18 replies to this topic

[Felio]

They strike me as the sort of thing that requires a certain level of coordination, so I haven't put them on any of my lights.

Or are there enough people with LRMs just waiting for something to target?

[Lukoi Banacek]

tell your Pugmates you're using them and the LRM's will undoubtedly pile on for you. That being said, I would recommend TAG over Narc where possible. Just a better system and not reliant on ammunition.

[B0oN]

Those that have LRM´s will take any lock anyone can deliver.
I for one dont play Lrm´s much, but I sure do appreciate the additional situational informations gleaned through scouting/tagging/narcing as it shows me an enemy, its possible movement and a possibility to screw him or myself .

[Xeno Phalcon]

I have a TAG on my blackjack, they are still useful because they will light up ECM mechs and for 1 ton 1 crit and no real heat its just a matter of NOT ENOUGH MOUSE BUTTONS for me to justify one on all my mechs.

[Shuyen]

I always run a TAG on any of my mechs with a long to med range direct fire weapon, such as an ERPPC, ERLL or AC/2. The way I look at it is if I am going to be popping off at someone, I may as well TAG them for the LRM boats and get extra XP for it. At 25xp per successful TAG, it can add up nicely. Depending on the quality of the players in the PUG match, I'll get 25 - 150 extra XP per match that way. For 1t and no heat? Yeah, I'll take that.

I also always run them in my ECM light scout, a SDR-5D. Making my way to the back of an enemy line and TAG'ing them from behind so that, no matter what they do, LRM's rain down on them? Priceless!

[scJazz]

Felio, on 10 June 2013 - 02:00 PM, said:

They strike me as the sort of thing that requires a certain level of coordination, so I haven't put them on any of my lights.

Or are there enough people with LRMs just waiting for something to target?

Disclosure: I am an LRM user. I haven't even played anything but my Catapult A1 for the last 3 days.

Don't use NARCs ever... unless you are on TS playing with a coordinated group. I won't fire on a NARCd target after learning that for the most part it isn't worth it. Too many people NARC all the wrong targets at all the wrong times.

If you like do bring TAG. I won't fire at your target immediately. Hell if you are in a Jenner and we are just 2 minutes into the match there is a very very real chance I'm not even in range yet. Don't use your TAG immediately against the enemy. Let us get into range. Let the fight develop because I guarantee you that the moment you fire that annoying sounding little laser at the bad guy and the sky darkens over his head as the LRMs blot out the sun... whelp... you are now the center of attention. I'm not going to fire at your TAG until I know you intend to hold it if you can. What I will do if I can is maneuver for a better shot at what you just tagged. Still... know this... I am very interested in seeing targets that are TAGged. You have my undivided attention

[Thorqemada]

Its a game of luck - dont count on it - dont force it.

[Techno Magician]

I throw a tag on my raven just incase, though 50% more laser damage would be nice i still have had very high damage games with just the 2, and the free xp/cbills seems worth it to me, personally i tag someone when missiles are already firing anyways(usually cuz i snuck up behind with ecm and gave vision). That way they are too worried at getting away from the missiles already to worry about a guy with a laser pointer.

If they do turn i just fire my lasers and disappear for a while, maybe pop up for half a second to fire a laser here and there. If they keep trying to shoot you and focusing in your direction your team should wipe them no problem.

[Splinters]

For PUG matches:

TAG = possible, but your counting on some luck that a LRM or SRM carrier will make use of it. If you have LRMs or SRMs it's worth the 1 ton though!
NARC = do not use, anything would be infinitely more useful due to the high ammo requirement (6 shots per ton was it?)
ECM = every chance you get
BAP = optional and if you think it will net you an advantage, but more often than not, go for more weapons,ammo,HS, or armor instead.

Edited by Splinters, 10 June 2013 - 10:41 PM.

[Hammerfinn]

Sort answer: TAG, yes. NARC, no.

[DEMAX51]

It's obviously going to be hit-or-miss in PUG games, but I'm sure you'll come across LRM users every now and then. Just be sure to announce to your team that you've got a TAG and you intend to spot so they can be on the lookout for your targets. And ask if there are any LRM boats, too, so you know who you're working with.

