I was just thinking that a lot of the builds I run now do not have AMS, because of the current state of LRMs. While this is not a big issue if I'm under ECM or near cover (or simply fast enough to get to cover), it can be a problem for my Stalkers and Awesomes. Luckily, right now, even if I do get caught in the open, I rarely get destroyed by LRMs, they're more of an annoyance. But this got me thinking - eventually they plan to make LRMs somewhat stronger again, right? When they can figure out how to do so without making them overpowered, anyway. So at that point, what am I going to have to do to my builds to finangle AMS into them? Options I can see are: 1) Reduce DHS by 1 or 2 (and add/subtract half a ton of armor) to fit AMS on. As long as my DHS are not stored in the engine, this will definitely free up the space for it, but my builds already tend to run hot. 2) Reduce weapons or equipment to get rid of 1-2 tons and round armor up or down as needed. This will work well if BAP is installed, as I get the same tonnage and slots. However, I'm already eschewing pulse lasers from the majority of my builds, meaning I don't really have the tons, unless I take off a weapon or downgrade a ballistic/energy. 3) Reduce engine speed. Since I am optimizing my engine speeds based on maximum weight already, I'd prefer not to do this. 4) Ignore AMS. Using ECM (including staying near teammates with ECM) and making good use of cover could protect me well enough. Have you guys thought about this at all? Or do you figure that enough stuff will change by then that whatever plans you have now will change by that patch?
It really depends on how they tweak the LRMs and ECM. If all they get is a speed boost, then AMS will beat out engine improvements.
I wouldn't think too much into it myself. I find LRMs are in a decent spot as they are. Most people complained about them because they were no longer the Nuke-All they once were. But, taking into consideration that they now deal more spread damage over a 'mech, they seem to fit into a support role much better as they can soften up targets. I'd consider which of your 'mechs would have the most issues with LRMs and maybe either find a way to fit AMS or stay near ECM. I'll be fitting AMS on to all my support role 'mechs simply because AMS is in itself a support system. My lighter, faster 'mechs like my Hunchback and Centurion won't get AMS simply because they will utilize cover as often as possible due to them being Skirmishers anyways. Thus my conclusion is: Lights: Use speed, cover and/or ECM Mediums: Use speed, cover and/or ECM Heavies: Use cover, ECM and/or AMS Assaults: Use cover, ECM and/or AMS --------------------------------- Just thinking of AMS makes me want to get either an AS7-K or STK-5S for the dual-AMS and make it into a solid support 'mech and use it to cloud my allies with sexy AMS cover, lol. Imagine a team that used this tactic, runs 4 dual-AMS 'mechs with support builds (direct and indirect fire support). Would be nice. You'd prolly have a Sniper, LRM support, Brawler and a hybrid. Would be interesting since the'd virtually be immune to LRM at that point. Not only would this make them null LRM in current Meta, but they would still resist LRM should they get a buff. Thoughts?
Yeah some of my own builds will be in trouble. Take my DF for instance. I may have to strip off armor and a MLas or something. Depends on how bad LRMs are. I may just have to always know who my team mates are that have AMS so I can duck under their umbrella.
From what I understand, it doesn't show splash damage. That's why it didn't look as overpowered as it was. You figure an explosion that hits five components for 2.5 damage each should be 12.5 damage, but it was only displaying as 2.5 damage.
Now that lrms dont do much damage I have seen not as many people running ams as before and not as many people running ecm either since the 3l and the 2d dont pack nearly the punch that they used too. So that made me decide to give the nerfed lrms a chance again but not as a dedicated lrm boat. After I got my 2 other highlanders basics unlocked I went back to my heavy metal to get my elites running 2 lrm 15 with artemis, tag, 2 LLs, and a gauss with good success. They arent the powerhouse they used to be but with artemis I notice they stay pretty much center torso with a little splash aroundrand with tag on top more so. Since everyone is poptarting now I keep my target retention module handy and when they pop up I get my lock and it archs above the ridge they are jumping behind and hits them for not the full 20 center torso but still plenty and grind them with the LLs on the way up and a gauss to the chest when they are at the apex while still throwing lrms at them as soon as they cool down. Which normally has me doing the same or more dps than 4 ppcs or 3 and a gauss. And while I run hot having my larges going so on caustic or tourmaline i only use durring emergencies using my 2 lrm 15s making 10 heat as apposed to 1 erppcs 11 I can keep thowing that potential 20 over there 10 for the same heat all day with my gauss to seal the deal. While lrms arent what they used to be but I wouldnt count them out. An lrm 15 slot, tonage, and damage ratio are almost identical to a ppc with the difference being heat and cooldown. A ppc will fire faster with almost a point more dps with all that damage in one spot but even the regular ppc has more than double the hps and the erppc triple. While the damage is instant and on point the lrm can be used to rain down on oppenents behind cover and be able to fire above teammates that pass in front of you while you are taking the shot or when you have to line up in passages like the tunnel in frozen city. They still arent so good for lights over ppcs but like I said before using them as a tool in your toolbox instead of a strict lrm boat packing 60 lrms on a stalker with tag and calling it a day. So I wouldnt say when they get good again cause they are good now especially since nobody seems to be running the counters for them. More than halving their damage hurts but like what I mentioned above they are still on par with the commonly used weapons on the battlefield today with their strengths and weaknesses. Its all about playing to maximize the tools you have to achive victory. Sorry for the book lol just putting in my 2 cents - sh4m3
