38 replies to this topic

[MeiSooHaityu]

Just a kind reminder to PUGs, new players, and even some veterans out there. Remember to check the sky!

I have been seeing more and more UAVs being used (I even use them myself). I also notice (at least PUGing in my ELO), that players rarely ever shoot them down. It seems like 9 out of 10 times I am the person shooting down an enemy UAV. I also notice my UAVs tend to stay airborne the entire time.

So remember, if the LRMs are coming in fast and furious, check the skies (heck, check it periodically anyway).

That little UAV above the battlefield isn't Amazon delivering your season 3 copy of Game of Thrones you ordered, it is the enemy spying on you and locking onto your team.

[Troutmonkey]

Until someone pointed it out to me last month I didn't even know that UAV's were destructible.
Problem now I find is that it's hard to look up enough to ever see them

[MeiSooHaityu]

Troutmonkey, on 16 October 2014 - 03:44 AM, said:

Until someone pointed it out to me last month I didn't even know that UAV's were destructible.
Problem now I find is that it's hard to look up enough to ever see them

I think a lot of players don't know about UAVs or how they work. With the game having almost no help for new players, it can be easy to miss.

It can be hard to look up enough in some mechs. I normally don't think to look for one unless I get a missile warning indicator when I know the enemy doesn't have a LoS to me. Then I back up frantically searching the sky for the little bugger.

[9erRed]

Greetings all,

The largest problem we are seeing with this 'feature' (UAV) is that most Mech's can't elevate high enough to see that location.

- The few Mech's that are designed for Anti-Air roles are being relegated to short range brawlers.
- As we move closer to 'Roll Warfare' we may need to rethink some of these chassis load-out's.
- Assigning a team Mech to the roll of spotting UAV's and 'fast air' aerospace units.
(and Yes, the aerospace fighters will be able to be shot down, as per the Dev.'s comments. Bryan specifically. No eta on when, but they eventually will.)

9erRed

[GreyNovember]

C-ERL seem to have a bit of an issue hitting them. At least that was what seemed to be the case when I tried burning some down in my adder. my Mlas managed to register a hit easier.

That or I couldn't see the hit being registered because of a bright blue laser against bright blue sky.

[MeiSooHaityu]

I'm bummed when I have to shoot one down when I'm running my Shadow Hawk (P). I run it with 1 Gauss, 3 SRM4s, and 2 MGs. The only thing that has the range to hit the UAV is the Gauss. Its sad to waste a gauss round (god forbid 2 if it doesn't register) to knock it down.

Maybe the MGs reach, but I don't think they do. The SRMs scatter all over the place so they won't help.

[DivineEvil]

Hits on UAVs always register. Thing to consider is that they're floating up and down a meter or so. Gauss is qite hard to land with since it might float out of you aim while you charge.

Always look for the range indicator when targeting UAVs. Pulse Lasers and AC's are best against them.

[TexAce]

I got an idea: Airstrike those basetards into oblivion lol

Still waiting for the match when I see red smoke coming out of a UAV

Edited by TexAss, 16 October 2014 - 04:56 AM.

[R5D4]

MeiSooHaityu, on 16 October 2014 - 03:42 AM, said:

Just a kind reminder to PUGs, new players, and even some veterans out there. Remember to check the sky!

I have been seeing more and more UAVs being used (I even use them myself). I also notice (at least PUGing in my ELO), that players rarely ever shoot them down. It seems like 9 out of 10 times I am the person shooting down an enemy UAV. I also notice my UAVs tend to stay airborne the entire time.

So remember, if the LRMs are coming in fast and furious, check the skies (heck, check it periodically anyway).

That little UAV above the battlefield isn't Amazon delivering your season 3 copy of Game of Thrones you ordered, it is the enemy spying on you and locking onto your team.

Not sure where I fall in the ELO brackets but wherever I am it is a completely different experience when I'm PUGing/Group Play. I see UAV's being shot down left right and center, heck I'll see a team drop three of them at a time just to see all of them shot down in about 15 seconds. In fact I would say from my perspective UAV's could use a buff given how easily they have been dropping out of the sky lately.

Edited by R5D4, 16 October 2014 - 05:03 AM.

[DarthPeanut]

It is true, many people do not check for UAV. I check periodically during play. Information is power and if they know your position/ loadout it is just as dangerous as the locks they provide for those who run lrms.

