64 replies to this topic

[Kakebaronen]

hi.

while watching a few hawken vids on youtube, a few vids of this game popped out so i decided to download and try it since im new to the mech games, and since a youtube vid said that hawken is a twitch reflex game, while this is more slow paced game.(and as i am nearly 30, my twitch reflexes is pretty low)

first off, yes i have done the toturial movement and tryed all the trial mechs in testing ground but i dident find any that realy suited me. (is the movement toturial the only 1 that exists?)
the 2 i have tryed in pvp is one whit lots of lasers whit short range and 1 whit useless rockets whit long range(useless as they hardly hit anything even whit lock on).
so i have no idea what i should be using......

for my playstyle: stay back and deal dmg.
for thouse where who plays world of tanks, i am td player and has been it since cloused beta, so i need a mech that has the same playstyle as a td.

so any rookie tips? not only for mechs to use but allso for the game??

(and why is there no chat? in wot we have general chat. in here i see no chat at all. that is NOT new user friendly.)
((and where is the world map? i had no idea where i was going in these pointless huge maps.))

[Redshift2k5]

Yes, there is only 1 in-game tutorial so far. Tons of user-made tutorials on youtube, though, and you can watch the official twitch stream several times a week for some great gameplay and news and tips

I would not recommend using the trial Stalker- it's XL engine makes it very vulnerable. With the current choices of trial mechs I'd probably stick to the Cataphract (The token Heavy chassis). Trial mechs change every few weeks.

There are lots of options in MWO for 'stay back and deal damage' but that's not really what I would suggest for a new player. You'll generally be vulnerable to enemy snipers or get left behind by your team.

My number one new player tip is ask questions. You've already started!

As for being in-game, you need to stick to your team. don't get left behind. Shoot who they shoot but don't let yourself be a target. Follow heavier, slower mechs and act as an escort.

As for which mech to use, stick to the trial Cataphract for now until you get a little more used to the game, then go back to the other trial mechs (The Spider and the Cicada are both fast, light, agile mechs who need to be in close range, very different from the moderate-speed Cataphract). Try to get a feel for which speed you like, what ranges, how each type of weapon handles. Check back when you've racked up several million C-bills before picking a mech to buy.

There is no chat in the front-end. I never really bothered with the chat in games like War Thunder, so I don't miss it.

Pressing B brings up the Battlegrid which shows the current map, your allies, the bases, grid references, and any enemies currently being targetted.

[Katotonic]

Ok. I will try to start with the easy stuff first.

Map: press "B" for Battlegrid to get a full sized map with locations of your team and any located/identified enemies.

Chat: Press "t" for talk and you get general chat text in the match that both sides can see.
Press "y" (because it is next to "t" and therefore easy to associate) and you get your team only text chat
Press "u" (for reason above) and you get lance text chat (a lance is your 4 man squad that is theoretically supposed to work together but in PUGs (Pick Up Groups which is any random game not pre-grouped you find yourself in)
If you want voice chat in game you are out of luck so far although there are MANY in game groups who run their own teamspeak(s)

Now as for playing style and what mech to use that is much more difficult to answer (and I am definitely not the most experienced player or expert on the matter). The truth is there is no simple answer as a lot depends on how you build the various mechs since many mechs can do multiple things depending on what you equip it with (although there are a number that are "easier" for new players to wrap their heads and hands around). Some of the more regularly considered new player friendly mechs are the hunchback, cataphract, and jaggermech (with the last two being considered two of the prime "meta game" mechs). I personally started with a Catapult but that is a LRM platform and while beginner friendly not very varied to find your preferred play style.

I am going to go search for one of the beginner guides that helped me when I started but maybe in the meanwhile someone who knows offhand can provide some more specific options?

[Modo44]

Welcome to MWO. You will find basic game information on the Training Grounds. The game has a steep learning curve, so you can expect to suck for a while. Lower your mouse sensitivity, buy a tier 1 mech in whichever class you like the most (build it according to mech guides), stay in cover with your team, and hit R to select targets.

