02-15-2010, 12:38 PM
Good to know you're starting to find a playstyle that might suit you best. From the looks of things, you've got the basic idea on designing ACs and you have a solid foundation on how you'll be making your future designs. :p The frame you presented has a good balance of mobility and defense with good EN drain and cooling. Just a few more things to cover on your new design.
One thing you should learn early on is the letter grading system is unreliable and is not conclusive of an AC's performance. The system itself is based on numerical equations that doesn't factor in many important stats (ATK just computes your total potential kill power regardless of weapon lock type or accuracy, while MOB just takes into account your top speed w/o noting acceleration and heat for example). ACs ought to be bench marked by how well it performs for you, and the numbers are there to help, but the letter grading system is just flawed to the point that it gives a false benchmark on how ACs perform.
I personally find the G84P to be a little too hot for the GULL with the ANANDA, at least from my experience. You can prolly control your range easily thanks to the high EN refresh, but I don't know how far anyone can pull that off until the heat generated catches up with the design when under pressure from an opponent. The combination might work fine if you like to stay at stand-off ranges, but given the close combat orientation of your weapons, you might be better off with less hotter and risky generator/booster combination. Maybe downgrade to the G91 for a cooler overall temperature and a bigger redzone buffer in case you overheat, or go for the VULTURE2 with your current setup. :p
With regards to your missile system, I can vouch for the MV for its usefulness, and its prolly among the best missile systems to use against player opponents. Its flight trajectory and homing ability hits better when opponents are farther, allowing you to limit the distance an opponent can control his range, which is important in gun-duels. However, I don't really trust the JIKYOH too much, because their flight pattern is a little shorter than the MVs and seems to have lesser homing ability, but I haven't tested them extensively to make something conclusive. :p
The SHADE is an overall good choice for a primary weapon. EN damage, good DPS, and accurate. The 93RL is a close, shell-based substitute if you're looking for one. As it stands in LR, the M2's shot grouping is too wide even by machine gun standards, making it impossible to land significant and consistent hits on an AC sized opponent beyond 100m. Try giving the NIX a try for a more accurate shot grouping or maybe the SYLPH if you can let the low ammo count slide. Handguns also work surprisingly well as left arm weapons, the 69H and the 01HP are among the best you'll find for their accuracy and damage rate, give them a try instead of an MG and see if you like them. I usually get over the ammo issue by equipping a hanger capable core and putting a 2nd handgun underneath my primary handgun. If you want more range, go for a left arm rifle like the R3, which should complement the SHADE easily in mid-range.
One thing you should learn early on is the letter grading system is unreliable and is not conclusive of an AC's performance. The system itself is based on numerical equations that doesn't factor in many important stats (ATK just computes your total potential kill power regardless of weapon lock type or accuracy, while MOB just takes into account your top speed w/o noting acceleration and heat for example). ACs ought to be bench marked by how well it performs for you, and the numbers are there to help, but the letter grading system is just flawed to the point that it gives a false benchmark on how ACs perform.
I personally find the G84P to be a little too hot for the GULL with the ANANDA, at least from my experience. You can prolly control your range easily thanks to the high EN refresh, but I don't know how far anyone can pull that off until the heat generated catches up with the design when under pressure from an opponent. The combination might work fine if you like to stay at stand-off ranges, but given the close combat orientation of your weapons, you might be better off with less hotter and risky generator/booster combination. Maybe downgrade to the G91 for a cooler overall temperature and a bigger redzone buffer in case you overheat, or go for the VULTURE2 with your current setup. :p
With regards to your missile system, I can vouch for the MV for its usefulness, and its prolly among the best missile systems to use against player opponents. Its flight trajectory and homing ability hits better when opponents are farther, allowing you to limit the distance an opponent can control his range, which is important in gun-duels. However, I don't really trust the JIKYOH too much, because their flight pattern is a little shorter than the MVs and seems to have lesser homing ability, but I haven't tested them extensively to make something conclusive. :p
The SHADE is an overall good choice for a primary weapon. EN damage, good DPS, and accurate. The 93RL is a close, shell-based substitute if you're looking for one. As it stands in LR, the M2's shot grouping is too wide even by machine gun standards, making it impossible to land significant and consistent hits on an AC sized opponent beyond 100m. Try giving the NIX a try for a more accurate shot grouping or maybe the SYLPH if you can let the low ammo count slide. Handguns also work surprisingly well as left arm weapons, the 69H and the 01HP are among the best you'll find for their accuracy and damage rate, give them a try instead of an MG and see if you like them. I usually get over the ammo issue by equipping a hanger capable core and putting a 2nd handgun underneath my primary handgun. If you want more range, go for a left arm rifle like the R3, which should complement the SHADE easily in mid-range.
