Varrin Coursca, on 09 March 2013 - 02:07 PM, said:
Just so you know ahead of time: don't expect a protracted debate from me on this; you clearly have your own view of what the meta is and I clearly have mine.
And they aren't even that different.
Varrin Coursca, on 09 March 2013 - 02:07 PM, said:
IMO, what you're saying was absolutely true three patches ago, before the heat changes to PPCs, PPC ECM cancellation, Matchmaking Phase 3, and Alpine.
The eight-mans (and most four-mans) I've been in recently have been decided by who is able to do more damage while closing to brawling range and not so much in the brawl itself. I'm seeing PPCs and Gauss Rifles a lot more now than a month ago. I can't remember the last match I've been in that hasn't had at least one or two PPC-equipped 'Mechs on either side.
I'm not saying all matches are decided this way -- I can only offer my own frame of reference. However, I'm not in nearly as many brawls as I used to be. Judging by the number of folks I'm dropping with and against from these forums--folks I recognize as being good pilots and competitors (thank you, Elo...)--I'd judge my frame is a fairly reasonable one.
I guess the only difference between our opinions is that i don't feel that the recent changes go far enough. The occasional Alpine is still far too seldom and there are still way too many people boating short range weapons only. While i agree that that should be a valid tactical choice, it should also be a challenge to get into range with these builds. Pure short rangers *are* a one-trick pony and they *should* require either superb piloting or patient and clever ambushing.
I personally would love much more maps like alpine in the mix, people would finally be forced to use some more versatile builds. And frankly, a hot mech becoming invisible on a snow plain at distances > 700 meters while the snowy hill behind it is bright from the bit of sun sounds just ridiculous to me.
We may have incommensurate ideas of what is desireable from a gameplay perspective, but atleast my idea doesnt require blatant ignorance of the physical basics, therefore being preferential from an immersion perspective for those of us that know how IR works.