448 replies to this topic

[Dirty Old Man]

I been driving an Atlas since the begin of this game.... I noticed a few changes since then....

1) Back in BC..... everyone runs away from me... unless they can ******** me...
2) When LRM was rebalanced.... if you dont carry any AMS... Atlas can be stripped from 100 to 20 by a pair of LRM 20 in 4 salvos
3) ECM came and everyone was my buddy....those were the good old days...
4) Now.... its usually everyone for himself... no one wants to be around me too long cos I am a Raven Magnet...

Conclusion... I still have good runs when I play Assault modes and I cannot believe sometimes how a tough SOB my mech can be when it just wont go down.....luck I guess...loving it hahaha....at 50KPH baby and Boom Boom BADABOOM ~

[Khobai]

Quote

I will never understand why torso twisting is seen as some kind of holy grail in this game.

The first thing you will realize while twisting against a decent pilot is that you are taking next to no damage to the parts you expose, because he simply holds the trigger, uses the time to cool down and alphas your ct as soon as you twist back.
I still torsotwist alot, because it helps against terrible pilots.
But anyone who is not braindead will just wait for the right second to hit the CT again.

Shooting the arm of a twisting atlas is just like... drilling an alpha into a building because someone is hiding behind it.

Well in all fairness, torso twisting will help you in very specific situations. For example, this one game I played in my Atlas-D-DC, it came down to me vs a Stalker-3F. My Atlas was out of ammo and my center torso was cored. All I had left were two medium lasers. The Stalker-3F had one of its side torsos blown off and the other side torso was cored. All he had left were two er ppcs. So basically we both had to torso twist and put shots into eachother to try and take out the cored section. The Stalker didn't time his shots as well as me so he lost.

But yeah, the usefulness of torso twisting tends to be highly exaggerated. It can definitely help you in very specific situations. But it doesn't work particularly well as a general means to mitgate damage; like how the Raven's invulnerability shield does.

Quote

2) When LRM was rebalanced.... if you dont carry any AMS... Atlas can be stripped from 100 to 20 by a pair of LRM 20 in 4 salvos

Yeah the new Artemis spread puts 80% of those missiles in the same location. Even if you torso twist there's a good chance of losing your arm/side torso in 1-2 salvos.

Edited by Khobai, 15 March 2013 - 08:47 AM.

[Oppresor]

RockWolf, on 13 March 2013 - 01:33 AM, said:

Atlas pilots... I hate you. You stay in cover and wait. I shoot, I move and I keep the enemy busy.

Next time you run LRM's, I will team kill you. Your job is not stay at base and Lrm people. Its to smack the enemy and push their lines.

Please be useful for the team.

Sincerely yours,

A cataphract pilot.

See next post my Friend.

Etrius1022, on 13 March 2013 - 01:48 AM, said:

If you think an atlas is durable, imagine how much more durable it is when it's trying to get some cover and strips enemy mechs before they get in their effective range.

If you want the DDC to be your tank, then stay with it, under it's umbrella. Just remeber it's a slow mech. Stay with the atlas untill those 2+ enemy ravens start circling it, they always come.

If you think crossing open terain is bad in most mechs, try doing it at about 50kph.

I am with you 100% on this one. My Atlas is primarily configured for a Sniper Role for the very reason you have given. I to suffer the Raven, Commando and Jenner problem at close range too; my answer is to pack an LBX10 Scattershot & MG Array. I do this because I know that in 80% of engagements I cannot count on any of the lights in my team to help me when I get caught in the circle of death.

[Khanahar]

OP very underinformed. In MWO, the "damage soaks" are usually more "fire distractors." ECM lights are famously good at this, but a speed tweaked max-speed CN9-D using its shield arm can survive even longer. Atlases are there to carry large amounts of firepower to be deployed as brawlers or fire support (both direct and indirect).

[War Council]

An Atlas is not a damage soak. No mech should go into combat trying to take damage, least of all the most important piece on the board. All mechs should avoid damage as much as possible at all times. You shouldn't expect any mech to jump in front of you and take damage on your behalf. That is simply foolish. If you want to play a tank, play an MMO.

Edited by War Council, 15 March 2013 - 04:01 PM.

[Wintersdark]

Jammerben87, on 13 March 2013 - 02:45 AM, said:

The point I'm making is you are the anchor for the team, so if we have an atlas and it sits at the back sniping, we lose a lot of HP up with the fight, which unbalances it in favour of the other team which will probably have an atlas that is willing to get close.

