AWS-8Q "Twister" (2 LPLas, 5 MPLas, AMS, STD300)

5/5,

1 rating

This build is similar to a couple other 8Q builds here on MechSpecs (Blagg Zear's "Yet another WUBSOME!" and Reconius' "Red Lightning") but is built with a specific technique in mind.

All of the best components are shifted away from the left side of this mech, while the left side still has full armor.

The weapons, as inner sphere pulse lasers, have short beam durations and also are chosen to be capable of alphas without ghost heat.

What this means, is that the pilot can fire a quick alpha, twist to present the left side while the weapons cool down, and then twist to fire another alpha, rinse and repeat. The idea is to make the Awesome just a little more survivable by minimizing the time you're presenting that juicy CT to the enemy. With the Awesome's great heat management quirk, this mech can keep firing alphas with some regularity, although, especially before eliting and on hotter maps, the pilot will need to present his left side a bit longer between alphas to let heat dissipate.

I run alpha strike on the 1st weapon group. I have LPLas in chainfire on the 2nd weapon group for slightly longer ranges and when I want to put some more damage downrange without twisting to present my left side. I have MPLas on the 3rd weapon group, but find I rarely use this weapon group.

With short range and an AMS with plenty of ammo, it's not a bad idea to stick with your main group initially to let them benefit from your AMS umbrella and put yourself in a good position to get involved when brawls begin. Also, the short beam duration is great for getting some quick damage in on poptarters and corner-peekers, so sitting just a little bit back from a ridgeline or building corner where you know enemies are gathering will let you deliver damage to any bold enemies, while protecting yourself from longer-ranged enemy mechs.

 

So the Awesome can brawl. Great build! Man this thing is so much more fun as "in your face" rather than stay and snipe.