101 replies to this topic

[luxebo]

If you don't know how to pilot an assault, then look up some references, and most importantly, unless configured to be a ERLL sniper/LRM boat, don't bother with staying behind your mainliners, be a mainliner. If you are brawling, then do so, those carrying dual AC20s and a combo of lasers and missiles should be up close not back there. Sure before I've seen people capping as a fully armored brawling Atlas, but with the release of the King Crab, I saw so many people that could've helped out in a brawl that ended up not doing a thing.

Why give yourself two AC20s only to not brawl at all? Your AC20s or other combos of ACs should be close combat designed. Even boating MGs and a combo of lasers and SRMs, you still have the armor to fight upfront and you are designed for so.

The reason I state this post is to tell people that have not done much in the assault role and don't quite know what the King Crab is good for. Spread damage, move around, torso twist extensively since you have 100 torso degrees, and don't sit in the back when you should be upfront. When a guy tells you to move up, do it or respond that you are either injured (and prove so), you are made for longer range combat, otherwise go forward.

Good luck all you King Crabers and I will continue to sit by in my Atlas DDC. Don't want to be the only guy pushing and finding a bunch of king crabs capping or the like.

[RagingShrubbery]

Just gotta say, if "some guy" tells you to push up, ignore him unless you have a damn good reason to. Pushing is only a good tactic in a murderball. Sure assaults are front line units, but it doesnt matter how tough you are when the whole enemy team is firing on you.

Ive seen far too many assaults push aggresively only to end up losing a large chunk of your team weight for no reason. There's a time and a place for pushing, and a well armored assault is devestating to a worn out team.

[Tastian]

I agree with this post. But more importantly, if you are on a team and you have a few whales (Dires, Crabs, or Atlas), PLEASE don't run off and leave them to be picked off by lights. This is true at the beginning of the match and its also true when the whales are attempting to front line. If you see them starting to push, don't just wait for them to die; push with them. If you don't push with them, don't complain about them not pushing. Otherwise, you are teaching them not to front line. Whales that don't front line is a learned behavior.

[luxebo]

RagingShrubbery, on 09 December 2014 - 05:45 PM, said:

Just gotta say, if "some guy" tells you to push up, ignore him unless you have a damn good reason to. Pushing is only a good tactic in a murderball. Sure assaults are front line units, but it doesnt matter how tough you are when the whole enemy team is firing on you.

Ive seen far too many assaults push aggresively only to end up losing a large chunk of your team weight for no reason. There's a time and a place for pushing, and a well armored assault is devestating to a worn out team.

Agreed here, but when to push and where to push is another topic for another day. Generally pushes work out well on some areas and maps, especially when a good flank is done at the same time. A severe problem with this however is that only part of a team pushes and it turns to be a dud. Knowing when to push is important for an assault pilot and to lead one when ordered, but staying in the front is the most important, then strategies that flow well with it.

[Harime Nui]

2xAC20+4xSRM6... Hell of a brawler.

[luxebo]

Harime Nui, on 09 December 2014 - 06:05 PM, said:

2xAC20+4xSRM6... Hell of a brawler.

Which should NOT be in the base camping when the rest are pushing or should NOT be hiding in a little hole like if it's Christmas. Well then again....

[Ph30nix]

currently my crab is too slow to beat my team mates to the punch and get to front line. if they are all huddled around doing nothing ill try to encourage a push but alot of times all i get for my trouble is about 7 enemy mechs firing LRM's at me or pot shots taking out most of my armor.

[NUK3]

I agree. And one thing for those non-whalers: Always keep a lock on a target and report enemy concentrations a.k.a. the front line. When playing an assault, one does not simply turn around and change one's course by more than 45 degrees. So knowing where the enemy is, is vital for being a contributing assault brawler. Especially in a King Crab with it's (at least perceived) worst deceleration of all 'Mechs. Once it's on course, it takes a lot to stop it. In every way you can interpret that centence.

[Harime Nui]

luxebo, on 09 December 2014 - 06:09 PM, said:

Which should NOT be in the base camping when the rest are pushing or should NOT be hiding in a little hole like if it's Christmas. Well then again....

Just cause I'm an official noob I only reached 6 killin a row just tanking through on that build... than, as expected I died before ammo runs out. But that was effin'awesome!!! Enemy meches was just exploading in front like it was 4th of July fireworks.

