I created this thing out of a strange mood after a rough day with a nasty working shedule yesterday. I wanted a bad ass Dragon Slayer with a flexible loadout, strong punch at long ranges, but which isn't helpless in a dog fight. Fu*king Gauss? Are you kidding me? I started with double AC5s, but quickly found the amount of ammo needed limiting my remaining weight and space for other weapons. Additionally, double AC5s are rather DPS oriented, but I wanted more of a 'strike and move' style... and so I went for the Gauss Rifle, weighing the same as double AC5s, but requiring just half as much ammo. Many people developed a deep dislike for the revamped GR, especially when using it in short range fights, but also because of the difficult timing required for jump sniping with it. It requires a lot of devotion and concentration now, but it can be done. You need to be without bias and you need to practice. A lot of both. I'd say this build won't work for you if you didn't master the 'new' GR, simply as that. Remaining loadout The remaining loadout is pretty self explanatory. ERLL and GR got nearly the same maximum range and are a fantastic team for shooting targets far away. The torso mounted PPC can join in when reaching 500m or less and is the perfect weapon for quick shots and twisting away. The SSRMs supplement this play style and are completing the armament nicely. BAP both supports long-range sniping as well as the SSRMs. Highlights + strong punch regardless of range + mobile and fast like a heavy mech + high cooling efficiency + Dragon Slayer's stock engine - requires good control of the Gauss Rifle - Gauss ammo might be a bit limited. Exchange a DHS?
This is a very potent variant skipping the Gauss Rifle. AC10 + PPC for poptarting, AC10 + LL (sharing the same range) for close-in fights and the SSRMs completing the package. Very flexible build and very fun to pilot.
Here's another variant of the original build. This is what I am currently running and loving in my DS. It looks hot on paper and indeed this can get you to overheat shutdown quickly, especially on the hot maps, but the flexibility of the build is great. At 73.5 you're pretty fast for an Assault anyway, so use that advantage. When moving that PPC is seldom used because you have to aim with your torso, so heat isn't that much of a problem. When standing still and sniping you probaly won't use the SSRMs beause of range issues. And finally, when poptarting you probably won't fire the LLas.
