6 replies to this topic

[SilentScreamer]

I want to have fun and enjoy the game. If you have the same goal I hope this post helps you.

For players who are pursuing the most kills or highest damage in a match, this is not the thread for you. Most threads are about optimizing your mech with autocannons, missiles or energy weapons to get a high damage total or kill count. However, if you don't enjoy piloting that the specific mech and weapons they are pushing why continue playing?

To keep the game fun for yourself, I suggest you pick a mech you enjoy piloting! After you figure out the mech and playstyle you enjoy the most, go search for threads and figure out how to maximize that mech's potential.

What is your Play-Style?

Wade in Guns Blazing
Get in close, put out lots of damage (and take damage)
Mechs: Atlas or Cataphract although most Heavy and Assault class mechs will work.
Loadout: Anything but Long Range Missiles. Be sure to put on plenty of Armor.
Pros: Lots of action.
Cons: If you are alone or leading the charge, your mech will be destroyed before anyone else.
Advanced tips: Take a Cool Shot module if you're Overheating. Find a friendly Atlas with ECM to stick near.

Hit and Run
For the player that likes running in, shooting a few times, then running away.
Mechs: Try the Cicada, although most light and medium mechs can work in this role.
Loadout: Lasers and Short Range Missiles.
Pros: Fast movement (above 100kph)
Cons: With speed taking priority you probably have to sacrafice either weapons or armor.
Advanced tips: Look into ECM on COM-2D, SPD-5D, RVN-3L, and CDA-3M.

Sniper/Trench Warfare
If you like to pick a spot on a hill or in a trench and fire at enemies.
Mechs: Blackjack, Jagermech (and many others)
Loadout: For quick bursts: Gauss Rifles, Large Lasers, and PPCs. For sustained fire take Autocannon.
Pros: Good firepower.
Cons: Mech builds can be pretty slow after loading the guns, ammo and heatsinks.
Advanced tips: Buy a Beagle Probe, and if you build up enough GXP try the Advanced Zoom.

Missile (Artillery) Support
Want to be able to help out a friend fighting over the next hill? Take an “LRM Boat”
Mechs: Kintaro, Catapult, Stalker (and many others)
Loadout: Long Range Missiles (plenty of ammo).
Pros: Good damage potential if you have a target you can see or a friend “spots” for you.
Cons: ECM counters missile lock and LRMs are useless againts mechs within 180m.
Advanced tips: Upgrade to Artemis missiles. Try the UAV module for a temporary spotter. Take some SRMs, Streaks or Lasers for when enemy mechs get close.

Other Tips:
- Double Heat Sinks are a good upgrade on almost any mech.
- Extra-light (XL) Engines will allow you to put on heavy weapons or move faster, but your mech will be easier to destroy.
- Jump Jets allow you to get over buildings and hills that are too steep to climb.
- Standing near a friendly mech with ECM also protects your mech from long range targeting.
- Try the Trial Mechs. Variety is good and you may find a new play style you enjoy.
- REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!

Edited by SilentScreamer, 18 March 2014 - 09:57 AM.

[Spleenslitta]

SilentScreamer, on 18 March 2014 - 09:55 AM, said:

I want to have fun and enjoy the game. If you have the same goal I hope this post helps you.

For players who are pursuing the most kills or highest damage in a match, this is not the thread for you. Most threads are about optimizing your mech with autocannons, missiles or energy weapons to get a high damage total or kill count. However, if you don't enjoy piloting that the specific mech and weapons they are pushing why continue playing?

To keep the game fun for yourself, I suggest you pick a mech you enjoy piloting! After you figure out the mech and playstyle you enjoy the most, go search for threads and figure out how to maximize that mech's potential.

What is your Play-Style?

I agree with you but there is one thing i don't quite get.
You say that players who wants to meta shouldn't really read this thread but you also encourage them to maximise their mechs potential through searching for threads about their mech.
Most the threads out there are all about meta builds.
It does sound a little bit contradictory. Sorry if i missunderstood.

Edited by Spleenslitta, 18 March 2014 - 10:10 AM.

[Navy Sixes]

Not bad, gave you a like. I'd only add that, with the coming class restrictions, your class is going to matter in ways it hasn't before. It may be obvious that a new player will enjoy the armor and firepower of a heavy/assault mech, but in the near future only a certain number of each class will be allowed per match. New players should know that everyone and their mother are running heavy/assaults, so if you refuse to run anything else you may expect longer wait times to drop into a match.

I'd advise starting out by getting into the mediums. There is a mech for every one of the play-styles mentioned in the OP, so you will be able to explore your own technique. You will be fast enough to move around on the larger maps freely. Arty/airstrikes will be easy to avoid.

Most importantly, you will be able to find matches quickly. You won't be taking up one of those precious heavy/assault slots while you're new and still figuring things out. While I'm no fan of big mechs, I think with the coming class restrictions it will be better to leave them to the pilots who know how to build/drive them.

From the medium class, you can decide if you want to go up or down in tonnage. If you don't mind going slow and want more armor/gunnage you can move into the heavies and assaults. If you like the speed-game, you can kick that into hyperspace in a light. Or maybe you're crazy+good enough to buck the common wisdom and keep raising hell in a medium.

Don't get railroaded into a slow big mech from the start. You will be closing off huge swaths of the game's playability without appreciating them. You will wind up here on the forums complaining about everything the rest of us love about the game.

Edited by Tycho von Gagern, 18 March 2014 - 10:44 AM.

[SilentScreamer]

Spleenslitta, on 18 March 2014 - 10:09 AM, said:

I agree with you but there is one thing i don't quite get.
You say that players who wants to meta shouldn't really read this thread but you also encourage them to maximise their mechs potential through searching for threads about their mech.
Most the threads out there are all about meta builds.
It does sound a little bit contradictory. Sorry if i missunderstood.

I don't see a contradiction Spleenslitta. Let me simplify....

#1 Have fun playing.
#2 Improve / Optimize your mech
#3 Win Games

If you aren't having fun playing, winning doesn't matter. So focus on having fun, if you are having fun, then start to work on optimization and wins will come. Even if you loose a game now and then, at least you are still enjoying playing.

[DONTOR]

Good post, pretty solid basics in there.

[Spleenslitta]

SilentScreamer, on 18 March 2014 - 10:27 AM, said:

I don't see a contradiction Spleenslitta. Let me simplify....

#1 Have fun playing.
#2 Improve / Optimize your mech
#3 Win Games

If you aren't having fun playing, winning doesn't matter. So focus on having fun, if you are having fun, then start to work on optimization and wins will come. Even if you loose a game now and then, at least you are still enjoying playing.

I guess the original thread looks different to somebody other than you. But it could just be me.
In any case good luck guiding the novices.

[Barkem Squirrel]

Always have fun, the most important part.

Then variety. Sometimes something new is needed. Especially if it is not meta or a good build. Like the 2 MG, 6 SPL firebrand with the biggest engine you can fit into it.

Did I say anything about winning, well that of course.