Difference between revisions of "Extended Range Beam Lasers"

Revision as of 20:37, 10 May 2019

Extended Range Lasers, or ERLs, are an upgraded version of Standard Lasers and have a marked range advantage compared all other laser weapons.

Overview

Extended Range Lasers effective at greater range than Standard Lasers, however they produce noticeably more heat. Like Standard Lasers and Heavy Lasers, ER Laser's deal damage over time, requiring the beam to be maintained on the target (or better, the same location on the target) for the duration of it's beam for maximum effect. Although generally superior to Standard Lasers, the additional heat load can cause problems for units which mount many energy weapons and especially in environments with a higher ambient temperature.

The Clan versions of ER Lasers's have slightly improved range and noticeably improved damage, but also produce significantly more waste heat.

Weapon Stats

ERSL and ERML

ERSL's and ERML's are still best used as short to mid-range weapons, focusing damage upon a single component, or raking across critically damaged sections. The CERML has the range to be used in medium to longer range engagements. The additional range and damage are a much appreciated boost, however, and even with the additional heat load the IS variants don't produce too much waste heat when fired. Additional trigger discipline is required with ERML, as sustained firing (despite consistent, efficient damage for their mass) produces much higher heat loads. While units packing large groups of ERML are frightening to face, they produce an equally frightening amount of heat to be dissipated, and such units may only get one or two bursts before nearing shutdown. Chain firing, or non-standard weapon groupings can help mitigate this.

ERLL

The ERLL is best used from sniping positions where a unit can safely pick away at enemy units and there is time to dissipate the intense heat generated when firing the weapon. It is worth noticing that the Clan ERLL has damage similar to the AC20 and UAC10 but much better range and much lower rate of fire. Because of the long duration of the beam these weapons are not very effective in close quarters against rapidly maneuvering targets. While Inner Sphere ERLL lack some of the range and punch of their Clan tech counterparts, they are more efficient heatwise and should not be underestimated. Likewise, few units can fire more than two CERLL at once due to the massive heat load.

Canon

Newhart Industries located on New Earth in Terran Hegemony introduced the ERLBL in 2620. The ERLBL became the central focus of the HSR-200-D Hussar BattleMech released five years later, and the success of the 'Mech's blend of speed and its single powerful weapon entrenched Newhart Industries as one of the principle weapon manufacturers of the Terran Hegemony.

Although the Succession Wars would cause the Inner Sphere to lose the technology in 2950, the Clans applied the concept to other laser sizes and produced the ERMBL and ERSBL during the 2820's. Clan Smoke Jaguar would later also introduce he ER Micro Beam Laser in 3060 as part of their ProtoMech project, just before being annihilated in Operation Bulldog.

As with all lost Star League-era technology, plans for the ERLBL were recovered in the Inner Sphere with the discovery of the Helm Core and the weapon entered wide deployment in Inner Sphere forces first with the Draconis Combine in 3037. Later, after contact with the Clans, the Inner Sphere would also develop their own versions of the ERMBL and ERSBL, with the Free Worlds League releasing the first ones in 3058.

Clan ER Lasers have both improved range and deal more damage then the Inner Sphere versions of the weapons.

BT - TechManual reference pg 226

Usage

The following assets equip ER Lasers:

See Also

• Standard Beam Lasers

• Pulse Lasers

• Heavy Lasers

• X-Pulse Lasers

• Particle Projection Cannons