Well, I've recently gotten back into Mechwarrior...again, and I've been doing some experiments with rocket launchers. Specifically regarding the heavy rocket launcher, I noticed that the launch trail arcs long before the rockets reach a kilometer. In fact it drops off around 550m or so. So I got an idea from reading all these books on artillery I got stuffed around my room and I thought it would be cool if I tried to conduct MRSI (Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact) with heavy rocket packs. So far I've been unsuccessful, and I was wondering if anybody else had thought of this and tried to do it. If so, can I get some tips on what exactly I should be doing? Thanks.

I've seen something like this accomplished with Arty...never did it with Heavy Rockets. Add in the combination of Jump Jets and Arty and you can time a few shots to hit essentially simultaneously but altering the arc and your jump timing.

People boat the HRL's in NHUA servers (when they aren't restricted), mostly for up close pounding. I've also seen them (or more frequently the Infernos) used at medium range against laserboats and assorted poptarts, but IMHO it's a tough weapon to use effectively at long range once the arc starts.

HRL are very similiar to LT's 'cept for the fact the arc doesnt start till 550 (you are right) . So in theory you can hit someone over a km away that you cant see. Just like LT's it takes some practice. But HRL really arent meant to be much of a long range threat, if you wanna suprise the crap out of ppl use the LT.

They are a pretty good long range weapon though- they're very difficult to spot. It's not hard to see an incoming LT shell, but you can catch an inattentive heavy off guard with HRL. That, and HRL just pretty much owns anyway... even without NHUA there's quite a bit of damage to be done with a dual HRL config in any weight class that can support it, as long as you don't let yourself get carried away with the 1 second refire.

I can't hit much of anything beyond 700m anyway, unless it's standing still. I'm a clumsy sod, that I am, but I like weapons that can reach a bit farther than I can.

I used to like taking highly mobile medium mechs with HRLs to harass heavies and assaults on rough terrain maps.

That single rocket isn't going to score you many kills....but it sure is fun! Effective attack range for me seemed to be point-blank to 700 meters. I think I pissed off Az a few times... It's a great teamwork weapon too, due to the knock. Just wait until a baddie is dueling a teammate, run up behind hi, and continuously jarr his aim.

It is, however, practically useless against anything that moves a lot.

For the tactic you're describing, a long tom would probably be far superior.

HRL, 3 Clan LBX-20s and a Hauptman. Wildcard showed this one to me during a McRugby practice. I loved it for city fights or protecting McHome. Knock, Knock, BOOOM! If I remember correctly it moves along pretty fast for a 95 tonner.

pfft long-tom-fu will even work innercity. Any banzai-nite knows what i speak

*bad memories of Long-Tom Chimmies hopping from roof to roof*

Are you kidding? LTs SHINE in urban combat!
...well, your teammates might not think so, but the opinions of cannon fodder need not concern us.

I had often wished you guys had allowed me to take em in our MWL and NBT drops...

I think both Gywd and Zeph took long toms into MWL drops. I think we lost both of drops!

actually if memory serves me right on MWL i took a LT chimmy on factory and outscored there whole team

With TK's maybe!

It's too bad there's that nasty splash effect that keeps your firepower from doing much. LTs need to do like 90-120 points of damage to spread the armor-dropping love to everyone. The current damge setup isn't worth using them for anything but annoying people.
Now if only Mek Tek would set up their Arrow IVs like NBT where it's actually missile ARTILLERY. Now they just need to extend it to be able to reach across the whole map diagonally I'd be happy. Arrow IVs in NBT/NMIV are downright evil but they also lack the damage to really kill stuff, somewhere around 100 points would give it some much-needed love. They're supposed to (in CBT) kill 'Mechs in 1-2 hits.

I remember that drop, you indeed had the top score. I pride myself on my Chimmies and my LT's, but I recall being very impressed.

We figured them for campers and had the LT to get some points and bring them out from cover, Zeph was pounding them through the walls. I think it was TBR and the Chimmy was a mandatory mech.