175 replies to this topic

[cSand]

I'm not sure why people don't lock when they brawl and I see that all the time. It's such a huge benefit to see which parts are about to come off. Take off those damaged arms, strip off your opponent's damage dealing components, and it's all easy street from there

[Empyrus]

cSand, on 19 September 2014 - 08:19 AM, said:

I'm not sure why people don't lock when they brawl and I see that all the time. It's such a huge benefit to see which parts are about to come off. Take off those damaged arms, strip off your opponent's damage dealing components, and it's all easy street from there

Again, in my case, ECM. If there's ECM around, locking a target is waste of time, a distraction might not afford (EDIT in case someone wonders, i play with low framerate (about 30) and with less than stellar connection, the game doesn't always register my key presses, or too late, and those moments can be distracting). If i can be sure there's no ECM ******* things up, i will lock a target.
Besides, any decent pilot will now where they hit the enemy even without the paperdoll (ignoring effects of latency), and keep firing there. Hell, decent pilots should be able to aim in the first place, not just shoot blindly at the enemies.

Edited by Empyrus, 19 September 2014 - 08:25 AM.

[A banana in the tailpipe]

Empyrus, on 19 September 2014 - 08:24 AM, said:

Again, in my case, ECM. If there's ECM around, locking a target is waste of time, a distraction might not afford. If i can be sure there's no ECM ******* things up, i will lock a target.
Besides, any decent pilot will now where they hit the enemy even without the paperdoll (ignoring effects of latency), and keep firing there. Hell, decent pilots should be able to aim in the first place, not just shoot blindly at the enemies.

This is true. There's no need to target a mech you know is boating LRMs because those delicate legs are packed full of ammo.

[Zoid]

CapperDeluxe, on 19 September 2014 - 07:51 AM, said:

Lock your own targets, bring your own TAG.


Why?


Because we're putting ourselves at risk every second our faces are exposed to the enemy. Do you really think we're going to risk that for you to maybe shoot and miss? No we're shooting, juking, and trying to make mince meat out of the enemy while avoiding or spreading the damage around ourselves.

Nobody faults you for not taking fire in order to get a target lock, it's when people just flat-out don't do it that it's irritating. If you're actively engaged "making mince meat out of the enemy" then you should be locked on, always (except in the obvious case of ECM cover). This allows the ENTIRE TEAM to know where the enemy is so they can help, not just the LRM boats, and lets you know where the enemy is most damaged and other critical information. For example, if I see a Jager with dual Gauss and a couple medium lasers, I know he's got to have an XL engine in order to fit all that weaponry, so I'll hit his side torsos instead of CT. If that TBR is packing LRMs I know to keep closing and if he's got medium lasers, I know to keep my distance.

If you are somehow unable to lock on because you're too busy fighting, you either need to rebind your keys or simply get better. You should be able to press one additional key while doing whatever it is you're doing unless you're terribad.


Fun side note: Almost every game where my team gets roflstomped and I'm watching the last few mediums and lights running around seeing how annoying they can be before they die, nobody is locking targets. Kind of explains why we got so badly roflstomped if the enemy team was locking and ours wasn't.

[Empyrus]

lockwoodx, on 19 September 2014 - 08:26 AM, said:

This is true. There's no need to target a mech you know is boating LRMs because those delicate legs are packed full of ammo.

I don't usually shoot legs, more often i try to disable side torso (in case there's XL, it is instant kill), or remove arms first. Besides, i assume people are wise enough to have a lot of armor in their legs. I reckon i think too meta, since this doesn't seem to be the case.

[Mcgral18]

Empyrus, on 19 September 2014 - 08:24 AM, said:

Again, in my case, ECM. If there's ECM around, locking a target is waste of time, a distraction might not afford (EDIT in case someone wonders, i play with low framerate (about 30) and with less than stellar connection, the game doesn't always register my key presses, or too late, and those moments can be distracting). If i can be sure there's no ECM ******* things up, i will lock a target.
Besides, any decent pilot will now where they hit the enemy even without the paperdoll (ignoring effects of latency), and keep firing there. Hell, decent pilots should be able to aim in the first place, not just shoot blindly at the enemies.

At 20 FPS, I've never had an issue NOT locking a target.

It's something you should always do. If the target has an open section, remove it. No reason not to.

[divinedisclaimer]

151st Light Horse Regiment, on 19 September 2014 - 07:49 AM, said:

I just dont understand it.

They're too busy not being shot by those targets, that's really all there is to say about it.

[TWIAFU]

Cion, on 19 September 2014 - 08:08 AM, said:

Why do people not lock targets?
Why do people peek again and again on the same spot where they've been receiving fire?
Why do people fire lurms that are not hitting anyone?
Why do people walk in front of a firing Dire Whale that's your teammate?
Why do people cramp single file and not allow to back up?

No one knows, we just deal with it and hope that the world will improve with all our forum posts, guides, and occasional rage thread

You forgot;

Why do people not switch ECM modes when needed?

These are the same people that cannot chew gum and walk at the same time.

[wanderer]

Quote

LRM boats need to learn to get their own locks. Whenever i played with a Catapult, i wasn't lazy and locked my own targets.

I really think the LRM ranges should be reduced to 660 meters like they're in the board game, this would put them in range of other long range weapons...

1) Hi, I'm your local LRM boat. After blowing up the target I locked up, I like to be able to turn around and help you immediately afterwards. If you're too dumb to use the R key, it's how I know I'll just have to get my own lock after he blows my unintelligent team-mate into scrap metal. One key. Use it. Or don't complain when your target beats you up because silly person, you wanted to take one through the face for the team instead.

