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Captain_Frosty
ComStar
Corporal
Joined: 22-Nov-2024 02:18
Posts: 86
Location: Greece
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 Posted: 09-Jan-2026 18:50 Post subject: AC/5 vs Heavy Rifle |
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Hello again, everyone!
Today I bring you a bit of a weird question that may seem obvious at first but I think bears a bit of actual thought.
That being;
Do you believe the Heavy Rifle can be a worthwhile alternative to an Autocannon Class 5?
Personally, I think there's a solid case to be made for such.
First of all, both weapons weight the same (8 tons) and both weapons have a max range of 18.
The Heavy rifle only has a min. range of 2 instead of the AC/5's 3.
The Heavy rifle, even with the damage reduction, deals 6 damage instead of 5 against proper 'mechs and combat vehicles while units with weaker armor (Infantry, battle armor, commercial plating and/or BAR of 8 or less) take the full 9 damage.
The Heavy rifle also costs 40% less C-Bills than the AC/5, being only 90.000 instead of 125.000.
The AC/5, however, has a lesser BV cost, being only 70 compared to the heavy rifle's 91.
The AC/5 also has a significant advantage in ammo, being able to use different types, get more shots per ton and is generally cheaper.
Lastly, the AC/5 only produces 1 heat instead of 4. Not like 4 heat is much but it's certainly a notable difference.
So overall, the AC/5 has the advantages one would expect from a more modern weapon (versatility and efficiency) but the Heavy rifle packs more of a punch with a slight advantage in minimum range and is significantly cheaper in C-Bills while being more expensive in BV.
Any thoughts?
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~When the devil is caught by a monster then I, as a human being, can only hope that they both perish.
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Mordel
Mordel.Net
Administrator
Joined: 03-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 6248
Location: United States
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| Posted: 10-Jan-2026 09:49 Post subject: AC/5 vs Heavy Rifle |
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I've never used the heavy rifle in game play, so I don't think I could fairly answer this. Heat does definitely matter though, and 4 is a lot more than 1 in that regard. The heavy rifle is also 1 less critical (if space matters).
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Mordel Blacknight - Site Administrator
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Rudel Gurken
Allisters Light Thunder
Major
Joined: 15-Jun-2005 00:00
Posts: 1513
Location: Germany
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| Posted: 11-Jan-2026 05:58 Post subject: AC/5 vs Heavy Rifle |
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I think the heavy rifle is a viable option. Not so much for battle mechs (where the heat can hurt) but especially for vehicles.
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Reality is where the Pizza-man comes from!
Gucken, petzen, verpissen!' (Look at it, squeal it, get the hell away from it!) – Motto of the recon troops
Artillery doesn´t know friend or foe! They only know worthwhile targets!‘ – Kuritan Infantrist
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Jade_Dragon
8th Sword of Light
Sho-sho
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1352
Location: United States
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| Posted: 19-Jan-2026 14:15 Post subject: AC/5 vs Heavy Rifle |
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First of all I have never used a Heavy Rifle either. BUT you have laid out the game stats well enough I think I can draw on experience to offer at least intelligent input.
Basically it boils down to 6 damage for 4 heat for the Heavy Rifle vs 5 damage for 1 heat for the trusty AC/5 for a basic game of BT. So certain Mech chassis like the Shadow Hawk or Wolverine which have heat sinks to spare, especially at range it sounds like a solid option, even upgrade. For say a Marauder, no, it has enough heat issues. BV, ammo, and cost are either low enough or more of a campaign play issue so probably an option for the Shadow Hawk and Wolverine BUT now they would be spending more time in the rear picking up ammo reloads.
I think Rudel has nailed it pretty well, vehicles which don't worry about ballistic heat, it is a question of more damage and less ammo. I'd say a win in pretty much any instance as most vehicles won't have the armor/critical padding to worry about deep ammo bins, the increased damage is a plus.
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The JadeDragon
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