Improved Heavy Lasers
Improved Heavy Lasers are powerful Clan used laser weapons, sacrificing range for raw firepower with a shorter burn time compared to the Clan Heavy Laser.
Overview
The Improved Heavy Laser is a Clan weapons which deal the same damage per shot compared to the Clan Heavy Laser. An Improved Heavy Laser's beam fires for the same 0.5s duration of the Standard Lasers or Extended Range Lasers, and like those weapons it deals damage over time requiring the beam to be maintained upon its target.
In exchange for this high damage yield, Heavy Lasers have to sacrifice other qualities. Their range is lower than that of other Clan energy weapons and they quickly produce quite a bit of waste heat which must be carefully managed to prevent overheating. This makes them best suited for shorter-range brawling and hit-and-run units firing the weapons in carefully controlled volleys to manage their heat. Smart use of Coolant and taking advantage of bodies of water can help deal with the heavy heat load. Finally, when it is destroyed, its capacitors rupture doing damage to the asset.
Weapon Stats
| Weapon | Max Range |
Beam Duration | Hit Damage |
Damage Type |
Shots /min |
Sustained DPS |
Speed | Heat /Shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHSL | 250m | 0.5s | 420 | Energy | 13.6 | 86 | Hitscan | 46 |
| IHML | 400m | 720 | 10.8 | 130 | 106 | |||
| IHLL | 600m | 1500 | 7.9 | 198 | 331 | |||
| Air IHSL | 400m | 0.5s | 420 | Energy-air | 13.6 | 86 | 46 | |
| Air IHML | 500m | 720 | 10.8 | 130 | 106 | |||
| Air IHLL | 650m | 1500 | 7.9 | 198 | 298 |
Gameplay & Hints
IHSL and IHML
The IHSL and IHML only have the range to be effective during short-range encounters. While they are impressively powerful for weapons their size the sudden associated heat load can be problematic over time if the unit boasts more than a couple. If you get in prolonged combat situation, it might be useful to avoid firing off too many in a single volley, so either break the weapons into separate groups or take advantage of the chain fire firing mode.
IHLL
The IHLL produces more heat than any other weapon in the game, only equaling the CHLL. It and the CHLL also deals the highest pinpoint alpha damage of any Energy Weapon and as with all lasers can operate independent of ammunition supplies. Its short fire rate of 0.5s makes it also good to take snapshots at fast enemies such as ASF. The main drawback of the CHLL is that its range is lower than the other Large lasers and its intense heat spike can be dangerous even if fired conservatively. Still, units mounting even a single IHLL represent a significant threat to any enemy that crosses their path.
Canon
The Improved Heavy Large Laser is Clan Goliath Scorpion's most powerful Heavy Laser design. Like the version introduced by Clan Star Adder, it can inflict twice the damage of a standard large laser. Unlike the Star Adder's weapon, it doesn't interfere with targeting systems, so Scorpion Warriors have a better chance of hitting their target.
The Improved Heavy Large Laser's only real drawback is the fragility of the capacitors it uses to store power. Much like a Gauss rifle, an Improved Heavy Laser will explode if destroyed in combat, inflicting a hit equivalent to a Large Laser to the 'Mechs internal structure.
