88 replies to this topic

[Gilfner]

As someone that is still fairly new, I've mostly stopped using the Gauss Rifle. I'm still trying to get a handle on everything else in the game. Having to worry about charging the Gauss Rifle just seems like more than I have bandwidth for right now. And my attempts to run them have showed, with hardly any rounds fired, let alone accurately.

I was checking out the new Trial mechs and I see that the Dragon & Atlas both have Gauss Rifles. For the reason I stated above, I personally think these aren't great variants for new players. Don't get me wrong, it's good to see that the new player has access to reasonably good mech's without having to learn to build one. Maybe I just need to keep trying, I figured out the LRM's okay. Maybe it's that the charging indicator is too small. I've heard others voice that complaint. Maybe it's just me.

Thoughts?

[Bishop Steiner]

Gilfner, on 21 September 2013 - 07:03 AM, said:

As someone that is still fairly new, I've mostly stopped using the Gauss Rifle. I'm still trying to get a handle on everything else in the game. Having to worry about charging the Gauss Rifle just seems like more than I have bandwidth for right now. And my attempts to run them have showed, with hardly any rounds fired, let alone accurately.

I was checking out the new Trial mechs and I see that the Dragon & Atlas both have Gauss Rifles. For the reason I stated above, I personally think these aren't great variants for new players. Don't get me wrong, it's good to see that the new player has access to reasonably good mech's without having to learn to build one. Maybe I just need to keep trying, I figured out the LRM's okay. Maybe it's that the charging indicator is too small. I've heard others voice that complaint. Maybe it's just me.

Thoughts?

Can't disagree.

While I found the mechanic pretty easy to get used to, I still occasionally miss a window or short charge it. I think one thing that would be a big help would be am ore intuitive tap to charge, tap again to fire mechanic, than the current, hold and let off. Every other weapon for tap to fire, but Gauss you let off?

Also I do think at least ONE trial mech should have a Gauss, so that people can monkey with it before actually buying one. But two with it might be overly much. I'd say the Atlas would be fine as is. Problem is, both of those were designed before the Gauss firing mechanic was changed, and we don't have other Heavy or Assault "champion" builds yet. Poor planning, as it were.

[Gaan Cathal]

More or less as Bishop said, the problem with not having them is that it currently means replacing them with an atrocious stock build that'll be a far, far worse experience than struggling with a gauss rifle.

[Foxfire]

Bishop Steiner, on 21 September 2013 - 07:23 AM, said:

Can't disagree.

While I found the mechanic pretty easy to get used to, I still occasionally miss a window or short charge it. I think one thing that would be a big help would be am ore intuitive tap to charge, tap again to fire mechanic, than the current, hold and let off. Every other weapon for tap to fire, but Gauss you let off?

Also I do think at least ONE trial mech should have a Gauss, so that people can monkey with it before actually buying one. But two with it might be overly much. I'd say the Atlas would be fine as is. Problem is, both of those were designed before the Gauss firing mechanic was changed, and we don't have other Heavy or Assault "champion" builds yet. Poor planning, as it were.

The Atlas currently sports a Gauss. I've seen so many new people who don't even try using the Gauss anymore, though. The only real 'tweak' that I would make is give a slight extension to the amount of time that the charge can be held.

[Lightfoot]

I have been playing MechWarrior PvP for 15 years and I can't make it work. It wouldn't be worth the time it takes from your concentration to fire it anyway. It's just there to force brawling on open maps which is counter to MechWarrior map tactics simulation.

It's like the Bombast Laser (MW4 Vengeance), but with less time to fire it and no bonus damage if you do make it work. No one used the Bombast Laser, although they tried real hard at first.

It seems a mouse specialist weapon too. Not for joystick users.

[Bishop Steiner]

Lightfoot, on 21 September 2013 - 01:26 PM, said:

I have been playing MechWarrior PvP for 15 years and I can't make it work. It wouldn't be worth the time it takes from your concentration to fire it anyway. It's just there to force brawling on open maps which is counter to MechWarrior map tactics simulation.

It's like the Bombast Laser (MW4 Vengeance), but with less time to fire it and no bonus damage if you do make it work. No one used the Bombast Laser, although they tried real hard at first.

It seems a mouse specialist weapon too. Not for joystick users.

