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Karagin
Imperial Karagin Army
Imperial General
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 4120
Location: United States
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 Posted: 23-Apr-2005 00:44 Post subject: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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Okay here is a topic that we can really sink our teeth into:
Of the two direct fire ammo feed class guns, ie the Gauss rifle and it's variants and the ACs and it's variants, which would you go with and why?
Also which has the most advantages thus given you more cause to pick it over the other guns?
Let's here what you folks have to say on this.
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Karagin
Only the dead have seen the end of war. - Plato
"Wasted trip Man. Nobody said nuthin' about lockin' horns with no tigers." Oddball
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Nightmare
Lyran Alliance
Kommandant-General
Joined: 03-May-2002 00:00
Posts: 2214
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 02:20 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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In 3050+ I usually pick the Gauss if I have to kill people dead. The damage versus heat is just too good to be true.
If I can't get a Gauss the LB-10X is next. Half standard, half cluster, I'm set for killing anything that wanders across my targeting screen.
In level 1 play I prefer AC/10s and AC/20s for some reason. The 10 has reasonable range and damage while the 20 kills anything with a few applications. How can you go wrong with them?
That's only my opinions on what mechs to bring for a fight, of course. I've designed machines with other weapons, it's just that the ones I singled out above are most efficient IMO.
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 02:25 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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ACs for their versatility. Even if they lack range, or damage of gauss rifle.
LB -X guns can use two ammo types (one to make holes and one to hit holes  ).
Standard AC can fire even more special munitions under level 3 rules.
Ultra ACs (10 or 20) or RAC 5 do heavy damage on short range.
Lighter guns are good for harassing enemy.
This topic should be poll.
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Warhammer: 3025
Freelance
Captain, AFFC (Ret.)
Joined: 29-Jan-2005 00:00
Posts: 1856
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 02:30 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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I try to avoid Gauss rifles for the most part. 8 shots/ton just doesn't seem very efficient (probably the Mechwarrior 3 player in me talking). I much prefer AC/10s to any other Autocannon, although I have no real aversion to any of them (except the AC/2. Ick). I'll use an LB-X autocannon if they're available, but I'll probably be dead before I willingly mount an ultra. RACs are also good fun, but the mass amounts of ammo you need to keep them firing make them somewhat problematic.
Overall, the AC/10, LB-10X and LB-5X are my favorites, and the ones I'll mount most often.
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Seraph
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Major
Joined: 11-Mar-2004 00:00
Posts: 1744
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 07:27 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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I prefer the family of autocannons to the gauss rifles. And I use the plural form of guass rifles only because you did. I have only used the heavy gauss once and I won't ever again unless forced at gunpoint. The light is odd to say the least but usable. The root of the family I've used many times but seemingly have little luck with it. As soon as my target numbers reach under 7 I can't hit the broad side of a parked dropship. Main benefit besides the damage to heat ratio is the fact that I can mount as much ammo as I can carry and only have to worry about 20 points of damage from an explosion.
The autocannons have 4 root varieties and then branch out to encompase even more. You have AC's, UAC's, LB-X AC's, RAC's, HV AC's, caseless round AC's, etc... PLus the aforementioned specialty ammos. What's not to like? Of course there's more worry about the ammo explosions than GR's but still, I can mount AC/2's that only take up one crit and have great ranges. As the damage increases the range drops, the heat goes up, and the ammo/ ton goes down. That's balance.
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Oafman
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 18-Nov-2003 00:00
Posts: 1657
Location: United States
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 08:47 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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When I played in college I used to love the Gauss, but now that I am getting back in after a 4 year hiatis I have been leaning more towards the old school ACs. My Atlas variant sticks with the AC20 and even adds 2 extra UAC5s. For sheer damage potential there is nothing better than the AC20.
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cain
Blighted Sun Battalion
1st Company
"Ralgith's Renegades"
Lieutenant
Joined: 10-May-2004 00:00
Posts: 329
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 10:57 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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could someone please explain case less ACs to me please.
As for the thread i will use any of the above frequently except for Hv Gauss as its to damn big the ac5 and 2 are in my opinion underrated as thy are particularly useful with the new ammo variants i also love UAC 10s for the damage to weight potential as but if i have the space i will always use the standard Gauss rifle the psychological effect is as good as the actual slug sometimes
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McBride
Draconis Combine
Shujin
Joined: 06-Nov-2004 00:00
Posts: 101
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 12:33 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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For me it depends on the mech and the role I want filled. If the mech I'm using already has heat issues, for example the Atlas, then I prefer the Gauss for that extra punch. With mechs that don't have the heat issues or that already have good long range firepower I'll go with one that's packing an AC.
As to the role, if I'm looking for something to get in close and deal with the bigger threats, I go with something like the AC 20 and it's variants. If I'm looking for a well rounded mech, an AC 10 is nice (a good example is the bushwacker). For a longer range mech or one that only has one long range weapon I go with a gauss rifle. As I said, it depends on the role and mech.
