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Energy Weapons - <Scroll Down>
   Balistick Weapons
  Missile Weapons

Its Time to Get Bakey

Lasers my friend  and lots of them. The happy meltdowns will now occur.

70 ton Nova Cat with 7 ER Large Lasers -56 total damage in one shot -5 second cycle time = 11.2 points of damage per second -Instant hit, no leading the target. -800 range

The Nova Cat currently has the record for holding the most large lasers out of all chassis. Heat control is a problem but be careful not to strip too much armor in favor of Large Lasers and Heat Sinks. The extra Heat Sinks are little help if the Nova Cat is destroy too early in the fight. Consider Overriding Shutdowns then using about 1/4 of the total coolant immediately after to drive off shutdown and self destruction. If overheated and no more coolant, either bring the 'mech to a stand still or shut it down intentionally. Self destruct from over heat will subtract many points from individual and team score.

Unfortunately, the Nova Cat mounts 6 out of 7 of those lasers in the arms. If both arms are remove in battle, consider the Nova Cat neutered. If the idea of lots of ER Large Lasers is appealing yet living on the edge of heat shutdown, self destruct and arm amputations isn't, consider the 6 ER Large Laser design which is capable of many mechs (Mad Cat, Sunder, Daishi). If the desire to jump and fire are is present, 5 ER Large is the most in the Black Knight.

80 ton Awesome with 4 Large X-pulse Lasers -28 total damage in one shot -2.25 second cycle time = 12.444 points of damage per second -Instant hit, no leading the target -700 range

Though there are many mechs that can hold 4 Large X-Pulse, at the time of the Black Knight expansion the Awesome was arguably the best suited and still may be. With a fast yet limited torso twist and the same piloting mobility as the Black Knight which is 5 tons smaller, this 'mech is able to pack enough Heat Sinks with the extra tons and better armor than most 'mechs carrying this weapons.  Daishi or Sunder can accomplish the same but lacks much in maneuverability. Also, half the arsenal is mounted in the Left and Right torso, eliminating arm shots from liberating the total fire power.

If 4 Large X-pulse is good, 5 and 6 are even better, right? This is not necessarily true. Though there are many 'mechs that could mount such a weapons array, even the 100 ton 'mechs have problems dealing with the large amount of heat 5+ Large X-Pulse generate. ER Large Lasers allow for time during their cycling for a cooling periods. X-Pulse must be aimed and fired repeatedly to keep up with the single shot damage of the ER Large. Holding one targeted section of an enemy 'mech for multiple quick shots is a key argument against the Large X-Pulse and their extreme heat and potentially spread out damage.

45 ton Shadow Cat with 5 Medium X-pulse Lasers -13.75 total damage in one shot -1.25 second cycle time = 11 points of damage per second -Instant hit, no leading the target -400 range

Many 'mechs can be armed with 5 Medium X-pulse Lasers, but the Shadow Cat's low profile, durability as a 45 ton 'mech, and speed set it out above the rest. Setting the speed to 102kph or higher is possible and helpful but this 'mech will run hot. Slowing the speed in favor of more Heat Sinks may be a prudent choice. Also consider, slower, less Heat Sinks and one less Medium X-Pulse Laser in favor of Jump Jets. The extra maneuverability to out fox larger, lumbering 'mechs may be worth the loss of speed and weaponry. The Catapult is also well suited for this design.

Heat is a legitimate concern since over heating slows the 'mech down and part of the survival process for small and medium 'mechs is to keep moving. Flushing can compensate in the short term. There are no ammo concerns but the arms of the Shadow Cat are often blown off early. If constant fire patterns are maintained, the damage to the opponent will add up quickly. Since this mech fights up close and personal, consider sacrificing an X-pulse for a Narc Beacon of Flare Launcher to help fire support 'mechs target enemies at distance.