Let's set aside the "stock" 'Mechs, since most everything about them can be changed in the MechLab, and instead consider how to optimize a DFA machine based on the core rules that apply to them by tonnage:
1: Damage per Ton varies (note that this is done via 2 attacks at half this damage, so both may hit or only one may hit for half damage)...
2: The number of DFAs you can execute without killing yourself varies...
3: The number of jump jets you can have, the cost of jump jets, and your initiative all vary...
Some takeaways:
For maximum damage in a single attack, that is of course at 100 tons. But that doesn't make them the best all-around option for DFAs.
If you care about maximizing damage relative to the tonnage of your 'Mech, 30, 50, 70, and 90 tons each have a spike of damage relative to their tonnage, gaining twice as much damage from the last 5 tons than any other increment of 5 tons.
If you care about minimizing damage to your own 'Mech while doing a DFA, 25, 45, 65, and 85 tons are low points in self-damage. Additionally, 40 tons is a sweet spot for doing multiple DFAs while only damaging your own armor and not internals. Note, however, that DFA self-damage is tied to DFA damage to the target, so this strategy is best used in tandem with a 'Mech having as many support weapons as possible to maximize the difference between damage dealt and damage recieved.
If you care about your leg armor and structure, note that most 5 ton weight increases come with 5 points of leg structure and 10 points of leg armor, but 70 tons doesn't add any structure or armor over 65 tons, so everything from 70 tons onward is slightly lower armor than the pattern would otherwise have produced. Additionally, 20 tons 'Mechs have terrible leg armor and structure.
If you care about tonnage, 80 and 85 tons have an unusual niche in that they are assault 'Mechs that only need Heavy jump jets, thus saving on tonnage spent.
If you care about maximizing how far your DFA 'Mech can jump, 40, 60, and 85 tons are the heaviest 'Mechs that can have 8, 5, and 4 jump jets respectively.
If you care about stability, a 30 ton 'Mech will deal up to 80 stability damage, enough to make any pilot unstable. 40 tons will deal up to 100 stability damage (the full stability bar). 65 tons will deal 80 stability damage, enough to make any pilot unstable, even if only half of the damage hits. 80 tons will deal 100 stability damage (a full bar) even if only half of the damage hits.
If you want a chance at one-hit-kills, 'Mechs 50 tons and up will get 2 chances to do 65 damage, which is enough to headcap the target if they hit the head.
As I see it, the big unknown that impacts what 'Mechs are realy best for DFA is how many support hardpoints will be available in each chassis after the hardpoint inflation is finished. That will be a huge factor in deciding which 'Mech(s) to use for DFA
So given all we know so far, what tonnages are the "sweet spot" for DFA, do you think?
1: Damage per Ton varies (note that this is done via 2 attacks at half this damage, so both may hit or only one may hit for half damage)...
2: The number of DFAs you can execute without killing yourself varies...
3: The number of jump jets you can have, the cost of jump jets, and your initiative all vary...
Some takeaways:
For maximum damage in a single attack, that is of course at 100 tons. But that doesn't make them the best all-around option for DFAs.
If you care about maximizing damage relative to the tonnage of your 'Mech, 30, 50, 70, and 90 tons each have a spike of damage relative to their tonnage, gaining twice as much damage from the last 5 tons than any other increment of 5 tons.
If you care about minimizing damage to your own 'Mech while doing a DFA, 25, 45, 65, and 85 tons are low points in self-damage. Additionally, 40 tons is a sweet spot for doing multiple DFAs while only damaging your own armor and not internals. Note, however, that DFA self-damage is tied to DFA damage to the target, so this strategy is best used in tandem with a 'Mech having as many support weapons as possible to maximize the difference between damage dealt and damage recieved.
If you care about your leg armor and structure, note that most 5 ton weight increases come with 5 points of leg structure and 10 points of leg armor, but 70 tons doesn't add any structure or armor over 65 tons, so everything from 70 tons onward is slightly lower armor than the pattern would otherwise have produced. Additionally, 20 tons 'Mechs have terrible leg armor and structure.
If you care about tonnage, 80 and 85 tons have an unusual niche in that they are assault 'Mechs that only need Heavy jump jets, thus saving on tonnage spent.
If you care about maximizing how far your DFA 'Mech can jump, 40, 60, and 85 tons are the heaviest 'Mechs that can have 8, 5, and 4 jump jets respectively.
If you care about stability, a 30 ton 'Mech will deal up to 80 stability damage, enough to make any pilot unstable. 40 tons will deal up to 100 stability damage (the full stability bar). 65 tons will deal 80 stability damage, enough to make any pilot unstable, even if only half of the damage hits. 80 tons will deal 100 stability damage (a full bar) even if only half of the damage hits.
If you want a chance at one-hit-kills, 'Mechs 50 tons and up will get 2 chances to do 65 damage, which is enough to headcap the target if they hit the head.
As I see it, the big unknown that impacts what 'Mechs are realy best for DFA is how many support hardpoints will be available in each chassis after the hardpoint inflation is finished. That will be a huge factor in deciding which 'Mech(s) to use for DFA
So given all we know so far, what tonnages are the "sweet spot" for DFA, do you think?
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