Scaphas are great against cLPL, I know I frustrated someone when I introduced them to the 2 MVSPL config against a TWolf B in a BV match. Only thing that hit was the LPL, damage cut in half . . . and then my MVSPLs double tapped the same rear side torso armor.
I mean, that kind of goes to my point. If the only thing that hit was the large pulse, despite the large pulse only dealing 5 damage, it was still putting in more damage then the LRM or Gauss Rifle on a Timby B. On the high end of the bell curve accuracy trumps all, and speed+smoke quickly take you to the high end of the bell curve over inflating the importance of pulse accuracy.
Or like Ferro-Lam. Ferro Lam reduces everything by 1 per 5. SRMs lose far more damage then Large Pulse Lasers, and still have to hit on big numbers while the LPL has that massive accuracy. Only heat damage isnt reduced by ferro lam, but if you have more then 15 heat sinks you can be immune to excess heat damage.
On the topic of MPL versus LPL, its more an activity level thing. MPLs are more damage/efficient, but you have to move into closer range. The LPL often just parks in woods (with smoke if you allowed it for some reason), so its a very non-interactive weapon. From the midboard the LPL can hit anything accurately, forcing the other player to have to deal with it. So while the 14 MPL 100 ton clan mechs will shred up close, the 4 LPL mechs deal damage without bothering to maneuver or anything, forcing the other player to have to play the game for both sides. But at MRC we ban all pulse damage after a threshold has been reached... my Nova/Blackhawk S otherwise is a right terror with 6 MPLs.