17 replies to this topic

[Jacob Side]

With the Clan Launch coming in just 2 two months, it has gotten me thinking about the features & items that we still after all this time have little or no information about.

THE LIST:

1) House Faction Life:
1a) What do loyalty points do? (We have some info, but does this info still hold true)
1b) House banners? I have 3 unpicked because we do not know how loyalty points work.
1c) When the heck is the faction tab going to become available to us in the launcher?
1d) How’s House Faction warfare going to work?
1e) What are the benefits/disadvantages of being in a house over being Merc or Lone Wolf?


2) Mercs Life:
2a) What do loyalty points do for Merc units?
2b) What are the benefits/disadvantages of being Merc Unit over a House unit?

3) Clan Life:
3a) What do loyalty points do for Clan units?
3b) What are the benefits/disadvantages of being Clan Unit?
3c) Which Clans are we getting ie. Jade Falcon, Ghost Bear, Fire Mandrill?
3d) What are the benefits/disadvantages pick a specific Clan?
3e) What are Warhorns?
3f) What dothese unique bonus modules do?

4b) Items:
4a) Command Console???????? I think all the question marks sum it up.
4b) Clan Targeting Computer (is this going to turn out to be another Command Console that gets torn out as soon as you buy a mech because it does nothing)
4c) CLAN tech in general, some info on ranges, damage, etc. would go along way with the community and you might just get a boost to clan pack sales.
We seriously want info on the clans.

5) Groups:
5a) How are groups going to be handled in Faction play. Are we going to be forced to run 4 man with 8 random pugs or 12 mans in our fight over territory? Or we going to be allowed to have 5-11 with empty spaces filled with the same house or Merc players? Will we be forced to just one team per side?

Edit: So after listening to NGNG108. Sounds like us groups are still going to get the shaft with being able to group larger then 4 man in Faction play. Very dissappointing.

6) Faction Play:
6a) Will pug matches influence CW?

7) Module System:
7a) We have heard there is a rework planned. How’s that going?
7b) With the higher module tiers being linked to player “level”. How about an update on this player level system?

[Lyoto Machida]

This list reminds me of the later seasons of Lost.

I'm guessing, if it doesn't make PGI money, it won't be addressed (like Command Console).

[BARBAR0SSA]

Would it be so hard to buff command console so that ANY enemy mech on your radar is targetable by your team...I mean really.


maybe it should extend LRM range or force a more direct flight path on targets it picks up haha

[King Arthur IV]

your list..... looks.... a little small.

[101011]

I can answer some of them. 3e, I believe, will behave similar to the Heavy Metal's speakers, but transferrable. As for what Clans we are getting (3c), I would assume that what we already have are what we get, the Invaders.

[Bhael Fire]

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

5) Groups:
5a) How are groups going to be handled in Faction play. Are we going to be forced to run 4 man with 8 random pugs or 12 mans in our fight over territory? Or we going to be allowed to have 5-11 with empty spaces filled with the same house or Merc players? Will we be forced to just one team per side?

Edit: So after listening to NGNG108. Sounds like us groups are still going to get the shaft with being able to group larger then 4 man in Faction play. Very dissappointing.

6) Faction Play:
6a) Will pug matches influence CW?

Russ described it as there being three main modes of play in MWO: Public, Faction, and Private.

Public Queues

1. Public (Default). This is going to be the equivalent of "Instant Action" seen in other multiplayer games. That is, players will be able to drop with whatever mech they want (i.e., both Clan and IS) and matches will not affect CW. Essentially, it will be what we have now. There will be two main queues in public matches; Solo + Groups of 2-3 (one group per team)...and a Groups-only queue made up with 4-man groups. They are reviewing if they want to move the 12-man queue to free private matches and then turn on rewards and stats for those matches.

2. Faction. This where CW will take place. Players will be restricted in what mechs they can drop in based on their faction. The rules will adhere closely to BT lore. There two queues in public Faction matches Solo + Groups of 2-3, one group per team...and a Groups only queue with groups of 4 players. Again, not sure how 12-mans fit into Faction play, or if they will at all.

