8 replies to this topic

[Sable Dove]

Similar to the relatively new movement archetypes, assign each chassis a radar profile. Smaller profiles will take longer to automatically identify/target, and the time to identify will also increase at longer ranges. Let's throw some rough numbers out:

Largest profile, at 800m, takes 2 second to automatically identify.
Smallest profile at 800m, takes 6 seconds to automatically identify.

Time decreases linearly with distances under 800m.
Largest profile is identified instantly at 500m
Smallest profile is identified instantly at 350m

Time increases linearly with distances over 800m (assuming advanced sensors or BAP; they do not speed up this process - just increase the range)
Largest profile takes 4 seconds at 1000m
Smallest profile takes 10 seconds at 1000m


Once an enemy is identified, they will remain identified at all ranges (within sensor range) - if they are detected and then move further away, they will not become un-identified as long as they are within sensor range and in line of sight.
Enemies currently identified by teammates will be identified instantly when line of sight is achieved. (Not sure about this one. May do too much to defeat the purpose)
If the target breaks line of sight with all enemy mechs (or is hidden by ECM), the process resets.
Scoring a hit on an enemy will instantly identify them if they are within sensor range and not hidden by ECM.


This will make scouting a more viable option, as the scout will not be immediately pointed out to the enemy as soon as they break cover. It also helps flankers get into position, as they can move between cover without being instantly spotted by the computer. Lastly, it can be used to give a little bit of a boost to troubled mechs such as the Commando and the Locust. As a side-bonus, it makes the non-ECM variants of small mechs a little more attractive, since the ECM variants would barely notice this system.


Smallest: Locust, Commando, Spider (after the nerf, it's not quite so powerful, and only the non-ecm varaints would really notice)
Small: Jenner, Raven, Cicada
Medium: Pretty much all Mediums except the Cicada. Maybe this one could be sub-divided to help the worst mediums a bit more. Oh, and the Dragon. Maybe the Catapult, so that they don't have such a hard time being long-range support?
Large: All the heavies except the Dragon (and maybe Catapult); Awesome.
Largest: All Assaults except the Awesome (and maybe Victor? Not sure where it should go).

The middle is kinda grey, but the Locust, Command, and Spider definitely are alone in the smallest category, and the Atlas, Highlander, and Stalker definitely go in the largest.


Thoughts?
Personally, I'd also like to see sensor range reduced significantly. 450-600m default, up to 1000m with both BAP and Adv. Sensor Range.

Edited by Sable Dove, 23 December 2013 - 02:53 PM.

[FinsT]

I generally like your suggestion quite much, Sable Dove. Also, well written!

Two minor things:
- " Smallest profile is identified instantly at 350m " - i guess this should be reduced, and probably very much. Perhaps to 180? Only a guess though;
- Stalker is in the "largest"? I really don't see Stalkers being so huge, somehow... May be make 'em Stalkers into a "Large" bunch?

But, again, in general, i like your idea very much. Let's hope it's not too difficult to implement, too!

o7

[Sable Dove]

I'm basing things off of the 800m default sensor range when I picked 350 (I actually had 300, but I increased it to 350 so the other categories would be evenly divided in between).

Mostly this is only to keep the computer from automatically identifying targets not just faster than a human, but also immediately identifying targets that a human would never be able to pick out. Also, if smaller mechs advance with assaults or heavies, the larger targets will be identified first, which provides a little security, since most enemies will target whatever they see first.


Stalker goes in the largest category because it's much better for its weight than other assaults. They tend to have very heavy loadouts, and are absurdly tough. Stalker is with the heaviest for the same reason that theAwesome is with the heavies, Dragon is with the mediums, and the Cicada is with the lights (although those three are underpowered for their tonnage, while the Stalker is overpowered for its tonnage).

Edited by Sable Dove, 16 October 2013 - 11:36 AM.

[Hobo Dan]

Just to clarify, when you say "automatically identify/target" do you mean to put an empty targeting triangle over the subject mech's head, or begin gathering targeting info on subject mech (chassis and loadout info)?

[Sable Dove]

Hobo Dan, on 16 October 2013 - 11:28 AM, said:

Just to clarify, when you say "automatically identify/target" do you mean to put an empty targeting triangle over the subject mech's head, or begin gathering targeting info on subject mech (chassis and loadout info)?

The former. Pressing 'R' will not target a mech until they are identified - same as it is now.

[Firewuff]

I wouldn't want sensors to drop iun range from 1k as that would nerf LRM. I do like that smaller mechs take longer to lock and identify. I also think that that even thoguh ECM really isn't that much of a big deal these days that rather than a bubble that they should work like the MechCommander version and reduce range, which in effect does a similar thing but is just more dynamic havign BAP and other measures as (pilot skills) as soft counters.

[focuspark]

I like this. I'd also like to see the smallest mech never be identified at some ranges. Perhaps > 600m (without bonuses) tiny mechs like the locust and commando shouldn't show up on radar. This would give them a chance to do recon and spot for their team without getting instantly popped.

[Lokesh]

An interesting thought....

One potential worry is the light much that pops out from cover and closes to within 70m of you without tripping your sensors. Now you're circled by an ankle-biter that you only jus detected. This could be a little to powerful if the numbers aren't low.

[Sable Dove]

Firewuff, on 17 October 2013 - 03:30 PM, said:

I wouldn't want sensors to drop in range from 1k as that would nerf LRM.

Well with BAP and Adv. Sensor Range, you get a 50% boost. If they increased the effect of BAP, you could easily reduce base sensor range to 500-600m. Maybe increase BAP and the sensor module to 50% each, and decrease base sensor range to 500m. This allows dedicated LRM users to target for themselves, but requires both a module, and BAP to do without a spotter.

Lokesh, on 17 October 2013 - 04:33 PM, said:

An interesting thought....

One potential worry is the light much that pops out from cover and closes to within 70m of you without tripping your sensors. Now you're circled by an ankle-biter that you only jus detected. This could be a little to powerful if the numbers aren't low.

Not sure how this would happen differently from what it does now. It's auto-detected at 350m, so if it pops out under 350m away, it would behave exactly the same as it does now,

If it charges at you from more than 350m, first: it will actually be detected a little before it's 350m away; and second: if you're looking at a mech running at you and you don't see it coming before it's 350m away from you, I don't think I can help you.