59 replies to this topic

[Mott]

So, I've now been an active MWO player for just over a week. In that short time i've had strings of great games that kept me up playing till the wee hours of the morning... and strings of games so bad that I risk launching my laptop through a wall and double tapping it with 3 1/2" magnum loads of OOO Buckshot.

I started with a Hunchback, thinking it would be a perfect mix of mobility, firepower and armor - and quickly learned that MWO doesn't offer any such thing in any weight class, possibly least of all in the mediums. lol

I started in PUG skirmishes, thinking to learn from others through strong teamwork, balanced units and a whole lot of watch-each-others'-backsness... and quickly learned that can't happen because generally PUGs just don't work like that.

I started with the line of thought that my dominance in MW3 online ages ago and more recently in console games would transfer into me being a hardcore heavy hitter and indispensable community warfare team member... and quickly learned that a) I suck and MWO doesn't provide any community warfare.

I intended to reconnect to the only sci-fi property i've ever actually been interested in and possibly re-live the good 'ol days of Mechwarrior/Battletech... and quickly found out that there is essentially zero connection between MWO and the well established lore beyond the pretty robots.

And after all those disappointments, eye openers and attitude adjustments - I'm completely hooked and urge all other newbs to stick around as well. Here's why:

- The player community is one of the best anywhere. Period.
There is constant support from vets and noobs alike to team drop, provide advice on chassis mods, piloting tips, accuracy improvements, map information and general encouragement.

- The gameplay, graphics and mech mechanics are fantastic. It's the best that's ever been offered and being improved even more every couple months. It's not perfect and nothing ever can be, but there has never been mechs this impressive looking, battle machines that actually feel like titans, or hit/damage mechanics that reflect just how difficult it would actually be to be a mechwarrior and have to strive for pin-point damage while being rocked by missle, ppc and AC20 fire.

- It's fun to play. Whether you're having a blast while... blasting. Or talking smack & joking around with other players after you've flamed out. Or you like to keep to yourself and just snipe from the outskirts... you will eventually enjoy playing once you've developed your skills and your mech beyond introductory levels.
I often spectate after dying a horrible, idiotic noob death just to be a cheerleader & jeer leader. It's fun to watch and nice to offer encouragement when someone has had a great run or firefight.

- The grind. Some hate it and i love it. I don't want to just "finish" this game. I want it to exist forever and treat it like i have all the time in the world to try every mech i'm interested in.
I look at it from a BT lore perspective - in all MW/BT books, the protagonists are usually running a prolonged campaign, they're banged up, low on ammo and the mechs are usually patched together with duct tape. In MWO i'm lucky to be able to hit the field every match with all my weapons and armor intact. The fact that i end the match in the same condition PLUS i have C-bills and XP to put towards improving my chassis even more... is just awesome.
Those lore MWs also don't have an endless supply of mechs to choose from, they're severely limited and it's how i feel any "good" MW game has to treat it.

- The Challenge. In an age of unlimited respawns, auto-saves, easy modes and cheats... it is truly refreshing to have a game that puts me on the edge of my seat because there are real consequences to me making an idiotic decision early in a match. I have literally broken out in cold sweats as i try to pilot my limping Hunchback out of the sights of 2 or 3 assaults before i'm crunched.... that isn't a stress reaction I've EVER had playing any other game.

- The Best is Yet to Come. Yes, some very important components are delayed. For far too long. And yes, some things that are unnecessary, expensive or otherwise offensive are drawing a lot of ire when they're launched in the place of substantial improvements. I get that.
But, even as-is, this property is the best thing to happen to BT & MW fans, ever. And it's going to improve even more! Community warfare will send this game into the stratosphere.

I plan to still be around when that happens, and I hope all you other newbs will be as well. My RL motto is always "You get out of life, what you put into it." I definitely think the same applies to MWO.

Get involved, give it a shot and build something. Build your skills, build your mech, build your confidence, build your team and build some great friendships and rivalries. What else is online gaming for?

[TercieI]

Mott, on 13 January 2014 - 10:08 AM, said:

- The Challenge. In an age of unlimited respawns, auto-saves, easy modes and cheats... it is truly refreshing to have a game that puts me on the edge of my seat because there are real consequences to me making an idiotic decision early in a match. I have literally broken out in cold sweats as i try to pilot my limping Hunchback out of the sights of 2 or 3 assaults before i'm crunched.... that isn't a stress reaction I've EVER had playing any other game.

This! This is the thing that has me totally hooked and did from very early.

Welcome to MWO! Nice to see the excitement!

