2 replies to this topic

[Sam Slade]

I'll try to keep these short and simple
MASC
We need MASC in game, it allows for more mechs and more customization.  The primary reason we have no MASC is hardware related.  
FIX: Remove Speed Tweak from ALL mech xp trees and replace the effect of Speed Tweak with the option of equipping MASC(same slot cost as endo/ferro).  Replace Speed Tweak with a choice of one of the available piloting modules(Hill Climb, Speed Retention, Advanced Gyro).  Give MASC a scaled activation and heat value like JJ and there you go.
RESULT: Positioning and scouting will become more valuable and more tactical, high speed light mechs will have to sacrifice heat and tonnage but will gain in battlefield efficacy vis a vis role warfare. Individual chassis get a little more customization. Also Flea.
PS: Removing Pinpoint accuracy in favor of an unlocked weapon module would also be pretty cool.
BAP/TAG/NARC/LRM(also dealing with slower mech fallout from removal of Speed Tweak)
This comes down to indirect fire and the potential for LRM spam, particularly important with no Speed Tweak.
FIX: Allow indirect LRM fire ONLY if the target is TAGed or NARCed .  Apply grouping bonus as if line of sight were a requisite condition for stacking.(eg: TAGed indirect means no grouping bonus, TAGed and NARCed with indirect fire gets grouping bonus for TAG only, must have line of sight, TAG and NARC for full bonus).  Balance LRM damage to suit.
RESULT: Movement and positioning, as well as team support/role warfare become more tactical, LRM rain o' doom lands only when it's thought out or when it's deserved due to poor tactical decisions.  LRM rain o' doom could actually be balanced(DPS) to be a real threat at higher skill levels, provided there is team support.  Medium and Light LRM equipped mechs could serve a more significant purpose(as opposed to being a troll mech).

Edited by Sam Slade, 19 November 2014 - 08:54 PM.

[Tarogato]

Sam Slade, on 19 November 2014 - 08:50 PM, said:

We need MASC in game, it allows for more mechs and more customization. The primary reason we have no MASC is hardware related.
FIX: Remove Speed Tweak from ALL mech xp trees and replace the effect of Speed Tweak with the option of equipping MASC(same slot cost as endo/ferro). Replace Speed Tweak with a choice of one of the available piloting modules(Hill Climb, Speed Retention, Advanced Gyro). Give MASC a scaled activation and heat value like JJ and there you go.
RESULT: Positioning and scouting will become more valuable and more tactical, high speed light mechs will have to sacrifice heat and tonnage but will gain in battlefield efficacy vis a vis role warfare. Individual chassis get a little more customization. Also Flea.

Correction: the primary reason we have no MASC is software related.

Hitreg is now better than it ever has been - lights used to have an impenetrable lagshield, with that gone, they can only rely on moving faster than their enemy can actually track them. Taking away speedtweak would directly nerf them, as it wouldn't affect slower chassis as much, and suddenly the faster chassis will no longer have the speed to outrun the enemy guns.

Not all mechs should be able to equip MASC - this is a very variant specific feature, like ECM is.

Because the software/network bottleneck only allows mechs to go up to around 171kph, taking away speed tweak might sound like a good idea, since it broadens the distance between the fastest mechs and the speedcap, but I think the repercussions of making such a drastic change would involve more community backlash than it's worth.

Edited by Tarogato, 19 November 2014 - 09:10 PM.

[Sam Slade]

Tarogato, on 19 November 2014 - 09:09 PM, said:

Correction: the primary reason we have no MASC is software related.



Not all mechs should be able to equip MASC - this is a very variant specific feature, like ECM is.

Ok, software.. my bad.

As far as other points go... everyone equips endo or ferro... always... make MASC an option instead. MASC as chassis specific dies when everyone gets BAP and Endo and etc...

This option doesn't remove the ability to go fast, it just makes it a more tactical choice; high speed was always heat intensive in lore after all.