[Kakebaronen]

thanks for tips so far.
think i`ll stroll down to the clan section and see if i can find a rookie friendly one who can teach me the game.
(or is there one? i noticed briefly that there was some restrictions on the forum for the rookies, is clan section part of that?)

btw, i hope this game dont have as hard learning curve as eve online?

Edited by Kakebaronen, 23 March 2014 - 08:39 AM.

[luxebo]

Learning curve is very large. Hawken is very different from MWO. Remember that clans are not equal to the clans you see in other games, they are a separate faction, as seen in the Clan Pack coming soon. Merc Corps, Clans, Factions, Houses, etc are all technically what the 'clans' in other games can be called, depending on your allegiance or loyalty to a group. Good luck out there.

Edit:
Smurfy is a good website to build your mech: http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab
You also have to finish your Cadet Bonus (first 25 matches) and then you get full forums access, you can't access any other area in the forums just yet.
Lastly, you need 3 variants of one chassis in order to master the mech. It's much better to master a mech, as it'll make your mechs better in general.

Edited by luxebo, 23 March 2014 - 09:12 AM.

[Katotonic]

Great idea to find some people to play with Kake.

Lots of great groups out there but quick pointer for you. I am not sure you are aware of the MWO universe. The Clan pages are only one subset of the factions that players divide themselves into. The other side of it is the Inner Sphere. So you will find about 10-15 non playable but associated factions within the clan and inner sphere pages at the moment. Of these there are many associated player units which are loyal to the various factions (some factions have player recognized overall hierarchies to which all units belong, others just have various units that claim loyalty to the non playable faction but don't work together in any way). There are also mercenary units which have no faction loyalty but are still working together as a player unit.

I'm sure that there are many units out there that are great places to be as a player and I won't rep any here. I will simply state that I know that both Clan Wolf and Head Hunters of Davion (HHOD) have pretty well established training cadres and can be good places to meet up with lots of other players who can give advice/training. They and many others have their recruiting posts in the various correct places. Good luck with finding some people to play with!

[Kjudoon]

All the regulars here know what my first bit of advice is going to be...

Join a group. No joke. I resisted it for a month, and I just got more and more frustrated with the game. I wasn't performing well. I didn't know what I was doing. So join a group. Get on teamspeak with those who are like minded and the game will blossom. Your new unit will be able to help you understand this game and get better quicker and watch your back on the battlefield. I cannot stress this one point enough. Even if you want to remain a lone wolf at heart, make friends, and options open up and support grows. Without it, it can be a very hard row to hoe.

There is no in game VOIP, and if their was a group like mine, the Seraphim, would never use it because of the desire for a clean, family friendly environment. Also, lots of groups don't want other people in their teamspeak listening in to what they're doing or interfering with their lance practice or coordination. It would be a wonderful thing for PUGs (Pick Up Groups) but after listening to videos from other game's coms... I'd never go there. The test 'trail o fail' is bad enough sometimes with the profanity and griefing going on there.

You're in luck that the current balance of the game IS long range is king. If you're not big on twitch reflexes, I'd highly recommend LRM mechs like the Catapult, Orion or even the Shadowhawk 2D2 The stalker is a huge LRM carrier, but has other things that offset it's power. Oh, and so many people will hate you for running them because you don't 'fight fair'. Now if you're good with the twitch reflexes, go with an AC/PPC style sniper like a Jagermech, Cataphract, Blackjack Victor, Banshee or Highlander. As for light mechs, only the Raven in some variants seems good as a sneaky sniper, but they are delicate.

This game is much more fast paced than WoT in many aspects, but very similar in others. You can take hits better, and get caught out quicker because the speed variations are so much greater than what you're used to in WoT. Also, you don't have to be AS sneaky, but it will make you good. To do that level of cunning, get into the Smurfy website and start going over the map section. Once you do that, get into the testing grounds and start looking around. I mean really explore. You'll be frustrating your enemy faster than... well even I'd be grumpy facing you.