The lack of awareness of them is highlighted when you call it out in chat (cause you cannot pitch up or are srms) and people still do not shoot them down or even look up.

If you are getting locked and no enemy is spotting... check the sky for the UAV! When you are on opposing side of a terrain obstruction from a group of enemy... check the sky because they are probably going to pop a UAV for info.

Edited by DarthPeanut, 16 October 2014 - 06:30 AM.

[Vandul]

Ill bet a lot of you dont know that you can target a UAV for Air/Artillery strikes, and the payload will be delivered directly under the UAV.

This friendly PSA brought to you by FO's everywhere.

[Escef]

TexAss, on 16 October 2014 - 04:55 AM, said:

I got an idea: Airstrike those basetards into oblivion lol

Still waiting for the match when I see red smoke coming out of a UAV

It causes the smoke to appear on the ground directly beneath the UAV. Done right, you can piggyback your arty or air strike off of a UAV, friendly or not.

[Livewyr]

Clan meks have glass roof

clanmeks op

[AlmightyAeng]

Troutmonkey, on 16 October 2014 - 03:44 AM, said:

Until someone pointed it out to me last month I didn't even know that UAV's were destructible.
Problem now I find is that it's hard to look up enough to ever see them

If they're directly above you, you can't. Playing a support mech, a bit further back with a great upward arc (Jager, I'm lookin' at you) you can be SUPER helpful to your team by taking these out.

It encourages everyone to not just deathball up, too, but have a few in the back.

[Ngamok]

Troutmonkey, on 16 October 2014 - 03:44 AM, said:

Until someone pointed it out to me last month I didn't even know that UAV's were destructible.
Problem now I find is that it's hard to look up enough to ever see them

It's just that some mechs have a hard time looking up very far to see them. You'd have to be back quite some distance to spot them. Also, some cockpits are obstructed along the top as well.

[Xarian]

My KFX can't even see UAVs - there's a big bar blocking my view! It sucks.

[Triordinant]

MeiSooHaityu, on 16 October 2014 - 04:17 AM, said:

I'm bummed when I have to shoot one down when I'm running my Shadow Hawk (P). I run it with 1 Gauss, 3 SRM4s, and 2 MGs. The only thing that has the range to hit the UAV is the Gauss. Its sad to waste a gauss round (god forbid 2 if it doesn't register) to knock it down.

Maybe the MGs reach, but I don't think they do. The SRMs scatter all over the place so they won't help.

How high up are they? I noticed that medium lasers can't reach them. Does anyone know?

[AlmightyAeng]

Triordinant, on 16 October 2014 - 10:04 AM, said:

How high up are they? I noticed that medium lasers can't reach them. Does anyone know?

Medium lasers CAN reach them, but bear in mind they have something like...10 hitpoints? If you're outside your 270 butter zone, the tangent going UP to it is even longer.

I've had the most success with medium lasers shooting them down inside 225m.

For some reason, my ballistics seem to hit at a FAR lower percentage.

Edit: HP only at 10 lol...ppl just miss a LOT

Edited by Ghost Badger, 16 October 2014 - 10:22 AM.

[Mcgral18]

Ack! One of the WubShees few weaknesses! dat torso pitch.


Another fun fact about UAVs: falloff damage is broken on them. I've taken them out at 500+M with MPLs (which stop doing damage at 440M) and over 900M with MLs(540M max range).


So, destroy them for that other lance 1KM away from you. There's no reason not to.

Triordinant, on 16 October 2014 - 10:04 AM, said:

How high up are they? I noticed that medium lasers can't reach them. Does anyone know?

Ghost Badger, on 16 October 2014 - 10:06 AM, said:

Medium lasers CAN reach them, but bear in mind they have something like...30, 40 hitpoints? If you're outside your 270 butter zone, the tangent going UP to it is even longer.

I've had the most success with medium lasers shooting them down inside 225m.

For some reason, my ballistics seem to hit at a FAR lower percentage.

They have 10 HP (PPCs are perfect for taking them out, no drop, 1 hit kill)

As stated above, falloff damage is broken with lasers at least, so shoot them whenever you see them. Wait for the rangefinder to go to a smaller distance, and you'll get a good hit.

[Alaskan Nobody]

Ghost Badger, on 16 October 2014 - 10:06 AM, said:

For some reason, my ballistics seem to hit at a FAR lower percentage.

They drift up and down - making it hard to track them