Lots of small weapons vs 1 large.

[Toppopia]

So I guess it depends on the situation but I wanted to see what the community things. Would it be better to mount 3 lrm5's or say 1 lrm15 for example. I see that the heat and damage equal the same but having more small weapons means in the case of lasers if one misses you still do some damage over 1 large missing and getting nothing.

[Scar Glamour]

It doesn't matter much for missiles, since each missile has its own targetting tool.

However, I believe three LRM 5s require either less tonnage or slots than an LRM 15 to make up for occupying three missile hard points instead of one.

[Razer]

Originally posted by Heresiarch:

It doesn't matter much for missiles, since each missile has its own targetting tool.

However, I believe three LRM 5s require either less tonnage or slots than an LRM 15 to make up for occupying three missile hard points instead of one.

Yup, 3 LRM5s take less tonnage, but require more hardpoints and generate more heat in total. There's pro's and cons to each. If you want an LRM boat and you only have 2 missile hardpoints you don't want to fit 2 LRM5s. You want as many missiles as you can.

LRM5s require one slot as well. LRM15 require three I think. So there's no gain in that.

Still more individual LRM racks allow for more individual targetting if you have that skill. So you could spread 3x LRM5s on three enemies.

[Pyro]

In many cases, heat from multiple small weapons is greater than one larger one, such as 2 SRM-2s vs. 1 SRM-4. I believe that's also true of LRM-5s vs. the LRM-10, if memory serves.

As for lasers, more smaller lasers lets you do more damage for less tonnage, but at shorter ranges, but it's more likely to scatter that damage across the whole surface of the target than concentrate it in one place. Both approaches are valid, have their proponents, and have their uses.

In tabletop play, I've been known to design mechs for a little bit of both, using larger weapons like PPCs to punch through a section, then a large array of medium lasers to follow up in the hopes of getting critical hits.

As mech design in this game is more restricted by the hardpoint system, you often have to mount a larger weapon rather than many smaller ones just because it's the only way to effectively use the hardpoints available.

[Rin Palora]

- you get more heat from smaller weapons
- most mechs are limited in available weapon slots, as such you can run into plenty of instances where you only have 1 slot available to put a weapon in, so you can either put 1 lrm20 or just 1 lrm5, up to you.
- smaller lasers have shoter range / since lasers don't have minium range restriction large ones will hit (resonably) accuratly at point blank as well.
- small ballistics are sniping weapons which lose accuracy at close range / big ballistic lose range in trade for more damage
- more weapons = greater chance at hitting something and doing criticals
- more weapons = less impact per hit so even if 1 out of 6 is going to hit the core it might not do what you want it, when a big one might do enough dmg for a knockout
- can't remember which exactly it is, but there's a difference in the stability impact of missiles depending on salvo size (balance wise you'd inflict more stability on the big lrm's but it could be the other way around)

- I've read that missile hit rolls are rolled for the first missile only (when it comes to aimed shoots) at such more missiles launchers might be better when you are going for targeted strikes, but I think you'll still get less missiles total per ton and more heat per missile.

In the end it's all about perferences, play style and what mechs you have available. If you like to brawl at point blank range than lots of small lasers, big cannons and srms might be the way for you.

[Pogny]

more weapons = more heat / + chance to miss same tonnage than a big weapon.

Plus : having a single weapon can be usefull with the breached shot skill.

[Razer]

Originally posted by Palora McWhine A Lot:

- you get more heat from smaller weapons

This doesn't really count for lasers though. Small laser only generates 5 heat, but almost has the same damage output as a medium laser (20 vs 25). Medium laser generates 10 heat and do more than half the damage of a large laser (25 vs 40) that generates 30 heat.

Originally posted by ♑Pogny♑:

more weapons = more heat / + chance to miss same tonnage than a big weapon.

Plus : having a single weapon can be usefull with the breached shot skill.

Not true for lasers, but breaching shot is really useful on the "big guns" that is true.

[=]

Once you get breaching shot though you will want at least 1 heavy hitter to take advantage of it. I use AC/20s and Gauss rifles.

[AccelExhilar]

I like 2 large weapons like AC/10's or 2X LL's over something like 4x AC5's or 3x Med lasers. With the projectivle weapons the difference is bigger because you can take less ammo with 2x than 4x a weapon type like SRMs or AC's. I guess it kind of depends on how specialized you want your Mechs too be, I like running a longe range heavy hitter or 2, they can get by with 2X large weapons, while a medium range mech / melee range might want too mix it up so they have something like 1-2X SRMs + med lasers.

