20 replies to this topic

[Burned_Follower]

I need advice from the devs or from those who have played games that function similar to MWO:

The way i plan on playing MWO is that i'm going to start out as a scout. But i know that after a while i'm going to be interested in another role such as Assault for example.

When i come to the point where i've been playing the role as a scout for several months and i want to be an assault for a while, in order for my ingame character to reach maximum potential in avatar XP and the XP for the Battlemech i'm using, can i just simply take my scout character and just purchase an assault mech and gain XP that way, thus investing my avatar XP and mech XP toward the assault role until the day comes when i'm interested in a different role?

I've tried this method in various RP games and the result is that i end up not getting the full performance out of my engame character because there is always a level cap. For example, i used to play Star Trek Online. You had to choose between a Science, Engineering, or Tactical role. I tried my idea mentioned in the previous paragraph and i learned the hard way that i was better off creating SEPARATE characters(avatars) so that if i got bored being an Engineering officer, i can just re-login as my Science officer or Tactical officer.

Will I need to do that with MWO, or can i do all the roles eventually with the same character? If i have to do with what i did with my alt avatars in STO i will end up having to just commit to one role, cap it out, then start on the next role.

My agenda here is that if sometime in the future i'm with a unit and we're scheduled to do a MWL kind of a match with another unit and i've been in an assault mech the whole time but this specific match required more scout mechs, i want to be able to continue to contribute to my unit by just either loading up in a scout mech instead or re-login to MWO with a scout character instead.

But which one will be better for both me and with the unit as a whole(whatever group of players i'll end up playing with)? Is it too early to ask this question?

Edited by XxDRxDEATHxX, 01 February 2012 - 12:43 PM.

[Alistair Steiner]

I think they mentioned that switching from one role to another will carry some penalty (for example, being really good in a Jenner, then jumping in an Atlas means you're not going to be that great in the Atlas, until you pilot one for a while, perhaps.). As for roles, I think it will be somewhat similar. If you're a bloody awesome Scout, then you decide to try for playing the Commander role, you won't be as good as a Commander as you were as a Scout. The way it's looking, you gain XP and put it towards your chosen role and current 'Mech. When you jump into a new role or a new 'Mech, that skill tree is empty.

But that's just my take on things.

[Rayge]

I think it is too early. There are so many variables that we don't know. Think about it this way: it may be like World of Tanks but with better graphics. Or, it could be like Team Fortress

Basically, I want to know a few things before I pick a role I want. (In fact, I actually would like to play every role a few times before picking one). Things like, are light-class mechs tied to scouting, or can you use a different weight class for scouting. How exactly does the command role play out: am I going to be staring at a map all day and not shooting anything? Stuff like that.

Alistair Steiner, on 01 February 2012 - 12:53 PM, said:

I think they mentioned that switching from one role to another will carry some penalty (for example, being really good in a Jenner, then jumping in an Atlas means you're not going to be that great in the Atlas, until you pilot one for a while, perhaps.). As for roles, I think it will be somewhat similar. If you're a bloody awesome Scout, then you decide to try for playing the Commander role, you won't be as good as a Commander as you were as a Scout. The way it's looking, you gain XP and put it towards your chosen role and current 'Mech. When you jump into a new role or a new 'Mech, that skill tree is empty.

But that's just my take on things.

One thing I don't like about this: jsut because I switch from a scout to a defender, doesn't mean I have to switch mechs. You can scout in a bushwhacker or you can play defense in a bushwhacker.

Edited by Rayge, 01 February 2012 - 12:55 PM.

[ENDMYSUFFERING]

Rayge, on 01 February 2012 - 12:54 PM, said:

One thing I don't like about this: jsut because I switch from a scout to a defender, doesn't mean I have to switch mechs. You can scout in a bushwhacker or you can play defense in a bushwhacker.

No one said you'd have to, but just if you were in an atlas and had a centurion you'd never used, your pilot would have to get used to it, like you get used to a new keyboard.

