Templar 514
Amarr Templars
Amarr Empire
7
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Posted - 2013.10.18 16:16:00 -
[1] - Quote
I am going to tell you the options that you REALLY have for this (in no particular order).
1. Amarr Logi (2 r's, not 1!). You'll be slower, but you'll probably manage better tank if you prioritise your equipment like a proper logi (even a battle logi should generally run ADV-level equipment).
2. Minnie Assault. You've generally covered the trade-offs for this one.
3. GALLENTE Assault. You get a fitting bonus for hybrid weapons, which the Plasma Cannon is. The bonus also stacks with the Light Weapon Operation (LWO hereafter) skill, which is 3% CPU use reduction per level, and the PlasCan fitting bonus skill. With max skills, just ballparking it, you're cutting down CPU requirements by about 65%*- taking that 71 CPU for a STD-level PlasCan to only about 25 (!) CPU! Can you say "MAXIMUM ARMOR", or what, bro!
4. Amarr Commando. DOUBLE HERESY is here. The main reason this suit is an option is because of that awesome reload bonus. With Amarr Command Lv3, and PlasCan Rapid Reload Lv3, you shave off about 25% of your reload time. With max skills, you cut it down by 40%- nearly half! The downside is that you are required to run plated, and carry either a Compact, K/17D (R), or Allotek (R) nanohive to fulfill armor rep and ammo needs.
*With maximum skills.
Now, having covered all of the *real* options you have (PLEASE dare to be different and skip CalAssault), I would generally suggest either Amarr Logi, and eventually making that your primary suit (Amarr Logi is the best**), or going with Gallente Assault to get the fitting requirement reduction so you can stack on better tank, damage, sidearm, and equipment modules/items. Yes, I do realize that, with the exception of Minnie Assault, all of these options will probably be slower than your CalLogi suit, but they will also probably be tougher.
The one issue I can see is that AmLogi, GalAssault, and AmCommando would all require armor skill investment, which I don't know if you have. I can say, as a fellow connoisseur of the Plasma Cannon, that my preference is to run it on either Amarr Commando or a scout suit- but that'st because I want the reload bonus, or because scouts mesh well with it (fast suit+alpha damage gun=high-adrenaline awesomeness).
I do think that, considering skill bonuses, Amarr Command or Gallente Assault have the best direct benefits to the PlasCan, but Minnie Assault indirectly benefits it with the sidearm bonus, will Amarr Logi is pretty much the armor-based better battle logi version of the CalLogi, which you are already familier
**Only because I run Amarr suits in general. Also because Amarr medium frames are the most stylish dropsuits in the entire game. Style is important, you have to look your best when blapping dudes with a Plasma Cannon! |
Templar 514
Amarr Templars
Amarr Empire
9
|
Posted - 2013.10.18 16:42:00 -
[2] - Quote
Roofer Madness wrote:Thank you for the detailed response. A lot of good info. I had considered the Commando but I have been told time and time again that the reload bonuses don't really work well for the plasma cannon. Something about the animation takes so long the bonus doesn't really work. Now if the bonus indeed does work than Commando is a very interesting option. Plasma Cannon/shotgun combo or even, dare I say, duel Cannons!!!  The only reason I was considering the Cal Assault is because I already have it skilled up to ADV. But you are right. I want a unique fit and the ADV Cal Logi is so damn vanilla. I feel like a nameless stormtrooper in that thing. And the Amarr Logi is the sexiest lookin' suit in the game. Bumblebee DeathMan!!!!!! You are right about me not having the proper armor skills. My core is maxed but I only have ADV plates and repper. So the Amarr or Gallente will require a bit more SP. At this stage in the game that is OK though. I have everything I need basically. I must say though I really don't like the look of the Gallente suits. That said the fitting skill would be pretty sweet as my Electronics, Core CPU, and Cannon fitting skills are nearly maxed out. I think right now I'm leaning Amarr Logi just because I already have a ton of proto equipment and I want to use it. But you've given me a lot to contemplate. Thanks again!
I don't really know how the interactions of reload speed skills and the PlasCan's animation work. I just kind of assume that it's sped up so that it works, but I haven't dug into it in the slightest.
As far as armor skills, I actually only have ADV-level plates+reps, though I do have Armor Upgrades 4 (+20% dropsuit armor hp is AWESOME), so I wouldn't worry about that too much.
Insofar as the appearance of dropsuits, well, I'll admit that right now, I'm looking at Gallente Scout solely because I don't much like the Minnie scout look, and because there is no Amarr Scout. Gallente mediums- like the GalAssault- I think look alright, but I do, naturally, agree with you on the appearance of the Amarr Logi. If it weren't for the gorgeous red+gold of the Amarr Commando, it would probably be the best looking suit in the game*.
I do think that if you got loads of SP into equipment, and you want to use it, then Amarr Logi is probably your best bet. Be forewarned that you only have 2 equipment slots at STD- but it's more than compensated for by a Sidearm slot. Also, a single ADV rep+Amarr Logi Lv3 means about 7 (10?) hp/s armor repair rate.
*The only thing I would change is to make the yellow to actually be gold. |