I should point out here that there's no weight class balancing in matchmaking right now (or so little there may as well not be) so unlike pre-MMp3 days taking a ranged Atlas isn't giving the other team a (likely) Brawler Atlas. It may well be giving the other team a Dragon.

[Sir Wulfrick]

Kommisar, on 15 March 2013 - 05:30 AM, said:

Wow.

So, let me state my perception of the OP here. In many matches, he runs forward in his faster (than an Atlas) mech, pushes to engage the enemy (most likely in less than advantageous terrain), finds (surprise!) that he is out numbered and taking a beating, can't get his way back out, and blames Atlas pilots for not being their for him.

Maybe this isn't want you meant OP; but this is how I and many others read it.

When I run my Atlas, my role is not to bail you out of your bad tactical decisions. Admittedly, if it is possible, I will generally try; because you are a mech on my team and numbers matter. But my role is not to walk forward like an moron and let any noob, troll, and kiddie with a mouse get free shots on my mech. Don't take this as a personal attack, but your tactical role for an assault mech is short sighted and myopic. Your close to something true, but you are missing the full picture.

An Atlas' greatest asset to his team is his very presence on the field. He is a threat. Can be THE threat. But he is nothing if all he is is a smoking wreck that concentrated long range fire blasted down in the open salvos.

A smart Atlas pilot can play mental games with his opponents. Letting them know he is around; yet not knowing exactly where. Or knowing he is behind that cover right there... but not knowing when he will move out to engage. He's a threat that they have to keep an eye on. Hopefully while the faster guys are making sure he doesn't get flanked and run down by a pack of light mechs.

Now, at some point the Atlas will commit. But the timing has to be right; and it is never really the same. From being on the giving and receiving end of it, I will say the most effective time I have seen is after the other mechs have chewed on each other a bit, armors have been chewed up and weakened and the fight has moved into the Atlas' optimum range for whatever massive amount of firepower he loaded up on (Trust me, a LRM boated DDC with Artemis at 200 to 300 meters is brutal) can start dropping mechs left and right. Nothing ends a team fight like a fresh assault mech popping up at the fringes of an engagement and dropping two to three targets before anyone can really react.

This move depends on having some good heavy, medium and/or light pilots that can prepare the field and not get wiped out. Or move off by themselves to get chump-killed all alone.

This chap gets it. The above should be printed in big, red letters on the inside cover of the Atlas pilots manual.

Jay Kerensky, on 15 March 2013 - 12:20 AM, said:

Thanks! This thread is great if you can't sleep.

One, two pages tops and I'm yawning so hard. Good cure for insomnia.

THAT's your contribution to the discussion?

[Khobai]

Quote

An Atlas is not a damage soak. No mech should go into combat trying to take damage, least of all the most important piece on the board. All mechs should avoid damage as much as possible at all times. You shouldn't expect any mech to jump in front of you and take damage on your behalf. That is simply foolish. If you want to play a tank, play an MMO.

Then why play an Atlas? If they can't soak damage there's literally no reason to play one. Because light mechs can effectively tank damage. And other heavies and assaults can do way more damage than an Atlas. The way I see it the Atlas does nothing that other mechs can't do better...

[Grauluchs]

I love those Builds! Hiding behind thick armor, ECM and indirect Weapons. Every time I see a DDC with LRMs as primary weapon it is like a big neon sign popping up over their head "I am a big fat coward".My favorite food. I guess they got stomped to often by people knowing what they do. If one of them happens to be in my team I switch from "do your best and fight for the team" to " bite my shiny armored a..". Im switching rapidly between targets to make sure they waste ammo, or simply never pushing the "R". If I see some of the enemy flanking us, I lead them to the 100t waste of space and leaving him to the Rav... crows. Some times at the start of the game you see those "Im LRM", "please push R" "targets please" and so on. first thing I do is to check the list which mechtype is used by this player. Any other is fine and I support them as much as I can, but the moment I see a DDC pilot typing in those phrase is the moment I wish for the ability to switch sides or to target your own teammates.

Occasionally I pilot one of my Atlai myself and my respect goes to those guys with ferrofibrous balls who truly understand the meaning of an ASSAULT named after a titan carrying the world on his shoulders. If I meet one of them on the battlefield its like the real clash of the titans, not the silly "make the circle red and push the button" game. I do not say "you should soak up damage" or die for the team, but FFS lead the assault in an assault mech designed for the assault. Leave the supporting role to the mechs made for that purpose like Trebuchet or Catapult. Yes I know "we payed for this game" and "we will play as we like" and "its your decision and opinion, and that is mine". Its just my 2cnt.

