1) prioritize ANYONE that looks like they're the top threat. Extra kills on easy targets may pad your K-D but Picking off the top 2 mechs on the enemy team can make a much bigger difference than killing the bottom 4. let the noobs flail around with each other, you can just pick them off later.
2) play to win. its tempting to get caught up in winning your fights but sometimes you can sacrifice match rating for a win. sometimes its as simple as standing your ground and dying, other times its more complicated, things like deliberately kiting the enemy team away while engaging rather than taking the kill shots you know you can get.
OR
Grab a fresh assault, something you know you can win with, and just pull it up using a different chassis.
I for instance have a knack for losing in my stalkers, but a knack for winning in my atlas's...
If I play my stalkers too long I start seeing "greens" aka default paint mechs in large numbers.
Thats usually a give away thats its time for me to roll out in an Atlas and claw my elo back up.
I'm not sure what mech would be ideal for winning, but I'd imagine a mobile assault with range/skirmish capabilities would probably be ideal. you want something where you can make sure you're there to save the day wherever and whenever they need it.
Or grab an Atlas and just brute force it.
The RS with
4ML AC20 ASRM6/ASRM4 with a 350 engine will let you close and annihilate almost anything
60 point alpha, and capable of sustained fire with either the 4ML for fast moving targets OR the AC/SRM's for anything that still wants to brawl after the alpha. your team can almost do anything it wants at that point, you can usually just hammer your way to a win.
Or a DDC if you'd prefer.
Its a small investment compared to the time spent in purgatory... and who knows maybe you'll find another chassis you like enough to master.
EDIT: Also, play conquest, you're much more likely to see random wins just due to team composition, and through careful positioning you can help your team a lot more. In assault if you lose the fight you lose the match, in conquest its not so sure a thing.
Edited by gjnii, 18 July 2013 - 01:44 PM.