I thought I'd weigh in with a half-baked suggestion that literally came to me approx two minutes ago: Why don't we make knockdowns less black and white?
In Beta, the mechanic worked similarly to TT, in that it works on a binary principle. Either you are standing or you are knocked prone. Up or down. I propose that it does not need to be so simple. This is a computer game so we don't need to explain the rules to my cousin, and then figure out the 2D6 roll required etc.
We could have 3 or more "states", instead of just the two. The way I see it :
1) Standing. What we all have now in game. Normal movement etc.
2) Staggered. Knocked for six. Maybe down on one knee? Brief loss of control while the pilot stablilises the Mech. Possibly one arm rendered unusable as it is needed to hold the Mech from falling flat? The pilot then has the choice of taking the time to stand back up, or just staying in that position and firing his remaining weapons.
3) Down. Pole axed. Flat out. "What are you all lying down for?" One's Mech has been badly tripped and is lying flat out either on its back or belly. One could I guess still try to fire, but one's weapons will be pointing mostly straight down or straight up.
Getting up would not happen automatically. There needs to be a mapped key for that.
Also, I don't like the old "3rd Person Failure-Cam" that they had in Beta (as much fun as it was to have an out of body experience and watch your Mech teleporting around). You should stay in-cockpit the whole time. Maybe one of those unused screens could flash "You have fallen over, you nincompoop!"?
You should have a clue what's happened because you'll be looking at mud (or the sky). Bitchin' Betty could deadpan "You idiot. You idiot", over and over until you get up.
Sorry. Got a bit beyond myself there. Anyway, what do people think about the Staggering idea I've had? (badum-tish!)
The basic concept could be expanded to allow for other variables, such as differing fall characteristics for humanoid as opposed to digitrade Mechs. ie, The design of the Mech's legs might make it take shorter or longer times to stand up after a fall? Or, might make it easier for a Mech to be knocked over in the first place?
Also, Mechs with lower arm and hand actuators could possibly have an easier time of it.
What do you think?
D313
Edited by Deadmeat313, 16 November 2014 - 08:24 AM.