42 replies to this topic

[JediMechwarrior]

i've had a few friends that have recently started playing MWO. it sounds like you may be experiencing some of the same problems they initially had. My first recommendation, if you like the feel of the lighter mechs, would be to procure a Raven 3L. Be sure ECM is equipped, as this gives you somewhat of a 'cold blooded' (call of duty reference) effect. On a secondary note, it seems like you may be standing still or moving slow while engaging your target. While this helps your aim, it gives the baddie a clean shot on your lil guy. Even w/ max armor, there are many 'mechs that will be capable of one or two shotting you. The old addage of stick and move, or perhaps even better a moving target is harder to hit. In conclusion, stick with the game for a while longer, it's got a huge learning curve but once you've gotten dry behind the ears it's extremely entertaining.

Good luck, and may the force be with you

p.s.
there are tons of videos on youtube available to help get an idea of how others operate a battlemech; after you perish in a match, you also have the opportunity to spectate the rest of your team. this can help your understanding of maps, tatics, common strategies, etc.

Edited by JediMechwarrior, 21 June 2014 - 03:47 PM.

[Vassago Rain]

You made the critical mistake of buying a really bad mech with your cadet bonus. Fortunately, there's a way to salvage things, because the cicada 3M variant has ECM, which is still valuable in the post-2012 world of MWO.

The ballistic one you bought is worthless. I know it's not fair, but that's how the game works. You should stick with it, because you get a universal mech bonus if you attain elite skills on 3 variants of the same robot.

What I'd do is run a single poking big ballistic alongside the PPC on your 3C until you've gotten the basic skills done, then just put your savings into a 3M as your second owned robot. Don't worry about performance, and just go for maximum c-bills instead.

You're also gonna want to save up 4.9 million c-bills for an XL300 engine.

[Leidulfr]

Something else just hit me...

When I do eventually start having enough C-Bills to purchase more mechs, how do I get more room for more than just 4? It says I only have 4 mechbays, but I don't see any way to get more. Do I have to sell the mech I've mastered to make room? When I sell the mech, do those skills stay mastered?

Thanks.

[Vassago Rain]

Universally useful items are XL 255, XL 280, XL 300, spare AC5s, BAPs, AMS, and other pieces of electronics.

If you go to your inventory on the home screen, it will show you all the items you have, so you can trade trash gear for c-bills.

[SilentWolff]

Nocturnal Link, on 21 June 2014 - 03:39 PM, said:

I see that there are "(C)" and "(H)" variants within these--I'm guessing the H stands for the Hero part, but what does the C stand for, and are they necessary for mastering the skills? Also, if I were to get the C or H variants, are they configurable?

And, is the only difference between variants the different hard points and their placements on the chassis?

Thanks!

You need to level your basic pilot skills on 3 variants of the same chassis, in order to unlock the elite and master abilities. In the case of the the Cicada, do the 2A, 3C and finish with the 3M, which will be the only Cicada you will be using from then on.
The 3M is the best Cicada because one, its got good hardpoints (which is what distinguishes each variant from one another) and #2 and most importantly, it has ECM. Its probably my favorite mech and I have been playing since closed beta. Your choice of first mechs is actually a very good one for the long run.


I know this has been posted already, but favorite this site on your brower.

http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/

This site is INVALUABLE to understanding the game. You also need to build all your mechs on this site. DONT try to do it in game. As is, the mechlab is poorly implemented in game.
Read it, learn it, live it.

[Vassago Rain]

Nocturnal Link, on 21 June 2014 - 04:08 PM, said:

Something else just hit me...

When I do eventually start having enough C-Bills to purchase more mechs, how do I get more room for more than just 4? It says I only have 4 mechbays, but I don't see any way to get more. Do I have to sell the mech I've mastered to make room? When I sell the mech, do those skills stay mastered?

Thanks.

You have to buy more mechbays, or sell old mechs. Yes, all your skills stay unlocked, even if you don't own the robot anymore, but the current UI can't display skills unless you also have said robot in your inventory. It's a bit of a mess.

