91 replies to this topic

[Squid von Torgar]

Two words - "Ammo" and "Legs".

In case (no pun intended) that is not enough to go on, what I am specifically referring to is the practice of storing ammo in the legs.

Currently and AFAIK there are no plans to change this, and we are free to store ammo and have it magically (Or perhaps its via Osmosis?) travel up the mech through into weapons mounted on the upper body.

Storing ammo in the legs is a pretty good idea build wise. Mostly people aim for the centre mass (or a specific location on the upper body) and having all those missiles and shells down in your ankles keeps those pesky ammo explosions at bay. Further those two slots at the bottom of the each leg can only fit SHS, so why not through some HE munitions down there instead and use the upper body slots for weaps?

But lets face it, even in a game that is famous for some dodgy science (Battletech, not MWO only) It just doesn't make sense. Legs are for HS even the greenest Tech knows that.

From a gameplay point of view this also means that having ammo stored in the upper body balances out things like LRMs and Ballistics further. Sure you can take tons of ammo, but make sure you have the space and that you are convinced it wont cook off when you are shot at. In short it would make ammo explosions more common.

The second thing I would like to mention to you today is water.

We drink it, bathe in it, hell 80% of our very selves is made up of it. And as familiar stuff we know that its quite dense, and running though it slows you down.

If you don't believe me try it yourself and try "running" through the shallow end of your local swimming pool or on the beach.

Mechs should also be slowed down by it. That and steep slopes. Whilst we are here they should fall over, but ill settle for being slowed by terrain (aquatic or otherwise) until they do.

Edited by Squid von Torgar, 04 April 2013 - 06:05 AM.

[hashinshin]

and the second ammo has to be stored in places it can actually blow up suddenly ACs are dropped from every build.

[EyeOne]

Sometimes I feel bad about putting ammo in my legs. But then I remember that I don't want my torsos to explode and I get over it. I dunno how ammo in the legs would work. Oh well.

Heck, in MW2 I put medium lasers in my legs.

[N0ni]

EyeOne, on 04 April 2013 - 06:11 AM, said:

Heck, in MW2 I put medium lasers in my legs.

Sweet memories. Who needs arms when you can put all your weapons in the legs... maybe some in the CT... then you're set to go.

[Ghogiel]

EyeOne, on 04 April 2013 - 06:11 AM, said:

Heck, in MW2 I put medium lasers in my legs.

yuusss

[Jack Lazarus]

If MWO had the BattleTech heat penalties (things get worse and worse as heat climbs instead of the 'you're good' or 'you're shut down' system we have now) and ammo explosions from heat were a thing, I would be less inclined to put ammo in the legs. And in cases where I actually have torso space to spare, I put ammo in the torso instead so I can C.A.S.E. it. But most of the time, I just don't have space anywhere except the legs. They are well protected, and the rest of the mech is fitting double heat sinks where it can (and the legs is one place they absolutely cannot go).

Edited by Jack Lazarus, 04 April 2013 - 06:17 AM.

[Bishop Steiner]

To be frank, in most mechs, like a Cataphract, the upper arms are so tiny and skinny you can't tell me an ammo feed could fit thru them to bring ammo from the torso, except maybe for mgs. And yet, magically they do. In part, because mechantendnto look stupid with Lou Ferrigno biceps.

And FerroFibrous armor taking up room INSIDE a mech. Or that critical actually make sense since most weapons are actually externally mounted, and would have their own armor.or that a cockpit would have to be exposed in anhead with minimal armor, etc,etc.

Dodgy pre internet 80s science understanding if the common man meets gameplay balance attempts. And yet tye game has stubbornly survived and even gained new rand for the last 30 years. Are the physics and mechanics kind of laughable at times? Sure. But give it credit for even trying to add things like customization and builds rules and heat, in a game industry that just usually god by the "it sounds cool" school or design.

[Squid von Torgar]

Quote

suddenly ACs are dropped from every build.

I can think of another weapon type that requires ammo (Hint it begins with the letter "L"). Also there is another Mech game that forbids ammo in the legs and ACs and the other things are still very popular.

Quote

If MWO had the BattleTech heat penalties

Thats a very good point! MWO should have ammo cook offs due to heat (plus movement penalties, even pilots blacking out). But then we run the danger of MWO being more of a game about mechs than a generic FPS. **shudders**

Edited by Squid von Torgar, 04 April 2013 - 06:20 AM.