Good luck, research the Factions/Clans/Mercs out there and find the one that best seems like home.

Good luck.

[Kakebaronen]

Katotonic, on 23 March 2014 - 09:51 AM, said:

Great idea to find some people to play with Kake.

I am not sure you are aware of the MWO universe.

no i am totaly not.
even whit you and the other posts here that describes the clan system, i realy dident understand it.
deffo cuz today is my first meeting whit mechwarrior.

i`ll sniff around in the testing grounds untill i can get a decent understanding for the clan system as i dont want to play this solo.

[Kjudoon]

If you want to learn more about the Factions/Clans/Merc Units, there is a large section devoted to hundreds of these groups. Go check out their recruitment threads and put your name out there that you are looking. Some groups don't want new players because they want experienced competative play guys. Others are strictly casual. You will be able to find all sorts of different environments to be part of. I always have to suggest mine if you think it's your cup of tea. But talk and get to know them.

Have fun with the research. The testing grounds will help you learn your mech a little better, and the maps best. Since you're shooting at only stationary targets, it's not going to teach you too much about how to play the game, just the environments you will be in and that is a big advantage for your playstyle.

[Redshift2k5]

This venerable thread lists lots of chat servers http://mwomercs.com/...e-chat-servers/ and you can look at the Faction, Clan, or Merc subforums for groups looking for players

[Koniving]

Kakebaronen, on 23 March 2014 - 11:12 AM, said:

no i am totaly not.
even whit you and the other posts here that describes the clan system, i realy dident understand it.
deffo cuz today is my first meeting whit mechwarrior.

i`ll sniff around in the testing grounds untill i can get a decent understanding for the clan system as i dont want to play this solo.

Okay, by now you've got information overload. So instead of giving you another wall of text to read (my specialty), I'll give you a few videos using the trial mechs, as well as something that gives you a little bit of information about the Battletech (Mechwarrior) universe.

For reference...
"Clans" here refer to a group of factions that are essentially 'alien' to us. Yes they are human but for 200+ years they have isolated themselves from us and are invading in June. 'Guilds' in the traditional sense are referred to as Merc Units.

The current year is http://mwomercs.com/clock 3051.

The pivotal height of technology was between 200 and 300 years ago. Much of it was lost when Kerensky took the "Star League" and said "I'm surrounded by ******** (politicians)" and left. Not a direct quote. Most of the cool stuff that the Inner Sphere still has belongs to Comstar -- a faction that cannot be played by anyone but PGI and IGP. So far they haven't got any super weapons in game that we can't use... yet.

Beyond that..

Champion Stalker.


Champion Spider.


Champion Cicada. Two versions.
No computer voice.
Edited main computer and targeting voices. <--Tells you what I'm targeting and what damage is done. Also edited to warn what enemies are targeting, and when I'm about to be shot at. It's painstakingly edited in clip by clip and not a mod.

Champion Dragon (not available at the moment).


Champion Stalker (again) and Champion Centurion (played in HARDCORE mode; activate with Right Shift + F11. Basically turns off the hud).


And when you're interested in lore... These are some introductions.

Spoiler

Rapid summary.


A second semi-rapid summary; really liked the visuals here. Shows that Battlemechs are NOT the only things fighting.


My favorite. Detailed, two vids, but covers every basic element.
<--Covers Inner Sphere; the current factions.
<-- Covers Clans; upcoming factions.

[dragnier1]

I found this on youtube, should explain a little.



You can look around for people to play with as advised by others. Can't help with this, since i pug.

[Koniving]

dragnier1, on 24 March 2014 - 10:07 AM, said:

I found this on youtube, should explain a little.
You can look around for people to play with as advised by others. Can't help with this, since i pug.

While it doesn't include a voice, this one's a bit more up to date.

[Koniving]

Kakebaronen, on 23 March 2014 - 08:35 AM, said:

btw, i hope this game dont have as hard learning curve as eve online?