Edited by Grauluchs, 16 March 2013 - 01:11 AM.

[SgtMagor]

Atlas is a generalized weapons platform, according to Battletech a tough mech, iirc Atlai always had missles in there stock load out. mech was designed to engage targets at all ranges. whats wrong with missiles? they are part of Battletech and this game. the D-DC was also designed to be a command mech, can't wait for Command console comes online for some serious fun!

[Red squirrel]

IMHO Stalkers are harder to kill than Atlas.

[Sephlock]

[Suki]

Josef Nader, on 14 March 2013 - 04:38 PM, said:

The correct way to torso twist is to not focus a target. You're usually under attack from several mechs. Don't try to hit a single mech, hit them all. You aren't going for kills. You're knocking as many holes in armor as you can so your teammates can capitalize on it. Shoot anyone and everything as often as you can. It automatically spreads your incoming damage, gives you tons of damage output, and helps your team more than trying to focus down a single mech.

It's a reaally bad idea shooting "anyone and everything". The team shooting "anyone and everything" vs team focusing fire = loosing 0-8. I've seen many matches like this when team focusing fire was left alive 30-40% health when team spreading damage was all dead.

[Veggies]

Mr 144, on 13 March 2013 - 02:01 AM, said:

Heavy Brawlers....I hate you. You shadow me, using my bulk as cover as I plod along. You give me a sense of security, backup, a force multiplier. As soon as the engagement starts, you run away from me, most times withdrawing completely from the brawl when it gets tough. You don't shoot the same things your Atlas is, you don't protect him from faster flankers while he handles the meat of the oppostition. You leave your Atlas alone...high-and-dry...stranded...at the slightest scratch of your heavy's paint. Next time you run from a fight and leave me to 'tank' an entire team solo, I will spin in circles spamming fire in all directions...God knows I can't disengage to TK ya...you've already ran. Please be useful for the Atlas if you expect him to tank. Sincerely yours, An Atlas Pilot

THIS. You charge up because there's like 3-4 of your team right behind you...then...WHERE THE HELL DID THEY GO? URRBLLAA-KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM-

[Veggies]

Grauluchs, on 16 March 2013 - 01:04 AM, said:

I love those Builds! Hiding behind thick armor, ECM and indirect Weapons. Every time I see a DDC with LRMs as primary weapon it is like a big neon sign popping up over their head "I am a big fat coward".My favorite food. I guess they got stomped to often by people knowing what they do. If one of them happens to be in my team I switch from "do your best and fight for the team" to " bite my shiny armored a..". Im switching rapidly between targets to make sure they waste ammo, or simply never pushing the "R". If I see some of the enemy flanking us, I lead them to the 100t waste of space and leaving him to the Rav... crows. Some times at the start of the game you see those "Im LRM", "please push R" "targets please" and so on. first thing I do is to check the list which mechtype is used by this player. Any other is fine and I support them as much as I can, but the moment I see a DDC pilot typing in those phrase is the moment I wish for the ability to switch sides or to target your own teammates. Occasionally I pilot one of my Atlai myself and my respect goes to those guys with ferrofibrous balls who truly understand the meaning of an ASSAULT named after a titan carrying the world on his shoulders. If I meet one of them on the battlefield its like the real clash of the titans, not the silly "make the circle red and push the button" game. I do not say "you should soak up damage" or die for the team, but FFS lead the assault in an assault mech designed for the assault. Leave the supporting role to the mechs made for that purpose like Trebuchet or Catapult. Yes I know "we payed for this game" and "we will play as we like" and "its your decision and opinion, and that is mine". Its just my 2cnt.

Wow, who pooped in your cereal?

[Jay Kerensky]

Sir Wulfrick, on 15 March 2013 - 11:57 PM, said:

This chap gets it. The above should be printed in big, red letters on the inside cover of the Atlas pilots manual.



THAT's your contribution to the discussion?

A bunch of people declaiming on an electronic soap box to whomever the hell decides to read a thread and give their own personal opinion on how a game on the net should be played. It's not even suggesting anything, just a general conversation.
So - Yes that is my contribution. It is no more or less valid than anyone elses as it is a personal opinion. Do I care if you don't like it? Hmmmm - guess!
You know what? - you don't have to read this or respond either, but can you help yourself? Ahahahahahahaaaaa

[Drenzul]

Ok, time to correct some idiots I think.