Dual AC20 and swarm from 4xSRM6 is just too obilterative.

Edited by Harime Nui, 09 December 2014 - 06:15 PM.

[Kiiyor]

INCORRECT.

This is a fallacy of ye olde highest order.

With TTK the way it is at the moment, Assaults (and especially slow Assaults) are mad to expose themselves fully to concentrated enemy fire.

Assaults are weapon platforms. Their purpose isn't to absorb fire, because no assault can actually do that against more than one enemy. Their purpose is to get themselves into a position where they can bring their outrageous firepower to bear with as little risk as possible, and to deny ground to the enemy.

Few mechs will willingly round a corner knowing a DireWolf has it's crosshairs waiting for them. Catch a DireWolf in the open however, and it's party time, all enemies invited.

Leave the skirmishing to faster mechs better suited to it. The job of fast mediums and lights is to harass and confuse the enemy, so that the larger weapon platforms know where to be to fire for best effect.

[LordKnightFandragon]

Its hard for an Assault to be on the front when the lights and mediums just decide to press W and rush ahead of them.

If the game was more coordinated there wouldnt be that issue. Then, the assaults would be more willing to lead if they knew they had support and werent going to circle jerked by the faster mechs.

Assaults cant lead in this game cuz this game has made them sooo...unscary.. absurdly fast tiny lights.....yeah....

[CocoaJin]

Consider this, if your Assault isn't up front, that the faster guys might want to re-group and bring the front to them. Honestly, you'd be just as much at fault for over-extending ahead of your Assault as the Assault for not staying in front. Is he staying behind or are you pulling ahead?

[Vassago Rain]

While farming crabs tonight, I saw some of the most horrible builds ever, including XL engines bolted onto 100 tonners.

[Kiiyor]

CocoaJin, on 09 December 2014 - 06:54 PM, said:

Consider this, if your Assault isn't up front, that the faster guys might want to re-group and bring the front to them. Honestly, you'd be just as much at fault for over-extending ahead of your Assault as the Assault for not staying in front. Is he staying behind or are you pulling ahead?

Good points.

Assaults need escorts. Think of them as ships of the line in days of yore. Incredibly powerful, but without allies a couple of faster cutters could reduce them to kindling.

Having said that, if you're in a fast mech and extend too far ahead, that's fine. If you're getting shot up, pull the hell back! It astounds me when Hunchies and delicate heavies like Yagers stand and shoot at enemy teams when they are clearly not winning their exchanges. Meanwhile, a Crab or Dire is plodding forwards, just itching to help you out by blowing comically large holes in everything. Pull back! It doesn't even have to be far! Two freaking meters will put you behind cover, where you can almost always just wait, and you'll be fine!

"HERP, BUT THEN THEM THAR A-SALTS WILL TERK DER KILLS! IT PLUM JUST AINT FAIR!"

[LordKnightFandragon]

Kiiyor, on 09 December 2014 - 07:19 PM, said:

Good points.

Assaults need escorts. Think of them as ships of the line in days of yore. Incredibly powerful, but without allies a couple of faster cutters could reduce them to kindling.

Having said that, if you're in a fast mech and extend too far ahead, that's fine. If you're getting shot up, pull the hell back! It astounds me when Hunchies and delicate heavies like Yagers stand and shoot at enemy teams when they are clearly not winning their exchanges. Meanwhile, a Crab or Dire is plodding forwards, just itching to help you out by blowing comically large holes in everything. Pull back! It doesn't even have to be far! Two freaking meters will put you behind cover, where you can almost always just wait, and you'll be fine!

"HERP, BUT THEN THEM THAR A-SALTS WILL TERK DER KILLS! IT PLUM JUST AINT FAIR!"

And that thar be the thinkin of the arage pubby....

shellfish, all 'bout wantin duh kill shawt..

Its sad really...makes playing the game very annoying..it leads to the 12-2 wipes....

[luxebo]

Kiiyor, on 09 December 2014 - 06:17 PM, said:

INCORRECT.

This is a fallacy of ye olde highest order.

With TTK the way it is at the moment, Assaults (and especially slow Assaults) are mad to expose themselves fully to concentrated enemy fire.

Assaults are weapon platforms. Their purpose isn't to absorb fire, because no assault can actually do that against more than one enemy. Their purpose is to get themselves into a position where they can bring their outrageous firepower to bear with as little risk as possible, and to deny ground to the enemy.

