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Feel free to blow my question out of the water.....[8|]

An analysis of the efficiency of utilizing maximum PU's for recycle time below. The manual for TOS states that ML/PulseML should use 2 PUs each. Plasma should use 3. I wonder if it may be more efficient to use a 1PU/ML and 2PU/Plasma ratio. Your recycle times increase but it frees up tonage to get more heat reduction or more weapons.

Example:
1 ML utilizing 1 PU will recycle in 9 sec.
1 ML utilizing 2 PU will recycle in 7 sec.

Case 1:
2 ML utilizing 2 PU each will require 2ML, Engine5, HR9 to generate 1.7 DPS and will weigh 35 tons

Case 2:
3 ML utilizing 1 PU each will require 3ML, Engine4, HRA to generate 3.4 DPS and will weigh 36.5 tons (as it overheats by 5%, let's call this 3.23 DPS)

Case 3:
2 ML utilizng 1 PU each will require 2ML, Engine3, HR7 to generate 1.3 DPS and will weigh 24.5 tons
Case 3 results in 76% of the damage output but at 70% of the weight.


Actual performance may be different than what appears on paper (I'm at work now and haven't had time at home to play TOS for a few days. I plan on making a couple light titans, one with full PU recycle time utilized and one with partial PU usage - just to see which one performs better in battle.

Has anyone else performed similar studies on energy weaponry to determine if the TOS Guide's recommendations on engine size per weaponry should be used?

I find it important. A weapon is simply not useful unless it can recharge. If you do not have enough PUs, at least have a plan. For instance, I have a design that has two Plasma and four small lasers. I will not be using both sets at the same time. You could also design the titan to sit still. That could be suicide.[:D] Another possibility is having a power shortage by only one. You may not notice with big energy weapons.

Short by one PU per weapon is exactly the config I was looking at. Yes, your recharge rates are longer but not an insane amount of time longer.  Since heat is usually my primary issue in battle (I'm running mostly medium mechs right now) I've been looking for ways to keep my damage rate up but not overheat.
 
I guess I have three options:
 
(1) current setups - and just not fire when the weapons recycle and wait for heat to go down to managable levels
(2) reduce quantity of weapons - and fire as soon as recycled
(3) reduce PUs/increase recharge time - and fire as soon as recycled.
 
I'm thinking right now that (3) might be a slightly better option for my long- and middle-range titans.  The close assault, well, they need plenty of PU for dodging and recycling.

That sounds good!