PAC configuration...

[Godfish]

what works best for PACs? using the controller block as the output or the particle accelerator lenses? and what do I want in terms of the sliders in the menu itself? and what damage type is best? I can't seem to make one very effective...

[Doombringer]

PACs get better the closer to the target you are.
Having 2 of the arms loop into other inputs seems to be the way to do it.
I would probably use the explosive version.

PACs are good against targets that have all the defenses (shields, smoke, anti-projectile/anti-missile systems) as they can ignore them.
Versus not so well defended targets you are probably better off with an Advanced Cannon.

[Godfish]

Originally posted by Doombringer:

I would probably use the explosive version.

eh? but I thought the general consent is that explosive is the bad one?

[xchrisx88]

I cant talk much about the Controller vs Lenses, since I never really used these, but you could make it look like a turret with 5 tube barrels and at the end the lenses,

like Doombringer said, using the Particle Input Port and loop 1 or 2 arms into the other input seems getting the best results


I think the PAC is best used on a 2-axis turret, so it can always aim at every enemy straight ahead and it would benefit the most from the accuracy settings

now lets check the stats

Horizontal vs Vertical:
thats the accuracy when shooting left or right vs up and down, if you put it on a 2-axis turret I wouldnt change it, but if you put it on a 1-axis turret, I would go all Vertical, since the turret rotates the PAC to the enemy anyway

Damage vs Attenuation:
basicly high initial damage / large dmg drop off with range vs low dmg but small dmg drop off with range,
well it depends on how far you want your PAC to shoot

Field of Fire:
another good reason why you should go with a 2-axis turret, if you do, you can turn down the field of fire to a minimum, maybe 5 degree, that will boost your accuracy and you can still aim at aircraft and all

Effiency vs Overclock;
it depends on how much energy you want to use for your PAC and how fast you can recharge (try to match your battery recharge with the PAC charge time)

Damage vs Inaccuracy
the same as Damage vs Attenuation, you just need to ask yourself at what range you want it to fire, I rather have lower damage but more hits than a huge particle beam which scores a hit after 5 mins in battle

Charge Time
pretty simple, higher dmg vs low fire rate, but it will also affect your accuracy and energy per shot
I mostly stick with 7 - 10 sec

[xchrisx88]

Originally posted by Godfish:

Originally posted by Doombringer:

I would probably use the explosive version.

eh? but I thought the general consent is that explosive is the bad one?

explosive got buffed in 2.0 (but I havent tested it yet)

EMP is still good even after the nerf at disabling small and medium aircrafts

Piercing is good with multiple beams

Impact is okish and removing the surface of enemy ships, but there are better alternatives

[Goobs]

Depends on the intended results.

A large, fixed, ultra-damage EMP PAC is best using looped accelerators, to get as much damage as possible in the smallest beam.

Something the same size using puncture is best with as many lenses as possible, to poke as many holes through the target as it can with the same energy use.

AFAIK, the other options are still less than useful. Inpact and explosive are still.. meh.

[Doombringer]

If the target doesn't have smoke or laser disrupt shields, then pulse lasers work better than piercing PACs.