12 replies to this topic

[KharnZor]

So, trial mechs. Pretty safe to assume that everyone agrees they suck. One way to improve them I believe would be to allow limited customization with things like engine size remaining untouchable but allowing weapons and maybe double heatsinks or other such minor alterations to be made and perhaps even the addition of some loaner modules that you can hire for a limited period of time?

Thoughts?

[Raso]

I think the problem is that stock mechs simply do not work. Before the current sniper dominated meta you could make some of them work but now you are simply out classed if you choose to field your mech in a combat role.

I think that each trial mech should have several load outs available to use. I think that each loadout should come with a brief description that offers suggestions on how to use that mech's loadout in combat with noob friendly reminders about things like weapon characteristics and what range you may wish to engage at. I also think that if the game is ever balanced that the disparity between trial mehcs and custom jobs will decrease a little.

[Deathlike]

The problem with the entire idea is that PGI is attempting to monetize the entire process with their "Champion mechs".

Basic trial mechs suffer from the following:
Bad loadouts
No mech bonuses applied (which is the major difference between a basic/elited mech)
Dropped with other people at all levels of ELO

In short, limited customization would not fix/address the problems that Trial Mechs face.

You should understand one of the bigger issues with the DHS mechanics is that the engine dictates how much cooling you will get. That's a real issue.

Edited by Deathlike, 02 September 2013 - 08:04 AM.

[KharnZor]

Raso, on 02 September 2013 - 07:58 AM, said:

I think the problem is that stock mechs simply do not work. Before the current sniper dominated meta you could make some of them work but now you are simply out classed if you choose to field your mech in a combat role.

I think that each trial mech should have several load outs available to use. I think that each loadout should come with a brief description that offers suggestions on how to use that mech's loadout in combat with noob friendly reminders about things like weapon characteristics and what range you may wish to engage at. I also think that if the game is ever balanced that the disparity between trial mehcs and custom jobs will decrease a little.

I like this idea. And also with an in-depth tutorial to accompany it this idea has merits.

I never really thought of the engine size governing the amount of cooling good point.
Also ELO is a massive problem. The reason I started this thread was that a little while ago I was in a game where almost the entire enemy team was composed of trial mechs. A couple of guys from both teams disco'd and I ended up with over 1000 damage and 6 kills by the end of the game and it made me think about that game from their point of view. Having some founder romp through them in a DS like I did would have pissed me of to no end. One of the only games I've had where I kind of felt ashamed of myself for sucking the fun out of it for them

[Xendojo]

@KharnZor:

Just the fact that games like that happen should be telling.

What does it say? Well i guess that depends on which side of the ROFLstomp you are on.

Trial mechs are so under-powered compared to custom mechs, that they should only be fighting other trial mechs.

[OznerpaG]

give them double c-bill income to give them some sort of advantage over custom mechs

[DarkRyNo]

And its back to suggesting trial mech customization? Ive been gone for a long time, and alot of the issues from closed beta seem like they are still hanging around.... Trail mech customization is a very old idea that was just discarded. Im not saying that it wouldnt work or shouldnt be implemented, only that it has been ignored from day 1

[Sir Ratburger]

One thing I have noticed with the Trial mechs is one of the main reasons they are terrible is because they do not have double heat sinks - you have to be a pro to pilot them and actually kill someone or win a match ,which I am proud to say I did with all four the other day just for a challenge... I had to hide my heavy behind mediums and lights who soaked up damage better than me just to pull it off.

They need a decent load out choice for new players, not overheat instantly when firing a few shots but at the same time not being so amazing that you don't want to spend some Cbills on a custom mech - It's a bit tricky to get right.

[SweetJackal]

Stock Mechs do work and are completely and totally viable and can stand on their own two feet. When they are facing Stock Mechs.

Customized mechs are optimized and perform leagues beyond stock mechs. Stock mechs often suffer ammo problems for ballistic weapons, generally have less armor or a smaller engine they should, lack sufficient cooling for the high heat maps and make generally questionable choices for energy weapons (2 Medium Pulse lasers on the Victor?) or gear (CASE on XL Engines?)

This is before you start to consider the choices for "Upgrades" to the Engine, Armor, Structure and Heat Sinks.

Stock Mechs shouldn't be facing the "Your SHS Are Useless" maps either, the heat penalties need to be toned down for SHS on Terra Therma and the like as those maps are designed to punish builds that run hot with DHS. SHS just doesn't bleed that heat off at anywhere a reasonable rate which leaves even low heat Ballistics Mechs pushing the lines with shutting down.

[Stormwolf]

Stock mechs aren't bad when they are used as intended, here the reasons why:

1. They are designed for a setting where customization is rare, quite the reverse of MWO.
2. There are two techbases mixed here, the older 3025 designs can only rarely compete with the 3050 designs
3. The BT setting has infantry, aerotech and vehicles, some mechs are designed to combat these threats. They are unlikely to perform very well against mechs.
4. The weapon balancing and heatsystem screws over most canon designs.

This is probably unfathomable for some people, but there are players who only want to play with and against stock mechs. It's usually the long running fans of the setting who want this. For them custom mechs are like the min maxed designs the munchkins used to bring to TT games (and they were usually ridiculed for doing so).

The game would be far better playable if MWO had a "stock only mode" for players and allowed for trial mechs to only drop into these.

Edited by Stormwolf, 03 September 2013 - 03:13 AM.

[xenoglyph]

Sir Ratburger, on 03 September 2013 - 02:19 AM, said:

They need a decent load out choice for new players, not overheat instantly when firing a few shots but at the same time not being so amazing that you don't want to spend some Cbills on a custom mech - It's a bit tricky to get right.

They could have the best mech with the best loadout available and it wouldn't stop people from wanting to buy their own mech(s). That's always goal #1, I don't care who you are.

[Ngamok]

Stock mechs don't work. If you can get out of them by your 25th match, you are good. If you wind up playing with them more than that, you just like the punishment. My Alt account is 10 matches in with roughly 5 million C-Bills. I've been using the CLPT-A1(C) and the Victor-9K so far. Will use the new Trials when they come out. When I make enough, will be using Awesomes on that account because of all the QQ that mech gets.

Deathlike, on 02 September 2013 - 08:04 AM, said:

The problem with the entire idea is that PGI is attempting to monetize the entire process with their "Champion mechs".

Basic trial mechs suffer from the following:
Bad loadouts
No mech bonuses applied (which is the major difference between a basic/elited mech)
Dropped with other people at all levels of ELO

In short, limited customization would not fix/address the problems that Trial Mechs face.

You should understand one of the bigger issues with the DHS mechanics is that the engine dictates how much cooling you will get. That's a real issue.

TBH, my alt account is dropping with about 25% using Trial mechs and the other people with their own aren't that good. Have only played 10 matches. There are people that have higher ELO for sure in those matches but it's not like you are there or anyone higher unless of course they started an alt account as well, hehe.

[SmurfOff]

Stock mechs suck, because PGI nerfed everything to the point where Double(1.4) heatsinks are the minimum, lasers are pointless, flamers are pointless, and Armor needs to be 3x stock.

At this point, single heatsinks should be out of the game. Until then, stock mechs will always overheat and die fast...