I feel the need to point out that headcappers are brought around specifically to force that risk, or at the very least threaten very large chunks of damage with the express intent of disabling an opponent's 'Mech in the smallest number of hits, optimally one. Even more relevant than that, any design ever that mounts multiple missiles launchers (not necessary MMLs) or large amounts of small weapons or even large caliber LBX ACs is specifically geared to exploit as many critical hits as possible. I, for one, have absolutely designed 'Mechs entirely around inflicting huge amounts of hits to force larger numbers of TACs in order to disable enemies. I think my favorite to date was an otherwise introtech Marauder that replaced the main guns with two LB-5X and four SRM-4. That's not even a hugely optimized piece of equipment, and it would routinely TAC out other 'Mechs without even trying.
Another point is that the only counter to large size LBs, Ferro-Llamelor, is NOT tournement Legal. The only counter to
Armor Piercing Autocannon Ammo(which is tournement legal) is Hardened Armor and Ferro-Llamelor, neither of which is
tourney legal(though Hardened armor does become legal in the 3090's era...if you are playing a tournement set before
then, it is not). Amor Piercing AC Ammo *IS* specifically intended, if you are using it, to cause TACs to the Gyro/Engine.
Or maybe to the ammo bins or the gauss rifles, etc....Basicly, if you are using it, you are wanting to make your opponent
loose in some rather cheap way..
Acolyte, I have a question for you: You are playing some all light 'mech game. Someone brings a Hollander or Wight.
Do you yell at them for not being fun? They brought a unit that specifically goes against the weakness of everyone
else's units: a BIG gun that will punch through that paper-thin light 'mech armor. You do a vehicle game, and someone
brings units with lots of SRM/MML launchers loaded with Infernos and LB-Xs...do you yell at them for bringing that, since
it is likely going to slaughter your stuff rather effectively. And, of course, have you played against someone using TSEMP?
You do not know how powerful it is, how effective it is, until you have. Right now, all you have is the theory from the
rules from FM:3145. How do you know it is not fun until you have actually seen it in action? How do you know the
intellectual of fighting that unit, of rising to the challenge of facing that sort of opposition, is not fun?
Put another way: Here is the Scenario: You have nothing but a lance of Regular RFL-3N. You are hit by a Warhawk, a
Hellbringer, and a Summoner, all Clan Regular. You are outgunned, outclassed, and outskilled. Would you consider
that a "not fun"? Would you get angry at me if my response is that I, personally, would have a blast in that scenario,
and would find it a heck of a lot more fun then any BV balanced scenario, because it represents what I love most in
games like BattleTech: a challenge.
