I was in your position when I first started this game. As far as learning things I'd say the tutorial videos on this website are very helpful. Aside from that go to the mechbay, and read the numbers for the weapons, don't try to memorize them, that'll happen naturally as you get adjusted to the game. However check the ranges on some of the weapons.
For instance PPC has a "deadzone" of 90 meters. If you are within 90 meters of the mech using it it will deal reduced damage. ERPPC on the other hand does not have that. Streak SRMs and regular SRMs are ineffective beyond 270Ms. Learning things like that over the course of your stay in this game will help you with choosing how to engage each enemy you run into.
Also, try each role, don't just focus on one weight class or role, try them out when you can, my friends wanted me to be an assault player, but it turns out I am exceptional as a light mech pilot. I love my commando 2D (one of the trial mechs is the commando 2D).
Also, don't worry about winning or losing for now. You're still green by all regards. Get familiar with the game. Also, ave your cadet bonus. It's available to you for your first 25 matches, and it mounts up to roughly 9 Mil. C-Bills. Save it and use it to get your first mech.
EDIT: Because Flamers are underrated.
One other word of advice, try to drop with friends as often as possible. Going solo doesn't always end well for you. Not just in terms of win or loss, but also in terms of community exposure. I find that when dropping solo I end up running into a lot of trash players who will act negatively even when you win the match for them, after being the last one standing and killing two enemy mechs with a trial mech that has only one weapon.
Drop with a group, also get Teamspeak, a lot of people use it. Go to the NGNG server to drop with other players, or join a group such as a gaming clan, and drop with them. You'll learn faster with other people.
ctrain46, on 04 July 2013 - 11:36 PM, said:
hey guys i definitely appreciate all the answers. Me and my friend just played another 10 rounds or so and I am really enjoying the BJ-1X! i have a question about the flame guns however, it seems like my medium lasers do all the work, are the 2 flame guns not that effective or am I just not seeing whats happening? I never see their %'age drop, and if it does its not by much, whereas I get much more done with my medium lasers
The flamers focus on increasing the heat of your enemy, rather than damaging them. It forces them to not fire at you or risk over heating and getting killed almost for certain, it also has a great terror factor to it. Especially with new players.
By the way, have you heard of Smurfy? If not, here it is. Your own virtual mechbay/shop, where you can experiment on every mech in the game.
http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/
Learn to use that tool. It saves you time, and money, and the prices you see there are approximates, you won't always have to purchase all weapons. It's a great tool
Also when you click save and share, you can post the link to other people so they can see the build and give you help with it if you need any. For example, this is my BJ-1X build:
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...d0a4d228b481210
Edited by IraqiWalker, 05 July 2013 - 04:56 AM.