How To Survive An Lrm Fest
#1
Posted 16 November 2014 - 06:08 PM
Step 1: Assume that you will face LRMs.
Don't kid yourself, even those that think LRMs are beneath them will still turn to them for tournaments, thinking they are some how a "Broken Auto-win Device".
Step 2: TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK ABOUT WHERE THE ENEMY IS early in the match.
Probably the biggest difference between the average (not Noob.. AVERAGE) player and a veteran is that the veteran spends some time thinking about his opponents' perspectives, and acts in the absence of them being visible infront of them.
Step 2B: Travel where you are not going to be seen.
The first and foremost defense against Long Range Missiles is their prevention. Only ONE opponent needs to see you in order for EVERY opponent to fire on you. When approaching the enemy at the start of the match, you should have a general idea where to look because you took the time to remember the spawn locations the last time you played from their side. Pause a moment before going over cliffs, move up to tall cover and look out across the rest of the map before leaving it.
Step 3: Know where your cover is, and how to use it.
Proper cover from missiles is anything that stands between you and the missile. It does not have to loom overhead, it needs only be tall enough to intercept the missile arc. If you are a long distance away, or a very short distance, this arc is going to be fairly low altitude. As the battle approaches 600-400 meters or so, you will want things taller than you.
Do not be eager to leave cover. Even if the missiles stop, there is still a period of time when the enemy still has a lock. Longer still is the period at which your average opponent will STARE at the place where you ducked aside, waiting for you to step out again. And ALWAYS consider that there might be an enemy who CAN see you but does not have missiles.. look for lightweights and UAVs before stepping in range of enemy missiles.
Step 3B: Leave cover PROPERLY.
So often when -I- am the one launching LRMs, I see someone step behind a rock to avoid them. Then, a moment later, when I've stopped launching missiles, they step out again, and move in the open to the next rock. I fire more missiles at them. Sometimes I laugh at them.
To properly leave cover, move away from it in a direct line AWAY from where the Missiles were coming from. Hopefully, the missile launcher was the only one who saw you, and moving while this cover is still between you will prevent him from knowing you've left. (As a side note, a lot of high scores in any sort of scenario hinges on knowing when to leave a bad situation and come back to the battle later)
Step 4: Prioritize LRM boats.
As long as you are not being attacked at the moment, take a LITTLE time to cycle through available targets, or to peak over a ridge in the direction of incoming missiles. When safe, you should always try to hit missile boats or sources of ECM first, followed by whatever is heaviest in tons.
Step 5: Do NOT expect miracles.
Sometimes the enemy just focuses on you. Get your head back in the game for the next match.
AMS and ECM:
Not a "step" per se. AMS does not stop every missile. It is padding. Bring it when you can afford the space and tonnage, and never expect it to keep you alive. ECM is a greater benefit for all purposes and is a reasonable counter for Missiles in that it can stop the enemy from locking on at the range they could without it. If you have ECM equipped, pay attention to the Eye icon at the right of your screen; if it ever becomes a crossed out "ECM", start looking for good cover, even if you are not being shot at right now, until such a time as it becomes active again.
Radar Deprivation Module.
Probably the best thing you could equip to try and defeat missiles from the mech bay. Radar Deprivation breaks lock-ons the very moment you move out of sight from anyone. As one who gleefully tells you I use LRMs, I can tell you there are a lot of moments when I am tracking a target but cannot fire at it right this moment. Radar deprivation not only kills a lock on sooner, it can allow you to change position (Step 3B) a lot easier.
#2
Posted 16 November 2014 - 06:13 PM
Approach under cover and brawl them. The more LRMs, the less they can brawl. And after moving in I'd even say prioritize their Medium thru Assault non-LRMs first, then start knocking down the LRMs (although, I'd send Lights after the biggest LRM boats first).
#3
Posted 16 November 2014 - 06:33 PM
Edit: I would like to say though that LRMs have been quite overused and it's an iffy subject. I'll leave balancing to the more experienced, but it needs some revision and overlook whether it's buffed/nerfed.
Edited by luxebo, 16 November 2014 - 06:34 PM.