Private Queues

1. Free. The free private matches will be restricted to 12 vs 12 only. Does not affect CW.

2. Premium. This is where you can set up groups/matches of any size. Does not affect CW.

[DirePhoenix]

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

With the Clan Launch coming in just 2 two months, it has gotten me thinking about the features & items that we still after all this time have little or no information about.

THE LIST:

1) House Faction Life:
1a) What do loyalty points do? (We have some info, but does this info still hold true)
1b) House banners? I have 3 unpicked because we do not know how loyalty points work.
1c) When the heck is the faction tab going to become available to us in the launcher?
1d) How’s House Faction warfare going to work?
1e) What are the benefits/disadvantages of being in a house over being Merc or Lone Wolf?

1a) Loyalty points help you move up the rank in your faction. moving up ranks will gain you access to additional faction related decals and paintjobs, and perhaps even get you a bigger discount in the faction store for mechs and weapons.

1b) I'm not sure what you're talking about with House Banners. If you're talking about cockpit mounted items, only one faction so far has a House Banner, and that was a reward to the House Steiner players that won the faction challenge a few weeks ago. If you're talking about House Medallions - cockpit hanging items... there's two versions. There's the standard House Medallions in the store that AFAIK don't/won't do anything except show your love for your chosen faction(s). Then there's the House Medallions that came with the Project Phoenix pre-orders. Those are supposed to add a bonus amount of loyalty points for the faction the medallion is for in the mech in which that medallion is mounted.

1d) As described during the launch party event, Mercenary Units fight on planets beyond the faction's borders in enemy territory. Once a certain amount of planets in that enemy region is flipped, then that region becomes a new 'front' in which the House armies fight. The Houses of the Inner Sphere are using Merc Units like advance troops or marines; softening up the enemy before the main army units move in.

1e) In a Merc Unit, you get to play exclusively with your friends. Think of it like a 'guild' in more traditional MMOs. Your merc unit is also free to choose which faction to run contracts for. As a faction player, you don't need to be in a pre-made group, as you will be automatically grouped with other players of your faction. Faction players also get access to a faction store, where mechs (and possibly weapons) made on the worlds your faction possesses will be cheaper than the full price of the black market (alternatively, while the black market is at full price, it has access to everything). Merc units can get access to faction stores by gaining enough loyalty points from running contracts for a specific faction. It is also important to note that as last described, while faction player loyalty is individually applied, merc player loyalty is applied to the merc unit, and AFAIK, Lone Wolf players do not earn loyalty points. However, with the latest descriptions of the 3 main gameplay modes (public faction, private), true Lone Wolves may not be playing the faction game at all anyway, and instead only playing in public matches.

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

2) Mercs Life:
2a) What do loyalty points do for Merc units?
2b) What are the benefits/disadvantages of being Merc Unit over a House unit?

2a) When merc players earn LP, their LP goes to the unit. When the unit's LP raises to certain levels with a certain faction, that unit gets faction discounts at that faction's store.

2b) this was covered in 1e.

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

3) Clan Life:
3a) What do loyalty points do for Clan units?
3b) What are the benefits/disadvantages of being Clan Unit?
3c) Which Clans are we getting ie. Jade Falcon, Ghost Bear, Fire Mandrill?
3d) What are the benefits/disadvantages pick a specific Clan?
3e) What are Warhorns?
3f) What dothese unique bonus modules do?

3b) Supposedly the same thing they do for House Units. Rank, Store unlocks.

3b) Clan players are the same as other (House) Faction players.

3c) Unknown, but likely at least the initial invading clans: Wolf, Jade Falcon, Ghost Bear, Smoke Jaguar(?), Nova Cat, Diamond Shark, Steel Viper.

3d) unknown. In House factions, different Houses own planets that produce certain mechs/items. AFAIK, All Clans (at least the initial invasion force) had pretty much the same access to the mechs revealed so far in the Clan packages, and also AFAIK at this point in the invasion all pf their production facilities were outside of the Inner Sphere and not being fought over.

3e) See this thread.

