3 replies to this topic

[Leiska]

Having piloted practically only heavies and assaults, my recent dip into lights has given me very mixed results and I frequently feel kind of useless.

I'm running the "cheesy" 3L with a rather standard build of 3ML, 2SSRM and 295XL. It's very effective against other lights, but I find that letting big mechs even see me is a huge liability. Perhaps the mech just isn't fast enough without speed tweak, but I frequently have my legs one-shot to red internals even when running at full speed horizontally across the enemy's field of vision.

I always found lights an easy target on my AC/40 Jager and now that I'm in the Raven, opposing Jagers don't disappoint. It's just so easy to land a hit and that's pretty much all it takes to leg me and then I'm as good as dead.

Trying to stick to a heavy mech's dead zone by following its torso rotation behind its back gives me many free shots, but even the speedy Raven doesn't seem responsive enough to completely avoid the enemy reticle, so once the enemy eventually manages to aim at you, it's lights legs out instantly.

Specifically, leg vulnerability seems like a huge issue for the Raven. I don't think I've ever died to engine destruction or head shots. I always lose my legs, which is probably partially because people wisely aim at them, but It's like they accidentally always get the legs even when not trying. There's probably something wonky going on with the hit boxes because in my experience other lights (especially the super annoying Spider) are much harder to leg.

So if skirmishing with non-lights is out of the question, that only leaves capping, which is fine on conquest, but on small assault maps what tends to happen is that if I go for base cap, I'm soon surrounded by arriving heavies/assaults and get my legs shot to bits almost instantly as soon as I try to escape their net.

My K/D is 1.91, which is a fine number, though most of it is from dueling other lights. As soon as a bigger mech meddles, my legs are shot to outer space, so I feel like even those duels are really luck based. I can't even properly retreat because of the enemy light humping my back if I try.

Any advice from highly successful light pilots? I don't think my issues lie with piloting skills but rather my lack of understanding of how to most effectively utilize light mechs, resulting in too frequent poor positioning on the battlefield.

[BoPop]

i've mastered 3 ravens and 3 spiders. wouldn't call myself highly successful tho.

just think of yourself as a mosquito. a mosquito who's job it is to either run to the enemy base(s), capture flags and/or do some recon, and dip in and steal some kills/component damages. you're going to have to leech, and stay out of the fray for the most part.

but your role is mostly to recon/keep an eye on your own base from enemy fast movers cuz once your slow heavy hitters get to a point of no return it's on you to either kill the light that gets to your base, or go get theirs. speed tweak will help. your team will love you when your base starts to get captured and you go "I'm on it." they will think "Good little raven."

for me tho, light = recon/flag capper, which is almost pointless, too. Some of the mediums move at fast enough a clip to do some frontline skirmish as well as running back to defend a base. only on alpine or tourmaline might a medium have a hard time making it back there, but even then, probably not if they are positioning themselves to be ready for that.

[Dexter Herbivore]

A general rule is to avoid engaging heavier mechs unless they're already engaged by one of your heavies, or if you're running in a wolf pack. Take a few potshots while you're close but don't fully engage. You should still be relatively close to your team most of the time(unless you're off capping).

As always, situational awareness is important. Also, ballistic HSR has made life MUCH more difficult for lights.

Edited by Dexter Herbivore, 24 April 2013 - 09:44 PM.

[Eboli]

Welcome to the world of light mech piloting Leiska and it is nice to see a heavy/assault pilot try out a fast mech and see how difficult it can be.

You WILL get better as you Master the Raven and start to learn the ropes for light mech play but basically your observation is correct - we have thin armour and most weapons will hurt us.

Try to team up with another light mech (or cicada) and learn the habit of not moving in a straight line for any length of time. Try to be aware of where all nearby enemy mechs are as well because if you let them see your back you will be in a world of hurt.

Situational awareness and thinking fast is so important and this may be the biggest issue you will need to adapt to as you have come from the slower mech variety which can take a few hits and shrug them off as you turn around and see what hit you. Some players can do this, others players can't, other players just don't want to learn (observation, not criticism).

Try not to take on larger mechs until the battle really starts as the enemy may be concentrating of the bigger mechs first but same rule applies - don't make yourself an easy target by running in front of them.

Another role you seriously need to do is play the role of light mech killer. With the greater percentage of mechs being of the slower variety faster mechs capping role has become an even larger strength to them. If the enemy loses their lights it can make a very large difference on game outcome as the pendulum in speed capping swings to your side.

Basically though - keep practicing with the lights and things start to fall into place. Get your mech mastered as the advantages are big (as you already know)

And most of all - have fun. Unfortunately not everyone does...

Cheers!
Eboli.

Edit - typo

Edited by Eboli, 25 April 2013 - 03:33 AM.