Worth of the Autocannon 2

So just the other day I got into a bit of a fuss with someone over the worth of a AC2 in this game. He said that because the AC2 can fire at long range it should be considered a sniper weapon, and in that category it is a very inefficient and useless weapon. After all you can't jump snipe for good damage with a AC2 like you can with a PPC or a Gauss Rifle, and it weighs as much as a PPC if it has one ton of ammo.

If one was to look at the damage over time however, it shows that the AC2 has better DPS per ton than any other autocannon in the game. For 6 tons, you get the same damage per second that you would from a AC10, which is twice the tonnage. The only serious drawback I see is that while its efficient in terms of DPS/ton, it is very inefficient in terms of damage/heat.

Autocannon 20 does 20 damage for 6 heat
Autocannon 10 does 10 damage for 3 heat
Autocannon 5 does 5 damage for 1 heat
Autocannon 2 does 2 damage for 1 heat

to deal AC10 damage with a AC2, you take 5 heat instead of 3. to do AC5 damage, you take 3 heat instead of 1, to deal AC20 damage, you take 10 heat instead of 6. This is made up for with a very efficient tonnage, which allows for DHS, but the damage isn't done in big bursts like the other autocannons.

I just want a straight answer from the community. Do you consider the AC2 a useful weapon, or a weapon that should never be used?

 

I've used the AC2 on one of my Centurion builds before when I was grinding through the chassis. While I didn't keep that Centurion (mechbay slots are at a premium you know) it was great for helping me get the max XP every round that I could reach out and touch as many enemy as possible (50 XP for each kill assist adds up). Hell I have even managed to steal a kill or two at extreme range with the AC2.

As a primary offensive weapon system (by itself) I would say no; there are other better systems out there for sniping. If you want to use it as part of a Quad AC2 or even a Six AC2 (do guys still even run this anymore?) build then cool but as your main sniping / damage dealing / legit competitive long range sniper weapon? No.

 

I would not classify any weapon as "never be used". The AC2 is certainly a niche weapon - the range is less important characteristic, for me, than the rate of fire and cockpit shake it generates. It's not a sniping weapon in my mind. I agree with Michael in that it works best in a multi-AC2 battery, but I found the ERLL much better for farming kill assists (you can drag the beam over distant targets for an easy hit).

 

As far as I'm concerned:
- AC/2 = yeah!
- multiple AC/2 = fuck yeah!

But it's definitely not a snipe weapon. It's a weapon that can engage at all range, with small damage drop at very long range and high dps/ton.
Like Vergere I love it as primary weapon, especially on fast support mechs like the CN9-D (with 2 ACs) and the DRG-5N (with 3 ACs).
Don't know if it's competitive or not and I don't care. The only thing I know is that is way funnier than the PPC.

 

Personally, I have more damage per match played with AC/2s than all other ballistic excluding AC/20. They are an incredible weapon. The range, the projectile speed, the firing rate. Not to mention, when some big lug is fapping around with his AC/20, he'll fire off a salvo and tear someone's CT open - In the time it takes him to reload, I have time to commonly steal the kill with dual AC/2s and backup weapons. They are just a little brass monster. I love 'em. Not to mention the screen shake/blind they cause.

I run them in everything from Spiders to Victors. My personal favorite right now is a BJ-1 with 4JJ, Max engine, 2x AC2 and 2x ML. It's a little wrecking ball.

 

Vergere's proof positive (since he doesn't seem to want to post it here)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mShCg4AkH18

AC/2s are certainly viable as main weapons.

 

The Quad AC2 Jager is a great Mech... especially now with 12 v 12 having a few clumped up targets... you get quite a few "molests" in and get your kill assists this way...

I consider it more of a support weapon than a damage weapon. You supress, you harass, you can reach out from afar.

This weapon is amazing in a group set-up when you want to cause irritation and distractions, as no one will ignore that onslaught, even with little damage per impact.

 

Another video, not as funky as Vergere's, but better at demonstrating the power of the gun. Captured this morning on a Dragon with 3 AC/2s (close to this one).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUP1I0tEOZg

You'll all agree it's not an impressive performance of any kind, but I still deal 750dmg (almost all from ACs, since my laser was destroyed right away), easily top-scoring. Not a lot of kills but it's our daily bread, there's always an alpha guy to steal it from you (no need to be mad at him).

 

Basically, the bigger and slower the target, the more that AC/2s work on it. When you're cranking out 12, 16 or 20 damage a second you can drill your way through even the biggest 'mechs in no time.

However, good luck trying to kill a light with a 3~5 AC/2 build.