Few mechs will willingly round a corner knowing a DireWolf has it's crosshairs waiting for them. Catch a DireWolf in the open however, and it's party time, all enemies invited.

Leave the skirmishing to faster mechs better suited to it. The job of fast mediums and lights is to harass and confuse the enemy, so that the larger weapon platforms know where to be to fire for best effect.

I disagree on this. I think assaults are made to deal damage and take damage. Maybe not right in the front as a meat shield but at least spread some damage if you were to be in a brawler. I often times don't feel like I did my job if I get out of a brawl in a DDC with 100% health, especially when a smaller guy next to me lost all his limbs.

At the same time, you do want to conserve yourself, not overextend, and survive as long as possible. I also dislike it when people don't know how to support the heavier mechs on the field, which happens a lot.

Assaults always attract attention, but letting your teammates die off slowly and walking to the field last as a fresh assault just isn't right; if that assault had sticked on the field and not sat behind then the game could've rolled down better and the match might've been closer.

Basically TL;DR: Don't wait till the last man standing to act.

CocoaJin, on 09 December 2014 - 06:54 PM, said:

Consider this, if your Assault isn't up front, that the faster guys might want to re-group and bring the front to them. Honestly, you'd be just as much at fault for over-extending ahead of your Assault as the Assault for not staying in front. Is he staying behind or are you pulling ahead?

Agreed here. Stick with your assaults on a team, leaving them behind is fatal on a team.

Kiiyor, on 09 December 2014 - 07:19 PM, said:

Good points.

Assaults need escorts. Think of them as ships of the line in days of yore. Incredibly powerful, but without allies a couple of faster cutters could reduce them to kindling.

Having said that, if you're in a fast mech and extend too far ahead, that's fine. If you're getting shot up, pull the hell back! It astounds me when Hunchies and delicate heavies like Yagers stand and shoot at enemy teams when they are clearly not winning their exchanges. Meanwhile, a Crab or Dire is plodding forwards, just itching to help you out by blowing comically large holes in everything. Pull back! It doesn't even have to be far! Two freaking meters will put you behind cover, where you can almost always just wait, and you'll be fine!

"HERP, BUT THEN THEM THAR A-SALTS WILL TERK DER KILLS! IT PLUM JUST AINT FAIR!"

But here I agree, back off if you are in a lighter mech and are getting swarmed. Let the assault take a few hits rather than lose a crucial component.

Don't kill yourself unnecessarily. Take the least casualties.

Edited by luxebo, 09 December 2014 - 08:47 PM.

[nitra]

Dear Op, Cannon Fodder.

Unfortunately it appears you have confused yourself and forgotten the critical part that you play on this stage of fire and destruction. It is you who must go forth with righteous fury, determination, and fortitude. Emanating pain and sorrow, you are the precursor to my final rapture. Your fiery dance and harrowing assault will be the opening to a song of sorrow in which I will be the final chord. A sullen note that befalls the remnants of those that stood against you . Blow by blow this symphony of destruction is mine to orchestrate, vengeance is had. I bring glory to your sacrifice .So go forth with great fervor, for I am the Terminus in this confrontation. Through my acts of annihilation your efforts shall not be in vain.

[luxebo]

I can't tell if it's some sort of dawn of war reference or I'm just blind.

Hey if anyone else had driven an AS7-DDC with multiple KGCs sitting all the way in the back and a few locusts following you that is basically what every match looks like. And of course we lose every time since their KGCs are upfront.

Ah well I will stay on my island on yet another topic.

Why am I always on an island, seriously even when I asked for more role warfare. Everyone told me no.

[Brody319]

but that might scratch the paint.

[nitra]

luxebo, on 09 December 2014 - 10:45 PM, said:

I can't tell if it's some sort of dawn of war reference or I'm just blind.

Hey if anyone else had driven an AS7-DDC with multiple KGCs sitting all the way in the back and a few locusts following you that is basically what every match looks like. And of course we lose every time since their KGCs are upfront.

Ah well I will stay on my island on yet another topic.

Why am I always on an island, seriously even when I asked for more role warfare. Everyone told me no.

trust me your not on a island , just trying to illuminate the mindset of some of those assault pilots who always seem to come up at the very end of battle full health and wreak havoc on the remains of the enemy team ..

thought it might be quite funny. hope it was worth least a chuckle.