40 replies to this topic

[Johnny Reb]

Well, currently new players should know light can actually get mor damage than Assaults. However, to do it must get good in lights.

[Koniving]

espritjaeger, on 11 October 2013 - 02:12 PM, said:

As a light, standing next to an ATLAS will magically protect you from most enemy fire. Standing next to two ATLAS will almost guarantee it.

As a light, you can quickly engage the enemy at the start... don't do that. Wait for your company to engage in combat, then enter the fray. Doing this will allow you to maximize your damage output, as enemies being distracted by your larger team mates will be easier to shoot at, and be less likely to shoot at you.

^ This is true. How do you think my AC/20 Raven does so damn well in brawls?

[Koniving]

--------------
But that said.

I recommend this thread (For the new guys) and this thread (Short Question, short answer) for basic game information.

For actual combat advice, many of us can give general advice. Actual advice would have to be taken from someone whose playstyle matches your own or for whoever you're teaching. I'm a jack of most trades which is why mine 'usually' works. But it isn't always perfectly suited for whoever it's given to.

However: if you ever want a lesson in the unorthodox, my doors are open and we have the robes ready for when you become 'one of us'. Beware, for the roflpult and flamer stalker and the MG/SL Jager aren't the only successful rigs that have brought many mechs to rust coated in blood.

[Dan Baxter]

Know both the ranges of your weapons and when to use them. I've been in several matches where I've seen 'mechs firing shots at targets too far away to be effective or wasting ammo trying to damage an enemy (such as not firing machine guns at weak armor/ internals).

[M4NTiC0R3X]

When I started playing in closed beta there wasn't a whole lot of stuff to acquire, so I got most of it and picked the chassis I enjoyed most.

Now there's many more options available, I'd want to be nudged in the right direction (instead of watch and learn)

Which I'm certain the tutorials will cover

[Tangelis]

Well, one of the great benefits she has is that you are right there with her and you have experience.
:
She's your wife right? Well then I would recommend showing her what she "needs" to know. IE: controls, the UI, hardpoint explanation, weapons etc.....you know what I mean. But as hard as it may be do not "lead" her.

There is lots of great advise here, IE: follow the atlas, but if she chooses to not and run on her own, let her. Let her ask "why did I die so fast?" Nothing teaches a greater lesson than one that forces you to ask questions. In your case however, you can answer those questions which ultimately will be her greatest tool being a noobie.

Im a fan of mediums and honestly I'm not sure a light is the best class to start with (If your going to purchase MC that is) I'd use a medium simply because it is the inbetweener of lights and heavies and despite the fact that there are not a lot out there they are perhaps the most versatile mechs in the game.

That's my opinion of course, if your a light pilot however then that is probably the best way for to start is "with you" and then make her own choices.

It's great to have all the answers and pass the test, but far more profitable to study and retain the knowledge.

[Alaskan Nobody]

Dan Baxter, on 12 October 2013 - 07:24 AM, said:

Know both the ranges of your weapons and when to use them. I've been in several matches where I've seen 'mechs firing shots at targets too far away to be effective or wasting ammo trying to damage an enemy (such as not firing machine guns at weak armor/ internals).

Very much this, had a match last night where I had someone trying to snipe me from ~800 meters out with the Centurion (C) .... it did not go well for him.

[Bhelogan]

Pretty much been stated already, but the way I taught my younger kids to play, with a 3 step guide.
1) Find the biggest mech on your team
2) Follow him at all times
3) Shoot at whatever he shoots at
If a 7 year old can do it and have fun (and actually somewhat contribute), then your wife can do it.

[IllCaesar]

Before you can start issuing advice, you have to teach her how to move properly. You can send her to the training grounds, or you could always boot up a tutorial for one of the older Mechwarrior games. Movement seems to be one of the hardest things for new players to get a grasp for in the series.

You would probably do best to start her movements in the trial Atlas, since its large and slow, easy to get a handle of. Teach her throttle speed, torso twist, and how to move while twisting the torso. Once she has it down in the Atlas, I'd switch to the Spider, to make sure she can do it in a faster mech, and teach her how to use JJs as well. Before she even gets to finish with the movement practice, show her how to use her navigation bar and the battlegrid map.

After all of that, she can learn about weapon loadouts from the trial Atlas and the trial Centurion. First of all, targeting enemies. Shouldn't be too hard to figure that out. Then, explain to her the modular damage - LT, CT, CT, etc. Demonstrate this by having her peel off just the arm of an enemy mech, not the torso.

The trial Atlas can teach about beam weaponry, LRMs, and the Gauss Rifle, while the Centurion could teach about SRMs and pulse lasers. Unfortunately, there's currently no trial mechs with autocannons, so she'll probably have to learn about that the hard way - by getting show with it. Anyways, have her destroy mechs by legging them, destroying their center torso, and their cockpit. Teach her how the back armour on a mech's torso is weaker than the front armour. Don't forget to teach her about heat efficiency, weapon groupings, and the arm target reticule, and what separates shooting with your arm and shooting with your torso.

After all of that, get her to demonstrate it all at once by strafing an enemy mech while firing upon it and managing heat. Once she does that, she'll be ready to play the game.