2) LRM long range is 630m- and indeed, LRMs are generally inaccurate over that. Note that in TT, maximum (not long) range is just under...you guessed it....1000m. (And in a game where nearly every weapon can fire well past long range for TT, breaking LRMs would be just horrible.). Now, if you'd like to have everything else do zero damage the second they get a meter past TT range, be my guest and suggest that.

3) There is nothing that says "I am a underhive player" like not targeting and therefore trying to core the guy with two red legs by exclusively hitting him in the CT, or other gaping holes you ignore while picking a random heavily armored spot and making pretty burn patterns with your lone medium laser.

Because you can't use the R key. Or get off the short bus.

Edited by wanderer, 19 September 2014 - 08:34 AM.

[JediMechwarrior]

wow. That is...wow. How about we just let everyone else deal with their own s***. that works awesome! gotta love teamwork in one of the most team oriented games on the ftp list. great mentality. perhaps another game will suit you better. why a pilot would intentionally sabotage the match is beyond me. just rediculous. words escape me. frackin target the frackin enemy. selfish play belongs elsewhere. not the game for that b.s. wow.

[cSand]

Empyrus, on 19 September 2014 - 08:24 AM, said:

Again, in my case, ECM. If there's ECM around, locking a target is waste of time, a distraction might not afford (EDIT in case someone wonders, i play with low framerate (about 30) and with less than stellar connection, the game doesn't always register my key presses, or too late, and those moments can be distracting). If i can be sure there's no ECM ******* things up, i will lock a target.
Besides, any decent pilot will now where they hit the enemy even without the paperdoll (ignoring effects of latency), and keep firing there. Hell, decent pilots should be able to aim in the first place, not just shoot blindly at the enemies.

It's not about aiming, it's about finding out and hitting the most damaged part to degrade the enemy faster... beagle + target info mod is great tool combo for brawling, especially vs ECM. Going up against a big mech with lots of firepower, stripping off those weapons is going to do a lot more for your survival than plowing at the CT while they blast away at you

Edited by cSand, 19 September 2014 - 08:40 AM.

[AztecD]

CapperDeluxe, on 19 September 2014 - 07:51 AM, said:

Lock your own targets, bring your own TAG.


Why?


Because we're putting ourselves at risk every second our faces are exposed to the enemy. Do you really think we're going to risk that for you to maybe shoot and miss? No we're shooting, juking, and trying to make mince meat out of the enemy while avoiding or spreading the damage around ourselves.

Thats like saying Bring your own ECM dude, its supposed to be a team effort, not just puging

Edited by AztecD, 19 September 2014 - 08:37 AM.

[MW Waldorf Statler]

play alone -die alone..ignore the Team ,and the Team ignore you ...Have Fun as Last stand

[Dawnstealer]

I'll lock, but I'll also switch between targets if I see smoke or think someone might be hiding in the back because they're beat up. If I think there's a friendly LRM boat in the back that knows what they're doing, I'll hold a lock as long as possible, but tanking that much damage, especially against Clan mechs, is a dangerous, short-lived game.

So yes: lock your targets, but when you see wave after wave after wave of LRMs slamming into that tall building or rock, or being fired at Lights moving at 150kph+, you worry more about dodging incoming fire than holding those locks as long as possible...

[Mercules]

sneeking, on 19 September 2014 - 08:33 AM, said:

not targeting or sharing data is the best way for lrm haters on both sides to cure the problem.

visual reference only lets cooperate and starve out the spammers.

So... you are a low skill player who hates on LRMs because you get killed by them and/or think "Kill Stealing" is a thing. Because of this you make yourself even less useful to your team by refusing to lock targets and probably cut yourself out of a few kills and shorten your own lifespan by not letting your teammates help you.


Stay classy.

[wanderer]

Fun fact: If you lock a target, lose LOS and then regain it...it'll automatically relock the target. Immediately.

Unless you never hit the R key to begin with. I don't expect you to sit out there getting blitzed by the enemy team, but I can't opportunity-fire a salvo to help get THEIR heads down if all I see is a barrage heading your way followed by your eventual explosion from accumulated damage.

[Revis Volek]

If i dont lock him up its because he is close to death, otherwise I will ask for help. (by using "R")

Kill stealing does not exist in a team game. Its all for one or nothing....

[Xyroc]

when I dont lock its because I dont want my LRM boat to waist missles on a target I know it cant hit. I cant speak for all but I try to pay attention to where my support mechs are and what they can hit.

[Scurry]

I don't think the main complaint here is about holding locks. Not holding is perfectly understandable.

The main complaint is not locking in the first place - and that can be invaluable.

ECM on the other team? Lock while you can, get info on the other guy's weapons loadout and vulnerable locations. You don't need to hold the lock, just get the info. Big weapons loadout and high speed? Gotta be an XL. Shred ST. Lots of missiles? Charge in close and shoot legs.

There was once I observed a pug pouring fire into a Timby's main torsi. It was spreading damage like a champ, and got the better of the pug. Just before the pug went down, the auto-lock kicked in.

The Timby's legs were open red.

CHERRY. FREAKIN'. RED.

A totally wasted opportunity.

Look, I don't care if you want to deny locks to LRM boats or whatever your beef is. Just at least, for the love of all that is Mechy, LOCK YOUR TARGETS FOR AT LEAST TWO SECONDS AND SHOOT THE OPEN STUFF. It makes a difference. A very big difference.

Seriously, it's gotten so bad my ring finger is pressing Q every couple of seconds to see if a friendly is engaged by the way his % health starts dropping.

[Oderint dum Metuant]

I lock targets, look at the paperdoll for half a second then cycle target and continue my work on the damaged sections i know about.

Other times i take the information relayed by team mates and don't lock up the target we are shooting at.

LRM boats can do their own work.

Edited by DV McKenna, 19 September 2014 - 09:00 AM.