3f) Unknown. Probably apply some sort of bonus.

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

4b) Items:
4a) Command Console???????? I think all the question marks sum it up.
4b) Clan Targeting Computer (is this going to turn out to be another Command Console that gets torn out as soon as you buy a mech because it does nothing)
4c) CLAN tech in general, some info on ranges, damage, etc. would go along way with the community and you might just get a boost to clan pack sales.
We seriously want info on the clans.

4a) Ze goggles, Zey do nothing. This was an item from early beta that was created to test the concept of slotting modules, and that's pretty much it.

4b) AFAIK there has been no mention of targeting computers

4c) See this thread.

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

5) Groups:
5a) How are groups going to be handled in Faction play. Are we going to be forced to run 4 man with 8 random pugs or 12 mans in our fight over territory? Or we going to be allowed to have 5-11 with empty spaces filled with the same house or Merc players? Will we be forced to just one team per side?

Edit: So after listening to NGNG108. Sounds like us groups are still going to get the shaft with being able to group larger then 4 man in Faction play. Very dissappointing.

5a) See this thread.

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

6) Faction Play:
6a) Will pug matches influence CW?

6a) Depends on what you mean by "pug". There will be three main game modes:

• Public - This is essentially what we have now. Free-for-all everybody getting tossed into a team no matter what faction (or no faction for lone wolves). These are the 3/3/3/3 balanced matches. These do not count for faction territory control, but they do award XP and Cbills. Good for people that don't care about faction play and just want to jump in a match and smash robits. You can solo or group here.
  
• Faction - This is where Merc Units take up contracts and Faction players fight for their factions. The important thing here is that you don't need to be in a pre-made group to play in faction play. So, by the strict definition of "Pick Up Group", you can represent your chosen faction by yourself and get grouped with other people of your same faction, and not necessarily be in a pre-made group. Of course, if you still want to group with your friends (that are of the same faction) you can do that here too.
  
• Private - this is definitely pre-made group territory. This mode will probably apply more to the hard core competitive players that run their own tournaments, or groups/merc units that want to challenge a another group specifically (or set up their own internal matches). Loyalty points, XP, Cbills are not awarded for private matches, as the rules can be adjusted. There are two different types of private matches, free and premium. In the Premium matches, only the two team leaders need to have premium accounts activated, but they have more options to set custom rules.

Jacob Side, on 14 April 2014 - 08:57 AM, said:

7) Module System:
7a) We have heard there is a rework planned. How’s that going?
7b) With the higher module tiers being linked to player “level”. How about an update on this player level system?

7a/ You've already seen the first part of the rework, with the various weapon range modules. And since you already know about player levels, there's no need to link this thread. That's about all that's been said so far.

Edited by DirePhoenix, 14 April 2014 - 02:50 PM.

[Thejuggla]

The thread linked to about 4C gives no useful info all maybes.

[Hollow Earth]

I want to know of LB-X series autocannons will be able to fire slugs.

[Tekadept]

I wan't an explanation on when we are going to get a REAL critical system. I mean with the amount of High pinpoint damage being dealt, you lose a torso before you suffer any kind of critical hit. before the computer gets to roll its virtual dice to see if a salvo did a critica hit on your internals l you are cored anyway.

Can this list include things that were explained, had a position change, then it just disappear into nothingness completely?

Edited by Tekadept, 15 April 2014 - 02:48 AM.

[Nik Van Rhijn]

Where did it say that you can only play with Faction specific mechs in CW?

[DirePhoenix]

Nik Van Rhijn, on 15 April 2014 - 04:49 AM, said:

Where did it say that you can only play with Faction specific mechs in CW?

In an NG/NG podcast interview with Russ Bullock (NGNG #105, 22:30), he said that faction play is where Clan players play with Clan Mechs and Inner Sphere players play with Inner Sphere 'mechs. In public (non-faction) matches, players can use whatever they want, although the Clan Mechs are weighted as being 5 tons heavier for balance purposes.

