19 replies to this topic

[Sentinel069]

Hey folks,

I do hope this should not be posted under an already created thread. If so, I apologize; feel free to delete if necessary.

Here are some of the things I either still don't know or had a hard time finding out about on my first day:

1. Does premium time affect cadet bonus? Does the bonus XP stack with trial mech XP bonus?
2. I literally had no idea what to do after the tutorial. I eventually hit play now and jumped into a match. Is this game entirely match-based PVP?
3. Once dead, how do you chat in spectator mode, if possible?
4. Is there a global chat server that I'm missing? Or only match chat?
5. How do I sniper-zoom like I've seen people do while spectating? Is that tied to a specific skill or weapon?
6. While I eventually figured it out two seconds before I died, knowing N would enable nighvision would have been cool.

I was a huge fan of all the old mechwarrior games, and am stoked about this one as well. I hope that I can learn how to pilot a mech better again, though. Thanks in advance.

-Sentinel

[IraqiWalker]

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

Hey folks,

I do hope this should not be posted under an already created thread. If so, I apologize; feel free to delete if necessary.

Here are some of the things I either still don't know or had a hard time finding out about on my first day:

1. Does premium time affect cadet bonus? Does the bonus XP stack with trial mech XP bonus?

Nope, not anymore. Premium time affects your in-game earnings, and the Cadet bonus is now a flat amount per achievement.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

2. I literally had no idea what to do after the tutorial. I eventually hit play now and jumped into a match. Is this game entirely match-based PVP?

Yes, there is no PVE yet, and in fact, the next big update should add more to the PVPness of it.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

3. Once dead, how do you chat in spectator mode, if possible?

Chat is always enabled, whether dead or alive
T- All Chat
Y- Team Chat
U- Lance Chat (each team is divided into 3 groups of 4 players, known as lances)

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

4. Is there a global chat server that I'm missing? Or only match chat?

No there is no such chat server, you can send PMs to players on your friends list though.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

5. How do I sniper-zoom like I've seen people do while spectating? Is that tied to a specific skill or weapon?

Most zooms only go up to 2x. If you have the Advanced Zoom module unlocked, you can get the picture in picture zoom you have witnessed.

Modules can be unlocked using GXP (accumulates every match slowly), and then purchasing the actual module with C-Bills, and equipping it onto your owned mech. However, to do that, first you need to get your own mech. Which you should not even think about, until after collecting your entire cadet bonus (it's only the first 25 matches)

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

6. While I eventually figured it out two seconds before I died, knowing N would enable nighvision would have been cool.

In-game tips help with that. However, I recommend taking a look at the key bindings int he setting menu. H enables Heat vision btw.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

I was a huge fan of all the old mechwarrior games, and am stoked about this one as well. I hope that I can learn how to pilot a mech better again, though. Thanks in advance.

-Sentinel

I'm glad to see you here, these forums will be your best resource to help you with this game. One of the biggest obstacles is that the learning curve for this game is basically the west side of mount Thor (look it up).

However, the new player section is full of people who love helping new players. Many of whom will swarm you soon enough.


EDIT: These are my personal pieces of advice:

1- sarna.net is a great battletech wikia if you are interested in the lore, and other background stuff.

2- mwo.smurfy-net.de is your best online resource for what each mech, weapon, and piece of equipment in the game can do, or does. It also helps you practice mech building with it's very accurate mechlab.

3- Always ask questions here, and tell people you're new in the game, your teammates will be a lot more helpful when they know you're new, and will try to guide you through the match.

4- Pilot every trial mech at least twice or thrice. That should help you get a grasp of the different weight classes, and how they work, and how some mechs handle compared to others.

5- This game is no big on forgiving mistakes (west side of mt. thor and all), so it takes some patience to get into it, and understand the flow.

6- Come to these forums often, especially around patch day (second Tuesday of the month I believe), and always read the patch notes, and ask questions about what you see in there, if you don't understand it.

Edited by IraqiWalker, 18 August 2014 - 09:27 PM.

[Koniving]

2. I literally had no idea what to do after the tutorial. I eventually hit play now and jumped into a match. Is this game entirely match-based PVP?

At the moment, yes.

This is the "what's to come" over the next few months.

3. Once dead, how do you chat in spectator mode, if possible?
T, Y, and U. T for public, Y for team, U for lance.

4. Is there a global chat server that I'm missing? Or only match chat?
Only match chat. Free to play global chats tend to be plagued with spam bots.

5. How do I sniper-zoom like I've seen people do while spectating? Is that tied to a specific skill or weapon?
"Z" should be the default zoom key. There is a picture in picture zoom, it comes with the "Advanced Zoom" module. Slightly better zooms can be achieved with the cockpit equipment "command console."

6. While I eventually figured it out two seconds before I died, knowing N would enable nighvision would have been cool.
"H" is for Thermal (heat) vision.

[Modo44]

Welcome to MWO.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

1. Does premium time affect cadet bonus?

Yes.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

Does the bonus XP stack with trial mech XP bonus?