On the learning curve, I wouldn't say it's anywhere near that complex. But I would say it isn't that different from the curve on World of Tanks. It's still a significantly lower learning curve compared to older, more-simulator-like Mechwarrior games like Mechwarrior 3.

[Kakebaronen]

so i did a few more battles today and as of this time, heavy trial seems to be the one who fits me. i did try the trial medium and trial assult but for the medium the lasers overheated way to fast and it felt like i did 0 dmg, and i dident get any good feel for the missile sof the assult.

the only thing i dont like about the heavy is the short range of the lasers as it seems moust combat happends at 500-800m from the battles i have played.

but there is 3 questions that pops up:
1; how do i know what the fallof range of a laser weapon is?
2; is there anyway to se my last battle stats if i leave a match after i am dead?
3; can i change stuff on the trial mechs?

*edit* one more thing, a few times now my games gets stuck on refreshing data. is this "common"?
when it happends i have to restart the game, kinda annoying.

Edited by Kakebaronen, 24 March 2014 - 11:55 AM.

[Modo44]

You can find all weapon and mech info on Smurfy. The site pulls data directly from MWO game files, so it is always accurate. For example, check out energy weapons.

During a match, distances are indicated in the weapons list (lower right corner): green = full damage, yellow = partial damage, black = no damage. The colours change depending on where your recitule is pointing.

Weapon ranges in general: Energy weapons do partial damage out to double their optimal range. Ballistic weapons do partial damage out to triple their optimal range. That falloff is linear. Missiles have strict range limits, no partial falloff. Apart from lasers, it matters where the target is when a weapon hits, so shooting after a running mech close to maximum range may not do anything.

You can only see match stats if you wait until the end.

No, you can not change trial mech loadouts. You need to buy a mech with your earned Cbills to be able to modify it.

Edited by Modo44, 24 March 2014 - 12:08 PM.

[Koniving]

1. Laser falloff. Use the site for much more too.

The following is generally true. All weapons do maximum damage at stated range in bottom right corner during match.

Lasers do exactly zero damage at twice that range with a linear falloff toward it.

PPCs fall under the laser category for range, despite being an energy-based ballistic weapon.

Ballistics do exactly zero damage at three times that range with a linear falloff toward it.

Machine guns have their own unique ruleset. As for hit detection they work like lasers; fire directly at the target and ignore the bullet trail.

Flamers have their own unique ruleset. Their damage cuts off instantly at their stated range with no damage falloff.

2. Unfortunately I do not know of a way.
3. Not on trial mechs. Think of them as a rental; you're being loaned the machine to help you get on your feet and buy a mech which you can easily do up to a medium with full upgrades or a heavy with some upgrades or an assault with possibly no upgrades with that money.

The refreshing data thing is a bug associated with wireless connections and overseas connections. Basically any kind of 'hiccup' in the connection during a loading screen will cause it. Simply crash the game and restart until there is a fix. Sorry 'bout that. I go through it too.

Edit: Sight/site. OCD. >.>

Edited by Koniving, 24 March 2014 - 12:02 PM.

[Barkem Squirrel]

Listen to the advice that these people above have given, and watch the vids.

One other thing is after you die, yes we all die from time to time to time. Spectate in the different mechs and watch. Different load outs on different mechs play differently and are used differently.

You will develop a style that you like, but always expand, it helps you later to under stand what can that mech do to me.

[Kakebaronen]

Modo44, on 24 March 2014 - 11:56 AM, said:

During a match, distances are indicated in the weapons list (lower right corner): green = full damage, yellow = partial damage, black = no damage. The colours change depending on where your recitule is pointing.

that was a nice tip, thanks. now i atleast know if it is any point in shooting my lasers.

but back to that subject, when the indicator is yellow, should i stay where i am and continue to fire or should i move clouse untill it is green provided that i have the support to do it?

and what is the reduction when in yellow? is it 50% or is it more complicated then that?