Can't claim your expertise in all things MEchwarrior PvP, but have a LOT less experience in it than that, and make it work just fine. Not in love with the mechanic, and agree it's counter-intuitive, bu it's not impossible.

[Appogee]

I uninstalled them from all my loadouts, though I'm adding them back in here and there.

I can use them ok, but find it a lot harder to be accurate. It seems harder to get the mouse in exactly the right spot while you're still holding down the button and within the allowable firing window.

I would favour 'tap to charge' and 'tap again to fire'. HOWEVER, to even it out, if the weapon is hit while it's charged, it blows up.

[Darklord]

I use the gauss all the time with a joystick and it only took a few minutes to get the mechanic down.
When it's the primary weapon of the mech build the mechanic is learned pretty quickly.The roll the gauss now has as turned into
a slow bolt action sniper weapon.

[NRP]

After experimenting with numerous ballistics combos (AC/5+UAC/5, 2 AC/5s, AC10+AC/2, 2 AC/5s+AC/2, etc), I've gone back to the Gauss on my Heavy Metal and Victors, and am just dealing with timing the firing mechanic. All of the other ballistics combos either aren't as effective, have too high a weight penalty, or both.

[Booran]

I actually find the Gauss easier/better now than before. I don't waste shots by twitch-clicking on anything that moves and I find I take the time to pinpoint my shots. My Heavy Metal feels great with the Gauss and I usually hit exactly where I aim. Now I just need to get adv. zoom...

[Bishop Steiner]

NRP, on 21 September 2013 - 02:23 PM, said:

After experimenting with numerous ballistics combos (AC/5+UAC/5, 2 AC/5s, AC10+AC/2, 2 AC/5s+AC/2, etc), I've gone back to the Gauss on my Heavy Metal and Victors, and am just dealing with timing the firing mechanic. All of the other ballistics combos either aren't as effective, have too high a weight penalty, or both.

still prefer my AC20s where they fit, but have no issue using Gauss. I pulled em all initially then actually tried em and haven't looked back. That projectile speed and lack of projectile drop makes them too dang good!

[NRP]

Agreed. AC/20 is also my favorite ballistic, but unfortunately it doesn't fit on some mechs. One thing about the new Gauss firing mechanic is that I'm finding I need less ammo, which was an unexpected surprise.

[Lightfoot]

The other thing is I think the Dev's think the Gauss Rifle is essential to MechWarrior, but it's not. It was popular in MW4 because it was well made and good at long range (but too long a recharge for short range), but it was never used in MW3 even though there was nothing bad or wrong with it. Clan tech makes the Gauss a specialized purpose weapon is what happens, but not crucial to any tactic so it needs to have the ease of use of ordinary weapons because it is a very ordinary weapon specialized for long-range.

Trust me, the shine wears off the Gauss as soon as Clan tech appears.

[Bishop Steiner]

Lightfoot, on 21 September 2013 - 03:06 PM, said:

The other thing is I think the Dev's think the Gauss Rifle is essential to MechWarrior, but it's not. It was popular in MW4 because it was well made and good at long range (but too long a recharge for short range), but it was never used in MW3 even though there was nothing bad or wrong with it. Clan tech makes the Gauss a specialized purpose weapon is what happens, but not crucial to any tactic so it needs to have the ease of use of ordinary weapons because it is a very ordinary weapon specialized for long-range.

Trust me, the shine wears off the Gauss as soon as Clan tech appears.

nope, ya just switch to Clan Gauss. One of my best mechs in MW3 was a Quad-Gauss Annihilator. I also ran a Quad-PPC version, but Ghost Heat sorta limits the viability of that in this version.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

Experienced players only?


No, just annoying to use.

[Lightfoot]

Bishop Steiner, on 21 September 2013 - 03:12 PM, said:

nope, ya just switch to Clan Gauss. One of my best mechs in MW3 was a Quad-Gauss Annihilator. I also ran a Quad-PPC version, but Ghost Heat sorta limits the viability of that in this version.

I never saw anyone use them. Clan Gauss is 2 tons lighter, one less critical, but that's the only difference from the IS version so not an area where the Clans really improve the tech.

I don't really care, let them remove Gauss Rifles from the game, for that is what they have done. I have moved on and not having Gauss Rifles to hold me back has allowed me to utilize some new tactics that are working quite well.

