Weapon efectiveness

[Robgoblin]

So with maintenance involved with keeping energy weapons ready, will that mean that if one wants to risk it that one could keep all offline till needed? Will tech levels as the phases go on make it so that powering up newer versions of weapons will take less time and keeping ready will require less maintenance? There seems to be a lot that has to go into the weapons for this. I can see why most MMOs prefer the sword and bow. Not much has to be thought of on what needs to be done in which way.

[Hamilton]

In theory, new technology is suppose (key word, "suppose") to be:
Better, faster, smaller, cheaper

[Robgoblin]

In theory, new technology is suppose (key word, "suppose") to be:
Better, faster, smaller, cheaper

Let me know where you find computers that way. I would be very happy to find computers that are better, faster, smaller and then with all that CHEAPER 

Normally when new tech hits it will be higher and then drop after manufacturing of it becomes more efficient or something newer comes along. There is a reason that the M-1 rifle of the old U.S. soldiers is the basis of all the new ones the basic soldier will recieve. When it comes to war, the most effective is not necessarily the most advanced. All the fancy add-ons that are out there are nice but just add to the possibility of the weapon becoming inoperable.

[D3athsong]

Obviously state of the art just released tech is going to be more money, but it should be more efficient and more costly to enemy armor as well.  The trick will be deciding if one thing at a high cost is better then 2 somethings of older tech at half the cost. 

[Hamilton]

And the reliability...
Old Tech = normally reliable but breakdowns do occur due to wear-and-tear
Standard Tech = reliable
New Tech = less reliable due to bugs and defects, and fragile

[Falcon]

What about rail guns / gauss rifles / oh you get the idea? No chemical propellants to worry about. Possibly not even explosive warheads, relying solely on kinetic impact. Would eliminate propellant or warhead cookoff or detonation from damage caused. Lots more power required than ordinary ballistic weapons, but with much better ammo storage efficiency. Less power requirement than energy based weapons, but probably bulkier.

About missiles. I'm wondering if it will be possible to 'strap on' a few excess/oversized missiles to a chassis that would incur movement/speed penalties, but that once fired would return the mech to normal operation parameters? I'm thinking in a surprise/ambush style initial volley capacity, where a unit of light mechs could load up with a bit of extra punch for the initial moments of combat. External rails only of course for this.

[Hamilton]

Rail Cannons and Auto-Cannons are both provided.  Rail Cannons are superior over Auto-Cannons, except for reliability, rate of fire (RoF) and cost.  However I have read on some upcoming rail weapons for modern use, and they have very high rates of fire (due to less moving parts).  So Am re-evaluating the rate-of-fire for Rail Cannons.

Auto-Cannons will still be in use, in that, well, I like guns and seems that other people also like the smell of gunpowder in the morning.  For the real reason, Auto-Cannons are easy and cheap to manufacture compared to Rail Cannons.  Additionally Auto-Cannons can be made to fire without the use or little amount of energy.

[Falcon]

Cheap, trim and low/no energy cost vs expensive, bulky and medium energy cost, but better ROF, ammo capacity/price and range. That could work.