81 replies to this topic

[Koniving]

It's true, some people don't know how to aim the Arty strikes. Those are the funny ones.

But the ones that do.. then it's time for the tears to fly.

I personally drop them directly on myself when I'm in a Dire wolf. Nothing says "**** you get away from me" like an artillery strike on yourself. You'll get those pests to scatter quick.

[Malcolm Vordermark]

Koniving, on 27 July 2014 - 07:27 AM, said:

As for the artillery, there isn't a feasible way to counter it. Though I'm sure someone might think of something.

Have the artillery vehicles set up somewhere on the edge of the map. If they get destroyed you lose your artillery. Seems like that would be a good job for light mechs.

[A banana in the tailpipe]

Rouken, on 27 July 2014 - 08:14 AM, said:

Have the artillery vehicles set up somewhere on the edge of the map. If they get destroyed you lose your artillery. Seems like that would be a good job for light mechs.

Map based objectives? MADNESS!!!!

The competitive community will hear nothing of it or anything that doesn't involve skirmish for the sake of their Epeens.

Edited by lockwoodx, 27 July 2014 - 08:15 AM.

[Appogee]

Koniving, on 27 July 2014 - 08:10 AM, said:

I personally drop them directly on myself when I'm in a Dire wolf. Nothing says "**** you get away from me" like an artillery strike on yourself. You'll get those pests to scatter quick.

LOL. These days when I'm in a Dire Wolf I don't need to drop them on myself... the enemy does it for me

In fact, just before I came back to this thread I played a match in it... 4 Arty Strikes in a row exclusively for me. The first three took me down to 60% armor, the 4th one head-shotted me (which is just dumb luck). Even though I saw the smoke immediately (the clever ones put it behind you) you just can't maneuver an unlevelled Dire Wolf out of the way in time to stop them hitting you.

I decided to play Kit Foxes instead.

[Koniving]

Rouken, on 27 July 2014 - 08:14 AM, said:

Have the artillery vehicles set up somewhere on the edge of the map. If they get destroyed you lose your artillery. Seems like that would be a good job for light mechs.

Had that thought. Presents a problem. PGI views playing to objectives to be "trolling." It's the semi-official standpoint on players capturing bases. It used to pay, but for a while it'd pay more than what you'd earn for doing all the killing yourself. So they stopped making it pay.

As a result, the easiest way to piss off both teams is to capture the base...creating the very problem they were trying to combat.

And the result? Turrets... but they keep making the turrets easier to kill instead of making winning by base capture to be more rewarding (which would give players a reason to play out roles such as scout -- find where the enemies are coming from. Defender, protect key routes and installations. Support, firing on targets from the rear line. Attacker, someone who seeks out either the base or an enemy force... etc.).

[Mcgral18]

lockwoodx, on 27 July 2014 - 07:44 AM, said:

Strikes use to be MUCH MUCH worse. Now they are fairly balanced.

They used to be 40 damage, where they could headshot mechs.

They are now at 35, where they can still headshot mechs.

Nerf did nearly nothing, but it did increase the area/spread of the shells.

[A banana in the tailpipe]

Mcgral18, on 27 July 2014 - 08:23 AM, said:

They used to be 40 damage, where they could headshot mechs.

They are now at 35, where they can still headshot mechs.

Nerf did nearly nothing, but it did increase the area/spread of the shells.

I was referring to the cool down between multiple strikes actually. The head shotting issue is still there.

[Mcgral18]

lockwoodx, on 27 July 2014 - 08:28 AM, said:

I was referring to the cool down between multiple strikes actually. The head shotting issue is still there.

They have the same cooldown they've always had? 10 seconds.

[A banana in the tailpipe]

Mcgral18, on 27 July 2014 - 08:33 AM, said:

They have the same cooldown they've always had? 10 seconds.

No no for the entire team so you don't have multiple pilots layering them. That dookie got so traumatic/problematic the memories are still fresh in some of our minds.

