So, I was thinking that the real problem being solved here is that of high laser vomit alphas, right? That means to me that the logical solution is to punish having a high heat.

Well, in the table top game, heat does four things:

1) hurt the pilot (inappropriate here)

2) have a chance to cook off ammunition (kind of already integrated)

3) Slow your speed

4) reduces accuracy

So, let's try increasing dissipation by a lot, basically across the board, but keep the cap low and made it unincreasible.

Then add in two factors: when you have a high heat, it starts to feel like your mech is falling apart. Make it move and turn more slowly as it approaches 100%. Then start making the targeting reticle/your aim shake like when you're firing jump jets.

The idea would be that when you drop a big laser alpha, the heat spikes at the beginning of the shot which instantly makes your aim shake, causing your precision attack to sweep all over the place and spread damage around for the whole alpha. It should quickly cool down, but any time you send a big volley, your aim is ruined briefly, which encourages more chain fire or at least cyclical laser groupings.

Am I way off? Could something like this actually work? I know they're not going to listen to me, but it seems like it should solve the actual problem.