That's the nice thing about MechWarrior, there are enough weapons and variants that you are never forced to use anything that is so obviously broken as MWO's Gauss Rifles.

Edited by Lightfoot, 21 September 2013 - 08:49 PM.

[Bishop Steiner]

Lightfoot, on 21 September 2013 - 08:46 PM, said:

I never saw anyone use them. Clan Gauss is 2 tons lighter, one less critical, but that's the only difference from the IS version so not an area where the Clans really improve the tech.

I don't really care, let them remove Gauss Rifles from the game, for that is what they have done. I have moved on and not having Gauss Rifles to hold me back has allowed me to utilize some new tactics that are working quite well.

That's the nice thing about MechWarrior, there are enough weapons and variants that you are never forced to use anything that is so obviously broken as MWO's Gauss Rifles.

Kinda ironic, since NOW that people feel they are broken is when they finally "realize" that Mechwarrior has enough weapons. Yet apparently, when they are the ONLY weapon being used they are OK.

Fortunately, still see plenty enough of them. The Gauss isn't dead. It's just not the ezmode solution anymore.

[IceLom]

Lightfoot, on 21 September 2013 - 08:46 PM, said:

I never saw anyone use them. Clan Gauss is 2 tons lighter, one less critical, but that's the only difference from the IS version so not an area where the Clans really improve the tech.

I don't really care, let them remove Gauss Rifles from the game, for that is what they have done. I have moved on and not having Gauss Rifles to hold me back has allowed me to utilize some new tactics that are working quite well.

That's the nice thing about MechWarrior, there are enough weapons and variants that you are never forced to use anything that is so obviously broken as MWO's Gauss Rifles.

So you don't like it therefore they should just remove it from the game. Wow.....

Also the new gauss is fine once you get used to it. if act I like it better now do to the faster projectile speed.

Edited by IceLom, 21 September 2013 - 09:00 PM.

[Ruccus]

IceLom, on 21 September 2013 - 09:00 PM, said:

So you don't like it therefore they should just remove it from the game. Wow.....

Also the new gauss is fine once you get used to it. if act I like it better now do to the faster projectile speed.

I think you misread his post. He never said it should be removed, he said PGI has essentially removed the Gauss Rifle from the game by making it worse than most other weapons available. It's a 15 ton weapon with low dps and a three quarters of a second charge up. I never had a problem with projectile speed before the change, so the main change in my mind is the .75 second firing delay and accompanying dps nerf down to under 3.16dps. The Gauss barely beat out the AC20 as my BJ-1's main gun when it was at 3.75dps so now it's not even in the same class as the AC20 for my 'damage support mech' build.

As a medium mech pilot I need a main weapon that is either reasonably flexible or very good at one thing, and pre-nerf the Gauss was a solid, versatile weapon. I could snipe with it and it could be a poor man's AC20 in a pinch. It still snipes, but now it takes over 5.5 seconds to get off the first two shots instead of 4 seconds.

I can't waste 15 tons (plus ammo tonnage) on a weapon that can't fill the roles I need it to fill during a match and I don't have enough armour on my BJ-1 to let peope fire at me for three quarters of a second before I can fire back. That's why the Gauss has gone from my 'go to' weapon (298 matches with it) to a weapon less desireable in my build than an AC20, a pair of AC5s, a pair of PPCs, an AC10, or an LB 10-X. If you tell me I have ten matches to post my highest damage, most kills, most assists, or highest score, I'll trot out any of those builds before I pull out the build with which I once did 1079 damage (a Gauss and four medium lasers).

[StoneMason]

Yeah, it's not the high-tier Gauss builds that have suffered, they can just use a slightly different combo and get similar damage. The real hit has been taken by 45-60 tonners that used the Gauss, like the Dragon or Centurion. These Mech's paid the tonnage to mount a powerful weapon that was already weak in a duel, now it has an extra mechanic to make it even more unwieldy (plus even lower DPS than before).

Don't forget when Clans hit we might be facing canon damage on Clan ER PPC's, that's 15 points. It's gonna suck if the only reasonable Inner Sphere counter remains such a liability. Spiders used to show me a tiny amount of respect, now once they get within 100m I just wait for my for my armour to vanish.

edit: decent Arty, Aerospace and minefields are also a good counter to the Clans, but I don't expect we'll see them by 3051.

Edited by StoneMason, 21 September 2013 - 11:26 PM.