Lyoto Machida, on 30 March 2014 - 04:56 PM, said:
Maybe those people are just unable to adapt to the changes? In my head though, that either makes them an inferior player in comparison (naturally poor judgement/spacial awareness?) or too mentally stubborn to successfully adapt.
Or their favorite/most successful playstyle got impacted and they just want things back the way they used to be before because it was easier...
Probably. I've seen enough "if it isn't (Brawling, sniping, jump sniping, etc), it's just skill-less" comments from enough people...
Cimarb, on 30 March 2014 - 05:08 PM, said:
I almost NEVER die to LRMs, and when I do, it is completely, 100% my own fault.
So far, I have died only once to LRM fire that I can recall. (I did have another time that LRMs almost killed me, but I found cover before hand, and then got tapped by a Raven and died. Was out in the open and took a chance. Paid the price.) I got stuck on a rock (small one too), and had to do the 360 spin to get off it. Even then, I had to stand still the whole time (couldn't move) and just as I got unstuck, I died. (Can't say it was entirely my fault, but maybe I should have watched where I was going when I ran into that rock...) I stood still, didn't seek cover (couldn't, but besides the point) and died to LRM fire into my rear torso (as I showed my rear to the LRMs for an extensive time trying to get unstuck). AKA: Was entirely my fault.
I will say, when using LRMs and when fighting against LRMs, positional awareness and map knowledge is key. You have to know what cover will block, and what cover will not. Tourmaline Dessert is key for this, as there are crystal formations above you that can block LRM fire from certain ranges, and yet leave you with clear open firing lanes to shoot in. And the LRMs can't do much about it without closing in or repositioning.
Key information one needs to effectively counter LRMs (Without AMS/ECM):
- Know terrain and what will and wont block LRMs for you. There are spots in several maps that you can stand under and have complete immunity to LRMs, but can keep clear line of sight for direct fire weapons. (Under the bridge in River City. Hugging the boat in Forest colony (duck in and out quickly), some crystal spires in Tormaline will block LRMs from certain ranges and directions, etc.) (Basically, learn your maps.) (Easier to find these spots when you are the one shooting or using LRMs.)
- Find out where the spotter is spotting from. This information can help your break locks, stopping the LRMs from being able to track you. If the spotter doesn't have Advance Target Decay, all the better for you.
- Find out where the LRMs are coming from. Even predict where they might be coming from in advance. It should be easy enough to trace them if they are shooting at other people. Use this to help direct and find cover at the right angle. You can even try to move into that direction, as you know there is someone over there to kill at least.
- If you see a spotter, try to kill him quick. If you see a friendly has LRMs coming in, try to help him kill the spotter. The folly of LRMs is that, yes they only need one person to have the lock, but it also reduces the targets available for the enemy to shoot at. Instead of having to shoot at two mechs, you only need to kill one!
- Read the flow of the battle. This is the hardest, and is more intuitive than actually anything I can tell you to do.
- Learn to direct people to target someone else. I find a large "Shoot him" sign to work, with an arrow pointed at another teammate.
(Okay. This one is only kinda true, mostly joke.)