2
Spoiler
Applied Examples:
The EOC in general offers 400% heat efficiency with similar burst output when compared to the Heat.
The Vulcan Grenadier has an uptime of 81% (13 out of 16 seconds).
The Mini-Flak Vanguard has an uptime of 60% (9 out of 15 seconds).
The SMC Vanguard has an uptime of 70% (14 out of 20 seconds).
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While much effort has been made to curb heat's influence in Hawken -- between Cooling Units, the Coolant patch and a potential upcoming Mech designed to absorb allied heat generation -- heat still remains as a significant limiter in disadvantageous limitations, much to the chagrin of underdog teams trying desperately to reverse an 8-28 TDM score deficit. As such, I can't help but peer over certain heat values without a dubious sense of curiosity. Certain Mechs and weapons significantly outpace other equivalents that perform similar roles without meaningful trade-offs. Is this obsolescence by design_
I would like to hear the opinions of other pilots regarding heat in general, and specifically concerning what I see as three outliers:
the Mini-Flak vs. other sustained weapons;
the Heat Cannon vs. other burst weapons;
and Cooling Units vs. non-CU vs. the sad, sad Brawler.
The Mini-Flak:
While one may assume this Flak Cannon is built to pack a punch, its combat application is typically that of a sustained weapon; it only deals 44 damage per shot, so it offers little meaningful leverage when used as a burst weapon. Despite that, it is significantly hotter than other sustained weapons in the same category: the Vulcan, which has nearly identical DPS, is nearly twice as cold, and the SMC even colder with only a marginal (~10%) DPS sacrifice. Is the ~30 damage "edge" in burst reason enough for this weapon to be an oven_
The Heat Cannon:
The Heat is surely an infamous weapon, but history as sole reason for eternal damnation is justice poorly served. When compared to the EOC, it offers less utility and abysmal heat efficiency; yet, when compared to the Flak, it offers less burst (129 vs. 90) and less DPS (105/s vs. 94/s) with splash damage as its sole advantage. Am I alone in viewing the Heat is a poor compromise between the Flak and the EOC_ What can be done to address this_
"Why is the Brawler so bad_":
The most recent patch has in some part closed the gap between the Gren and the Van, but little was done to address the Brawler's ghastly base heat and CU values. While certainly the Brawler requires a slightly different metric as it wields a Flak, I do feel that this former Prime Example of Vulcan Supremacy needs some form of re-evaluation.
Regarding CU vs. non-CU, I do still feel that CU rests in the same position as Suspension: it offers flat scaling (-3.5s), such that Mechs with already low natural heat generation benefit exponentially from it. It is a tune that gets better the more you invest in it, rather than yielding diminished returns (see: Armor). Is a 3 second overheat time "fair" for 7 tuning points when non-CU Mechs cool down within 6 seconds, or is heat inconsequential simply because popular burst weapons need not think of it_
For fear of running out of breath, I'll close abruptly. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading, and doubly so to those that respond.
