10 replies to this topic

[Jonny Monroe]

These days I like to play as a light spotter, using ECM and speed to stay hidden, lightning up targets with TAG for my LRM boats. I've been looking at modules to help this playstyle and I have a question I've not been able to find an answer to, regarding the target decay module.

If I spot a target, I share that targeting info to my team, allowing them to target without direct LOS. If I use the Target Decay module to maintain lock on a target that breaks LOS from me, will my team benefit from the extended lock on time gained from my target decay module? Basically I'm asking if shared targeting is still shared even on targets locked through Target Decay upgrade.

Any info on this would be great. I searched the forums and found a few old threads on target decay but they mostly just discus the difference between target lock and weapon lock.

[Imperius]

So far you're one of the few light pilots that is playing a light mech correctly. Thank you and welcome to MWO. Hopefully someone can answer your question.

[Jonny Monroe]

Imperius, on 03 October 2013 - 08:06 PM, said:

So far you're one of the few light pilots that is playing a light mech correctly. Thank you and welcome to MWO. Hopefully someone can answer your question.

Thanks. I've actually played on and off casually since open beta started. I've always been interested in the spotting and information control aspect of the game, but it was only in 12v12s that I found the role really found a place. Losing a DPS mech in 8v8 was a much larger hit to the team, and it was less likely in solo queue to even get LRM boats on your team. Now that I can justify the setup I really want to maximise it.

So yeah, them modules. I already run seismic so I can see when someone is trying to come around my cover and give them the slip. I -think- target retention will be my best option for the 2nd mod slot but it's a lot of GXP so I'm trying to research it before I invest.

[Hans Von Lohman]

As long as you have a lock, so does everyone else.

Yes, target decay and sensor range are probably be the two modules you will want if you are interested in spotting.

Hopefully they'll add "role warfare" type modules to the game some day, such as a module that lets you target multiple enemies at the same time, i.e. 1 primary target for your own weapons to lock onto, plus the 2 closest to him that you can see are "lit". However, those ought to be weight class restricted, in this case they would be light mech only.

[Johnny Reb]

Yes, I believe your target decay will last its duration, then your lrm platform will use his. At least that is my experience with lights doing that for me, if i'm wrong then its cause my decay did the work and made me feel that way. Needs testing.

[Amsro]

What you will find is that good players will find you easy with your tag.

But definitely staying out of line of sight helps.

I encourage your thankless work.

o7

[Jonny Monroe]

Amsro, on 03 October 2013 - 10:08 PM, said:

What you will find is that good players will find you easy with your tag.

But definitely staying out of line of sight helps.

I encourage your thankless work.

o7

I wouldn't call it thankless. TAG assists are worth a lot of CBs, as are spot assists.

As for good players spotting my TAG... It hasn't happened yet, but when it does start to happen I'll just have to adjust my tactics I guess. I run LLs as well, not for the DPS but to have a weapon that works at my TAG range and lets me draw an enemy out of hard cover if I really need to. Normally I don't shoot targets until LRMs land on it. Most players don't notice rear damage alerts when an LRM volley is covering them in front damage alerts at the same time.

*edit* - adjusting my tactics would probably mean just not using TAG until the LRM volley is about 1second from impact. That's enough time that they get the convergence bonus, but it should mean the target doesn't notice the tag light him up

Edited by Jonny Monroe, 04 October 2013 - 07:52 AM.

[Corpsecandle]

Amsro, on 03 October 2013 - 10:08 PM, said:

What you will find is that good players will find you easy with your tag.

Agreed, there needs to be a spotting mod that makes tag beam invisible and a toggle.

[Oppresor]

Jonny Monroe, on 03 October 2013 - 08:03 PM, said:

These days I like to play as a light spotter, using ECM and speed to stay hidden, lightning up targets with TAG for my LRM boats. I've been looking at modules to help this playstyle and I have a question I've not been able to find an answer to, regarding the target decay module.

If I spot a target, I share that targeting info to my team, allowing them to target without direct LOS.

Jonny, it's already been said but I must applaud you, you are a role model for anyone who is thinking of taking up the Spotter role; you put your lance first and by definition become a crucial member of that Lance.

[Felio]

Do the lermers get any sort of notification that a target has been tagged, like they do with NARC?

Sometimes I spot, but no LRMs come. Having used LRMs myself, I know how hard it is to know whether someone is going to hold the target for me.

[Jonny Monroe]

Felio, on 04 October 2013 - 02:06 PM, said:

Do the lermers get any sort of notification that a target has been tagged, like they do with NARC?

Sometimes I spot, but no LRMs come. Having used LRMs myself, I know how hard it is to know whether someone is going to hold the target for me.

a TAG'd target has a square crosshair icon over their target box. Because TAG has to be held on a target, there is no guarantee that it will be sustained in the way a NARC is. Your spotter (me) may need to break LOS if they come under fire. We will generally try our best to keep a target lit up as long as possible, especially if we can see they have incoming LRM volleys on them. this is why target Decay is what I'm looking into as a spotter - so even if I am forced to move position, I can still share target capability with my team for as long as possible.