29 replies to this topic

[Sillex]

Hi, I just downloaded this game and first heard of it from my father who played it as a kid so when we found it he was pretty excited. I was wondering where some good guides are to help me get started on the game as I think I would like the catapult. Thanks for the help and can't wait to see you all on the field.

[scJazz]

This thread has a lot of wonderful data for a Newb...

http://mwomercs.com/...e-12vs12-scene/

Read first mate! Seriously!

You have a free day of premium time that will jack your first 25 match earnings to just under 13m CB from 9m assuming you lose ever match... do no damage... etc!

With the Bonus in full you can buy a fully fit Heavy with all the toys. Without it yer down in Medium land.

We will be monitoring this thread and answering whatever you ask

Good Luck!

[TercieI]

Stuff I wish I'd read before spending a single c-bill:

Wadde's Guide:
http://mwomercs.com/...s-guide-to-mwo/

80Bit's mech review:
http://mwomercs.com/...w-of-all-mechs/

MavRCK's mech tier list:
http://mwomercs.com/...mech-tier-list/

Some information in the first two is a bit dated, but overall there is a TON to know in there.

[Redshift2k5]

i have to reccomend the smurfy site http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/

all your technical specs and mech/weapon/system information. also features a garage where you can test-build mechs before you buy

i also suggest tuning in to the official mwo twitch stream http://www.twitch.tv/igp they broadcast multiple times a week and you can pick up gameplay tips as well as meet the community!

[LauLiao]

Sillex, on 15 November 2013 - 11:12 AM, said:

Hi, I just downloaded this game and first heard of it from my father who played it as a kid

Thanks for making us all feel REALLY old.

[Dawnstealer]

LauLiao, on 15 November 2013 - 03:17 PM, said:

Thanks for making us all feel REALLY old.

Right? I mean, I played this game on the TT a long time ago, but I wasn't exactly a kid at the time. :\

[Orbit Rain]

Set aside enough time to play your first 25 matches within the 24 hour free premium day you should get, and have to activate. You will get 50 percent more cbills on top of the cadet bonus, and believe me, you'll want those cbills. Take the fattest trial mech (currently an Atlas) so that you'll last longer and hopefully do more damage...thus earning more of those coveted cbills...

Edited by Orbit Rain, 15 November 2013 - 07:28 PM.

[Mahws]

For your first 25 matches you'll receive a 'cadet bonus' which boosts your c-bill income. After that runs out your income will be around 40,000 for a loss and 100,000 for a win.

The grind isn't terrible, but try not to waste that early money, it'll get you set up nicely if you spend it well.

[TheCaptainJZ]

You'll notice that you won't be able to customize any of the 4 trial mechs. Once you have enough cbills saved up you can purchase your first mech and then customize it. First thing you want to do is nearly max the armor. Secondly, go to the upgrades tab and put on endo steel and double heat sinks. After that, you can experiment with different weapons (or before that if you simply cannot stand the default loadout). you have to buy weapons, but you can remove them and equip them to other mechs as you choose. Do not sell anything unless you simply hate it or have too many, mechs especially.

When choosing a mech, look for HARDPOINTS and not the default loadout. You can't change hardpoints, but you can put any energy weapon in any energy hardpoint (so long as tonnage and criticals are available). Also post here on the forums what you are debating on buying so we can give you pointers before you do.

[TheCaptainJZ]

Also I have to emphasize...

THIS GAME DOES NOT PLAY LIKE FORMER MECHWARRIOR GAMES!

You will have to learn how move, shoot, and play smart against real people. The mechs handle very differently and it takes quite some time to get used to it, but once you've got it, it's super fun.

Edited by TheCaptainJZ, 15 November 2013 - 11:00 PM.

[TercieI]

Ah! When it comes to customize, Smurfy

http://mwo.smurfy-net.de

is your friend. In-game customization interface is weak. Smurfy lets you spec out your mech and provides some analysis much more easily.

[Barkem Squirrel]

Welcome, and enjoy this new experience.

See with the trial mechs what type of game play you like, I would avoid the light, since you will not last that long. The heavy or assault should be used to maximize the time to do damage or get kill/assist credit on more mechs.

• brawling
  
• sniping / direct fire support
  
• indirect fire support (LRM)
  
• scouting
  
• harasser

One other condition to note is how many frame per-second does your computer allow you to view. If it is below 20 fps you may just be able to run LRM boats and have an extremely difficult time with brawlers and snipers. It may even make using Auto Cannons too hard.

Even when you purchase your first mech and customize it with max armor, DHS. Do you want Endo-Steel? Some builds it might be a hindrance, especially with some assaults or even heavies. Then do you want an XL engine? Catapults, yes, Jager, depends, Atlas, no, lights yes. This is where smurfy comes in to seeing what you need on a mech prior to building it.

Now we get to the basics, elites and mastery of the mech skill tree. The basics skills that you can unlock change how the mech moves and vents heat. But after unlocking 3 of the same chassis you can unlock the elites. When you unlock the 4 elites for that mech it doubles the basic skills. This is where you need to decide what type of mech you really like since all the mechs will not act like the mech you initially purchased. With elites you just have to unlock three within the weight class to get access to mastery of the mech which adds one pilot skill slot to the mech.

