unfortunately, If your AC20 Goes down, your SOL. If you have an SRM6, you at least have some FP left.
I just ran this build in my second match with the Boar's Head. 1033 damage. First of my mechs to break 1K! I suppose I have to give it five stars for that!
So I changed from my 6LL build to this build and I havent looked back. This thing has speed with the speed tweak to get into the fight fast, and you rarely have to worry about heat. I always alpha with 6ML and never have an issues, save on Terra Therma. But an Alpha with 6ML + AC20 at short range is brutal. You also have staying power.
The build above is what I'm typically running, and I think it's the strongest build that I can find for this mech. It's cool enough to consistently use the MLs, and I've found that even when I lose the AC/20 (about 5-10% of the time), I can still be pretty effective spamming the lasers.
So what are the pros and cons of using this build over, say, the Elephant Hunter build with AC/20, 2xLLas, and 4xMLas?
I would prefer the elephant hunter builds a bit more (although mine definitely have AMS). Firepower is important, and the 2x LLas allows for long range engagement also. But this one does seem to run cooler, and can perform a bit cooler at close range. Still waiting for discount on this mech, cause of high MC cost.
I prefer the 2 LLas and 4 MLas for flexibility. Doesn't run too hot as well. Also, in terms of sheer alpha, the Elephant Hunter does have a small advantage. I'll take what I can get. Any heat management issues that come with it are pretty solved by just not firing the Large lasers; Do remember they have a better Heat : Damage Ratio than mediums, so you might be doing the same damage in the long run anyhoo.