Incidentally, you could try to find some people to play with, such as those of us at www.ghostwarriorsbrigade.com (#ShamelessPlug). If you've got the TeamSpeak client, you can hop on our server and we'll be happy to rain missiles down on anything you paint for us

Edited by DEMAX51, 11 June 2013 - 09:25 AM.

[Giant Bob]

Excellent thread, and my contribution can only pale, but so it goes... My LRM boat is always desperate for target locks. She consistently uses them when she gets them, and always needs more. Knowing that, my lights are getting better at acquiring and holding target locks, specifically for missle boats. I've just been providing them the good old fashioned way, but will now look into TAG. It's very gratifying to know the damage you see the target taking from LRM rounds is directly attributable to your holding the target for your missileers.

[scJazz]

Giant Bob, on 12 June 2013 - 07:14 PM, said:

Excellent thread, and my contribution can only pale, but so it goes... My LRM boat is always desperate for target locks. She consistently uses them when she gets them, and always needs more. Knowing that, my lights are getting better at acquiring and holding target locks, specifically for missle boats. I've just been providing them the good old fashioned way, but will now look into TAG. It's very gratifying to know the damage you see the target taking from LRM rounds is directly attributable to your holding the target for your missileers.

Nothing says ZOMG! ROTFLMAO quite like TAGging a mech and then watching it running in circles smacking into walls as it dives for cover only to be immolated by multiple inbound missile salvos. Nevermind the fact that they are no longer quite so interested in shooting at you

[Shalune]

As an LRM pilot I will try to take advantage of TAG and NARC when possible. But with TAG I will likely wait to see how long you hold a target on average. Blindly trusting pugs for target locks, even with TAG, is a surefire way to waste LRMs.

[OneEyed Jack]

One problem of either, is if there's no specific coordination, the LRM carriers may well already have a target before you use TAG/NARC. I know when I run LRMs, once I'm on target, I tend to stay on that target until/unless I have a good reason not to. I certainly won't give up a steady target lock for an iffy TAG/NARC lock. Especially NARC, since it falls off after a certain amount of damage hits. If someone else's missile get there first, mine may lose lock.

[mailin]

OneEyed Jack brings up a very good point. If you are in a light with TAG and see the little missile symbol next to an enemy, try to get a TAG on that guy and keep it there. That way, the lrm boats don't have to switch targets, a higher percentage of their lrms will hit, AND you get a TAG bonus to your xp. Total win. As far as the TAG/NARC question, smart lrm pilots will always try to target Tagged mechs first, smart light pilots don't equip a NARC.

Edited by mailin, 13 June 2013 - 04:25 AM.

[scJazz]

Mailin and OneEye bring up some really good points. So good that I have a desire to go back through this thread and condense all the advise into a 5 point checklist or something. Starting with their advise. But I have another 800k CB to earn until I can finally buy the CTX-3D.

Final thought: You are awarded bonus points if you can get behind enemy lines without drawing everyone's attention and TAGging the stupid bunny who thought strapping 100 LRMs onto a slow un-moving assault mech with 2 MLs as backup was a great build. I would like nothing more than to make my way through enemy lines in my Missile Dedicated Catapult A1 while spamming that fool with LRM fire and then provide him with a brief education in why that was a dumb thing to do.

[Mechteric]

In PUGs its hard to trust that the person tagging will maintain the tag for the LRMs to reach their target. In the rare instances I run LRM I either rely on my own TAG or to know that my team is engaged in a brawl with the target and won't lose radar contact with it in flight.

But Tag has other benefits, such as if the enemy group is under an ECM blanket it can help direct your team where the enemy is and what target to fire at. Its not 100% effective for focusing fire but it can help!

Edited by CapperDeluxe, 13 June 2013 - 05:12 AM.

[mailin]

Capper, I find that if a friendly with lrms asks if anyone has a tag it tends to encourage teamwork even in pug matches. Similarly, because I tend to run lights, I will typically announce at the beginning of a match that I have a TAG and ask if there are any lrm boats. Both of these sends the message to other members of the group that there are pugs that actually know how to be effective team members. I have made a LOT of my in-game friends this way.