Ultra Auto Cannons usefullness?

[panzerd18]

Anyone had any luck with UAC's? I find they spread so much. So far lasers and PPCs seem to be the best in ripping through a CT. Also LBX auto cannons have such a large spread I'm struggling to find a use for them.

[Clever Name]

Use solid shot LB instead. I never use scattershot in any game*.

*unless I'm making a build with the purpose of quickly swatting VTOLs and vehicles without careful aiming, and giving it to AI lancemates. A single LB10X with scattershot can be useful for that, but it's not of much value in mech combat.

[panzerd18]

Originally posted by Clever Name:

Use solid shot LB instead. I never use scattershot in any game*.

*unless I'm making a build with the purpose of quickly swatting VTOLs and vehicles without careful aiming, and giving it to AI lancemates. A single LB10X with scattershot can be useful for that, but it's not of much value in mech combat.

How do I use solid shot? This is not explained in the game at all?

[Wicoli]

Originally posted by panzerd18:

Originally posted by Clever Name:

Use solid shot LB instead. I never use scattershot in any game*.

*unless I'm making a build with the purpose of quickly swatting VTOLs and vehicles without careful aiming, and giving it to AI lancemates. A single LB10X with scattershot can be useful for that, but it's not of much value in mech combat.

How do I use solid shot? This is not explained in the game at all?

It is a research you have to unlock. There is one for LBX and UACs that costs 500 Research points each along with some amount of components.

[panzerd18]

Thanks I think I just found it.

Still not sure how to use it, as only one ammo type is available in the mechlab. Does it just permanently change the projectile going forward?

[NeedMoreDakka]

NO, it's a separate piece of equipment, just like you had it in Mercs for LBX. I't a little confusing cuz it says solig slug but it just means it fires a single shot instead of a burst. And yeah, you need to research it first

[panzerd18]

Yes I found it by replacing the whole weapon.

I still think the UAC and LBX are weak as their velocity is so low compared to a PPC. Using a UAC20 is like lobbing mortars they travel so slowly.

Standard LBX is like a giant shotgun that spreads worse than MWO.
LBX burst is a bit better all firing straight in multiple projectiles.
Standard UAC fire multiple projectiles but each projectile has its own trajectory.
UAC single slug is just a singe projectile but again the velocity is still too slow compared to MWO.

[the.momaw]

UACs offer a huge amount of burst firepower, that's their thing. It's risky because of the jam chance, but you can almost always get 2 shots in a row out of them and 3 isn't rare. I think it makes the most sense to use Ultra 10's and 20's where you're "magdumping" into an enemy's back at close range to put them down fast. If you're fighting at more than 200m away, forget Ultra autocannons and go for LBX.

[panzerd18]

I put two uac5 on a gargoyle and it just felt weak. 200m is very close, I just would have hoped that uac would have been more usable at longer ranges.

[VinnehTheLubricatorOfDoom]

Originally posted by panzerd18:

Yes I found it by replacing the whole weapon.

I still think the UAC and LBX are weak as their velocity is so low compared to a PPC. Using a UAC20 is like lobbing mortars they travel so slowly.

Standard LBX is like a giant shotgun that spreads worse than MWO.
LBX burst is a bit better all firing straight in multiple projectiles.
Standard UAC fire multiple projectiles but each projectile has its own trajectory.
UAC single slug is just a singe projectile but again the velocity is still too slow compared to MWO.

That would be because 20s are close range weapons while ppcs are long range weapons.

[panzerd18]

But clan uac20 still has an optimal range of over 400m. If the velocity was improved they would be more usable but as it stands at the moment I will not use them as the other weapons outshine them.

[talemore]

Tabletop gun against light mechs as they shoot multiple times it provide multiple chances to hit the target.

They should be auto-targeting if arm mounted.

What you hit is a 6 die

In real time they're single torso aim device at long distance. Just like RAC is a single torso aim device.

But that rely on your mech being very slow. If nobody ever going to enter 400 meters and keep away from you they could name you old scar who is a pet mech who runs around in the wasteland to scare children.

[lllaxmatist]

I am only starting, but ... have anyone yet made 8xUAC-2 DireWorf?

[meatshieldChris]

Originally posted by the.momaw:

UACs offer a huge amount of burst firepower, that's their thing. It's risky because of the jam chance, but you can almost always get 2 shots in a row out of them and 3 isn't rare. I think it makes the most sense to use Ultra 10's and 20's where you're "magdumping" into an enemy's back at close range to put them down fast. If you're fighting at more than 200m away, forget Ultra autocannons and go for LBX.

yeah and if you slow down the rate of fire to approximately half of the cooldown, (twice as fast as the cooldown would be normally) the jam chance goes way down, it seems. It's not rare to get 5 or 6 out of a UAC20 that way (which is insane if you can hit the same spot!)

UAC's are great for that "couple quick taps takes out a light mech" thing, up close.

I used like the bigger LBX for taking out legs, but lately prefer to place my shots on the weak spot with the SLD ammo instead.

[meatshieldChris]

Originally posted by lllaxmatist:

I am only starting, but ... have anyone yet made 8xUAC-2 DireWorf?

no, but I tried a pile of lbx5's, but couldn't take enough ammo with me. I have a feeling that would be a problem with a lot of 2 sized things too.

honestly, I prefer the 7 large pulse lasers and the rest of the tonnage in heat sinks instead, in two groups to manage what seems to be the ghost heat we're all familiar with from MWO. Firing the second one at the half way point of the cooldown of the first group. Heatshot heaven!

[UltrawideGameGuy]

Ammo is a real problem when you are attacked by dozens of mechs and armor most missions. I've had more success with novas and later gargoyles with 10 or so ER small lasers. I'll try the weapons I ignored this campaign on the next run or when mods/dlcs come out, I guess.