[Rayge]

Flametrace, on 01 February 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

No one said you'd have to, but just if you were in an atlas and had a centurion you'd never used, your pilot would have to get used to it, like you get used to a new keyboard.

that's true, but I fail to see how role plays into that. If i'm a scout and I switch from one light mech to another light mech and still scout, I'd still have to put work into it liek in your example. I just don't like the phrase "switching from one role to another will confer a penalty."

Edited by Rayge, 01 February 2012 - 01:11 PM.

[Kenyon Burguess]

i have a hard time believing you wont be able to have a mech roster to choose from. if you switch back and forth it shouldnt take you too long to get used to it. long as the points dont degrade you put into the mech anyways

[Dakkonn]

I'm only guessing here but I'd imagine its similar to how Battlefield/Modern Warefare roles work (to a point) in that you can level an individual role up while playing it, unlocking various things but if you swap roles then you have to start leveling up that role. Some thing might swap over from role to role but if each of them had their own EXP trees that you just worked on as you played but could swap to whats needed before the start of a match it would work just fine. At least thats kinda how I hope it works cause I am defiantly going to be starting out as a commander role but as there can only be 3 commanders per match I'd hazard a guess that I will not always get the job meaning I would be worthless vs say someone that took any of the other roles. But if I could choose which role I'll use (from whats available) before the match it would be nice.

[Felix Dante]

Rayge, on 01 February 2012 - 01:11 PM, said:

I just don't like the phrase "switching from one role to another will confer a penalty."

I think what he is trying to get at (and the developers) is that you can configure your pilot to maximize your ability in a role. If you don't then you are going to be slightly below the curve when you compare your pilot to others who do. However, nothing is preventing your pilot from maximizing his potential in all the fields of combat (or specifically picking abilities that are good in all roles), he just won't be as good at specific roles as others will be.

I, for one, definately can see the advantage of a member being able to do two or three different roles and switch between them as needed for a specific game. Mercenaries have been doing it for years.

Edited by Felix Dante, 01 February 2012 - 01:36 PM.

[Paul Inouye]

More news on Friday... but until then...

Spoiler

Pilot points are not exclusive.. i.e. it doesn't matter what modules you've unlocked cause once you've unlocked them, they're always available to you. If you want to try a different BattleMech, go nuts. You'll start gaining XP on the new chassis you chose and can use any module that you've unlocked and purchased. In your scenario of going from a scout to an assault, you'd have all of your scout modules available to you and that entire branch/tree is still complete. You can put pilot points into any tree you wish from the very start. So if you max out the scout tree, you can continue putting points into assault if you want. That way when you switch over, you can have modules ready for the assault.

[Rayge]

Paul Inouye, on 01 February 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

More news on Friday... but until then...

Spoiler

Pilot points are not exclusive.. i.e. it doesn't matter what modules you've unlocked cause once you've unlocked them, they're always available to you. If you want to try a different BattleMech, go nuts. You'll start gaining XP on the new chassis you chose and can use any module that you've unlocked and purchased. In your scenario of going from a scout to an assault, you'd have all of your scout modules available to you and that entire branch/tree is still complete. You can put pilot points into any tree you wish from the very start. So if you max out the scout tree, you can continue putting points into assault if you want. That way when you switch over, you can have modules ready for the assault.

Thank you very much, Paul. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

[Omigir]

Careful not to ruin your Rep there Paul... we might start thinking we can strong arm information out of you XD

[Skwisgaar Skwigelf]

Paul Inouye, on 01 February 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

More news on Friday... but until then...

Spoiler

Pilot points are not exclusive.. i.e. it doesn't matter what modules you've unlocked cause once you've unlocked them, they're always available to you. If you want to try a different BattleMech, go nuts. You'll start gaining XP on the new chassis you chose and can use any module that you've unlocked and purchased. In your scenario of going from a scout to an assault, you'd have all of your scout modules available to you and that entire branch/tree is still complete. You can put pilot points into any tree you wish from the very start. So if you max out the scout tree, you can continue putting points into assault if you want. That way when you switch over, you can have modules ready for the assault.

(reads with some skepticism considering the source).........

[Nik Van Rhijn]

As I said in an earlier post - he can tell us the truth but no one will believe it

Thanks for the clarification - you just wiped out at least sections of about 10 questions

Edited by Nik Van Rhijn, 01 February 2012 - 02:10 PM.