In regards to Inner Sphere mechs among Inner Sphere factions, all IS mechs will be available to all IS players in faction play. However, 'mechs will be more or less expensive to purchase depending on if your faction has the factory where that 'mech is produced within its territory. For example: DRG-1N Dragons are made within the Draconis Combine (House Kurita). Kurita players will be able to purchase Dragons for cheaper than Davion players who will have to pay full black market prices for that 'mech.

It is unknown how or if PGI will handle the ease of switching factions on a whim like you can do now by going to your profile page and clicking a button to change your faction allegiance.

At this point in the invasion, I'm pretty sure all Clans have pretty much the same access to the Clan OmniMechs presented in the Clan packages so far, and their manufacturing centers are not on contested worlds in the Inner Sphere anyway.

[Jacob Side]

DirePhoenix, on 14 April 2014 - 02:35 PM, said:

1a) Loyalty points help you move up the rank in your faction. moving up ranks will gain you access to additional faction related decals and paintjobs, and perhaps even get you a bigger discount in the faction store for mechs and weapons.

1b) I'm not sure what you're talking about with House Banners. If you're talking about cockpit mounted items, only one faction so far has a House Banner, and that was a reward to the House Steiner players that won the faction challenge a few weeks ago. If you're talking about House Medallions - cockpit hanging items... there's two versions. There's the standard House Medallions in the store that AFAIK don't/won't do anything except show your love for your chosen faction(s). Then there's the House Medallions that came with the Project Phoenix pre-orders. Those are supposed to add a bonus amount of loyalty points for the faction the medallion is for in the mech in which that medallion is mounted.

1d) As described during the launch party event, Mercenary Units fight on planets beyond the faction's borders in enemy territory. Once a certain amount of planets in that enemy region is flipped, then that region becomes a new 'front' in which the House armies fight. The Houses of the Inner Sphere are using Merc Units like advance troops or marines; softening up the enemy before the main army units move in.

1e) In a Merc Unit, you get to play exclusively with your friends. Think of it like a 'guild' in more traditional MMOs. Your merc unit is also free to choose which faction to run contracts for. As a faction player, you don't need to be in a pre-made group, as you will be automatically grouped with other players of your faction. Faction players also get access to a faction store, where mechs (and possibly weapons) made on the worlds your faction possesses will be cheaper than the full price of the black market (alternatively, while the black market is at full price, it has access to everything). Merc units can get access to faction stores by gaining enough loyalty points from running contracts for a specific faction. It is also important to note that as last described, while faction player loyalty is individually applied, merc player loyalty is applied to the merc unit, and AFAIK, Lone Wolf players do not earn loyalty points. However, with the latest descriptions of the 3 main gameplay modes (public faction, private), true Lone Wolves may not be playing the faction game at all anyway, and instead only playing in public matches.



2a) When merc players earn LP, their LP goes to the unit. When the unit's LP raises to certain levels with a certain faction, that unit gets faction discounts at that faction's store.

2b) this was covered in 1e.



3b) Supposedly the same thing they do for House Units. Rank, Store unlocks.

3b) Clan players are the same as other (House) Faction players.

3c) Unknown, but likely at least the initial invading clans: Wolf, Jade Falcon, Ghost Bear, Smoke Jaguar(?), Nova Cat, Diamond Shark, Steel Viper.

3d) unknown. In House factions, different Houses own planets that produce certain mechs/items. AFAIK, All Clans (at least the initial invasion force) had pretty much the same access to the mechs revealed so far in the Clan packages, and also AFAIK at this point in the invasion all pf their production facilities were outside of the Inner Sphere and not being fought over.

3e) See this thread.

3f) Unknown. Probably apply some sort of bonus.



4a) Ze goggles, Zey do nothing. This was an item from early beta that was created to test the concept of slotting modules, and that's pretty much it.

4b) AFAIK there has been no mention of targeting computers

4c) See this thread.



5a) See this thread.



6a) Depends on what you mean by "pug". There will be three main game modes:

• Public - This is essentially what we have now. Free-for-all everybody getting tossed into a team no matter what faction (or no faction for lone wolves). These are the 3/3/3/3 balanced matches. These do not count for faction territory control, but they do award XP and Cbills. Good for people that don't care about faction play and just want to jump in a match and smash robits. You can solo or group here.
  