[marepinta]

very well said ... love this analysis

[AaronWolf]

Good to see you stuck around Mott!

*High-five-for-youz*

[Arnold J Rimmer]

We have to drop together some time. I'll bring my HBK, too. Tear **** up.

[AlmightyAeng]

Mott, on 13 January 2014 - 10:08 AM, said:

I started in PUG skirmishes, thinking to learn from others through strong teamwork, balanced units and a whole lot of watch-each-others'-backsness... and quickly learned that can't happen because generally PUGs just don't work like that.

Aha! See, the trick is to drop in a 4-man with your buddies. In that 4-man you work on balanced units, watching each others backs and teamwork...and then apply a study in 'mob mentality' to your PuG.

We often take our 4-man lance wide around the flank, or punch a hole, or set up an ambush and wait for just the right time to create a situation that every individual puggie sees and says 'Ooh, I could go kill that thing they're beating up on!' or 'Furball! Pewpewpew!' and get them to charge in right on time

If your PuG doesn't wanna move, play the hammer...if they're charging in like crazy, be the anvil. But mainly create a perceived weakness that they feel they should act on Works even better if you ASK if you have any other premades in your group...because then you know that you're working with another coordinated lance, even if briefly for a basic plan, via text.

Glad you stuck around Mott. Happy blasting!

[DrSlamastika]

well written, welcome on the board

[mailin]

This game has a lot of gripers on the forums, so I'm glad to see a new player that enjoys the game.

Edited by mailin, 16 January 2014 - 05:47 PM.

[Turist0AT]

Told you not to get a Hunchie

[Tsula]

Glad you stuck around Mott see ya on the fields of battle.

[Tuann]

Mott,
thx for posting the positive thumbs up as a newbie. We need more new gamers like you !
Spot on.
welcome to the fun, keep it up !
looking forward to meet you in a drop

[Barkem Squirrel]

Thanks for posting, we need more gamers like you.

May be if I see you in game I will give you some LRM's.

One way or another .

[Phobic Wraith]

Never regret running your hunchback. I started out running a 4H having similar thoughts, and was quickly brought to speed with the heavy handed meta. I promise you that if you keep with it you'll be able to wreck just about anyone's day.

for some great build ideas, check here:
http://mwomercs.com/...unchback-guide/

Or, hit me up with a PM and we'll drop together. We'll call ourselves hunchbuddies.

[Mott]

Thanks all who've posted.

I think it's key that other new players get the "true" picture and realize that a week or two of frustration and hellahard learning curve is a small price to pay for the longterm positives this game provides.

Getting my first (and still only) 4+ kill match literally had me fist pumping and yelling... compared to any other game where I only ever sit and just stare zombie-like at the screen while twitching my thumbs and index fingers. lol

[AlmightyAeng]

PGI doesn't make it easy for new players to get into this game...having a support network with voice-coms lets ya know you aren't alone in your frustration.

Get past that, and the game itself is plenty fun

[Macksheen]

I was always a counterstrike rather than arena player - and a huge Battletech fan from way back. I'm in, just hope to suck a bit less after each session ;-)

[Tuann]

U will mack :-)
Welcome & have fun.

[Phobic Wraith]

Macksheen, on 13 January 2014 - 01:01 PM, said:

I was always a counterstrike rather than arena player - and a huge Battletech fan from way back. I'm in, just hope to suck a bit less after each session ;-)

Mechwarrior is certainly... different. The best players (in my experience) learn when to commit themselves. Most of the time your reaction to seeing lasers and explosions of various kinds should be "Not my fight." And quickly exit the area for better options. Now people are probably thinking, "but Wraith, my teammates need me! I can't just abandon them!" well, I said MOST of the time your response should be to run away. Think of it like this, the longer you survive, the more you can contribute to the team - usually. Your first goal should be to survive for as long as possible and wait for the moment when you can do the most amount of damage while taking the least amount in return.

No one is Rambo in this game. Except maybe me... , but for all intents and purposes, you will not be the hero. So don't try. Just try to contribute, and live. Then learn when the right moment is to commit yourself to the fray. (so your teammates aren't left outgunned as cannon-fodder)

[Arnold J Rimmer]

Counterstrike in Walking Tanks is actually pretty close to reality, thinking about it.

No respawn, short time-to-kill, huge disparity between experienced/new players...

[Nick Makiaveli]

Oh no, another evil tryhard premade player!!!1!21! What is happening to this game!!?!>@!11!



Or in other words, well played, my good man, well played. o7