You'll probably be making anywhere from 60,000 to 90,000 space dollars per game right now. The full read-out is available on the end of round screen if you click the 'PLAYER STATS' button on the top bar. See attached screenshot.

[Leidulfr]

SilentWolff, on 21 June 2014 - 04:12 PM, said:

As is, the mechlab is poorly implemented in game.

Haha! First time I tried to configure my Cicada, I clicked checkout to save it after ~25 minutes of tinkering, and the game said there was an error and it defaulted everything back to stock. ><

[Fiona Marshe]

Another problem you may have encountered, is that they've *just* fixed some major hit-registration issues that have been giving light pilots an "invulnerability" complex. Many mechs (esp. lights) haven't been taking full damage when attacked.

Previously it may have taken 10+ shots to even blow the leg off a spider, it is now possible in 1-2 shots with the right weapons.

[WaddeHaddeDudeda]

Nocturnal Link, on 21 June 2014 - 04:08 PM, said:

Something else just hit me...

When I do eventually start having enough C-Bills to purchase more mechs, how do I get more room for more than just 4? It says I only have 4 mechbays, but I don't see any way to get more. Do I have to sell the mech I've mastered to make room? When I sell the mech, do those skills stay mastered?

Thanks.

Click at the link below my signature and read the guide.
It's old and not up-to-date anymore, but far away from being outdated as well. All the "basics" still apply.

[Leidulfr]

Fiona Marshe, on 21 June 2014 - 04:25 PM, said:

Another problem you may have encountered, is that they've *just* fixed some major hit-registration issues that have been giving light pilots an "invulnerability" complex. Many mechs (esp. lights) haven't been taking full damage when attacked.

Previously it may have taken 10+ shots to even blow the leg off a spider, it is now possible in 1-2 shots with the right weapons.

Oh, well; I wouldn't have that complex, since I just started. xD

[TercieI]

WaddeHaddeDudeda, on 21 June 2014 - 04:29 PM, said:

Click at the link below my signature and read the guide.
It's old and not up-to-date anymore, but far away from being outdated as well. All the "basics" still apply.

This! About three weeks into MWO, I was away for a weekend and read this cover-to-cover twice. I learned a TON that benefited me in many ways. I've revisited it several times since.

Also...sorry about the CDA-3C. As of last night, I have 100 mechs in my mechbays. I've sold half a dozen, but only two that I just said "screw this piece of crap." One of those was the CDA-3C (and I love CDAs).

[Nehkrosis]

This build is a little odd, but if you like Dakka....[smurfy]http://mwo.smurfy-ne...9b2b42e6dd0e257[/smurfy]


good DPS, Ammo, AMS, Speed.

[Koniving]

Nocturnal Link, on 21 June 2014 - 04:17 PM, said:

Haha! First time I tried to configure my Cicada, I clicked checkout to save it after ~25 minutes of tinkering, and the game said there was an error and it defaulted everything back to stock. ><

I hate that error so much.
I 'check out' every so often now.
On a side note, they may say it's worthless but you'd be surprised. The main thing is the one you have isn't the most ideal for a new player, but worthless it is not. It's best to approach when enemies are weakened.

I just got reminded, though. Avoid "Assault" game mode and it may help to avoid Skirmish as well (though Assault is definitely the one to avoid with a Cicada).

Want to see what 4 MG Cicadas typically do?
At the beginning of this vid with the firestarter, 3M Cicadas and 4 MG cicadas were being quite a pain. Just need to watch for the first min or less.


And this for some humor; twin AC/20 Cicada.


When you're on tomorrow, let me know and I'll join you with my Cicadas. My favorite is the X-5.
Here we go.
And my Cicadas of ages old. AC/20 Cicada and twin PPC Cicada.
Finally, this vid starts with a Wang way back in the end of closed beta, but goes on to a Cicada 3M; the first one I ever liked of the Cicadas and that was before ECM.

