IronClaws, on 23 September 2014 - 12:25 PM, said:
From my observations, I have determined that it is not LRMs that are OP, it is the fact that targetting in MWO functions as if every mech in the game is equipped with C3 targetting systems. If PGI removed the the ability to automatically share target information and made it so mechs had to buy and equip C3 computers to be able to share targetting information with other C3 equipped mechs, it would make LRM less overwhelming and it would make the role of a scout / spotter much more relevant and valuable.
Making a "transmitter" module that gives the ability to relay target info to other mechs which are equipped with a "receiver" module would be the best way to do it. If a mech is not equipped with either module, it would only be able to get target info for the target it is locked onto, but would not be able to relay info to or receive info from team mates.
Let me guess, you are basing your argument on the the
Sarna description of C3?
While it is not wrong, it is not totally correct either. Mechs where always able to provide targeting data. There was indirect fire before that system became available.
Here are some excerpts from the rulebook on what C3 actuall does, about indirect LRM fire and spotting.
Page 111 of the Total Warfare rulebook
Quote
LRM Indirect Fire
Units armed with LRM-type weapons may fire those missiles indirectly. Indirect fire allows a unit without a direct line of sight to a target to attack that target, though a friendly unit must have a valid line of sight to the target (this unit is referred to as the spotter). An attacker with a valid LOS to a target cannot make an LRM indirect fire attack, even if that attack would have a better to-hit modifier.
As you can see, there is no mention of special equipment needed to be a spotter.
Page 131 of the Total Warfare rulebook
Quote
C3 COMPUTER (MASTER/SLAVE)
The C3 computer system can link up to twelve ’Mechs or vehicles together—utilizing a series of C3 Master and C3 Slaves—in a communications network that will share targeting information. To make an attack using a C3 computer network, calculate the to-hit number using the range to the target from the networked unit nearest the target with line of sight. Use the firing unit’s modifiers for movement, terrain effects, minimum range and so on. A weapon attack using a C3 network must conform to standard LOS restrictions and cannot fire beyond its maximum range, though a well-placed lancemate may allow the firing unit to use his weapon’s short-range to-hit number at long range.
The C3 network itself has no maximum range, but only units actually on the playing area can benefit from the network, and the C3 Master (or C3 Masters if using a company-sized network) must be on the playing area.
TAG: The C3 Master (but not the C3 Slaves) exactly duplicates the function of target acquisition gear (see TAG; p. 142).
LRM Indirect Fire: C3-equipped units spotting targets for or launching an LRM indirect fire attack use the LRM Indirect
Fire rules (see p. 111), and gain no benefit from a C3 network.
The LRM entry shows that LRM do not gain a benefit for indirect fire from a C3 unit.
It's also referenced a few times in the novels. So mechs spotting without such equipment is not only correct from a rule point of view, it is also in the lore. I see no real reason, to add such a tax to MWO. LRMs are not as overpowered as they appear to be, once you learn how to effectivly deal with them.
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