84 replies to this topic

[Suggestive]

I am bad at everything, to the point that I don't even know how to lock on shots or how to even fight at all really. Like, this game is stupidly complex, why can't the controls be less frustraiting?

I mostly play tabletop games and battletech, and I wanted to play a game version of this. I tried playing this like many months ago but I've forgotten everything about the expierance only that it was bad.

[BigTrak]

Hey Suggestive,

Here is my personal collection of links that I reccomend all of our new pilots read when starting out in MWO:

Probably the first thread that any new pilot should read:
http://mwomercs.com/...or-new-players/
Overview on nearly every aspect of the game...

Another great guide with lots of tutorial videos:
http://mwomercs.com/...dated-12-23-12/
Most focus is on Mech controls and Weapons...

How to maximise your own performance as well as your group performance:
http://mwo.gamepedia...:_Read_Stickies
Also with lots of links to other guides, a good site!

Buying your first Mech, not sure where to start?
http://mwomercs.com/...or-new-players/
Overview of every mech in the game, suggested builds and local dealership details...

Want to start trying your own Mech loadouts?
http://mwomercs.com/...e__pid__1458817
The defacto online Mechlab!

Ohmwrecker's fact sheets for Mech's, weapons, engine stats etc:
http://mwomercs.com/...s-excel-inside/
Excellent guides to help in the art of mechromancy!

Now you have your Mech & loadout sorted, what next?
http://mwomercs.com/...modules-advice/
Everything to know about Mech Modules...

Want to know where to hit your enemies to hurt the most?
http://mwomercs.com/...x-localisation/
Probably over-the-top, but a breakdown of hitbox locations for every mech in the game...


Youtube channels to watch / subscribe to:

Yong Choi is Koreanese in MWO - won most of the Medium & Heavy challenges in last tournament

http://www.youtube.c...PS50av3PIY_H9Og
Koniving is all over the MWO forums, very helpful & experienced player

http://www.youtube.c...iew=0&flow=grid
Izzotul is MadPanda in WMO, another experienced player

http://www.youtube.c...mROLclq1BWVS1yg
David is Sixart in MWO, an excellent light mech pilot

Should keep you busy for a while

Regarding controls, all I can add is to minimise your weapon groups to (ideally) 2, 3 max and just get used to ranges, heat control etc. Maybe spend some time in testing grounds to get used to piloting your mech without other people shooting you or telling you what to do in chat?
/Trak

Edited by BigTrak, 24 July 2013 - 02:59 AM.

[Suggestive]

Holy crap if that's what it takes to get into this game I might have to pass. Why is it every game now a days requires you to read a ******* book? I tried playing natural selection 2 and got a similar set of a billion.

[Elizander]

Suggestive, on 24 July 2013 - 02:41 AM, said:

I am bad at everything, to the point that I don't even know how to lock on shots or how to even fight at all really. Like, this game is stupidly complex, why can't the controls be less frustraiting?

I mostly play tabletop games and battletech, and I wanted to play a game version of this. I tried playing this like many months ago but I've forgotten everything about the expierance only that it was bad.

• Keep the arms locked to the torso (should be on by default).
  
• Keep the throttle decay on (so that it feels like a normal FPS, should be on by default)
  
• Pick a mech that can use 2 gauss rifles so you don't bother with heat and you can shoot from any range (Cataphracts, Catapult K2, Jagermechs)
  
• Toss in 30-40 total shots and a couple of Medium/Small Lasers for backup.

Your other alternative is a 3xUAC/5 Ilya Muromets. Just run out there and spam autocannons, blow up, repeat.

Stay away from:

Missiles, LBX, Narc, TAG

Prioritize learning how to use:

PPC, Gauss Rifle, Large/Medium Lasers, UAC/5 Autocannons

I recommend Gauss because you won't even bother with heat management. Dual Gauss is about as simple as the game will ever get as long as your mech has sufficient ammunition and a couple of backup lasers.

[Suggestive]

I like little mechs, can I play a little one with

Elizander, on 24 July 2013 - 03:01 AM, said:

• Keep the arms locked to the torso (should be on by default).
  
• Keep the throttle decay on (so that it feels like a normal FPS, should be on by default)
  
• Pick a mech that can use 2 gauss rifles so you don't bother with heat and you can shoot from any range (Cataphracts, Catapult K2, Jagermechs)
  
• Toss in 30-40 total shots and a couple of Medium/Small Lasers for backup.

Your other alternative is a 3xUAC/5 Ilya Muromets. Just run out there and spam autocannons, blow up, repeat.


Stay away from:

Missiles, LBX, Narc, TAG

Prioritize learning how to use:

PPC, Gauss Rifle, Large/Medium Lasers, UAC/5 Autocannons

I recommend Gauss because you won't even bother with heat management. Dual Gauss is about as simple as the game will ever get as long as your mech has sufficient ammunition and a couple of backup lasers.

gauss rifles?

[BigTrak]

LOL sorry, didn't mean to suggest you need to read/watch all of the above in 1 sitting

Thought I would dump all my links in for future ref as you progress

It's a little like driving a car, overwhelming at first, but soon becomes second nature - I promise! I'm only 4 months in and an "average" pilot at best, but really enjoy the game and can generally hold my own.

Start out with the vids, get some snacks and a beverage of choice and just watch what some of the tops pilots do.