1> The assault class in MWO does NOT mean a mech is actually designed to assault.
Any mech from 80-100 tons falls into this category regardless of if they are designed for attack, defence, scouting e.t.c.
2> An atlas is NOT a damage soak. An atlas putting itself in a position to soak damage is a dead atlas. The only real reason an atlas has more armour is because of it's lower speed and larger size meaning it will take more damage and take longer to get back into cover than smaller mechs.

3> Ranged atlas builds are perfectly viable and sensible builds, especially ECM builds providing cover for other LRM/Long range boats.

And my GOD Grauluchs, that has to be the most ******** and childish thing I've seen on a net forum in a while...... Waaa, I don't like his build so I'm going to sabotage my team. What are you? 8 years old?

[Grauluchs]

Drenzul, on 16 March 2013 - 03:57 AM, said:

Ok, time to correct some idiots I think.

1> The assault class in MWO does NOT mean a mech is actually designed to assault.
Any mech from 80-100 tons falls into this category regardless of if they are designed for attack, defence, scouting e.t.c.
2> An atlas is NOT a damage soak. An atlas putting itself in a position to soak damage is a dead atlas. The only real reason an atlas has more armour is because of it's lower speed and larger size meaning it will take more damage and take longer to get back into cover than smaller mechs.

3> Ranged atlas builds are perfectly viable and sensible builds, especially ECM builds providing cover for other LRM/Long range boats.

And my GOD Grauluchs, that has to be the most ******** and childish thing I've seen on a net forum in a while...... Waaa, I don't like his build so I'm going to sabotage my team. What are you? 8 years old?

look whos talking calling others idiots and blaming them to be childish? irony? I know there are assault ment for the purpose of LRM support. Naginata for example. I just feel heartbroken everytime I see an Atlas spawning LRMs.Yay to for the semiomnimechs we got. FYI. Its not sabotage Im "just playing the way I want" as the DDC LRM ECM pilot does play the way he want.

1. know. But an Atlas IS made for assault. I dont complain if an AWS or STK is using LRM for main weapons

2.Never said he has to soak up damage. Just hate to see one hugging the building while the rest of the team dies.

3. aw. sweet. another DDC ECM LRM hero? I approve of ranged Atlai never said anything else. AS7-K is a canon long range weapon.


btw. you know what correcting an other persons opinion because you dont like it is called?

Edited by Grauluchs, 16 March 2013 - 04:26 AM.

[Anton Shiningstar]

Grauluchs, on 16 March 2013 - 04:17 AM, said:

look whos talking calling others idiots and blaming them to be childish? irony? I know there are assault ment for the purpose of LRM support. Naginata for example. I just feel heartbroken everytime I see an Atlas spawning LRMs.Yay to for the semiomnimechs we got. FYI. Its not sabotage Im "just playing the way I want" as the DDC LRM ECM pilot does play the way he want.

1. know. But an Atlas IS made for assault. I dont complain if an AWS or STK is using LRM for main weapons

2.Never said he has to soak up damage. Just hate to see one hugging the building while the rest of the team dies.

3. aw. sweet. another DDC ECM LRM hero?

1. An Atlas with mostly missiles is a siege engine or a fire support platform.

2. Well this is a personal preference, wanting to live to support your team. If the team is to foolish to break off and regroup with its assault Mechs then I guess it is fitting they died first.

3. Aw another player who only thnks 1 dimensionally. Great.

[Drenzul]

Grauluchs, on 16 March 2013 - 04:17 AM, said:

look whos talking calling others idiots and blaming them to be childish? irony? I know there are assault ment for the purpose of LRM support. Naginata for example. I just feel heartbroken everytime I see an Atlas spawning LRMs.Yay to for the semiomnimechs we got. FYI. Its not sabotage Im "just playing the way I want" as the DDC LRM ECM pilot does play the way he want.

LOL, the DDC is meant as a C&C/Long ranged support mech, perhaps you should do some research first.

And no, deliberately causing your team's LRM users to waste ammo is NOT 'playing how you want to play', its sabotaging your team, exactly the same way that an AFKer is doing. Not only that you are hurting 7 other players because YOU are butt-hurt over ONE player's build.

Deliberately leading enemies to the friendly LRM boats... again, thats not playing how you want, thats deliberately sabotaging your team.

That is simply been an ***** and childish.

PS. I don't run an LRM atlas at the moment, so I'm not defending my builds or anything like that, my Atlases are all direct fire, mainly short to mid range, but your attitude is extremely childish, if you can't see that, well there may be no hope for you.

edit: typo

Edited by Drenzul, 16 March 2013 - 04:30 AM.