Edited by lockwoodx, 27 July 2014 - 08:34 AM.

[Adiuvo]

lockwoodx, on 27 July 2014 - 08:33 AM, said:

No no for the entire team so you don't have multiple pilots layering them.

That cooldown is for the entire team...

[Bront]

At the moment, they're generally better than most other modules. They do damage, they get you kills, and they win matches. They do good damage pretty easily, and can even get you a cheap kill. You see them more in groups than outside of them, simply because they're competitive, but they cost c-bills, so many folks don't use them when grinding.

When we get dedicated consumable slots... it'll get worse.

I think damage needs to drop at least a bit further. Try 30 rather than the 35 they are now and see if that helps.

[A banana in the tailpipe]

Adiuvo, on 27 July 2014 - 08:34 AM, said:

That cooldown is for the entire team...

and my original point stands that it didn't use to be that way, but much worse.

[Mcgral18]

lockwoodx, on 27 July 2014 - 08:35 AM, said:

and my original point stands that it didn't use to be that way, but much worse.

When was this exactly?

I think I remember reading there was a problem with the global cooldown between airstrike and arty...but that was back in 10 damage per shell time.

Pretty sure there has always been a linked global cooldown since the 400% buff.

[Cybermech]

when first hearing about arty strikes all I thought was finally a way to deal with the blob mentality, even thoughts that one guy on your team would use the command console to drop things down that would have a time limit on it. it was a LONG time ago. it has shown me that not only does it not deal with the blob mentality it actually supports it. while I agree that 12 guys waiting in one spot and not doing anything is boring but most are using it while moving around in circles. there are far too many that can be deployed in one game.

[MechWarrior849305]

Make them useable only when you mount command console. Bam! Problem fixxxxed

[Koniving]

DuoAngel, on 27 July 2014 - 10:43 AM, said:

Make them useable only when you mount command console. Bam! Problem fixxxxed

Clans don't have command consoles.

[MechWarrior849305]

Koniving, on 27 July 2014 - 10:53 AM, said:

Clans don't have command consoles.

Could be function of a target computer then

[Koniving]

DuoAngel, on 27 July 2014 - 10:54 AM, said:

Could be function of a target computer then

They had this thought. Neutralizes the need for them to be consumables.

Also targeting computers go up to 8 tons.

Besides, everyone can equip them.
It won't be anything more than a tonnage tax. At that rate they may as well be a piece of equipment that takes a hardpoint, weight, generates heat, etc.

"Signal smoke launcher. Allows you to fire a signal smoke grenade that sets the target for airbombings and artillery."

[MechWarrior849305]

Koniving, on 27 July 2014 - 11:09 AM, said:

They had this thought. Neutralizes the need for them to be consumables.

Also targeting computers go up to 8 tons.

Besides, everyone can equip them.
It won't be anything more than a tonnage tax. At that rate they may as well be a piece of equipment that takes a hardpoint, weight, generates heat, etc.

"Signal smoke launcher. Allows you to fire a signal smoke grenade that sets the target for airbombings and artillery."

So?

Try to find at least 1.5 tons on tightly fitted mech for target comp/command console (if I remeber their weight right), especially on a light. Also, you can mount consumable or may not, but only after you install those pieces of equipment.
Yes, everyone can use them ATM and will be able to use them. Can't see a problem here.
Make people sacrifice something to use them - they will think twice.
Also, target comp and command console could be chassis dependent... Just a thought here.
Or, the heavier mech - the heavier target comp needed to unlock strikes. Silly, yet effective.

For now, strikes are just easy dmg and kills with little but no drawbacks.

Edited by DuoAngel, 27 July 2014 - 11:37 AM.

[Joseph Mallan]

Appogee, on 27 July 2014 - 06:52 AM, said:

Your views...?

In a game of combat, whatever tools you need to win is perfectly acceptable. I even used a UAV once.