• Faction - This is where Merc Units take up contracts and Faction players fight for their factions. The important thing here is that you don't need to be in a pre-made group to play in faction play. So, by the strict definition of "Pick Up Group", you can represent your chosen faction by yourself and get grouped with other people of your same faction, and not necessarily be in a pre-made group. Of course, if you still want to group with your friends (that are of the same faction) you can do that here too.
  
• Private - this is definitely pre-made group territory. This mode will probably apply more to the hard core competitive players that run their own tournaments, or groups/merc units that want to challenge a another group specifically (or set up their own internal matches). Loyalty points, XP, Cbills are not awarded for private matches, as the rules can be adjusted. There are two different types of private matches, free and premium. In the Premium matches, only the two team leaders need to have premium accounts activated, but they have more options to set custom rules.

7a/ You've already seen the first part of the rework, with the various weapon range modules. And since you already know about player levels, there's no need to link this thread. That's about all that's been said so far.

1d) over a year out of date info - an update would be nice

4b) look at the Warhawk or the Adder - Targeting computer listed in loadout

4c) 5 months out of date - current info would be nice

6a) Pug = a match of nothing but solo players throwing themselves at solo players, the thought of that having an effect on gaining/losing territory, the horror. Would total screw House/Merc unit battle plans

7a) 5 months out of date info

[Egomane]

Removed several off-topic post!

Please... If you can't post on topic, do not post in a thread at all! You are doing yourself, us moderators and all other users of this forum a great deed, if you could follow this simple rule.

[General Taskeen]

8) Game Modes

When are Stock Mode Era's coming to MWO?

I.E. Stock 3025 Mode (Third Succession War), Stock 3028-30 Mode (Fourth Succession War), Stock "War of 3039" Mode, and Stock 3048-3059 Era Mode.

The customization mode for me is boring and lacks true immersion like the original Multiplayer BattleTech 3025 that utilized Stock Mechs.

Edited by General Taskeen, 16 April 2014 - 05:31 AM.

[DirePhoenix]

Jacob Side, on 16 April 2014 - 04:21 AM, said:

1d) over a year out of date info - an update would be nice

4b) look at the Warhawk or the Adder - Targeting computer listed in loadout

4c) 5 months out of date - current info would be nice

6a) Pug = a match of nothing but solo players throwing themselves at solo players, the thought of that having an effect on gaining/losing territory, the horror. Would total screw House/Merc unit battle plans

7a) 5 months out of date info

1d) Launch party was September 26, 2013. I don't think you know how long a year is.

Last info == current info until it is updated. Just because Istanbul was officially renamed from Constantinople 84 years ago doesn't mean it's out of date.

Edited by DirePhoenix, 16 April 2014 - 08:48 AM.

[Jacob Side]

Has sure felt like a year.

So the mech design breaking theories for clan tech that Paul was throwing around, do those still stand or did they come up with something else?
According to you old out dated info stil stands, so we're getting broken mechs

Edited by Jacob Side, 16 April 2014 - 08:55 AM.

[DirePhoenix]

Jacob Side, on 16 April 2014 - 08:54 AM, said:

Has sure felt like a year.

So the mech design breaking theories for clan tech that Paul was throwing around, do those still stand or did they come up with something else?
According to you old out dated info stil stands, so we're getting broken mechs

You'll have to be more specific with what you consider "design breaking theories for clan tech" and how it results in broken 'mechs.

There is a detailed description of Clan OmniMech Mech design from David Bradley, however.

Info doesn't suddenly "go bad" because it reaches a certain age. The last thing said is still the last thing said. Info is only "outdated" if it has already been updated. If I tell you "my plan is <X>", then that is your info until I tell you "my plan is <Y>", regardless if I told you that it was <X> 5 minutes ago or 5 years ago. Now, if I already told you "my plan is <Y>", then the plan for <X> would be outdated info.

Edited by DirePhoenix, 16 April 2014 - 10:13 AM.