9 replies to this topic

[Tenpin]

I have a proposal to change the way the seismic module works that should please just about everyone.

Since a Seismometer can only determine how far away a seismic event is, not its direction, I suggest changing the map indicator to show a ring that indicates how far away a detected enemy is instead of the current pinpoint-accurate blip.

Why?
Well, to truly determine the location of a seismic event you need 3 Seismometers so that you can triangulate.

So if you have a seismic module you get an indicator that the enemy is near and how far way the enemy is with the ring or concentric rings if more than one are in range.
But what if 2 more of your teammates had the module too?

Here's where cooperative gameplay comes in.

If a seismic event takes place within the range of three module holders, then a pinpoint-accurate blip shows up and is transmitted to all team members just as a line of sight contact is now. (kinda like how the UAV works too)

Now, how does ECM figure into this?
The same way it does with everything else.
If an ECM equipped mech disrupts any of the 3 seismic-module-holding mechs then the ability to triangulate is lost just like all other comms, line of sight targeting and UAV reports are.

Seismic module holders still know the enemy is near and how far away, just not exactly where just as before, but the info cannot be shared.

I made a picture to illustrate:


Any thoughts??


EDIT:

Quote

Scientists then use a method called triangulation to determine exactly where the earthquake was. It is called triangulation because a triangle has three sides, and it takes three seismographs to locate an earthquake. If you draw a circle on a map around three different seismographs where the radius of each is the distance from that station to the earthquake, the intersection of those three circles is the epicenter!

Edited by Tenpin, 11 June 2013 - 10:08 AM.

[FactorlanP]

I find it ironic that the Developers finally give us a module that is worth the trouble and expense, but everyone seems to want it nerfed down to being borderline useless like most of the rest of the modules.

Shouldn't we be talking about buffing some of the really crappy modules instead.

Just my $0.02


All that said, the OP's idea is interesting, if a nerfing must happen. I like it.

Edited by FactorlanP, 11 June 2013 - 10:08 AM.

[mike29tw]

I like the fact that ECM in your proposal does what it's supposed to do: counters advanced information gathering device. However, I think the gap between a lone seismic and 3 is way too huge and it actually encourages people to take seismic more than ever, so...it doesn't fix anything. With your proposed change, there's still no reason NOT to take seismic in place of other modules.

[MaddMaxx]

So the Solo module generates a ring, at the contact range, that comes into the carrying Mech and one not one that goes out to the exact point of contact?

[3rdworld]

would also be cool if it took size into consideration.

Is that a 100 ton mech 500m away or a 30 ton mech 10 meters away?

[Tenpin]

mike29tw, on 11 June 2013 - 10:09 AM, said:

I like the fact that ECM in your proposal does what it's supposed to do: counters advanced information gathering device. However, I think the gap between a lone seismic and 3 is way too huge and it actually encourages people to take seismic more than ever, so...it doesn't fix anything. With your proposed change, there's still no reason NOT to take seismic in place of other modules.

I had considered suggesting that 2 module holders would transmit 2 blips (orange maybe?) when their detection rings overlap with one blip being a false-positive. That would introduce some risk and confusion to owning the module but that is dumb. Who'd invent that?

Contact rings indicating distance only - determining the size of the mech is too much.

Edited by Tenpin, 11 June 2013 - 10:26 AM.

[StalaggtIKE]

Love the idea. My only change is to make it no longer a module, but instead a part of the standard sensors.

[mike29tw]

Tenpin, on 11 June 2013 - 10:23 AM, said:

I had considered suggesting that 2 module holders would transmit 2 blips (orange maybe?) when their detection rings overlap with one blip being a false-positive. That would introduce some risk and confusion to owning the module but that is dumb. Who'd invent that?

Contact rings indicating distance only - determining the size of the mech is too much.

IMO the ability the combine seismic sensors on different mechs and triangulate enemy positioni itself is powerful enough to worth another module or another piece of equipment(command console anyone?).

3rdworld, on 11 June 2013 - 10:23 AM, said:

would also be cool if it took size into consideration.

Is that a 100 ton mech 500m away or a 30 ton mech 10 meters away?

I had similar idea with my own version of seismic alteration. Move the seismic signal to the compass on top of the hud. It only tells you the strength and direction of hostile seismic activity. Strength can be indicated by color or size of the dot. The interesting part is, the strength of the activity is determined by 1) tonnage of the source mech and 2) distance. The farther away the source is, the weaker the signal. The less tonnage the source is, the weaker the signal. That way seismic grants you additional information while still giving the other side a chance to outplay it. It is up to the players with seismic to communicate with each other and determine whether it's a jenner 50m away or an atlas 200m away.

*Edit for further clarification.

Edited by mike29tw, 11 June 2013 - 10:41 AM.

[El Bandito]

Tenpin, you need to read this thread.

http://mwomercs.com/...ismic-explained

As explained in it, the seismic sensors are already placed around the map by those who mapped the place. You are simply getting the feedbacks from the geo satellite which gives you pin point location.

Edited by El Bandito, 11 June 2013 - 10:44 AM.

[Tenpin]

El Bandito, on 11 June 2013 - 10:43 AM, said:

Tenpin, you need to read this thread.

http://mwomercs.com/...ismic-explained

As explained in it, the seismic sensors are already placed around the map by those who mapped the place. You are simply getting the feedbacks from the geo satellite which gives you pin point location.

Aw hell. But then again, Canon has been fudged a bit already.