May 21st Weapons, ECM, BAP Tweaks and MOAR!

posted it b4 in a different Thread, just found this one, thugth it would fit in here better.. so sry for doubleposting it...

Paul posted a few tidbits related to weapon balancing coming on the 21st:

For reference, the PPC cooldown is currently 3 seconds.


And he posted a short while later:

+JJ Shake on the Way - less for ligth, more for Heavys
+BAP cant counter ECM when ur got ECM installed yourself

 

The PPC change will affect my 6xPPC stalker (which I'm not even running right now anyway) and my 2xPPC trebuchet/1xPPC spider the most. I have the weapon on a few other builds, but not as a primary. This might make me change my 5D build to ER LL + Tag (with more JJ) and make me look at my Trebuchet (but we'll see, because 4.0 CD doesn't affect poptarting, I don't think).

I may be tempted to drop some speed and DHS and go with Michael's build, but we'll see. A poptart sniper moving 106 is pretty fun.

 

I run the ERPPC on my 3M as the main weapon system however since I snipe with it I don't think it will affect me too terribad.

 

Or you could just go LPL on your 3M and use it as a baller brawler.

 

ewww. I'd rather take not firing for an extra second than having to focus fire with a lazor.

 

I'm not happy about the change for my PPC-based K2, however given the damage this thing can do and the other benefits of using a PPC... I cannot say that this change is -unfair-.

I don't see it being a really difficult impact on the 6PPC Stalker - since you auto-shutdown anyway, pretty much. 4PPC Stalker it will have some issues with... But it does also make chain-firing the PPC's a lot more viable. Even moreso if they implement that heat scale!

 

The PPC cooldown is an indirect buff to ballistics weapons, particularly the AC/10 since the range & damage is similar. LPLs a little too (I'm already thinking of swapping my PPC mechs for LLs or LPLs and using BAP for ECM counters instead). It's a lower fire rate but it'll make it harder to overheat when only using one or two.

Thumbs up for the JJ shaking, but I hope it's not a limiting factor for lights or mediums.

Is the BAP+ECM mean that when you have an ECM, you have to switch to counter on yours rather than just sticking a BAP in and keeping it in disrupt mode?

I thought a while back that a geometric heat scaling for multiple weapons of the same type would be a logical addition to help promote builds that utilize a variety of weapons. Good they're thinking along the same lines.

 

Yes, your BAP wont automaticly counter enemy ECM if u got ECM installed urself, means u would have to switch ur ECM to countermode.

 

Does this change mean that with a lot of people running BAP, manual shutdown will be near useless ? I loved to use it to drop focus/lrm one me or hide behind a corner etc.

( First post btw hi there, great forum )

 

Only if they're close enough for BAP to pick you up (120m, I believe).

 

OH. I thought BAP's aptitude to detect shutdown mechs worked at all range.

 

No, it doesn't allows you to lock ECM covered mechs, it counters ECM when you're close.

 

Nope, it increases your range by 25%, does something to missile locks (can't remember what) and within 120m lets you target powered down mechs.

If I understand correctly, the way ECM and BAP will work together is that if you do not have ECM, BAP will counter ECM within radius of 150. If you have ECM without BAP, you can choose to use ECM, or counter one ECM within 180. The question is - will BAP be a one-counter (i.e. if enemy has 2 ECM, you need 2 BAP on your team) or will it counter all ECM in area? We shall see tomorrow, probably.

 

as far as i understand it the BAP benefits for countering ecm only works for the mech who got the BAP installed, not a real countermode like ECM on counter

 

If that is the case, BAP is coming off of some of my mechs and only going onto my scouts, LRM boats, and SSRM mechs.

 

Yep, that was my Plan as well

 

nvm i was wrong:

 

So it still means if you get circled by 2-3 ravens, you're screwed.

 

After playing a few rounds I think that we'll see more builds with AMS.

 

So...LRMs got buffed more than expected (20% faster, 29% more damage from where they were yesterday). I'm interested to see how their new pathing works.

AMS damage buffed...how does this play out for actually defeating missiles? And you are right - I might be trying to fit it back on my mechs in the near future.

How are the other changes?