[Moromillas]

Squid von Torgar, on 04 April 2013 - 06:03 AM, said:

Currently and AFAIK there are no plans to change this, and we are free to store ammo and have it magically (Or perhaps its via Osmosis?) travel up the mech through into weapons mounted on the upper body.

Yep, that's exactly what happens, though there's nothing magical about it.

[Steadfast]

Squid von Torgar, on 04 April 2013 - 06:03 AM, said:

Two words - "Ammo" and "Legs".

In case (no pun intended) that is not enough to go on, what I am specifically referring to is the practice of storing ammo in the legs.

Currently and AFAIK there are no plans to change this, and we are free to store ammo and have it magically (Or perhaps its via Osmosis?) travel up the mech through into weapons mounted on the upper body.

Storing ammo in the legs is a pretty good idea build wise. Mostly people aim for the centre mass (or a specific location on the upper body) and having all those missiles and shells down in your ankles keeps those pesky ammo explosions at bay. Further those two slots at the bottom of the each leg can only fit SHS, so why not through some HE munitions down there instead and use the upper body slots for weaps?

But lets face it, even in a game that is famous for some dodgy science (Battletech, not MWO only) It just doesn't make sense. Legs are for HS even the greenest Tech knows that.

From a gameplay point of view this also means that having ammo stored in the upper body balances out things like LRMs and Ballistics further. Sure you can take tons of ammo, but make sure you have the space and that you are convinced it wont cook off when you are shot at. In short it would make ammo explosions more common.

The second thing I would like to mention to you today is water.

We drink it, bathe in it, hell 80% of our very selves is made up of it. And as familiar stuff we know that its quite dense, and running though it slows you down.

If you don't believe me try it yourself and try "running" through the shallow end of your local swimming pool or on the beach.

Mechs should also be slowed down by it. That and steep slopes. Whilst we are here they should fall over, but ill settle for being slowed by terrain (aquatic or otherwise) until they do.

Actually a mech blown out his reactor wouldnt just fall dead to the ground all snuggly if that plasma hits the surrounding moist areas... no one cares about that either. Or how the jetpacks you put into your legs, which use the surplus plasma from your reactor located at the cente rof your mech operate is also unimportant- as is how Amunitions located in the right arm or torso travels around the Reactor in the center torso to be shot from the Weapon located in your left arm... it works, ergo do it. Just don't think to much about it I'd say. Otherwise the game world starts to crumble real fast, real ugly.
Just --- don't
all imo of course.

[LT Kinslayer]

I'm confused...

-It is possible
-There is space
-I need to store the ammo somewhere
-people like to shoot the torso

Why should I not do it again?

[Viper69]

I do it and I feel not one bit guilty about it either because I could do it in tabletop as long as it was no more than two location away from its gun I think .

[Steadfast]

LT Kinslayer, on 04 April 2013 - 06:22 AM, said:

I'm confused...

-It is possible
-There is space
-I need to store the ammo somewhere
-people like to shoot the torso

Why should I not do it again?

He tried logic and a kind of realism.Bbasically most gamers fail at that and/ or don't see the problem.
You are basically a rolemodel for this ^^
cyas all in the field someday!
~S~

Daniel

[Royalewithcheese]

What else are you supposed to put in there?

[LT Kinslayer]

Yes,

I understand where he is coming from, but realism is overrated. We are stomping around in giant death robots after all.

[Steadfast]

Royalewithcheese, on 04 April 2013 - 06:26 AM, said:

What else are you supposed to put in there?

MASC - but that kinda comes later

[N0ni]

Royalewithcheese, on 04 April 2013 - 06:26 AM, said:

What else are you supposed to put in there?

I would say ice cream, but that would melt even with coolant. Maybe muffin storage?

[Steadfast]

LT Kinslayer, on 04 April 2013 - 06:27 AM, said:

Yes,

I understand where he is coming from, but realism is overrated. We are stomping around in giant death robots after all.

Oh, my 'Mech is no robot, as it can not walk nor do anything without its pilot. besides that, my Machine is a life giver! All are free to come forth for free hugZ!
Nonetheless, some people might find this important to them and their immersion.

[Rippthrough]

Your horizontal traverse speed does already vary with slope steepness.....

[Eric darkstar Marr]

Again with this special needs opinion on the ammo v legs.


Its in CANON therefore it is fair game,