The pilot skills slots can be used for skills or consumables and can also improve the functions of the mech. If you are an LRM boat increase your sensor range and target decay. Or sit back and call in a few air or artillery strikes to soften up the other team.

Remember, you do not have to use the mech with the highest alpha. Use a mech configuration that works for you. It might be a Jenner with 6 ML's, a Jager with 4 LRM 15's or a hunchback with 9 SL's with the biggest engine that can be thrown into it.

Fine what you like running, then from time to time experiment with something out side the box. Sometimes it may surprise you.

[Sillex]

Well I geuss not when my dad was a KID, but he said it was first put up in 1986, can someone confirm this? And also will accounts from that long ago still work? Also, got my first catapult, love it so far! It is the one with dual gauss cannons and I am now saving up for one will LRMs, thanks for all your replies and guides as I do not die in the first 2 minutes of the match now.

[Koniving]

Was there even an internet in 1986? I wasn't 5 until 1990 and even then there wasn't too much more than Windows 3.1 and most computers didn't even have that. Battletech used to be a board game played on a table. Hence "table top." Don't think anyone had an account back in those ice ages.

Good luck.

[Hammerhai]

Actually the Internet arose out of DARPA net which was meant for researchers to share info more easily and readily, and I think DARPA was actually military sponsored.

And they would have played Star Trek with ASCII graphics, as well as the original Text adventure which had a really annoying maze. XYZZY, anyone?

And DARPA was around in 1986-ish

Edited by Hammerhai, 18 November 2013 - 12:42 PM.

[Koniving]

Hammerhai, on 18 November 2013 - 12:42 PM, said:

DARPA

Well, DARPA brought us some really cool stuff then. Military funding is quite useful after all!

Edited by Koniving, 18 November 2013 - 12:59 PM.

[Viken]

Koniving, on 18 November 2013 - 12:27 PM, said:

Was there even an internet in 1986? I wasn't 5 until 1990 and even then there wasn't too much more than Windows 3.1 and most computers didn't even have that. Battletech used to be a board game played on a table. Hence "table top." Don't think anyone had an account back in those ice ages.

Good luck.

Same age. Only Battletech game I remember was for DOS at the time, and it was a Turn Based Strategy. All I remember is watching my brother fight infantry with Jenners and getting angry when they managed to kill his Jenner. I couldn't even figure out how to play the game. I THINK the first Simulation version wasn't until mid 90s, but I'm not sure on that.

[Macbrea]

Title Year Developer / Publisher Platforms
BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception 1989 Westwood Studios / Infocom DOS, Amiga, C64, Apple II
BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Revenge 1990 Westwood Studios / Infocom DOS
BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat 1994 Extreme Entertainment Group Sega Genesis
MechWarrior 1989 Dynamix / Activision DOS, Macintosh, SNES
MechWarrior 3050 1995 Tiburon Entertainment / Activision SNES, Sega Genesis
MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat 1995 Activision DOS, Windows, Macintosh, Sega Saturn, PlayStation
MechWarrior 2: Ghost Bear's Legacy 1995 Activision DOS, Windows, Macintosh
MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries 1996 Activision DOS, Windows, Macintosh
MechWarrior 3 1999 Zipper Interactive / MicroProse PC
MechWarrior 3: Pirate's Moon 1999 Zipper Interactive / Microprose Windows
MechWarrior 4: Vengeance 2000 FASA Interactive / Microsoft Windows
MechWarrior 4: Black Knight 2001 Cyberlore Studios / Microsoft Windows
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries 2002 Cyberlore Studios / Microsoft Windows
MechCommander 1998 FASA Interactive / MicroProse Windows
MechCommander 2 2001 FASA Interactive / Microsoft Windows
MechAssault 2002 Day 1 Studios / Microsoft Game Studios Xbox
MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf 2004 Day 1 Studios / Microsoft Game Studios Xbox
MechAssault: Phantom War 2006 Backbone Entertainment / Majesco Nintendo DS
MechWarrior Online 2013 Piranha Games / Infinite Game Publishing Windows

[TheCaptainJZ]

Sillex, on 18 November 2013 - 12:02 PM, said:

Well I geuss not when my dad was a KID, but he said it was first put up in 1986, can someone confirm this? And also will accounts from that long ago still work? Also, got my first catapult, love it so far! It is the one with dual gauss cannons and I am now saving up for one will LRMs, thanks for all your replies and guides as I do not die in the first 2 minutes of the match now.

The Franchise is that old, but not the computer games. It originated as a table top game as mentioned. I didn't even know that until people here started talking about it. My first Battletech/Mechwarrior experience was MW2 but in '99 when we got our first family computer.

[Fooby]

Simulation version? Never heard of Virtual World Entertainment and the Battletech centers? In 1990 the first one opened at North Pier in Chicago.

Edited by Fooby, 18 November 2013 - 01:28 PM.