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

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?