It stacks with the 2xXP bonus for the first win every day. There is no trial mech-specific XP bonus.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

2. I literally had no idea what to do after the tutorial. I eventually hit play now and jumped into a match. Is this game entirely match-based PVP?

Yes. There is a global campaign setting in the works (also based on PvP). It will come out through the end of the year. Meanwhile, PvP and independent leagues is all we have.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

3. Once dead, how do you chat in spectator mode, if possible?

Hit T or Y just like during the match.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

4. Is there a global chat server that I'm missing? Or only match chat?

Nothing in-game beyond text. Everyone uses community TS servers to group up and chat.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

5. How do I sniper-zoom like I've seen people do while spectating? Is that tied to a specific skill or weapon?

You can not do that. You are literally just spectating what the player does. Note that not everything is rendered in time, so it can look like someone is missing shots even when they actually hit.

Sentinel069, on 18 August 2014 - 09:15 PM, said:

6. While I eventually figured it out two seconds before I died, knowing N would enable nighvision would have been cool.

Go to settings, fix your key bindings. Do that every time you start playing any FPS game. You will at least have an idea of what is available.

Read some community guides. Check out Smurfy -- a great data resource, and free mech building tool (good to try before buying).

[Koniving]

This may or may not help with your gameplay beyond the things you asked. Here, I played 5 trial mechs in 5 matches back to back with commentary as I go along.

Spoiler

[Void Angel]

Modo44, on 18 August 2014 - 09:29 PM, said:

"Does Premium Time affect your Cadet Bonus?"
Yes.

I thought that didn't work any more, now that the bonus is achievement-based, rather than added to your match rewards?

Modo44, on 18 August 2014 - 09:29 PM, said:

Go to settings, fix your key bindings. Do that every time you start playing any FPS game. You will at least have an idea of what is available.

This is a life skill for PC gaming. =)

[Modo44]

I may be wrong on the cadet bonus. I did not make an alt in a long time.

[IraqiWalker]

Modo44, on 18 August 2014 - 09:43 PM, said:

I may be wrong on the cadet bonus. I did not make an alt in a long time.

It used to be that you could game the cadet bonus with premium time and a hero mech bonus, but they made cadet bonuses flat amounts of money from the achievements, given after leaving the match, and not at the end of the match where premium time, and hero bonus are in effect.

At least, that's how I understand the new implementation to be.

[dragnier1]

A little extra info for OP on 5.

Unlock modules: Click on skill tab (beside mechlab). You will see a list of mech names in the large window. To its left you should see "pilot skill". Click on that to open a window showing all the modules and unlock from there.

Purchase modules: Click on mechlab, click on configure below your mech (must own it). The left menu should have a button "module". Click on it to view purchasable modules.

Modules are expensive. Don't waste your gxp on mechs and save them for modules. You will need cbills for upgrading of your mechs and purchasing equipment, don't spend them on modules until you have spare cbills.

Lastly, don't use the Store tab to purchase your mechs. Do it in the mechlab.

[mailin]

Welcome to MWO! If you have any other questions feel free to ask them on the forum. As you've probably already figured out, this can be a very challenging game, but there is a pretty active community on here that is more than willing to help you out. Know however that once battle is joined those same helpful people can be pretty cut-throat. Please don't take it personally.

[John1352]

Surprised nobody mentioned this: If T, Y and U aren't working in spectator mode, press ESC twice, and they will work.

[SnagaDance]

John1352, on 19 August 2014 - 05:08 AM, said:

Surprised nobody mentioned this: If T, Y and U aren't working in spectator mode, press ESC twice, and they will work.

Really? This has come up a few times with me. But in those cases it usually already affected me while my mech was still alive. Will this also work when still active in the game (as opposed to spectating)?

[Bhelogan]

Here are some questions I suspect you will be asking next:

1) Are Locusts really that bad?
Yes

2) How do I quit getting rolled in matches so bad? Every match seems to end 12 - 2 or worse
Start playing with a team. Forums are great, but if you hop on TeamSpeak, there are MANY groups of friendly players who are willing to help new pilots out.

3) Ok, i bought the oxide, cause it looked awesome, but now I think it sucks!
Don't buy any Hero mechs until your sure you like the chassis in generally. Try some of the other jenners first.

4) Are Clan mechs really OP?
Please don't ask this question unless you want a thread 50 pages long of people flaming each other.

[Koniving]

Solutions to the "OP" Clan mech problem. In other words, how to kill them in ways that will have you saying the Inner Sphere is overpowered.

Spoiler

The only truly borderline overpowered Clan mech is the Stormcrow. And it's not because of its weapons. It is because of its body shape combined with its animations (it's possible for the Stormcrow -- while completely ignoring you -- to spread your laser beams across 2 to 5 different body sections by simply running; one ML = 5 damage / 5 locations is about 1 damage to each location, as you can imagine this makes lasers pretty much worthless). The same animations make SRMs kind of hit or miss against it. Go for its legs (regardless of its animations, those long legs will not be able to spread the damage), or if you are not noticed, go for its back. Otherwise use ballistic weapons. It's screwed against them.

