46 replies to this topic

[Gregory Owen]

wow I'm amazed that you guys don't use it.

[Finn McShae]

Arkadash, on 10 October 2013 - 10:49 AM, said:

*casts flame shield*

Based on the responses so far, it appears that one idea for enriching the pilot experience trees would be to have throttle decay be an unlock, at least for light 'mechs.

Taking this idea a step further, PGI could diversify weight classes by having certain options be unlocks. Recognizing that the following is just an example, and an incomplete one at that, here is what I mean:

• Heavy-Assault have throttle decay unlocked by default; Lights-Mediums have to use XP to unlock the option
  
• Light-Medium have arm lock unlocked by default (although this benefits all 'mechs); Heavy-Assault have to use XP to unlock the option
  
• Maybe add night/heat vision as unlocks?

From an immersion perspective, this type of advancement makes sense. It is logical that new mechwarriors might very well have limited options for controlling their 'mechs (e.g., no option to disable throttle decay) until they are experienced enough or have spent the time customizing the hardware/software of their 'mechs and/or neurohelmet.


The trick would be to identify situationally-helpful options tied to specific weight classes and/or specific 'mechs.

I would not care for this.

[Deathlike]

When Arm Lock and Throttle Decay were introduced and by default were enabled, there was a stink about it.

The thing is, arm lock is used for something else that shouldn't have been an option in the first place (it also makes newbies feel restricted armwise, plus slows down aiming)... and throttle decay is useful for a niche group that need it (those that want to use pedals or some joystick for controlling their mech).

Although this seems to cater to some "silent majority", it makes very little sense for most people in the first place. I understand the need to help the newbies, but forcing options on by default like 3PV, throttle decay, and arm lock tends to hurt the new player more often than the veteran that prefers such control.

[RandomLurker]

It's intuitive for a WASD style experience, but has serious drawbacks, especially in lighter mechs where you need to control your turn radius.

I've kept it because it's easier to leave in the retrain old habits, but I bound Q and E to 66% and 33% throttle for the situations I need a steady pace. Those two settings cover pretty much all I need.

[Hans Von Lohman]

Throttle decay works for what it does. I use it.

In fact, I use it in a very unusual way. Throttle decay is turned on, but I have changed "W" to be 100% throttle that would normally be on the numpad. That way I get the autopilot forward speed I want. However, I don't need a separate key for stopping. I just tap "S" to go into reverse, but as that requires deceleration I just come to a stop instead. To go into reverse I hold down the "S" key.

This has made the game a LOT easier to play since movement can now just be done with 2 keys, and I do not need a button dedicated to stopping.

Edited by Hans Von Lohman, 10 October 2013 - 01:54 PM.

[DarkDevilDancer]

I've never used throttle decay and would not, its not a FPS you should not be keeping your finger on W its gimping yourself as you cant adjust things on the fly as easily.

As for arm lock no its not a good thing to have on by default.

[Alex Warden]

throttle decay is way more precise for quick forward/ backward switching... i never deactivated it after it got implemented...i also remapped the 10% steps to the upper numbers (above the letters, guess you know what i mean)

DarkDevilDancer, on 10 October 2013 - 01:57 PM, said:

I've never used throttle decay and would not, its not a FPS you should not be keeping your finger on W its gimping yourself as you cant adjust things on the fly as easily.

depends on your mapping... i have everything in reach, no sweat

Edited by Alex Warden, 10 October 2013 - 02:30 PM.

[Arkadash]

Finn McShae, on 10 October 2013 - 11:44 AM, said:

I would not care for this.

Why?

[Hans Von Lohman]

Arkadash, on 10 October 2013 - 02:38 PM, said:

Why?

Making throttle decay a pilot skill unlock is horrible. I don't want my controls fighting me. This is as bad an idea as it gets. Also, taking away something we already have is just a great way to get the players angry at PGI, and lets face it. The PGI haters are everywhere complaining about the smallest details and preaching that the game is failing and getting worse.

And then you suggest they actually make it worse.

Hopefully that answers the question why your idea is not a good one.

[627]

I never used it. But what this option really needs, like armlock is a toggle key. This way you could switch the modes and don't have to press a button for the whole time.

I don't like opening the menu everytime to change it, why not toggle it as an extra key binding?