Do you have your own mech(s) yet? What do you pilot?
/Trak

[Exoth3rmic]

You asked what it takes to make the game "easy" not what it takes to "enjoy" it.

Presumeably you're enjoying it now otherwise, you know, what's the point?

A list of helpful guides were graciously provided, but at the end of the day find yourself some friends to play with or make some friends or, long term, its going to grate.

Edited by Exoth3rmic, 24 July 2013 - 03:11 AM.

[Suggestive]

I want to drive a raven, it's the only good mech. Well, honestly the catapult, Atlas and Raven are the only decent mechs in this game. I have no idea why they would hand pick the worst mechs from battle tech; the dragon, awesome, spider, stalker, and commando are some of the lowest rated mechs of all time, hell the Awesome was voted, and won, worst mach ever made.

[Darwins Dog]

The developers are currently working on a new user interface, complete with a tutorial. It should be up in a month or two. I realize that doesn't help you now, but if you are thinking of passing, you should check back periodically. The game is not yet finished, so the new player experience is pretty bad.

Also, you only need the first two of BigTrack's to get started. Once you have that stuff down you should be well on your way.

My only other advice is to save your cadet bonus (first 25 matches) until you have a really good idea of what mech you want to use.

[James DeGriz]

If you've already decided that the game is too difficult, and all the mechs are bad, there's nothing we can tell you to convince you otherwise.

There are other games that may be more to your liking. Try those.

Alternatively, pick a mech, jump into the training grounds. This will give you more time to look at what's going on, work out what the HUD is telling you and get a feel for how things work, especially if you couple this with pressing Escape, and looking at the key mappings.

Alright, it's not much of an alternative to a full on tutorial, but it really doesn't take too much to work out what's what with what's currently available.

[Levon K]

Suggestive, on 24 July 2013 - 03:09 AM, said:

I want to drive a raven, it's the only good mech. Well, honestly the catapult, Atlas and Raven are the only decent mechs in this game. I have no idea why they would hand pick the worst mechs from battle tech; the dragon, awesome, spider, stalker, and commando are some of the lowest rated mechs of all time, hell the Awesome was voted, and won, worst mach ever made.

Actually, that Dragon goon build that was voted as the champion mech would probably be the best start for you. It's fast enough to move, and the 2 x large laser + gauss configuration is simple and effective.

[Suggestive]

I thought in almost a year they would have a tutorial. I want to play this game but whenever I fight someone they can kill me easy and I do not even damage them.

[DLFReporter]

Let them get out the release first. And there is a great tutorial handbook (besides the dozen videos listed above for the reading impared).

But hey, you're coming from the TT, so reading up on gameplay and rules shouldn't alienate you this much?!

[Suggestive]

DLFReporter, on 24 July 2013 - 03:23 AM, said:

Let them get out the release first. And there is a great tutorial handbook (besides the dozen videos listed above for the reading impared).

But hey, you're coming from the TT, so reading up on gameplay and rules shouldn't alienate you this much?!

I think video games should be a bit more streamlined, also I like reading the stories and such from tabletops, in video games I kinda thing it's stupid. So what's the easiest mech to use just from buying it? I don't know how to edit it.

[BigTrak]

Not sure what else can be added mate, Raven are a solid mech but with recent movement restrictions, don't forget about the Jenners, with jump-jets they are really fun to pilot right now...

I use the builds in the RHoD thread (http://mwomercs.com/...e-mech-designs/) as a starting point, there are builds for both Ravens and Jenners here.

As Exoth3rmic stated, other thing is to join a group who will help you learn the ropes in a more enjoyale way than whisky and youtube

The House forum's and Merc out-reach forums all have loads of Units looking for more members.
Good luck!!
/Trak

[Suggestive]

Oh, the catapult K2 seems really good, is it good?

[scJazz]

1 ) There are guides pinned to the top of the forum you posted in.
2 ) You play TT so you already play a game that you needed to read a book to play
3 ) The game is still in Beta so there is no Official Manual/New Player guide
4 ) There are tons of Player generated guides, faqs, etc
5 ) The tone of you posts indicate you have already made up your mind so why were you posting?
6 ) This game isn't made to be easy

Suggestive, on 24 July 2013 - 03:31 AM, said:

Oh, the catapult K2 seems really good, is it good?

Quite usable, as with all Catapults it has a large CT and Head hitbox so they can be kind of fragile if you sit still.

[Suggestive]

There's no need to be rude.

[Aleksander Wernersson]

Hi Suggestive,

as mentioned above I suggest you to spend some time in testing grounds first. Find a keyboard-layout that feels comfortable for you and group your weapons. As you seem to know Battletech, you already know something about weapons ranges, damage-potential and heat. Walk around in testing grounds to get a feeling of your mech. It's not easy in the beginning but offers you a huge long-term motivation as you become better and better and improve your piloting and shooting skills.

In matches: stay at your team and support their fire - so you get the protection of your group and profit by their firepower.

Piloting a Raven to scout is very difficult and dangerous in the beginning and needs good pilot-skills and knowledge of the maps. I recommend you to try some heavy mech like Catapult or Cataphract first. Unfortunately the Awesome isn't really awesome in MWO as it should be.

I hope we can help you here so we don't loose another interested newbie. Good luck!

Edited by Postman, 24 July 2013 - 03:50 AM.

[Suggestive]

Okay so I bought the catapult k2 and ripped all weapons off it, added 2 gauss rifles and a lot of ammo. I think I'm doing good.