Most Clan mechs are easily legged. Shoot them.
Every Clan mech can die in a volley of twin AC/20s. Go for the cockpit, preferably the forward-most-center. Dead pilots can't drive mechs.
Dire Wolves and Warhawks have large bodies. Sure you can hit them but due to the exploits of bad hitbox design most of them have very highly focused front torso armor. It's much easier to take out their arms, which will fry most of their weapons or if possible get behind one like this in the first 4 seconds.

Clan assaults have terrible turning ability and almost all of them can't aim left or right -- especially Dire Wolves. If they're alone just waltz up beside them and go "Hi" with the beams and watch them die.

For a general anti-Clan combat tips:

• Fight them in larger numbers, as is lore proper.
  
• Do not stand in front of them.
  
• Do not move in a straight line.
  
• In one on one fights, circle them. Very few Clan mechs will be willing to fight in a circle strafe; they are extremely handicapped in it. (Stormcrow's the exception because it's nearly laser impervious when moving at full speed; so keep the circle super tight and it can't get into the hopping animation of its run so that you can actually hurt it).
  
• Fight in close range; almost all of the Clan mech weapons are better at longer ranges; especially when it comes to missiles. IS missiles are ridiculously overpowered and devastating. Splat Cats at close range can completely annihilate Clan lights and Novas in single volleys. Dire Wolves with multiple Ultra AC/5s will be wiped out by splat cats in head-on fights. (Also recently took out a Dire Wolf in a head on fight with an Atlas at 300 and less meters using 3 LPL, 2 MGs, 2 Streaks against his multiple AC/5 loadout in a torrential clusterduck of heavy fire where he was supposed by several additional mechs and I was not; died shortly after but I got him.)

For the most part, the Clan pilots are people who have been playing for years.


I mean, even Awesomes can beat Clan mechs.

Fight started 3 against 6, then 2 against 6, then 2 against 5, 2 against 4, 2 against 3, 2 against 2, 1 against 2, 1 against 1, tie.

2 of those kills was produced by a single heatsink Awesome with less than 225 armor with an XL 210 engine; the damage dealt which outperformed most of both teams is pretty impressive.

Most of my damage is from the ER MLs, because the missiles weren't doing too good against that ECM (mostly dead-fired) and the Clan ER LL's beam time means I'm doing 5.625 damage in a second of beam time, where IS ER LLs are doing 9 damage in a second of beam time.

Edit: Wrong video (the second one). Fixed.

Edited by Koniving, 19 August 2014 - 10:18 AM.

[Redshift2k5]

Those are some great tips, Kon.

[Koniving]

Redshift2k5, on 19 August 2014 - 10:16 AM, said:

Those are some great tips, Kon.

Thank you.

Clan mechs are really easy to deal with. The only matter to deal with is closing in the range on long range maps. So long as they have range, they can win.

After recent nerfing, the use of targeting computers kinda dwindled with the ER LL nerf which has reduced their long range abilities; even in my own Clan mechs I traded to Clan LPL. Those who haven't made the switch are laughable from the front (even danced in front of one not that long ago before killing it). So a Clan mech not sporting ER PPCs has a range of about 600 to 700 meters typically. So their range is pretty modest. LRM them or close in from the side (not from in front)

Edited by Koniving, 19 August 2014 - 10:47 AM.

[RF Greywolf]

Kinda wondering if anyone has gotten together a rough draft of the clan mech hit boxes yet? The way it sounds once people start understanding how the hit boxes are laid out they will better place their shots on them. When I was running my stormcrows this weekend I did realize that it was tough for people to focus on any of my components, now I know why.

[IraqiWalker]

SnagaDance, on 19 August 2014 - 05:35 AM, said:

Really? This has come up a few times with me. But in those cases it usually already affected me while my mech was still alive. Will this also work when still active in the game (as opposed to spectating)?

The main reason it happens is because your client changed screens while you were in chat, it looks like it's not active, but that's because it is active behind a different "screen", and it's recording your key strokes.. Either pres ESC, or press Enter to print out what you had already typed, and you should have functioning chat again.

[Koniving]

RF Greywolf, on 19 August 2014 - 10:52 AM, said:

Kinda wondering if anyone has gotten together a rough draft of the clan mech hit boxes yet? The way it sounds once people start understanding how the hit boxes are laid out they will better place their shots on them. When I was running my stormcrows this weekend I did realize that it was tough for people to focus on any of my components, now I know why.

http://mwomercs.com/...xes-clan-mechs/
This guy doesn't separate front and rear. Sadly.
If he did you'd see just why I run 2 armor on the rear of my Stormcrow.

[SnagaDance]

IraqiWalker, on 19 August 2014 - 11:13 AM, said:

The main reason it happens is because your client changed screens while you were in chat, it looks like it's not active, but that's because it is active behind a different "screen", and it's recording your key strokes.. Either pres ESC, or press Enter to print out what you had already typed, and you should have functioning chat again.

Mechcelent information, thanks IraqiWalker! *insert thumbs-up smiley here*