[dezgra]

The thing about MechWarrior is it so specific to the individual pilot. I know some pilots are "uber" in anything, but most of us "scrubs" are not. It takes uncountable deaths, and experimenting with different loadouts, style of play, chassis, and beer. You are going to have to tuff it out till you find your sweet spot. Do not give up! Try and pay attention if possible to those who do well, or kill you quick. Target what your shooting, watch your heat, and run away when you can. Do not try and slug it out with every mech, you have a team. Keep at it and you will find your place in the line. I have given up several times, and regret it all. This game will be a blast if you stick it out.

[Corralis]

I'm not sure if what I'm about to say will be considered as advice but I have been playing this game for at least 2 years (started during closed beta) and I would only consider myself to be decent at the game. 3 days is nothing but remember you are playing a game that has been out a while and many of the people you play against will have been playing the game for a long time.
As for real advice, I suggest you join a clan/guild that is happy to take on new players and learn everything you can from them. This game is unforgiving as a solo player and can become very frustrating very quickly. Try www.the-bwc.com we have some incredible training programs for new players and have hundreds of players that will happily help you out.
Second piece of advice is that your piloting a scout mech (and a big one at that) so use it as a scout, you simply do not have the firepower to be getting kills very often. A good match for you should be spotting the enemy and letting your team know where they are. If your information has helped your team to get the win then you can be proud.
Third piece of advice is don't worry about damage. A good rule we tend to use is triple your mech's weight and try and get that much damage each match but see the above piece of advice if you don't manage to get that.
Fourth piece of advice is consider buying a hero mech in the chassis you like (so for you it would be the X-5). Use that mech to gain your extra 30% c-bills and also get some premium time to get even more c-bills. Progress in this game is painfully slow if you don't have premium time as it rightly should be.
That's about all the help I can suggest right now but do try to stick with the game as it is really good fun and worth the effort it takes to get good at it.

Good luck Mechwarrior.

[Leidulfr]

Corralis, on 21 June 2014 - 05:53 PM, said:

I'm not sure if what I'm about to say will be considered as advice...

I'm taking absolutely everything into account here and very much appreciate all the feedback. I don't believe I've ever had so many helpful responses to a blatant cry for aid before.

I am impatient, so that's probably lending to my bummed out feeling; but, with everything that's been given to me now, I'm feeling rejuvenated and look forward to playing some more and getting it down.

[TercieI]

Nocturnal Link, on 21 June 2014 - 06:05 PM, said:

I'm taking absolutely everything into account here and very much appreciate all the feedback. I don't believe I've ever had so many helpful responses to a blatant cry for aid before.

I am impatient, so that's probably lending to my bummed out feeling; but, with everything that's been given to me now, I'm feeling rejuvenated and look forward to playing some more and getting it down.

The New Players section is really good. A number of us make a point of helping as much as we can here.

Remember to tip Koniving.

[Leidulfr]

Terciel1976, on 21 June 2014 - 06:12 PM, said:

Remember to tip Koniving.

Tip? Like, Kudos? Or... sexual innuendo?

[Clownwarlord]

Well from what I read you grabbed a mech I personally am not that great with.

If you didn't know your first 25 matches have the cadet bonus (which is a C-Bill boost) to help you buy your first mech. From there you can run into one or two things currently happening to you. You either did get better and your ELO went up. Which forces you into tougher matches ... so in other words you are facing better players which means you either get better or or it becomes a tough going.

Now the second thing you face is the current change in the game. Which brings ups two more things; the hit registration and clan mechs. Currently hit registration is working way better then it did just a few months ago. As for clanners they are huge weapon platforms compared to your other inner sphere mechs.

So overall I can only tell you this, try to stay with other mechs because you are better in numbers. Also for the Cicada which is really good at 2 PPC builds (except that one) use it as a sniper from the side just poking your head over the ridge not your whole body like an Atlas.

My X5 I do about 350 damage a match and maybe one kill. I am not that great at aiming at key points but I get hits. Others I know can do way better and rack it up. So just take your time and basic it out you hopefully will grow better and things will come easier.

This games does have one of the steepest learning curves I have every played.

[luxebo]

Nocturnal Link, on 21 June 2014 - 07:05 PM, said:

Tip? Like, Kudos? Or... sexual innuendo?

Kon's a really helpful guy to have around, so more as in kudos/pay/tip.