[Kitane]

Having the analog control for legs and throttle on my G13 mini thumb stick gives me massively improved control over WASD and throttle decay is a requirement to make it feel natural.

[Hans Von Lohman]

Kitane, on 10 October 2013 - 11:53 PM, said:

Having the analog control for legs and throttle on my G13 mini thumb stick gives me massively improved control over WASD and throttle decay is a requirement to make it feel natural.

G-13' gamepads are an oddity, I sometimes think there are more players using their X-box controller.

I suppose that would work, and give you quick access to a pair of trigger buttons and your thumbstick press (probably jump jets for that). I hope that people would use the mouse to aim, though, and only use the controller with the left hand.

I have spectated quite a few people after I am dead, and I can swear that they're using a controller by how poorly they're moving and aiming, all herky-jerky like. That, and the guy usually is running as an Atlas doesn't help either. Saw that tonight, in fact.

[PawPaWuFF]

i use throttle decay but also use numpad throttle and converted my top row 1 and 2 as + and - throttle kind of the best of both worlds

[C E Dwyer]

I use throttle on joystick, keyboard mouse not an option for me due to bad, athritus.

yes I two finger type ..

[John MatriX82]

I personally like throttle decay whenever I'm in a lightmech (Jenner, that's the only chassis I've got due to the sarah's), because it allows you to turn tighter if you lift W when needed.

For anything else I never use thottle decay

[oldradagast]

Arkadash, on 10 October 2013 - 10:49 AM, said:

*casts flame shield*

Based on the responses so far, it appears that one idea for enriching the pilot experience trees would be to have throttle decay be an unlock, at least for light 'mechs.

Taking this idea a step further, PGI could diversify weight classes by having certain options be unlocks. Recognizing that the following is just an example, and an incomplete one at that, here is what I mean:

• Heavy-Assault have throttle decay unlocked by default; Lights-Mediums have to use XP to unlock the option
  
• Light-Medium have arm lock unlocked by default (although this benefits all 'mechs); Heavy-Assault have to use XP to unlock the option
  
• Maybe add night/heat vision as unlocks?

From an immersion perspective, this type of advancement makes sense. It is logical that new mechwarriors might very well have limited options for controlling their 'mechs (e.g., no option to disable throttle decay) until they are experienced enough or have spent the time customizing the hardware/software of their 'mechs and/or neurohelmet.

The trick would be to identify situationally-helpful options tied to specific weight classes and/or specific 'mechs.

Dear heavens... no.

There is no better way to drive players away from a game than to force them to use controls they can't stand. Making the ability to configure your controls an unlockable feature would add a slap in the face on top of that, basically saying, "Yeah, we know the default controls are horrible - deal with it, or pay us money to get the controls you want."

Top that off with the generally accepted fact that throttle decay and arm lock are both rarely useful, with the latter being a great way to get a slow mech killed by being unable to track a fast moving target and the end result is that not only should we not be "unlocking" the ability to configure our controls, but the default controls should be changed back to throttle lock OFF, and arm lock OFF. Oh, and they ought to mention that these options exist somewhere... especially given how little is documented in this game and how brutal the new player experience already is.

Edited by oldradagast, 11 October 2013 - 05:39 AM.

[NRP]

For what it's worth, I always use throttle decay. It just feels weird not to. I find it much harder to maneuver without it. As for arm lock, I use it on mechs that have both torso and arm weapons I want to fire as a group (which is most mechs actually).

Therefore, I wouldn't say these control options are "rarely useful". It's just personal preference.

[Rizzelbizzeg]

I thought setting your throttle was weird when i started back before they added throttle decay. Then I got used to it and I see no reason to switch. being able to set your speed is key in dead-zone following enemy mechs and getting the right circle radius in a light mech IMO.

[Shae Starfyre]

I found that using it in light Mechs is a benefit (if you can get use to the controls); the reason is, you turn faster when you decelerate. This means more pin-point turning.

This is the secret of great light and fast medium pilots. You can spin on a dime with throttle decay.

In larger or slower Mechs, it certainly has similar benefits, but, as stated, can feel unnatural, and not have a marked improvement over concentrating on other things.

[AC]

Throttle decay.... yet another feature from PGI no one wanted, no one uses, and makes new user experience more confusion.

PGI: Because we care...