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bladewind
Free Rasalhague Republic
Major General
Joined: 02-Oct-2004 00:00
Posts: 1054
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 12:38 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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i mucho prefer the LB-20x if i can lay my nifty hands on it. Its just nice although alittle crit heavy plus the variety of ammo is very nice.
I dont look too favourably with UACs and RaCs though. Jams can be dangerous at times. Standard AC-20s with spec ammo is great but im not running a davion unit here ! Caseless and hyper velocity cannons are just weird. I hate to have an AC to explode on me.
Gauss rifles are nice though. Im usually lucky with these guys. 
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SaberDance
Federated Suns
Colonel
Joined: 07-May-2004 00:00
Posts: 837
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 12:43 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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I'm normally an AC kind of guy, and for many of the reasons listed. Versatility, balance, ammunition.
One other reason, though, is that I am a waste-phobe. With only a handful of shots, I'm reluctant to fire the Gause Rifle until the enemy is close enough I can almost guarentee a hit. Of course, by then, the enemy is getting too close to use a Gause Rifle against. That's one reason I like the AC/20 better than the Gause Rifle.
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StarRaven
Federated Suns
Leftenant General
Joined: 01-Jun-2004 00:00
Posts: 1138
Location: United States
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 15:08 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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I generally prefer ACs. As has been mentioned, the main thing is adaptability. Standard ACs have specialty ammo (precision is fun), and LBXs have cluster rounds. The also do good damage for their weight, and anything smaller than a 20 is pretty ammo efficeint. And the rAC, even the /2, is just evil. Besides RACs, I prefer the AC/10 and /20, both standard and LBX. The lighter ACs don't quite seem worth the weight. I'm also not a fan of Ultras.
The gauss is all right, but it just doesn't suit my style as well. And while it's less damage than a real ammo explosion, a gauss still explodes. And unlike ammo, you can never get rid of the gauss. I've never used the light gauss; it seems too heavy for what it does. The heavy gauss is cumbersome design-wise, but it's still reasonably effective; I had lots of fun with it when using Vagabond's Ivan.
Edit:
Spelling.
[ This Message was edited by: StarRaven on 2005-04-23 17:53 ]
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Karagin
Imperial Karagin Army
Imperial General
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 4120
Location: United States
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 17:49 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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Quote:
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On 2005-04-23 12:43, SaberDance wrote:
I'm normally an AC kind of guy, and for many of the reasons listed. Versatility, balance, ammunition.
One other reason, though, is that I am a waste-phobe. With only a handful of shots, I'm reluctant to fire the Gause Rifle until the enemy is close enough I can almost guarentee a hit. Of course, by then, the enemy is getting too close to use a Gause Rifle against. That's one reason I like the AC/20 better than the Gause Rifle.
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Uhmm I am confuse, the Gauss has only a 2 minimum, so it can hit targets in short range just as easily as the AC20 can, so why would you have issues of not hitting at shorter ranges with the Gauss?
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Karagin
Only the dead have seen the end of war. - Plato
"Wasted trip Man. Nobody said nuthin' about lockin' horns with no tigers." Oddball
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Seraph
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Major
Joined: 11-Mar-2004 00:00
Posts: 1744
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| Posted: 23-Apr-2005 21:15 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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From the THB:
"The caseless autocannon fires caseless rounds after the same type of small arms munitions developed in the late 21st century. In the caseless rouinnd, the brass case used to hold the primer and powder in a standard shell is replaceed with a solid propellant that acts as a "case" for the round. This produces a round that is smaller and lighter than a conventional shell. The lack of a shell casing allows the caseless autocannon to use a smaller, simpler feed mechanism than a standard autocannon.
The caseless autocannon vents hot waste gases as it fires, and these gases occasionally ignite the propellant casings of rounds remaining in the autocannon. Modern systems shield ammunition storage bays from these types of explosions, but the weapon itself is still vulnerable."
So whenever you fire the weapon and roll a 2, the exhaust gases ignite the next rouund in the cannon before it leaves it enters the chamber or is entering the chamber. It destroys all the critical slots containing the autocannon and damages that section's structure as if shot with the same size AC. Heat, damage, ranges, tonnage, and crit sizes are unchanged from normal AC's but the ammo is increased.
AC/2- 67 shots per ton.
AC/5- 30 shots per ton.
AC/10- 15 shots per ton.
AC/20- 8 shots per ton.
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SaberDance
Federated Suns
Colonel
Joined: 07-May-2004 00:00
Posts: 837
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| Posted: 24-Apr-2005 09:58 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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The dice just hate me that much, Karagin.
They just hate me that much.
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"Politics is the Art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, misdiagnosing the problem, and applying the wrong solution."
-Groucho Marx
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bladewind
Free Rasalhague Republic
Major General
Joined: 02-Oct-2004 00:00
Posts: 1054
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: 24-Apr-2005 10:02 Post subject: RE: Gauss vs ACs (all versions) |
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then u should start mounting TCs on ALL your designs.
i have being a pretty lucky bugger with Gauss and PPCs which is why many my designs feature em.
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