34 replies to this topic

[Taj the White Tiger]

I've seen a couple of ideas on how to balance seismic but i haven't seen this one yet so i though i'd put it up


Most people who have bought and used the new seismic model love it, its arguably the best module in the game right now. The standard version lets you detect any moving mech within 200 metres, advanced extends that to 400. In practice it effectively becomes a partial wall hack within 400 metres. It becomes impossible to flank or move behind the enemy without them knowing. This is bad for a number of reasons, it significantly nerfs the skill required to identify flanking enemies, it drastically reduces the need for dedicated scouts and thus hurts the viability of lights and mediums which are by far the 2 weakest class now. Finally it hurts brawlers, particularly mediums as suddenly it makes it very difficult to close on an enemy when they are spotting you the whole way.


So how do we balance this

You can balance detection it based on the tonnage/weight class of mechs.

values are for the advanced seismic, cut them in half for the basic version

Assaults 100-80 tons Detected 400 metres
Heavies 80-60 tons Detected 300 metres
Mediums 60-40 tons Detected 200 metres
Lights 40-20 tons Detected 100 metres

This is a simplistic model but it could easily be adapted to something more complicated such as 1 ton = an increase in detection range by 4 metres



Why is this a good thing?

It means the sensor becomes a great tool for detecting large enemy formations but is no longer a tool to stop any form of flanking. It means lights and medium have a viable chance of flanking or capping without being discovered by a stationary heavy or assault brawler or sniper sitting at 400 metres. In practice this is a good thing as it gives those classes more of a viable role in combat as opposed to simply being cannon fodder. It lets light and medium players rely on hit and fad skirmishing without being insta spotted when ever they come in range



Constructive thoughts or comments ?

[Huntsman]

Seismic is fine. Why can we not have nice things?

[sokitumi]

i'd rather have a repeating backspace key tbh

[Taj the White Tiger]

sokitumi, on 27 May 2013 - 06:28 PM, said:

i'd rather have a repeating backspace key tbh

Lol i agree, but a seismic fix would be nice to

Edited by Taj the White Tiger, 27 May 2013 - 06:37 PM.

[OneEyed Jack]

I haven't tested it to see if it's working correctly, but the theory is that the lighter the mech, the less likely it is to be picked up... as long as it's going slower.

Wanna try to sneak up, slow down.

[Edit:]
I'm primarily a brawler, by nature, and I like it the way it is. It could possibly use some reduced range, and could possibly use some tuning as to the effect reduced speed has on chance of detection but, in general, I approve of it.

Part of that is I only ever PUG, and I can't rely on people to share info on the position of the bad guys. Hell, way too many still don't bother to simply hit 'R' so you can at least see a blip.

Edited by OneEyed Jack, 27 May 2013 - 06:39 PM.

[Taj the White Tiger]

Huntsman, on 27 May 2013 - 06:25 PM, said:

Seismic is fine. Why can we not have nice things?

Unfortunately i disagree, its a flat upgrade over every other module at the moment and takes a lot away from the balance of the game

[InRev]

I personally like the idea and I use seismic extensively, knowing full well that it feels kinda cheaty.

Granted, I play mostly lights/fast mediums so I'm a bit biased.

[Taj the White Tiger]

InRev, on 27 May 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:

I personally like the idea and I use seismic extensively, knowing full well that it feels kinda cheaty.

Granted, I play mostly lights/fast mediums so I'm a bit biased.

To admit my bias i am mainly a light player as well. I really dislike dropping in my 5 Large lasers stalker and being able to see lights and mediums trying to do the right thing and get behind me to open up my back, and then getting punished because i had seismic and knew they were there the whole time

Edited by Taj the White Tiger, 27 May 2013 - 06:35 PM.

[Tekadept]

I agree totally, I thought it would be based on the mechs weight , guess I thought wrong once again.

It has changed my playstyle a little, when i sneak up on a poptart or LRM support to shoot them in the rear instead of hugging them from behind I just stop at 410m and blast them. Takes a bit longer if im packing mediums but they are usually to focussed on the jumping to notice still.

[Victor Morson]

It's not a bad idea to make the larger 'mechs pick up further than the lighter ones. I like it.

I'd also be for slowing the blip frequency WAY down.

[x Zool x]

Makes sense to me. The bigger the mech the bigger the seismic signature.

[-Cal-]

I agree with your views and would like to subscribe to your newsletter! .
In all serious though, and again being a medium / light flanking pilot having the ability to maintain some form or stealth by using cover and getting close would keep piloting these relevant.
Also, wouldnt poptarting / using jumpjets throw a seismic sensor off when you land? I think there should be an added reduction / disable of a sensor like this upon taking a heavy landing. Bit like the ECM / PPC disable.

[SweetWarmIce]

It makes sense the heavier the mech the more vibration it's going to make. What about an internal cool down so seismic only shows positions every 2 or 3 seconds. Lights and Mediums can cover a bit of ground in that time and so you can't predict where they'll be. While Heavys and Assaults are more straightforward.

[Taj the White Tiger]

SweetWarmIce, on 27 May 2013 - 07:06 PM, said:

It makes sense the heavier the mech the more vibration it's going to make. What about an internal cool down so seismic only shows positions every 2 or 3 seconds. Lights and Mediums can cover a bit of ground in that time and so you can't predict where they'll be. While Heavys and Assaults are more straightforward.

Not a bad idea, you could combine it with this system and i think that would be pretty good balance for seismic

[GarbageGuts]

The combination of Taj's, Cal's and SweetWarmIce's ideas can only be good.

Seismic should be an information aid, and these ideas I think make it just that.

Well thought chaps, well thought.

[Cid F]

Quote

Assaults 100-80 tons Detected 400 metres
Heavies 80-60 tons Detected 300 metres
Mediums 60-40 tons Detected 200 metres
Lights 40-20 tons Detected 100 metres

complicated things in easy way:

Seismic 100m
Advanced Seismic 200m

finish

[Taj the White Tiger]

Cid F, on 27 May 2013 - 08:58 PM, said:

complicated things in easy way:

Seismic 100m
Advanced Seismic 200m

finish

the thing with that idea though is it reduces the ability of a scout to move around and use the 400 metre radius for assaults to scout the main position, with the weight variance system it gives much more variety which is a good thing as it helps lights and mediums play to there defined roles

[-Cal-]

Maybe the advanced siesmic improves detection time (a bit like the sensor upgrade) or sensativity of the sensor?

[K O N D O]

Good idea Taj, and I like the addition SweetWarmIce made as well.

[Gelion]

Overall good idea, as a light they should not be punished for doing the only thing they can do against an assault. I believe though that EITHER an increase in blip time or the range radius change should suffice to bring it into line. NOT BOTH, although PGI have the habit of taking all the buffs and all the nerfs in a big package wrapped in highest grade crap.