24 replies to this topic

[Hindenhoot]

I've been mucking around with an LRM20 C-1 for a week now and I've swapped one of the medium laser's for a TAG to cut through the swamp of ECM that's around now.

Yesterday someone actually mocked me for it but I find it effective, especially for the nailing the AS7-D-DC Atlai that seem so prolific right now.

What's the general consensus? Is Tag something that should only be used on lights?

[Training Instructor]

Lrm boats should always have their own tag.

[Devil Fox]

Most heavier boating LRM chassis typically carry their own tag, eg. Cataphract 2X, Catapult C4, any Awesome or Stalker. However like you I had to rebuild my C1 Catapult founders to actually be useful, it resulted in the twin ALRM20 and 4ML with max armour and a 300XL.

I don't feel this machine has enough self defense without 4ML to pinpoint kill/disarm opponents, but the missile payload and hardpoint number doesn't warrant the use of a tag system. Typically a DDC is killed on sight or will be bombarded with PPC fire which is rampant on some teams. I find that a good match with heavy LRM contact will net good results but it's the ML that do all the work these days.

[Alex Warden]

i have a tag on my stalker, for several reasons. 1st, it is in my alpha-group for ssrms. i think i don´t have to point that out further. 2nd, it can be useful to highlight ecm carriers, especially enemy ddc´s or even a quick "THERE HE IS"@ecm lights.and last but not least, missle carriers in my team might benefit from it as well. nice side effect: tag bonus

Edited by Alex Warden, 13 April 2013 - 02:42 AM.

[Wrenchfarm]

Sure. If you have a ton to spare and a mount you can go ahead and earn some extra points TAGing. Several of my Awesomes don't use the head laser for much practical use so I'll sometimes slot one.

Not that it matters much these days. People don't use LRMs.

[Shuyen]

I recently put a tag on my JM6-S. I figured with an AC/2 & a Gauss combo, I am line of sighting enemy mechs all the time anyways, so why not add a TAG and help the team's LRM carrying mechs get in on the action? Even if it works just a few times, it'll contribute more damage than a single ML would.

[One Medic Army]

Training Instructor, on 13 April 2013 - 01:58 AM, said:

Lrm boats should always have their own tag.

Pretty much this.
I don't run it on any of my light mechs, but all of my LRM mechs run with their own TAG.

Also yeah, I've had someone chew me out for shooting my TAG at nothing. Then I explained that I use the script for having TAG on at all times...

[Hex Pallett]

Since it might be an accidental duplicated post, I'll just quote what I said on the other post.

Let's just say that whoever mocked you was a bloody id*ot. You need a TAG if you're running any LRM.

Also with a TAG you have one less reason to be a little b*tch and ask others to do the aiming for you.

[Hindenhoot]

Helmstif, on 14 April 2013 - 09:48 PM, said:

Let's just say that whoever mocked you was a bloody id*ot. You need a TAG if you're running any LRM.

Also with a TAG you have one less reason to be a little b*tch and ask others to do the aiming for you.

Pretty much my thoughts too. Especially with so much ECM around now, it seems impossible to have a vaguely viable LRM boat without a TAG.

[Wrenchfarm]

Apparently I didn't read this thread too closely earlier, I thought you were just asking if fitting TAG onto a heavy mech with an extra ton/slot was a decent idea.

If you are at ALL using LRMs, you should be running TAG. Absolutely, 100% endorsed. Don't let ECM nullify you the entire match, TAG is your only way of fighting back against something you know you'll be running into on the field.

[Krzysztof z Bagien]

And the funny thing is that TAG was supposed to be used by spotters (light scouts for example) to provide LRM support with targeting data and make them capable of indirect fire. But now TAGs are used almost exclusively by LRM (or streak) carriers to combat ECM and provide grouping bonus.
So much for no LOS fire support.

[Shuyen]

Krzysztof z Bagien, on 15 April 2013 - 03:45 AM, said:

And the funny thing is that TAG was supposed to be used by spotters (light scouts for example) to provide LRM support with targeting data and make them capable of indirect fire. But now TAGs are used almost exclusively by LRM (or streak) carriers to combat ECM and provide grouping bonus.
So much for no LOS fire support.

I recently bought a SDR as a break from the JM6's I've been running. As soon as I had the CBills for it, I added an ECM and a TAG with the express purpose of flanking the enemy and TAG'ing them from their rear quarter so they'd be lit up for LRM's without them realizing it. I haven't had much of a chance to play that tactic yet, but when I do I'll let you know how it works.

Edited by Shuyen, 15 April 2013 - 06:23 AM.

[Thoummim]

Tag is vital for lrm boat nothing wrong here.

Edited by Thoummim, 15 April 2013 - 06:58 AM.

[Varrin Coursca]

If you have any LRMs, regardless of weight class, then you must have TAG. Simple as that. Otherwise, prepare to be useless. This has been a reality for 'Mech builders since ECM came into the game.

On the heaviest 'Mechs (Stalker and Atlas for instance), I've seen configurations that add a PPC or two as well as TAG. Its an interesting idea in theory and I played around with some builds in some PUGs (my KDR often suffers in the name of science). However, if you consider that the thing you'll most usefully hit with PPCs are Atlas D-DCs, I'm not 100% sure 7 tons is best spent on PPCs for LRM boats. I wouldn't say "no", either.

[Fantastic Ergo]

The amount of time that the PPC disruption has on ECMis not enough for the missiles to reach the target in most cases. So while it helps locking, you will need to hit them once more with PPC to keep your lock on until the missiles hit.

[Kommisar]

I mount TAG on anything I build that is going to carry a serious LRM loadout. It is essential equipment, don't let the troll mocking making you think otherwise. I also have started mounting on my direct fire Awesomes if I have the ton/space. As someone above mentioned, I use it to ping mechs through ECM, allowing my team to see where they are. Even if I can only target them for a few seconds, it's usually enough for my team to notice them.

[Varrin Coursca]

Fantastic Ergo, on 15 April 2013 - 07:23 AM, said:

The amount of time that the PPC disruption has on ECMis not enough for the missiles to reach the target in most cases. So while it helps locking, you will need to hit them once more with PPC to keep your lock on until the missiles hit.

Yep. Two PPCs and a TAG would be what most players would need for it to work...

I believe another issue with PPC+LRM+TAG is that it violates Ockham's Razor (the most logical hypothesis/solution is the one with the least number of assumptions). This play style is a bit too complicated to execute effectively (e.g. the solution) except in the most ideal of environments (e.g. too many assumptions).

[Krzysztof z Bagien]

PPC disruption effect is only good for streaks in my opinion, especially if you use Artemis with them (I know it is not supposed to work with streaks but it actually does!).

[joedawg39s]

I actually have a tag on my CTF-4X since I'm usually aiming at an atlas the entire match. I also have one on my PPC stalker.

[Dalziel Hasek Davion]

I love TAG now I have a way of toggling it on/off. The extra exp and cbills for spotting are welcome. When an enemy is obscured in the distance, hiding behind cover, the TAG tells me when my crosshairs are on target (turns red) and so I rarely waste a shot. That's even before I consider the role TAG plays in overcoming ECM and assisting in missile barrages.

No other 1t weapon will net you more exp and cbills in a game.