41 replies to this topic

[Nikkoru]

Kind of a thought experiment, here. Let's say you are a lesser skilled player...okay, let's just say you suck. What is the best role for you to take on the battlefield so you can be of maximum use to your team?
LRM support?
obective capping?
Some other third thing?


What say you guys?

Edited by Nikkoru, 16 March 2014 - 06:14 PM.

[The Frog Coneth]

Great question... Been ofline for way too long... 42 patches

[Wraith 1]

KTO-18 or SHD-2D2 with streaks

*runs away at 152KPH*

[Tesunie]

Depends. I find personally that LRMs are an "easy" weapon to use, but a hard one to master. However, if you focus too much on LRMs, you can quickly become useless. If your aim is not that great, for whatever reason, then the LRM argument can be fairly good for you.

I guess... it depends upon what you are good at. I wouldn't suggest base capping, as then you will often times be out, alone, and being an easy target. You want a role that will leave you in with your team, protected, but able to still help out.

Personally (and you can call me bias), I'd recommend new players try my Stalker, as it's well balanced between close combat and long range. However, it is a slow assault, and you need to quickly learn how to hit the reverse to turn your mech better into a light's path...
http://mwo.smurfy-ne...1b0fed418ebb28e (Armor and some crit placement can be altered.)

I also have decent guides for using LRMs in my signature, as well as a new "balanced Mech Building" guide. (Which have other mech builds similar to the Stalker, like a Griffin: http://mwo.smurfy-ne...9d177f0f72dfaac not tested yet.)

The Guide: http://mwomercs.com/...-mech-building/
(If it be helpful with at least mech construction tips.)


Besides that, I'd have to tell them to post their questions in the "new Player" forum. (Joining a team also comes to mind.)

[Mycrus]

Get carried by an evil premade

[no one]

Find the biggest 'Mech on your team and follow it like a lost puppy. Shoot what it shoots and what shoots it.

[luxebo]

Play what you feel would make you feel or do better. Play with a team (premade) no matter how drunk that team is (or if they're not drunk). Play as a team when pugging. Play for the fun of it, don't play like it's your job or if your life depends on it.

[cSand]

Find the nearest D-DC, and support it!

[Evil Deaz]

My advice... Stop sucking!

Seriuosly though, like some have mentioned try sticking to a teammate or try a team or premade. You could also try lrms like some else said, or go the opposite end and go light and tag for the lrms, just try to stay out of the enemies sight and range. I would offer to let you tag along with me in a few drops but alas my internet hasen't been reliable lately. So good luck and have fun.

[Tesunie]

Evil Deaz, on 16 March 2014 - 07:48 PM, said:

I would offer to let you tag along with me

Is this a TAG joke...?


But, yeah. I've been having Internet problems too recently. And my game has been laggy as crazy, but my ping remains low...

[Vanguard319]

Get better?

If you're getting mauled because you are too busy figuring out which direction your feet are pointing, spend some time in the tutorial and training grounds until you have the fundamental basics of movement down to a science. In actual matches, cooperate with your team: If a lance mate calls for help, and if you are close enough to do so, then help them. In addition, pay attention to target markers with a solid triangle, as those units are targeted by other members of your team.

When you win, note what you did right, when you lose, note what you did wrong. If possible, note what the other team did that caused them to win or lose. The secret to improving your K/D ratio is being able to adapt your strategies to the current match.

[ThatBum42]

In my experience you suck less without even realizing it as the matches pile up. Just keep on chugging, and eventually you'll look at your stats one day and find your KDR is above 1, or whatever your goal was. It's a bit like video game Darwinism. As time wears on, you should slowly start to concoct a playstyle that suits the mechs you chose and you'll suck less, much like evolution. Simple as. Spectating while dead helps to glean tactics off other players as well.

As for a noob role I'd say fire support if your aim is good. Let the big boys do the brawling and lay into the engaged enemy with medium range weapons while their attention is diverted.

And for God's sake, don't charge out into the open and Leeroy Jenkins your way into a messy death by dakka. This ain't your run-of-the-mill twitch reaction shooter, if you haven't noticed.

Edited by ThatBum42, 16 March 2014 - 08:24 PM.

[Modo44]

There are basic things to do with the game configuration: Fix keybindings to have the most used keys close to WASD. Lower the mouse sensitivity. Lower the graphics settings to make the framerates better. This seems trivial, but it can have a major impact on your basic mech piloting.

As far as tactics go, follow the fracking Atlas.

[PACoFist]

Use some of the "easier" weapons:
1. LRM lock on a target, no need for aiming skills.
2. StreakSRM are another lock-on weapon. They have a short range but are very good for hunting light mechs.
3. All Laser weapons have a beam duration and you can can correct your aim during the beam.
4. AC2 have a very high rate of fire. Makes it easier to hit a target.

Weapons that require more skill are PPCs, Gauss and the bigger Autocannons. Don´t use to many different weapons in one mech (makes it easier to handle your weapon groups). And as others have already mentioned, you should stick to your group and not wander off alone.

[Turist0AT]

Get: KTO-18

or use: lrm boat, streak boat or balistic boat

Edited by Turist0AT, 17 March 2014 - 01:41 AM.

[Mycrus]

Run a locust non - stop for 2000 drops... When you get good with a locust you can play anything....

[PhoenixFire55]

Join a VoIP server and ask anyone if they can drop with you and tutor you for a bit ?

[Bhelogan]

It's OK. We all really sucked at some point. I know when I started it literally took me about 20 matches until I hit an enemy with anything before I died.

Rather than looking for the easy mechs to use in battle, I would suggest you focus on a role on the battle field, and practice that over and over until your decent at it. Try doing it with mechs that are not considered optimal. You will learn a lot more that way.

no one, on 16 March 2014 - 06:36 PM, said:

Find the biggest 'Mech on your team and follow it like a lost puppy. Shoot what it shoots and what shoots it.

And this, I can't stress it enough. I taught my 8 year old to play this way. Guess what, he actually helps his team when he does this. Before he started doing that, he would get really scared as soon as his mech got hit, toss his hands up into the air that he can't do it and start crying. Just don't stand directly behind him, make sure he has room to back up if he needs. And don't shoot him in the back.

Edited by Bhelogan, 17 March 2014 - 03:14 AM.

[Magna Canus]

PhoenixFire55, on 17 March 2014 - 02:34 AM, said:

Join a VoIP server and ask anyone if they can drop with you and tutor you for a bit ?

All really great ideas, but this is the best really. Nothing like being able to quickly ask questions and get advice.

If you are so inclined drop me a PM or look for me in game and I would be happy to run a few drops with you and see what I can do to help.

[Redshift2k5]

Saying you "suck" is a bit too vague. A few easy answers would be "stick to your team" and "join up with other players on VOIP".

If you suck because you keep getting killed, you may need to make large adjustments to your tactics: Stick closer to the team, bring a sturdier mech (standard engine, max armor, etc), be more cautious.

If you suck because you are getting fewer kills/assists/less damage than you feel you should, you may want to change which mech weight class you use, or stick closer to your team and focus on assists, not kills. You may need to use lock-on weapons and beam weapons instead of pin-point damage if you don't aim well, or you may need to use ballistics because they run cool and have a fast refire rate so you can shoot lots.

you might just suck because your game runs poorly or your connection is slow.

Running LRMs or capping is not the answer; LRMs can be difficult and frustrating, and capping in Assault mode is no easy feat anymore! Work on your teamwork