She'll suck, and probably get killed very quickly. Stick her in a trial Atlas and have her stay back from the fight, using her LRMs to hit spotted enemies. Don't stray too far from her.

She'll probably not be that good for a while. Be patient, we were all noobs once. Its too early to give her advice and information about how the DPS is higher with blah blah blah blah. It'll overload her, don't do that. Just make sure she knows how to move and shoot first, then worry about that later. Before you can show her how to be a better pilot, you have to show her how to be able to pilot in the first place.

Edited by MarsAtlas, 12 October 2013 - 09:29 AM.

[LauLiao]

Fierostetz, on 11 October 2013 - 12:03 PM, said:

I might create a second account so I can drop with her her first few drops and show her around, though that feels a little sketchy. I'm having a tough time stepping back to my first drops, so any input is welcomed.

I would recommend you start TWO new accounts, one for each of you. I'm not 100% on the mechanics of Elo, but if you're grouped and dropping with her (definitely a good idea, and if you can, paint your mech something eye-meltingly bright so she can find you easily) your experienced account might drag her into an Elo bracket that is way too tough for her. If you both have fresh new accounts you should be sure to drop with other newbies which should make things easier for her.

[Alaskan Nobody]

MarsAtlas, on 12 October 2013 - 09:27 AM, said:

Teach her how the back armour on a mech's torso is weaker than the front armour.

Exception: the stalker I shot at last night who (as first contact) I blew all of his front armor off with my TDK (guess he was REALLY paranoid about light mechs getting behind him )

Really good advice though.

[Koniving]

My own stalker runs 40 armor on the rear, because the people who can hurt me are always behind me when I'm in my flamer stalker. The guy in front of me can't see worth a {Scrap}.

[Alaskan Nobody]

Koniving, on 12 October 2013 - 09:39 AM, said:

My own stalker runs 40 armor on the rear, because the people who can hurt me are always behind me when I'm in my flamer stalker. The guy in front of me can't see worth a {Scrap}.

Stalkers being as un-maneuverable as they are it is understandable to be paranoid about your rear - but 2med lasers (my other 2 are smalls) should not strip all the armor off the front of an assault mech.

[valt901]

Never stand behind someone when they are shooting because they will be wanting to backup very soon. Don't go headlong into battle thinking just because you are in an Atlas you are invincable. Don't F&%king shoot your lazers into the F%$king side of the hill right at the drop because someone will get a back full of your dumbassness and you will look like a dope. Learn to play as a pug. It's easy when you have someone on your Super Lazer Razer with push to talk Capt Kirk custom headset telling you what to do. Nothing like dieing 1 min in to teach you a lesson. Super fancy custom paint jobs just make you easier to see and kill. When you can bring that mech home more often than not, then you can paint it.

[LauLiao]

valt901, on 12 October 2013 - 09:59 AM, said:

Super fancy custom paint jobs just make you easier to see and kill.

Really? Usually when I see olive drab I think "Newbie, easy kill."

[Phobic Wraith]

This may or may not apply, but I've found that when people get into this game they need a mindset change. We always tell people they can't be Rambo, but most people need a more thorough explanation. I find myself repeatedly explaining to new players that I bring in, that not every fight is their fight - that it's better to 'live to fight another day' so to say. Committing yourself too early to a fight that isn't winnable without changing things up is a surefire way to have a bad game. Patience isn't just a virtue, it's a good strategy. There are always exceptions or course, like a team push for example, but those can be communicated individually.

TL:DR
EXPLAIN what it means to not be 'Rambo' and survival is not secondary to damage dealt.

[Eaerie]

Since she is going to be near you while playing give her all the advice/tips you can think of as they pop up. But remember in the end it is going to be her playstyle that all this advice/tips have to suit. I got my g/f to play, told her everything I could think up as i remembered it. Noticed a severe lack of trouble compaired to me when I was starting and now she does her own thing and does well.

Oh mech lab. Make sure you go over the mech lab, that is probably as important as anything at the moment cause there is no decent tutorial and the interface for it is pretty poor. Explain the types of mechs and how each are effected by size/shape.

[Arnold J Rimmer]

For the love of God, warn her about Ghost Heat.

[Pht]

Fierostetz, on 11 October 2013 - 12:03 PM, said:

Any noob tips that I can impart on her? Please try to be constructive, as this thread might also serve as a reference to any new players heading out to try the game for the first time.

After she gets used to piloting her 'mech...

After she learns that the heatscale (and ghost heat! :| ) are NEVER to be NOT kept track of...

This: http://mwomercs.com/...ng-light-mechs/

[Clit Beastwood]

So far the best advice I think I've given her. Don't announce in *all* chat that you are new. Do that in team chat

Koniving, on 12 October 2013 - 09:39 AM, said:

My own stalker runs 40 armor on the rear, because the people who can hurt me are always behind me when I'm in my flamer stalker. The guy in front of me can't see worth a {Scrap}.

You sir are rare as a unicorn - for some reason most stalkers I come across in my lights are running super light rear armor. How long does it take people to figure out that they almost always die from behind?