12 replies to this topic

[scJazz]

So... moved into my 2nd Catapult today.

CPLT-C4 "Spittin Fang"
XL280
2 LRM15s
2 SSRM2s
1 TAG
AMS + BAP
extra HS
I don't have CBills for Artemis, Endo, or DSHS yet

Strangely enough, I have realized that I don't know how TAG really works. Specifically...

1 ) Can I TAG friendlies? *THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART*
2 ) Do I have to hold TAG or does it have some kind of Decay?
3 ) If I'm TAGging the dirt but firing missiles over the ridge... which way do the missiles go?
4 ) If I Lock a target, Fire, lose lock, but start TAGging the barely visible edge of the target will my missiles track?

[Dalziel Hasek Davion]

1. You can fire and hold TAG on a friendly, but it doesn't do anything for enemy missile lock.
2. You have to hold TAG. There is a decay I think, but it is of the order of a second. Controversially, there is an Authohotkey Macro that toggles TAG on/off, which is useful - but, as I say, controversial.
3. If you have a target locked, but your TAG isn't hitting them, then you will still hit the target with the missiles. TAG improves lock speed and tracking speed if it is on the target, but it doesn't matter if it isn't. If you fire missiles without lock, then they fly into the ground.
4. The missiles will track if you re-establish lock, which TAG will help with.

TAG also helps make sure you have true LOS to the enemy, which can be useful for lining up direct-fire shots. When the crosshair goes red, your guns are aimed at the enemy. Press the trigger.

If your TAG is on the enemy and it is hit with missiles, then you get a small score bonus.

Edited by Dalziel Hasek Davion, 31 May 2013 - 08:29 AM.

[Genewen]

1) No
2) it has a small decay of 1s
3) It will hit the target as long as you are targetting it. The TAG will only be of consequence if it hits the enemy - and even there only in the usual way. If you TAG the enemy leg, it will still not mean for the missiles to go for the leg
4) No, you need to have lock.

[scJazz]

What I figured but wanted to be certain.

Though I'm still partially undecided on #4.

[Redshift2k5]

The missile do not home in on the tag laser. If you lose a lock and then start pointig your TAG at things, nothing happens. But if you lose your lock and then re-acquire the lock, the missile will resume homing in on the target (this can cause missile to make some fantastic mid-air maneuvers!)

TAG will assist with re-acquiring the lock sooner.

[scJazz]

I'm sure you guys are correct about #4. However that would have to mean that some of my targets have been breaking lock and moving right back to original location. Thereby, still getting smacked by the salvo. This is something I've seen before but I'm seeing it more today. Today is also the first day I've used TAG. I'm going to have to agree with you guys on this topic.

I guess I'm just seeing or "noticing" more stupid people today.

[mailin]

About TAG. Yes, you have to press and hold it on the enemy. You can tell which enemy has been tagged because you will see a + next to the red triangle. This is beneficial in two regards. 1) If you have lrms, ALWAYS lock and fire on an enemy that has been tagged before any other targets. 2) If you are tagging, this is your indicator that your tag laser is really on your intended target. About the macro for TAG. I suggest not using it. I run a Raven 3L with a TAG. The last thing I want is to have a red light shining straight out from my mech at all times. When I'm ready to tag a target, I press and hold down the fire button for that weapon group. (I have TAG set in its own group.) Also, TAG reduces lock time for streaks as well.

[Redshift2k5]

mailin, on 31 May 2013 - 09:16 AM, said:

About TAG. Yes, you have to press and hold it on the enemy. You can tell which enemy has been tagged because you will see a + next to the red triangle. This is beneficial in two regards. 1) If you have lrms, ALWAYS lock and fire on an enemy that has been tagged before any other targets. 2) If you are tagging, this is your indicator that your tag laser is really on your intended target. About the macro for TAG. I suggest not using it. I run a Raven 3L with a TAG. The last thing I want is to have a red light shining straight out from my mech at all times. When I'm ready to tag a target, I press and hold down the fire button for that weapon group. (I have TAG set in its own group.) Also, TAG reduces lock time for streaks as well.

Any good macro will be on a toggle.

[scJazz]

Redshift2k5, on 31 May 2013 - 09:38 AM, said:

Any good macro will be on a toggle.

My apologies but spoken like someone who knows ya?

[scJazz]

Additional thoughts...

It is becoming clearer and clearer that not putting a TAG on a light mech is almost incomprehensibly stupid. I know there are some super awesome spider pilots out there who can totally pwn while being completely nutz. But what I'm seeing now while piloting a Catapult isn't so much that my missiles work better. It is like I've lit off a flare over the head of my TAG. Plz kill this fukahr naow! Suddenly, missiles fall out of the sky, PPCs are all pew pew... lazorz are all BZZZZT... and there is much dakka!

I almost don't want the PING feature at all. I just want people to lock targets... look at the Filled Red Triangles and notice that Super Target Hash Icon. In that order!

[Cyke]

I guess your understanding is pretty clear already, but generally the idea is that the spot that TAG hits doesn't mean anything.

What it actually does is apply a "debuff" to any enemy 'Mech that the laser touches, and the "debuff" lasts for 1 second.
This debuff makes all SSRM and LRM launchers lock onto that 'Mech faster, and makes all LRMs homing into that 'Mech spread less.


So don't worry about TAGging the ground accidentally, it won't cause your missiles to go off course. Likewise, if you're holding a lock on the enemy 'Mech but your TAG is pointed elsewhere, it's fine too.
And this is almost impossible, but you can actually TAG multiple enemies by dragging the TAG back and forth across them within 1 second

[scJazz]

Cyke, on 31 May 2013 - 10:31 AM, said:

I guess your understanding is pretty clear already, but generally the idea is that the spot that TAG hits doesn't mean anything.

What it actually does is apply a "debuff" to any enemy 'Mech that the laser touches, and the "debuff" lasts for 1 second.
This debuff makes all SSRM and LRM launchers lock onto that 'Mech faster, and makes all LRMs homing into that 'Mech spread less.

AHHH an engineer spoke in unambiguous language!

[Genewen]

I want to add that TAG also negates ECM as long as you are outside the ECM bubble (which is 180m around the mech carrying the ECM). So when you are, say, 400m away from a target that is protected by ECM, you would normally not be able to target the enemy. If you hit the enemy with ECM however, that protection will be gone. The ECM will not be deactivated, so if you target the ECM-carrier, all the enemy mechs around it will still be protected, but you and all allies can now target that one tagged foe.