[Paul Inouye]

Spoiler

Sometimes you get a nugget.. sometimes you don't

[Chuckie]

Paul Inouye, on 01 February 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

More news on Friday... but until then...

Spoiler

Pilot points are not exclusive.. i.e. it doesn't matter what modules you've unlocked cause once you've unlocked them, they're always available to you. If you want to try a different BattleMech, go nuts. You'll start gaining XP on the new chassis you chose and can use any module that you've unlocked and purchased. In your scenario of going from a scout to an assault, you'd have all of your scout modules available to you and that entire branch/tree is still complete. You can put pilot points into any tree you wish from the very start. So if you max out the scout tree, you can continue putting points into assault if you want. That way when you switch over, you can have modules ready for the assault.

A spoiler that actually means something.. whats the world coming too..

Paul Inouye, on 01 February 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

Spoiler

Sometimes you get a nugget.. sometimes you don't

Ahh.... that's more like it..

[Omigir]

Omigir, on 01 February 2012 - 02:04 PM, said:

Careful not to ruin your Rep there Paul... we might start thinking we can strong arm information out of you XD

Paul Inouye, on 01 February 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

Spoiler

Haha! omi changed this text!

Its only a matter of time

[Solis Obscuri]

Paul Inouye, on 01 February 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

More news on Friday... but until then...

Spoiler

Pilot points are not exclusive.. i.e. it doesn't matter what modules you've unlocked cause once you've unlocked them, they're always available to you. If you want to try a different BattleMech, go nuts. You'll start gaining XP on the new chassis you chose and can use any module that you've unlocked and purchased. In your scenario of going from a scout to an assault, you'd have all of your scout modules available to you and that entire branch/tree is still complete. You can put pilot points into any tree you wish from the very start. So if you max out the scout tree, you can continue putting points into assault if you want. That way when you switch over, you can have modules ready for the assault.

Are we going to potentially have the option of maxing everything out in a 'mech efficiency tree or the pilot skill trees?

[Rayge]

Solis Obscuri, on 01 February 2012 - 02:59 PM, said:

Are we going to potentially have the option of maxing everything out in a 'mech efficiency tree or the pilot skill trees?

I would assume so. Usually skill tree type contructs don't go on infinitely, and he does say that it's possible to "max out the scout tree" for example.

Edited by Rayge, 01 February 2012 - 03:12 PM.

[FinnMcKool]

Im just wondering how the skills and mods will change over from say a light to a assault or to should i say " Player controllable Dropship "

Hey Im not trying to push "Player controllable Dropships " its just the Devs in their infinite wisdom and loving kindness, have hinted at them, and I would be astounded if they didnt make it into the game.




McKools Cattle Raiders now offering by popular demand a "before Drop" Coffee Espresso and Latte Bar.
Remember Finn as your designated driver, always there for you, always sober.

and dont forget Free steak Dinner for those who make the ride home.

P.S. emptie coffee cans are available to take with on those extra long missions.

McKools will not be held responsible for burns acquired from spilled coffee during missions, Finn recommends you up grade your mech with anti-spill cupholders, Any accidents from bladder overfill or sudden release is the express responsibility of mech pilot.


Remember its a cruel universe out there.

[Burned_Follower]

Paul Inouye, on 01 February 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

More news on Friday... but until then...

Spoiler

Pilot points are not exclusive.. i.e. it doesn't matter what modules you've unlocked cause once you've unlocked them, they're always available to you. If you want to try a different BattleMech, go nuts. You'll start gaining XP on the new chassis you chose and can use any module that you've unlocked and purchased. In your scenario of going from a scout to an assault, you'd have all of your scout modules available to you and that entire branch/tree is still complete. You can put pilot points into any tree you wish from the very start. So if you max out the scout tree, you can continue putting points into assault if you want. That way when you switch over, you can have modules ready for the assault.

Yayness! Just got home from work and saw this reply. Thx for the info! If i'm understanding your spoiler correctly, then i only need to create one avatar instead of a handful! Can't wait for release! WOOT