I don't like stepping on toes - and it seemed like I was doing that (with the defensive posts countering and counter-countering). I have full confidence we're all on the same side of trying to find balance and fairness. I'm also seeing that this discussion doesn't belong on the errata thread, respectfully.
...
After writing a heap (still pending), I think I might have found something... so, please... forgive me for the long post
I have NOT been Rounding the "initial Unmodified Damage"
I have not seen an instruction to perform such immediate rounding (as of 11pm CST, 27 April 2016). (posting for clarity, not trying to be snide) ...the values I have calculated (and saved) are as raw numbers.
The Errata says to "use the Unmodified Damage value" to find the Heat Modified Value. I believe this is where the errors are popping up on my end.
For my Example: the Hellbringer (Prime) has a Long-Range unmodified damage value of 3.3 (2 ERPPCs = 3.0 damage, x1.1 for Targeting Computer) Its heat at this range is 33 (30 weapon, 1 AMS, 2 Movement)
With only 13 DHS to dissipate the heat, I have 26 Disp, or a Long Range Heat Modifier = 26/(33-4) or 0.89655~
Currently, the Hellbringer's Unmodified Long Range Damage is "3.3". I have not rounded this value to 4 because it is not the Final Damage Value (...yet!).
The way it has been explained to me (in the previous posts), I should be Rounding the initial value (3.3), and then multiply the base un-rounded value (3.3) to find the Heat-Modified Value - then take the difference as the Overheat Value (if any):
3.3 -> 4 [new Unmodified Damage]
3.3 x 0.89655 = 2.95862~ (Heat Modified)
4 - 2.95862 = 1.04138
...in my eyes, this is what you guys are telling me. "Long Range Damage" = 3 , "OVL" = Yes, (1) (for now at Long)
I believe the "error" I'm experiencing... is in clarity of the "un-Rounded" Shouldn't we be using the same base number when applying the Heat Modifier?
In this example, the difference is a staggering 0.7...
Calculating as explained to me first, with a twist: Rounding all Values immediately, then multiplying and Round again the values at Range by the Heat Modifier:
3.3 -> 4 [rounding Unmodified Damage Value]
4 x 0.89655 = 3.58262 [Multiplying Rounded Unmodified Damage Value by Heat Modifier]
4 - 3.58262 = 0.41738 [Difference from Unmodified and Modified]
...Since 0.41738 is less than 1, (per the errata)...
"Long Range Damage" = 4
"OVL" = "No"
Seems reasonable. Still dealing 4 damage at long, so no real issue.
Now... if I were to go back to how I was doing it ...without rounding:
3.3 x 0.89655 = 2.95862~ [Unmodified Long Range Damage]
3.3 - 2.95862 = 0.341~ [Difference between the Unmodified and Modified]
...Again, this value is less than 1, (per the errata) so now that the "Unmodified" value becomes the Long Range Damage value, it's time to round up (nearest whole):
"Long Range Damage" = 3.3 -> 4,
"OVL = No"
...Granted, I have not tested this method on other units - just the Loki so far - I believe my method provides values "closer" to the feel of their Classic/TotalWarfare counterparts. The Hellbringer Prime doesn't really overheat that much in Classic, so there's little reason (in my opinion) that it should get to deal a whooping 50 damage in AlphaStrike when it's only capable of 30; leaving it "as is" just felt wrong so I made it my mission to try and fix it. (and yes, this is an opinion. Sorry. Again.)