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

BAP is best described as ECM permanently stuck in counter mode now. It will be very popular on mechs that use streaks, but lack access to ECM. Expect to see X-5s and JR7-Ds using it. It does not stack with ECM in any useful way and ECM+BAP will be a waste of weight/slots.

ECM got nerfed, but probably ended up buffed overall. With stronger LRMs ECM is way more important.

Buffed LRMs are going to massacre noobs. Especially when used with spotters. The higher arc means they navigate hills better. The popular noob strategy of hide behind the hill and wait just got even worse.

MG actually does a bit of damage now. It is still pretty bad, but it actually does damage.

 

Arg, can't wait to play this patch. Why must they put out good patches during my busy work season?!

 

With how many people use the alpha-til-you-overheat option, BAP will enable you to target powered-down mechs; very useful with SSRMs. In fact, my COM-2D will be using BAP instead of ECM for that reason.

 

Oh Boy LRM are SOOO much better now - they feel like a real Weapon now...

Its not "Incoming Missile" -> "oh well, ill just gonna go besides the nearest large rock and wont get hit at all" anymore, moar speed (yay!) - moar dmg (welcome but not needed) - better fligthpath (HELL YEAH!) great great change overall.

Would love to had BAP Sensors just work through ECM instead of a cheap counte but anyway, nice1!

 

Honestly I think working through all ECM instead of countering 1 would be better, but yeah I think they at least did something to curb ECM.

I may have to look at AMS, though, which means some of my builds may get tamer...

 

I'm enjoying the LRM buff atm. I was one of the leading people posturing for a buff to them, and so far I'm not disappointed. I'm not sure its at that middle ground where it is effective without being OP, but I'll continue to use them (and get owned by them) and we'll see how it turns out.

 

Too soon to speak about the BJ and the LRM buff, but I absolutely love the new module (seismic thingy).

 

yeah, cheatmode is awesome...
Of course, with how PGI has set out to destroy lights, seismic makes for an amazing scout tool - no reason to go around that corner or over that hill; you already know what's going to be there. Also, it's just awesome to see a light round a corner and you don't even have to guess if they'll continue around the next corner of if they'll cut back on you - you're able to tell with a quick glance and welcome them with an erppc bolt.

 

It goes the other way as well, so that light mech pilot can see that the Double-AC20 Jager isnt't stupidly trying to follow around a corner but pulls a 180 because he expects the light mech to double back, and give him a good stuffing with the fox double as soon as the light comes into sight. Btw: Anyone playing in a slow mech knows that lights *always* try to come back unless they are spilling parts, so there's not much of a surprise ^^

 

I have fit AMS onto everything except 2 of my Commandos and my ER PPC Spider 5D. Some cases it was removing BAP if I didn't have LRMs/SSRMs, in others it was fiddling around with ammo, BAP, DHS, or engine speed above the minimum optimal range (if that makes sense). My 50 ton mechs took it hardest. I had to drop my Trebuchet PPC and LRM "boats" down to a 280 (slower than I'd like) and completely rebuild my Centurion CN9-D; now it nearly mirrors my Dragon 1N (and I'm thinking about maybe redoing my 1N and 1C builds again).

The PPC nerf has, if anything, made PPCs easier to use. The burst DPS is lower, but sustained DPS is the same, and slower ROF means easier heat control and people are more likely to take time to aim. One of my unit members took the PPC off his Spider because it was "too hard to use", but my 2xERPPC poptart Trebuchet topped damage in the one match I tested it in last night (come to think of it, so did my 2 LRM boats, and my CN9-D build topped kills/assists). Because of the easier heat management, I'm tempted to take off a DHS or two to compensate for AMS and put the 300 XL back in my poptart.

I find the BAP change to be...well, about right. ECM gives you Disrupt and Counter. BAP gives you sensor range, targeting information, counter, and the ability to hit powered down mechs. Arguably, on a SSRM-heavy build, BAP is better, but now at least everyone can get the counter portion of ECM. ECM+BAP is just as useful as it was before patch, although I'll take ECM+AMS first.

Haven't played with MGs yet, going to get myself a Spider 5K when I can save up the funds. Overall, liking this patch, except my Mediums are finding it hard to fit everything.