50 replies to this topic

[Adamasartus]

One of the most important features in video game design is silhouettes. One of the first things the human brain uses to identify an object is it's silhouette. This is especially important in games with multiple enemy types such as Team Fortress or our very own MWO. PGI and Alex in particular have done a damn good job keeping the silhouettes of 'mechs distinct and recognizable.

Most of the time.

Sometimes you get tunnel vision. Sometimes during the fog of war and the excitement of a brawl you make mistakes.

In the heat of combat have you ever mistaken one 'mech for another?

I have. I was in my Nova in Tourmaline and I saw what I thought was a Shadowhawk. I thought to myself that I could easily remove his right torso and bug out. The problem was that I wasn't fighting a Shadowhawk. I was staring into the blinding strobe beams of a Banshee.

Suffice it to say I died. Laughed and died.

So what about you? Have your Battlemech recognition skills failed you? Did it cost you as dearly as it cost myself?

[Kilo 40]

I turned the corner on Forrest, just before the tunnel entrance, and at first I was like "here little locust..." but then BAM!BAM!BAM!BAM!BAM!!!! It turned out to be a Dire Wolf.

true story.

[MechWarrior849305]

Only some of them (Mechs, I mean) look alike

ShadowHawk -> Highlander
DireWolf -> WarHawk (obviously, the most confusing pair)
Firestarter -> Commando (yet, this is the most recognizable with it's height)

Other mechs mostly have different geometry

We're awaiting new pair - Spider -> Myst Linx

Edited by DuoAngel, 17 November 2014 - 04:51 AM.

[mindwarp]

The DireWolf and Warhawk are fairly easy to confuse at a distance, especially if you only get a glance. And I often mix up Banshee's and Shadowhawks - especially from the side where their shoulders look similar. The Banshee is much larger, but if there's nobody else around to give you the scale it's a pretty easy mistake to make. Other than that, I've not had a problem.

[Lily from animove]

Adamasartus, on 17 November 2014 - 04:36 AM, said:

One of the most important features in video game design is silhouettes. One of the first things the human brain uses to identify an object is it's silhouette. This is especially important in games with multiple enemy types such as Team Fortress or our very own MWO. PGI and Alex in particular have done a damn good job keeping the silhouettes of 'mechs distinct and recognizable.

Most of the time.

Sometimes you get tunnel vision. Sometimes during the fog of war and the excitement of a brawl you make mistakes.

In the heat of combat have you ever mistaken one 'mech for another?

I have. I was in my Nova in Tourmaline and I saw what I thought was a Shadowhawk. I thought to myself that I could easily remove his right torso and bug out. The problem was that I wasn't fighting a Shadowhawk. I was staring into the blinding strobe beams of a Banshee.

Suffice it to say I died. Laughed and died.

So what about you? Have your Battlemech recognition skills failed you? Did it cost you as dearly as it cost myself?

Most of the humanoid ones (so many of the IS) that have a rather similar outline, especially lights at a very long distance spider, commando, firestarter? Well, its not a rave, jenner or locust.

Edited by Lily from animove, 17 November 2014 - 04:59 AM.

[Butane9000]

Only times I have trouble at differentiating mechs is at extreme distances with my zoom module. Otherwise I can usually tell what mech chassis it is.

[Kodyn]

I think the Shad/Banshee one and the Dire/Warhawk are the most common, and probably the biggest issue to the one making the mistake.

Usually I'm lucky and I think the Shad's are the BNCs and the 'Doves are the Dires, so I'm pleasantly surprised. With the settings I play on it's a wonder I can even differentiate a mech from a rock, so i guess I should be happy that's the extent of it lol.

[mogs01gt]

For me, Shawks and Battlemasters.

[TercieI]

I feel you, OP. I do SHD/BNC all the time, especially from some angles. I look for points of reference but I'm actually hestitant to call them on comms. I used to confuse BJ/JM6 but haven't in a long time.

[Metus regem]

That is why I usually do not commit to the engagement right away. When I first see a target, I lock it right away, as well as look for visual ques. At the same time, if I do not get targeting data right away, I then look for signs if additional forces that are unseen.

Once everything has been checked off in my brain, I will either engage, or look for something else. This process takes under a second to complete.

[mogs01gt]

We call came to the same conclusion, the shawks are too damn big!

[Blood Rose]

One I forgot to mention before is occasionally mistaking a Timberwolf for a Marauder

[Kiryuin Ragyo]

DuoAngel, on 17 November 2014 - 04:47 AM, said:

ShadowHawk -> Highlander

Shawk -> Banshee
Victor -> Highlander

[AlmightyAeng]

While calling out targets before you pierce the veil of ECM, I have often called out a Direwolf instead of a Warhawk. Always assume it's a Direwolf...then you never get a nasty surprise

[DarthPeanut]

Oh no you where right... I am just a Shadowhawk. Come closer...

[Ultimax]

I still sometimes mix up Warhawks & Dire Wolves at a distance, although you can't really prance about merrily in front of either of them so it's usually not an issue.


I had a few "big foot" sightings post quirkening, with mechs I hadn't fought in so long that I wasn't sure what they were (I'm looking at you Thunderbolt) or where I should shoot them.

Edited by Ultimatum X, 17 November 2014 - 07:30 AM.

[Tiger Dad]

I have sadly mistaken a Nova for an Adder from a quick view and shadow trying to flank. I (in my Cataphract) ran over to try to stop the flank (not before yelling to the team, "Adder flanking!!!") Ran face first into a Nova Prime with 6 MLs in my face. An Adder came later to help finish me off. But I really need to get my profiling better.

[NinjaTom]

Hi that was me and yes it was a fire starter unless you have a commando with JJ and the armour of a firestarter with laser weapons too so yeah good to see people still can't read my information that I gave out but prefer to mock me and think I'm some idiot when I had clear vision all the time of the target, but what do I know you just want someone to mock.

Edited by NinjaTom, 17 November 2014 - 08:03 AM.

[MeiSooHaityu]

I think Dire Wolfs and Warhawks can look close at a glance.

Actually, Clan mechs share a lot of assets (legs and etc...). It might happen with Clan mechs more than IS.

[Adamasartus]

With the Hellbringer coming out soon I can see it getting confused with the Summoner. Albeit rarely.