Ilya Muromets Chainsaw MKII (3x AC5, 2x MLas, AMS, XL290)

With the recent changes to the UAC5 the Chainsaw build has pretty much become obsolete. As of September 17th, 2013 the UAC5 and the AC5 "have the same cooldown period of 1.5 seconds" (before Fast Fire unlock) but the AC5 weighs one ton less per unit and each ton of ammo has 5 more rounds than the UAC5 ammo.

Because of these changes the Chainsaw needed a make over, in order to optimize the chassis for this style of build, thus the Mark II was born.

Essentially this mech is....

Faster: 73.8 kph (versus 71.3 kph)
Cooler: 56% Smurfy Rating (versus 49% Smurfy Rating)
More Damage: 7.00 DPS (versus 6.12)
More Ammo: 270 rnds (versus 220)

 

If you're going to run a 3xAC5 build I think the build to use is TruePoindexter's "Unnamed". You really don't need 9 tons of ammo. 6-7 tons should be plenty.

 

Thanks for the advice however after testing I still prefer this setup for my play style.

I applaud Poindexters creativity when he posted the build but I actually prefer the 9 tons of ammo. I don't just shoot at mechs; in a match sometimes I use macro'd AC5s for suppression (think Alpine Peaks, people cresting the ridge? Bounce shots off the ground in front of them and slow their advance).

Not every round is for hitting the enemy.

 

I run 7 tons of ammo on my 3xAC5+2LL build, and I will generally run out before the end of a match. This build is much faster than mine, so would likely have much better access to targets, necessitating more ammo, and with only 2MLs as backups on this build, you would probably want at least 8 tons of AC5 ammo to ensure you have the firepower to last you the entire match. I would say either swap 1 ton for a third ML, or keep the 9 tons, whatever playstyle suits you better.

 

What is the point of using a macro with the AC/5? With its 1.5s cooldown, chainfire of 3 of them should allow a perfect rotation of fire (0.5 delay between weapon), no?

I currently run this setup, but I try to avoid close range encounter :


I mainly use grouped fire of AC/5 and ER-PPC, going to chainfire only if enemies come too close.

 

ArkNemesis, you are forgetting about the Fast Fire unlock, which will allow you to fire the AC5s at a 1.35 sec cooldown, or 0.45 sec chainfire. In testing, Michael found that 0.46 sec works better than 0.45 sec.

 

1.35 seconds = 1350ms for a full cycle yes?
Divide that by 3 should be 450ms in between each shot?

Today I was able to go as low as 440ms in a live match with the original Chainsaw (UAC5s) and had zero jams. With the AC5 I was able to go as low as 430ms with zero "stalls".

I don't know if ping or packet loss has anything to do with the difference between 460ms and 440ms or not. That might explain some of the discrepancy in my testing of the same equipment at different delays with the same "No Jam" result. Maybe it is a sync issue? I don't know but it drives me nuts because I can't lock down a solid number.

I'm about to swap out to AC5s on my Ilya and try it in a live match as well to see if there are changes there too.

Ok now for the AC5 testing.

UPDATE #1: In a live match I was able to get the AC5 to 430ms which is only 1290ms or 1.29 seconds instead of 1.35.

UPDATE #2: I just tested this again in a second live match and still 430ms

If I went to 420ms I would get a "stall" where the macro tries to activate the weapon before its cooldown is complete and so skips over it to the next one. With 430 seconds I did not have that issue at all.

 

Hi guys, just signed up to comment on this loadout! (and maybe a few others while I'm here...)

As a fan of simple, two-button setups (chain AC5 & dual ML, in this case), this build really appealed to me--enough to result in my first hero 'mech purchase! While the OP is clearly the superior build, I thought I'd throw in my closer-to-stock variant for those who want to get used to the loadout but might be strapped for C-bills and don't have a garage full of spare parts yet. Total cost to fit this one out (after the premium purchase, of course) was just under $2M:

ILYA MUROMETS

While this one is a bit slower, hotter, and lighter on ammo, I think it captures the flavor at a fraction of the cost. Now to use my new-found hero bonus to start saving up for the real thing...

 

Welcome to the Ilya.

PGI should be paying Mech Specs a commission on all the hero mechs that get sold cause of this site. For realzies!

 

Here my personal version with STD engine

 

To me, the Chainsaw (3*UAC) build was always about max upfront DPS. Sure UACs jam, but they start out unjammed. This is just another sustained DPS ballistic boat.

This is no longer the case.

 

I wish!!! IGP and PGI pay me squat. Now that the server and scripts and everything for MS is paid for I can start using the Google Adsense, [glow=red,2,300]assuming folks actually click on banners[/glow], and outright donations, to generate a little Christmas Money but in terms of reciprocal love from PGI? Negative.

 

PGI doesn't know what they've got with this community.
If it wasn't for MechSpecs I may have given up on the game, but just the tweeking and testing of builds to find that niche' that works for me keeps me playing. You can't really talk about the game on their forum.... at least not, and get anything perceptive back. Plus, and I think I'm not alone in this, MechSpecs feels like home... that place you come back too after mucking about for a bit or two.

 

A better and more coherent home than any of the bullshit you'd get on the official site at least.

Even if it is run by scurvy A.C.E.S or 228th, whatever the hell you guys are

 

U.M.A.D.

We left ACES with several other members, after "creative differences", to form United Mechanized Assault Division (U.M.A.D)

 

I just put this build into my Illy and dropped into manifold last night. I'm running a 280XL in it, because I don't want to drop the cash on a shiny new 290, but I pulled 5 kills and 1000+ damage in it... wish I would have saved a screenshot, but I was too busy reading all the "That's Bullshit!" comments directed at me after the match was over.... Great build.... especially after you tweek the chainfire a bit with macro.

 

Newbie question:
What is the point in chaining the AC's - besides that u have more supressing fire?
The heat is more or less negligible even if u fire them all at once and u have more pinpoint damage (more or less, depending on the range you are shooting from)...
I started with chainfiring my AC's, but then i got cored pretty fast and while doing the twist i had the impression that my DPS is lower.
Any good hints out there?

 

Chainfiring 3 AC5s keeps a constant cockpit shake on the enemy you're targeting so they have a harder time returning fire. There is also something just great feeling about a constant stream of damage.

 

In addition to what was said above it can also provide a fraction of a difference in cooling when you can shoot, pause, shoot, pause etc. Those hot maps can be a problem sometimes. It also helps with shot discipline and ranging your target.