Okay, firstly, a list of game modes. They include, but are not limited to: Capture the Flag, Death Match, Team Death Match, Squad Death Match, Conquest and Assault.
First we see in the list, Capture the Flag. I trust everyone here has a firm grasp of Capture the Flag, from playing it in elementary/grade school and understands this Match Mode.
Next we see Death Match, Team Death Match, Squad Death Match. All are similar, and thus will be lumped into just plain Death Match for sake of brevity. Two Teams, equal in dignity <usually> face off, and kill each other until the entire team has either been killed off <as in Mechwarrior Online, one spawn, one death> or in some games, until you run the opposing team out of Spawn Tickets, such as in Battlefield 3.
Next is Conquest. This is similar to Assault Mode, but, instead of just having ONE capture point like Assault Mode, it can have as few as 2 per team to up to 5. You PRIMARILY take and hold said objectives until either that act in and of itself is a victory condition, or, if it is like in Battlefield 3, you run your enemy out of tickets, as each objective held by the team runs down the Spawn Tickets of the enemy. SECONDARILY, you can kill the enemy until they all die or run out of tickets, which ever meets a win condition set forth by developers.
Finally in Assault Mode, the mode we currently run in MechWarrior: Online. Each Team has a base from which they initially spawn or drop into, and the PRIMARY Goal is not to remove the other team from existing, but, to take and remove the BASE from the enemies control. This also can apply to resources, manufacturing facilities or any other things that requires protection. The SECONDARY Objective of this mode, is to remove the enemy from existing, and should not be considered a PRIMARY Objective.
What is most aggravating is that, no matter the mode listed, players tend to default into a Death Match mindset, which is not healthy for any game unless Death Match is the primary mode in which you are fighting. This is most acutely true when THIS game implements Community Warfare when, we will be fighting for our Houses as House Warriors or as Mercenary Units, or, when Clan Factions become an option, as a member of one of the Canon Clans such as Ghost Bear, Wolf or Jade Falcon for control of territory and planets. It is of vital importance that one becomes acutely aware of what game mode he or she is fighting in, as it will become very important, and just going into a match with the intent of killing the enemy only may not be a win condition. It is also important to remember, with a mode such as Assault, your base can be captured as well, and making sure you and your team have a plan in place to defend it no matter the time of the match is important, as getting tunnel vision on a kill may not be healthy for your team.
Next up, I will discuss roles and the ideal use there in, but first, as with Game Modes, a list. In order of weight: Light Scouts, Medium Scouts/Brawlers, Heavy Support/Brawlers, Assault Support/Brawlers.
Light Scouts are meant for just what the name implies. Scouting enemy positions, strengths and potential weaknesses. And if needed a light harassing pass of gun fire to draw attention away from the main forces. Also, they are to relay any relevant targeting information by means of electronic packages designed for this use, such as C3, TAG, NARC and BAP. It is not suggested or recommended that a Light Scout take on a Brawling mode as they are not technically designed for this.
A Medium Scout/Brawler carries the responsibilities as listed above, but are in a better position to enter into a sustained fire fight, and can brawl while still relaying relevant information to friendly forces. Medium Scouts/Brawlers are not recommended or suggested to take on Heavy Support duties as they are not ideally suited for such a role, but Medium Support Duties can be achieved with proper planning.
Heavy Support/Brawlers as their names imply are in place to bring heavier firepower to a direct fire fight as well as provide long range fire support from proper Long Range Weapons, be them energy, missile or ballistic. It is not recommended that they take on lighter duties such as Scouting as they lack the speed and tactically relevant technologies to relay more than basic locations and strengths as well they lack the speed needed to get in and out undetected.
Assault Support/Brawlers as their names imply are in place to bring the HEAVIEST fire power to bear on enemy forces as well as the heaviest in Fire Support via the Heaviest long range weapons. They also are in place to bring about the capture of enemy bases and resources and any other objective that requires a Unit capable of taking heavy oppression fire/damage while dealing out just as much if not more fire power. It is not recommended or suggested that an Assault Support/Brawler take on Scouting duties, as again, they are not technologically equipped to provide more than basic locations and strengths, nor do they posses the speeds needed to get in and out undetected.
This is just a basic primer and review, and as such, only contains basic information.
edit: typo correction
Edited by Rejarial Galatan, 19 November 2012 - 10:50 PM.