13 replies to this topic

[Deathlike]

There's not a lot of threads about the UAV... and I personally want to figure out how to get the most of it, given its limited usage in PUGs. I do want to make the most of it in 8-mans (and the future 12-mans).

Of the two upgrades for the UAV (one for making it like the MC version, and the other is for increasing its scanning range), which one is more beneficial? I don't play enough with missile boat teammates to make the most of it, but wouldn't the extra range be more useful than the amount of time you get to spend with the UAV deployed?

UAV range is 240m (upgrade would make it 300m)
Basic UAV deployment timer is at 45s... the upgraded/MC version is 60s long.

I know that UAV deployment is most beneficial if you can get within the enemy blob... preferably undetected, but are there other situations where it may prove useful? Trying to put it through an enemy blob when they are clustered together is difficult.. but I keep thinking that if you are able to place the UAV where it is more difficult to it, it would be very beneficial in some way.

[Wintersdark]

When rocking my Spotter/Scout Jenner (TAG, NARC, UAV, Target Decay) I get a lot of great usage out of my UAV. Sadly, as I PUG primarily, I often drop with teams sporting zero LRM's...But when they're around? I'll find a good target for indirect fire - particularly slower mechs far from cover - come in fast and hard, NARC him and hold target as much as possible. If the area is hot, popping the UAV allows me to weave further in and out without worrying about my LRM buddy losing lock, and performing a valuable scouting role at the same time.

Once NARC'd, and TAGed(they stack) as I do 3ML run byes, he eats very focussed, massed LRM fire. The build is crushingly effective with LRM support.

[MonkeyCheese]

Havent upgraded mine yet, but it seems to time out more than get shot down, so I think im going to get the time boost upgrade when I can be bothered.

Also they really need to hurry up with the UI2.0 bring out the auto buy option already.

[Shlkt]

Range is the more important upgrade IMO. I've noticed, however, that my UAV gets shot down very quickly in organized 8-man games, whereas in PUGs it usually survives for the duration. A good trick to increasing its life span is to deploy it as closely as possible; even if the enemy is aware of its presence, many of them will be unable to aim their weapons at a steep enough angle to shoot it down. It's not worth the risk, though, if your team isn't packing LRMs, so be sure to inquire about LRM support before attempting a risky UAV deployment.

Another useful role for the UAV is a defensive one. If you're in a slower mech and find yourself being hounded by an ECM light (Spider or Raven, for example) then you can launch a UAV so that your team can lock LRMs onto the light mech that's harassing you. It's like a single-use ECM counter.

Edited by Shlkt, 30 July 2013 - 04:51 AM.

[Dracol]

Shlkt made a great point about it being a short range ecm counter. With DDCs becoming brawlers again, the uav can be used by none light mechs to receive lrm support against a rushing DDC pack.

[Gevurah]

UAV is one of those modules that's highly underrated. I'm interested in upgrading it myself given it's currently my only module only even approaching a nearly 3:1 win/loss rate. ERMGURD NERF UAV

But yeah, it's pretty useful. I've never actually seen one to shoot down though. I'd love to see a screenshot of one flying around . Definitely great when paired with 1-3 LRM users on your team.

[Elyam]

I've seen people use them in PUGs at map points where ridges separate teams, such as the snow map ridge that extends West from the dropship crash, or the crater rim of the volcano map, or in various areas of the canyonlands. 1st time it happened, I was with our whole group at the south side of the snow ridge with the enemy waiting over the other side, with some of us taking fire whenever we decided to take a peek over the angle. Then one guy says " UAV up!" and 5 or 6 enemy targets bloom onto the radar.

Edited by Elyam, 31 July 2013 - 12:24 PM.

[Frisk]

UAVs are great for PUGs.

They're also great if you have a lot of LRMs.

[MonkeyCheese]

Yeah even without any lrm boats in a pug match having a UAV can work wonders as an instant spotter saying look at this blob of red arrows they are all here without actually risking typing.

Oh and since I only pug I purchased the UAV time extension as when ever I pop a UAV over a blob or a brawl it never gets shot down.

[xengk]

I pack UAV in some of my brawler if I can spare the slot.
When in a messy brawl, pop the UAV so the team can see and target enemies in the brawl.

Hopefully they will cycle thru the targets to focus on a weaken one or send LRM to help out.

[Khan Reaper]

I PUG exclusively, and the UAV is my favorite consumable by far. I've given it both upgrades and just love popping one when I know I'm amongst the blob. I carry airstrikes too, mostly for fun, though I haven't tried one since the patch. I've only made a single kill with the airstrike, but it was pretty awesome to pull off, especially considering that I was falling to the ground, cored, when the strike destroyed my killer.

But, yeah...UAV for the win!

Edited by Khan Reaper, 31 July 2013 - 08:43 PM.

[Khobai]

The UAV has potential but the duration is way too short. The duration should be at least 2 minutes.

[ReikSadow]

Khobai, on 31 July 2013 - 08:52 PM, said:

The UAV has potential but the duration is way too short. The duration should be at least 2 minutes.

I disagree Khobai. 2 min is way too long. It's supposed to be used as a situational scout device not a spy-plane.

[Hammertrial]

Deathlike, on 29 July 2013 - 04:07 PM, said:

There's not a lot of threads about the UAV... and I personally want to figure out how to get the most of it, given its limited usage in PUGs. I do want to make the most of it in 8-mans (and the future 12-mans).

Of the two upgrades for the UAV (one for making it like the MC version, and the other is for increasing its scanning range), which one is more beneficial? I don't play enough with missile boat teammates to make the most of it, but wouldn't the extra range be more useful than the amount of time you get to spend with the UAV deployed?

UAV range is 240m (upgrade would make it 300m)
Basic UAV deployment timer is at 45s... the upgraded/MC version is 60s long.

I know that UAV deployment is most beneficial if you can get within the enemy blob... preferably undetected, but are there other situations where it may prove useful? Trying to put it through an enemy blob when they are clustered together is difficult.. but I keep thinking that if you are able to place the UAV where it is more difficult to it, it would be very beneficial in some way.

I prefer extra range to extra time. Unless the enemy is really bad they'll generally have walked out of range by 45s, let alone 60. The range at least keeps the tracking as they leave.

As for other uses.

Remote sensor:

-Afraid of a flank, throw it up and it'll catch them as they circle, especially with the reduced seismic range.
-Peekaboo sensor. Just throw it up to see whats on the other side of a hill/ridge without actually exposing yourself. Extremely useful in caustic when you can throw it up from the relative safety of the calderra before they crest.

The best uses are by far as a spotting tool "OH CRAP TEAM HERE LOOK" especially when you see multiple ECM mechs, or if you have LRMs on the team. Usually this isn't that helpful because LRM pilots can be god awful sometimes.

THERES A UAV GUY THROW SOME STUFF OVER HERE

What?

LRMS...NOW

Sees lrm symbol, cries as it's targetting a light instead of the ECM D-DC.

WHY WOULD U DO THAT *cries*

As a premade me and a buddy ran two lights with a UAV each, and two buddies with lrm boats.

It was hilarious.