62 replies to this topic

[DaZur]

Taking inventory of what we know so far... In particular role warfare, fog of war and the vastly expanded role of the scout Mech...

I foresee a new role that will evolve as a result of how scout Mechs can and will be utilized on the battlefield, that being Scout Hunter.

Scouts will be instrumental in the following ways: Scouting / Recon, Spotter / Target lazing, Interdiction / Harassment...

The role of "Scout Hunter" essentially will be like that of a pest exterminator... Kill the scouts and you blind the opposing force, limit their stand-off assets (read: missile boats) and hamper ability of snipers from ID'ing targets of opportunity.

While I see myself in the defender role due to my preference in mounts (Zeus) ... I could really see myself enjoying the role of scout hunter... Little game of cat & mouse, trying to find and kill the scouts while avoiding getting vaporized by the Heavies and Assaults...

I can think of at least a half-dozen light mediums that would absolutely excel at this role!

Thoughts?

[El Bandito]

I would prefer a light mech to be in that role. A light mech that is fast, but is built for dueling. A Cougar perhaps.

[whiskey tango foxtrot]

I think you've hit on one of the most important roles for this new game.

[Boymonkey]

Can't wait to lead you into the path of a waiting Atlas

[Applejack]

El Bandito, on 12 March 2012 - 11:12 AM, said:

I would prefer a light mech to be in that role. A light mech that is fast, but is built for dueling. A Cougar perhaps.

Cougar = Clan Tech!

No particular 'Mech chassis is a given edge here, really. Just don't be stupid.

Edited by Applejack, 12 March 2012 - 11:27 AM.

[LordKnightFandragon]

Nothing is a better scout hunter than a pair of Hunchbacks and a their AC20 +D

[DaZur]

Boymonkey, on 12 March 2012 - 11:21 AM, said:

Can't wait to lead you into the path of a waiting Atlas

Hence the whole cat & mouse intrigue!

I can see it now: Just when you think you've got the drop on a scout, you round a corner to come face-to-face with a couple heavies, ready to "introduce you to their little friends"... (Interject your best Al Pacino Scare-face accent here..)

Keep in mind, the hunted can just as easily become the hunter in this role... All a scout has to do is ID and lock/laze you and next thing you know it's raining missiles from afar... Hell, you'll probably never see the Mech that toasts you!

Edited by DaZur, 12 March 2012 - 11:37 AM.

[Orzorn]

Great point. With the introduction of roles, we'll likely see the "head-hunter" style mech make appearances. In previous games, these kinds of mechs were pretty much useless due to assaults being so prevalent, but now that we have commanders and scouts, we'll likely see at least one or two players on each side play more aggressive lone-wolf style mechs (like the Exterminator, which was explicitly made for head hunting) that skulk around the map looking for important targets to take out.

[Boymonkey]

In my best movie trailer voice "When the hunter becomes the hunted" lol

[verybad]

I've been planning to use a Dragon for this role since I found out the use of scouts in the game.

The Dragon has seveal advantages:
It's faster than all current mediums in the game. It's got decent armor, and one of it's variants (Grand Dragon) is even faster and carries a PPC.

Probably switch LRM-10 for multiple SRMs("SRM-10" (SRM-6+SRM-4 equal weight) if possible, they should carry a similiar hardpoint, as they seem to give a good knockdown punch from the videos, and I suspect LRMs would be difficult to get on a fast light. Knock the ******* down, then leg 'em with the PPC/lasers in order to remove his speed/agility.The LRMs could be useful in some situations, but I think the SRMs will make the Dragon a better brawler.

So the current goal is a headhunter/pest remover. I'll be dabbling with all the roles in order to get good close in combat, good stealthyness, and good agility.If, while attacking lights and commanders I can provide forward targeting, then all the better.

[HanaYuriko]

This seems relevant:



In a lot of team games I love playing the scout role. Using your wits as much as your skill in spotting and evading your opponents while doing what you can to harass and damage them at the same time. While always on the lookout for an opposing unit doing the same thing. You end up playing both roles. Keeping and engaging their scout units from doing their job while you're trying to do the same.

I don't know how viable a dedicated scout hunter unit would be, but I can guess at the equipment that'd be mounted. Beagle Active Probe, or if you're lucky and can mount one, the Bloodhound Probe, plus ECM and ECCM suites. I know Liao starts to design such units like one of the Raven variants and later on the more capable Anubis.

[Bluey]

LordKnightFandragon, on 12 March 2012 - 11:27 AM, said:

Nothing is a better scout hunter than a pair of Hunchbacks and a their AC20 +D

Steiner Way
SCOUTING? BRING ME 4 ATLASES

[verybad]

Bluey, on 12 March 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

Steiner Way
SCOUTING? BRING ME 4 ATLASES

I am so utterly sick of the Ho Ho Ho Steiner like Assault Mech joke. It shows up at least once in every thread that mentions scouts or steiners or assault mechs, or factions, or roles...or yeah.

They did invent the Commando, a very capable scout...

[Kanil]

verybad, on 12 March 2012 - 11:45 AM, said:

I am so utterly sick of the Ho Ho Ho Steiner like Assault Mech joke. It shows up at least once in every thread that mentions scouts or steiners or assault mechs, or factions, or roles...or yeah.

They did invent the Commando, a very capable scout...

And the Wolfhound, and the Mirage...

Anyway, the two light 'mechs revealed are rather formidable opponents, and more combat oriented than your Locust or Assassin. If you're going to go hunting them, you better be careful.

With another light and a medium to go, you might find some more scout-oriented 'mechs for you to maul.

[Kyuui]

Battlefield roles like this will be fun, a game within the game so to speak. Small fast but decently armed mechs will be key here. for Recon speed =life. For the hunters Speed = kills. Both sides can end up in either role very fast with a small slip. This part of the game will end up being ruled by those of us behind the keyboard who learn to "read the field" so to speak.

[Seabear]

Two mechs that spring to mind in the role of hunter are the Spector and Exterminator; of course the latter is exclusively Star League. I never understood why they went with an LRM rather than a LL or PPC on that chasis.

Edited by Seabear, 12 March 2012 - 11:59 AM.

[Bluey]

verybad, on 12 March 2012 - 11:45 AM, said:

I am so utterly sick of the Ho Ho Ho Steiner like Assault Mech joke. It shows up at least once in every thread that mentions scouts or steiners or assault mechs, or factions, or roles...or yeah.

They did invent the Commando, a very capable scout...

Thats why its called a joke not a fact

[Petroff Northrup]

Heh, I had kinda the same thoughts some time ago

http://mwomercs.com/...-scout-hunters/

So far i see the Centurion and Commando being our best scout hunters though I cannot decide which will fill the roll best so far. The COM packs all that firepower onto a fast fram while the Centurion can still keep up while packing better range and that mean AC10 for cleaving through the light's thin armor.

[DaZur]

Petroff Northrup, on 12 March 2012 - 12:01 PM, said:

Heh, I had kinda the same thoughts some time ago

You know what they say about great minds...

Sorry if I beat a dead horse... Thought I had an epiphany. Apparently it was more like a brain fart... LOL!

Edited by DaZur, 12 March 2012 - 12:04 PM.

[verybad]

The Centurion is a slug, it's the same speed as multple assault mechs until you upgrade to the XL engine, the Dragon has better speed even without an XL. The AC-5 isn't as nice as an AC-10, but a quick and probably cheap switch in the mechlab should fix that.

As for lights, the Jenner has better speed and firepower than a Commando so...