LRM.Build for the AS7-D-DC!? Arrgh. Well, I have seen a new "LRM Boat" build today and it's quite suboptimal due to LRM20+LRM15 (three Volleys: 16 + 16 + 3), and having relatively low Direct Firepower for a Atlas. I did something similar in the past as some still remember, but was not impressive due to low Direct Firepower - Atlas should have Brawling Power is the common Rule. Almost all smart dudes would go for aggressive Direct Combat Brawling builds, and only some few fools like to try a Missile.Boat approach (including myself in the past ). The Problem what many Missile.Boat builders forget about the AS7-D-DC are the limited Tubesizes of the Missile Bays - 1x10 + 2x6. You need to fit the Bays with Pods well, to have few Missile Volleys or else your last Missiles will be eaten up by AMS or just do too little damage, what is not justifying to use the tons for the "larger" Pods, but for something more viable like better secondary Weapons. Now after several Experiments I want to show you a more balanced build including Missiles without neglecting the main purpose of the Atlas - Brawling at the Front. What have i come up to? - I simply mixed both the BFG.Concept & LRM.Concept together and so have respectable Firepower at all Ranges with a good balance at all important stats for the AS7-D-DC. AC20 + Double LLas is also very powerful for Long Range Engagement, but you need visual contact. LRMs can shoot over hills. Why not? The features: - Armor @ 560 is not superhigh, but you have Full Armor at Torso and decent values at Arms & Legs - Decent Missile Firepower @ LRM30 in two Volleys: 16 + 14 (No Artemis needed for relatively "small" Volleys), BAP - Decent Direct Firepower @ Pinpoint 30 with AC20 + 2x MLas (peel off Armor with LRMs above 180m and then finish off with your Direct Weapons) - Enough Ammo: 1K+ Missiles to fire away plus 28 BFG.Bullets - Fair Speed for an Atlas via STD325 Afterthought: An even stronger LRM.Concept would be to fit 1x LRM20 + 2x LRM10 with two Volleys of 10+6+6 (22) + 10+4+4 (18), but this would force you to drop too much of the Direct Firepower, which leads to a Full Missile-boat, and for that purpose you find better Mechs in this Weight-Class like the Awesome, Stalker or the Battlemaster. Enjoy testing this build & would glad to have some feedback. Blagg
In all seriousness, I can get behind one big LRM launcher on an Atlas D-DC, and the ED Mk V proved to be pretty efficient in using it early in the game, during mid range fights or for finishing off opponents backing away. More than 1 LRM and the mech becomes a different animal, and not one your teammates are happy to see (as alreafy mentioned in the other new thread). As much as I usually like and agree with your builds, I refuse to even test this one.
Yeah sure, your build is more powerful at Direct Close Combat and very close to the classic AC20+MLas+SRMs build with a bit Range Ability. I think it's just a Question of personal taste for using some SRMS for a stronger Close Range Punch or a bit more Indirect Firepower to peel off Armor from safer Distance. I'm ok with your decision not to test it.
