MechDB: CHP-2N The new kid on the block can do RAC2s as good as the rest. Be advised - the MLs are backup weapons for when the RACs jam or you need burst damage to steal a kill. It is super hot if you use the lasers otherwise. You can easily drop some leg armor or some of the MLs for more ammo. You can also fit an XL265 for the same weight, I just don't have one. Other option is an LFE230, but it's a little bit slow. You should not be brawling with this anyway, so the agility of the XL helps get in and out of facetime. Alternate (LFE230, more ammo, shield side): Spoiler: Alternate
5/5, Who needs the MAD-3R now? This is an excellent use of the ballistic hardpoints and runs the optimal build for a mech that's 15t bigger, just as well if not better.
... I may have to refit my Marauder 3R with a different build now, because this was more or less what I was using on it. Tonnage allowed for a higher engine rating, but it looks like the Champion would still run faster.
Very, very slight improvement: you can fit an XL265 for the same weight of a XL260 Other than that, there is nothing I would change in this build because anything would be a "bad" trade. Well done.
I noticed that the -1NB variant can also pull off this build, but has a velocity bonus quirk. Not sure if that has an effect on Rotary Autocannons, though; I know that the critical hit bonus from Targeting Computers do not apply to Rotaries correctly, so I have no clue if its other bonus to ballistic weapon velocity applies or not.
Velocity quirk affects all weapons that have a velocity stat, so including RACs. Targeting Computer is not a quirk, it's an item that specifically buffs energy weapons and non-LBX autocannons, and I believe it applies to RACs as well.
Possible alt: swap 4xML for 4xERSL, fit a faster XL280 and +3 DHS for better sustained DPS with RACs, so overheating will be harder (48% cooling effieciency without ERSLs) https://mech.nav-alpha.com/#a931a25a_CHP-2N Another possible ALT: XL295 with no head armor and minus half ton of ammo. https://mech.nav-alpha.com/#f96e8be2_CHP-2N Spoiler: 1300+ damage, 7 kills, 6 KMDD, 5 solo kills
Confirming this is a great mech. I'm running an XL295, 3xRAC2s, 4xersmall and 2 DHS on the 1NB chassis and I'm having lots of fun. The velocity bonus means I'm not having to lead moving targets so much which means when I strafe laterally to avoid focussed damage I am remaining very accurate. This coupled with going nearly 80k, really good hardpoint placements, some nice armour quirks and seemingly decent hitboxes is making this rather special!
5/5, I personally hate 3xRAC2 builds for being too cheesy in a 1vs1 (it's almost a permastun if you manage to aim for the cockpit all the time, plus it deals 20 DPS at 500+ meters), but this mech works darn well due to good speed, armor quirks and good profile (whoever you are facing, you appear as a quite small target despite being a 60 tonner). IMHO it's better to downgrade 4xML to 4xERSL and invest those remaining 2 tons in speed to further enhance the "kiting" play-style (see my previous comments and YT gameplay video), but that's ultimately your choice.
Precisely what I did - i just switched variants to get a shell velocity bonus. Very rewarding to play. EDIT: 804 damage with a mech on 8 xp nodes is a noteworthy level of excellence.