[Muskrat]

Originally posted by Pyro:

In many cases, heat from multiple small weapons is greater than one larger one, such as 2 SRM-2s vs. 1 SRM-4.

SRM's are actually kid of weird in this regard. The SRM 4 is the optimal heat/missile. so if you have room from an SRM6 and SRM2, or 2 SRM4's, it's better the mount the 4's. I think it's equal tonnage wise too.

same 3 SRM4 vs 2 SRM6 I believe.

[Razer]

Originally posted by Samsquanch:

I like 2 large weapons like AC/10's or 2X LL's over something like 4x AC5's or 3x Med lasers. With the projectivle weapons the difference is bigger because you can take less ammo with 2x than 4x a weapon type like SRMs or AC's.

If you can fit 4x AC5 vs 2x AC10 I would always go with AC5 because they have better range and deal more damage. AC10 has like 10 damage more on a stock variant. They also have way more ammo and so you require less ammo bins. Remember 1 single ammo bin feeds the same amount to ALL weapons of that type. 4x medium lasers are far far better than 2x Large lasers. Less heat and way more damage. Sure you need your mech a little closer, but who cares about that. So far I've always been in range of medium range weapons.

[Rin Palora]

I've actually had plenty of instances when my 5 medium lasers on one mech were just out of range. But I guess I'm more of a bullwark kind-a-guy as opposed to evasive. The possibility of not getting hit doesn't appeal to me as much, especially with my luck being terrible.

[AccelExhilar]

Originally posted by AeonsLegend:

If you can fit 4x AC5 vs 2x AC10 I would always go with AC5 because they have better range and deal more damage. AC10 has like 10 damage more on a stock variant. They also have way more ammo and so you require less ammo bins. Remember 1 single ammo bin feeds the same amount to ALL weapons of that type. 4x medium lasers are far far better than 2x Large lasers. Less heat and way more damage. Sure you need your mech a little closer, but who cares about that. So far I've always been in range of medium range weapons.

You aren't factoring in hit chance at all, more things too shoot = more variability in hit chance, spreading damage out over the mech more than fireing 2x weapons that will hit 2 areas only if you're lucky the same area. I am pretty sure that 2X large lasers build less heat than 4X Medium specifically without heat sinks.

[Phoenix C64]

X*Y the more missiles you shoot, the more ammo you’ll have carry, which has weight and might explode if hit.

[Razer]

Originally posted by Samsquanch:

Originally posted by AeonsLegend:

If you can fit 4x AC5 vs 2x AC10 I would always go with AC5 because they have better range and deal more damage. AC10 has like 10 damage more on a stock variant. They also have way more ammo and so you require less ammo bins. Remember 1 single ammo bin feeds the same amount to ALL weapons of that type. 4x medium lasers are far far better than 2x Large lasers. Less heat and way more damage. Sure you need your mech a little closer, but who cares about that. So far I've always been in range of medium range weapons.

You aren't factoring in hit chance at all, more things too shoot = more variability in hit chance, spreading damage out over the mech more than fireing 2x weapons that will hit 2 areas only if you're lucky the same area. I am pretty sure that 2X large lasers build less heat than 4X Medium specifically without heat sinks.

Dude, 2x large laser generate 60 heat at 80 damage. 4x medium lasers generate 40 heat at 100 damage. Check the game stats for reference. Also, having more weapons to fire actually increases your average number of hits. Missing with 2 large lasers will give you 0 damage this turn and hitting with them will give 80 damage next turn. Missing with 2 medium and hitting with 2 still gives 50 damage in a single turn.

with medium lasers you get more reliability from the RNG, you do more damage, generate less heat and thus you can keep firing. Large lasers easily overheat your mech so you may be down to fire 1 laser in some of your turns.

[Sunshine]

Originally posted by AeonsLegend:

4x medium lasers are far far better than 2x Large lasers. Less heat and way more damage. Sure you need your mech a little closer, but who cares about that.

I'd argue 2xLL are better than 4xML, as the LL deliver point damage on very long range while the 4ML spread their already weak damage over a whole mech and only at medium range.
The only time "laser-wagons" ever work for me is when I can get a called shot with them and they are close. THEN they are dangerous.

But other than that? Meh.