#4
Posted 16 November 2014 - 06:33 PM
#5
Posted 16 November 2014 - 06:48 PM
#6
Posted 16 November 2014 - 07:20 PM
the good thing about dropping in a group................ it gives the enemy someone else to shoot at.
#7
Posted 16 November 2014 - 07:29 PM
Edited by Sky Hawk, 16 November 2014 - 07:30 PM.
#8
Posted 17 November 2014 - 12:29 AM
Note that the opposite is true as well. If lrms start pouring down on you and your buddies even with an ECM mech close by, look up for a UAV and take it out immediately. If a friendly starts firing into the air, look up. He's probably firing at a UAV.
#9
Posted 17 November 2014 - 01:48 AM
The moment this thread turns into another pro or contra LRM thread, I'll either move it to General Discussion or close it outright.
#10
Posted 17 November 2014 - 02:02 AM
Use Radar Deprivation -> laugh as all their Missiles hit the dirt next to you. Rush LRM Boats and give them sweet close quarters hell.
And really, Radar Dep is a must have for every mech (except some ECM ones maybe, but safer with Radar Dep since the BAP changes)
Edit:
I know that Mech Modules are expensive, but at least one of those should be on top of any new players "must have" list, RD makes things so much easier.
Edited by Camper101, 17 November 2014 - 02:04 AM.
#11
Posted 17 November 2014 - 03:17 AM
If you are in an Medium Mech with some Long Range Weapons and able to move lets say 100 k/ph, try to get a close to Cover Postition, from wich you are then take some shots at the Boat.
Convince the Boat to shot at you and start to dance with the Missles. Let the Boat waste his Missles. For this Tactic, you dont want to have Radar Derp equiped.
Be Patient, in most LRM heavy Games, patience is the Key to sucess, because no one have endless Ammo.
And the well known one, Take AMS and enough Ammo, if you are slower than 80 k/ph,
Edited by Revorn, 17 November 2014 - 03:23 AM.
#12
Posted 17 November 2014 - 03:37 AM
Particularly the point about observing the position of enemies & travelling where you aren't going to be seen. I noticed a *dramatic* improvement in how much heat I took from LRMs when I learned how to do these. To the point where I see people moan about them on here & wonder if we're playing the same game.
#14
Posted 17 November 2014 - 12:51 PM
#15
Posted 17 November 2014 - 01:53 PM
#16
Posted 17 November 2014 - 03:05 PM
#17
Posted 18 November 2014 - 10:07 AM
#18
Posted 21 November 2014 - 08:29 PM
Maybe when someone complains, we could direct them to these steps? I can't remember the last time I died to LRMs.
#19
Posted 22 November 2014 - 02:04 AM
Last Weekend, i stepped over an Hill, to look where the enemy is. Frozen City. I saw them, relative close to my Position. Then the Missle warning started, 2 Seconds later i was Dead. At minute 2 of the Game. Unfortunaly i got hit by 3 Massive Missleboats and 2 SRM Boats. Wow. My Wolverine melted instant.
But such Situations are very Rare for me, because i use all the Tricks needed. That Way LRMs arent realy a Problem. So bumping the Thread, seems to be a good idea to help other Pilots to survive as well.
#20
Posted 22 November 2014 - 04:37 AM
The one I would like to point out in particular is the "LRM Bait" move mentioned where you either move between two pieces of cover, or move in and out from behind the same cover, drawing LRM fire. This works especially well in the opening minutes of a match when many LRM mechs are trailing behind the speedy Lights who are looking for that Scouting bonus money. You show up on an LRM Mechs radar, but they have no real idea what your position is. To them it's a free shot and they hardly ever turn that down. Present yourself as a juicy target for the first minute (staying close to cover mind you), and the LRM boats will waste ammo as they maneuver into positions.
As an LRM Mech, the key for me is to look to see my crosshairs flash RED during impact. If that isn't happening, then my missiles are hitting a something besides an enemy mech, BUT, during those opening minutes many pilots are more focused on driving than looking for that confirmation of a hit... and you can get them to waste ammo.
Now, how much will this be lowering my scores during the game? Let's find out! Happy hunting all.
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